The European Correspondent

| National Winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2023 |

TOP STORY OF THE WEEK

Twenty thousand protesters take to the streets to oppose abortion law reform in Malta

Dec 13. 2022

Anti-abortion groups gather to call for the revision of a proposed amendment that would allow the mother to terminate a pregnancy under life-threatening health risks; they fear wording creates a legal loophole that could indirectly introduce abortion, now banned by law.

Ahead of the vote in Parliament, views within the government are also polarizing. While the Maltese prime minister states that “the safeguarding of women’s lives and health must be included in the final version of the law,” the president refuses to sign the amendment.

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A gift for the less fortunate

Jan 3. 2023

Gifts, donations, and Christmas meals for those without a family demonstrate the Maltese's generous hearts. The annual Boxing Day event "L-Istrina" raised five million euros in donations for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

Malta’s Christmas calendar was full of events to help out anyone in need, especially people in need of medical treatment and those alone during this time of the year.

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Malta’s takeoff: can it reach pre-pandemic passengers levels by summer?

Jan 24, 2023

Malta has been overpowering the Covid-19 impact as the passenger numbers at the Malta International Airport (MIA) have improved. A total of 5.8 million passed through the airport’s gates in 2022, reaching 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

While the national airport has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, the backcasting and forecasting figures are encouraging. Looking for a summer vacation destination?

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Is Malta turning into a homicide island?

Dec 13, 2022

In 2022, eight families lost their loved ones without the chance to say their last goodbyes. This year alone, a total of five men and three women were killed in cold blood.

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A record-breaking number of abortion pills sent to Malta illegally

Jan 3. 2023

Statistics show that Maltese women’s second-best option to get an abortion involves ordering abortion pill kits online illegally – a practice which is becoming quite popular.

DoctorsforChoice claimed that in 2022, 424 women opted for medication abortion to terminate their pregnancy, prompting questions about whether the government should let citizens vote in a referendum on whether they agree with abortion or not.

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Will the new Maltese airline take off?

Feb 21, 2023

Passengers’ traffic in January has reached 379,335, exceeding levels seen in 2019 but falling short off 2020 levels. This comes as Valletta Airlines prepares to launch after getting the Air Operator’s certificate.

Although the number of travellers has been increasing, it has not yet reached the levels known before COVID-19. The development follows doubts about whether Valletta Air will replace Air Malta.

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Maltese heroes: Members of Civil Protection Department return after helping victims in Turkey

Feb 21, 2023

After a week of aiding victims of the earthquake, 32 firefighters were welcomed back to Malta with applause and hugs at the Maltese International Airport. The Civil Protection Department’s Chief spoke about the recovery of dozens of bodies buried beneath the rubble.

Nothing feels more right than opting to risk your life for those suffering. The Maltese have shown strong support to Turkey and Syria, donating thousands of boxes of supplies.

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Protestors hit the streets in Valletta calling for justice

Mar 7, 2023

Maltese people are protesting for the second time in a week demanding justice after the revelation that Vitals Global Healthcare received more than 390 million euros from the government. Meanwhile, the police have yet to interrogate people involved in the scandal.

The government’s continuous disregard towards its citizens further damages its reputation, both domestically and internationally. For how long can it ignore national demands?

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Patients in the middle of a quarrel as the Maltese health sector is hanging

Apr 18, 2023

A disagreement over salary and allowances between the Maltese government and a union for nurses and midwives has resulted in industrial action, causing distress for patients caught in the middle.

Although both parties have not settled the dispute yet, the union will leave it up to the nurses to vote in favour or against the sectoral agreement offered by the government.

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Online medical students? Forget about professional recognition

Feb 21, 2023

Students from the Malta-based online medical school EDU flew to the country to be professionally recognized. After being denied the opportunity to present a petition to Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, the group pursued him, with him claiming that the Medical Council is autonomous.

Will these students’ dreams of working as medical doctors fade to nothing? They have spent three years of studies and took loans up to 100,000 euros.

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A propaganda machine: Malta’s national broadcaster loses case about political impartiality

Mar 7, 2023

After a year in court, the Maltese public broadcasting service (PBS) suffered a legal defeat for its political bias. The opposition leader Bernard Grech had ordered an investigation for democracy and good governance in the country.

Let’s face it – if the national broadcaster fails to maintain impartiality, then who should? Everyone should have a complete understanding of the truth without omitting vital information.

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Safeguarding Valletta’s culture and tradition

Apr 18, 2023

A petition is calling for the protection of Holy Week celebrations from being disrupted by nearby entertainment venues, with people reportedly mocking the participants of the religious procession.

Meanwhile, Luzzu barklori, boatmen using traditional Maltese fishing boats, have also called the government a “traitor to Maltese traditions” as the expansion works of the Pinto Wharf are set to leave them without a safe landing site.