Morning Briefing

Malta: Middleman was promised protection by OPM chief of staff

Malta Today leads with claims by a source close to the Caruana Galizia investigation who said that self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma was assured by an associate of suspected murder mastermind…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma forewarned of police raid

Keep in the know with t The Sunday Times says that messages between businessman Yorgen Fenech and state witness Melvin Fenech suggest that they were both aware to the…

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Malta: Four EU countries offer to relocate migrants

The Independent on Sunday says that four EU members have offered to take migrants who were kept on tourist boats off Malta. The European Commission confirmed that France, Germany, Luxembourg,…

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Malta: PN media turns down government campaign

Il-Mument runs a statement saying that the PN’s media will not be bought by the government’s ‘aggressive campaign’. The paper that the economic recovery measures introduced by the government are…

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Malta: Businesses will receive more financial support

It-Torċa says that businesses eligible for the schemes offered by the government’s recovery package will receive more financial support than the previous months to help kickstart the economy. Another report…

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Malta: Economic plan encourages consumption

Kullħadd says that support for families is ‘at the centre’ of the economic regeneration plan announced by the government this week. The paper says that measures incentivise consumption without risking…

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Malta: Language Schools request support from government

The Independent quotes the Federation of English Language Organisations which said that schools will operate at a financial loss when they reopen in two weeks and urged government to support…

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Malta: PN sets up electoral candidates task force

In-Nazzjon says that the PN appointed a seven-member Commission for Candidates that will be tasked with researching different social fields to identify potential electoral candidates to stand on the party’s…

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Malta: MPs to send questions for Police Commissioner nominee by today

L-Orizzont says that today is the deadline for the two sides of the House of Representatives to submit questions for nominated Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà. The grilling in a parliamentary…

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Malta: Less traffic accidents but more casualties during Covid-19 weeks

The Times quotes police statistics which show that traffic accidents have gone down by more than half between March and May, compared with the same period last year. Road fatalities,…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech wanted former assistant police commissioner to keep his job

The Times reports on the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech who, in an audio recording by state witness Melvin Fenech, was heard saying he hoped former assistant police commissioner…

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Malta: Sociologists raise alarm over racism

L-Orizzont speaks to university lecturer Simon Mercieca who warned against rising racism in Malta. Professor Andrew Azzopardi said there is a danger the prejudice and discrimination may become institutionalised. The…

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Malta: Five possible new tourism routes after July

The Independent follows a press conference by Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who revealed that talks with another five potential travel destinations to and from Malta are at an advanced…

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Malta: Middleman says Chris Cardona transferred funds to hitman

In-Nazzjon follows the testimony in court of state witness Melvin Theuma who said that one of the suspected triggermen in the Caruana Galizia assassination had received money from PL deputy…

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Malta: Less employers mulling redundancies than in April

The Malta Business Weekly leads with a survey by the Employers’ Association which finds that a fifth of companies consider laying off workers in the coming months. The number is…

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Malta: Police investigate social media spend of all ministers

The Times reports that the Police Economic Crimes Unit is investigating every member of the Cabinet over possible misuse of public funds to boost content on social media. In May,…

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Malta: Retailers object to minsters’ call for full wages to employees

Business Today says that retail businesses that have reopened in recent weeks came out strongly against calls by OPM minister Carmelo Abela urging them to start paying full wages to…

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Malta: Prime Minister downplays timing of Konrad Mizzi return

The Independent asks the Prime Minister whether there was a link between Konrad Mizzi’s return to Malta and the nomination of a new Police Commissioner. The Prime Minister brushed off…

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Malta: Opposition Leader laments lack of vision for tourism by government

In-Nazzjon quotes the Opposition Leader’s reaction to the economic stimulus plan announced by the government. Adrian Delia criticized a lack of long-term economic vision and said that the plan fails…

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Malta: Economists welcome economic regeneration plan

L-Orizzont speaks to economists Gordon Cordina, Alfred Mifsud and Philip von Brockdorff about the recovery package launched by the government. The paper says that the economists welcome the plan and…

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Malta: Opposition to boycott Police Commissioner hearing

In-Nazzjon says that PN MPs will not take part in the parliamentary grilling of the nominated Police Commissioner because it disagrees with the selection process and appointment conditions set out…

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Malta: Former top diplomat in Brussels reinstated

Malta Today reports that Malta’s permanent representative in Brussels, Daniel Azzopardi, was dismissed after failing to gain support for a migrant-sharing agreement from other EU members. He will be replaced…

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Malta: Construction workers on hunger strike in Sliema

The Times reports that employees of Turkish construction company TACA are on hunger strike. The builders working on the new Fortina site in Tigne said that they have not received…

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Malta: Travel agents expect market to start picking up again

The Independent speaks to the president of the travel agents’ association who said that bookings for outbound tourism are still slow but expects them to pick up soon. Malta is…

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Malta: GWU satisfied with government’s recovery plan

L-Orizzont speaks to General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja about the economic regeneration plan announced by the government. Bugeja said that the package injects confidence into the economy. The…

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Malta: Migrant disembarkation ordered after tension on boat

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that a decision to disembark 400 migrants held on four tourist boats was taken after the situation aboard escalated and was…

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Malta: University lecturer calls for national migration policy forum

L-Orizzont quotes University of Malta lecturer George Vidal Zammit who recommended the creation of a forum between all stakeholders interested in the issue of migration to develop a national policy…

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Malta: Pilots redundancies temporarily suspended by court

In-Nazzjon says that the pilots’ association obtained a temporary court injunction to block the 69 layoffs by Air Malta until the hearing on June 15. In a statement, the union…

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Malta: Increase in marriage breakdowns during coronavirus weeks

