Malta Independent
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:55:00 +0000Studies on Ghadira beach sand replenishment project still ongoing
The sand replenishment project for Ghadira Bay is still on the cards and studies are ongoing.The project, first announced in 2018, aims for sand to be distributed in order to create a seaward extension of a sandy beach by a further 20 m to 40 m.Answe...
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:43:00 +0000WHO authorizes AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine for emergency use
The World Health Organization has granted an emergency authorization to AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine, a move that should allow the U.N. agency's partners to ship millions of doses to countries as part of a U.N.-backed program to tame the pandemi...
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:05:00 +0000Internal Enemalta investigation on Montenegro wind farm scandal handed to police
An internal Enemalta investigation into the Montenegro wind farm scandal has been passed on to the police, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli told parliament on Monday.Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Ryan Callus, Dalli said that it would be &...
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:46:00 +0000UK opens quarantine hotels, pushes on with vaccine drive
Britain’s newly established quarantine hotels received their first guests on Monday as the government tries to prevent new coronavirus variants from derailing a fast-moving vaccination drive that has delivered more than 15 million shots in ten ...
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 09:19:00 +0000TMID Editorial: Covid-19 - Stop celebrating
We Maltese love celebrating. When our political party holds a mass meeting or wins some form of election, when it is our village feast and, of course, when our football team wins.Most people have opted to forgo such celebrations for the time being fo...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:10:00 +000091% of medical frontliners vaccinated – Fearne
91% of medical frontliners have accepted and indeed have been vaccinated against Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne said in Parliament on Monday.Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Maria Deguara, Fearne said th...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:35:00 +0000156 new Covid-19 cases found as two more patients die
156 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by health authorities on Monday, as two more patients died while positive for the virus.During the last 24 hours, a 97-year-old woman passed away at Mater Dei while positive for the virus, and an 82-year-old ma...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:57:00 +0000Police to ‘take steps’ against several people over Hamrun celebrations
The police will be “taking steps” against several people over celebrations which took place at an establishment in Hamrun over the weekend after the locality’s football team won a match against Birkirkara FC.Footage emerged on Satur...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:55:00 +0000Right to Disconnect: Employers say Malta should not ‘be used as a guinea pig’
Employers have urged the government not to use Malta as a “guinea pig” by introducing the Right to Disconnect before the European Union Directive actually comes info force.The MEA statement came in reaction to this week’s edition of...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:25:00 +0000Government will focus on ‘stepped approach’ to restart Malta’s air routes
The government will focus on a “stepped approach” when it comes to restarting Malta’s air routes, which aims to ensure “the right mix of destinations and frequencies,” a spokesperson for the Tourism Ministry told The Mal...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:02:00 +0000Two establishments, no Gozo accommodation places found breaking the law in Carnival
Two establishments were found in breach of Malta’s Covid-19 restrictions over the carnival weekend after over 3,000 inspections were carried out, the Tourism Ministry said on Monday.In a statement, the Tourism Ministry said that ever since the ...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:31:00 +0000251 children in foster care in 2019
251 children were in foster care in 2019, the Minister for Social Justice, the Family and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon said in reply to a parliamentary question.Girls accounted for 129 of the total sum, while 122 were boys. The total number...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:45:00 +0000MFSA issued almost €1m in administrative penalties in 2020
Administrative penalties issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority shot up from €54,000 in 2019 to €975,462 in 2020, data tabled in Parliament shows.The information was provided by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana in reply to a Parliam...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:37:00 +0000Covid-19 decimates travel as 72.2% less Maltese went abroad in 2020
A total of 196,508 trips abroad were taken by people living in Malta during 2020, statistics issued by the National Statistics Office show.This is a decrease of 72.2% over 2019. Total nights spent by outbound tourists went down by 64.1%, reaching nea...
