morning headlines

Malta: EPP holds e-summit on migration

In-Nazzjon follows a virtual conference for leaders of the European People’s Party focusing on immigration. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that collaboration is necessary to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Another…

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Malta: Prime Minister Abela seeks advice from predecessor Muscat

The Times reveals that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is advising his successor on economic recovery plans. Muscat was seen emerging from Castille after an “hours-long” meeting on Monday night.…

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Malta: Forthcoming construction authority can suspend contractors

The Independent speaks to the Infrastructure Ministry about the Building and Construction Authority that is still in the process of being set up. A spokesperson said that the body will…

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Malta: Elderly man dies from Covid-19

Malta Today leads with the death of an 81-year-old man who tested positive to Covid-19 on Monday. The patient, who was being treated at Karin Grech Hospital, is the fifth…

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Malta: PN proposes €2 billion package for tourism industry

In-Nazzjon quotes PN spokesperson for tourism Robert Arrigo who proposed a €2 billion fund over the next 18 months to help the tourism industry back on its feet. Arrigo argued…

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Malta: Restaurants whetting appetite for business

L-Orizzont says that restaurants are planning to start reopening shortly, although with a restricted seating capacity. The paper says that Covid-19 trends in Malta reflect those of most countries in…

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Malta: Opposition leader declares no savings for third year

The Times reports on the financial filings submitted in parliament by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia. Delia is declaring that he has no savings in local or overseas banks but said…

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Malta: Pharmacists reach deal with government over price of facemasks

The Independent says that the Chamber of Pharmacists reached an agreement with the government over the price caps imposed on facemasks and visors. Pharmacies will be compensated for losses incurred…

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Malta: Asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers pose a lower risk

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Commissioner Charmaine Gauci who said that asymptomatic carriers have a lower probability of spreading the virus, but the risk is still present and appealed for the…

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Malta: Home Affairs Minister not perturbed by Alfred Sant disapproval

In-Nazzjon says that Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri played down criticism by PL MEP Alfred Sant about the method of appointing a Police Commissioner proposed by the government. The minister…

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Malta: Three in four businesses do not expect full recovery within a year

The Times carries a survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce showing that 85 percent of businesses registered a decline in sales and exports, but only a quarter are confident…

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Malta: Sarraflu freshwater pool severely damaged by act of vandalism

The Independent reports that the freshwater pool in Kerċem known as l-Għadira ta’ Sarraflu was vandalised by dumping oil and fuel. The site is a protected area under the Environment…

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Malta: Institute of Journalists calls for Prime Minister’s question time

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the institute of journalists which said that the Opposition Leader’s invitation for interviews by independent media was a step in the right direction. The institute…

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Malta: Priest living in prison says disease has greater impact on vulnerable

L-Orizzont publishes an interview with Fr Hayden Williams, who is living in at the Corradino Correctional Facility. He said that, although no one is immune to the Covid-19, the most…

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Malta: Government turns to Turkey to pressure Libya on traffickers

Malta Today reveals that Malta is seeking Turkey’s help to stem the flow of migration from Libya. Turkey is backing the Government of National Accord in the war-torn country and…

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Malta: Acting Police Commissioner let down by officers’ misconduct

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Acting Police Commissioner Carmel Magri who admitted that he felt betrayed by the traffic police scandal. He said that measures have been…

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Malta: Two-fifths want airport to wait for vaccine before reopening

The Sunday Times publishes survey results which find that three in four think that reopening the airport prematurely would be unwise. Only 13 percent says that the airport should be…

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Malta: Angelo Gafa’ is frontrunner for police top job

Illum claims that Angelo Gafa’ is favourite to become the new Police Commissioner. He declined the paper’s offer for an interview and did not offer any comments to questions about…

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Malta: Over €20 billion bank deposits in March

It-Torċa reports that bank deposits in Malta grew by 1.3 percent from February to March. A record €20.7 billion were deposited, registering a 5.6 percent jump compared with the same…

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Malta: Covid-19 active cases fall to 85

Kullħadd quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that the number of active cases has fallen to 85 from a total of 468 reported infections. Another story says that…

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Malta: Europe calls for global fund to fight coronavirus

Il-Mument reports that the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and four European Leaders are appealing for a global fund of €7.5 billion to initiate…

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Malta: Face masks and controlled number of shoppers as ‘new normal’ begins

The Times says that face masks must be worn on public transportation and shops as the government announced a gradual return to a “new normal”. The number of customers permitted…

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Malta: Acting Police Commissioner upbeat about Moneyval objectives

The Independent speaks to acting Police Commissioner Carmelo Magri who said that the force is making substantial investment in the financial crimes unit to reach anti-money laundering targets set out…

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Malta: More Covid-19 measures will be eased after Monday

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the decisions to roll back some of the Covid-19 restrictions are based on medical evidence. He expects more measures to be…

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Malta: Adrian Delia predicts a significant shift to self-employment

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the pandemic will accelerate a transformation of work and predicts that the majority of people will be self-employed by the end…

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Malta: Government votes down opposition motion to revoke Steward deal

In-Nazzjon follows the vote in parliament on a motion to cancel the Steward Healthcare deal which was blocked after the government side voted against it. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia vowed…

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Malta: Tourist boat out to pick up rescued migrants

The Times reveals that a tourist boat left Sliema on Thursday afternoon to pick up migrants rescued in Maltese waters. The Captain Morgan boat will initially take 57 people aboard…

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Malta: UĦM CEO says country is not at crisis point

The Independent publishes an interview with Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin CEO Josef Vella who said that statistics for March do not indicate any crisis situation but warned that it is too…

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Malta: GWU Secretary General says pandemic illustrates role of trade unions

