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UPDATE – Malta News Briefing – Sunday 17 October 2021

Covid19 Update 10 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified overnight according to the latest daily update issued by the health authorities. With 18 patients now deemed to have made a full recovery, the total number of known active cases now stands at 271. 11 patients are being treated at Mater...

UPDATE – Vigil held to commemorate Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder Malta News Briefing – Saturday 16 October 2021

Update 1800 - Evening Roundup Bidnija vigil on the fourth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Activists gathered in Bidnija for a silent vigil marking four years since the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia on Saturday. Those in attendance unfurled a large banner reading '...

Less restrictions for vaccinated-only events announced / Malta News Briefing – Friday 15 October 2021

Updated 1245 - Mid-Day Briefing Covid-19 Update: The number of active cases remained virtually unchanged (290) as new cases (25) and recoveries (24) balanced out each other on Friday. The number of patients in hospital increased to 11, with one remaining in ITU. Social restrictions to be ...

Government sued over breach of human rights / Malta News Briefing – Thursday 14 October 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta says the aviation and maritime sectors are being hived off Transport Malta in what will mean a return to the autonomy they enjoyed a few years ago. MaltaToday reports that law students are fuming at their faculty over the capping of places in...

UPDATE – Jurors find Bojan Cmelik guilty of the murder of Hugo Chetcuti / Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 13 October 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing UPDATE - Bojan Cmelik has been found guilty of the murder of Hugo Chetcuti. The jury returned an eight-to-one guilty verdict for wilful homicide after deliberating for less than six hours. Judge Aaron Bugeja has retired to chambers to deliver sentencing. The ...

Malta outperforms EU in employment rates, lacks in educational attainment

Malta's employment and activity rates continue to surpass EU averages, according to an analysis of labour force numbers carried out by the National Statistics Office, but lags behind in a number of education-related criteria. Over the last six years, the activity rate - that is either in emp...

83% of Maltese use internet every day – Eurostat

The percentage of adults (16 to 74-year-olds) in Malta who use the internet every day has risen in line with EU levels, to 83% in 2020, three points above the EU average. Data published by Eurostat, which focused on regions, found that in 2020, the majority of northern and western regions of...

Malta: Exports decline in first eight months of the year

Despite stronger economic activity in 2021, exports have registered a slight drop in the first eight months of the year compared to the corresponding period last year, a matter of concern for the manufacturing industry in particular. On the other hand, imports increased significantly, NSO d...

Malta: Education costs tops food as largest contributor to cost of living increase in September

As thousands of children and students returned to their classes in the past few weeks, education performed as the highest contributor to annual inflation, at 17.2%, with food and beverage, which had consistently topped the charts over Summer, coming a distant second at 3.5%. In September 20...

Malta: Financial services contribute 90% to FDI in 2020

The Financial services industry contributed to over 90% of total Foreign Direct Investment Flows in 2020. These totalled €196.2 billion, an increase of €3.4 billion over the year before. According to data released by the National Statistics Office today, in December 2020, the stock position ...

Malta: Injured migrant testifies from hospital bed

A migrant injured in a two-storey fall and allegedly dumped on the road by his employer is to testify from his hospital bed in the case. Lamin Jaiteh is being treated for spinal and arm injuries at Mater Dei after the incident last week. Source Times of Malta Updated 1745

Malta: Study to see if mask-wearing at school can be scrapped, Chris Fearne says

The health authorities will be conducting a study during October-November in schools to determine whether masks need to be worn in during the second semester, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Thursday. Fearne said that although mask-wearing in schools "seems necessary", the he...

Malta: Drug mule lands at MIA with €120,000 worth of cocaine

A 25-year-old woman was arrested at the Malta International Airport upon her arrival from Madrid, Spain. In a statement the police said that a joint operation between the Drugs Squad and Customs Department, the woman from the Dominican Republic was arrested on Monday. Source: Newsbook ...

