1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says the man accused of murdering Rita Ellul told the police he had lacked the courage to look at the woman as he put both thumbs against her neck while she slept, closing his eyes as he pressed on, knowing it was a point of no return.
MaltaToday says Prime Minister Robert Abela said that no development will take place at Wied Żnuber Valley, despite an area being earmarked for the construction of a model aircraft airstrip.
Newsbook says Labour leader Robert Abela has brushed off a question on the value of his 2,270 square metre villa in Żejtun on Wednesday.
TVM says that two women from Venezuela were arrested at the Malta International Airport after they were caught with about 4kg of a drug suspected as being cocaine.
Updated 1330
Cassola reports cheques to Electoral Commission: Independent candidate Arnold Cassola filed an official report alleging corrupt practices during the current election season to both the OSCE and the Electoral Commission. He claimed that the Labour government’s distribution of Covid-19 relief cheques and tax cuts amount to corrupt practice. “I am filing an official complaint against candidates Robert Abela and Clyde Caruana,” Cassola said, referring to the PM and finance minister, “who are distributing millions in cash as COVID stimulus to Maltese voters. These two members are just part of a ‘caretaker government’ and have no right to be disbursing such monies during an election in which they are candidates. This amounts to a clear corrupt practice. I demand immediate action from the Electoral Commission.”
Malta targeting solar generation by 2030: Energy Minister Miriam Dalli has told a Chamber of Commerce debate that Malta will generate a minimum 50 Megawatts from offshore wind farms or 65MW from offshore solar plants by 2030. Dalli said the Russian conflict in Ukraine had now prioritised price stability as the main pillar for Malta’s energy policy, with €200 million allocated towards keeping energy prices stable. Dalli emphasised Malta’s energy policy would be anchored in renewable energy, with various studies on offshore windfarms in Malta having already been carried out.
Covid-19 Update: 304 new COVID-19 cases were registered overnight. An 84-year-old woman died, bringing the total number of deaths to 619. 50 people are in hospital, one of which is in the ITU.
Morning Briefing
Malta could relax travel rules soon
Malta’s COVID travel rules could soon be relaxed to no longer make vaccination mandatory for entry, Deputy PM Chris Fearne has said. Fearne explained that authorities are looking into the possibility of also allowing travelers into the country upon presentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. Malta currently requires all travellers from countries on its red list to present a valid vaccination certificate to be allowed into the country without having to quarantine. Fearne said the intention is to introduce a negative test result rule where possible, to make it easier for tourists to visit during the peak summer months. [Times of Malta]
Wage supplement extended
Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the COVID wage supplement scheme would be extended throughout April, whilst not ruling out a further extension for the following months. Speaking at a Labour Party event in Msida on Wednesday evening, Abela said the tax refund cheques that are currently being distributed, were not an electoral gimmick. “We did not hand out the cheques because the election is incoming, as we strengthened them every year. If the electorate entrusts us again to govern, you will keep on receiving them every year,” Abela said. [Maltatoday]
I want to make Malta attractive for youth – Grech
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech promised that a new Nationalist Party government will be working tirelessly to make Malta “attractive” again for youths through quality jobs and quality of life. Quoting data which states that 70% of youths in Malta want to leave the country, Grech stated that “this is the reason why I entered politics, to enact the change needed and help talented youths in Malta find quality jobs in Malta.” Grech spoke about the ten new economic sectors proposal, Grech said that this is one way of tackling the poverty situation, by providing quality wages through quality jobs. “A PN administration has always invested in various sectors and the government is now bearing the fruit of our hard work.”
Covid-19 Update: 229 new cases were reported on Wednesday, health authorities said. 82 persons recovered. There are now 1673 active cases. An 83-year-old woman passed away overnight.
