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 about 520,000 people living in Malta will be collected in October and November through an online survey, over the phone or face-to-face interviews.
Maltatoday reveals that the Finance Minister will be in Brussels next week for talks on Air Malta’s State aid application. Meanwhile, technical talks between government and the European Commission on Malta’s request to be able to subsidise Air Malta are ongoing.
Newsbook follows the Archbishop’s reaction to the private members bill announced yesterday by Independent MP Marlene Farrugia. The womb is a sacred place, which should be a source of life not death, Charles Scicluna said in a homily today.
Updated 1330
Covid-19 Update
Just 4 new COVID-19 cases were reported today while no new deaths were
recorded. A total of 1,996 swab tests were carried out yesterday. 7 persons recovered, with
the active case tally going down to 189.
Malta has second lowest Covid-19 infection rate in Europe:
Malta’s Covid-19 infection rate is the second lowest in Europe. Only Portugal has lower figures. The details emerge after the country dropped significantly from ranking among the highest in early March. The country’s
14-day cases per 100,000 inhabitants rate stands at 52.28 with only Portugal registering a
lower rate with 49.55 cases per 100,000 people.
Malta shut down restaurants, bars and shops after the number of Covid-19 cases were
reaching record highs. Since then, Malta’s figures have drastically gone down.
Newspaper Review
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.
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 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 to up to three months in jail.
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.
L-Orizzont says that the financial services authority has served twelve administrative sanctions in the first five months this year, surpassing the total of ten sanctions imposed on companies and directions last year.
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.
The Independent reports on the compilation of evidence against Keith Schembri and other co-defendants in the Progress Press deal. A court report said that Malta Enterprise would have had to turn a blind eye to approve the funding of the new printing equipment.
The Times reveals that thousands of asylum seekers and expats are waiting for their residency documentation have not been given the Covid-19 vaccine yet. The Agency for Welfare of Asylum Seekers said it is waiting for information from authorities.
Business Today publishes an interview with the MFSA Head of Conduct Supervision, Emily Benson, who said that the ongoing Corporate Service Providers reform will reinforce a climate of compliance among firms and professionals.
The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the Special Envoy for trade relations with the UK, Mario Vella, who hailed the zero tariffs and quotas agreed between Britain and the EU as an achievement but warned that the situation has its challenges.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who described nurses as “superheroes” on the International Day of Nursing. He said that the vocation needs better conditions of work to reflect its importance to society.
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.
Morning Briefing
Marlene Farrugia proposes decriminalisation of abortion
Independent MP Marlene Farrugia has tabled a private members’ bill proposing the decriminalisation of abortion. Speaking in Parliament, Farrugia argued that she was putting forward the proposed act with the aim of ensuring that no woman is penalised for trying to safeguard their own health.
Speaking during an adjournment in the House, Farrugia put forward draft legislation to be debated by MPs in a first for Malta, the only EU country that has a total ban on abortion. “It makes absolutely no sense,” Farrugia said, “that a woman looking for self-determination, looking for medical intervention, ends up being criminalised and condemned instead of being offered help.”
Both main political parties had so far pronounced themselves against.
Repubblika drops case on appointment of judiciary
NGO Repubblika has dropped the case it had opened against the PM Robert Abela on the appointment of the judiciary in our country, after the European Court of Justice decided that the powers of the PM to choose candidates for the judiciary, chosen for their eligibility by an independent commission, do not go against EU law.
The decision by Repubblika to drop the case was made known through a note presented yesterday morning at the First Hall of the Civil Court and was signed by Dr Jason Azzopardi.
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 opens up 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.
Covid-19 Update
Active coronavirus cases in Malta declined to below 200, and now stand at 192 after only five cases were reported on Wednesday. 17 people recovered, according to the daily report published this afternoon. 2,170 swab tests were carried out yesterday. No new deaths were reported.
CDE News
