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Malta News Briefing – Thursday 23 September 2021

Malta extends its travel red list Malta has extended its quarantine-free travel list to a number of countries. According to a new legal notice, travellers arriving from Bahrain, Gabon, Kuwait, Maldives, Bermuda, Rwanda, Russia, Mongolia, Cape Verde, Namibia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Myanmar, M...

Inflation exceeds 2% as food prices push index higher / Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 22 September 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta says that nineteen countries have been added to Malta's so-called travel red list. MaltaToday reports that a group of local architects and engineers have released an afforestation proposal for the Maltese islands, proposal, outlining the conc...

Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 21 September 2021

Update 1230h Covid19 Update - A 91-year-old woman died while being positive to COVID-19 overnight bringing the number of coronavirus-positive deaths up to 456, the health authorities said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a further 24 people tested positive for the virus, while another 43 recovered overnight....

Two more Covid victims in Malta as death count reaches 455 / Malta News Briefing – Monday 20 September 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta says drug runners used secret compartments hidden in cars to smuggle cocaine into Malta via a local ferry company, according to Italian court documents. MaltaToday reports that a school receptionist has been arraigned on charges of ...

UPDATED – Malta News Briefing – Sunday 19 September 2021

Update 1630 - News Headlines A couple currently undergoing separation proceedings landed in court on Sunday following a physical altercation at their Xewkija home on Saturday which involved the use of a knife. An Australian-Maltese woman was accused of seriously injuring her husband, from Piet...

Malta: Early school leaving rate higher among men

The total rate of early leavers from education and training stood at 12.8 per cent in 2020, down from 13.9 per cent the year before. Figures by the National Statistics Office show a steady drop from 2010, when the rate was at 21.4 per cent. The EU targets to bring early leavers to a maximum of 10 pe...

Malta: Almost half of population registers a low level of education

The rate of person with a low level of education stood at 46.4 per cent in 2020, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office. A low educational attainment is defined as an educational level of less than two O level qualifications. The rate has been on a ten-year decline, falling...

Malta: Unemployment registers significant drop in July

The job market registered a positive improvement in July, with the number of persons registering for work decreasing by 2,439 when compared to the corresponding month in 2020. It not stands at 1,542. Data provided by Jobsplus for July 2021 indicates a year-on-year decrease of 2,238 persons regis...

Malta: Tourists from the UK make less than 5% in June

Total visitors from arriving from France reached nearly 13,000 in June this year, the highest number of tourists from any single country. Figures by the National Statistics Office show an inflow of 70,300 travellers during the first month of summer, with EU travellers making 88 per cent of total arr...

Malta: Women in long-term unemployment increase by 10 per cent

The overall rate of unemployment among women fell from 1,698 in June 2020 to 569 in the same month this year. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that the number of women listed on the unemployment register for under 21 weeks dropped by 81.5 per cent year-on-year. On the other hand, the r...

Malta: Police arrest international pickpockets

L-Orizzont reports that three men were arrested by the police for a series of pickpocketing. The men, all Romanian nationals, were operating an international crime ring targeting cities with high tourism influx. Another story says that the European Socialists and Democrats are holding a conferen...

Malta: Responsible Gaming Foundation head outlines mission

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with the General Manager of the Responsible Gaming Foundation, Kevin O’Neill who spoke about the need to detect problems associated with excessive gambling before it is too late. The paper quotes Education Minister Justyne Caruana that the governmen...

Malta: 19 countries added to Malta’s quarantine-free travel list

Nineteen countries have been added to Malta's so-called travel red list. Travellers from red list countries can enter Malta without quarantine, provided they possess a recognised vaccine certificate. Source Times of Malta Updated 1745

Malta: Maltese architects propose aggressive afforestation plan for Malta

A group of local architects and engineers have released an afforestation proposal for the Maltese islands, proposal, outlining the concept of planting of indigenous trees in a series of designated sites in Malta and Gozo. The first site to be earmarked by the group of 25 architectural firms, is ...

Malta: Court orders phone-tapping reference expunged from evidence in Degiorgio trial

The Criminal Court of Appeal has partially upheld a request to expunge references made to phone-tapping by Police Superintendent Keith Arnaud when he testified before the Court of Magistrates in its Criminal Judicature. Delivering its ruling on Wednesday, the Criminal Court of Appeal turned down...

ECB study shows Greece, Portugal, Spain and Malta companies the most exposed to physical risks of climate change

Banks in southern Europe are set to be among the hardest hit if climate change is not mitigated as their clients are most exposed to natural hazards such as wildfires, a European Central Bank study that has just been issued showed. The ECB has run simulations on more than 1,600 euro zone ban...