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:40:00 +0000Werner ends 1,000-minute EPL goal drought, Chelsea go 4th
After exactly 1,000 minutes without finding the net, Timo Werner ended his Premier League goal drought.The Chelsea striker tapped in at the far post after Olivier Giroud had failed to connect with a high cross to complete a 2-0 victory over Newcastle...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 15:17:00 +0000Residents and staff at Id-Dar tal-Providenza begin receiving vaccine
Residents and staff at Id-Dar tal-Providenza began receiving the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine this morning.In a short statement, the management said: “Our thanks go to the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) for the collaboration throu...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:36:00 +0000Authorities investigated 2,227 reports of Covid-19 in schools since October 2020
2,227 cases of Covid-19 were reported and investigated since the opening of schools in October, Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Monday.He was answering a Parliamentary Question by PN MP Stephen Spiteri.Fearne explained that this number includes ...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:02:00 +0000Politicians need more humane approach to cannabis users – Releaf
Politicians need to have a more humane approach towards people who use cannabis and a change in law in this regard is needed, NGO Releaf said in a statement. Releaf is a community-based NGO that seeks the regulation of cannabis in Malta through ...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 16:30:00 +0000Lynne Burgess at 100: Looking back on the life and work of Llewela Jones
The writer and composer Anthony Burgess came to live in Malta in 1968. He wrote many of his best books in his home at 168 Main Street in Lija, including the novels MF, Napoleon Symphony and Earthly Powers. Burgess gave his famous lecture on Obsc...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:43:00 +0000Tony Gambin, national football team masseur for four decades, passes away
Tony Gambin, who served as the Maltese national football team’s masseur for almost four decades, has passed away, The Malta Football Association announced.Gambin, from Sliema, served in this role for around 350 matches. He had retired in 2016.T...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:48:00 +0000Some Europeans get choosy about which vaccines they want
Many Europeans are desperate for a coronavirus vaccine. But not just any vaccine.As AstraZeneca shots are rolling out to European Union nations this month, joining the Pfizer and Moderna doses already available, some people are balking at being offer...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:02:00 +0000Home Affairs minister hints at cannabis legislative changes after arrest of young couple
Home Affairs minister Byron Camilleri has hinted at changes to the law governing cannabis after the arrest of two youths in a hotel room over the weekend.Camilleri was reacting to the arrest of a couple – a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old wom...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 09:13:00 +0000Landmark study finds airborne particulate matter contaminated by tobacco
Airborne particulate matter (PM), apart from several toxic components, is also contaminated with tobacco smoke-driven particulates, Dr Noel Aquilina from the Department of Chemistry discovered in a study with other researchers.Noel Aquilina, alongsid...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:59:00 +0000Migrants ‘refused’ by Malta saved by NGO ship - report
A charity refugee rescue ship saved the lives of over 140 people in the central Mediterranean within Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone this weekend, the Morning Star reports.The Open Arms, an NGO rescue ship operated by the Spanish charity o...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:07:00 +0000Chamber of SMEs wins the EESC civil solidarity prize
The Malta Chamber of SMEs has won the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) solidarity prize.The entry submitted by the Maltese Chamber of SMEs is among 23 projects from the EU and the UK that have received the award “for their outstand...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 08:26:00 +0000Hamrun Spartans fans again investigated on breach of Covid-19 protocol
For the second time in as many weeks, Hamrun Spartans fans are being investigated for breaching protocols related to Covid-19.Two weeks ago spontaneous celebrations that erupted in the streets of Ħamrun as well as a club after the Spar...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:23:00 +0000TMID Editorial: Pets - The exotic animal question
The keeping of exotic animals as pets is one that brings about strong feelings from both sides of the argument.Recently, the authorities found two foxes, dead, in the streets of Zebbug. These were obviously imported animals, and the police are curren...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:45:00 +0000Prince Harry and Meghan expecting second child, a sibling for Archie
