Updated 1255 – Covid-19 Update
Health authorities have recorded four new cases and eight recoveries, lowering the number of active cases to 65. After two deaths in two days, no fatalities were registered on Thursday.
Updated 1035 – Malta passes Moneyval test
Malta has achieved “significant progress” in fighting money-laundering and terrorism financing, a report by Moneyval found. The Council of Europe anti-money laundering body acknowledged that Malta has succeeded to meet general expectations after a raft of deficiencies were first identified by Moneyval in 2019, in a test which Malta had failed.
The country has achieved full compliance with twelve of the 40 recommendations on how to improve its anti-money laundering regime, its report said, adding that the country no longer has any “non-compliant” or “partially compliant” ratings. In a statement, the Council of Europe said that Malta has succeeded in meeting the “general expectation for countries to have addressed most if not all of the technical compliance deficiencies after the adoption of the mutual evaluation report, within two years.”
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Newspaper Review
The Independent quotes a report by the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights which says that the Maltese army employed measures to impede migrants at sea from reaching Malta. The document covers the period between 2019 and 2020.
The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with Gaming Authority CEO Carl Brincat who said that the industry has shown resilience in a difficult scenario. He said the authority is forging stronger relationships with stakeholders and players.
The Times reports that the government has ordered an investigation into the funds used by the Tourism Authority and the Public Broadcasting Services to promote Malta’s entry in the Eurovision. It is believed that part of the total €650,000 spend went into placing bets.
Business Today speaks with the Chairman of the Malta Development Bank about the Covid-19 Guarantee Scheme which extended a lifeline to many businesses struggling during the pandemic. The instrument supported 560 companies employing over 40,000 people.
L-Orizzont follows a debate in the European Parliament discussing the management of EU funds. A representative of the anti-fraud office, OLAF, said that the body has a strong relationship with regulators in Malta.
In-Nazzjon coves a press conference by PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that a report by the Auditor General confirms warnings by the party that eight in ten families were being overcharged for their electricity and water consumption.
The Times says that the office of the Ombudsman has notified parliament and the Prime Minister that the Planning Authority has ignored its recommendations on illegal roadworks carried out in Comino by the government.
Business Today quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who pledged to return €50 million to families after a report by the National auditor’s Office showed repeated overcharging by the utility billing company, ARMS.
L-Orizzont quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who announced a new legal notice that makes victims of crime eligible for refunds when they cooperate with authorities to solve criminal procedures.
The Malta Business Weekly reports that Malta received €177 million in loans on favourable terms under the SURE Instrument. The scheme was launched by the European Commission to help national governments mitigate unemployment in member states.
The Independent reports that residents and environmental NGOs have raised objections over plans to build a warehouse complex on ODZ land in Ħal Farruġ. The local council in Luqa has also expressed concern.
Govt to investigate Destiny-linked betting
Government has launched an investigation into Malta’s spending on its Eurovision Song Contest after allegations that taxpayer funds were used to boost Destiny’s odds with bookmakers. The audit, expected to commence next week will look into how that money was spent.
The issue of possible financial mismanagement was flagged to Abela by the board of public broadcaster PBS, which falls within his ministerial portfolio.
€3 million aquatic project to be completed in time for summer season
Works on a state-of-the-art aquatic sports facility in the north of the island are at an advanced stage and will be completed in time for the summer season.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima. The new aquatic complex, largely being funded by the PA’s Development Planning Fund (DPF), will include a main pool, which is the second largest in Malta, a kids learning pool and a 3-lane indoor pool to ensure training can be carried out all year round.
Unemployment down in April
In April, the number of persons registering for work stood at 2,248, decreasing by 1,731 when compared to the corresponding month in 2020, the NSO said on Wednesday. Registered unemployment levels decreased across all age groups. Those who had been registering for work for less than 21 weeks, decreased considerably when compared to the same month in 2020. On the other hand, those persons registering for work between 21 and 52 weeks recorded the largest increase, followed by those registering for more than one year.
Covid-19 Update: Health authorities reported seven new COVID-19 cases yesterday while six recovered. The active case tally now stands at 69. 2,080 swab tests were carried out on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a 60-year-old male became the virus’ 419th victim.