Royal Air Maroc source says only 15 flights affected by Algeria airspace closure

A source at Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said Algeria's closure of airspace to Moroccan aircraft from Wednesday would only affect 15 flights weekly linking Morocco with Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt. The source, who asked to remain anonymous, described the impact on RAM as insignificant and said the re...

Tunisian president moves to cement one-man rule

Tunisian President Kais Saied declared he will rule by decree and ignore parts of the constitution as he prepares to change the political system, prompting immediate opposition from rivals. Saied has held nearly total power since July 25 when he sacked the prime minister, suspended parliamen...

Italian Senate passes first justice reform confidence vote

The Senate on Wednesday passed a confidence vote on the first article of the government's reform of the criminal justice system by 208 votes to 28. The reform was approved by the Lower House last month and moved to the Senate after parliament's summer recess. The package, aimed at speeding up th...

England’s top medic says COVID-19 transmission highest in children

LONDON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty on Wednesday said that children were currently driving transmission of COVID-19 at the moment, and that without vaccination, almost all 12- to 15-year-olds would get infected at some point. "There is definitely substantial ...

23rd September 2021

Malta: Police arrest international pickpockets

23rd September 2021

Malta: Responsible Gaming Foundation head outlines mission

22nd September 2021

Malta: State commemorates Independence Day

In-Nazzjon reports on the official celebrations of Independence Day, marking the 57th anniversary on Tuesday. State authorities laid wreaths at the foot of the Independence monument in Floriana. Another story follows a message by Archbishop Scicluna thanking the state for prioritising social welfare in the last six decades since Independence. H...

22nd September 2021

Malta: Archbishop warns about culture of greed

L-Orizzont quotes Archbishop Charles Scicluna that Malta is suffering from ‘a disease of greed’. He was delivering his homily in the state service at St John’s Co-Cathedral on the occasion of Independence Day. The paper reports that a man was awarded €8.000 following his dismissal as a security officer in June. An inspection by the company foun...

22nd September 2021

Malta: Government considering 10-year plan to transform residential waste collection

The Times reports that the government is studying a proposal by the Local Councils’ Association to stop door-to-door waste collection and introduce a drop-off point system instead. This change would be expected to take place over a decade. Another story says that the archbishop used his homily on Independence Day to warn about the effects of mo...

22nd September 2021

Malta: PN discussing electoral district for former leader

The Independent says that the PN is considering the best electoral districts for Adrian Delia to contest. Sources told the newspaper that the former party leader may contest the 7th District or one in the southern part of Malta. The paper speaks to a Transport Malta spokesperson who expressed confidence that the number of public transport trips...

22nd September 2021

Malta: Gozo tunnel bidders file objections

Malta Today says that two bidders for the Gozo tunnel filed objections after authorities shortlisted one competing consortium. One bidder said the selection process did not adhere to its own criteria while another raised concerns about typographic errors. The paper says that Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta in the first week of De...

21st September 2021

Malta: PN Leader calls for radical change

The Independent covers a speech by PN Leader Bernard Grech on the eve of Independence Day. He said that the country is locked in a struggle for transformation, but radical change can only be achieved if everyone works together. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-20/local-news/Live-Bernard-Grech-addressing-Independence-Day-r...

21st September 2021

Malta: Robert Abela says PL ready to govern for years to come – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on a PL political rally on Monday addressed by Prime Minister Robert Abela. He described the party as the only political force capable of renewing the country in the coming years. Read more: https://talk.mt/flimkien-naghmlu-l-unika-forza-politika-maghquda-li-tista-ggedded-lill-pajjizna-il-pm-robert-abela/ Another stroy says t...

21st September 2021

Malta: Bernard Grech addresses Independence Day event

In-Nazzjon features parts of a speech by PN Leader Bernard Grech during the Independence Day celebration in Floriana on Monday. He urged the public to unite as fellow Maltese and bring about the change in direction. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/20/flimkien-nistghu-nkunu-l-bidla-bernard-grech/ View the latest edition of CorporateDis...

21st September 2021

Malta: Prime Minister hints at plans for metro project

The Times leads with an announcement by the Prime Minister that the government wants to start a national discussion about a metro system in Malta. He said that the country needs to be ready to change its mobility habits. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/robert-abela-labour-independence-day-metro-plans.902006 Another story follo...

20th September 2021

Malta: Early school leaving rate higher among men

20th September 2021

Malta: Almost half of population registers a low level of education

20th September 2021

Financing young people’s dreams through EU funding

Young people are considered as one of the most valuable assets for the European Union as they represent an important source of skills, creativity and dynamism, qualities which are fundamental in helping Europe’s economy grow and become more competitive. Supporting young people to join the employment market and getting better jobs is a fun...

