News

Malta: Nearly every 20th #Covid-19 patient is a healthcare professional

L-Orizzont reports nine new cases of coronavirus by Tuesday, returned from a pool of more than one thousand swab tests. The paper says that there have now been a total…

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Malta: Education Ministry will not get into independent school fees debate

The Independent asks Education Minister Owen Bonnici whether private schools will receive financial aid. The minister said that schools and student families are discussing the payment of fees and the…

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Malta: PN calls for bonus to pensioners to cope with coronavirus costs

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Deputy Leader David Agius who urged the government to ensure the home delivery of medical products to elderly people throughout the outbreak. The party is proposing a…

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No, it’s not just a flu

Daily briefings by practically all major international Governments and minute-by-minute updating of death tallies on news websites around the world keep providing us with a source of unlimited information on…

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Germany calls on migrants to fill in healthcare staff shortage

In a very pungent twist of fate, the Eastern Germany State of Saxony, which in recent years has harboured a spike in far-right and anti-Islamic support, is leading calls to…

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Stuck onboard with no pay – tough times for cruiseliners crew

Among the ever-growing list of economic victims of the coronavirus pandemic, crew members aboard ships will feel short changed as insult is added to injury. Not only thousands of crew…

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Consumption collapses in Italy as businesses seek direct financial support

As expected, consumption in Italy has gone down by a staggering 31.7% in March when compared to the same month in 2019. According to data published by ConfCommercio, the Italian…

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Half of deaths by coronavirus happening in care homes

Data gathered from five European countries and collated in a report drawn up by the London School of Economics has found that around half of deaths by the novel coronavirus…

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Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to offer testing and swabbing for NHS staff and families

London-based football club Tottenham Hotspur have announced that it had procured the necessary equipment to its home ground so that it can "operate drive-through Covid-19 testing and swabbing for NHS…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Four editorials today tackle separate aspects of the pandemic from a Maltese perspective. The Times of Malta takes another look at the economic impact of the crisis, noting that…

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Amazon in recruitment drive as locked down populations turn to online shopping

As more than half of the world’s population is currently living under varying degrees of lockdown and social distancing impositions, many have resorted to online shopping spree. One of the…

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Malta: Spreading of Covid-19 to carry jail sentence

The Independent reveals that a new legal notice will criminalise the wilful spread of the Covid-19 disease with up to a nine-year jail sentence. Patients who spread the virus through…

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Malta: Position of migrants in Malta SAR unknown

In-Nazzjon says that hundreds of migrants who were on a boat adrift over the weekend could not be located by Frontex planes on Monday evening. Contact with a dinghy that…

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Malta: Government calls for EU emergency fund for Libya

The Times leads with an urgent request by Malta for the EU to deploy a €100 million food and medicine package to Libya to prevent migrants in the north African…

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Malta: Public Health Superintendent calls for caution

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who appealed for prudence and said that Malta is still in its earlier stages of the pandemic despite less than 10 new daily…

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EU approves Swedish support scheme for airlines

In what is being considered as the first major bailout of coronavirus-affected airlines, the European Commission has approved Sweden's 450 million euro support scheme for airlines, with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS),…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Tuesday 14th April 2020

Updated 1232 Nine new cases today Prof Charmaine Gauci announced another nine positive cases in Malta were registered yesterday, taking the total to 393. These cases include three further immigrants…

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Bookshops, kids’ clothing outlets to re-open in slight easing of restrictions in Italy

As of this morning, a number of businesses in Italy will be allowed to re-open, despite the Government’s recent decision extending the general lockdown in the country until early May.…

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Western Balkan states request help from EU

The European Union is considering a joint proposal submitted by the Western Balkan states requesting an exemption from the ban on the export of medical supplies from the Union. The…

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Italy registers 20,000th death on Pasquetta

Italy's Pasquetta death toll has exceeded the 20,000 mark, with 566 new deaths confirmed today by the health authorities. Throughout the pandemic, 159,516 persons - 3,153 in the past day,…

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UK death toll goes past 11,000 mark despite second consecutive drop

The United Kingdom has gone past the 11,000 death mark after 667 persons were announced dead by the Department of Health today. These deaths included 40 people who appeared to…

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English Premiership may continue in June as a solely TV event

The English Premiership may complete the season throughout June and July in what is being described by media reports as a solely TV event. Top clubs are in consensus in…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Social considerations take centre stage in today's four Editorials, as local editors tackle inequality, extremism and the plight of the poor. The Times of Malta's Editorial focuses on the concern…

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Malta: Coronavirus taking its toll on mental wellbeing

The Times quotes a study of the impact of the coronavirus on metal wellbeing commissioned by the Richmond Foundation. Almost half of the participants say they feel depressed most of…

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Malta: PM says closure of ports will protect national health

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the decision to close the ports to rescue ships and non-registered vessels was triggered by a necessity to safeguard the country’s…

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Malta: Survey outcomes to settle face masks debate

The quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that a national survey is being conducted to establish the number of Covid-19 infections in the community. The results will guide the…

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Malta: Easter Sunday marred by fatal motorcycle accident

In-Nazzjon reports that a 38-year-old man lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Mrieħel on Easter Sunday. The rider, Alex Borg, was involved in a crash with another vehicle…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Monday 13th April 2020

Updated 1237 Six new cases, including three Maltese who were reporting to work In her daily briefing, Health Superintendent Prof Gauci announced that 1,008 swabs were carried out on Easter…

