The Malta Independent

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21 January 2025, Tuesday

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MAM waiting for government higher-ups to approve proposals, directives still scheduled for Wednesday

The President of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), Martin Balzan, has told The Malta Independent that, earlier this morning, MAM representatives met with senior government officials in a...

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Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president Monday, promising a “revolution of common sense” and taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to...

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Disability benefits fraud: 22 persons mentioned Silvio Grixti when interrogated

A number of persons identified former MP Silvio Grixti as well as Luke Saliba when interrogated by Police in connection with the disability benefits scandal, it was revealed in court on...

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BCA holds that license renewal for construction workers is raising standards within the industry

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has issued a statement to denounce the comments made by Simon Mercieca on television that “qualifications have been lowered for people to become...

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2.3% decrease in number of births in 2024; Matteo, Valentina most popular names - Identita’

Total registered births went down by 97, or 2.3%, from 4,204, in 2023, to 4,107 in 2024 the Public Registry within Identita' said on Monday. Identita' said that throughout 2024, the Public...

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Pope Francis calls Trump's plans of mass deportation of immigrants 'a disgrace'

Pope Francis said Donald Trump's plans to impose mass deportations of immigrants would be a "disgrace," as he weighed in on the incoming U.S. president's pledges nearly a decade after...

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Nearly 22,000 individuals with a valid firearms licence in Malta and Gozo

There are 21,931 people in Malta and Gozo with a valid firearms licence, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said on Monday. He was replying to a question posed by Nationalist Party MP Paula...

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Repubblika condemns government’s secrecy in amending law on magisterial inquiries

NGO Repubblika has condemned the secrecy with which the government is proceeding to amend the law on magisterial inquiries. In a statement on Monday, Repubblika appealed to Prime Minister Robert...

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Over half of all breathalyser tests administered in 2024 found to be positive

Out of a total of 173 breathalyser tests carried out in 2024, 93 were found to be positive with those tested exceeding the alcohol limit to be able to drive, Minister for Home Affairs Byron Camilleri...

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Government must stop trying to fool the people and resolve the healthcare crisis - PN

Four months ago, the Minister for Health told us that the only thing missing for the Paola Hub to begin operating was certification, the PN said. "Four months have passed, the health system is on...

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Cleaning and Maintenance Division resolves 96% of reported cases, government says

The Cleaning and Maintenance Division successfully resolved 96% of all cases received last year, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, Miriam Dalli, and the Parliamentary...

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recent poll

Less traffic

Bonnici the Bully

Gozo’s push for regional autonomy: A vision or a mirage?

Valerie Visanich

On cats, dogs and kids

Julie Zahra

Complete faith in the film industry

Carmel Cacopardo

In defiance of arrogant power

Darren Carabott

The tragedy that is 17 Black

Mark Said

A better health education for our kids

Noel Grima

Malta and the coming Trump tsunami

Owen Bonnici

Five years of Robert Abela’s leadership

Over 74,000 people aged 60 and over used the Tallinja Card in 2024

There were 74,346 people aged sixty years old or older who used public transport through the Tallinja Card in 2024, Transport Minister Chris Bonett said on Monday. The minister was replying...

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St John Rescue Corps receives specialised emergency equipment through voluntary project funds

The St John Rescue Corps (SJRC) has received specialised emergency equipment in an initiative financed through funds from the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme administered by the Malta Council...

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Prioritize public transport, not private car subsidies, NGOs tell government

A group of NGOs have condemned the government's "secret decision" to shift European Union funds from the electrification of public buses to private cars, and said that it has not been communicated...

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Mellieha residents request NAO inquiry into another land transfer - Il-Kollettiv

Mellieha residents, together with local councillors and Il-Kollettiv have written to the Auditor General requesting an investigation into the transfer of a stretch of public open space from the Lands...

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As ceasefire takes hold, Hamas returns 3 Israeli hostages and Israel frees 90 Palestinian prisoners

After 15 months of collective grief and anxiety, three Israeli hostages left Hamas captivity and returned to Israel, and dozens of Palestinian prisoners walked free from Israeli jail,...

