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Malta News Briefing – Sunday 16 May 2021

Newspaper Review The Sunday Times reports that Judge Giovanni Grixti notified Minister Carmelo Abela that the police have requested access to his testimony given behind closed doors, alerting him that an investigation into his alleged involvement in the 2010 HSBC heist has been launched. Malt...

4 new coronavirus cases, 7 recoveries in Malta – Malta News Briefing – Saturday 15 May 2021

Update 1504 Opposition MP Toni Bezzina has been cleared by a police investigation into alleged corruption dating back to 2012. Bezzina, the Nationalist Party transportation shadow minister, was informed by police on Saturday that after some four weeks of investigations, the police had decided t...

Only one case of Covid-19 / Malta News Briefing – Friday 14 May 2021

Updated 1240 Just one Covid case: Only one person tested positive for COVID during the past 24 hours. The last time this reported was in the month of July, last year. This case was identified through 2,017 tests. With ten people recovering, the active case tally has now gone down to 180. No new...

2021 Census to be held in Oct-Nov / Malta News Briefing – 13 May 2021

Updated 1745 - Newsportal Briefing TVM reports that a 32-year-old woman of Bulgarian nationality, is in danger of dying after being hit by a car. The accident happened at around 8.15am this morning in Triq Birkirkara, St Julian’s. The Times of Malta reports the launch of the 2021 census. Data...

Five new Covid-19 cases / Malta News Briefing – 12 May 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that a Malta Enterprise official responsible for handling funding applications saw no fraud by Progress Press in an application that led to money laundering charges against the company, he told a court on Wednesday. MaltaToday reports...

Malta: Total value of residential property sales nears €230 million in April

Final deeds of sale for residential properties reached a combined value of €228.4 million in April, almost level with the same month in 2019. Last year, total transactions amounted to €119.2 million. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that the number of final deeds of sale amounted to 1,...

Malta: Asia represents a fifth of trade in goods

Exports to Asian countries accounted for 18.8 per cent of the total trade goods in the first quarter of 2021, with a combined value of €142.2 million. Imports from Asia made up 21.9 per cent, equivalent to €251.1 million, in the same period. Figures by the National Statistics Office shows a decline ...

Malta: Imports from UK fall by 45% since Brexit

Total imports from Britain stood at €75.3 million in the first three months since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU came into full effect on January 1, 2021. In the first quarter of 2020, imports to Malta had a combined value of €137.5 million. Figures by the National Statistics Office, however, show ...

Malta: Passengers between the islands decrease by a third

The number of passengers crossing between Malta and Gozo in the first quarter this year decreased by 31.5 percent compared with the same period in 2020. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that a total of 710,749 persons travelled between Malta and Gozo in the first three months of 2021. ...

Malta: Nine students for every teacher in schools

The overall ratio between teachers and the student population stood at 9.2 in the academic year 2018-2019. Data by the National Statistics Office shows that the ratio was lowest in state schools with 8.3 students per teacher. It rose to 11.2 in church schools and 12.4 in private schools. The total ...

Malta: Psychiatrist calls for mental health support for front-liners

It-Torċa carries an interview with psychiatrist Mark Xuereb who expressed concern about the effects of the pandemic on mental health among workers. Xuereb said that front-liners are especially affected and called for a national strategy to support their mental wellbeing. The paper reports that a...

Malta: PN MP cleared of corruption charges

Il-Mument says that PN MP Toni Abela was cleared of corruption charges related to works on a party club in 2012. The Nationalist Party welcomed the notification by the police and said that attempts to attack Bezzina proved futile. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/05/15/il-pulizija-kkonkludiet...

Malta: No agreement on new Ombudsman between government and opposition

Illum says that the Office of the Ombudsman faces uncertainty as the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader fail to agree on the appointment of a new Ombudsman. The role requires a two-thirds majority vote in parliament. The paper reports on Destiny's Eurovision journey beginning officially th...

Malta: Prime Minister adopts wait-and-see approach to election date

The Sunday Times speaks to sources within the Labour Party who said that the Prime Minister is not expected to decide about the general election date before August, giving him time to assess the Covid-19 situation. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/robert-abelas-election-date-hinges...

Malta: Marlene Farrugia says she remains pro-life

The Independent on Sunday quotes independent MP Marlene Farrugia who said that she is pro-life and believes that life begins at conception but argued that decriminalisation of abortion is a matter of equality. The paper publishes an interview with TV director Steven Dalli who revealed that he ha...