20th September 2021

Malta: PN Leader criticises Labour Party’s methods

In-Nazzjon follows an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech by One News reporter Colin Deguara on Sunday. Grech criticised the Labour Party’s tactics and said the party knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/19/il-pn-kommess-li-jgib-nicec-godda-tal-ekonomija-bernard-grech/ The [a[er re...

20th September 2021

Malta: Plans to extend pharmacy opening hours on Sundays

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that the government is conducting a consultation to keep pharmacies on the Sunday roster open all day, not just in the morning. He said the people need to be served in their own communities. Read more: https://talk.mt/ghaddejjin-bid-diskussjonijiet-biex-il-hadd-l-ispizerji-ma-jifthux-biss-fin-no...

20th September 2021

Surge in Covid-19 infections among the elderly

The Times reports that the rate of Covid-19 infections among elderly people stood at 235 per 100,000 in the last 14 days, rising higher than that in younger age groups for the first time in months. Authorities observe a decline in immunity among people over 80s. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/covid-rate-highest-in-80-year-olds-a...

20th September 2021

Malta: Local Councils want to end door-to-door waste collection

The Independent says that the local councils’ association is proposing a gradual shift to point-based waste collection. Association president Mario Fava said that the current system of door-to-door collection creates accessibility and hygiene problems. Another story reports that the chairperson of the Planning Authority, Martin Saliba, ha...

19th September 2021

Malta: PN hints at education reform proposals

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the party is soon launching proposals for the education sector. Grech said the policies include a reform of the salaries and conditions for educators. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/18/pn-fil-gvern-se-jkun-qed-igib-riforma-radikali-fis-salarji-u-l-kundizzjonijiet-tal-edukaturi-bernard-grech/...

19th September 2021

Malta: Father of suicidal inmate to initiate legal procedures

The Sunday Times says that the father of a woman who died after attempting suicide in her prison cell is expected to take legal steps against Corradino Correctional Facilities. Martin Borg Nicholas Virtu claims his daughter Kim was subjected to inhumane treatment. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/father-to-sue-state-over-his-daugh...

19th September 2021

Malta: Roads agency awarded over €40 million in direct orders in 30 months

The Independent on Sunday says that Infrastructure Malta has awarded nearly €42 million in direct orders in two and a half years. A spokesperson for the agency said direct orders are typically issued in cases where urgent repairs are needed. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-19/local-news/Infrastructure-Malta-awarded-over-...

19th September 2021

Malta: Robert Abela opens 20-point lead in trust ratings

It-Torċa publishes survey results showing that the Prime Minister enjoys a trust rating of 52 per cent, 20 percentage points more than the Opposition Leader. Robert Abela gained 1.2 points from July while Bernard Grech lost 1.8 points. Read more here View the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro https://issuu.com/corporatedispatch/docs...

19th September 2021

Malta: Dramatic decline in lampuki catches this season

Malta Today says that lampuki catches have fallen drastically this year, raising prices per kilogram by almost a third. A fisherman said the industry normally delivers more than 1,000 crates of fish a day but this year they are only averaging 120. The paper reports that investigators discovered that state witness Melvin Theuma held millio...

19th September 2021

Malta: Nearly all young adults feel there is too much development

Illum publishes survey results showing that 85 per cent of people believe that there is too much development going on. The sentiment was shared among all age groups, but it was highest among the 16-35 bracket, with 97 per cent concerned about overdevelopment. Another sotry reports that the government has declined to answer questions about the s...

18th September 2021

IMF lauds Malta’s bold response to Covid, calls for urgent action towards exit from grey-list

The International Monetary Fund expressed positive feedback on what it describes as Malta's "swift and bold response" to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the Fund said that economic growth is expected to gain momentum in the coming months, although uncertainty remains high and downside risks cloud the outlook. It insisted that coordinate...

18th September 2021

Private Sector experiencing drastic employee drain to government jobs, Chambers warn

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Gozo Business Chamber noted that several of their members keep reporting that they are losing their employees to public sector jobs, even when the latter often carry less pay. Both Chambers believe that whilst it is understandable that the public sector needs staffing at certain...

18th September 2021

Malta: Top unionist says policy should seek careers not jobs

L-Orizzont follows a speech by General Workers Union secretary-general Josef Bugeja who urged policymakers to focus on the creation of careers, rather than jobs. Bugeja said that the pandemic has accelerated shifts in the employment market. Read more: https://talk.mt/irridu-naraw-li-l-kundizzjonijiet-tax-xoghol-li-nkisbu-matul-iz-zminijiet-ma-jint...

