The Malta Independent

31 May 2024, Friday

More taxes collected: Government reports €22.9m surplus in first four months of 2024 – NSO

By the end of April 2024, the Government’s Consolidated Fund reported a surplus of €22.9 million, the NSO said Friday. Between January and April 2024, Recurrent Revenue amounted to...

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latest comment from RF, 31/05/2024 12:39: More of our taxes to be squandered by irresponsible finance minister Clyde Caruana as disgraced Edward Scicluna before him.

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Teachers’ basic pay to remain the same, but allowances to increase in new collective agreement

Teachers will not be getting any increase to their basic pay, but will instead see their income increase through the improvement of allowances that they receive during the year, The Malta Independent...

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latest comment from mohhmiftuh, 31/05/2024 15:30: Zieda fl-allowances flok fil-pagi taf taqli wkoll lill-ghalliema pensjonanti .

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Man arrested after explosive devices similar to that used outside PL HQ discovered in Hamrun garage

A man was arrested on Thursday evening after the police found explosive devices similar to the one that exploded outside the Labour Party headquarters. The discovery was made in a garage in...

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Man who hijacked plane to Malta repatriated after serving prison term

A man who hijacked a plane to Malta in 2016 was repatriated after serving his jail-term, the police said Friday. The man had pleaded guilty to acts of terrorism and was sentenced to 10 years in...

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Six bids submitted to turn Marsascala waste plant into 'green oasis'

Six bids have been submitted for the first stage of works to transform Marsascala’s Sant’ Antnin waste treatment plant into a recreational green park, WasteServ announced today. The...

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latest comment from R F, 31/05/2024 12:53: X'hin nisma' l-kelma tender, ma nafx kif, nifimha li gejja xi hadma ohra! Labour style.

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What's next: Here's what you should know about Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money trial

Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts marks the end of the former president’s historic hush money trial, but the fight over the case is far from over. Now comes the...

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latest comment from L. Attard, 31/05/2024 10:55: "Trump angrily denounced the trial as a “disgrace,” telling reporters he’s an “innocent man.” Familiar words in Malta recently.

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First aid for mental health course offered to all ninth-year students

The Prime Minister’s wife Lydia Abela, working closely with the Richmond Foundation and the Mental Health Commissioner Dennis Vella Baldacchino, have developed a course which trains students in...

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Michelle Muscat defends Joseph Muscat’s right to exercise freedom of speech

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle Muscat took to social media to defend her husband’s right to exercise his freedom of speech. In a post on Friday, Muscat was...

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latest comment from Mick Jackson, 31/05/2024 15:14: Having robbed the country and deprived so many people of hard earned healthcare, I think his "freedom of speech" should be begging the public at large for forgiveness, how many people lost family members because there was insufficient funding because all the money was gone? I think she should retrieve the €1.000,000 she sent to America and put it into her charity which seems to be running ot of cash!

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MAM files judicial protest against privatisation and outsourcing of government IVF services

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has filed a judicial protest against the privatisation and/or outsourcing of more government medical services, particularly IVF services. In a statement on...

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latest comment from C Xerri, 31/05/2024 13:53: Putting spokes in the wheel... and meanwhile the list of those waiting for IVF services gets longer and longer.

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Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes

Donald Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence...

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latest comment from ghalgolhajt.com, 31/05/2024 09:20: So this is all about an alleged payment of USD 130,000 to an ex-porn star made in black when sleepy Joe and Hunter were implicated in a corrupt evidenced deal worth many millions but the FBI refused to investigate. Clearly a political vendetta at this crucial time that will only get Trump more votes in the presidentials. When in a hole dig deeper Joe.

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TMID Editorial: Setting the tone

Before it all started, we all knew that the hospitals court cases would have been long, drawn-out legal battles. But few, except perhaps for the lawyers, expected two extremely long first...

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latest comment from Raymond Gerada, 31/05/2024 14:54: One wonders whether all of a sudden the Maltese Courts become the most efficient Courts in the World.

