Morning Briefing

Malta: Hundreds of people in self-isolation

The Independent says that there are 1,200 people currently in quarantine, among them 143 healthcare workers. The number of active Covid-19 decreased from 528 to 505 after 54 recoveries were…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech among prisoners on hunger strike

L-Orizzont carries an announcement by the Correctional Services Agency managing the Corradino prison which said that prisoners staging a hunger strike are being monitored by doctors. Yorgen Fenech is among…

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Malta: Attempted murder in Ta’ Qali

In-Nazzjon reports on a murder attempt in a drug deal gone bad in Ta’ Qali on Thursday night, leaving a 57-year -old in critical condition. A 36-year-old man is helping…

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Malta: Bernard Grech makes unity pitch

The Times quotes PN leader hopeful Bernard Grech who said incumbent Adrian Delia failed to unite the party and it is now in a more fragmented position as a result.…

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Malta: Edward Scicluna says ministers disagreed with Muscat over Mizzi

The Independent follows the testimony of Finance Minister Edward Scicluna in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry during which he said that the Cabinet of Ministers had advised former Prime Minister…

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Malta: Doctors prepare for new directives

The Malta Business Weekly quotes a statement by the Medical Association warning the government that if effective measures to control the Covid-9 spread were not introduced by Friday, it will…

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Malta: Sicily imposes quarantine on travelers from Malta

The Times reports that Sicily has imposed a 14-day quarantine period for anyone entering the island from Malta with effect from Friday. Belgium and the Netherlands have also put Malta…

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Malta: Family of murdered accountant say they were discriminated against by the state

In-Nazzjon reports that the relatives of Lino Cauchi who was killed in the early 1980s filed a judicial protest in court arguing that they were discriminated against by the government…

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Malta: GWU registers industrial actions at Air Malta

L-Orizzont announces that the General Workers Union has registered industrial actions at Air Malta after the company turned down offers to discuss changes to rosters for workers in the Aviation…

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Malta: PM outlines five-point economic vision

L-Orizzont leads with the economic vision announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday. The model is based on five principles: good governance, quality of life, education, improvements in infrastructure, and…

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Malta: Floating quarantine centre may cost up to €150,000 a day

The Times reveals that the government’s plan to keep rescued migrants who are infected with Covid-19 on a ship will cost between €12,400 to €150,000 daily, according to expressions of…

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Malta: Education Minister committed to reopening of schools

The Independent asks Education Minister Owen Bonnici about plans for reopening of schools in September. Bonnici said that the government’s priority is to make classes safe enough to welcome students…

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Malta: Compilation of evidence in Għaxaq murder case to start next week

In-Nazzjon reports that the compilation of evidence against Salvu Dalli, accused of killing his son at his house in Għaxaq, will take place today week. Antoine Dalli. 37, was found…

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Malta: Police launch probe into audio leak

The Times says that the police are investigating the leak of audio recordings that form part of the evidence in the Caruana Galizia case. Five short clips were posted on…

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Malta: Third application for PN leadership was rejected

In-Nazzjon says that an unnamed third candidate has expressed interest in the PN leadership, but their offer was refused because the individual is not a paid-up member of the party.…

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Malta: Travel decreases amid Covid-19 fears

The Independent speaks to the president of Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents, Iain Tonna, who said that people are, again, reluctant to travel following a rise on Covid-19…

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Malta: PN MPs ready to make way for Bernard Grech

L-Orizzont reaches out to PN MP Hermann Schiavone who said that several representatives in the parliamentary group besides himself would be willing to give up their seat for Bernard Grech,…

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Malta: Hermann Schiavone willing to step down from Opposition benches

The Independent speaks to Opposition MP Hermann Schiavone who said he would be prepared to give up his seat for Bernard Grech to be co-opted in his place, if the…

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Malta: Cigarette black market costs €10 million a year

The Times reports that some 40 million cigarettes were bought illegally in Malta in 2019, just under eight percent of the total local consumption. Cigarettes on the black market are…