Malta: Hugo Chetcuti lost around two litres of blood after knife stabbing

One of the doctors that took care of Hugo Chetcuti after he was stabbed explained that the entrepreneur lost around two litres of blood. Doctor Jonathan Joslin was a witness in court as 38-year-old Bojan Cmelik was found accused with the murder of Chetcuti Source TVM Updated 1745

Malta: Man, 25, injures 70-year-old man in violent robbery in Birkirkara

A man of foreign nationality, aged 25, will be arraigned in Court this morning and charged with injuring a 70-year-old man while carrying out a violent robbery on 19 September. The Police said the man was arrested following a joint effort between the Violent Crimes Unit and the Birkirkara Police...

No end in sight to volcanic eruption on Spain’s La Palma

There's no immediate end in sight to the volcanic eruption that has caused chaos on the Spanish isle of La Palma since it began about a month ago, the president of the Canary Islands said on Sunday. There were 42 seismic movements on the island on Sunday, the largest of which measured 4.3, a...

Russia’s reports record-high daily COVID-19 infections

Russia reported 34,303 cases of new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, a record-high number since the start of the pandemic, data from the state coronavirus task force showed on Sunday. It also reported 997 deaths from the disease, five fewer than the daily record-high of 1,002 rep...

Suspect in Sir David Amess murder detained under Terrorism Act

A man detained after MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday is 25-year-old Ali Harbi Ali, Whitehall officials have confirmed to the BBC. Police said the British man was being held at a London police station under the Terrorism Act 2000 and officers had until 22 October to question...

Britain reports a 12.8% weekly increase in Covid-19 cases

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain reported 43,423 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, government statistics showed, with the total number of cases recorded between Oct. 10 and Oct. 16 up 12.8% from the previous seven days. The daily data showed 148 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, with the seven-d...

Erdogan hopes for continued cooperation with post-Merkel Germany

Istanbul (dpa) - Turkey seeks to maintain good working relations with the upcoming new German government, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday in Istanbul. "I hope the successful work we have carried out with ... Merkel will continue likewise during the new...

15th October 2021

Malta President calls for European consensus on migration and a ‘coalition of the willing’ among EU partners

President of Malta George Vella commended the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the only European Union agency based in Malta, for having been a success story since it was established in 2011, while urging it to continue delivering results with the same level of commitment and high standards. At the same time, he expressed his disappointment ...

14th October 2021

Malta Maritime Forum welcomes Cabinet approval of proposal for National Maritime Authority

The Malta Maritime Forum (MMF) today welcomed Minister Ian Borg’s announcement that Cabinet had given the green light for Transport Malta to be de-merged into separate entities for road transport, aviation and maritime affairs. In a statement, the MMF said that the re-establishment of a national entity solely responsible for the maritime indus...

14th October 2021

Malta outperforms EU in employment rates, lacks in educational attainment

12th October 2021

83% of Maltese use internet every day – Eurostat

12th October 2021

MDA satisfied with budget, regrets no incentives towards purchase of sustainable properties

The developers lobby expressed its satisfaction with Budget 2022 saying that the document presented by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana is a budget with social measures aimed at the people. The MDA said that it was pleased to note that this year's budget was a social one, where no taxes were increased and the incentives that were in place wer...

12th October 2021

MHRA says budget invests in quality of life

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has welcomed the budget, defining it as a clear investment in the quality of life. The MHRA noted with satisfaction various incentives addressing people, the environment and prosperity as was advocated in the Association’s pre-budget proposals. "Work benefits rewarding productivity, tax re...

12th October 2021

Malta Budget 2022: Teachers’ Unions say Budget ignores challenges facing educators

The MUT expressed disappointment with yesterday's Budget, arguing that educators were left out in the cold and their challenges completely ignored. It also lamented the fact that government had ignored teachers completely in its consultations, and this was visible in the budget speech, during which the sector's biggest challenges, such as teac...

