Morning Briefing

Malta: Robert Abela to reach first hundred days this week

It-Torċa marks the first hundred days of Robert Abela as Prime Minister and says that around 150 legal notices have been issued since his election in January. The paper says…

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Malta: Adrian Delia challenges Prime Minister’s claims

Il-Mument covers a press conference by PN Leader Adrian Delia responding to claims made by the Prime Minister that the Opposition is accusing him and AFM officials of murder. Delia…

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Malta: The AFM rescued 13,000 migrants in four years

Illum says that the Armed Forces of Malta rescued some 13,000 migrants in four years besides “hundreds more” who found themselves in distress at sea. The AFM patrol boat P52…

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Malta: Optimism in the rate of Covid-19 cases

Kullħadd says that the rate of new Covid-19 cases is similar to that registered 10 days ago while infected patients are recovering every day. The paper says that this could…

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Malta: Economy Minister lays into pilots’ union

The Independent quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who criticized Air Malta pilots for pulling out meetings with the carrier at the last minute of Wednesday. The Minister said he cannot…

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Malta: Concerns over public land sold to Tumas Group subsidiary

The Times reveals that an internal audit by the Lands Authority found that a tract of public land in Qormi that was put up for sale upon the request by…

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Malta: Adrian Delia praises AFM soldiers

In-Nazzjon covers a visit by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia to the Armed Forces to thank them for their efforts during the epidemic. Delia said that AFM officers are Malta’s ‘shield’…

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Malta: Criminal investigation into PM, Brigadier after complaint by PN MP

L-Orizzont says that the police have launched an investigation into the Prime Minister and AFM Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi after Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi filed a complaint accusing them of voluntary…

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Malta: Government issues scheme to support business loan interests

The Independent leads with an announcement by the government that it will subsidise up to 2.5 percent of interest rates on bank loans taken by businesses. Companies must pay a…

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Malta: More than 350 people waiting to return from abroad

The Times quotes Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo who revealed that 355 Maltese citizens are still waiting to be repatriated to Malta. He said that most of them are outside…

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Malta: Food prices increase by around eight percent

L-Orizzont calculates that the price of a regular shipping list has increased by some eight percent since the start of the outbreak. The paper says that not all food stores…

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Malta: 25,000 jobs could be in danger

In-Nazzjon quotes Chamber of Commerce president David Xuereb who said that up to 25,000 could lose their jobs as a consequence of the emergency. The paper says that the rescue…

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Malta: Four facing charges over Ħamrun house collapse

The Independent reports that four people were charged with the involuntary homicide of Miriam Pace, who died when her home in Ħamrun collapsed in March. The accused were working on…

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Malta: Five people found dead in Maltese waters

The Times reports that five migrants were discovered dead in a boat adrift in Malta’s Search and Rescue Area. The International Organisation for Migration said that 51 survivors were intercepted…

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Malta: Economists sceptical of IMF projections

Business Today carries reactions by economists and the Chamber of Commerce who said that predictions by the IMF that Malta’s economic performance will shrink by seven percent this year is…

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Malta: New waste management facility in Magħtab

L-Orizzont announces the investment in a new Waste-to-Energy plant in Magħtab that will reduce landfilling and help Malta reach its recycling targets. The paper says that the state-of-the-art technology will…

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Malta: Adrian Delia discusses migrant situation with EU Commissioner

In-Nazzjon follows a meeting between PN Leader Adrian Delia and EU Commissioner for immigration Ylva Johansson. Delia argued that migrants without the right for asylum should be repatriated while the…

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Malta: Infections by migrant account for five percent of Covid-19 cases

The Malta Business Weekly says that three of the six new Covid-19 cases recorded on Wednesday were migrants, resident at the Ħal Far centre. Cases among migrants in the facility…

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Malta: Medavia ejects employees despite winning lucrative deal

Malta Today says that aviation company Medavia has let pilots, cabin crew and engineers go even after having won a profitable contract to deliver supplies for the World Food Programme.…

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Malta: Economy expected to shrink before it rebounds next year

The Times quotes a report by the International Monetary Fund projecting that Malta’s economy will contract by 2.8 percent this year under pressure from the coronavirus before recovering to a…

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Malta: Nearly every 20th #Covid-19 patient is a healthcare professional

L-Orizzont reports nine new cases of coronavirus by Tuesday, returned from a pool of more than one thousand swab tests. The paper says that there have now been a total…

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Malta: Education Ministry will not get into independent school fees debate

The Independent asks Education Minister Owen Bonnici whether private schools will receive financial aid. The minister said that schools and student families are discussing the payment of fees and the…

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Malta: PN calls for bonus to pensioners to cope with coronavirus costs

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Deputy Leader David Agius who urged the government to ensure the home delivery of medical products to elderly people throughout the outbreak. The party is proposing a…

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Malta: Spreading of Covid-19 to carry jail sentence

The Independent reveals that a new legal notice will criminalise the wilful spread of the Covid-19 disease with up to a nine-year jail sentence. Patients who spread the virus through…

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Malta: Position of migrants in Malta SAR unknown

In-Nazzjon says that hundreds of migrants who were on a boat adrift over the weekend could not be located by Frontex planes on Monday evening. Contact with a dinghy that…

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Malta: Government calls for EU emergency fund for Libya

The Times leads with an urgent request by Malta for the EU to deploy a €100 million food and medicine package to Libya to prevent migrants in the north African…

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Malta: Public Health Superintendent calls for caution

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who appealed for prudence and said that Malta is still in its earlier stages of the pandemic despite less than 10 new daily…

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Malta: Coronavirus taking its toll on mental wellbeing

The Times quotes a study of the impact of the coronavirus on metal wellbeing commissioned by the Richmond Foundation. Almost half of the participants say they feel depressed most of…