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FAA complains about ‘abuse’ in Sliema development

Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has submitted an official report about what it said was building abuse at 4,5 Triq il-Lunzjata c/o 20,21 Triq ix-Xatt, Sliema. This site is covered by permits PA...

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latest comment from Mike Gatt, 20/01/2025 12:26: New record? Nope broken already. Sanctioning next, then build another 2 floors during the appeal to make it really worth it.

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Enforcement of the environment as a human right would be a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – Ombudsman

Ombudsman judge emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon told The Malta Independent that the idea to have the environment as a human right is a "Pandora's Box" of intricacies and even if it becomes part of the...

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latest comment from Daniel Grech, 20/01/2025 11:34: It-trattament tal-ambjent bħala sekondarju għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem huwa ta' ħarsa qasira. Arja nadifa, ilma, u art huma fundamentali għall-ħajja. Jekk il-Kostituzzjoni ta’ Malta ma tistax tagħraf dan, forsi hija l-Kostituzzjoni li teħtieġ tevolvi.

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Chamber of Commerce welcomes labour migration policy as a 'positive development'

The Chamber of Commerce on Monday acknowledged the recently launched Labour Migration Policy as a significant step forward in addressing Malta's workforce challenges. The policy, the chamber said...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Jannik Sinner gets past Holger Rune at the Australian Open in a match with net and medical delays

Another goal for defender Denzel Dumfries as Inter beat Empoli to keep pace with leaders Napoli

More turmoil for Man United and Tottenham but Nottingham Forest's title challenge strengthens

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet at the Australian Open. This time, it's a quarterfinal

Napoli underline Serie A title chance with comeback victory over Atalanta

Arsenal slip up in Premier League title race after Nunez rescues win for Liverpool

Defending champ Jannik Sinner gets back to the fourth round at the Australian Open

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka move closer to an Australian Open rematch; Djokovic and Alcaraz win

Amad Diallo scores late 12-minute hat trick to rescue Man United in 3-1 win over Southampton

Iga Swiatek moves into a 3rd-round match against Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open

TMID Editorial: Communication skills and technology

During an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, the President of the Malta Union of Teachers made a few points regarding the education sector in Malta that need to be highlighted. One...

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St Michael Hospice, a palliative care complex, inaugurated in Santa Venera

St Michael Hospice in Santa Venera was inaugurated on Sunday, enabling Hospice Malta to expand its dedicated palliative services to over 1,500 patients annually, a statement by the Archdiocese on Malta read. ...

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latest comment from Gerry Cowie, 20/01/2025 08:55: The hospice is a place where those who are terminally ill may end their lives with dignity. The only real alternative to euthanasia.

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MUT hoping MCAST agreement issue solved by end January

Discussions between the government and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) over a new collective agreement for MCAST lecturers have progressed, and the union is hoping that the issue will be resolved by...

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latest comment from Santana, 19/01/2025 13:03: Please explain.

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‘Big challenge in healthcare right now is manpower’ – PS for the elderly

The biggest challenge in healthcare now is having enough manpower to deal with a situation which sees a growing population in terms of numbers as well as a population which is getting older in age,...

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latest comment from Joey Falzon, 19/01/2025 12:33: Sorry to correct the headline...it should be changed from 'Big challenge in healthcare right now is manpower' to Big challenge in healthcare right now is the minister and the ones he engaged to run our health system!!!!!

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‘My job is to recommend’ – Ombudsman

While commentators have, time and again, questioned if the Office of the Ombudsman should have more "coercive powers", by which its recommendations can be enforced, the Parliamentary Ombudsman...

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latest comment from Michael Walter, 19/01/2025 12:33: Another Paper Tiger, all bark, but no bite. A fat salary for what exactly ?

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Jannik Sinner gets past Holger Rune at the Australian Open in a match with net and medical delays

First came the medical timeouts, one each for Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune with the temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) at the Australian Open. Then came the...

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Trump returning to power after comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions

Donald Trump, who overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, will be sworn in as the 47th president on...

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latest comment from Ċikku Cascun, 20/01/2025 12:27: "Goodbye to Joe Biden, and Whoever Was President the Last Four Years"

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On health, the government has stopped listening, MAM says

The decision to issue directives to doctors was taken collectively by the MAM council on the 9 January, and suggesting that this was due to MAM president Martin Balzan being denied a promotion is...