The Times speaks to family lawyers who reported an increase in requests for legal advice on separation over the lockdown months. Professionals said that the experience for some married couples…

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Malta: Unrest among migrants held aboard tourist boat

Malta Today reports that migrants aboard one of the Captain Morgan boats are staging a protest after suffering constant sea sickness for five weeks. The captain of the vessel will…

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Malta: New head for Electoral Commission

Kullħadd leads with the unanimous backing by parliament of Joseph Camilleri as the new Electoral Commission Principal. The outgoing Principal, Joseph Church, has been in the role since 2014. Another…

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Malta: Police find unheard recordings by Melvin Theuma

The Sunday Times says that self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma may have deleted some of the secret recordings he had made. Europol experts discovered audio files on his computers that he…

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Malta: PN launches new policy vision

Il-Mument publishes a plan by the Nationalist Party to restructure the way it does politics. The paper says that the vision is based on four pillars and spread over 14…

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Malta: No tax hikes planned in mini budget

The Independent on Sunday speaks to government officials who said that Monday’s mini budget is unlikely to carry any raises in taxes, but the October budget may be expected to…

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Malta: GWU calls more greater flexibility by employers

It-Torċa announces a collaboration between the General Workers Union and MEP Josianne Cutajar to formulate measures for workers after the pandemic. GWU secretary general Josef Bugeja said that changes c=should…

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Malta: Adrian Delia launches PN reform

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who announced the reorganisation of the party around 14 new policy clusters that will establish a socio-economic vision for the country. Delia said that…

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Malta: GWU denied meeting with Malta Air management

L-Orizzont reveals that a request by the General Workers Union to attend a meeting with Malta Air management was turned down by the company. The union said that employees are…

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Malta: Fast ferry service still being considered

The Independent speaks to Transport Minister Ian Borg who said that the introduction of a fast ferry service between Gozo and Malta is still on the cards. Meanwhile, the minister…

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Malta: Nine in every ten felt lonely during pandemic

The Times quotes a study by the Faculty of Social Wellbeing which shows that nine in every ten people have experienced some degree of loneliness during the Covid-19 period. The…

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Malta: Chris Cardona rejects state witness testimony

The Times carries an interview with PL Deputy Leader Chris Cardona who denied any part in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, as state witness Melvin Theuma said in court.…

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Malta: Travel agents unsure of tourism corridors

The Independent speaks to the president of the travel agents’ association Iain Tonna who said the industry welcomes the reopening of the airport in July. Travel agents, however, raised concerns…

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Malta: Unions defy orders by head of civil service

In-Nazzjon says that the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Union of Teachers have instructed vulnerable members to work from home following a notice by the head of civil service informing…

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Malta: Pandemic raises fresh concerns over bioterrorism

L-Orizzont says that security analysts in Malta and Europe are concerned over the rising possibilities of bioterrorism. The paper speaks to security officials who said that the Covid-19 pandemic has…

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Malta: Two EU countries consider Malta high-risk for Covid-19

The Malta Business Weekly says Latvia and Bulgaria consider Malta as a high-risk country for the epidemic. While the Balkan country imposed a 14-day quarantine for travellers from Malta and…

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Malta: PM refuses to commit on Cardona allegations

The Times says that Prime Minister Robert Abela refused to take a public position on allegations in court against PL deputy leader Chris Cardona. Abela said that any decisions will…

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Malta: Privatised hospitals change ownership again

In-Nazzjon says that the privatised hospitals are set to change ownership again after employees at Steward Healthcare bought out a 90 percent stake in the company. Health Minister Chris Fearne…

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Malta: Finance Minister says tourism will bounce back in 18 months

The Independent speaks to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said he expects the tourism industry to ‘get back on its feet’ within a year and a half. He said that…

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Malta: Tour operators says people are ready to travel again

L-Orizzont says travel agencies reported a good response from customers after the government announced the reopening of the airport from July. A tour operator said that interest in holiday resorts…

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Malta: Construction workers left unpaid for five months

Malta Today leads with claims of unpaid work by construction workers engaged by international company TACA for the Fortina project in Tigne. The group of 80 workers from Turkey say…

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Malta: Government refuses to return seized cash to Russia

The Times reports that government has no intention of releasing Libyan parallel currency seized at the freeport last year, despite pressure from Russia to return the consignment. The money is…

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Malta: Airport to implement social distancing measures

The Independent speaks to Malta Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that social distancing technology will be introduced to keep passengers safe. Meanwhile, he said that only direct flight will…

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Malta: GWU drafts proposals for economic stimulus package

L-Orizzont says that the General Workers Union presented a series of proposals ahead of the government’s post-Covid budget on Monday. The union wants support measures for businesses to be tied…

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Malta: Pathologists call for caution over coronavirus spread

In-Nazzjon quotes the College of Pathologists who warned against a ‘false sense of security’ over the seriousness of the coronavirus. In a statement, the body said that there is no…

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Malta: Restrictions to be eased by the weekend

The Independent reports on a press conference addressed by the Prime Minister on Monday evening in which he announced that most restrictive measures will be lifted on Friday so people…

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Malta: Chris Cardona rejects court testimony claims

The Times says that PL Deputy Leader Chris Cardona denies any involvement in the Caruana Galizia murder and denounced the testimony in court of middleman Melvin Theuma linking him to…

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Malta: PM skirts questions about visit to Tripoli

In-Nazzjon says that Prime Minister Robert Abela failed to answer questions in parliament about his visit to Libya last week. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia asked whether there were new arrangements…

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Malta: New parameters for new normality

L-Orizzont says that the new normality announced by the Prime Minister will be guided on the principles of social distancing, wearing of facemasks, and personal hygiene. Robert Abela thanked people…

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