Newspaper Review

Identity Malta tender withdrawn: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reports that Identity Malta revoked a tender for auditing services after the newspaper highlighted a possible conflict of interest by the company that was awarded the contract. Illum says…

Read More Here

Gozo developer bags two controversial approvals in a week: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that development magnate Joseph Portelli received the approval of the Planning Commission for a project in Sannat that was recommended for refusal by state and other non-governmental…

Read More Here

PN representative voted against Qala development: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the PN condemned the decision by the Planning Authority to approve a development project in a high landscape sensitivity zone in Qala. The paper says that opposition…

Read More Here

Over 9,000 young people called national helpline last year: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Foundation of Social Welfare Services CEO Alfred Grixti who said that the number of callers on youth helpline 179 is increasing. More than 9,000 calls were received…

Read More Here

Artist Mark Schembri speaks out against censorship of his work: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont picks up a social media post by artist Mark Schembri who complained that he has been censored for the fourth time for ‘challenging the status quo in Malta’. The…

Read More Here

Voting migrants would promote integration: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Dr Ahmed Bugre, director of the Foundation for Shelter and Support of Migrants, who said that voting rights for asylum seekers and refugees would facilitate the integration…

Read More Here

Steward Health Care not honouring commitments: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon calls the contract between the government and Steward Health Care a ‘€50 million scandal’ and says that the US company has not met any of its obligations since it…

Read More Here

Unofficial Libyan currency found in Malta: The Headlines – The Times of Malta

The Times leads with the discovery of two containers full of unofficial Libyan currency that were likely on their way to the breakaway government led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.…

Read More Here

Education Dean supports extending schooling age: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to Education Faculty Dean Dr Colin Calleja about the proposal to continue obligatory schooling until 18 years. The Dean agrees with the concept but says education must be…

Read More Here

Nurse shortage is getting worse – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent publishes an interview with the president of the Midwives and Nurses Union Paul Pace who said that every single nursing unit in Malta and Gozo is understaffed. He said…

Read More Here

AUM attracted less that a fifth of projected students – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times says that the American University of Malta enrolled 143 students since it opened three years ago – less than a fifth of the number of students it promised it…

Read More Here

Government mulling new prison facility – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who said that the government is considering a new building for the correctional facility. He told the paper that the ministry is looking…

Read More Here

Bittrex leaves Malta for Lichtenstein – The Headlines: The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the closing of the Malta office of crypto exchange Bittrex to relocate to Lichtenstein. The company did not give any reasons, but the paper…

Read More Here

UĦM urges government to absorb Steward professionals – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon carries a statement by UĦM Voice of the Workers appealing for government to absorb the healthcare professionals currently engaged by Steward Health Care. The Union said these do the…

Read More Here

Steward Health Care refutes claims of quitting – The Headlines: Business Today

Business Today speaks to Steward Health Care after allegations that it threatened to leave Malta unless the government allocated more funds. The US operator categorically denied the claims and said…

Read More Here

Teachers worried about implications of increase in compulsory schooling – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Union of Teachers and the Union of Professional Educators raised concerns about proposals to extend compulsory schooling to age 18. The unions said that there already…

Read More Here

Immigrants in court following Monday riots – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that 21 immigrants are facing charges in court for riots at the Ħal Far open centre on Monday. The paper says the revolt caused damage of more than…

Read More Here

How Malta’s electricity rates rank against other EU countries – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Eurostat figures showing that Malta’s electricity price per kilowatt-hour is the fourth lowest in the EU. The price for non-household consumers, however, is the fifth highest among member…

Read More Here

Negative assessment of Steward deal by doctors – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times quotes the president of the Medical Association of Malta who asked where the funds intended for a new state-of-the-art hospital in Gozo and the refurbishment of St Luke’s and…

Read More Here

Unlicensed Paceville bouncer facing charges for violence – The Headlines: Malta Today

Malta Today follows the appearance in court of an unlicensed bouncer, accused of endangering the life of another man from Poland after he kicked him in the head. The attacker…

Read More Here

White goods stored at Iklin batching plant – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times leads with the storage of white goods at the batching plant in Iklin. Opposition spokesman Jason Azzopardi said in parliament that the facility run by Wasteserv was in…

Read More Here

Five deaths in prison in a year and a half – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that five inmates have died at the Corradino Correctional Facility over the past 18 months. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia asked the Home Affairs Minister whether there will be…

Read More Here

Witnesses say Gafa’ demanded thousands for medical visas – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent follows a court case on Monday and quotes witnesses who said that government official Neville Gafa’ demanded €2,500 to issue medical visas. One of them said that he met…

Read More Here

GWU registers industrial actions at NCPE – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports industrial actions ordered by the General Workers Union at the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality. The union argues that the commission’s management is stalling discussions on…

Read More Here

Protest by Senglea residents against development plans by the American University of Malta – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a protest on Sunday by Senglea residents against development plans by the American University of Malta. The paper says that demonstrators called out the absence of their mayor.…

Read More Here

€815,000 spent to fly in 525 Maltese citizens and their dependants to vote in MEP elections – The Headlines: The Independent

The Independent publishes figures by the Electoral Commission showing that €815,000 were spent to fly in 525 Maltese citizens and their dependants to vote in May’s elections. The Commission said that…

Read More Here

Family Ministry warns that vital economic sectors would suffer if non-Maltese workers had to leave – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to the Permanent Secretary within the Family Ministry who warned that vital economic sectors would suffer if non-Maltese workers had to leave. Another article discusses the conditions at…

