Morning Briefing

Malta: Vince Muscat says killers sought former minister’s help

The Times follows the testimony of state witness Vince Muscat who revealed that the hitmen turned to then minister Chris Cardona for help with their plan to kill Daphne Caruana…

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Malta: Lowest number of new Covid-19 cases in 28 weeks

The Independent reports the lowest number of new Covid-19 cases registered in a single day since the end of September. Health authorities on Friday announced 27 new infections and 30…

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Malta: PN Leader reiterates commitment to make party younger

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that decisions need to be made to revitalise the party and open it to more young people. Grech said it is his…

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Malta: Seven in ten vaccinations are Pfizer doses

The Independent says that nearly 70 percent of vaccinations administered in Malta so far were Pfizer-BioNTech doses. The AstraZeneca vaccine made 28 percent of all jabs while four percent received…

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Malta: Animals Commissioner demands upgrade of pet-friendly bays

L-Orizzont speaks with Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina who said that the dog-friendly bays that are currently available are less than acceptable. She said that many of these bays are…

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Malta: Restaurants could reopen within a month

The Times says that the government is planning to reopen restaurants by mid-May, but no dates have been set for bars and clubs. Businesses in the catering industry are warning…

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Malta: Malta Air considering action against state support for national airline

Business Today asks the CEO of Ryanair’s subsidiary Malta Air whether the company would object to the government’s request to inject €290 million in Air Malta. David O’Brien said that…

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MaltaPost CEO reflects on rapid transformations in a year: The Headline – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with MaltaPost CEO Joseph Gafa who said that the pandemic and Brexit meant that the postal service had to adapt to a changing…

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Malta: Brian Tonna refuses to answer parliamentary committee questions

The Independent follows the appearance of Nexia BT partner Brian Tonna before the parliamentary accounts committee on Wednesday where he was questioned about the Electrogas deal. Tonna chose to remain…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma confided in family members

L-Orizzont follows the testimony in court of state witness Melvin Theuma who said that he had opened up with members of his family about his involvement in the Caruana Galizia…

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Malta: President Emeritus criticises fundraising legal notice

In-Nazzjon quotes former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca who said that a new legal notice regulating fundraising unfairly targets NGOs. Speaking during a discussion by the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, she…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech was planning on leaving the country

The Times follows the case in court against Yorgen Fenech who prosecutors believe had a plan to flee Malta to avoid arrest. A text message by his uncle in 2019…

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Malta: Police investigating illegal party

The Independent speaks to the police about reports of an illegal party held in a private villa last week. A spokesperson said that the police have launched a joint investigation…

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Malta: Police find thousands in cash at woman’s house – Updated

In-Nazzjon reports that a money-laundering investigation led the police to discover €52,000 in cash and other items of high value at the home of 29-year-old Floren Sultana. The restaurateur starred…

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Malta: Government exploring common travel certificate with UK

Malta Today quotes Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who said that Malta is holding talks with the UK on a Covid-19 digital certificate to allow safer travel between the two countries.…

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Malta: Government submits Air Malta state aid plan

The Times says that the government is seeking permission from Brussels to inject €290 million into Air Malta as part of a five-year restructuring plan. Discussions with the EU Commission…

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Malta: Mandatory reporting for abuse against minors

L-Orizzont reports that suspected cases of child abuse will now require mandatory reporting by professionals. Family Minister Michael Falzon said that the new regulation will fast-track the process of investigation.…

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Malta: PN Leader sees hope in survey results

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that recent surveys show the party has reduced the gap with the Labour Party by half over the last six months. Grech…

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Malta: Surveys indicate 35,000 gap between parties

L-Orizzont says that surveys published on Sunday show that the Labour Party enjoys a substantial lead over the Nationalist Party, projecting a difference of around 32,000 votes were elections to…

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Malta: Nationalist MP claims conspiracy against him

The Times quotes PN MP Toni Bezzina who told reporters at the end of a police interrogation that he was the victim of a “political frame-up”. The investigations follow claims…

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Malta: Tourism levels expected to reach 40 percent of 2019

The Independent speaks to the president of the association of travel agents, Iain Tonna, who warned that operators cannot risk another summer of inactivity. Tonna said indications suggest that the…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for balanced immigration decisions

In-Nazzjon follows an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that immigration policy should place the national interest first without trampling on the dignity of individuals. Grech said that…

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Malta: English language schools fear for the worst

The Independent speaks to the designated president of the federation of language schools, Caroline Tissot, who said that the government’s decision to keep English language schools will have a devastating…

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Malta: Government to revisit fundraising rules after pushback from NGOs

The Times says that rules introduced to increase state oversight of fundraising in the voluntary sector will be scaled back following backlash from NGOs. Government sources said they will hold…

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Malta: Prime Minister says tourism sector cannot afford another dry summer

L-Orizzont speaks to council members of band clubs who expressed concern about new fundraising rules introduced by the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. The sources said the regulations will limit collection…

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Malta: Herd immunity by June

Kullħadd says that Malta is on course to achieve herd immunity by the end of June, making it among the first EU countries to reach the milestone. Prime Minister Robert…

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Malta: Public debt at almost €8 billion

Il-Mument says that the government deficit has risen to almost €8 billion in March, with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana warning the Prime Minister against growing debt. Caruana is said to…

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Malta: Three new airlines to operate this summer

Illum says that seven in every ten flight connections available before the pandemic will be operating this summer. Meanwhile, FlyDubai, LOT, and Air France will be flying to and from…

