Morning Briefing

Malta: Opposition calls for virtual court hearings

In-Nazzjon carries a proposal by the Opposition to introduce virtual hearings at the courts. Justice spokesperson Jason Azzopardi said that businesses and families are being denied justice with the suspension…

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Malta: Prime Minister claims country is now safe from Covid-19

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who declared Malta a ‘Covid-safe country’ and said that things are returning to normal. Abela indicated that the government is ready to announce the…

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Malta: Adrian Delia calls government out on economic strategy

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the coronavirus outbreak exposed the flaws of the economic model adopted by the government. Delia insisted that reliance on population and…

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Malta: Gas deal raises prices to seven times the European average

The Times reveals that Malta’s supply of Liquified Natural Gas costs seven times the price of the current European average as the coronavirus emergency continues to drive prices down in…

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Malta: Considerable fall in PA applications last month

The Malta Independent says that there was a significant drop in dwelling applications in April, coinciding with a decision by the Planning Authority to suspend scheduled meetings because of the…

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Malta: PL up three points, PN down one

Malta Today publishes survey results which show that the Labour Party increased its support by almost three points since last month, polling at just under 52 percent. Support for the…

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Malta: Konrad Mizzi coy on election intentions

The Independent on Sunday speaks to officials within the Labour Party who say that former Minister Konrad Mizzi gave mixed intentions about whether or not to contest the 2022 general…

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Malta: Adrian Delia wants Police Commissioner with two-thirds House backing

Il-Mument carries an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia by independent journalist Brian Hansford. Delia said that the police force deserves a Commissioner with integrity who enjoys the approval of…

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Malta: Elderly residencies fearing shortage in supplies

The Sunday Times speaks to homes for the elderly who warned that they are running low on resources and that expenses have soared by some 40 percent since the start…

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Malta: EC decreases Country Specific Recommendations

It-Torċa says that the European Commission reduced its country specific recommendations for Malta to four from six at the start of the year. The paper says that another seven EU…

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Malta: Bank loan moratoria worth over €480 million so far

Kullħadd says that the bank moratorium is helping 2,700 families and businesses with their loans and, in the first weeks since it was introduced, €487 million worth in repayments have…

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Malta: Former assistant commissioner under investigation applies for top job

The Times reveals that a former assistant police commissioner who resigned in 2018 following a report of domestic abuse is one of the applicants to head the police force. Mario…

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Malta: First flight schedules expected to be limited

The Independent speaks to a Malta International Airport spokesperson who said that only limited flight schedules are expected to be resumed in the short-term while the actual routes depend on…

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Malta: PN Leader flags Moneyval threat to financial sector

In-Nazzjon quotes Adrian Delia who warned that if Malta fails the Moneyval test, thousands of jobs will be at risk. Delia said that the Prime Minister must choose between protecting…

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Malta: Restaurant owners happy with decision to reopen

L-Orizzont speaks to restaurant owners who said that it was ‘a fair decision’ by the government to allow businesses to reopen this weekend. The paper says that a series of…

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Malta: Tourism sector foresees two-thirds drop in visitors

The Independent speaks to the president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association, Tony Zahra, who said that the most optimistic scenarios for tourism in 2021 predict 1.3 million individual arrivals,…

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Malta: Public Health Superintendent denies resignation claims

The Times claims that disagreements have developed between the Office of the Prime Minister and health authorities over fears of a new wave of Covid-19 infections. Rumours that the Public…

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Malta: Healthcare unions appeal for extension of measures

In-Nazzjon quotes a joint statement by the medical association and the UĦM union, representing healthcare workers, which is requesting the delay in relaxation of Covid-19 measures by two weeks to…

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Malta: Active coronavirus cases reach 125 again

L-Orizzont reports that 13 new tests returned positive from over 1,300 swabs between Wednesday and Thursday. Three patients were also confirmed recovered and the number of active cases stands at…

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Malta: Economic sentiment indicator down in first quarter

The Malta Business Weekly reports that that confidence in most business sectors in Malta was showing a decline even before the coronavirus outbreak. The Economic Sentiment Indicator for the first…

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Malta: Relatives of drowned migrants file judicial protest against PM

The Times leads with a judicial protest against the Prime Minister, the Home Affairs Minister, and the Armed Forces commander filed by relatives of immigrants who died last month in…

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Malta: PN launches national economic recovery plan

In-Nazzjon covers the launch of an economic recovery plan based on ten priorities by the Nationalist Party. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that the “Plan for Malta” document has been…

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Malta: Teens enjoy low life satisfaction

The Independent quotes a WHO study which finds that adolescents in Malta have one of the lowest rates of life satisfaction as well as the highest rates of obesity compared…

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Malta: Company to add 100 new workers

L-Orizzont reports that medical products company Baxter is recruiting 100 new employees. Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said that the government will continue to work with the private sector to turn…

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Malta: Government threatens veto over migrant sharing deal

Malta Today reveals that the government is threatening to veto the appointment of the commander nominated to run Operation Irini unless EU countries burden-sharing of migrants kept on tourist boats…

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Malta: Panama Papers auditors acquire new licence

The Times reports that Nexia BT has been licenced by the Digital Innovation Authority to perform auditing of internal IT systems of high-risk entities such as cryptocurrency exchanges. Another story…

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Malta: Hairdressers raise doubts over new protocol

The Independent speaks to a representative of the Federation of Hair and Beauty who said that some of the requirements for hair salons announced by the government may be difficult…

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Malta: Tourism Minister says safety is the highest priority

L-Orizzont quotes Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who said that infringement of safety protocols by catering establishments will not be tolerated when they return to business this weekend. The paper…