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their second child, their office confirmed Sunday.A spokesperson for Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, said in a statement: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duch...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000Edward Scicluna, on €138,000 CBM package, to get another €12,000 from MFSA
Edward Scicluna, arguably one of Malta’s highest-paid public sector officials, who has a €138,000 package as head of the Central Bank, will be getting another €12,000 as a member of the board of the financial services watchdog –...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 07:42:00 +0000€311,017 raised during Hospice Malta telethon Bl-Imħabba Naslu
The Hospice Malta fundraising telethon, Bl-Imħabba Naslu, which came to an end on Sunday, raised €311,017.The funds will help Hospice to continue to provide its services free of charge to thousands of patients and families each year, a...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 12:38:00 +0000138 new Covid-19 cases, three more deaths
138 new virus cases were registered on Sunday, the health authorities said, while 109 people recovered.The number of active cases has risen to 2,370.The health authorities also said that three more people have died with the virus, bringing the total ...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 08:30:00 +0000‘We need to stop certain people in the construction industry acting like cowboys’ – Sant
Certain people in the construction industry are not following the laws and more should be done to enforce against these illegalities, MEP Alfred Sant told The Malta Independent on Sunday.This newsroom held an interview with the political veteran to d...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000Malta could be among the first Member States to introduce Right to Disconnect
Malta could be among the first EU Member States to introduce the Right to Disconnect, MEP Alex Agius Saliba said on this week's edition of Indepth.The MEP said Minister Carmelo Abela, who is responsible for social dialogue, has indicated that the gov...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 15:58:00 +0000Updated: Consultant uses wife’s car for Sunday duty at Mater Dei Hospital… and it’s clamped
A consultant who used his wife’s car to attend to duties at Mater Dei Hospital expressed anger after the vehicle was clamped.Writing on Facebook, Patrick Sammut, Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, said he went to the hos...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0000Fixed boundaries? One district? – How Malta’s electoral system can change
A few days ago, Parliament approved the formation of the electoral districts valid for the coming election, which constitutionally needs to be held sometime in the next 18 months.The House accepted the recommendations presented by the Electoral Commi...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 07:30:00 +0000Vaccination drive pushing r-factor down; reproduction number currently at 0.9 – Vince Marmara
The Covid-19 r-factor will start going down as more people are being vaccinated against the virus, which means that fewer people will be at risk of becoming infected, statistician Vince Marmara said. The reproduction number of the virus is one of the...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 08:13:00 +0000Premier League: Three sent off as Valletta return to winning ways with Sala header
After four matches in which they only collected one point, Valletta returned to winning ways beating Sirens 1-0 in a drab affair which only came to life in the last quarter of the match. For Valletta this victory comes after another victory in ...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 07:33:00 +0000Tennessee man leaves $5 million to pet border collie
It won't be a dog's life for a Tennessee canine whose owner recently died.Lulu, an 8-year-old border collie, will be living the good life in Nashville after inheriting $5 million in her owner's will, WTVF-TV reported.Martha Burton, Lulu&rsq...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 17:40:00 +0000Four people arrested in drug raids
Four people were arrested during drug raids, the police said.The first was a 48-year-old woman. The police searched her home and found what they believe to be 50 packets of cocaine. The second was a 49-year-old woman from Msida. A package was deliver...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:52:00 +0000Man United's chase of Premier League leader City hit by draw
Manchester United’s Premier League title hopes took another blow in a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.Having been top of the standings only 19 days ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjær's second-place side is now seven points behind Manches...
