morning headlines

Malta: Prime Minister says new measures are guided by evidence

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that relaxation of measures is based on scientific facts. He expressed satisfaction at the way the country has managed the coronavirus emergency.…

Read More Here

Malta: Pre-fab hospital plans discarded

The Independent follows a radio interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that plans for the prefabricated hospital have been scrapped as the number of Covid-19 cases have remained…

Read More Here

Malta: Robert Abela says higher numbers reflect added tests

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister who argued that the coronavirus situation is positive despite a rise in new cases in recent days. Robert Abela explained that more infections were detected…

Read More Here

Malta: More businesses to open this week

The Times quotes the Prime Minister who said that bars, restaurants, and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen by the end of the week. He said that catering establishments may…

Read More Here

Malta: Delia says PM and deputy locked in personal feud

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that Prime Minister Robert Abela is making ‘irresponsible decisions’ out of rivalry with Health Minister Chris Fearne. Delia said that people will…

Read More Here

Malta: Opposition to launch Constitutional reform proposal

Il-Mument says that the Opposition will, on Monday, publish its proposals on the Constitutional reform. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia urged the government to ‘take a step back’ and listen to…

Read More Here

Malta: Changes expected to the police complaints board

The Independent on Sunday claims that a minister’s wife and a PL electoral candidate sit on a three-member police complaints board. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed the information but…

Read More Here

Malta: TV presenter files company against MP

Kullħadd says that TV presenter Karl Stagno Navarra requested the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to investigate Opposition MP Karol Aquilina for obstruction of order following claims that the…

Read More Here

Malta: Over two-fifths want Covid-19 measures eased

The Sunday Times publishes survey results which show that 44 percent of people want restrictive measures to be relaxed, up from 26 percent two weeks ago. The share of those…

Read More Here

Malta: Retail sector requests help from PM

Illum says that 64 business owners representing 130 retail stores have written to the Prime Minister appealing for help and a plan. The letter describes the current situation as ‘catastrophic’…

Read More Here

Malta: Economic fallout of coronavirus is being managed

It-Torċa compares ten key economic indicators this year with the same period in 2019 to assess the impact of Covid-19. The paper says the results show that the effects of…

Read More Here

Malta: Government pushing for obligatory EU migrant-sharing system

Malta Today reveals that the EU Commission’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs spoke with Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo about migrants held aboard two tourist boats. The government is seeking…

Read More Here

Malta: Authorities propose safe passage with nine countries

The Times says that Malta is pursuing the idea of tourism corridors with countries that were not heavily impacted by the outbreak. The nine proposed countries are Luxembourg, Norway, Serbia,…

Read More Here

Malta: Third Captain Morgan boat to pick up migrants at sea

In-Nazzjon says that a third Captain Morgan boat has set out to assist migrants adrift in Maltese waters. The paper claims that the public expenditure rises up to €9,000 daily,…

Read More Here

Malta: Public employees to lose allowances

The Independent reveals that several public sector employees will not receive work-related allowances including time-in-lieu overtime, disturbance, or transport allowance for the period that they have been working from home.…

Read More Here

Malta: Trade unions focus on jobs guarantee amid crisis

L-Orizzont speaks to General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who welcomed the news that Malta has the fifth-lowest rate of precarious jobs in the EU. Bugeja said that the…

Read More Here

Malta: Crunch time for ALPA-Air Malta negotiations

The Independent quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the coming two weeks are a ‘delicate’ phase in talks between Air Malta and the pilots’’ association. The minister said…

Read More Here

Malta: Tourism industry looking at five-year recovery period

The Times quotes an EY survey among hotel executives which shows that the industry is generally looking at 2020 as a loss-making year. Hoteliers say that tourism will take up…

Read More Here

Malta: Highest surge in Covid-19 cases in a month

In-Nazzjon says that seven of the coronavirus cases reported on Thursday were healthcare professionals while the other seven were locally transmitted. The number of positive tests is the highest 24-hour…

Read More Here

Malta: Third fatal road accident in a week

L-Orizzont says that Malta has ranked as the top country in Europe for gay rights for the fifth consecutive year. Malta scored 89 on 100 in classifications by the European…