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Malta: Police expected to act on Pilatus Bank investigation

In-Nazzjon says that the Economic Crimes Unit made significant steps into the case of Pilatus Bank and reveals that suspects of money laundering activities are expected to be charged in…

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Malta: Nurses call for use of face masks in public

L-Orizzont says that nurses who are members of the General Workers Union are urging authorities to impose the use of facemasks outdoors. They also thanked private organisers for cancelling their…

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Malta: Bernard Grech approval soars among PN supporters

Malta Today publishes survey results showing that Bernard Grech enjoys the highest approval ratings among PN supporters. The leadership hopeful received a 63 percent score in the high category, compared…

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Malta: Survey puts Grech ahead of Delia in leadership race

The Sunday Times carries results by a Misco survey with 400 PN paid-up members about the leadership elections. Bernard Grech enjoys the support of 63 percent of tesserati, Adrian Delia…

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Malta: Aditus director slams acquisition of ship to house migrants

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Aditus Foundation director Neil Falzon who said that the call for offers by the government for a ship to hold immigrants, normalizes…

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Malta: Commissioner for people with disability backs reopening of schools

Illum carries an interview with Oliver Scicluna, the Commissioner for the rights of people with disability, who hopes that schools reopen for students with autism and intellectual challenges. The paper…

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Malta: Basel Index ranks Malta at the bottom of the EU27

Il-Mument quotes the 2020 report of the Basel Anti Money-Laundering Index which puts Malta in the lowest position among EU members in the fight against dirty money. The paper says…

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Malta: Maltese islands among safest Covid-19 countries in the EU

Kullħadd quotes figures by the World Health Organisation measuring Covid-19 incidence, deaths, and recoveries per 100,000 inhabitants. The paper says that Malta ranks among the safest countries in the EU.…

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Malta: PN trailing PL in general election survey

It-Torċa quotes the results of a survey on general election voting intentions which puts the Labour Party ahead of the Nationalist Party by 15 percentage points. Another story says that…

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Malta: Father accused of killing his son in Għaxaq

In-Nazzjon identifies the man accused of killing his son on Friday in Għaxaq as Salvu Dalli, known as ‘Danger Man’. The paper says that there is a history of fighting…

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Malta: Bernard Grech formally joins PN leadership bid

The Independent reports that Adrian Delian and Bernard Grech have both submitted their interest in contesting the PN leadership race. The deadline for applications closes on Monday afternoon. Another story…

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Malta: Large-scale events forbidden to curb spike in infections

The Times reports that large events have been banned and dance floors closed in an effort to reverse the rise in coronavirus cases. Health Minister Chris Fearne urged people to…

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Malta: Prime Minister says coronavirus spread is in hand

L-Orizzont follows a press conference by the Prime Minister and Health Minister on Friday. Robert Abela said that despite the spike in infections in the last days, the Covid-19 situation…

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Malta: PN MPs anoint Bernard Grech

The Times reveals that the PN MPs opposed to Adrian Delia’s leadership have agreed to support Bernard Grech as a ‘unity candidate’ to challenge Adrian Delia in the forthcoming party…

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Malta: PN aspiring leaders discuss common strategy

The Independent said that potential PN leader candidates Therese Comodini Cachia, Roberta Metsola, Mark Anthony Sammut, and Bernard Grech held a series of talks this week to agree on a…

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Malta: Four children among new Covid-19 cases

In-Nazzjon reports that the coronavirus count increased by 20 cases on Thursday, and there are now 267 registered active cases. Four of the infected patients announced yesterday by the Ministry…

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Malta: Compilation of evidence in Mqabba shooting case

L-Orizzont follows the compilation of evidence in the case about the Mqabba shooting last week which left one person dead and another injured. The surviving victim wrote the names of…

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Malta: Therese Comodini Cachia to run for PN Leader

Business Today reports that Therese Comodini Cachia confirmed her intention to contest the PN leadership race. The MP was chosen by the party’s parliamentary group as Opposition Leader after the…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma recovers speaking abilities

