Newspaper Review

Malta: PM non-committal on reopening date for bars

The Independent says that the Prime Minister did not give a definite answer to a question about the expected reopening of bars and clubs on December 1. Robert Abela said…

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Malta: PM plays down Cabinet reshuffle rumours

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that a Cabinet reshuffle will only be called if it is in the national interest. The Prime Minister was responding to…

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Malta: Covid-19 deaths surpass 100

In-Nazzjon reports that the number of Covid-19 victims has now risen above 100 after three elderly people died from the disease on Monday. There are currently 2,157 registered active cases.…

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Malta: Criminal court to appoint administrator for Keith Schembri’s companies

The Times says that Keith Schembri’s companies will be run by an administrator selected by the criminal court. On Monday, the court turned down an appeal by the attorney general,…

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Malta: PM accuses Opposition Leader of political football amid pandemic

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who appealed for unity to fight the pandemic and criticised Opposition Leader Bernard Grech for ‘politicising’ the death of Covid-19 patient Renald Falzon by…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says PM sent wrong message on pandemic

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that people deserve responsible and honest politics, accusing Prime Minister Robert Abela of downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus. Keep in the…

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Malta: Over 4,500 fined for failure to wear facemasks

L-Orizzont says that more than 4,500 people have been fined for not wearing facemasks since the rules came into effect a month ago. A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry…

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Malta: Environment authority issues first report on Comino proposals

The Independent quotes a report by the Environmental and Resources Authority on the Comino redevelopment project, noting ‘localised improvements’ in the proposal. The watchdog also raises concerns about garigue land…

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Malta: UAE ready share details about 17 Black

The Times speaks with the UAE’s ambassador to the European Union Mohamed Abushahab who revealed that the country is engaging with Malta in relation to 17 Black and will share…

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Malta: Several MPs refuse to declare family assets

The Sunday Times says that MPs are resisting a request by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to declare assets held by their families. Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis…

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Malta: Economic sectors faring better than in countries on lockdown

Kullħadd says that European countries that imposed full lockdowns have experienced ‘devastating effects’ on restaurants and the retail sector. The paper says that Malta has resisted shocks to the economic…

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Malta: Just over 200 Covid-19 cases registered among students

Illum speaks to Education Minister Owen Bonnici who said that there have been 204 cases of Covid-19 among 45,000 students since the reopening of the academic year. There were 112…

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Malta: Roberta Metsola says VP election is significant for the whole country

Il-Mument carries an interview with MEP Roberta Metsola after her election as first vice president of the European Parliament. Metsola said that this represents a historic moment and a great…

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Malta: GWU demands greater involvement of teachers in decisions on education sector

It-Torċa leads with comments by General Workers Union representatives Kenny Muscat and Gabriel Pullicino who said that teachers need to be allowed greater opportunities to participate in the transformation of…

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Malta: Financial crimes chief says department is free to conduct investigations

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with the head of the police department for financial crimes investigations Alexandra Mamo who said that she has never been pressured not to…

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Malta: Bernard Grech mulls opposition reshuffle

Malta Today says that PN Leader Bernard Grech is planning a reshuffle on the Opposition front-bench to present new faces. Sources told the paper that Grech is considering changing roles…

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Malta: Chris Cardona was against sacking Mizzi or Schembri

The Times follows the testimony of former Minister Chris Cardona in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry where he revealed that he had advised Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to keep chief…

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Malta: Former minister says allegations against him were never proven

L-Orizzont quotes former Economy Minister Chris Cardona who said that there were many allegations about him but none of them was proven. He was testifying before the Caruana Galizia public…

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Malta: Record number of active Covid-19 cases

The Independent say that the number of active Covid-19 cases have reached a record 2,124 after 150 new infections were registered on Friday. There are currently 13 patients in intensive…

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President George Vella receives EP vice president Roberta Metsola: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting by PN Leader Bernard Grech and secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech who welcomed MEP Roberta Metsola after her election as vice president of the European Parliament.…

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Malta: Church watchdog imposes restrictions on five people in two years

L-Orizzont leads with comments by the head of the Church Safeguarding Commission, Andrew Azzopardi, who said that the diocese imposed restrictions on five people in the last two years following…

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Keith Schembri interrogated over texts with Yorgen Fenech: The Headline – The Times

The Times says that the police questioned former chief of staff Keith Schembri about chat conversations with businessman Yorgen Fenech between January and October last year, including a chat group…

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Two-fifths of students report being illegally served alcohol: The Headline – The Independent

The Independent says that 44 percent of Maltese students taking part in the European School Survey had bought alcohol from bars and clubs despite it being illegal for establishments to…

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Malta: Roberta Metsola elected First Vice President by European Parliament

In-Nazzjon announces that MEP Roberta Metsola was elected First Vice President of the EU parliament, the second highest role in the institution. The PN MEP described her election as a…

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Malta: PN appoints new treasurer

In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party has appointed a new Treasurer, Mario Ellul. An accountant by profession, Ellul served as a member of the party’s committee in Żurrieq as well…

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Malta: Valletta businesses say tax postponement not sufficient

The Malta Business Weekly speaks to the president of the Republic Street Business Community Association, Paul Fenech, who said that the postponement of taxes was not enough to support the…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat pleased with case against Ferris and Efimova

The Independent picks up a Facebook quote by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who says he feels vindicated that the police have taken steps against the people at the heart…

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Malta: Ten people on Puttinu Cares waiting list

L-Orizzont publishes an interview with Puttinu Cares CEO Rennie Zerafa who said that there are 10 people on the waiting list to use the charity’s apartments in London. The government…

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Malta: Magistrate recuses himself from alleged perjury case