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant MEP

Free trade

Alfred Sant MEP

A good country to live in

Julie Zahra

Of bread, circuses and islands of love

Emmanuel J. Galea

Gozo: What the hell is water?

Kevin Cassar

Caught in the act

Mark Said

Ministerial competence

Darren Carabott

The Prime Minister has no business interfering with legal proceedings

Carmel Cacopardo

Aligning the economy and the environment

Alicia Bugeja Said

Animal well-being and public health – a silent bond

Noel Grima

Awaiting Tuesday’s judgement day

Watch: Prime Minister doesn’t believe his statements have raised tensions in the country

Prime Minister Robert Abela does not believe that statements he has made have raised tensions in the country. Abela had been under fire for bringing into question the magisterial inquiry process,...

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latest comment from J.Degabriele, 31/05/2024 11:57: If he believes hat, he's out of his mind.

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Grech commends ‘Labourites who are putting the country first’ by planning to vote for PN

Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech on Thursday commended people who derive from Labour-supporting families and are planning on voting for the Nationalist Party’s candidates in the upcoming...

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latest comment from Eddy Privitera, 30/05/2024 19:48: KIF TAHSEB LI SE JIVVOTA EX SEGRETARJU PARLAMENTARI NAZZJONALISTA, MARIO GALEA, TAZ-ZEJTUN , BERNARD ????

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Updated: ECJ AG opinion recommends end to finch trapping in Malta, government 'disappointed'

BirdLife Malta today welcomed the unequivocal Opinion by European Court of Justice (ECJ) Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta delivered today in Luxembourg in “Case C-23/23 European Commission v...

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latest comment from Ardo21, 30/05/2024 12:17: Wrong my friend by mentioning only the LP government, therefore, Mr Peter Agius voice is not calculated! You should have stated that before we joined EU, papers were disturbed in homes that nothing will be changed regarding hunting laws! Majority believed It!

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Fehmiet u Gharfien – opinions and appreciations: New book by Alfred Sant

“Fehmiet u Għarfien” -- “Opinions and Appreciations” is a new book by Alfred Sant that is being published in a limited edition under the Quinque...

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Hospitals case: AG, Police Commissioner treating accused with ‘kid gloves’ – Repubblika

The Attorney General and the police commissioner are treating the people accused in connection with the hospitals scandal with “kid gloves”, NGO Repubblika charged on Thursday. Former...

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latest comment from Thomas Nast Jr, 31/05/2024 06:54: I couldn’t see the kid gloves … what I saw was an AG denying due process by not giving full disclosure throughout a process where his only objective was to read the charges thus setting off the timeline within which accused can defend themselves without having all the evidence whilst at the same time the magistrate constantly showing bias in favour of the AG. One notes that initially the Defense lawyers where not working as one team having opted to defend their clients in separate approaches and at times clearly showing differences between them, but the constant bias finally made them all work as one team in order to stall the process thus giving them the opportunity to work towards obtaining full disclosure.

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Government officially announces plans to increase Mater Dei Hospital bed-stock by 600

Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela announced the Mater Dei Hospital short, medium, and long-term action plan on Thursday, which is to free up space for 600 extra beds over the next five years. The...

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latest comment from RF, 30/05/2024 14:15: I hope patients will be treated with dignity without further delay and not remain in windowless basement wards without privacy and decent sanitary facilities, thanks to Mr Fearne and his real deal with Steward.

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Updated: PM says ‘small explosion’ heard near PL headquarters

Prime Minister Robert Abela says Thursday morning that a small explosion had been heard at the Labour Party headquarters earlier in the day. In a Facebook post, the Prime Minister said that the...

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latest comment from Angus Black, 30/05/2024 13:01: Haha, another diversion by the PL itself trying to claim that the party has fallen victim of the 'establishment'. Had the 'explosion ' been intended to cause serious damage the perpetrator(s) would not have used what appears to have been a small firecracker!

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Governors are ‘appointed by governments and national authorities’, not the ECB

Governors of Central Banks around Europe are appointed by national authorities and/or the country’s own government, and not the European Central Bank, sources told The Malta Independent. In...