L-Orizzont quotes General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who said that the ongoing emergency demonstrates how important it is for workers to be part of a trade union. The…

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Malta: Four-fifths of IIP funds channeled to rescue schemes

The Times quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who told social partners that Malta’s GDP is forecasted to fall by 5.4 percent this year before rebounding by 3.9 percent in 2021.…

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Malta: Chris Cardona to stay on as PL deputy leader after resigning MP seat

In-Nazzjon says that PL deputy leader for party affairs Chris Cardona is entitled to stay in the position until after the next general election even if he resigns his parliamentary…

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Malta: UĦM calls for cancellation of Steward deal

The Independent publishes an interview with Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin CEO Josef Vella who urged the government to cancel the agreement with Steward Healthcare and use the subsidies to support household…

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Malta: Active Covid-19 cases stand at 120

L-Orizzont reports on five new Covid-19 cases discovered from more than 1,200 swab tests conducted on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 36 patients were confirmed recovered taking the number of active cases down…

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Malta: First case of Kawasaki disease reported

The Malta Business Weekly quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that a case of Kawasaki disease has been reported in Malta. The disease, which is thought to be…

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Malta: Two in five employers unsatisfied with state aid schemes

The Independent says that, according to a study by the Employers Association, 38 percent of companies find the government schemes in the government’s rescue package “extremely ineffective”. Another report publishes…

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Malta: Roadworks to continue after government sets dumping rates

Malta Today reveals that the government intervened to fix the price of construction dumping at €12 per tonne at the Wied Inċita quarry in Attard. Roadworks had to be suspended…

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Malta: Police decide against prosecuting ‘suspect’ Satabank customers

The Times says 25 of 54 customers of shuttered bank Satabank suspected of criminal activity have not been prosecuted by the police, allowing them to walk away with more than…

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Malta: Opposition urges MPs to side with the country over Steward deal

In-Nazzjon covers a press conference by the Nationalist Party ahead of a parliamentary motion discussing the revocation of the Stewart agreement. Party leader Adrian Delia said that MPs have a…

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Malta: GWU marks 1958 general strike

L-Orizzont leads with the commemoration of the April 1958 general strike by the General Worker Union. Josef Bugeja, secretary general of the GWU said that the nation is, once again,…

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Malta: Seven in ten professionals hit hard by the outbreak

The Independent leads with survey results indicating that 70 percent of professionals reported financial losses of more than half their regular income because of the Covid-19 disruption. The study was…

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Malta: Maltese companies stoking the conflict in Libya

The Times says that Malta-based companies feature in an international investigation tracing weapons and military equipment to Libyan revolutionary forces led by General Haftar in an ongoing war with the…

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Malta: One-month-old baby recovered from the virus

L-Orizzont reports that new-born who contracted Covid-19 has recovered from the infection but is being kept in hospital for other conditions. Meanwhile, two new cases tested positive for the disease…

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Malta: Local councils demand urgent action of halted roadworks

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the Association of Local Councils which urges the authorities to find an immediate solution to the building material disposal problem, after all roadworks came to…

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Malta: First day without new Covid-19 cases since start of outbreak

L-Orizzont announces that no new Covid-19 cases were recorded on Sunday, the first time in seven weeks. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that measures could be eased but warned about…

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Malta: Lifting of first measures expected this week

The Times claims that the first coronavirus restrictions are expected to be relaxed this week but says that ministers and government advisers disagree over which businesses should be allowed to…

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Malta: Adrian Delia says Steward hospitals must be given back

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that a Nationalist government would cancel the agreement with Steward Healthcare and return the hospitals to the public. Delia said that the…

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Malta: Crowds gathering on roofs cannot be legally disperased

The Independent says that the police have no legal right to stop residents of the former Paloma Hotel from gathering on the roof. Social media comments raised alarm over people…

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Malta: Pilots seeking early retirement at 50

Malta Today reveals that the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations has agreed to plans by Air Malta to lay off 108 pilots. The paper says that the pilot’s union…

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Malta: Maltese arms dealer charged over breaches in Libya

The Sunday Times says that a Maltese arms dealer, James Fenech, is facing charges for breaching EU sanctions on Libya by transporting private contractors out of the north African country…

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Malta: Former PN minister commends handling of pandemic

The speaks to former PN Health Minister Joe Cassar who praised authorities for following WHO guidelines closely and succeeding in flattening the curve. Cassar said he would not have made…

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Malta: Over €14 million in rescue funds delivered

Kullħadd says more than €14 million have been released by the government so far to address jobs under threat. The paper says that separate measures by the Economy Ministry and…

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Malta: Unemployment increase of 466 from February

It-Torċa quotes figures by the National Statistics Office which show an increase of 466 people on the unemployment register from February to March. The paper says that the government’s interventions…

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Malta: Adrian Delia demands lower utility rates

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who insists that the water and electricity rates should be lowered by half to reflect the drop in oil prices. He said that families…

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Malta: Lockdown on shops unlikely to be eased

Illum speaks to shop owners following indications by Health Minister Chris Fearne that the restrictive measures on retail outlets will not be lifted anytime soon. The paper asks how longer…

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Malta: All roadworks to be halted

The Times reveals that all roadworks are coming to a halt as dumping sites for construction waste have reached their full capacity. Infrastructure Malta informed contractors to stop all project…

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Malta: Revised fuel station policy published

The Independent covers the publishing of a revised Fuel Station Policy by the Ministry for Planning. The new regulations envisage a cap on the number of petrol pumps as well…

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Malta: Adrian Delia says PN supports sustainable hunting

In-Nazzjon reports that PN Leader Adrian Delia visited the police headquarters on Friday to thank the police for their dedication in the Covid-19 emergency. Delia said that laws must be…

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