Newspaper Review

Malta: Mass discharge of gaming company employees provisionally blocked

L-Orizzont reports that the court has provisionally upheld a warrant of injunction filed by the General Workers Union to stop the sacking of 300 employees by NetEnt. The mass layoffs…

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Malta: Court order tempers nurses’ union directives

The Times says that a judge has blocked planned industrial actions by the union of nurses in cases where they could put patients’ lives at risk. Other directives at Mater…

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Malta: Owen Bonnici grilled about new ministry remit

In-Nazzjon says that Minister Owen Bonnici could not explain his new responsibilities when asked by the paper and said he would provide more details about the new ministry for research,…

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Malta: Compilation of evidence against Santa Luċija murder suspect underway

L-Orizzont follows the compilation of evidence against Samir Almiri, accused of killing Victor McKeon in March before fleeing to Morocco. Investigators said that the Libyan used the victim’s credit cards…

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Malta: Lawyers irked by bill on the regulation of the profession

The Independent quotes a statement by the Chamber of Advocates expressing ‘utter dissatisfaction’ with a bill in parliament to amend laws regulating the profession. The Chamber said the proposals do…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech wants Council of Europe to shut down public inquiry

The Times reports that businessman Yorgen Fenech has written to the Council of Europe requesting the ‘suspension or termination’ of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry, claiming that it breaches his…

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Malta: Guesthouses relying on government assistance

Business Today says that guesthouses are counting on the distribution of the vaccine to restart their business next year. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that the government will keep supporting…

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Malta: Keith Schembri to testify before the public inquiry next week

The Times says that former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri is to appear before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry on Monday, where he is likely to face questions about…

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Malta: Institute of Journalists rebukes Transport Minister

In-Nazzjon says that the Institute of Journalists admonished Minister Ian Borg for his treatment of a Net TV journalist during a press event. In his reply, the minister apologised but…

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Malta: Over €6 million in cheques cashed in two years by Gordon Debono employee

L-Orizzont follows the testimony of a police investigator in the case against Gordon Debono. The court heard how an employee at one of Debono’s companies has cashed some €6.2 million…

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Malta: Businesses are crucial for government waste management plan

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia following the launch of a 10-year national waste management programme. The Minister said that the business sector is…

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Malta: Minister shows support for Animal Welfare Commissioner after zookeeper comments

The Independent quotes Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo who has defended the government’s choice for Animal Welfare Commissioner, Alison Bezzina. The statement follows comments by a zookeeper, threatening to have…

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Malta: Majority of inmates are non-Maltese nationals

L-Orizzont says that six in ten inmates at the Corradino Correctional Facilities are non-Maltese nationals, and women make around seven percent of the total prison population. Home Affairs Minister Byron…

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Malta: Police investigating businessman’s alleged links to mafia

The Times reveals that the financial crimes investigators are questioning an Italian man suspected of planning to launder millions of euros for the mafia. Roberto Recordare is named as the…

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Malta: Council of Europe rapporteur not satisfied with Malta’s rule of law reform

In-Nazzjon follows the report by the Council of Europe on the rule of law recommendations for Malta. Rapporteur Peter Omtzigt said that implementation of the reform programme has not been…

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Malta: Arnold Cassola reports zookeeper over comments targeting Animal Welfare Commissioner

Malta Today reports that independent MEP candidate Arnold Cassola has filed a report with the police cybercrime unit to take down a video posted by zookeeper Anton Cutajar, following comments…

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Malta: MFSA interim CEO to stay on until review is completed

The Independent speaks to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who said that the financial services authority acting CEO, Christopher Buttigieg, will remain in place until the government ‘takes stock of the…

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Malta: Regulations prohibiting wild animal petting were published by mistake

The Independent questions the Ministry for Animal Rights about sudden changes to zoo regulations, allowing the petting of wild animals. A spokesperson said that draft regulations prohibiting handling and petting…

