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Bars to remain closed in March / Measures at care homes reduced – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 24 February 2021

Updated 1745- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that lecturers, staff faced long waits as they lined up for a COVID-19 vaccine MaltaToday reports that Libyan prime minister designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has asked Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo for Malta’s support on travel visas, ...

UPDATED: Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 23 February 2021

Updated 1745- News portal briefing Times of Malta reports that the COVID-19 pandemic cost the Maltese government an estimated €900 million last year and the deficit for last year is therefore projected to be higher than 9.4%, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana told parliament on Tuesday. MaltaTo...

Latest update: Malta News Briefing – Monday 22 February 2021

Updated 1745- News Portal Briefing Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that traffic wardens could end up carrying out construction site inspections under proposed legislative changes, architects said on Monday, raising concerns about their understanding of the industry....

UPDATED – 130 new coronavirus cases, 134 recoveries and 1 fatality – Malta News Briefing – Sunday 21 February 2021

Update 1230 - Covid-19 Update Malta's Health Department announced that there were 130 new cases and 134 recoveries. The total amount of active cases as of Sunday at 1230 was reported to be 2,521. There were 63.308 doses of the vaccine administered, with .20.189 receiving both doses. ...

Malta News Briefing – Saturday 20 February 2021

Updated 1240 - Covid-19 Update Health authorities reported 199 new COVID cases over the past 24 hours and just 106 recoveries, out of 3,100 swab tests. Two further patients died, taking the tally up to 303. The number of active cases stands at 2,526, Tax Commissioner no longer on bail T...

Malta: Services turnover registered highest quarterly increase in December 2020

Turnover in services fell by 15.9 percent in the final quarter of 2020 compared to the same period the previous year. Accommodation and food service activities registered the highest drop, decreasing 58.2 percent year-on-year, according to figures by the National Statistics Office. At the other hand...

Malta: Half a million fewer trips abroad in 2020

Total outbound tourism between January and December 2020 amounted to 196,506, a decrease of 510,290 from the previous year, equivalent to 72.2 percent. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that just under 45 percent of trips were for holiday purposes while 37.4 percent were for visiting re...

Malta: FDI registers growth in first half of 2020

Foreign Direct Investment increased by €72.4 million in the first half of 2020, compared with the same period the previous year. Figures by the National Statistics Office show a total inflow of FDI of €1.68 billion between January and June 2020. Financial and Insurance activities were the biggest c...

Malta: Private cars make three-fourths of all vehicles

The number of registered cars reached a record of 400,586 in the third quarter 2020. Figures by the National Statistics Office show a rise of more than 5,000 vehicles from the previous quarter, equivalent to a net average increase rate of 56 new cars per day. In the first and second quarters, the da...

Malta: Industrial production increases across all groupings for the first time in a year

The Industrial Production Index in December registered an increase across all main groupings for the first time in 2020. Figures by the National Statistics Office show an increase in total production of 0.7 percent from November, the lowest rate of increase during a year that only managed five. Comp...

Malta: Queues complicate first day of University’s vaccination drive

Lecturers and staff at the University of Malta found themselves waiting in long queues on Wednesday, as a COVID-19 vaccination drive at the university's Msida campus got under way. Lecturers who spoke to Times of Malta while waiting said they turned up on time for their appointment but sti...

Malta: Libyan prime minister designate asks Malta for more support

Libyan prime minister designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah asks Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo for Malta’s support on travel visas, flights and bank accounts for Libyan nationals Source MaltaToday Updated 1751

Malta: Inspections on second hand agricultural machinery imported from UK from March

All imports of second hand agricultural machinery imported from third countries including the United Kingdom will be subjected to import control by the Plant Protection Directorate, as from 1 March, the government announced in a notice on Tuesday. Source Newsbook Updated 1745

Malta:Four year prison sentence for man caught robbing elderly couple’s apartment

Matthew Camilleri appeared in Court today charged with stealing jewellery and other items from the apartment of an elderly couple in Attard. Source: TVM Updated: 1745

Malta: Vaccination in elderly homes to be completed next week

L-Orizzont says that vaccination in homes for the elderly will be complete by the end of next week. Minister for Active Ageing Michael Farrugia said that the jab is being administered to both residents and staff members. Another story reports that Vincent Muscat has been granted a presidential p...