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:50:00 +0000Lukaku scores 300th goal as Inter beat Lazio 3-1 to go top
Romelu Lukaku scored twice and took his tally to 300 career goals as Inter Milan moved top of Serie A with a 3-1 win over Lazio on Sunday.Lukaku netted a penalty and doubled his tally at the end of the first half with the landmark goal. He also set u...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:30:00 +0000Feel like temperature to dip 7 degrees overnight
If you felt cold today (Sunday), you will feel colder tomorrow (Monday), according to the Met Office.Today’s temperature was 13 degrees Celsius, but it felt like 10. For tomorrow, the highest will be just 8 degrees, while the feel like temperat...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 10:43:00 +0000‘Spreading sexual material without consent is an act of abuse’ - Chamber of Psychologists
The Malta Chamber of Psychologists (MCP) has reacted to the distressing reports of a young woman's private video footage being shared without her consent, saying that it was an act of abuse.The Chamber noted that the video was even projected on a scr...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:21:00 +0000Summer months expected to be difficult, Prime Minister says about migration
Prime Minister Robert Abela predicts that this summer will be a difficult one when it comes to migration.Speaking during a political activity in Floriana, Abela said that like he is convinced that the country will experience a strong economic recover...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:59:00 +0000PN will help those who have, or are planning to buy, electric cars – Bernard Grech
The PN has proposed that people charging electric vehicles pay 10.5c instead of 13c cents as a night tariff, Opposition leader Bernard Grech announced on Sunday at a political activity held at the PN's headquarters."Last week I announced a proposed m...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:19:00 +0000UK hits target: Gives at least 1 vaccine shot to 15 million
The U.K. government said Sunday that it reached its goal of giving at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot to the most vulnerable people in the country, increasing pressure on ministers to clarify when they will ease a lockdown imposed in early January.So...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 15:00:00 +000075-year-old injured in car accident
A 75-year-old woman from Attard was grievously injured after being hit by a car, the police said.The incident occurred on Triq il-Pitkali, Attard at 10am.The woman was hit by a Citroen C3 which was being driven by a 73-year-old Attard resident. The ...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 14:55:00 +0000Carnival mural takes aim at PM, hunting and sale of citizenship
Street artist James Micallef Grimaud has painted a mural at the skatepark, depicting a crowned Prime Minister Robert Abela as the king of carnival.The mural also depicts hunters and the police along with him, and dead birds, signifying hunting irregu...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 10:30:00 +0000Tunnels rehabilitation project to be completed in June – IM
The €10 million Infrastructure Malta project to rehabilitate the four main tunnels of the Maltese road network is advancing rapidly and all works are expected to be completed in June, Infrastructure Malta said. In replies to The Malta Inde...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000TMIS Editorial - Judiciary: A chance to get it right
The government has issued a public call for the appointment of four new judges and will shortly be issuing a similar call for the appointment of new magistrates. This is a very welcome development, given the lack of sitting judges and magistrates, an...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 09:30:00 +0000No plans to sell Selmun Palace – Finance Minister
The government no longer intends to sell off the historic Selmun Palace, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana told The Malta Independent on Sunday. A few years back, an announcement by former Finance Minister Edward Scicluna that the government was plannin...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 12:54:00 +0000Feature: Six aspects of Malta’s Carnival
This time of year - at least in pre-COVID-19 times - Valletta usually comes to life with people in fancy dress costumes, ornate floats made from papier-mâché, loud music, and an explosion of bright colours, as Malta celebrates its annual...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 09:33:00 +0000Woman grievously injured after crashing into tree
A traffic accident on Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli in St Julian's at 11pm Saturday night left a woman grievously injured.The woman, aged 23 from Qormi, was driving a Suzuki Swift, lost control and crashed into a tree.Investigations are ongoing.
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:59:00 +0000As new variants spread in France, some want a 3rd lockdown
New virus variants are spreading fast in multiple regions of France, causing local authorities to order tougher mask rules and a curfew crackdown around the English Channel coast, and prompting growing calls for a new lockdown in the east.Although Fr...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 11:30:00 +0000Cartoon 14 February
https://www.facebook.com/pepitoons
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:58:00 +0000A bleak Valentine's Day, lovers find hope in roses, vaccines
The notecards poking from bouquets rushing out of a Chicago florist all carry similar messages: “looking forward to celebrating in person.”“The notes aren’t sad,” said Kate Prince, a co-owner of Flora Chicago on the city...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 08:02:00 +0000Trump acquitted, denounced in second impeachment trial
Donald Trump was acquitted of inciting the horrific attack on the U.S. Capitol, concluding a historic impeachment trial that spared him the first-ever conviction of a current or former U.S. president but exposed the fragility of America’s ...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 07:02:00 +0000EU calls on China to reverse ban on BBC World News channel
The European Union on Saturday called on China to reverse its ban on the BBC World News television channel imposed in apparent retaliation for Britain’s pulling of the license of state-owned Chinese broadcaster CGTN.The EU said in a statement t...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 07:03:00 +0000Pharmacies opening today between 9am and noon
Valletta: Collis Williams Pharmacy, 15, Republic Street; Ħamrun: Cosmed Pharmacy, Soccors, 7 Franciscans Street in Villambrosa Street; Qormi: Tal-Ħlas Pharmacy, Ħelsien Street; Birkirkara: St Jude Pharmacy, 213, Valley Road; Gżira...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:31:00 +0000Covid-19: 154 new cases as 206 patients recover; two more deaths
There were 154 new Covid-19 cases, the health authorities reported, as 206 patients recovered.On Saturday, the health authorities reported two more deaths: two men aged 82 and 63 died at Mater Dei Hospital.In all, Malta has now registered 19,651 case...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 15:24:00 +0000Charmaine Gauci gets second dose of Covid-19 vaccination
Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci received the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, health authorities said.Gauci received her first dose three weeks ago.More than 48,000 vaccination doses have been administered.