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latest comment from Simon Oosterman, 31/05/2024 08:43: Not at all. The ECB cannot remove them either. Both are up to National Authorities.

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Celebrations in Greece as Olympiakos beat Fiorentina 1-0 for first European title

Atalanta beat Torino 3-0; Roma won't qualify for Champions League; Frosinone relegated

Southampton back in Premier League after winning playoff final, richest game in world football

Ferrari's Leclerc wins F1 Monaco GP after 1st lap crash takes out Perez and 2 other cars

Giroud scores in his last Milan match on a night of farewells at San Siro

Ten Hag defiant on his future after Man United stuns Man City in the FA Cup final

Leclerc takes pole position for Monaco GP and ends Verstappen's bid for F1 record

OHSA finds irregularities on Ta’ Xbiex construction site

Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has said that it took immediate action on a site in Ta' Xbiex, after a photo was shared on social media showing a worker without a safety...

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St Luke’s hospital ‘is a symbol of fraud’ – ADPD

St Luke's hospital is a symbol of 'fraud', 'carelessness' and 'theft', ADPD Leader Sandra Gauci said on Thursday. The ADPD condemned in the strongest terms, the theft of the public hospitals and...

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Justice Minister’s comments on gagging order don’t interfere with AG’s autonomy – Abela

Comments made by Justice Minister Jonathan Attard criticizing the gagging order requested by Attorney General lawyers and granted by the court in the hospitals corruption case do not interfere with the AG's autonomy, Prime Minister Robert Abela said. ...

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latest comment from RF, 30/05/2024 19:48: There was no gagging order. If Robert Abela and Jonathan Attard are real lawyers and not pettifoggers they ought to know what the magistrate decided in terms of the law, but they are still submissive to Joseph Muscat and believe his lies.

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Two new measures announced to continue fixing pension anomaly – Minister

The process to close the gaps to the Highest Pensionable Income from those already retired and born pre-1962, has begun, Minister for Social Services, Michael Falzon, announced on Thursday. He...

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latest comment from ganni borg, 31/05/2024 06:40: Jekk izieda kienet 9.47euros fil gimgha = 491 euros f sena dan ifisser li pensjonant ha jistenna 9 snin biex jilhaq il massimu pensonabli dhul ta 27000 euro ?!

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TMID Editorial: Would Malta be accepted in EU today?

While, in Malta, a former Prime Minister on Tuesday was shamed as he faced criminal charges related to corruption, another European country, one that aspires to become a new EU member state, was...

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latest comment from Vani, 30/05/2024 10:06: Never forget this epitome of Maltese culture, this dean of hunting of what is universally considered as belonging to all of humanity, and not just to some foul mouthed, knuckle dragging Neandertals. The EU would laugh themselves silly at our application Mind you, when that all is said and done, they would miss the fun at the expense of a budding Korruptos.

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Association calls for stronger Maltese representation on transport and logistics

Only a more direct involvement and active representation by Malta's MEP's at EU level can guarantee responsiveness and fruitful outcomes to issues that impact...

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Court turns down PN attempt to evict GWU, but declares sub-leases null

The court has turned down a request to evict the General Workers Union from the Workers' Memorial Building, but decreed sub-leases to ARMS Limited - the billing company owned by Enemalta and the Water...

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€60 million investment in the expansion of medical equipment factory – Abela

Prime Minister Robert Abela on Thursday announced that a company that produces medical equipment, Baxter, will be investing €60 million and created 180 new jobs, which are set to increase its...

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‘Residents come first’: Birgu mayor justifies resident-only parking signs, but protests continue

The mayor of Birgu (Vittoriosa) has justified the installation of resident-only parking signs in a number of streets as protests mount by visitors of the Cottonera sports complex and by workers in two...

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latest comment from B Borg, 31/05/2024 07:13: Remove the Tuesday market from the main roads. Why the Mayor does not say that Birgu has created the problem because of the frequent flea markets including weekends as well?