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Malta: Opposition pushes for Electrogas deal scrutiny in parliament

In-Nazzjon reports on a formal request by the Opposition to discuss the Auditor General’s report into the Electrogas power station in a parliamentary committee. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech accused the…

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Malta: PM wants Caruana Galizia public inquiry concluded next week

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that he expects the Caruana Galizia public inquiry to be concluded by next week. The inquiry board, agreed by the government and…

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Malta: Health Minister unveils vaccination timelines

The Times reports on a press conference by Health Minister Chris Fearne who announced that Covid-19 vaccines will begin to be administered in January, starting with healthcare workers and people…

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Malta: Pandemic effects on early school-leavers still unknown

The Independent speaks to a spokesperson for the Education Ministry about the effects of the pandemic on the early school-leaving rate. The ministry said that it is still premature to…

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Malta: First Covid-19 vaccinations expected in January

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that Malta will start the road ‘back to normality’ from January as the first Covid-19 vaccines start being administered. Abela said the…

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Malta: Police on patrol to start wearing bodycams

The Times says that police on the beat will start using body cameras from next year following a €1 million deal with a German company. A spokesperson for the corps…

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Malta: Opposition to present amendments to divorce and domestic violence laws

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who announced the party is proposing amendments to the divorce and domestic violence laws. He said that there should be a maintenance mechanism and…

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Malta: Money-laundering probe into Pilatus Bank ongoing

The Sunday Times says that a police investigation into the shuttered Pilatus Bank is expected to lead to prosecutions over suspicions of money laundering. Bank officials were in line to…

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Malta: Finance Minister says low-income workers are a priority

The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with new Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who believes that more must be done to raise the wages of low-income workers. He said that…

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Malta: PN secretary general appeals for donations

Il-Mument says that the Nationalist Party is holding a fundraising marathon on Sunday. Secretary General Francis Zammit Dimech said that donations by the many helps to strengthen the party. The…

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Malta: Majority anticipate a better personal financial situation next year

Illum says that 53 percent expect to make more money in 2021 than this year after the pandemic is brought under control. Just under half of young people are planning…

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Malta: Trust in party leaders drops in December

Malta Today reports that Bernard Grech’s trust ratings slipped 1.4 points from last month recording 30.1 percent, his lowest since taking over as PN Leader in September. Robert Abela also…

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Malta: Sacked gaming employees seek union guidance

It-Torċa reports that workers that have been laid off by gaming company NetEnt this week have approached the General Workers’ Union for advice. The union reported the case to the…

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Malta: 50 years since the first agreement with the European Economic Community

In-Nazzjon marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of an association agreement between Malta and the European Economic Community, paving the way for the country’s accession into what later developed…

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Malta: MOAS returns to the Mediterranean

L-Orizzont reports that sea rescue operation MOAS is returning to the Mediterranean region in a new partnership with charity ship Sea Eye 4. MOAS was the first non-governmental organisation to…

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Malta: Former PM rejects kitchen cabinet claims made by ministers

The Independent follows the testimony of former prime minister Joseph Muscat who denied that there ever was a kitchen cabinet in his administration. Asked about his relationship with Yorgen Fenech,…

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Malta: Muscat says his premiership became untenable with the arrest of his chief of staff

The Times leads with the testimony of Joseph Muscat in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry. The former prime minister said he decided to step down the moment his chief of…

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Malta: Covid-19 casualties climb to 148

In-Nazzjon reports that Covid-19 fatalities rose to 148 by Thursday after the death of another two infected men aged 64 and 74. Both victims were being treated for the disease…

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Malta: Vaccine expected in first week of the new year

The Times says that Malta is expected to receive a first consignment of the Covid-19 vaccine in early January, as the European Medicines Agency has set a December 29 deadline…

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Malta: Santa Luċija murder suspect arraigned in court