The Times reports that magistrate Joe Mifsud recused himself from a case of alleged perjury against former Financial Intelligence Analysis manager Jonathan Ferris and whistleblower Maria Efimova. The inquiry was…

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Malta: Airport hotel project on track

Business Today quotes Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that work on the SkyParks 2 project is going ahead despite the economic impact of the pandemic. A tender…

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Malta: Konrad Mizzi in police custody

The Times reports that Konrad Mizzi was detained overnight by a police branch that specialises in crimes related to money laundering. The interrogation started on Tuesday and is expected to…

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Malta: Steward Healthcare would consider transferring employees to public sector

The Independent says that Steward Healthcare would be willing to listen to proposals from the government to absorb its workforce into the public sector. The company said that, as a…

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Malta: Virologist welcomes advances towards Covid-19 vaccine

L-Orizzont speaks to virologist Chris Barbara who expressed confidence in the vaccine developments announced by AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Dr Barbara said that the two approaches by the companies are both…

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Malta: Covid-19 claims the lives of four patients

In-Nazzjon reports that four people died from Covid-19 between Monday and Tuesday as the total number of victims climbed to 85. The patients were aged 61, 74, 83, and 99…

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Malta: Commissioner refuses Jason Azzopardi investigation but proposes stricter rules

Malta Today says that Standards in Public Life Commissioner George Hyzler turned down a request by MP Jason Azzopardi to investigate his stay at a Tel Aviv Hotel in 2017.…

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Malta: Health Minister welcomes advances in vaccine development

The Times announces that a Covid-19 vaccine candidate by Pfizer and BioNtech has reached a ‘critical milestone’. Health Minister Chris Fearne welcomed the development and said that Malta would get…

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Malta: Elderly Covid-19 patients to be treated at one location

In-Nazzjon claims that the government is planning to bring all elderly people infected with Covid-19 for testing under one roof. The paper accuses the government of ‘miscalculations’ that threw the…

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Malta: Domestic Violence Commissioner warns about rising pressures in families

L-Orizzont speaks to Domestic Violence Commissioner Audrey Friggieri who said that the pandemic is raising ‘tension’ in low-income families, putting people who live with an aggressor at greater risk. The…

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Malta: Jason Azzopardi self-suspends from parliament

The Independent reports that PN MP Jason Azzopardi has asked the party’s Ethics and Discipline Committee to investigate his hotel stay funded by a member of the Tumas Group in…

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Malta: PN set up Covid Action Team

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the party set up a Covid Action Team to advise on the health and economic issues arising from the pandemic. Grech…

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Malta: Companies owed millions by Turkish construction firm

The Times says that Turkish construction company TACA owes some €7 million to more than two dozen Maltese firms for building supplies and services. A creditor is requesting the courts…

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Malta: New Park and Ride proposed for Gozo

The Independent reports on a Park and Ride proposal in Xewkija which would operate a bus service to and from Mġarr. The facility is expected to have charging stations for…

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Malta: Police receive five domestic violence reports a day

L-Orizzont says that the Domestic Violence Unit within the police force has received an average five reports daily since it was set up on October 1. Inspector Eman Hayman explained…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech paid for Jason Azzopardi hotel stay in Tel Aviv – UPDATE

Illum claims that Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi stayed at the Hilton hotel in Tel Aviv paid for by Yorgen Fenech in 2017. In a TV interview this week, the shadow…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma not fully recovered from knife injuries

The Independent on Sunday reveals that self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma has not fully recovered from serious wounds to his throat and abdomen in July and is unable to testify for…

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Malta: Record performance in property market

It-Torċa says there were over 6,900 promises of sale between June and October this year, registering a combined value of €1.5 billion. The paper says that the performance of the…

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Malta: Persons on social assistance decrease by 400

Kullħadd reports on a reduction of 400 people living on social assistance within a year and says that more families continue to improve their standard of living despite the effects…

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Malta: Third of Covid-19 casualties registered in last two weeks

Il-Mument says that the number of Covid-19 victims has reached 75 with 26 casualties registered in the last 15 days only. The paper reports that out of the total 7,256…

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Malta: Majority opposes another lockdown

Malta Today publishes survey results showing that 53 percent of people are against a lockdown while 37 percent are in favour. Almost one in every ten respondents said they are…

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Malta: Health Minister warns about rising cases with change of season

The Sunday Times publishes an interview with Health Minister Chris Fearne who warned that Covid-19 cases will rise as winter sets in. The Deputy Prime Minister, however, said that a…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says government is ignoring advice by health professionals

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that no compromise should be made with healthcare. Grech accused the government of failing to follow the advice of health authorities in…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases just short of 2,000

The Independent says that active Covid-19 cases are now 12 shy of 2,000 after 167 cases were registered on Friday. Meanwhile, three patients died between Thursday and Friday, raising the…

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Malta: GWU praises new collective agreement for AFM soldiers

L-Orizzont speaks to the General Workers Union secretary for disciplined forces, Theo Vella, who said that the new collective agreement between the government and the Armed Forces will serve justice…

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US presidential election results tilting towards Democrats

The Times leads with the latest results from the US presidential election as Democrat Joe Biden overtakes incumbent Republican Donald Trump in key states. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top…

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Malta: Covid-19 casualties reach 70

The Independent reports that two men, one aged 54 and the other 74, have become the latest coronavirus victims. The virus has now claimed 70 lives since the start of…

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Malta: Economy expected to outpace EU growth in 2022

L-Orizzont quotes a European Commission report which forecasts a 6.2 percent growth for Malta’s economy in 2022. The economy across the EU that year is expected to shrink to 3…

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Malta: New Opposition MP elected on Gozo District

In-Nazzjon reports that Joe Ellis has won the casual election in the 13th District after PN MP Frederick Azzopardi died last week. The new MP met PN Leader Bernard Grech…

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