1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says Prime Minister Robert Abela has described as “baseless speculation” a report in Britain’s Daily Telegraph that Malta is the latest target of Russian activity in the Mediterranean – to the consternation of both the US and the EU.
MaltaToday says a Transport Malta official with close ties to the Labour Party has reportedly been arrested after several female co-workers claimed to have been sexually harassed by him.
Newsbook says amid Russia’s invasion on neighbouring Ukraine, Labour leader Robert Abela has pledged to keep energy prices low while at the same time work on mitigating the repercussions of the full scale invasion.
TVM says that the Leader of the Nationalist Party Bernard Grech has condemned the attacks by Russia on the Ukraine.
Updated 1330
Standing events allowed from April 11, no masks in school after Easter: Outdoor standing events will be allowed to resume without restrictions from April 11, while children won’t have to wear masks in school after the Easter holidays, if COVID-19 cases remain under control. Health Minister Chris Fearne announced the further relaxation of measures as he gave an update on the COVID-19 situation in Malta. While there will be no restrictions on standing events outdoors, those that take place inside will be limited to people who hold valid vaccine certificates.
US expresses concern on use of Malta as base: The United expressed concern that Russia might be attempting to use Malta as a naval base “for its malign activities in the Mediterranean region”, a report in The Telegraph says. The reference to Malta, which was first highlighted by The Malta Independent, “Why Vladimir Putin is taking his big gamble”, written by Defence Editor Con Coughlin, says that Malta has become “the latest target of Russian activity – to the consternation of both the US and the EU”.
Covid-19 Update: Another 95 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded, with 106 recoveries. 44 people are in hospital, 3 of whom are in the ITU.
Morning Briefing
PN proposes ‘second chance’ on driving offences
A PN government would give motorists a second chance when getting a traffic ticket. PN leader Bernard Grech proposed the introduction of a digital system which would keep on hold traffic contravention tickets for six months and the fine would then be dropped if the contravention was not repeated within that time. “Everyone made mistakes, Grech said, and the system would discourage a repeat of those mistakes, which may include wrong parking or causing an obstruction”. Grech also also promised stronger investment in law and order and said a PN government would seek to reward those who stayed on the right sight of the law, whether individuals, companies or associations. (Times of Malta)
Labour pledges €15 weekly pension increase
Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged a €15 weekly increase to pensions, in a near-doubling of the €8 weekly increase made in the previous legislature. Speaking in Mellieha, Abela argued that the choice between Labour and the PN was a choice between a government who would increase pensions, and one that had frozen pension increases for 25 years. “That is the past, and we are the future. We increased and will continue to increase pensions. Bernard Grech is the face of the past. We want to give pensioners more cheques. The PN used to be proud in voting in favour of increasing taxes; we will continue to lower them.”
Covid-19 Update: Malta’s Covid-19 death tally exceeded its 600th fatality with the death of a 90-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man. 79 new cases were recorded on Wednesday, while 96 recoveries pushed active cases further down to 744.