Read More Here

Malta: Gaming association chief warns about impacts to sector

Business Today carries an interview with the chairman of association of iGaming companies, Enrico Bradamante who wanted that a change in attitude towards illegal gambling in Sweden could affect the…

Read More Here

Malta: Sixth Covid-19 victim was Prof. Aaron Casha

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the death of Prof. Aaron Casha, the sixth victim of the coronavirus in Malta. The 53-year-old was consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and an Academic at…

Read More Here

Malta: Opposition demands 30c decrease in fuel prices

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition spokesperson for Energy Ryan Callus who said that diesel prices in Malta are the highest in Europe while petrol prices are the second-highest. The Nationalist Party is…

Read More Here

Malta: Public appointments to be made by Cabinet, not PM

The Times quotes a letter by the government to the European Commission for Democracy which said that high-ranking officials will start being appointed by the Cabinet instead of the Prime…

Read More Here

Malta: Chamber of SMEs propose national campaign to revive economy

L-Orizzont carries a report by the Chamber for SMEs which found that businesses that returned to trade last week did not make much sales. The Chamber is proposing a national…

Read More Here

Malta: Education Minister unveils think-tank

The reports on an announcement by Education Minister Owen Bonnici about the setting up of a think-tank on the future of education. The seven-member team does not include teachers or…

Read More Here

Malta: Probe into potential revolving doors situation

Malta Today says that an inquiry has been launched by the Justice Ministry to investigate the case of a lawyer who left the AG’s office to join Yorgen Fenech’s defence…

Read More Here

Blood from Maltese patients used in European coronavirus study: The Headline – The Independent

The Independent reveals that plasma containing antibodies from patients who have recovered from Covid-19 will be used as treatment for other patients. Malta is taking part in a European study…

Read More Here

Malta: Financial services watchdog doubles down on breaches

L-Orizzont says that the Financial Services Authority issued 12 administrative sanctions since the start of the year, more than were delivered over an entire year in 2019. The watchdog says…

Read More Here

Malta: Air Malta deciding on flights on day at a time

The Times speaks to an Air Malta spokesperson who confirms that the carrier is making day-by-day decisions about flights beyond the end of May. Until now, the airline was cancelling…

Read More Here

Malta: Tourism sector worried about economic outlook

In-Nazzjon quotes the Hotels and Restaurants Association which expressed concerns over the state of the economy. The association said that members are unable to keep paying salaries for much longer.…

Read More Here

Malta: MFSA focusing on anti-money laundering

The Independent quotes the 2019 annual report of the financial services watchdog which prioritises the fight against money laundering and financial crimes. The paper says the sector represents five percent…

Read More Here

Malta: Four candidates for Police Commissioner

L-Orizzont says that the applicants for the role of Police Commissioner have a background in the force and law. The paper names Herman Mula, May Muscat, Frankie Sammut and Sandro…

Read More Here

Malta: Boats keeping migrants cost €3,000 daily

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who told parliament that the tourist boats holding migrants at sea cost a total €6,000 daily. A Captain Morgan boat was sent out…

Read More Here

Malta: Government silent on Standards Commissioner report

In-Nazzjon says that the government has not reacted to a report by the Commissioner of Standards in Public Life showing that ministers have used public funds to boost content on…

Read More Here

Malta: Chamber of Commerce calls for further support to business

The Times quotes the president of the Chamber of Commerce David Xuereb who urged government to extend financial aid to all business sectors. Xuereb said that the main priority was…

Read More Here

Malta: Prime Minister says country exiting pandemic

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who declared that the country is coming out of the coronavirus emergency. He praised authorities for their work throughout the pandemic and said the…

Read More Here

Malta: Maltese letters permitted for names but not surnames

The Independent speaks to a spokesperson from the parliamentary secretariat for citizenship who confirmed that Maltese characters will soon be allowed for registration of names. However, letters cannot be used…

Read More Here

Malta: Adrian Delia says mothers are an example to society

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the nation should take the example of mothers to build a genuinely caring society. The party held a special conference to…

