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PM pushes for EU vaccine certificate – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 21 January 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that commotion broke out in court on Thursday as two of the men charged with detonating the explosive device which killed Daphne Caruana Galizia claimed their rights were being breached. MaltaToday reports that the Secretariat for Cat...

PN Shadow Cabinet announced – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 20 January 2021

Updated 1240 - Covid-19 Update Health authorities reported 187 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday following 3,879 swab tests in the past 24 hours.The virus claimed the lives of two persons, a 79-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man, the 244th victim since the onset of the pandemic. The number...

Latest update: Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 19 January 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta reports that The police stopped and checked 7,000 vehicles in the last quarter of 2020 as part of their efforts to enforce discipline on the roads. MaltaToday reports that Eurostat figures show that the construction industry grew by 4.3...

Latest Updates – Malta News Briefing – Monday 18 January 2021

Updated 1745: Newsportal Coverage The Times of Malta reports that Nationalist Party MPs started being called in for a meeting with leader Bernard Grech on Monday as a reshuffle of their duties is under way. It quotes sources claiming that each of the PN's 28 MPs was holding one-on-one meetings w...

Malta News Briefing – Sunday 17 January 2021 – UPDATE

Update 1900 h - News Headlines - Political Sunday Statement - Prime Minister Robert Abela tried to shut down all criticisms of the Labour Party's co-option of Oliver Scicluna during a political activity this morning, instead shifting the narrative to Charles Azzopardi and the Nationalist Party's su...

Malta: Current account balance registers €100M deficit in Q3

The current account of the balance of payments in the third quarter 2020 recorded a deficit of €100 million, down from a €300 million surplus registered in the same period a year earlier. At the same time, however, figures released by Eurostat show that the deficit was lower than the €300 million re...

Malta: Trade deficit slims down to €38M in November

The balance of imports and exports registered a deficit of €2.0 billion between January and November 2020, a decrease of €1.578 billion compared with the same period the year before. Figures for November by the National Statistics Office show total imports of €365.2 million and total exports of €326...

Malta: Unemployment rate peaks in November

The rate of unemployment in November rose by 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, reaching 4.8 percent – the highest level recorded in 2020. Seasonally adjusted figures by the National Statistics Office show a total 13,081 persons in unemployment, 104 more than those registered in October ...

Malta: Labour supply surpassed 235,000 by mid-2020

Labour supply stood at 235,309 in May 2020, up by 7.9 percent compared to the same month the previous year. Data by the National Statistics Office shows that registered full-time employment also grew in the twelve-month period, rising by 6.7 percent to reach 230,900 gainfully occupied. Between May ...

Malta registers highest producer price increase in EU

Industrial producer prices in Malta rose by 1.8 percent year-on-year in November 2020, bucking the trend across the European Union. Figures by Eurostat shows that Hungary and Slovenia were the only other two member states to record an increase (both +1.1%) in the same period as EU producer prices fe...

Malta: ‘Now you wait and see’… Daphne murder suspects lash out in court

Commotion broke out in court on Thursday as two of the men charged with detonating the explosive device which killed Daphne Caruana Galizia claimed their rights were being breached. Brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio lashed out at the magistrate and the Attorney General’s office, saying ...

Malta: Church schools accuse union of causing ‘alarm and anxiety’ among students, staff

The Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Association of Church Schools (CSA) has condemned the “irresponsible behaviour” of the Union of Professional Educators (UPE) in publishing information on its Facebook page about COVID-19 cases in their schools. CSA said the information was caus...

Malta: Caritas recommends facilitating access to online public services

Public services play an important role in addressing poverty and social exclusion, Caritas Europe noted in its study on barriers obstructing access to those in need. In its recommendations, Caritas highlighted the importance of informing people about the existence and availability of such servic...

Malta: PM says time has come to create European vaccine certificate

In a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, PM Robert Abela said that the time has come to create a European vaccine certificate. Dr Abela said that the vaccine certificate is an important tool for public health especially in the context of transcontinental tra...