12th October 2021

A pre-election budget built on strong assumptions – MEA

The National Budget for 2022 has the characteristics of a pre-election budget which commits itself to increased expenditure, strengthening the social safety net whilst softening the tax burden in certain aspects, but which provides less clarity on the revenue side of the equation. This was the key reaction of the Malta Employers Association...

12th October 2021

Malta Chamber says Budget 2022 acknowledges present realities

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has welcomed this year’s budget saying that it recognizes the challenging fiscal position in which the Minister of Finance formulated the Budget. The Chamber noted that in the prevailing economic climate in which operational costs are increasing at a fast pace for all business opera...

12th October 2021

Malta Budget 2022: SME Chamber says Budget encourages work and investment but ignores grey-listing impact on SME

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has noted a number of positive initiatives that will aim at pushing both businesses and workers forward. Addressing Malta’s human resources crises, the Budget will result in rewards for those choosing to work more through in-work benefits and tax incentives. At the same time the Budget acknowledges the support bus...

12th October 2021

Budget lacks vision for future – PN

PN leader Bernard Grech said that Budget 2022 was lacking in delivering a future vision for the economy, and does not show the way in terms of government's direction for key sectors such as tourism. He noted how government has lumped our country with debt, adding some five billion euro in Malta's debt levels between 2020 and 2024. Recalling a ...

11th October 2021

Malta Budget 2022

Budget Speech by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana https://www.facebook.com/MaltaGov/videos/3041231502806198 Update : Press Conference by Leader of the Opposition https://www.facebook.com/bernardgrechmt/videos/4781584855184867 Update : Press Conference by the Prime Minister https://www.facebook.com/MaltaGov/videos/83...

11th October 2021

Malta Customs intercepts another six cars stolen in Canada

Three Ford pick-ups F450, one Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, one Jaguar F-pace and one Ford Expedition SUV, all stolen from Canada, were intercepted by Customs at the Freeport. The scanning equipment of the Department proved to be very valuable to the Customs Officials on duty to identify the stolen luxury cars in three 40-foot containers. As ...

11th October 2021

Malta: Exports decline in first eight months of the year

8th October 2021

Malta records third largest drop in new residence permits in 2020

Residence permits granted by Maltese authorities were slashed almost by half in 2020, going down from 21,200 in 2019 to 11,100 last year. This was the third largest drop in the European Union, with the largest decrease being recorded in Czech Republic, at 54% (from 117 000 permits in 2019, to 54 300 permits in 2020), followed by Greece at ...

8th October 2021

Malta: Education costs tops food as largest contributor to cost of living increase in September

7th October 2021

Malta Institute of Accountants holds its 57th AGM, elects seven members to Council

David Delicata appointed as new MIA President The Institute of Accountants has held its 57th Annual General Meeting on Friday 1st October, during which it elected seven fellows of the same Institute to its Council. The members are Ms Charmaine Baldacchino, Mr Edmond Brincat, Mr Mark Bugeja, Mr Christian Gravina, Mr Mr Noel Mizzi, Ms Lucienn...

7th October 2021

UPDATE: Pope’s visit to Malta set to happen in 2022 – The Times

The Times of Malta printed edition reports that the Pope's visit to Malta has been put off to 2022. The visit, which was meant to happen in 2019, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The report says that the visit has been postponed in view of concerns of a possible winter spike in COVID cases and speculation of a looming election. ...

6th October 2021

Chamber welcomes National Employment Policy, says it identifies the key challenges of our labour market

The Malta Chamber has welcomed the recommendations proposed in The National Employment Policy launched yesterday by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, one which identifies the key challenges in our labour market. This Policy takes on board several of the proposals for a National Workforce strategy published by the Malta Chamber’s HR and Talent...

6th October 2021

Malta registers highest increase in retail trade in EU in August

Retail trade levels have picked up in August 2021, with Malta registering the highest increase, both month-on-month as well as year-on-year, across the eurozone. Although such data provides room for encouragement for the business community and the wider economic scenario, the yearly increase is to be considered in the context that last year...

