Updated 1745 – Newsportal Review
Times of Malta says that Finance minister Clyde Caruana on Tuesday refused to rule out the possibility that Air Malta could be replaced by another flag carrier, but he insisted that the airline’s restructuring programme is on track.
Maltatoday reports that a new COLA mechanism will be in place to address the particular needs of lower-income groups, who will be receiving additional compensation to counter inflation.
Newsbook reveals that plans have been submitted to redevelop an existing abandoned cow farm in the Wied Ghomor Valley between Swieqi and San Ġwann into a 131-room agri-tourism.
TVM reports that Carmen Delgado, 61, is being held under arrest after the Police charged her this morning with importing 7 kilos of cocaine.
The Independent brings the latest Covid-19 figures, showing that 37 new Covid-19 cases were registered on Tuesday, as the number of active cases fell to 247.
Updated 1230 – Cocaine production facility busted in Valletta
Seven men and two women were arrested in Valletta this morning during a Police raid supported by the Major Crimes Unit in connection with drug trafficking. The majority of the arrested persons are Maltese, according to media reports. While the police statement on site referred to a drug-related operations, a number of media outlets suggested that the site was used to produce cocaine.
Food pushes inflation to 6.82%
In July, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index was 6.82 per cent, up from the 6.21 per cent in June 2022, the NSO said today. The 12-month moving average rate for July stood at 4.08 per cent. The largest upward month-on-month impact on inflation was measured in the Food Index (+2.4%), while a small downward impact was recorded in the Clothing and footwear Index (-0.02%). On an annual basis, the highest inflation rates in July 2022 were registered in Housing (15.33%) and Food (11.48%). On the other hand, the lowest annual inflation rates were registered in Clothing and footwear (-0.27%) and Water, electricity, gas and fuels (0%)
Foreign workers crucial in health care system – Ministry
The national healthcare system is seeking to attract more foreign workers in areas where shortages are being experienced, and retain foreign workers who are currently working here. Maltatoday reports that a study launched by the health ministry will seek ways of retaining both clinical and non-clinical workers from foreign countries, as well as integrating them further into the system where they have been crucial in plugging shortages. It is estimated that some 530 out of over 10,000 workers in the healthcare system are foreign.
15 lives lost on Maltese roads in first six months of the year
Road fatalities for the first six months of the year reached their highest level since 1995. 15 persons had lost their lives until June, with roads claiming another two lives since ten. Speaking to The Times of Malta, Malta Road Safety Council leader Pierre Vella said the figures, which already surpass the total death toll for each of the last three years, were “alarming”. “If this tragic trend continues, we predict devastating numbers by the end of the year,” he added.
GTA wants undersea tunnel scrapped
The proposed undersea tunnel between Malta and Gozo should be scrapped once and for all, the Gozo Tourism Association said on Tuesday, in its pre-budget proposals. In a document titled Recover and Consolidate Growth: Budget 2023, the association presented proposals relating to inter-island connectivity, environment, the sister island’s tourism product, marketing and promotion, as well as human resources. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici condition is stable, family says
Former prime minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici is in a stable condition at Mater Dei Hospital, according to family members. Mifsud Bonnici, 89, who served as prime minister between 1984 and 1987, was taken ill on Sunday. His condition is considered critical, according to health sources, but family members say he is now stable and was able to communicate with relatives on Monday. They asked that well-wishers stay away from the hospital.
Homeless man handed suspended sentence after stealing money from church collection box
A homeless man has admitted to stealing money from a church collection box. In an arraignment before magistrate Doreen Clarke this morning, Inspector Ritianne Gauci charged Ihor Cardaci, a 31-year-old homeless and unemployed Ukrainian man with theft and voluntary damage. The 19 August theft was aggravated by time, means and place.
Covid-19 update
There were 33 cases yesterday. No new deaths were reported as there are 252 active cases, health authorities said.
