1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says the PN will not be returning to the Floriana Granaries for this year’s Independence Day celebrations and will instead mark the day next to a monument nearby.
MaltaToday says a government minister has been linked to a corruption case surrounding driving theory tests involving three Transport Malta officials.
Newsbook says a 51-year-old man of Birżebbuġa was grievously injured at work.
TVM says between April and June, the Maltese economy grew by almost 9% over the same period the previous year.
Updated 1200
Economy grows 8.9% in Q2: Provisional estimates released by the NSO indicate that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2022 amounted to €4,100.4 million, registering an increase of €526.6 million, or 14.7%, when compared to the same quarter of 2021. In volume terms, GDP rose by 8.9 per cent.
Unemployment down in July: In July 2022, the number of persons registering for work stood at 925 decreasing by 617 when compared to the corresponding month in 2021. Data provided by Jobsplus for July 2022 indicate a year-on-year decrease of 580 persons registering under Part I, and an additional drop of 37 persons registering under Part II of the unemployment register.. Registered unemployment levels decreased across all age groups for both males and females.
Updated 1030
Former Minister refuses Degiorgios brief: Former minister José Herrera has reportedly turned down a request to represent brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio as they await a trial by jury over the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Church portal Newsbook revealed that Herrera, who returned to private practice following his failure to get re-elected to Parliament, confirmed that while the brothers had approached him, he turned them down. The brothers’ previous lawyer, William Cuschieri, renounced his brief earlier this month.
Direct orders at Infrastructure Malta top €22m: Road construction and repairs courted controversy with a significant number of direct orders, as the Times of Malta revealed that Infrastructure Malta has awarded more than €22 million through such mechanisms during the first half of the year, with the majority exceeding €10,000 in value. Regulations stipulate that that direct orders should not exceed €10,000 unless in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort. Some 125 direct orders were allocated by the agency between January and June, with only 15 being less than the stipulated amount. Two direct oders even exceeded €2 million.
New tunnels to alleviate flooding, store rainwater: The Department of Public Works is planning to dig two new underground tunnels intended to store an amount of rainwater and alleviate flooding. The tunnels will be located close to Mater Dei Hospital and the other in the area of the Mosta football stadium. These two tunnels will adjoin a 14km tunnel from Mosta to Attard with a capacity to carry 90,000 litres per second.
Morning Briefing
Government seeks to limit air-conditioning use within public sector as energy costs rise
Government has announced a raft of measures to limit energy consumption within the public sector in the light of rising costs. Ministries, departments and agencies have been asked to limit airconditioning use while facade lighting rules will restrict such displays to a minimum, including their switching off at night. Hospitals will be exempted from these measures.
At least 300 homeless persons – Fr Tagliaferro
Poverty is on the rise, with more people having to resort to foodbanks, parishes, and poverty support groups to feed themselves as prices increase. This was revealed in an exclusive story by Illum. The paper spoke with Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, who heads the Millenium Chapel in Paceville, who said that many Maltese families are with their backs against the walls. He pointed to three areas where price increases are aggravating poverty rates, namely in essential products, medicines, and rents. He said that at least 300 homeless persons were currently on the roads as shelters are full.
GWU, UHM open for COLA review – after budget
The two largest trade Unions, GWU and UHM said that they were open to discussions on a review of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) mechanism, but only after the 2023 Budget is presented. This was revealed by The Malta Independent on Sunday. Government has already said that it will not be touching the COLA mechanism this year.
