Morning Briefing

Malta: New collective agreement for Malta Enterprise employees

L-Orizzont announces a new collective agreement for the employees of Malta Enterprise negotiated by the General Workers Union. The new agreement introduces better conditions including career development support. Read more:…

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Malta: Inter-ministerial effort to join the UK green list

The Independent speaks with Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who revealed that his ministry is collaborating with the health and foreign affairs ministries to secure Malta’s place on the UK’s travel…

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Malta: Bernard Grech confident of PN’s chances

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the party will bounce back from poor results in a voting intention survey published on Sunday. Grech said that different ideas…

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Malta: Planning Authority to discuss decade-long breaches by Polidano Brothers

The Independent reports that a Planning Authority meeting this week will decide on whether to sanction Polidano Brothers for a series of illegal developments and deviations at Ħal Farruġ. An…

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Malta: Minister Abela had access to HSBC security management system

The Times says that Minister Carmelo Abela was among a restricted team of HSBC officers with access to a security machine that produced key cards believed to have been used…

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Malta: MDA director-general calls for stricter enforcement in construction

The Independent on Sunday speaks to the new director-general of the developers’ association, Deborah Schembri, who said that rogue operators are giving a bad name to the construction industry. Schembri…

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Malta: Government working on new post-Covid vision

It-Torċa speaks with Minister Owen Bonnici, responsible for the post-pandemic strategy, who said that the government is building a vision built on economic competitiveness, protection of jobs, and improved wellbeing.…

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Malta: PN cancelled executive meeting after competing MPs reached agreement

Kullħadd says that PN Leader Bernard Grech received criticism internally for his handling of the recent tiff between MPS Adrian Delia and Jason Grech. Grech cancelled a meeting of the…

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Malta: PN identifies 128 priorities for new policy programme

Il-Mument carries an interview with the coordinator of the PN policy clusters reform, Claudio Grech. The MP said that the project identifies 128 priorities based on quality of life and…

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Malta: Second Electrogas director with secret company in Dubai

The Sunday Times reveals that Electrogas director and investor Paul Apap Bologna owns a secret Dubai company similar to 17 Black. The police are investigating Kittiwake Limited as part of…

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Malta: PN Leader threatened to kick Delia and Azzopardi out

Illum says PN Leader Bernard Grech was prepared to present a motion in the party Executive Committee to disqualify MPs Adrian Delia and Jason Azzopardi from contesting the next election…

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Malta: Trust in Bernard Grech falls under 30 percent for the first time

Malta Today publishes survey findings showing that PN Leader Bernard Grech’s trust ratings dropped 10 points since last month, scoring 25.7 percent. Trust in Prime Minister increased by two points…

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Malta: Covid-19 victim who died in India was denied vaccine

In-Nazzjon says that Ivan Barbara, who died in India last week after contracting Covid-19, had pleaded with authorities to be vaccinated before leaving Malta but was denied inoculation because it…

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Anti-money laundering bodies grilled by international assessors: The Headline – The Times

The Times reports assessors from the Financial Action Task Force held a series of meetings with local regulators in the financial sector this week. Sources told the paper that questions…

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Malta: People in their 30s rush to register for vaccine

The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that over half of the population in the 30 to 39 age bracket have either been vaccinated or have registered…

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Malta: Civil protection department unveils new specialised vehicles

L-Orizzont reports that the Civil Protection Department added five new vehicles to its fleet with an investment of €1.5 million. The specialised vehicles are designed for operations in narrow and…

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PN MPs end dispute after war of words: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon publishes a PN statement signed by MPs Jason Azzopardi and Adrian Delia committing to unity and a common focus to fight corruption after an escalation intones on Facebook. Party…

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Malta: Concerns about rising eating disorders in children

The Times speaks with Darleen Zerafa from Dar Kenn Għal Saħħtek, an organisation providing support for eating disorders. She said that the number of incoming calls increased by a third…