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PM’s magisterial inquiry amendments an admission he is leading government of criminals - Grech

Prime Minister Robert Abela's intent to amend the way in which magisterial inquiries can be requested or initiated by citizens is an admission that he is leading a government of criminals, Nationalist...

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Updated (3): Three Israeli hostages arrive in Israel as fragile ceasefire passes first hurdle

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza will not begin until Hamas provides the names of the three hostages it is set to release later on Sunday in...

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Business

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk: Shaping the future of global power dynamics

Ganado Advocates announces George Bugeja as new Partner

Challenge Group registers first ever Boeing 777-300 Converted Freighter in Europe under 9H AOC

Sicilia Outlet Village kicks off winter sales and exciting upcoming events for 2025

Is Crypto Betting A Catchy Phrase Or The Evolution Of Gaming With Digital Currencies?

The Malta Chamber signs Bronze Collaboration Agreement with M. Demajo Group

PwC Malta announces the appointment of three new partners

MAM waiting for government higher-ups to approve proposals, directives still scheduled for Wednesday

Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions

Disability benefits fraud: 22 persons mentioned Silvio Grixti when interrogated

BCA holds that license renewal for construction workers is raising standards within the industry

2.3% decrease in number of births in 2024; Matteo, Valentina most popular names - Identita’

Pope Francis calls Trump's plans of mass deportation of immigrants 'a disgrace'

Nearly 22,000 individuals with a valid firearms licence in Malta and Gozo

Repubblika condemns government’s secrecy in amending law on magisterial inquiries

Over half of all breathalyser tests administered in 2024 found to be positive

Government must stop trying to fool the people and resolve the healthcare crisis - PN

Cleaning and Maintenance Division resolves 96% of reported cases, government says

Over 74,000 people aged 60 and over used the Tallinja Card in 2024

St John Rescue Corps receives specialised emergency equipment through voluntary project funds

Prioritize public transport, not private car subsidies, NGOs tell government

Mellieha residents request NAO inquiry into another land transfer - Il-Kollettiv

As ceasefire takes hold, Hamas returns 3 Israeli hostages and Israel frees 90 Palestinian prisoners

FAA complains about ‘abuse’ in Sliema development

Enforcement of the environment as a human right would be a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – Ombudsman

Chamber of Commerce welcomes labour migration policy as a 'positive development'

BirdLife Malta urges better fisheries management with new EU regulation on fisheries control

More turmoil for Man United and Tottenham but Nottingham Forest's title challenge strengthens

Another goal for defender Denzel Dumfries as Inter beat Empoli to keep pace with leaders Napoli

TMIS Editorial: Piles of reports but little, or no, action

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet at the Australian Open. This time, it's a quarterfinal

Trump returns to Washington for celebrations ahead of inauguration

TikTok goes dark as U.S. ban takes effect

In fight against abuse in public sector, Greens ready to call for an abrogative referendum

Cartoon 19 January

TMID Editorial: Communication skills and technology

St Michael Hospice, a palliative care complex, inaugurated in Santa Venera

MUT hoping MCAST agreement issue solved by end January

‘Big challenge in healthcare right now is manpower’ – PS for the elderly

‘My job is to recommend’ – Ombudsman

Jannik Sinner gets past Holger Rune at the Australian Open in a match with net and medical delays

Trump returning to power after comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions

On health, the government has stopped listening, MAM says

PM’s magisterial inquiry amendments an admission he is leading government of criminals - Grech

Updated (3): Three Israeli hostages arrive in Israel as fragile ceasefire passes first hurdle

South Korea's impeached president is arrested over martial law declaration and his supporters riot

Inquiries reform intended to stop abuse, ensure honest people are not subject to cruel attacks - PM

Pharmacies open today 9am to 12pm & 4 to 7pm

Chairlift accident leaves dozens injured at Spanish ski resort in the Pyrenees

TMID Editorial: Attacks on the judiciary

Arsenal slip up in Premier League title race after Nunez rescues win for Liverpool