Malta: University study finds unique traits in Maltese ALS patients

The Independent quotes findings from a University of Malta research into ALS. The results show that the disease in Maltese patients affects different genes than those in European counterparts, giving scientists a better understanding of the causes of ALS. The paper says that former PN Leader Adr...

EU reports nearly 300,000 excess deaths in 8 months of 2020

Around 297,500 more people died in the European Union between March and October last year compared with the same period in 2016 to 2019, according to EU data published on Wednesday. March 2020 was when the coronavirus pandemic began spreading across most of Europe and October is the last month f...

Pete Buttigieg faces Senate panel hearing over Transportation nomination

President Joe Biden's nominee to head the U.S. Transportation Department will tell a U.S. Senate panel on Thursday the United States must improve its infrastructure. "We also have a lot of work to do to improve the infrastructure in this country, a mission that will not only keep more people saf...

Biden to order masks on planes and trains, increase disaster funds to fight coronavirus

President Joe Biden will sign 10 executive orders on Thursday to fight the coronavirus pandemic, including directing that disaster funds be used to help reopen schools and requiring that people wear masks on planes and buses, officials said. Biden, a Democrat who took over from Republican Presid...

U.S. intends to join COVAX and remain WHO member – Fauci

The United States under President Joe Biden intends to join the COVAX vaccine facility that aims to deliver vaccines to poor countries, his chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci told the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the annou...

Spain pushes for vaccine certificates to ease travel resumption

Spain is pushing the European Union and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for the creation of a COVID-19 vaccine certification that would ease travel, Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez said on Thursday. "Vaccine certification is something we are going towards inevitably,...

21st January 2021

Malta: ‘Now you wait and see’… Daphne murder suspects lash out in court

21st January 2021

Malta: Church schools accuse union of causing ‘alarm and anxiety’ among students, staff

21st January 2021

Malta: Caritas recommends facilitating access to online public services

21st January 2021

Malta: PM says time has come to create European vaccine certificate

21st January 2021

PM pushes for EU vaccine certificate – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 21 January 2021

21st January 2021

Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Times of Malta describes the responsibilities which newly-elected US President Joe Biden is facing, saying the primary goals should be to restore his country's global leadership, reassert its faith in democratic norms and principles. The Independent discusses the financial issues facing today's younger generation, particularly high property...

21st January 2021

Malta: University study finds unique traits in Maltese ALS patients

21st January 2021

Malta: PN unveils shadow cabinet reshuffle

In-Nazzjon leads with the announcement of a reshuffle in the shadow cabinet. PN Leader Bernard Grech said the changes will not only strengthen the parliamentary group but will also prepare the party for the next election. Another story follows a meeting of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee which discussed the National Audit Office rep...

21st January 2021

Malta: Airport passenger traffic drops by three-fourths in 2020

Business Today says that the airport ended last year with a decline of 76 percent in passenger traffic from 2019. The current uncertainty makes it impossible for the MIA to set out a reliable market forecast for 2021. The paper quotes the president of the Chamber of Commerce, David Xuereb, who said that the body is ready to support any Covid-19...

21st January 2021

Malta: WasteServ CEO calls for change in culture

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca who said that a change in mentality towards waste disposal needs to be driven by “forward-thinking” legislation. Another report announces that independent specialty management insurance Optio is entering Europe with an office in Malta. Director Kevin Cleary said t...

21st January 2021

Malta: First vaccinations at St Vincent de Paule

L-Orizzont reports that residents and healthcare workers at St Vincent de Paule home are taking the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The first person to receive the jab was a 94-year-old woman. Another story says that PN Leader Bernard Grech came up against resistance by MPs who wanted to hold on to their roles in the shadow cabinet. Claudio Gre...

21st January 2021

Malta: PM tables construction sector report in parliament

The Times reports that Prime Minister Robert Abela tabled an expert report on the construction sector in parliament on Wednesday. Abela’s decision earlier this month not to publish the report received criticism by the family of a victim of a building collapse. The paper covers the inauguration of the 46th US President Joe Biden and Vice Preside...

