Update 1240 – Covid-19 Update
Malta recorded five new COVID-19 cases on Sunday while eight virus patients recovered, pushing the number of active cases in the country down even further to 81.
Update 1200 – Caution required for re-opening
As entertainment professionals grapple with another summer of limited economic activity, Prime Minister Robert Abela insists that COVID-19 measures must keep being observed, with different economic sectors opening slowly. “The worst thing that could happen is for us to open up economic activity in a gradual way, and in doing so falling a step back and having to close again,” he said. Speaking at a political discussion event held by the Labour Party, Abela reiterated the government stance that the vaccine is one of the solutions to the pandemic, and encouraged the public to take the jab. MaltaToday
Political tribalism has set this country back, and it’s time to completely shake it off, PN MP and Spokesperson for Political Renewal, Research and Innovation Claudio Grech told The Malta Independent on Sunday. The ‘us versus them mentality’ is something which has crippled the country for a number of years now and has stifled certain progress and nurtured a binary divide between Maltese citizens. “The way in which politics is done in this country, traditionally, deem what one party does as always good and what the other party does as always bad,” Grech said. “This is the fruit of a two-main party system that has, in part worked for this country, helping it make great advances since its adolescence in terms of independence,” he said.
PN leader Bernard Grech said the party has identified a location for a racetrack during an interview on Sunday, as he pledge support for its development. Speaking on Sunday, Grech addressed motorsport enthusiasts saying the racetrack has been long promised but nothing has been done about it. He remarked that he is sure Partit Laburista will include it in its manifesto once again. “I will ensure that no agricultural land is taken up for its development,” Grech said, adding that he gave his word the racetrack would finally become a reality. Newsbook.com.mt
Update 0845 – Newspaper Review
The Independent on Sunday reveals that talks between the government and the EU Commission over support to Air Malta is likely to go on for several more weeks. The national airline is seeking around €290 million in state funding.
The Sunday Times quotes study findings showing that a total area of soil and rural land equivalent to 250 football pitches was developed between 2017 and 2020. Conducted by MCAST senior lecturer Steve Zerafa, the research analysed satellite imagery.
Il-Mument reports on an “excellent performance” by Destiny at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, ranking in seventh place with 255 points. The festival was won by Italy with France and Switzerland following in second and third place, respectively.
Kullħadd says that Destiny, who represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest this week, is expected to return today with fans expected to welcome her at the airport. The paper says the young talent gave top performance in Rotterdam.
It-Torċa announces the creation of a new section within the General Worker Union focusing on educators. The union said it wants to represent all education specialists with transparency and a view for social justice.
Malta Today says that the presidential pardon granted to Melvin Theuma covered an indirect role he may have had in the attempted HSBC heist in 2010. Theuma is believed to have offered a safehouse to the robbers.
Illum says that developer Joseph Portelli has shown his interest in commercialising the Rialto complex in Bormla. The Labour Party issued an expression of interest for the property earlier this year.
The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with PN MP Claudio Grech who said that tribal politics in Malta needs to end. The spokesperson for Renewal, Research and Innovation said the us-against-them mentality is undermining the country.
Kullħadd quotes a Eurofund report ranking Malta among the top member states in a survey of socio-economic factors. Launched in April 2020, the study observes changes in areas such as unemployment, trust in authorities, and access to healthcare.
Illum says that the government is considering buying the properties of around 20 band clubs that are at risk of eviction. The measure echoes a proposal made by opposition MP Jason Azzopardi who called for the creation of a public fund to purchase clubs at risk.
The Sunday Times reports that former Allied Group Managing Director Adrian Hillman was taken into police custody in the UK this week, following an arrest warrant issued by Malta. It is understood that he will not raise objections to extradition.
It-Torċa speaks with Kevin Drake about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a chronic fatigue syndrome that needs around €400 per month in treatment. Drake said that patients find it difficult to work in the first place and calls for support with the medicines.