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Malta: Facemasks can be taken off on the beach from June

The Independent quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that the use of facemasks will no longer be enforced on beaches from June 1. The minister said that wet masks…

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Malta: Covid-19 positivity rate at 1.2 per cent

L-Orizzont reports that health authorities reached a new daily record of 7,008 individual vaccinations on Thursday. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that the Covid-19 positivity rate currently stands at 1.2…

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Malta: Financial Intelligence Unit to enforce €10,000 cash restriction

The Malta Business Weekly reports that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit is setting up a team to enforce a cash restriction of €10,000 introduced in March. The cap applies to…

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Malta: Chamber of SMEs welcomes PN pledge to revise business tax

Business Today quotes Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo who welcomed announcements by the PN to revise taxation for domestic businesses. Mamo said that incentives for foreign companies creates a…

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Malta: Brian Tonna does not disclose value of service for Konrad Mizzi

In-Nazzjon follows the testimony of Brian Tonna before the parliamentary accounts committee. The Nexia BT managing partner confirmed that former minister Konrad Mizzi was a client, but he could not…

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Malta: Airport movement in 2020 was a quarter of 2019

The Independent says that passenger movement at the airport fell by 76 per cent in 2020 compared to the year before. A spokesperson, however, said that forecasts for the second…

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Malta: Restaurants say half-day reopening is a good start

L-Orizzont speaks with Hotels and Restaurants Association president Tony Zahra who said that a partial re-opening is better than a total ban on catering establishments. He said, however, that some…

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Malta: Police investigating bribery plans involving senior officer

The Times reports that the police have established evidence of a plan for businessman Yorgen Fenech to transfer an apartment to the head of the Economic Crimes Unit, Ray Aquilina.…

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Malta: PN to propose new tax system for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the current tax regime puts local businesses at a disadvantage and promised a new taxation system for SMEs that would also…

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Malta: Activists cry foul over three-part Sannat development

The Independent says that environmental NGOs have raised concern over three separate development applications planning to build 125 apartments in Sannat. The applications share the same architect. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-05-04/local-news/Applications-for-total-of-125-apartments-on-Sannat-fields-draw-ire-6736233176…

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Malta: Murdered lawyer’s widow says accused owed her husband €600,000

The Times reports on the compilation of evidence against the men charged with the killing of lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. The lawyer’s widow told the court that accused Adrian…

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Malta: Homes for persons with disability to receive €3.7 million in aid

L-Orizzont reports that Fondazzjoni Wens, which runs community homes for persons with disabilities, will receive an assistance package of €3.7 million. The agreement was signed by the government and Aġenzija…

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Malta: Anti-money laundering agency imposes €4.6 million in fines

Malta Today says that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit has issued a total of €4.6 million in administrative penalties in 2020. More than a quarter of that amount was imposed…

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Malta: Prime Minister reveals plans for a national disability strategy

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who announced plans by the government to unveil a national strategy on the rights of people with disability. The document will focus on accessibility…

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Malta: PN announces policy vision for next decade

In-Nazzjon covers a PN press event where leader Bernard Grech presented a new policy framework developing a ten-year vision for Malta. Grech said that the party wants policies that help…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat’s declared assets grow fourfold in a year

The Times reports that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared bank deposits of €256,000 for 2020, a sharp rise from €65,000 declared the year before. He said the increase came…

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Malta: MFSA issues international call for CEO position

The Independent says that the Financial Services Authority has issued an international call for the role of CEO. The announcement for the vacancy was posted in global publications including The…

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Malta: PN to present mental wellbeing strategy

In-Nazzjon quotes PL Leader Bernard Grech who announced plans by the party to unveil a mental health care strategy. Grech said that mental wellbeing needs a comprehensive strategy that includes…

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Malta: Prime Minister urges vigilance as Covid-19 cases decrease

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who expressed satisfaction that the measures introduced some weeks ago are have an impact on the number of cases. He appealed to the public…

