Morning Briefing

Malta: Government to unveil new economic stimulus plan

L-Orizzont says that the government will, on Monday, present a new budget to stimulate the economy. The Prime Minister said that the new financial package will reward both businesses and…

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Malta: Prime Minister encourages consumer spending

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that deposits over the past weeks have soared. He said that now that the “coronavirus is behind us” people should feel…

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Malta: PN concerned by unemployment rates

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the party’s priority is rising unemployment and struggling businesses. Delia called on government to provide immediate assistance to those living in…

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Malta: Government ready to fold Air Malta

Malta Today revealed that the government is prepared to break up Air Malta and transfer operations to a new company if negotiations with the pilots’ union fail. ALPA members are…

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Malta: Magisterial inquiry clears PM, AFM of migrant deaths

It-Torċa quotes a government statement which said that the denunciations against the Prime Minister and the Armed Forces over the deaths of migrants at sea “were not based on proof”.…

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Malta: Murder suspect relative raises doubts over police investigation

The Sunday Times carries an interview with a family member of Vince Muscat, one of the three suspected hitmen in the Caruana Galizia assassination. The unnamed relative questioned action taken…

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Malta: Police charge four people over Floriana FC street party

The Independent on Sunday reports that the police have charged four people and fined 43 others for breaking social distancing rules in a spontaneous gathering celebrating the announcement of Floriana…

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Malta: PN leader urges carefulness in lifting of health measures

Il-Mument follows an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia by independent journalist Albert Gauci Cunningham Delia called for caution over relaxation of coronavirus restrictions and said that the economy can…

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Malta: Junior Minister dismisses HSBC exit rumours

L-Orizzont speaks to parliamentary secretary Clayton Bartolo who denied claims that HSBC Banks is planning to leave Malta. The junior minister said that the pandemic has given fresh impetus to…

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Malta: Court rules breach of Yorgen Fenech’s rights

The Times reports on a court declaration that an order by the Public Health Superintendent to suspend legal time-limits indefinitely because of the pandemic had breached Yorgen Fenech’s right to…

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Malta: Covid-19 claims two more lives

The Independent reports on the death of two Covid-19 patients on Friday, becoming the eighth and ninth casualties of the pandemic. The victims, both men, were aged 56 and 68,…

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Malta: Some businesses in Valletta remain closed

In-Nazzjon speaks to business owners in Valletta who said that trade in the city is slow and are hoping for the reopening of the airport to boost sales. The paper…

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Malta: Government to create special migration units with Libya

The Times says that Malta and Libya are setting up joint units to coordinate operations against illegal migration. The announcement was made by the government following a visit by the…

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Malta: GWU demands teleworking regulations

L-Orizzont says that the General Workers Union is calling for a legislative framework that regulates remote working to safeguard workers’ rights. Union secretary general Josef Bugeja said he is confident…

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Malta: Chamber of Commerce advises restaurants to exercise restraint

The Malta Independent speaks to Chamber of Commerce deputy president, Philip Fenech, who urged catering establishments to demonstrate ‘common sense’ not to obstruct passageways when they make outside seating arrangements.…

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Malta: PN urges plan on reopening of tourism

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Deputy Leader Robert Arrigo who said that tourism in Malta has a direct impact on half of the country’s businesses and called on the government to set…

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Malta: HSBC weighing local business in global shake-up

The Malta Business Weekly says that HSBC Holdings is considering its operations in several countries including Malta. The global bank’s board is reported to have called for a ‘deep restructuring’…

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Malta: Airport eyeing mid-July for reopening

The Times says that authorities are planning to reopen the airport for visitors in mid-July, four months after it was closed down. MIA CEO Alan Borg said that more than…

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Malta: Local economy to receive €1 billion from EU recovery fund

The Independent says that Malta’s share from the EU recovery budget is expected to amount to €1 billion spread over the coming years. The EU Commission on Wednesday published proposals…

