Finance Minister warns of increasing inflation / Malta News Briefing – Saturday 16 April 2022

Updated 1236

Finance Minister warns of increasing inflation

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana warned that prices will continue to increase in the coming months, adding that it is too early to forecast by how much. Caruana argued that it was “too premature” when questioned whether government had put a mechanism in place to stabilise prices. He insisted that Government was doing all it could to curb increases and control the cost of prices of wheat, fuel and energy.

Chambr rails against cowboys in public tendering

The Malta Chamber of Commerce called out authorities awarding public tenders to dubious entities, insisting that contracting authorities have to ascertain the full compliance of bidders in public procurement. In a statement the Malta Chamber highlighted the importance of vetting bidders properly in public procurement tendering processes. “This is an effective way of enforcing compliance and cleaning the market of rogue operators,” the Chamber said. “The business community and the public in general has had enough of cowboys running roughshod over good governance and clean business, and expects the authorities to leave no stone unturned in convincing all those who are watching that this Government is really serious about its intentions to clean up and raise the bar. We urgently need to close the credibility gap,” the Chamber said.

Covid-19 Update

Cases declined for the sixth consecutive days, with 315 new infections in the past 24 hours. Active cases stand at 7,746, having peaked above 9,000 a week ago.

Morning Briefing

Elliot Paul Busuttil accused of killing Mario Farrugia

Elliot Paul Busuttil was yesterday evening charged with the gruesome murder of Mario Farrugia, whose body was found dumped in the trunk of a car in Qormi. The 38-year-old was arraigned in court before magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace accused of the violent murder of Farrugia, who was stabbed more than 40 times and left in the trunk of his car in the Qormi valley. Busuttil, an Attard resident who is currently unemployed, pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges, which also include violating bail conditions, carrying a weapon in public and being a recidivist. The man did not request bail. (Times of Malta/Maltatoday)

Bad weather disrupts Good Friday processions

Strong gusts of winds and rain have led to the cancellation of most Good Friday processions around Malta and Gozo. While some parishes chose to call of the events completely, others, such as Paola, held the procession inside the Church, while in Mosta, it took place in a shortened version without statues. Many enthusiasts were looking forward for this year’s Good Friday’s processions after the last two years no such activities were allowed because of the pandemic.

Covid-19 Update
One patient who was positive for Covid-19 has passed away and 372 new cases were found in the previous 24 hours. There are currently 8,163 active cases. 620 have recovered overnight.