5th October 2021

Malta’s recovery and resilience plan approved by ECOFIN

Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan has been approved by the EU Council of Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs, known as ECOFIN. This step will be followed by the signing of the agreement that will allow Malta to start receiving grants in relation to the implementation of the respective investments and reforms. Parliamentary Secretary...

5th October 2021

62+ Malta Government Bonds oversubscribed, Treasury to allocate €100 million

The Maltese Treasury said on Tuesday the total value of applications for this year’s issue of the 62+ Malta Government Savings Bond received from new applicants and applicants who already hold a 62+ Malta Government Savings Bonds issued in previous years, was just below €134 million. The authorised sum on issue was of Euro 65 million subje...

5th October 2021

Malta: Financial services contribute 90% to FDI in 2020

5th October 2021

More COVID-19 vaccine certificates accepted by Malta

The health and tourism authorities notify that as from today, 4th October 2021, Malta will officially recognise the Covid-19 vaccine certificates issued by the Republic of Kosovo, Palestine, Bermuda and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Maltese authorities are also recognising the vaccine certificate issued by Israel following its inclusion in the EU...

4th October 2021

Chamber of Advocates Resumes Quarterly Law Seminars, State Advocate To Comment On New Judicial Action

‘Non-conviction-based Confiscations: A New Judicial Action under Maltese law’ will be the subject of the next Quarterly Law Seminar organised by the Chamber of Advocates who invited Dr Christopher Soler, the State Advocate, to comment on this theme. The one-hour seminar will be held at the Chamber’s Conference Hall within the Courts of Justice ...

3rd October 2021

Indications Pope to visit Malta on 2 and 3 December, Maltese PM Abela to meet Pope in Rome

Prime Minister Robert Abela will be meeting Pope Francis on Friday, with the Pontiff’s December visit on the agenda, a website dedicated to Vatican affairs reports. In its account of papal appointments for October, ACI Stampa said that the two will be discussing the trip Pope Francis will be making to Malta before the end of the year. No...

2nd October 2021

4.1 magnitude quake registered off Malta

A 4.1 earthquake, was registered by Malta's Seismic Research Centre in Għar Dalam. The epicentre of the earthquake was the Eastern Mediterranean, 130 km south of Malta, at 4:39 am (GMT +2). Malta Seismic Research Centre. The site VolcanoDiscovery has reported that the earthquake had a 3.6 magnitude. Volcano Discovery Malta Seismic Res...

30th September 2021

Malta promoted on ECDC safe green travel list

Malta was 'promoted' in the EU's travel green list after spending the summer months on the red and orange lists. Malta was struck off the list onJuly 12, when it was classified as red after a spike in COVID-19 cases. https://www.facebook.com/ECDC.EU/posts/226738176145351 Malta's 14-day case notification rate currently stands at 60.25,...

30th September 2021

PB GROUP Appoints New Board of Directors

PB Group has announced the appointment of its new Board of Directors. The company’s founder, John Naudi, will be leading the Board as the new Executive Chairman. David R. Busuttil, Lucianne Spiteri Gonzi and Donald Naudi have been appointed as Executive Directors whilst Nicholai Camilleri, Bernadette Bonnici Kind and Joseph Caruana joi...

30th September 2021

Air Malta to resume services to London Gatwick from December 2021

Following increased signs of recovery across many European markets, Air Malta today announced that it has brought forward itsresumption of flights between Malta and London Gatwick to December. The Airline had previously announced that it will start operations to the London airport in Summer 2022. Air Malta’s flights to Gatwick will start as...

30th September 2021

85,369 persons live below risk-of-poverty-line, NSO report shows

An Income and Living Conditions survey by the NSO has shown that the number of persons living in householdsbelow the at-risk-of-poverty line (€9,744) stands 85,369 persons. This translates into an at-risk-of-poverty(ARP) rate of 16.9 per cent, a minor drop (0.2%) lower than that recorded for the previous year. 5.1% of these persons faced sever...