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:26:00 +0000Prostitution not a normal, legitimate job – Women’s Lobby
The Malta Women's Lobby (MWL) said that prostitution can never be considered as a normal and legitimate job.The lobby was replying to comments made by Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar, who said that: “We must be realistic and admit that...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 11:16:00 +0000Man stabbed in Pembroke, police search for aggressor
The police are searching for a man who allegedly stabbed another during a fight in Pembroke.The incident took place in Sir Adrian Dingli Street corner with Graziella Street, in Pembroke, at 6.30am.The injured man, a Senegalese aged 24, was taken to h...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:39:00 +0000Health Minister's parents get Covid-19 vaccination
Health Minister Chris Fearne accompanied his parents as they are administered the Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday.Fearne’s parents are in the over 80s cohort.Over 48,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered so far. Mument sabiħ ma...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 18:39:00 +0000Draghi takes helm in Italy, focused on pandemic recovery aid
Mario Draghi, the man largely credited with saving the euro currency, took the helm as Italy's premier Saturday after assembling a government of economic experts and other technocrats along with career politicians from across the spectrum to guide th...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 06:09:00 +0000Pierre Portelli resigns from PN Executive Committee
Pierre Portelli is no longer a member of the Nationalist Party Executive Committee, saying that his regular absence from meetings automatically meant that he was quitting the post.In a letter to the committee president, Alex Perici Calascione, Portel...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:48:00 +0000Infrastructure Malta’s roadworks 'would destroy fields and historical reservoir' - NGO
Farmers, residents and activists held a press conference on Saturday morning in Burmarrad on the site of agricultural land and a nearby reservoir that are in danger of being lost due to proposed road works by Infrastructure Malta.The road works consi...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000Updated: Land Rover overturns in Marsa, driver in hospital
A Land Rover overturned in Marsa, with the driver taken to hospital for treatment, the police said.Initially, the police had said that a truck had overturned and the driver was unhurt.The accident took place at around 8.15am.The driver, aged 34 and r...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:50:00 +0000Dodo masterminds Spartans to another precious win
Hamrun Spartans gained a deserved and important win against Birkirkara with their hero being Ailton Soares who scored both goals also taking his personal tally to thirteen. This win was another statement of intent by the Spartans who thus remained at...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:47:00 +0000Klopp concedes EPL title after another Liverpool collapse; Man City blast Spurs
Jurgen Klopp composed himself, gave a little chuckle, and rubbed his nose.The Liverpool manager had just seen his team collapse at Leicester to a 3-1 loss — a third straight defeat in its faltering defense of the English Premier League trophy &...
Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:43:00 +0000Spezia stun Serie A leaders Milan 2-0; Napoli beat Juventus
Milan missed the chance to extend its lead in Serie A when it lost 2-0 at Spezia, which was playing its first match under new American owners on Saturday.Giulio Maggiore and Simone Bastoni scored their first Serie A goals as Spezia dominated and stun...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 09:09:00 +0000Updated: Three bikers injured in separate accidents
Three bikers were injured in separate accidents in Mosta, Kirkop and Gzira, the police said.The first accident took place on Friday at 1.30pm in Ragusa Avenue, Mosta.The biker, a 31-year-old man from Rabat, was riding a Muz Baghira which was involved...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 15:13:00 +0000Minister Abela visits various radio stations on International Radio Day
On the occasion of International Radio Day, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela visited a number of radio stations, where the theme of the day for this year is evolution, innovation and connections.This is a day which was f...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:22:00 +0000EU should maintain democratic control and accountability in times of crisis - Alfred Sant
Labour MEP Alfred Sant has voted in favour of the European Central Bank’s report for 2020 but expressed unease at how the ECB, not for the first time, seems to assume a leading role in strategic fire-fighting or policy innovation.The European P...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 06:27:00 +0000France recommends 1-shot vaccine for people who had virus
France’s highest health authority recommended Friday that people who have had COVID-19 receive only one dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus.The High Authority of Health, or HAS, said that since recovered individuals had developed an immun...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 06:29:00 +0000WHO chief warns of complacency as global virus cases drop
The head of the World Health Organization said Friday that the drop in confirmed COVID-19 infections around the world was encouraging, but cautioned against relaxing restrictions that have helped curb the spread of the coronavirus.Tedros Adhanom Gheb...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 07:21:00 +0000TMID Editorial: Government appointments - A lack of meritocracy
One of the major stories in the news this past week was the appointment of a 19-year-old local councillor who represents the Labour Party to the Board of Governors on FinanceMalta.Carlos Zarb is a local councillor representing the Labour Party on the...
Sat, 13 Feb 2021 09:28:00 +0000MHRA and GħBA agree to start collaboration
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) and Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi (GħBA) today announced that a collaboration agreement have been struck between the two organizations.The MHRA’s objective to promote and safeguard ...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:33:00 +0000WATCH: 164 new cases reported, two new deaths; Malta has 38 cases of UK variant
164 new cases of Covid-19 were found in the last 24 hours while two new deaths were reported, health authorities said on Thursday.Authorities said that during the last 24 hours, an 84-year-old man died at Karin Grech Hospital and an 82-year-old woman...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:05:00 +0000Maltese ‘optimistic’ on post-Covid recovery in Europe
At the end of 2020, more respondents EU-wide saw things on the right path at EU level in comparison with their own country. Furthermore, nearly three out of four respondents (72%) and a large majority of Maltese (91%) believe the EU Recovery Plan wou...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 11:12:00 +0000Fourth vaccine may be approved in March, general public to get vaccine from start of May - Fearne
The general public will be able to start getting vaccinated at the beginning of May, pending the approval of a fourth Covid-19 vaccine, Health Minister Chris Fearne has announced.Speaking on XTRA on TVM, Fearne said that the European Medicines Agency...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:22:00 +0000Government puts forward legal amendment to protect social benefits from court orders to block funds
The government is putting forward a legal amendment so that social benefits and social housing benefits are protected from having their funds blocked by court orders. During a joint press conference on Friday by Justice Minister Edward Zammit Le...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 19:01:00 +0000BirdLife files police report after vandalism at Foresta 2000 Nature Reserve
The Foresta 2000 Nature Reserve has been vandalised, BirdLife Malta said in a statement."The Nature Reserve, an afforestation project in Mellieħa aimed at creating a young and vibrant forest habitat, is unfortunately not new to stories of vandal...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:42:00 +0000January’s maximum temperature sets new record; arctic air to drop temperature in coming days
The highest temperature on record for the month of January was recorded on the 9th day of the month, with a temperature of 25.8°C, as the month was drier and warmer than average.In a weather update, the Malta International Airport said that the h...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:49:00 +0000Malta Gaming Authority issued €2.43 million in fines between January and June 2020