Read More Here

Malta: EU states surprised by Malta’s Operation Irini veto

Malta Today says that members of the EU’s Politico-Military Group were stunned by Malta’s withdrawal from Operation Irini, launched a few months ago to enforce an arms embargo in Libya.…

Read More Here

Malta: Airport grounds expansion project

The Sunday Times speaks to Malta Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that a €100 million investment to revamp the airport has been put on hold after the disruption in…

Read More Here

Malta: Banks are halting home loans

Illum says that banks are reviewing sanction letters for the sale of properties and rolling back loans because of a depression in salaries and unemployment. Notaries told the paper that,…

Read More Here

Malta: Chamber of SMEs pitching new proposals

The Independent on Sunday says that the Chamber of SMEs is in talks with the government over fresh support measures for businesses. CEO Abigail Mamo said that more businesses are…

Read More Here

Malta: Government to reopen compensation scheme for pre-1979 corps

Kullħadd announces the renewal of a government scheme to pay arrears to members of public corps established before 1979, including port handlers and the police force. The paper says that…

Read More Here

Malta: Adrian Delia criticises PM for seeking Joseph Muscat’s advice

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that, in consulting Joseph Muscat on the economy, Prime Minister Robert Abela is sending a message that he will not turn the…

Read More Here

Malta: State rescue package sevenfold of world average

It-Torċa quotes a study by the Centre for Economic Policy Research which says that Malta’s financial response to the coronavirus is seven times higher that the world average. The paper…

Read More Here

Malta: Hoteliers recommend safe Malta-Sicily travel area

The Times says that the hotels and restaurants association is proposing a controlled travel zone between Malta and Sicily to boost tourism in both islands. Association president, Tony Zahra, said…

Read More Here

Malta: Attorney General irked by employee’s change of jobs

The Independent speaks to Attorney General Peter Grech who said that the overnight move of one of the staff members, Charles Mercieca, to the legal team of Yorgen Fenech created…

Read More Here

Malta: Biggest Covid-19 rescue package globally

L-Orizzont reports on a study by Columbia University which says that Malta offered the highest spending package to fight the coronavirus in relation to its economy. The report estimates the…

Read More Here

Malta: Adrian Delia expects public broadcaster’s impartiality

In-Nazzjon covers a courtesy visit to the Public Broadcasting Services by a Nationalist Party delegation. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that public funds raise expectations on public broadcasting to be…

Read More Here

Malta: Justice Ministry critical of AG lawyer’s sudden change of employers

The Times quotes a statement by the Justice Ministry calling a lawyer’s decision to leave the Attorney General’s office to join businessman Yorgen Fenech’s defence team ‘insensitive’ but assured that…

Read More Here

Malta: Teachers demand hygiene regime in schools

The Independent speaks to the union of teachers which says that most teachers do not feel prepared to go back to school unless a strategic plan for hygiene measures is…

Read More Here

Malta: Teenage postal worker dies in traffic accident

In-Nazzjon reports on a traffic accident on Thursday morning that claimed the life of a 19-year-old postwoman. Elenia Briffa died in Marsa when the company vehicle she was driving overturned,…

Read More Here

Malta: Court hearings to be ramped up after Covid-19 restrictions

L-Orizzont says that court hearings are set to increase in the coming days after many of the cases were suspended to observe social distancing rules and because the police force…

Read More Here

Malta: AG office lawyer to join Yorgen Fenech legal team

The Times reveals that lawyer Charles Mercieca has resigned from the office of the attorney general and is expected to join Yorgen Fenech’s defence team. The former member of the…

Read More Here

Malta: Grim outlook for EU economy

The Malta Business Weekly quotes the latest economic forecast by the European Commission which is bracing itself for the biggest recession “since the Great Depression”. Malta is predicted to suffer…

Read More Here

Malta: Economy expected to recover within a year

L-Orizzont also cites the EC Spring Economic Forecast which projects a growth of six percent in Malta’s economic performance in 2021. The paper says that, in comparison, the economy grew…

Read More Here