The Independent reports on the extradition of Samir Almiri from Morocco on charges of murder in March, to which he pleaded not guilty. The body of Victor McKeon was found…

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Malta: Magistrate rules against actress in defamation case

L-Orizzont leads with a court decision throwing out a libel suit filed by actress and activist Pia Zammit against the paper over the publication of a photo of her in…

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Malta: Debenhams stores not affected by UK closures

The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the management of Debenhams stores following the collapse of the brand in the UK on Tuesday. The director of United Group said that the…

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Malta: Shannon Mak murderer handed 30-year jail term

The Independent leads with the sentencing of Jelle Rijpma for 30 years imprisonment for the murder of former girlfriend Shannon Mak. The case happened in August 2018 when the victim…

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Malta: PN MP proposes vision to attract new blood to the party

L-Orizzont publishes replies to questions sent to Opposition MP Claudio Grech about his proposal for the PN to be more inclusive of new political candidates. Grech said that the suggestion…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat to cooperate with the Caruana Galizia public inquiry

The Times sent questions to Joseph Muscat who confirmed that he intends to cooperate with the Caruana Galizia public inquiry. The former Prime Minister has been summoned to testify before…

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Malta: Bernard Grech calls for new employment pact

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who called for a new social pact that embraces innovative models of employment which protect both employers and employees. Grech was addressing a meeting…

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Malta: Board approving life-saving treatment works until 14:30

Malta Today reports that the administration of methotrexate to end ectopic pregnancies requires a decision by a government board which is only available until 14:30, potentially delaying life-saving treatment for…

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Malta: Transport minister expresses reservations with court decision

The Independent asks Transport Minister Ian Borg whether he would resign over a magistrate decision which found his testimony to be not credible. The minister brushed off the question and…

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Malta: Home furnishings sales boom

L-Orizzont carries an interview with Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo who said that businesses in the home furnishings category have registered a rise in sales during the Black Friday…

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Malta: BOV making contingency plans for correspondence banking scenarios

The Times follows a press briefing by BOV where CEO Rick Hunkin announced that the bank is exploring alternative avenues in case of loss of US correspondence banking but admitted…

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Malta: Gaming company lays off 300 employees

In-Nazzjon reports that igaming company NetEnt informed nearly 300 employees that it was terminating their jobs with immediate effect on Tuesday. The paper says that the employees face an uncertain…

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Malta: Police mount operation to free kidnapped woman

The Times reports on a police operation to free an abducted 50-year-old woman on Saturday, tracked down at a Buġibba apartment. The victim’s son reportedly owed one of the kidnappers…

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Malta: A third of domestic violence victims are men

L-Orizzont leads with the inauguration of the Gender-based and Domestic Violence department within the police. Minister Byron Camilleri said that nearly a third of cases investigated by the police were…

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Malta: Europol presents terabytes of data from Yorgen Fenech’s devices

The Independent follows the testimony of three Europol experts in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry on Monday where they presented four terabytes of data extracted from the electronic devices of…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases reach 10,000 mark since March

In-Nazzjon reports that four Covid-19 patients died on Monday, raising the total number of casualties to 137 since the start of the pandemic. Infections reached 10,000 for the first time…

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Malta: Asymptomatic carrier urges stricter Covid-19 enforcement

L-Orizzont carries an interview with former politician and businessman Edgar Bonnici Cachia who tested as an asymptomatic Covid-19 carrier. He called for tougher enforcement of safety rules to help contain…

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Malta: Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando to contest PL causal election

The Independent speaks to former PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando who confirmed his intention to contest the casual election for the seat in parliament vacated by Edward Scicluna when he…

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Malta: PN proposes referendum on Gozo-Malta tunnel

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who called for greater autonomy for Gozo with the creation of a Regional Council and a specific socio-economic plan for the island. Grech said…

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Malta: Prime Minister eyes full recovery by May

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the Covid-19 vaccine will start being administered in January. Abela said he expects the country to go back to ‘business…

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