20th January 2021

70% of Malta’s population to be vaccinated by September – Health Minister

"Malta's realistic but ambitious target is that, by the end of September, we will have vaccinated 70% of our population." This target was expressed by Malta's Minister for Health Chris Fearne in an interview with Euronews. The interview came ahead of a European leaders meeting on Thursday which will look for ways to boost production and at the ...

20th January 2021

Inflation stable but food prices rising – NSO

In December 2020, the annual rate of inflation in Malta as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), remained at a constant rate of 0.2 per cent the NSO said today. Low inflation rates have dominated the scene throughout 2020 with business activity levels suffering a significant hit with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic....

20th January 2021

PN Shadow Cabinet announced – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 20 January 2021

20th January 2021

Malta: PN files complaint against TVM over news omission

In-Nazzjon says that PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech filed a Broadcasting Authority complaint against TVM for failing to report the court sitting in the case against the Vitals deal. Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat testified in the last sitting on Monday. Another story quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who warned that the rental sit...

20th January 2021

Malta: GWU holds talks with One Group amid employee anxiety

L-Orizzont covers a meeting between the General Workers Union and One Group discussing the constitutional case that could lead to the closure of political party stations. The union said the case puts the employment of its members at risk. The paper carries an interview with Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia who said that the government is com...

20th January 2021

Malta: PN activists in District 2 resist reshuffle changes

Malta Today says that members of the PN local committees in the 2nd District have threatened to resign en masse after learning that party leader Bernard Grech intends to remove Stephen Spiteri from opposition health spokesperson. Another story follows the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech on Tuesday. A report by three psychologists ...

20th January 2021

No obligation for private clinics to report positive Covid-19 results: The Headline – The Times

The Times reports that private clinics administering the Covid-19 rapid test are not required to inform health authorities if results return positive, leaving it up to patients themselves to request an appointment for the official swab test. The paper says that PN Leader Bernard Grech is holding one-to-one meetings with his parliamentary group ...

20th January 2021

Malta: Gavin Gulia to face grilling before parliament

The Independent says that Gavin Gulia, who stepped down from tourism authority chairman before taking the oath of office last week, will not be automatically re-#instated following his sudden resignation as MP but will face grilling in parliament first. The paper quotes survey findings by the European Investment Bank which finds that 88 percent...

19th January 2021

Malta: An unauthorised person is collecting money on behalf of ‘Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija’

L-Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija (Malta’s Catholic Action organisation) has said in a statement that some people are knocking on people’s doors and collecting money on behalf of the organisation as well as selling tickets. It said that no one is authorised to do this and has asked for all those who wish to make a donation to do so by cheque pay...

19th January 2021

Malta: Magistrate bans publication of psychiatric experts’ testimony on Theuma

A team of three psychiatrists entrusted with assessing state witness Melvin Theuma took the stand on Tuesday morning. The compilation of evidence against murder suspect Yorgen Fenech continued on Tuesday morning. Source Newsbook Updated 1612

19th January 2021

Malta: Construction sector in Malta registered third highest growth in EU

Construction in Malta experienced the third largest growth in production across the EU in the third quarter of 2020, figures out today show. The industry grew by 4.3% between July and September 2020 when compared to the same quarter the previous year, according to Eurostat, the European statistical agency. Source MaltaToday Updated 19 Jan...

19th January 2021

7,000 cars stopped in three months in police roads discipline drive

The police stopped and checked 7,000 vehicles in the last quarter of 2020 as part of their efforts to enforce discipline on the roads. In a statement on Tuesday, the police did not specify how many tickets were issued, but said 'hundreds'. Source Times of Malta Updated 1407

19th January 2021

Maltese delegation seeks better relations with Qatar in official visit

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo is leading a Maltese delegation on a visit to Qatar with the aim of further strengthening relations between the two countries. Ties between Malta and Qatar go back 45 years, with a friendship between the two countries translating into sincere cooperation in various fields, including in t...