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Trial of the El Hiblu 3 to go ahead in spite of protests

The opportunity to finally end the trial of the El Hiblu 3 was missed today at the court of Malta as, after a short court session, it became clear that the case was not dismissed as a coalition of...

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latest comment from John, 30/05/2024 18:56: wonder how the politicians would behave if they were in the shoes of these poor souls

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Business

HSBC Malta’s 2024 Student Campaign launched

2023 described as a game-changing year for GO plc

Trident Estates plc doubles profit in 2024

New scheme supports local enterprises’ employees earn Skills Pass

Farsons Group registered steady growth despite competitive market pressures

Bank of Valletta enhancing close business ties between Malta and France

Malta’s Universal Air announces groundbreaking pilot scholarship program

BOV leads the discussion in trade finance

Atlas Insurance appoints Max Ganado and Marisa Xuereb to its Board of Directors

APS Bank brings Apple Pay to customers

More taxes collected: Government reports €22.9m surplus in first four months of 2024 – NSO

Teachers’ basic pay to remain the same, but allowances to increase in new collective agreement

Man arrested after explosive devices similar to that used outside PL HQ discovered in Hamrun garage

Man who hijacked plane to Malta repatriated after serving prison term

Six bids submitted to turn Marsascala waste plant into 'green oasis'

What's next: Here's what you should know about Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money trial

First aid for mental health course offered to all ninth-year students

Michelle Muscat defends Joseph Muscat’s right to exercise freedom of speech

MAM files judicial protest against privatisation and outsourcing of government IVF services

Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes

TMID Editorial: Setting the tone

Watch: Prime Minister doesn’t believe his statements have raised tensions in the country

Grech commends ‘Labourites who are putting the country first’ by planning to vote for PN

Updated: ECJ AG opinion recommends end to finch trapping in Malta, government 'disappointed'

Fehmiet u Gharfien – opinions and appreciations: New book by Alfred Sant

Hospitals case: AG, Police Commissioner treating accused with ‘kid gloves’ – Repubblika

Government officially announces plans to increase Mater Dei Hospital bed-stock by 600

Updated: PM says ‘small explosion’ heard near PL headquarters

Governors are ‘appointed by governments and national authorities’, not the ECB

How it unfolded: Second Vitals case stalls after ‘most serious’ prosecution blunder

How the second hospitals case ran an 11-hour marathon, before grinding to a halt

Muscat thanks supporters who ‘civilly, serenely’ backed him in Valletta

PN decries Justice Minister Attard’s ‘attack’ against hospitals case prosecutor and magistrate

Justice minister criticises request for gagging order in hospitals criminal case

AG and Police Commissioner are sabotaging hospitals case with their absence – Robert Aquilina

Grech says €400 million stolen translates into €5 million a year collected by MCCF 80 times over

Abela appeals for people to pick up their voting documents

Outside of court: Fearne says he will be defending his integrity and credibility

OHSA finds irregularities on Ta’ Xbiex construction site

St Luke’s hospital ‘is a symbol of fraud’ – ADPD

Justice Minister’s comments on gagging order don’t interfere with AG’s autonomy – Abela

Two new measures announced to continue fixing pension anomaly – Minister

TMID Editorial: Would Malta be accepted in EU today?

Association calls for stronger Maltese representation on transport and logistics

Court turns down PN attempt to evict GWU, but declares sub-leases null

€60 million investment in the expansion of medical equipment factory – Abela

‘Residents come first’: Birgu mayor justifies resident-only parking signs, but protests continue

Trial of the El Hiblu 3 to go ahead in spite of protests

A governor is not a minister, Edward Scicluna says on calls for his resignation

Grech says PM must sack Scicluna as CBM Governor ‘if he wants to preserve country’s integrity

Celebrations in Greece as Olympiakos beat Fiorentina 1-0 for first European title

‘The Labour party has enemies within’ – Evarist Bartolo

9,000 sqm regenerated garden inaugurated in Vittoriosa

Police carry out raids linked to Russia Gate at EU Parliament offices