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Malta: Pandemic claims seventh life

L-Orizzont reports the death of a 97-year-old man, the seventh coronavirus victim in Malta. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said that one new case was registered on Wednesday and a…

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Malta: PN leader calls for carefulness in Covid-19 exit

In-Nazzjon covers a visit by PN Leader Adrian Delia to the Mosta health centre on Wednesday. Delia thanked professionals and staff for their work and said that, with caution, the…

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Malta: Migrant welfare officials still have no permission to visit moored boats

The Times reports that the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers has not been granted access to the migrants aboard the three Captain Morgan boats moored outside territorial waters,…

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Malta: Virologist concerned over spontaneous football celebrations

The Malta Independent quotes virologist Chris Barbara who described the celebrations on the Granaries by Floriana FC supporters on Monday as “very dangerous” and said they facilitate the spread of…

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Malta: Restaurant performance beats expectations on first weekend

L-Orizzont speaks to Hotels and Restaurants Association president Tony Zahra who said that restaurants reported better activity than expected when they returned to business on Friday. He also called for…

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Malta: No new Covid-19 cases registered on Tuesday

In-Nazzjon reports that the number of active cases remained at 120 after no one tested positive to swabbing between Monday and Tuesday. The paper quotes the Public Health Superintendent, warning…

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Malta: Clash at sea between AFM and migrant boat

The Times quotes migrant rescue support NGO Alarm Phone which said that AFM officers clashed with migrants stranded at sea on Thursday. A spokesperson for the army said she had…

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Malta: Finance Minister says government prepared to help private sector

L-Orizzont speaks to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna following an EU summit that reached an agreement over a €500 billion aid package. Scicluna said that Malta now has the “go-ahead” by…

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Malta: Confirmed cases rise to 350

The Independent reports 13 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, now having reached 350 since the start of the spread. The paper says that most of the latest identified patients…

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Malta: Maltese Covid-19 survivor shares experience

In-Nazzjon picks a public Facebook message posted by a patient who recovered from Covid-19 after battling it for more than a month. Martin Attard declared that he won over the…

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Malta: Elderly woman dies of Covid-19

The Times leads with the death of a 92-year-old woman in Gozo on Wednesday afternoon, the first casualty linked to Covid-19. Health Minister Chris Fearne announced the loss and confirmed…

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Malta: Air Malta to shed 108 pilots

The Malta Business Weekly announces that 108 Air Malta pilots have been made redundant after offers to accept a pay cut were rejected by the union representing them. Similar offers…

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Malta: New-born among latest coronavirus patients

The Independent reports that a baby of one month has become the youngest Covid-19 patient in Malta. Six new cases were confirmed on Thursday by the Superintendent for Public Health,…

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Malta: AFM officers to be paid for extra hours

L-Orizzont says that an agreement has been reached assuring Armed Forces officers that they will be remunerated for the added hours on duty during the coronavirus emergency. Negotiations were held…

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Malta: Adrian Delia regrets death of first Covid-19 victim

In-Nazzjon says that PN Leader Adrian Delia expressed his condolences to the family of the first coronavirus victim who died in Gozo on Wednesday. Health authorities are appealing for people…

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Malta: Air Malta cabin crew clash over salary offer

Malta Today says that members of the Union of Cabin Crew disagree over proposals by Air Malt to offer reduced salaries of €1,200. A section of employees is petitioning for…

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Malta: Highest jump in Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

The Independent reports that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 293 after the highest daily increase was registered on Tuesday with 52 confirmed patients. Health Minister Chris Fearne said…

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Malta: Children told to leave country by Identity Malta

The Times reveals that Identity Malta is urging families with children on eviction notice to leave the country and continue their appeals from abroad. In December the agency wrote to…

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Malta: Chamber of Commerce proposes new stimulus package