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Malta: PN and Chamber of Commerce discuss future of the economy

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting between the Nationalist Party and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the way forward after the pandemic. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that the country needs…

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Malta: Restaurants and hairdressers reopen on Friday

The Independent follows a government announcement about the relaxation of more restrictive measures. Hairdressers, beauticians, and restaurants can return to business from this Friday. The paper speaks to Chamber of…

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Malta: Social distancing rules relaxed

The Times says that the number of people allowed to gather in public spaces will go up from four to six as social distancing rules are eased. Gyms, bars, and…

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Malta: Opposition publishes Constitutional reform proposals

In-Nazzjon reports the publication of proposals by the Opposition on Constitutional reform. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that the recommendations seek to empower citizens and to ensure that politicians truly…

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Malta: Prime Minister says new measures are guided by evidence

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that relaxation of measures is based on scientific facts. He expressed satisfaction at the way the country has managed the coronavirus emergency.…

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Malta: Pre-fab hospital plans discarded

The Independent follows a radio interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that plans for the prefabricated hospital have been scrapped as the number of Covid-19 cases have remained…

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Malta: Robert Abela says higher numbers reflect added tests

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister who argued that the coronavirus situation is positive despite a rise in new cases in recent days. Robert Abela explained that more infections were detected…

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Malta: More businesses to open this week

The Times quotes the Prime Minister who said that bars, restaurants, and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen by the end of the week. He said that catering establishments may…

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Malta: Delia says PM and deputy locked in personal feud

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that Prime Minister Robert Abela is making ‘irresponsible decisions’ out of rivalry with Health Minister Chris Fearne. Delia said that people will…

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Malta: Opposition to launch Constitutional reform proposal

Il-Mument says that the Opposition will, on Monday, publish its proposals on the Constitutional reform. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia urged the government to ‘take a step back’ and listen to…

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Malta: Changes expected to the police complaints board

The Independent on Sunday claims that a minister’s wife and a PL electoral candidate sit on a three-member police complaints board. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed the information but…

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Malta: TV presenter files company against MP

Kullħadd says that TV presenter Karl Stagno Navarra requested the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to investigate Opposition MP Karol Aquilina for obstruction of order following claims that the…

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Malta: Over two-fifths want Covid-19 measures eased

The Sunday Times publishes survey results which show that 44 percent of people want restrictive measures to be relaxed, up from 26 percent two weeks ago. The share of those…

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Malta: Retail sector requests help from PM

Illum says that 64 business owners representing 130 retail stores have written to the Prime Minister appealing for help and a plan. The letter describes the current situation as ‘catastrophic’…

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Malta: Economic fallout of coronavirus is being managed

It-Torċa compares ten key economic indicators this year with the same period in 2019 to assess the impact of Covid-19. The paper says the results show that the effects of…

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Malta: Government pushing for obligatory EU migrant-sharing system

Malta Today reveals that the EU Commission’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs spoke with Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo about migrants held aboard two tourist boats. The government is seeking…

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Malta: Authorities propose safe passage with nine countries

The Times says that Malta is pursuing the idea of tourism corridors with countries that were not heavily impacted by the outbreak. The nine proposed countries are Luxembourg, Norway, Serbia,…

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Malta: Third Captain Morgan boat to pick up migrants at sea

In-Nazzjon says that a third Captain Morgan boat has set out to assist migrants adrift in Maltese waters. The paper claims that the public expenditure rises up to €9,000 daily,…

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Malta: Public employees to lose allowances

The Independent reveals that several public sector employees will not receive work-related allowances including time-in-lieu overtime, disturbance, or transport allowance for the period that they have been working from home.…

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Malta: Trade unions focus on jobs guarantee amid crisis

L-Orizzont speaks to General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who welcomed the news that Malta has the fifth-lowest rate of precarious jobs in the EU. Bugeja said that the…

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Malta: Crunch time for ALPA-Air Malta negotiations

The Independent quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the coming two weeks are a ‘delicate’ phase in talks between Air Malta and the pilots’’ association. The minister said…

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Malta: Tourism industry looking at five-year recovery period

The Times quotes an EY survey among hotel executives which shows that the industry is generally looking at 2020 as a loss-making year. Hoteliers say that tourism will take up…

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Malta: Highest surge in Covid-19 cases in a month

In-Nazzjon says that seven of the coronavirus cases reported on Thursday were healthcare professionals while the other seven were locally transmitted. The number of positive tests is the highest 24-hour…

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Malta: Third fatal road accident in a week

L-Orizzont says that Malta has ranked as the top country in Europe for gay rights for the fifth consecutive year. Malta scored 89 on 100 in classifications by the European…

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Malta: Gaming association chief warns about impacts to sector

Business Today carries an interview with the chairman of association of iGaming companies, Enrico Bradamante who wanted that a change in attitude towards illegal gambling in Sweden could affect the…

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Malta: Sixth Covid-19 victim was Prof. Aaron Casha

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the death of Prof. Aaron Casha, the sixth victim of the coronavirus in Malta. The 53-year-old was consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and an Academic at…

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Malta: Opposition demands 30c decrease in fuel prices

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition spokesperson for Energy Ryan Callus who said that diesel prices in Malta are the highest in Europe while petrol prices are the second-highest. The Nationalist Party is…

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Malta: Public appointments to be made by Cabinet, not PM

The Times quotes a letter by the government to the European Commission for Democracy which said that high-ranking officials will start being appointed by the Cabinet instead of the Prime…

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Malta: Chamber of SMEs propose national campaign to revive economy

L-Orizzont carries a report by the Chamber for SMEs which found that businesses that returned to trade last week did not make much sales. The Chamber is proposing a national…

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