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Malta: PM says closure of ports will protect national health

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the decision to close the ports to rescue ships and non-registered vessels was triggered by a necessity to safeguard the country’s…

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Malta: Survey outcomes to settle face masks debate

The quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that a national survey is being conducted to establish the number of Covid-19 infections in the community. The results will guide the…

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Malta: Easter Sunday marred by fatal motorcycle accident

In-Nazzjon reports that a 38-year-old man lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Mrieħel on Easter Sunday. The rider, Alex Borg, was involved in a crash with another vehicle…

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Malta: Government had promised state support to pilots

Malta Today reveals details of a 2016 letter to Air Malta pilots assuring them they would be kept on state payroll with the same take-home pay in the event that…

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Malta: Intelligent planning for ODZ areas to be explored

It-Torċa carries an interview with Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia who said that the ministry is working on a new system for ‘intelligent planning’ with regards to applications for…

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Malta: 200 migrants stranded off Malta

Il-Mument reports that the government has received new calls for the disembarkation of migrants stranded at sea. A boat and a rescue ship are carrying more than 200 migrants between…

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Malta: Health Ministry is managing postponed hospital appointments

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that a transition team has been set up to oversee the rescheduling of hospital appointments that…

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Malta: Real estate agents request aid

Illum says that property market has ground to a halt amid the Covid-19 emergency and reports that real estate agents are requesting support. The paper speaks to Agents Association chief…

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Malta: Medical cannabis company ready to launch first product

Kullħadd says that a Malta-based Israeli company in the medicinal cannabis field is nearing the launch of its first product aimed at the European market. The product has been developed…

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Malta: Clash at sea between AFM and migrant boat

The Times quotes migrant rescue support NGO Alarm Phone which said that AFM officers clashed with migrants stranded at sea on Thursday. A spokesperson for the army said she had…

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Malta: Finance Minister says government prepared to help private sector

L-Orizzont speaks to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna following an EU summit that reached an agreement over a €500 billion aid package. Scicluna said that Malta now has the “go-ahead” by…

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Malta: Confirmed cases rise to 350

The Independent reports 13 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, now having reached 350 since the start of the spread. The paper says that most of the latest identified patients…

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Malta: Maltese Covid-19 survivor shares experience

In-Nazzjon picks a public Facebook message posted by a patient who recovered from Covid-19 after battling it for more than a month. Martin Attard declared that he won over the…

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Malta: Elderly woman dies of Covid-19

The Times leads with the death of a 92-year-old woman in Gozo on Wednesday afternoon, the first casualty linked to Covid-19. Health Minister Chris Fearne announced the loss and confirmed…

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Malta: Air Malta to shed 108 pilots

The Malta Business Weekly announces that 108 Air Malta pilots have been made redundant after offers to accept a pay cut were rejected by the union representing them. Similar offers…

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Malta: New-born among latest coronavirus patients

The Independent reports that a baby of one month has become the youngest Covid-19 patient in Malta. Six new cases were confirmed on Thursday by the Superintendent for Public Health,…

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Malta: AFM officers to be paid for extra hours

L-Orizzont says that an agreement has been reached assuring Armed Forces officers that they will be remunerated for the added hours on duty during the coronavirus emergency. Negotiations were held…

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Malta: Adrian Delia regrets death of first Covid-19 victim

In-Nazzjon says that PN Leader Adrian Delia expressed his condolences to the family of the first coronavirus victim who died in Gozo on Wednesday. Health authorities are appealing for people…

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Malta: Air Malta cabin crew clash over salary offer

Malta Today says that members of the Union of Cabin Crew disagree over proposals by Air Malt to offer reduced salaries of €1,200. A section of employees is petitioning for…

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Malta: Highest jump in Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

The Independent reports that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 293 after the highest daily increase was registered on Tuesday with 52 confirmed patients. Health Minister Chris Fearne said…

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Malta: Children told to leave country by Identity Malta

The Times reveals that Identity Malta is urging families with children on eviction notice to leave the country and continue their appeals from abroad. In December the agency wrote to…

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Malta: Chamber of Commerce proposes new stimulus package

In-Nazzjon reports on a series of proposals by the Chamber of Commerce recommending a ‘stronger’ stimulus by the government to counter the socio-economic effects of the virus. The Chamber said…

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Malta: New jobs found for redundant employees

L-Orizzont reports on a joint initiative by the General Workers Union, the government and the private sector that offered alternative occupation to 53 employees who were made redundant in the…

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Malta: Gaming sector hit by the outbreak

The Independent speaks to the chairman of the iGaming European Network Enrico Bradamante who said that the outbreak will impact how the gaming sector will operate in the future. He…

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Malta: 241 confirmed cases by Monday

In-Nazzjon says that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 241 after another 14 people were registered with the disease on Monday. The paper says that authorities are looking for…

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Malta: Maltese woman dies of Covid-19 in London

The Times leads with the death of a Maltese woman in London after she contracted the Covid-19 disease. The 77-year-old suffered from high blood pressure but was otherwise healthy and…

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Malta: Birżebbuġa mayor supports open centre quarantine

L-Orizzont quotes Birżebbuġa mayor Joseph Farrugia who backed the government’s decision to quarantine the residents at the Ħal Far migrants’ centre after several cases of coronavirus were reported. L-Orizzont picks…

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Malta: Migrants centre under quarantine

The Times says that the migrants’ open centre in Ħal Far has been placed under quarantine following eight reported cases of Covid-19 in that last days. Patients who tested positive…

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Malta: Three people recover from Covid-19

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who announced that another three Covid-19 patients recovered fully. This brings the number of recoveries to five since the start of the pandemic.…

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