In-Nazzjon reports on a series of proposals by the Chamber of Commerce recommending a ‘stronger’ stimulus by the government to counter the socio-economic effects of the virus. The Chamber said…

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Malta: New jobs found for redundant employees

L-Orizzont reports on a joint initiative by the General Workers Union, the government and the private sector that offered alternative occupation to 53 employees who were made redundant in the…

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Malta: Gaming sector hit by the outbreak

The Independent speaks to the chairman of the iGaming European Network Enrico Bradamante who said that the outbreak will impact how the gaming sector will operate in the future. He…

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Malta: 241 confirmed cases by Monday

In-Nazzjon says that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 241 after another 14 people were registered with the disease on Monday. The paper says that authorities are looking for…

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Malta: Maltese woman dies of Covid-19 in London

The Times leads with the death of a Maltese woman in London after she contracted the Covid-19 disease. The 77-year-old suffered from high blood pressure but was otherwise healthy and…

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Malta: Birżebbuġa mayor supports open centre quarantine

L-Orizzont quotes Birżebbuġa mayor Joseph Farrugia who backed the government’s decision to quarantine the residents at the Ħal Far migrants’ centre after several cases of coronavirus were reported. L-Orizzont picks…

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Malta: Migrants centre under quarantine

The Times says that the migrants’ open centre in Ħal Far has been placed under quarantine following eight reported cases of Covid-19 in that last days. Patients who tested positive…

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Malta: Three people recover from Covid-19

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who announced that another three Covid-19 patients recovered fully. This brings the number of recoveries to five since the start of the pandemic.…

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Malta: Hunting season decision not discussed by Cabinet

The Independent says that the decision to open the hunting season on April 10 was not taken at a Cabinet meeting, which was scheduled to discuss the recommendation by the…

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Malta: PN Leader says party is ready for future challenges

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the reshuffle of the parliamentary group will allow the party to use all its resources to overcome the coronavirus situation and…

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Malta: Air Malta qualifies for state aid

The Independent on Sunday quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the EU gave its approval to allow Malta to support the national airline directly, after relaxing state aid…

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Malta: ALPA rejects pilots’ pay cuts until talks are held

Malta Today reveals that the Air Malta pilots’ union shot down offers to cut salaries to €1,200 every month. The union said that it is not prepared to discuss pay…

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Malta: Nine in ten approve of health authorities’ crisis management

The Sunday Times publishes survey results showing an 89 percent approval rate of the handling of the Covis-19 situation by the health authorities. Just under 70 percent agree with the…

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Malta: PN announces parliamentary group reshuffle

Il-Mument announces a reshuffle of the PN’s parliamentary group. Party Leader Adrian Delia said that new responsibilities for opposition MPs address both current and future challenges in Malta. Il-Mument reports…

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Malta: Third-biggest coronavirus relief plan compared to GDP

Kullħadd says that Malta’s rescue package for business is the third-biggest in the EU in proportion to national GDP. The paper says that the European Commission accepted the government’s proposal…

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Malta: Cabinet approves Venice Commission reform proposals

Illum says that the Cabinet approved a technical letter to the Venice Commission discussing seven reform proposals for the justice system. The government is expected to hold talks with the…

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Malta: University professor says disease is most violent on the vulnerable

It-Torċa carries an interview with Professor Carmel Borg from the Education Faculty at the University of Malta. He says that the pandemic “has no social soul” and attacks the vulnerable…

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Malta: Pre-fab hospital bidding to resume

The Times leads with a decision by the board overseeing the supply of a pre-fabricated hospital to go ahead with the bidding process after an investigation rejected claims that there…

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Malta: Economy Minister issues warning on pricing abuse

The Independent speaks to Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the government is prepared to intervene if price abuse persists. The minister said that “isolated cases” reported so far…

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Malta: PN calls for government price fixing on basics

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the Nationalist Party condemning the ‘exploitation’ in rising food prices during the virus emergency. The party is urging the government to fix prices for basic…

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