41 died by drowning in the Mediterranean’s latest migrant tragedy

(CDeNews) - The UNHCR team and IOM team in Porto Empedocle confirmed that they have verified the accurate testimonies about a shipwreck that took place on Saturday 20 February in the Central Mediterranean which led to the death by drowning of at least 41 people. According to a statement the IOM ...

EU seeks views on gig workers’ rights ahead of new law by year end

The European Commission kicked off a public consultation on Wednesday to determine whether to propose a law that would give gig economy workers greater rights as contractors or employees or by being allowed to bargain as a group. The move comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted online platfor...

Strong 5.6 quake rattles Iceland

A powerful earthquake struck Iceland on Wednesday morning with the tremors being felt in the country's capital, Rekjavik, with the public warning of "several aftershocks". According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake reached a magnitude of 5.6 on the Ri...

EU to keep COVID-19 curbs on non-essential travel

European Union government leaders will agree on Thursday to maintain curbs on non-essential travel within the EU despite the bloc’s executive asking six countries to ease border restrictions on Tuesday. Unilateral moves by EU member countries to combat the spread of new coronavirus variants ...

Bodies of Italian ambassador to Congo and bodyguard arrive in Italy

The bodies of Italy’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo and his bodyguard arrived back in Rome on late on Tuesday aboard a military aircraft, a day after they were shot dead following an ambush in eastern Congo. Ambassador Luca Attanasio, 43, and his bodyguard Vittorio Iacovacci, 30...

24th February 2021

Malta: Queues complicate first day of University’s vaccination drive

24th February 2021

Malta: Libyan prime minister designate asks Malta for more support

24th February 2021

Malta: Inspections on second hand agricultural machinery imported from UK from March

24th February 2021

Malta:Four year prison sentence for man caught robbing elderly couple’s apartment

Matthew Camilleri appeared in Court today charged with stealing jewellery and other items from the apartment of an elderly couple in Attard. Source: TVM Updated: 1745

24th February 2021

Bars to remain closed in March / Measures at care homes reduced – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 24 February 2021

24th February 2021

Maltese representative offices in Libya to be fully functioning in coming weeks – Minister Bartolo

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo held what was reported to be a very positive conversation with the designate Prime Minister of Libya Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. In a statement issued by the Maltese government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah was said to have acknowledged that Malta has always offered friendship and help to the Libyan pe...

24th February 2021

MDB consults to significantly revamp its Family Business Transfer Facility

37% of businesses considering expanding their operations The Malta Development Bank is currently undertaking a major revamp of its Family Business Transfer Facility, a scheme which seeks to assist and facilitate family businesses to transfer their business from one generation to the next. Following extensive feedback received after the schem...

24th February 2021

Malta: Vaccination in elderly homes to be completed next week

24th February 2021

Malta: Opposition Leader applauds perseverance in the pursuit of justice

In-Nazzjon quotes a tweet by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech which said that, had the institutions not been “hijacked” by people in power, Daphne Caruana Galizia would still have been alive. He praised those who showed perseverance in pursuing justice. The paper follows the court sitting on Tuesday during which Judge Edwina Grima repeatedly ask...

24th February 2021

Malta: Caruana Galizia family calls for full justice for journalist’s murder

The Independent quotes a statement by the Caruana Galizia family expressing their hope that the guilty plea by Vincent Muscat may lead to “complete justice” for the murdered journalist. They said that the killing should have been avoided. Keep in the know with the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro https://issuu.com/corporatedispatch/do...

24th February 2021

Malta: Police pick up suspected bomb suppliers

Malta Today reports on the arrest of brothers Adrian and Robert Agius, known as Tal-Maksar, and their associate Jamie Vella on Tuesday. The men are suspected to have supplied the bomb that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia. Keep in the know with the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro https://issuu.com/corporatedispatch/docs/cdp_issue_17__1_...