Top Cyprus prosecutor asks police to probe cash-for-passport scandal

The top prosecutor in Cyprus has asked police to investigate possible criminal offences in the running of a cash-for-passports scheme after an official probe suggested thousands of passports may have been wrongly issued to rich foreigners. The east Mediterranean island awarded citizenship to...

Pope Francis calls for end to fighting in Israel and Gaza

Pope Francis called on Sunday for an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, saying the deaths of so many innocent people in recent days, including children, was unacceptable. "I appeal for calm, and for those responsible to end the clamour of weapons and to take the path of peace," he said in a...

Austria’s Kurz expects to be charged but cleared in perjury case

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz expects to be charged but eventually cleared in an investigation into whether he gave false testimony to a parliamentary commission, he told Sunday newspapers, ruling out the idea of resigning if indicted. The investigation by anti-corruption prosecutors, m...

UPDATED: Israel air strikes kill 33 Palestinians, rockets fired from Gaza

Israeli air strikes killed 33 Palestinians, including 13 children, in Gaza early on Sunday, Gaza health officials said, and militants fired rockets into Israel as hostilities stretched into a seventh day. The pre-dawn attacks were on houses in the centre of Gaza City, health officials said. ...

UPDATED: India records more than 4,000 daily COVID-19 deaths

India reported a smaller rise in daily COVID-19 cases for the third straight day on Sunday, but the number of deaths in 24 hours was higher than 4,000, taking the country's death toll to 270,000. Deaths grew by 4,077, while infections rose by 311,170 - the smallest rise in daily cases in...

16th May 2021

Malta News Briefing – Sunday 16 May 2021

16th May 2021

Malta: Psychiatrist calls for mental health support for front-liners

16th May 2021

Malta: PN MP cleared of corruption charges

16th May 2021

Malta: No agreement on new Ombudsman between government and opposition

16th May 2021

Malta: Prime Minister adopts wait-and-see approach to election date

16th May 2021

GO’s Mobile Network Recognised As Malta’s Fastest

OoklaÒ, the company behind SpeedtestÒ, the global leader in broadband network measurement, analysis and insight, has officially verified GO’s mobile network as being the fastest mobile network in Malta.* Recognising GO’s achievement in network excellence, Doug Suttles, CEO and Co-founder of Ookla, said, “Winning this prestigious Speedtest A...

16th May 2021

Malta: Marlene Farrugia says she remains pro-life

16th May 2021

Malta: Police investigating allegations of sitting minister’s role in bank robbery

Malta Today asks Minister Carmelo Abela whether he will step down until a fresh police probe into claims linking him to an attempted bank heist is concluded. Abela dismissed the allegations as a conspiracy to oust him. View the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro https://issuu.com/corporatedispatch/docs/cdpro_april_2021_final

16th May 2021

Russia to restart regular flights with Mexico, Malta, and others

Russia from May 25 will restart regular air travel between Iceland, Malta, Mexico, Portugal and Saudi Arabia, the government’s coronavirus response headquarters said in a statement. The decision was made with regard to the epidemiological situation in the countries, the government team said, adding the decision was made on a mutual basis. P...

15th May 2021

Malta’s Foreign Minister calls for ceasefire in Gaza to stop the killing of many innocent people including children

Malta's foreign minister Evarist Bartolo called for a ceasefire in Gaza on Saturday during a meeting with his counterpart from the Palestinian National Authority. The two ministers agreed on the need for a ceasefire to stop the killing of so many innocent people, including children, the Maltese foreign ministry said in a statement. In thei...

15th May 2021

Malta’s customs strengthens Anti-Money Laundering team and anti-terror efforts

Following an analysis of the current trend in infringements of the Cash Control Regulations (S.L. 233.07) and the inherent risks, the Customs Department, this week, has initiated the process intended to continue beefing up its Anti-Money Laundering Team by two additional Officials, that is, from 9 to 11 officials. The selection process will be fol...

15th May 2021

4 new coronavirus cases, 7 recoveries in Malta – Malta News Briefing – Saturday 15 May 2021

15th May 2021

Malta: Ministers noncommittal on abortion motion

In-Nazzjon says that a statement by the Labour Party declaring that Prime Minister Robert Abela opposes abortion does not clarify the party’s position. Cabinet ministers questioned by the paper did not give a direct answer on the matter. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/05/14/il-partit-laburista-jibqa-ma-jridx-jiehu-pozizzjoni-dwar-l-abort/ ...