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Malta: PL leads PN by 10 points in the polls

It-Torċa quotes survey findings by statistician Vincent Marmarà showing a 10-point gap between major parties in voting intention polls. Just over 54 percent of respondents said they would vote for…

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Malta: Details from Caruana Galizia investigation found on Yorgen Fenech’s phone

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Malta: Newsrooms flag court decision

The Independent on Sunday says independent newsrooms have expressed concern following a decision by Magistrate Rachel Montebello charging newspapers with contempt of court for publishing stories based on messages found…

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Malta: Main party leaders register increase in popularity

Malta Today publishes survey results showing an increase in trust ratings for both Robert Abela and Bernard Grech. The Prime Minister scored 47 percent approval, 11 points ahead of the…

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Malta: House Speaker calls off parliament committee meeting

In-Nazzjon says that House Speaker Angelo Farrugia cancelled a meeting of the parliamentary committee for standards after the members from the government side failed to show up. The committee is…

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Malta: President expresses nation’s condolences to Royal Family

The Times reports the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, aged 99, announced by Queen Elizabeth on Friday. President George Vella expressed deepest sympathy with the Royal Family on behalf…

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Malta: Standards Commissioner rejects claims for leaked reports

The Independent reports that Standards Commissioner George Hyzler dismissed complaints by government MPs Glenn Bedingfield and Edward Zammit Lewis that a report by his office had been leaked to the…

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Malta: No link found between blood-clots and Covid-19 vaccines

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmain Gauci who said that health authorities received a total 119 reports of side-effects from vaccinations. The main effects were slight fever and tiredness but…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers to cross-examine Keith Schembri

In-Nazzjon says that former Chief of Staff Keith Schembri will face cross-examination in court by Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers. The businessman denies all charges against him and alleges that Schembri was…

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Malta: Health minister announces woodland project in memory of Covid-19 victims

L-Orizzont quotes a tweet by Health Minister Chris Fearne who revealed plans by the government to plant a woodland to commemorate the victims of the pandemic. The minister said the…

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Malta: EU Commission rejects government’s request for provision of Sputnik vaccine

The Independent says that EU health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has turned down an appeal by Health Minister Chris Fearne for the EU to supply Sputnik doses in member states if…

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Malta: Surge in imprisonment is highest in Europe

The Times quotes a report by the Council of Europe which finds that Malta’s rate of incarceration rose by 15 percent between 2019 and 2020, the highest rate among 47…

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Malta: Airport CEO says scheduled developments will go on

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that company is committed to development of a business hotel and the SkyParks 2…

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Malta: PN to propose national tourism strategy

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the party will unveil a ten-year plan for the tourism sector. Grech made the announcement during an interview on national television…

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Malta: Schools to reopen from Monday

L-Orizzont covers a press conference by Prime Minister Robert Abela announcing the gradual reopening of schools from Monday. He said that children need the school experience and cannot miss out…

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Malta: Institute of Accountants condemns rogue professionals

The Times publishes a letter to members by the president of the Institute of Accountants, Fabio Axisa, who said that the actions of a few individuals are bringing the entire…

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Malta: Developers abandoning risky deals

Business Today says that the investors and contractors are ditching risky development partnerships and have turned to acquiring luxury property, following the recent string of high-profile arrangements linked to money…

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Malta: Non-essential businesses to reopen in three weeks

The Independent says that non-essential shops and services are set to return to business on April 26. Addressing a press conference, the Prime Minister said that the government’s priority at…

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Malta: Complaints about the Bormla vaccination centre

In-Nazzjon reports a number of complaints by people with appointments for the vaccine on Tuesday morning at the Bormla centre who were sent back and told to return in the…

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Malta: Government to start lifting Covid-19 restrictions

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said in a radio interview that safety measures will soon start to be scaled back. Abela said that the easing of restrictions will…

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Malta: Army dismisses reports of missing migrant boat

Malta Today quotes a statement by the Armed Forces denying claims by NGOs that 110 migrants stranded at sea in Malta’s Search and rescue area were reported missing. The statement…

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Malta: Nexia BT partners granted bail

The Independent leads with the release on bail of Nexia BT partners Brian Tonna and Karl Cini against a deposit of €60,000 and a personal guarantee of €90,000. Their associates…

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Malta: Schools to reopen on Monday

The Times says that the government is set to announce the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions starting with the reopening of schools on Monday. Sources said that Public Health Superintendent Charmaine…

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Malta: Medical Association calls for tourism safety precautions

The Independent publishes the reactions of the president of the Medical Associations to plans by the government to reopen tourism in June. Martin Balzan warned that all visitors must be…

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Malta: Former chief of staff to face trial

In-Nazzjon says that the courts have declared that there is enough evidence for Keith Schembri to face trial over charges of money laundering, fraud, and falsification related to sales of…

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Malta: Government MP laments state of pavements

L-Orizzont speaks to government MP Oliver Scicluna who said that pavements remain a serious challenge for people with mobility disabilities and called for greater enforcement by authorities to clear walkways…

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Malta: Keith Schembri granted bail

The Times says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri and two of his associates are expected to be released from jail today. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech said that the…

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Malta: Court decision on compilation of evidence against Keith Schembri

In-Nazzjon says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri is expected back in the courts today as a decision will be made on whether there is prima facie evidence against…

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Malta: Two-fifths of adult population vaccinated

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that the government will soon begin to ease Covid-19 measures. The minister noted that four in every ten adults have been given…

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