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Easter Sunday brings hope to Italy as new cases and deaths decrease

Italy has seen a return to a descending curve on Easter Sunday, with 4,092 new cases registered in the last 24 hours. On Saturday this count had reached 4,694, thereby…

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737 people die in UK with coronavirus on Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday provided no respite in the United Kingdom as another 737 persons lost their lives in UK hospitals, according to the Department of Health. 10,612 persons have lost their…

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Malta: Government had promised state support to pilots

Malta Today reveals details of a 2016 letter to Air Malta pilots assuring them they would be kept on state payroll with the same take-home pay in the event that…

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Malta: Intelligent planning for ODZ areas to be explored

It-Torċa carries an interview with Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia who said that the ministry is working on a new system for ‘intelligent planning’ with regards to applications for…

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Malta: 200 migrants stranded off Malta

Il-Mument reports that the government has received new calls for the disembarkation of migrants stranded at sea. A boat and a rescue ship are carrying more than 200 migrants between…

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Malta: Health Ministry is managing postponed hospital appointments

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that a transition team has been set up to oversee the rescheduling of hospital appointments that…

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Malta: Real estate agents request aid

Illum says that property market has ground to a halt amid the Covid-19 emergency and reports that real estate agents are requesting support. The paper speaks to Agents Association chief…

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Malta: Medical cannabis company ready to launch first product

Kullħadd says that a Malta-based Israeli company in the medicinal cannabis field is nearing the launch of its first product aimed at the European market. The product has been developed…

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UK reports another 917 deaths, including 11-year old

The UK has reported another staggering increase in deaths this afternoon. The UK Department of Health registered another 917 deaths, among them an 11 year old. 9,875 persons have now…

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Taiwan donates facemasks to EU

Earlier this week, Taiwan promised it would send face masks to countries in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The first consignment of 8 million masks has arrived in the EU,…

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EU Commission to allow state aid for capital injections in private companies

The European Commission is proposing an extension in the State Aid temporary framework, adopted last month, in its bid to further support European economies in facing the challenges brought by…

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The world will see the worst recession since the Great Depression – IMF

Partial recovery in 2021 only if pandemic fades this year A chilling analysis of economic prospects was made public by the International Monetary Fund on Thursday afternoon, suggesting that the…

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Malta cannot guarantee rescue of more migrants – Govt

In view of the current Covid-19 pandemic, Malta will not be able to guarantee that it will be in the position to rescue further migrants. In a statement yesterday…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Friday 10th April 2020

900 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours. These resulted in new 13 positive cases. The total of coronavirus-infected persons in Malta now stands at 350. This was…

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Brown’s Pharma launches free delivery service to its POYC registered customers

Brown’s Pharma Ltd today announced the introduction of a free home delivery service to all the customers registered with Brown’s Pharmacy under the POYC scheme. As part of the Company’s…

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Voluntary repatriation scheme for all foreign nationals

Foreign nationals who wish to return to their home country will be able to do so at a subsidized cost following a voluntary repatriation scheme launched this afternoon by the…

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EP offers its buildings to local communities in support of pandemic response

The European Parliament has offered its building as well as a fleet of cars and lorries to the Brussels regional authorities in its efforts to support the community to deal…

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Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

This Maundy Thursday, local Editors appear to be in reflective mood and bring out a number of positive messages to accompany their readers over Easter weekend. The Times’ Editorial takes…

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“European Governments need to do much more” – EP President

After lengthy negotiations at Eurogroup level failed to bring about a unified European response, European President David Sassoli called on for greater responsibility amongst national Governments, urging for the creation…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Thursday 9th April 2020

Updated 1515 Economy Minister Silvio Schembri in a press conference this afternoon explained that recently announced measures to support businesses and employees are already at an advanced stage of implementation.…

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“We’re going back to normality” – Czech Health Minister

The Czech Republic has effectively declared victory in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to media reports in the Central European nation's media. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch reportedly…

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Air Malta confirms almost 400 redundancies

Updated - ALPA reaction In a statement published this evening, national carrier Air Malta has confirmed that the current situation which has resulted in the cancellation of practically all commercial…

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EU Commission clamps down on miracle cures

The European Commission gave new powers to consumer protection authorities in member states address deceptive marketing techniques exploiting buyers’ fears amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission is using the full…

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Coronavirus: EU Medical Teams deployed to Italy

A team of European doctors and nurses from Romania and Norway, deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, has been dispatched to Milan and Bergamo to help Italian medical staff…

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Dr Mark Chetcuti sworn in as Chief Justice

Dr Mark Chetcuti was this morning sworn in as Malta's Chief Justice during a ceremony at San Anton Palace in the presence of the President of the Republic, Dr George…

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Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Today’s Editorials react to yesterday’s surge in coronavirus cases in Malta, discussing their outlook on expectations for the coming days. The Times of Malta asks a question that many have…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Wednesday 8th April 2020

Updated 1232 1,018 swab were carried out yesterday, resulting in 38 new cases. Malta now has 337 positive cases. 25 cases concern women, including an expectant mother and a four-year…

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Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Today's Editorials focus on different themes, with the pandemic retaining centre stage, with a focus on environmental concerns. The Times of Malta considers the recent re-emergency of the utility of…

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Live Update: Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Monday 6th April 2020

Updated 1601 Lawyers, architects, notaries, dentists and accountants team up to request assistance In a joint press statement, organisations representing professionals including lawyers, architects, notaries, dentists and accountants have requested…

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