24th February 2021

Malta: Vince Muscat admits his part in killing Daphne Caruana Galizia

The Times leads with a plea bargain for Vincent Muscat, who admitted to his material role in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Muscat received a reduced jail term of 15 years and fined €42,000. Keep in the know with the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro https://issuu.com/corporatedispatch/docs/cdp_issue_17__1_

23rd February 2021

Three held on suspicion of supplying bomb that killed Malta journalist – Man pleads guilty for murdering Caruana Galizia

Prime Minister Robert Abela will be giving a statement at 7:45pm on the latest developments in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case. Earlier on Tuesday one of the three persons accused of the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has pleaded guilty of the murder. https://www.facebook.com/MaltaGov/videos/255343286055092 Prime Min...

23rd February 2021

Malta: Entrepreneurs complain of exaggerated time on opening of new bank accounts

Many have been expressing complaints over the current provision of banking services, on an individual basis, as well as that for entrepreneurs. The programme ‘Popolin’ discussed this situation to analyse the latest impositions that individuals and entities are facing. Source TVM Updated 1745

23rd February 2021

Malta: Minister scraps predecessor’s Air Malta state aid plan

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana confirmed that he sent the state aid plan for Air Malta drawn up under Economy Minister Silvio Schembri back to the drawing board, with the original plan apparently deemed unsatisfactory by the European Commission. Source Newsbook Updated 1745

23rd February 2021

Malta: Teachers’ union wary of AstraZeneca vaccine, questions effectiveness

The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) has expressed reservation regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, as it supposedly less effective than other brands such as Pfizer. The union said that the vaccination program for educators is expected to begin this week. Source MaltaToday Updated 1745

23rd February 2021

Malta: COVID-19 cost government €900m last year

The COVID-19 pandemic cost the Maltese government an estimated €900 million last year and the deficit for last year is therefore projected to be higher than 9.4%, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana told parliament on Tuesday. The 9.4% figure (€1.22 billion) was given in the budget speech last October. Source Times of Malta Updated 1745

23rd February 2021

UPDATED: Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 23 February 2021

23rd February 2021

Cost of living almost unchanged in January – NSO

In January 2021, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP)remained at a constant rate of 0.2 per cent, the NSO said this morning. The 12-month moving average rate for January stood at 0.7 per cent (Table 2). The largest upward impact on annual inflation was registered in the Clothing and Footwear...

23rd February 2021

Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Times of Malta argues that the prostitution reform law being proposed by the government risks leading to the protection of pimps, traffickers and men while doing little to reduce the harm done to those caught in the web of prostitution. The Editor reflects the views of the coalition on Human Trafficking and Prostitution, arguing that the prior...

23rd February 2021

HSBC plans to nearly halve office space over long term – Malta subsidiary sees 66% drop in profit

International banking giant HSBC said that it plans to nearly halve its office space globally over the long term as part of a renewed cost-cutting drive set out on Tuesday, in a further sign the COVID-19 pandemic is leading companies to make drastic changes to working patterns. HSBC aims to cut its office footprint by 40% over the long-ter...

23rd February 2021

OPM officials step down: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports the resignation of two OPM officials following internal disagreements in recent weeks. Deputy communications director Nigel Vella and head of customer care Sandro Craus joined Castille during the Muscat administration. Another story says that no “concrete plans” came...

23rd February 2021

Malta: Gozo mayors formed common front against overdevelopment

The Times quotes the president of the Gozo regional council, Samuel Azzopardi, who said that the Planning Authority has ignored a plea endorsed by all the island’s mayors raising concerns about unsustainable development. The paper speaks to Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo who played down remarks by incoming Libyan Prime Minister Abdul ...

23rd February 2021

Malta: Government to start maintenance works on 50 residential blocks

L-Orizzont says that the government invested €7 million in embellishment works on social housing units in the last three years. Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said that 50 residential blocks have been earmarked for maintenance in the coming months. Another story quotes a study by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights which found that...

23rd February 2021

Malta: Architects say government failed to consult them on construction Bill

The Independent quotes Architects’ Chamber president, Andre Pizzuto, who warned that reforms proposed in the construction Act overlook the advice of industry experts. Pizzuto said that the government did not sufficiently consult the Chamber on the new Bill. Another report speaks to Opposition MP Karol Aquilina who said that government members o...

