Updated 1745 – News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta says Malta is facing a problem sourcing LPG, the type of gas used to light heaters and run ovens, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday.
MaltaToday says that the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association has slammed Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli’s comments on Nationalist candidate Julie Zahra’s Eurovision past.
Newsbook says that Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended the golden passport scheme arguing that there was a robust due diligence system in place and the money made from the sales of passports was being reinvested in several projects.
TVM says that the Prime Minister and PL Leader Dr Robert Abela said that according to the proposals in the PN Electoral Manifesto workers and families will regress because if they are put into process the scheme of tax cheques rebates will come to an end.
Updated 1400
Russian rail company on sanctions list has subsidiary registered in Malta: A subsidiary of a Russian railway company named on an EU and US sanctions list is registered in Malta and is subject to recently imposed international financial restrictions. The railway company, Russia Railways, is not fully targeted by the sanctions, issued by western allies in recent weeks as a reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However its financial movements are limited, meaning, for example, that it has limited access to financial markets and can no longer trade in its shares from April 12, a government source explained. Its subsidiary, Black Sea Ferries, has been registered in Ta’ Xbiex in Malta since 2009.
Malta’s top wheat importer warns: countries may stop all exports: Malta’s biggest importer of grains has warned of the possibility that other countries will start to restrict exports and has called for a national strategy on the importation of wheat, as war in Ukraine chokes global supplies. “So far, we know that Hungary has decided to stop all exports of wheat,” said Marco Cachia, the chief executive of Federated Mills, which supplies milled flour to around three quarters of Maltese manufacturers.
Covid-19 Update: Malta has recorded its highest daily COVID-19 tally in almost a month, with 159 new cases as one perrson died while positive with the virus. The number of new cases is the highest since February 9, when 172 new cases were recorded.
Morning Briefing
Malta placed on list of ‘unfriendly nations’ by Russia
Russia has placed Malta in a list of nations it considers ‘unfriendly’, as its military forces continue with their invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the Russian Government said it had approved a list of foreign states and territories that “commit unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies and citizens.” The list includes all countries of the EU. [The Times of Malta]
PN would not repeal cannabis legislation but improve it – Grech
PN leader Bernard Grech has said a PN government will not repeal cannabis legislation, but will introduce amendments which “protect society”. Speaking in Birkirkara, Grech admitted that the law is there to remain but added that a Government led by him would introduce amendments which protect people. “The experts were clear on it,” he said. On golden passports, Grech said that Nationalist government would reform the scheme, so that applicants have a genuine link to Malta. “If you want to be Maltese, you have to show it, and not hide your name. If you want to pass through the proper due diligence, yes you can get the citizenship,” he said. [Maltatoday]
PM blames PN for grey-listing
PM Robert Abela blamed former Nationalist administration for Malta’s grey-listing, saying that the problems flagged by the FATF were due to “years of neglect prior to 2013, where key institutions battling financial crime and money laundering were left in tatters.” He added that Malta is making very good progress in this regard. “We have made a lot of progress on the recommendations of the FATF and the next step to complete phase one is for the FATF board to visit Malta in the coming weeks and confirm our work.” Apart from the FATF grey list, Malta had passed through the MoneyVal test after amending more than 68 recommendations which they had suggested. “When Malta passes from the FATF board, it will be labelled as a serious jurisdiction and investment will be coming to our country.” [The Malta Independent]
Covid-19 Update: An 80-year-old woman died while COVID positive, the health authorities said. 72 people tested positive for COVID yesterday, while a further 80 recovered.