The Times reports that state witness Melvin Theuma is able to talk unaided again, two weeks after being discovered with a slashed throat. Sources told the paper that the self-confessed…

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Malta: Doctors start industrial actions from today

In-Nazzjon says that the Medical Association will begin industrial actions from today and the Nurses’ Union is set to orders strikes from tomorrow. Healthcare unions said the Covid-19 contagion measures…

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Malta: GWU seeks compromise between health and economy

L-Orizzont speaks with General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja ahead of a meeting of social partners to discuss recent Covid-19 developments. Bugeja said the union is insisting on a…

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Malta: Reproduction number hits 1.39

The Malta Business Weekly says that the coronavirus reproductive number in Malta now stands at 1.39, climbing above 1.0 for the first time since May. Malta currently has the ninth…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases near 250

The Independent reports that the number of active Covid-19 cases has risen to nearly 250 after another 20 infections were registered on Wednesday. About a 100 of these are migrants…

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Malta: UNHCR claims Libya risky for migrants

L-Orizzont quotes a report by the UN Refugee Agency which declares Libya an unsafe country for migrants to be returned to. The document publishes a series of witness accounts describing…

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Malta: PN leadership applications close in five days

The Independent reports that the PN Electoral Commission issued a call for applications for those interested in the leadership contest. Applications must be sent in writing to the commission by…

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Malta: Chamber of Commerce wants lower VAT in hospitality and travel

Malta Today reports on a series of recommendations by the Chamber of Commerce to support the travel and hospitality sector. Among the proposals, the Chamber is arguing for a reduction…

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Malta: Medical Association dissatisfied with government plans

The Times reports that the medical association is not satisfied with the government’s plans to contain Covid-19 following a meeting with the Health Ministry. Association president Martin Balzan refused to…

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Malta: Coronavirus active patients increase to 215

In-Nazzjon reports that the number of active Covid-19 cases rose to 215 after another 14 new cases were registered on Tuesday. The paper says that the cause of infection in…

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Malta: EU leaders call for Malta Agreement revision

L-Orizzont reports that EU ministers have discussed the recent rise in migration into Europe and said that the Malta Agreement about sharing of arriving immigrants reached in 2019 is not…

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Malta: Foreign Affairs Ministry requests investigation into Neville Gafa’ comments

In-Nazzjon says that the Foreign Affairs Ministry filed for a police investigation into Neville Gafa’ following complaints by Italian journalist Nello Scavo who said the former OPM official was threatening…

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Malta: Call for applications for PN Leader opens today

The Independent says no contender for the PN leadership has confirmed intentions to challenge Adrian Delia as the party today opens a call for applications. Therese Comodini Cachia, Roberta Metsola,…

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Malta: Schools planning for possible delay in restart

The Times reports that schools are set to re-open on September 28, but education authorities are setting up contingency plans for online learning in case the day is pushed back…

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Malta: Konrad Mizzi associated engaged to prep Enemalta officials

The Times reports that a close associate of former Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, David Galea, had been tasked with preparing Enemalta officials to answer questions about the Electrogas deal by…

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Malta: PN planning to have new leader in place by Independence

The Independent speaks to PN Secretary General Francis Zammit Dimech who said that the party’s leadership election is expected to be held in the first half of September to have…

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Malta: Artists call out poor employment standards

L-Orizzont says that the arts and culture sector is among the worst-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Professionals in creative industries told the paper that there is a lack of employment…

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Malta: Police arrest two more men in connection with Mqabba gunning

In-Nazzjon says two men have been arrested in connection with the Mqabba shooting last week. One of them is the brother of Saviour Gaffarena, who was killed in the attack,…

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Malta: PN General Council votes for new leadership contest

Il-Mument says that 56 percent of the PN General Council voted in favour of the motion to open a fresh party leader contest whereas 44 percent voted to hold a…

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Malta: PN leader candidate will go through vetting process

The Sunday Times says that the PN Electoral Commission, headed by Peter Fenech, will now open a three-day window for expressions of interest for hopeful candidates. These will then go…

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