18th September 2021

Malta: Prime Minister says PL ready to mend ways

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela that the Labour Party will address mistakes made in the last years. Speaking at a PL event on Friday, Abela said that the party is committed to the country’s reform programme. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-17/local-news/We-are-not-infallible-we-recognise-our-mistakes-a...

18th September 2021

Malta: PN announces national conference on the environment

In-Nazzjon says that the PN will hold a national conference on the environment on September 29. Party leader Bernard Grech said that environmental issues must be at the top of the political agenda. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/17/ilkonferenza-nazzjonali-tal-pn-dwar-it-tibdil-fil-kilma-ghad-29-ta-settembru/ Another story quotes the ...

18th September 2021

Malta: Keith Schembri’s wife charged with money laundering

The Times reports that businesswoman Josette Schembri Vella has been charged with money laundering offences arising from transactions between 2008 and 2020. The 45-year-old is the wife of former chief of staff Keith Schembri. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/keith-schembris-wife-expected-to-be-charged-with-money-laundering.901304 ...

17th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times of Malta dedicates its leading op-ed to the State of the European Union speech by Commission President von der Leyen. The Editor says that this year's address highlighted the many outstanding issues that tend to undermine the union’s cohesion – issues that will continue to prove challenging to resolve in the coming year – as well as ...

17th September 2021

Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that a Nationalist government would raise the VAT exemption ceiling to €60,000. Grech said that thousands of businesses are exceeding the current €30,000 limit marginally. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/16/gvern-gdid-nazzjonalista-jgholli-l-limitu-tal-ezenzjoni-mill-vat-ghal-e60000/ A second ...

17th September 2021

Malta: Government to issue tax refund cheques

L-Orizzont says that the public will start receiving cheques from today as part of a tax refund scheme. Announcing the exercise, the Prime Minister said that more than 250,000 people are set to be eligible for a total €17 million. Read more: https://talk.mt/illum-jibdew-jitqassmu-c-cekkijiet-tar-rifuzjoni-tat-taxxa/ Another story reports that t...

17th September 2021

Malta: Inmate who attempted suicide had broken ribs

The Times speaks with the father of the 29-year-old inmate who died in July after attempting suicide in her cell. He said that the young woman suffered abuse and bullying in prison and a scan found that she had suffered three broken ribs. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/they-drove-my-daughter-to-insanity-in-prison.901151 The p...

17th September 2021

Malta: EU Commission chief calls for end to passport programme

The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that Malta’s passport-selling scheme must be scrapped. She raised concerns about the effects on other EU members states. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-16/local-news/Malta-s-golden-passport-scheme-has-to-stop-von-der-Leyen-says-6736236778 ...

16th September 2021

Malta Chamber wants Opposition to advocate accountability, transparency and governance

The Malta Chamber presents its pre-budget recommendations to the Opposition “We believe that in the current economic climate, the Opposition has a stronger role to play not least in advocating the key principles of accountability, transparency and governance by those in the driving seat.” These were the words of Ms Marisa Xuereb, Preside...

16th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times of Malta says that the pandemic has disrupted educational systems and this it was crucial that authorities urgently assess the impact of the pandemic on education and design and implement policies and interventions that engage with such impact. The Independent expresses hope that the recent judgements related to online hate speech...

16th September 2021

Malta: More than nine in ten persons fully vaccinated

L-Orizzont says that 91 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a programme for booster jabs is underway in nursing homes. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that countries will need to learn to live with the virus. Another story says that the General Workers Union welcomes an announcement by De La Rue to expa...

16th September 2021

Malta: Visit by Pope Francis expected in first week of December

In-Nazzjon says that Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta on December 4 and 5, following a two-day trip to Cyprus. The church in Malta has not yet confirmed the dates but the Pope named Malta in his next journey plans during a radio interview. Another story covers a meeting between the PN and the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Party Leade...

16th September 2021

Malta: Restaurants can relax rules on certain conditions

The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that catering establishments will be allowed to relax certain Covid-19 restrictions such as opening hours and distance between tables if they limit the number of customers at any one time. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/watch-live-health-minister-announces-changes-to-quarantine-proto...

Malta: Police arrest international pickpockets

L-Orizzont reports that three men were arrested by the police for a series of pickpocketing. The me...
Betsson chairman Svensk resigns after CEO dismissal

Swedish online gaming company Betsson said on Thursday that its chairman, Patrick Svensk, had r...
Malta: Responsible Gaming Foundation head outlines mission

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with the General Manager of the Responsible Gaming F...
ECB study shows Greece, Portugal, Spain and Malta companies the most exposed to physical risks of climate change

Banks in southern Europe are set to be among the hardest hit if climate change is not mitigated...
Italy pledges to donate 45m vaccine doses

Italy plans to give other countries 45 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the...