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Malta: Almost 340,000 doses of vaccine administered

The Independent says that people aged over 30 can register for the Covid-19 vaccine from Tuesday. Health authorities have administered nearly 340,000 doses of vaccine so far, with over 100,000…

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Malta: Five language schools close down

The Times reports that five language schools have shut down as a consequence of the pandemic. The federation of English language schools did not identify the schools but said the…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for strengthened relations between employers and employees

Il-Mument quotes a message by PN Leader Bernard Grech to mark the Day of Workers. Grech said that the party’s vision is to make Malta the top country to live…

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Malta: Ombudsman registered one complaint against army in two years

It-Torċa quotes Interior Minister Byron Camilleri who said that, between 2019 and 2020, there was only one complaint about the army to the Ombudsman, a decrease from the 22 complaints…

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Malta: People in poverty decrease by 25,000 in eight years

Kullħadd says that the number of people in severe poverty decreased by 25,000 since 2013. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that the rate of material deprivation is half…

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Malta: Works at St Vincent de Paul quoted at higher prices

The Independent on Sunday says that the consortium awarded with the St Vincent de Paul Residence contract inflated original prices to compensate for the ‘no-cost’ investment it was requested to…

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Malta: Superintendent caught visiting murder suspect’s close associate

The Sunday Times says that police surveillance captured former Superintendent Ray Aquilina visiting Yorgen Fenech’s business associate Johann Cremona several times in 2019. The officer is believed to have leaked…

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Malta: Government mulling immediate release of retail voucher scheme

Illum says that the Prime Minister is considering a proposal to issue vouchers for businesses that have already reopened. The Chamber of SMEs warned that clothing and footwear shops are…

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Malta: Residents with vaccine passports may travel to countries on red list

Malta Today says that vaccinated residents will be allowed to travel to countries on the red list without the express permission from health authorities. Vaccination passports will be valid for…

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Malta: PN Leader says retail sector needs backing

In-Nazzjon covers a visit by PN Leader Bernard Grech to The Point shopping mall at end of the first week since the reopening of shops. Grech said that policy needs…

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Malta: Union president calls for Constitutional Convention

L-Orizzont carries a message by the president of the General Workers Union Victor Carachi on the occasion of May first. He says that national unity is more important than ever…

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Malta: Johnson & Johnson vaccine added to inoculation programme

The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be added to the Malta programme from the coming week after it was…

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Malta: Ivan Barbara dies In India just before take-off

The Times reports that a Maltese man who contracted Covid-19 in India died shortly after boarding the plane that was going to transfer him to the intensive care unit at…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says tourism sector needs investment support

In-Nazzjon covers a visit by PN Leader Bernard Grech to the staff and management of the Westin Dragonara Resort. Grech said that the party’s strategy for tourism aims to provide…

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Malta: European Parliament urges government to investigate corruption cases

The Independent says that the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion calling on Malta to investigate all allegations of fraud and corruption, particularly at high levels of…

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Moneyval members approve final country report

The Times says that the members of the Moneyval committee approved the final report on Malta on Thursday. The document is expected to be published in summer, but it is…

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Malta: Research to determine living wage launched

L-Orizzont announces the launch of a study to define and calculate the living wage for different family units. The research is being commissioned jointly by the General Workers Union, the…

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Malta: PN Leader visits Lufthansa Technik

In-Nazzjon follows PN Leader Bernard Grech on a visit to Lufthansa Technik on Wednesday. He said the party is building a strategy for new economic sectors that create stable jobs…

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Malta: New collective agreement for prison employees

L-Orizzont reveals that the government and the General Workers Union have reached an understanding on a new collective agreement for workers at the Corradino Corrective Facility. The paper carries an…

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Malta: Artists struggling with Covid-19 uncertainty

The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the president of the Entertainment Industry and Arts Association, Howard Keith Debono, who reported rising levels of stress and anxiety among members because of…

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