15th May 2021

Malta: Abortion Bill unlikely to be debated in parliament

The Times says that the Labour Party will likely propose a national consultation on the decriminalisation of abortion, but the motion presented in parliament does not have the support of the party’s parliamentary group. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/labour-to-propose-national-consultation-on-decriminalising-abortion.871930 T...

15th May 2021

Malta: Population grows by a quarter in 10 years

L-Orizzont says that the population in Malta reached 514,564, an increase of 24 per cent over a decade. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that the share of non-Maltese residents grew from five per cent to 20 per cent in this period. Read more: https://www.inewsmalta.com/2021/05/persuna-minn-kull-hamsa-fmalta-barranija/ Another stor...

15th May 2021

Malta: Herd immunity to be reached within days

The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that herd immunity from the Covid-19 virus is expected to be reached within days, adding that people are still bound to follow safety measures for the time being. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-05-14/local-news/Live-Charmaine-Gauci-delivers-weekly...

14th May 2021

Only one case of Covid-19 / Malta News Briefing – Friday 14 May 2021

14th May 2021

SME Chamber expresses concern over the hefty increases in import costs

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has highlighted the recent increases in the cost of importation, particularly on products originating from the Far East and Turkey. In a statement, the SME Chamber said that business operations have suffered a big shock because of changes that occurred in the shipping industry, within these countries. A number of facto...

14th May 2021

Malta: Bernard Grech criticises prejudice against LGBTQI+ community

In-Nazzjon follows a public Q&A with Bernard Grech who, asked about LGBTQI+ rights, said that politics should start from the equality of persons. He said that personhood comes before ideas or dogmas. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/05/13/inkattru-l-gharfien-fost-il-poplu-biex-innehhu-l-pregudizzji-bernard-grech-fuq-il-komunita-lgbtiq/ ...

14th May 2021

Family Therapists express concern on proposed cannabis reform

The Malta Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice expressed its concern with regard to the proposed cannabis reform, saying that this law is encouraging a culture whereby seeking a ‘high’ from the use of substances is necessary to distress, cope with life’s challenges and have fun. In parallel, it said, those services which are entrust...

14th May 2021

Malta: Village festas to be cancelled this summer

The Times says that villages feasts will be cancelled for the second consecutive year to lower the risks of Covid-19 contagion. Health authorities are due to meet church officials to discuss the matter. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/no-village-feasts-this-summer.871681 The paper reports that fighting between Israel and Pales...

14th May 2021

Malta: No Covid-19 casualties for six days

L-Orizzont says that the number of Covid-19 cases fell to 189 while no fatalities were recorded for the sixth day running on Thursday. Vaccinations have surpassed 400,000 with 272,000 people receiving both doses. Read more: https://www.inewsmalta.com/2021/05/covid-19-is-sitt-jum-konsekuttiv-minghajr-imwiet-u-erba-kazi-godda/ The paper reports c...

14th May 2021

Malta: President ready to resign if abortion law landed on his desk

The Independent speaks to President George Vella who declared his position against abortion and said that he would be left with no option but to resign if a law introducing abortion was passed for his signature. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-05-14/local-news/President-s-position-against-abortion-remains-unchanged-67362334...

13th May 2021

Malta: New Chamber of Commerce CEO outlines top skills needed by businesses

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with newly-appointed Chamber of Commerce CEO Marthese Portelli who said that businesses need new skills based on social, emotional, and digital capabilities. The paper speaks with the Special Envoy for trade relations with the UK, Mario Vella, who hailed the zero tariffs and quotas agreed between B...

13th May 2021

Malta: Government aiming for UK green list

Business Today says Maltese authorities are keeping regular contact with British counterparts to make sure that the country joins the UK green travel list this summer. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said he is confident the ban will be lifted in a few weeks. Read more: https://www.businesstoday.com.mt/business/business/1455/malta_in_contact_with...

13th May 2021

Malta: Concerns about incinerator impact assessment report

In-Nazzjon says that the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed incinerator in Magħtab was conducted by a person selected by Wasteserv that has a conflict of interest. The government has refused to discuss the subject in parliament. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/05/12/l-incineratur-propost-mill-gvern-hu-process-ivvizzjat-iehor-i...

13th May 2021

Malta: Number of nurses stands at 3,500

L-Orizzont says that the number of nurses in Malta increased by 0.7 per cent between 2011 and 2019, the highest rate in the EU. There are currently 3,500 nurses and another 200 are expected to formally join the profession within a few weeks. The paper says that the financial services authority has served twelve administrative sanctions in the f...