19th January 2021

First MaltaAir Boeing 737 Max spotted in Washington

A Twitter account specialising in the airline industry, has revealed the first images from Washington of the first painted winglets bound for a Malta Air Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have been spotted in Washington. The delivery of the 737 MAX will see Ryanair’s subsidiaries receiving aircraft in their own liveries for the first time. Woodys Aeroima...

19th January 2021

Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Times of Malta discusses the issue of whether censorship should apply when world leaders, such as Donald Trump, use social media not only to spread fake news but also to invite rebellion and sedition against the state. The Independent appeals to health authorities to solve the issue of queues being faced by elderly people who present themse...

19th January 2021

Malta reiterates its continued support for EU-wide coordination on COVID19 matters

During a video conference meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi Government has reiterated Malta’s support for continued EU-wide COVID-19 coordination. The Portuguese Presidency of Council, which commenced on January 1st, convened the meeting to p...

19th January 2021

Malta: NGO president slams car-centric policies

The Independent speaks with Rota president Michelle Attard Tonna who said that authorities disregard the needs of non-car users. She criticised policies that prioritise car traffic over alternative means of transport. Another story reports on the case against the hospitals deal filed in 2018 by then PN Leader Adrian Delia. Taking the witness st...

19th January 2021

Malta: Former PM Muscat confirms €100M clause in Steward deal

In-Nazzjon says that Joseph Muscat confirmed a clause in the hospitals deal that would award Steward €100 million by the government if the contract is revoked. The former Prime Minister said the concession made sense in Malta’s healthcare context. Another story covers a meeting between the Nationalist Party and the Sports Journalists Associatio...

19th January 2021

Malta: Doctors’ union president says Superintendent vaccine controversy cuts both ways

L-Orizzont asks Medical Association president Martin Balzan whether the Public Health Superintendent should take the Covid-19 jab, as suggested by columnist Kristina Chetcuti. Dr Balzan said the decision would attract criticism either way. The paper quotes former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said that the hospitals run by Steward still belo...

19th January 2021

Malta: Hike in residency fees to fund recovery

The Times reports that fees for the residency programme is set to rise by more than double from the current €30,000 to help the economic recovery. The scheme grants residency rights to third-country nationals but not citizenship. The paper says that the police have identified two women who shouted racial abuse at a teenage player during a footb...

19th January 2021

Latest update: Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 19 January 2021

18th January 2021

Latest Updates – Malta News Briefing – Monday 18 January 2021

18th January 2021

Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Times of Malta shares its views on the need for broadcasting reform, saying that the country needs a regulator that is fit for purpose in a post-truth and fake-news world that increasingly lays stress on freedom of expression and hates censorship. The Independent argues that the PM's decision not to recuse himself from a Cabinet decision on...

18th January 2021

Malta: Prime Minister open to euthanasia discussion

The Times follows a speech by the Prime Minister where he said it was time for a discussion about euthanasia. Robert Abela said he did not personally have a clear position on the subject but insisted that the issue cannot be ignored. Another report says that there is a lower rate of influenza and common cold this month,...

18th January 2021

Malta: Bernard Grech says Prime Minister fails to raise above party politics

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister’s first year in the role will be remembered for two reshuffles in ten months. He said that Robert Abela failed to raise above partisan politics on crucial issues. Another story reports the death of a Covid-19 patients in the last 24 hours, the twentieth fatality since th...

18th January 2021

Malta: Prime Minister defends co-option of Oliver Scicluna

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the co-option of Oliver Scicluna to parliament sends a ‘powerful message’ of inclusion of people with different abilities. He defended the move as fully democratic. L-Orizzont picks a report by the Human Rights Watch which criticises the EU for pursuing orders with vaccine developers w...

18th January 2021

Malta: Offences committed by religious sect were not criminal

The Independent says that a five-month investigation by the Church into a religious sect found no evidence of criminal offence., despite warning about psychological and spiritual abuses by the leaders. The paper publishes an interview with a Maltese priest living in Rome who described the Covid-19 situation as surreal. Fr Mario Attard praised f...

17th January 2021