From January to June 2020, the Malta Gaming Authority issued 9 fines to various companies for a collective value of €2.43 million; an account which includes the financial penalty meted out to an unlicensed operator in MGA’s first regulator...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 15:06:00 +0000Over 30,000 private residential leases contracts registered with the Housing Authority
In its first year as regulator for the private rental market, the Housing Authority recorded the registration of over 30,000 private residential leases.This regulatory role was placed upon the Authority following a white paper process concerning the ...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 08:08:00 +0000More personnel needed to improve efficiency – Judiciary
The Association of Judges and Magistrates welcomed the government’s plans to appoint for new judges, but added that more personnel should be employed to assist the judiciary in its work so as to improve efficiency.In a statement, the associatio...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 07:10:00 +0000EU hopeful for firm economic growth despite virus challenges
Despite deep uncertainty over a surge in coronavirus cases and the impact of new variants of the disease, senior European Commission officials on Thursday expressed cautious optimism that European economies will rebound later this year and in 2022.In...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:01:00 +0000TMID Editorial: Damning reports – The government’s silence
The government is always at the ready when some international agency has something positive to say about its work. We have seen it time and again when rating agencies speak highly about the government’s performance, especially in the economic s...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:25:00 +0000Remains of Dominican tertiary Francesca Parlar to be interred in Dominican Church in Vittoriosa
The remains of Francesca Tereza Parlar, a Maltese mystic and a Dominican Tertiary, will be transferred from the Addolorata Cemetery to the Dominican Church of the Annunciation of Vittoriosa, on 13th February 2021. Francesca Tereza Parlar was born in ...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 07:13:00 +0000Australian city Melbourne begins third lockdown due to cluster
Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, will begin its third lockdown on Friday due to a rapidly spreading COVID-19 cluster centered on hotel quarantine.The five-day lockdown will be enforced across Victoria state to prevent the virus sprea...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 07:17:00 +0000Colder than thought: Met Office revises lowest temperature expected in coming days
The Met Office has revised the forecast for the lowest temperature expected over the coming days, taking it down a notch from four to three degrees.This feel like temperature of three is expected on Monday, with Malta in the middle of a cold snap tha...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 21:47:00 +0000Habitat restoration works start in Żebbuġ
As part of its habitat restoration projects, Ambjent Malta is conducting works at 12th May Street, Żebbug with an investment of €15,000. This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugi...
Fri, 12 Feb 2021 07:49:00 +0000Fostered girl taken away by mother: Court declares abduction
A Maltese court has declared that a fostered girl who was taken away by her biological mother constituted an abduction, with the government now launching new action to have her returned to the islands.The case caused a public outcry last October and ...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:25:00 +0000Rescuers describe grisly Daphne murder scene: ‘We found body parts in a tree three days later'
Three days after Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered in Bidnija, body parts were recovered from a tree, a rescuer testified in court on Thursday.Arthur Grech, who was stationed at the civil protection department’s depot in Xemxija, testified on...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 12:38:00 +0000151 new cases of Covid-19 found as no new deaths reported
151 new cases of Covid-19 were found in the last 24 hours as no new deaths were reported, health authorities said on Thursday.156 people meanwhile have recovered, meaning that the number of active cases has decreased marginally to 2,401.3,491 swab te...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 21:34:00 +0000PA halts all construction works at Manoel Island
All construction works on Manoel Island have been suspended by the Planning Authority until a final decision is taken on the application for a master plan for the area, the Planning Authority said on Thursday.The Environment and Planning Review Tribu...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:17:00 +0000Only 19% of calls to 112 last year were actual emergencies
Only 74,380 out of the 384,793 telephone calls made to the emergency number 112 were actual emergencies, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said on Thursday. In a press conference on the day dedicated to the emergency number 112 – the 1...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:30:00 +0000Public call issued for the appointment of four new judges
A public call will be issued on Friday for the appointment of four new judges. The call is open for persons holding the necessary qualifications and experience.“This is another essential measure, continuing the work of the administration of Pri...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 07:01:00 +0000Updated: Maltese teenager amongst 10 arrested as police bust gang hijacking celeb phones
A Maltese teenager was among 10 arrested in Europe for allegedly hijacking mobile phones belonging to U.S. celebrities including internet influencers, sports stars and musicians to steal personal information and millions in cryptocurrency, authoritie...