13th May 2021

Malta: Marlene Farrugia presents Bill to decriminalise abortion

The Times reports that independent MP Marlene Farrugia has tabled proposals to decriminalise abortion. Currently, anyone who seeks to helps with an abortion can be sentenced up to three months in jail. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/mp-proposes-bill-decriminalising-abortion.871381 Another story reveals that thousands of asylu...

13th May 2021

Malta: Young people from the age of 16 can register for Covid-19 vaccine

The Independent quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who announced that vaccinations will open for people aged 16 and over from Monday. The number of active Covid-19 cases fell below 200 for the first time in nine months. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-05-12/local-news/Vaccination-open-for-16-from-Monday-active-cases-fall-u...

13th May 2021

2021 Census to be held in Oct-Nov / Malta News Briefing – 13 May 2021

12th May 2021

Job candidates should not be charged fees, says Malta Chamber

The newly launched Employment Agencies Business Section within The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has strongly condemned the practice of levying fees from candidates looking for employment. Section 8e of the law clearly states that the Director of Labour may refuse an application for a licence or revoke a licence if an agency c...

12th May 2021

Five new Covid-19 cases / Malta News Briefing – 12 May 2021

12th May 2021

EC forecasts robust recovery for Malta – if tourism sector opens safely

Malta’s economy should see a robust recovery in 2021 and 2022, provided that the tourism sector opensup safely. In its Spring Forecast, the European Commission said that the recovery is expected to be driven by a rebound in tourism-related services exports, household consumption and investment. The Commission also noted that Malta's fiscal posi...

12th May 2021

Malta: Malta Enterprise CEO confident about impact of government aid

L-Orizzont speaks with Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia who expects that a €20 million aid package unveiled by the government will contribute to a 2.5 per cent economic growth this year. The assistance includes the voucher scheme. The paper reports on the compilation of evidence against Jamie Vella and brothers Robert and Adrian Agius in the ...

12th May 2021

Malta: Herd immunity within a week

Malta Today says that the country is set to reach herd immunity on Monday 19, with seven in every ten having received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine. By that date a third of the population is expected to be fully vaccinated. Read more: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/109565/covid19_herd_immunity_target_to_be_reached_on_19_may_ ...

12th May 2021

Malta: Degiorgio brothers file Constitutional case against Cabinet decision

In-Nazzjon says that murder suspects Alfred and George Degiorgio filed a Constitutional case against the government, accusing the Cabinet of abusing its power when their request for a presidential pardon was rejected. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/05/11/kawza-kostituzzjonali-fuq-ir-rifjut-tal-mahfra-mill-ahwa-degiorgio-jridu-lil-cardona-u...

12th May 2021

Malta: Libya requests millions linked to Gaddafi family

The Times says that the Libyan government is requesting Malta to release some €80 million in frozen bank deposits linked to the Gaddafi family. Libyan Foreign Minister Najla El-Mangoush was on a visit to Malta on Monday. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/libya-asks-malta-for-gaddafis-millions.871216 Another quotes the lawyer rep...

11th May 2021

Malta calls for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East

The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta has been closely monitoring developments in Palestine and expresses its serious concern on the violent escalation over the past days in East Jerusalem and the launch of rockets into Israel from Gaza. The Ministry for foreign Affairs called on all sides to take immediate and...

11th May 2021

Malta: Total value of residential property sales nears €230 million in April

11th May 2021

70 Migrants land in Malta – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 11 May 2021

1745 Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that vaccinated visitors will be given priority when elderly homes re-open properly in the coming months, the Elderly Minister revealed on Tuesday, emphasising the importance of getting inoculated against COVID-19. MaltaToday reports that 16-year-old Luana Borg has been re...

Britain embroiled in bitter international legal battle over who can produce manuka honey

Britain has become embroiled in a bitter international legal battle over who is entitled to pro...
Abu Dhabi to allow quarantine-free travel from July 1

Abu Dhabi plans to remove quarantine restrictions for global travellers from July 1, except for...
Top Cyprus prosecutor asks police to probe cash-for-passport scandal

The top prosecutor in Cyprus has asked police to investigate possible criminal offences in the ...
Police move Barcelona crowds along amid post-curbs parties

Police intervened to move along thousands of people drinking and dancing in Barcelona's city ce...
Pope Francis calls for end to fighting in Israel and Gaza

Pope Francis called on Sunday for an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, saying the deaths of s...