Read More Here

Legal profession surprised by the decision of lawyer Arthur Azzopardi to drop Vince Muscat as a client – The Headlines: The Times

The Times leads with concerns raised by NGO Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl, which works with inmates, following the alleged mistreatment of detained migrants that took part in the Ħal Far riots. The…

Read More Here

AWAS resisted police presence at Ħal Far open centre – Illum

Illum speaks to a former General Workers Union official who used to represent Asylum Agency workers. He said that the agency’s administration put up resistance to police presence at the…

Read More Here

27

Oct

Despite the ‘hospitality’ brand, Malta was never comfortable with integration of foreigners – It-Torċa

It-Torċa speaks to Professor Carm Borg about the revolt in Ħal Far on Sunday. The academic said that, although Malta grew a reputation for hospitality and help to others, the…

Read More Here

PN members pushing for statute change to forbid MPs Puli and Debono re-contesting official roles – Kullħadd

Kulħadd says that PN members against leader Adrian Delia are pushing for a change in the statute that forbids MPs Clyde Puli and Kristy Debono from re-contesting for official roles…

Read More Here

PN wants to be humane with weak but strong with those abusing them – Il-Mument

Il-Mument covers an interview discussing irregular immigration with PN Leader Adrian Delia. He said that the party wants to be humane with the weak and destitute but strong with those…

Read More Here

PN should not repeat past mistakes – Malta Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday says that the dismantling of the fuel storage tanks in Birżebbuġa is still pending approval by the Planning Authority. The paper says that Prime Minister Joseph…

Read More Here

Mistreatment and humiliation claims in prison by migrants who took part in Ħal Far riot – Sunday Times

The Sunday Times claims that migrants who took part in the Ħal Far riot last week were mistreated by prison officials. The paper says there were manhandled, packed into cells…

Read More Here

Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder suspect’s lawyer renounces brief – MaltaToday

Malta Today reveals that lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, who was appearing for one of the suspects in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, has formally renounced his brief. Azzopardi told the…

Read More Here

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insists government is determined to keep an open society – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who was addressing the EY conference. Muscat said that talk against foreign workers is harmful to investment and insisted that the government is determined…

Read More Here

PL MP Alex Muscat that country’s finances are dependent on IIP scheme – The Headlines: The Independent

The Independent covers the presentation of the EY study, too, which ranks corporate taxation, the social climate and the telecommunications infrastructure as main the top criteria for investing in Malta. The…

Read More Here

PN Leader Adrian Delia says rising rents and cost of living combined make Malta less attractive to investors – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon also follows the EY event and quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that rising rents and cost of living combined with concerns about Malta’s reputation make the country…

Read More Here

EpiPen auto-injector for severe allergies is out of stock in Malta following Brexit uncertainty – The Headlines: The Times

The Times leads with the results from the EY Malta Attractiveness Survey published on Friday. Three-fourths of foreign investors find the country attractive to grow their business in, but more…

Read More Here

PN Leader Adrian Delia says responsibility will be laid on the government if Malta is blacklisted – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers an address in parliament by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that responsibility will be laid on the government if Malta is blacklisted after the Moneyval report. Delia…

Read More Here

Government wants to attract more talent to the public sector – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said that the government plans to double regional hubs that offer public service in the community to 10. Muscat said he wants to…

Read More Here

MP Karol Aquilina accused Identity Malta of ‘fake due diligence’– The Headlines: The Times

The Times follows the parliamentary debate in which MP Karol Aquilina accused Identity Malta of ‘fake due diligence’. The opposition MP mentioned a case of an American-Israeli individual who was…

Read More Here

MEP David Casa requests the suspension of Malta’s IIP scheme – The Headlines: The Independent

The Independent leads with a letter to the EU Justice Commissioner by MEP David Casa requesting the suspension of Malta’s IIP scheme. The demand follows concerns raised by opposition MP Karol…

Read More Here

PN Leader Adrian Delia urges government to ensure the rights of Maltese citizens living in the UK are safeguarded after Brexit – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that another group of migrants have been arraigned in court after the incidents in Ħal Far, bringing the number of charged residents to 107. All of them pleaded…

Read More Here

Malta will implement a world-first AI-assisted system for the monitoring of diabetes – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who announced the setting up of a special police unit to investigate hate speech. The minister took aim at racist comments on social…

Read More Here

Outbreak of scabies at an elderly home in Santa Venera – The Headlines: The Times

The Times reports that provision of meals has stopped at the Ħal Far open centre since a riot broke out on Sunday. One resident told the paper that teenagers…

Read More Here

Director of Italian Anti-Mafia Investigations Office says there is a link between organised crime and ‘big interests’ in Malta – The Headlines: The Independent

The Independent carries an announcement by Parliamentary Secretary Silvio Schembri that the government is allocating €250,000 to help businesses invest in cybersecurity systems. The fund will be used to train…

Read More Here

Study reveals that two-fifths of businesses in Malta have been hit by some form of cybersecurity threat – The Headlines: Business Today

Business Today covers the first edition of the Cyber Security Summit on Wednesday. A study by the government reveals that two-fifths of businesses in Malta have been hit by some…

Read More Here

IHI enters negotiations to convert the former Banca d’Italia building in Rome into a hotel – The Headlines: The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly leads with an announcement by International Hotel Investments that it has entered negotiations to convert the iconic former Banca d’Italia building in Rome into a 55-room luxury…

Read More Here