23rd February 2021

Covid-19: Malta only EU nation to have vaccinated more than 10% of population

Malta continues to lead the way in the European Union in the vaccination process against Covid-19 with statistics published by Our World in Data showing that the island is the only country in double digits, having vaccinated in excess of 14% of its population. Denmark, the country with the second best rate, reaches 8.38%, while Poland and Roman...

22nd February 2021

Malta: Wardens could end up inspecting building sites

Traffic wardens could end up carrying out construction site inspections under proposed legislative changes, architects said on Monday, raising concerns about their understanding of the industry. Addressing a press conference, Andre Pizzuto, who heads the Kamra tal-Periti, the chamber of architects and civil engineers, warned that the pro...

22nd February 2021

Malta: Public health doctors against legalisation of cannabis

Public health doctors have reiterated their stand against the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine said it supported the statement released last week by rehab groups against the legalisation of cannabis. Source MaltaToday Updated 1745

22nd February 2021

Malta: Marcel Pisani still missing

Marcel Pisani is still missing almost two months after his disappearance. The 50-year-old man was reported missing last December. Source Newsbook Updated 1712

22nd February 2021

Malta: PM writes letter to EC President on importance of a single market for purchase of medicines

PM Robert Abela has written a letter to the European Commission President Charles Michel on the importance of having one market to purchase medicines which can benefit the patients and citizens of the EU. Dr Abela said he hopes that this issue will be placed at the top of the agenda of discussion among European leaders. He said that the debate ...

22nd February 2021

Latest update: Malta News Briefing – Monday 22 February 2021

22nd February 2021

Malta: Services turnover registered highest quarterly increase in December 2020

22nd February 2021

Malta: Rise in explicit video leaks

The Times says that the cybercrime police have registered an increase in reports about illicit video leaks of sexually explicit material. There were eight cases in 2020, double the normal rate, and already two cases this year. Another report quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government is working to striking a balance between...

22nd February 2021

Malta: New car park proposed for Ta’ Qali

The Independent reports that the government has filed a planning application to convert a site in Ta’ Qali into a 500-car parking facility below a bike park. The 9,900 square meters area was previously part of an airfield. The paper quotes a United Nations report which says that, in 2019, 20 military operatives active in Libya’s rebel campaign,...

22nd February 2021

Malta: PM to discuss rentals plan with parliamentary group

L-Orizzont says that the Prime Minister is holding a meeting of the PL parliamentary group today to discuss plans by the government to reform the property rentals laws for contracts drafted before 1995. Another story reports that within thirty years, elderly people are expected to make one-fourth of Malta’s population. The paper speaks to geron...

21st February 2021

UPDATED – 130 new coronavirus cases, 134 recoveries and 1 fatality – Malta News Briefing – Sunday 21 February 2021

21st February 2021

Malta: Yorgen Fenech promised junior minister Cutajar his help

The Sunday Times says that Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar sought Yorgen Fenech’s help to conduct a survey in her constituency in 2019. The businessman assured her of his support, adding in a text that he “had to give her some money”. The paper publishes an interview with Carmel Pace, whose wife Miriam died in a building collapse in Ma...

21st February 2021

Malta: Total bank deposits topped €14 billion in 2020

Kullħadd quotes Central Bank figures showing that bank deposits stood at €14.3 billion by the end of last year. The paper says total savings were five times higher than those registered in the 2008 financial crisis. Another story in the paper says that a number of Nationalist MPs held a meeting “behind the back” of party leader Bernard Grech. ...

21st February 2021

Malta: Court issues garnishee order against AUM

The Independent on Sunday reports that a judge ordered a €1.1 million garnishee on the American University of Malta over case against it filed by the institution’s former lawyer Louai Al Twal. Banks have received notice of the court order. The paper speaks to PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech who said that he intends to serve in the ro...

21st February 2021

Malta: Brexit bureaucracy raising prices for importers

It-Torċa says that businesses are experiencing long delays on goods imported from the UK, following new regulations and procedures introduced with the Brexit agreement. One trader said that import prices have risen sharply. Another story speaks with the head of the Crisis Resolution Unity, Dr Mark Xuereb, who warned that the pandemic is l...

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EIB Group in Poland in 2020: strong support for COVID-19 response and for green recovery

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China court orders man to pay wife for housework

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Apple buys a company every three to four weeks

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European strategy for data: what MEPs want

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