29th September 2021

Accountants eye opportunities in new sustainability requirements

Malta Institute of Accountants holds Biennial Conference The Malta Institute of Accountants set the ball rolling about corporate sustainability reporting with the Biennial Conference held on 22 September 2021. The event attracted accountancy and auditing professionals as well as specialists in other key business areas to learn about a new frame...

28th September 2021

Maltese students mostly turn to UK universities to study medicine, engineering and management

Maltese students have been turning to UK universities mostly to pursue their studies in medicine, engineering, and management as well as to study accounting and health and safety, according to British Council Director Ingrid Eomois. She was speaking ahead of an online education fair promoting studying in the UK - Study UK: The Essentials, d...

28th September 2021

Malta: Government promises €20 million motorsport racetrack

The Independent follows a Cabinet meeting held at the Ta’ Qali basketball pavilion on Monday, discussing the government’s plan for sports. The Prime Minister announced a €20 million investment to develop a motorsport racetrack in Ħal Far. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/corpses-put-in-hospital-underground-corridor-as-lift-to-mort...

28th September 2021

National Foreign Direct Investment Screening Office inaugurated

The National Foreign Direct Investment Screening Office (NFDIS) was inaugurated by the Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, Chairperson of the NFDIS Mr Mario Galea, and Director General for Trade of the European Commission Dr Damien Levie. It will serve as a tool to ensure good governance by protecting Malta's investment ...

28th September 2021

Malta: Prime Minister teases debate on Electoral Districts

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela calling for a revision of electoral Districts, hinting that their number may be reduced but stopping short of revealing any government proposals on the issue. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/watch-time-for-discussion-on-electoral-districts-abela-says.903647 The paper says that an un...

28th September 2021

Malta: Teachers protest court injunction by education ministry

In-Nazzjon covers a press conference by the union of teachers criticising the education ministry for filing a court injunction to block union directives issued to its members. Union president Marco Bonnici said that the ministry is trying to silence teachers. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/27/il-gvern-irid-jaghmel-sarima-ma-halq-l-ghall...

28th September 2021

Malta: Education minister denies claims by union of teachers

L-Orizzont says that 45 new classrooms have been introduced this scholastic year to abide by health authority directives. Addressing a press conference, Education Minister Justyne Caruana dismissed concerns about a shortage in teachers. Read more: https://talk.mt/mhux-minnu-li-hemm-150-klassi-bla-ghalliema/ Another report quotes Prime Min...

27th September 2021

Malta: Self-employed make 15% of working population

Nearly 40,500 persons in Malta are self-employed, equivalent to 15.1 per cent of all persons with a main job. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that just over 28,800 people registered as self-employed without employee between April and June this year, while close to 11,600 self-employed had other employees. The rate of self-employed a...

27th September 2021

Malta: Total employment rises in Q2

The total number of persons in employment stood at 266,553 in the second quarter this year, an increase of 3.2 per cent from the same period in 2020. According to figures by the National Statistics Office, the total workforce grew by less than one per cent 438,000 to 441,800. Three-fourths of persons in the 15-64 age group were employed, while the...

French Government allies with Google to spot undeclared pools via satellite

Owners of swimming pools in France beware, the artificially intelligent taxman cometh. When ...
Czechs want to know what’s wrong with their ill president

When Vaclav Havel nearly died of a ruptured intestine as Czech president in 1998, doctors provi...
Austrians turn on ex-chancellor’s party after corruption claims

Austrians have turned on the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), the senior partner in ...
No end in sight to volcanic eruption on Spain’s La Palma

There's no immediate end in sight to the volcanic eruption that has caused chaos on the Spanish...
Pope condemns attacks in Norway, Afghanistan and Britain, following Amess stabbing

Pope Francis on Sunday condemned recent attacks in Norway, Afghanistan and Britain, in an appar...