Il-Mument says that shooting enthusiasts are disappointed that the national firing range in Ta’ Kandja has been left in a state of disrepair. The ranges were inaugurated in 2018 after an investment running into millions of euros.
Morning Briefing
Eurovision Song Contest – Malta in seventh place
Malta’s Destiny finished in the 7th place in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Italy emerged victorious in Rotterdam with the track Zitti E Buoni. the third time Italy wins Eurovision. Last time was 31 years ago at Eurovision Song Contest 1990 with Insieme.
Maneskin scored 524 points after a significant vote from the public. France came second, with Switzerland third.
Bookmakers had predicted a top three position for the Maltese song.
Full story here.
Hillmann ‘to fully cooperate’ with authorities
Adrian Hillman, the former Allied Newspapers Managing Director has “always intended to come to Malta voluntarily”, according to his lawyer, Stefano Filletti. MaltaToday reports a statement issued by Hillman’s lawyer that Hillman wants “to fully cooperate” with the Maltese authorities.
30,000 download vouchers
During the first 24 hours since Government announced the new vouchers electronic system, more than 30,000 persons had downloaded their vouchers.
The €100 vouchers for every person may be digitally downloaded from the electronic site wallet.vouchersmimcol.com till the 4th June. The vouchers may be used from the 7th June. Persons who will not have downloaded them, will receive the vouchers by mail at a later stage.
First nationwide groundwater quality testing system launched in Malta
A nationwide testing system installed underground on agricultural land is set to study, monitor, and improve the quality of groundwater in a project which sets to decrease chemical pollution for water. This is the first national project of its kind in Europe, being led by the Energy and Water Agency within the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sustainable Development, and partially co-financed through the European Cohesion Funds.
This innovative project is being done in collaboration with Sensoil, who created the technology. The water monitoring system will analyse the quality of the groundwater. Before implementing the project in Malta, the company has been researching for over 15 years and has worked on more than 100 sites globally.
The monitoring systems are going to be spread over 14 agricultural sites around Malta, making use of different agricultural practices. Each identified site uses different agricultural practices so that the data analysed covers a different typology of agricultural land.
Covid-19 Update: New cases remained low with just two reported on Saturday. 14 persons recovered taking the active case tally down to 84. No deaths were reported. Malta is expected to reach its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population aged over 16 against COVID-19 by the middle of next week.#
Hillmann ‘to fully cooperate’ with authorities
Adrian Hillman, the former Allied Newspapers Managing Director has “always intended to come to Malta voluntarily”, according to his lawyer, Stefano Filletti. MaltaToday reports a statement issued by Hillman’s lawyer that Hillman wants “to fully cooperate” with the Maltese authorities.
30,000 download vouchers
During the first 24 hours since Government announced the new vouchers electronic system, more than 30,000 persons had downloaded their vouchers.
The €100 vouchers for every person may be digitally downloaded from the electronic site wallet.vouchersmimcol.com till the 4th June. The vouchers may be used from the 7th June. Persons who will not have downloaded them, will receive the vouchers by mail at a later stage.
First nationwide groundwater quality testing system launched in Malta
A nationwide testing system installed underground on agricultural land is set to study, monitor, and improve the quality of groundwater in a project which sets to decrease chemical pollution for water. This is the first national project of its kind in Europe, being led by the Energy and Water Agency within the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sustainable Development, and partially co-financed through the European Cohesion Funds.
This innovative project is being done in collaboration with Sensoil, who created the technology. The water monitoring system will analyse the quality of the groundwater. Before implementing the project in Malta, the company has been researching for over 15 years and has worked on more than 100 sites globally.
The monitoring systems are going to be spread over 14 agricultural sites around Malta, making use of different agricultural practices. Each identified site uses different agricultural practices so that the data analysed covers a different typology of agricultural land.
Covid-19 Update
New cases remained low with just two reported on Saturday. 14 persons recovered taking the active case tally down to 84. No deaths were reported. Malta is expected to reach its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population aged over 16 against COVID-19 by the middle of next week.
CDE News
