Retail outlets happy with Christmas business – SME Chamber / Malta News Briefing – Friday 30 December 2022

Updated 1530

The Times of Malta, quoting the Chamber of SMEs, says that retail sales were strong over Christmas and on Boxing Day throughout the island. While the year as a whole had not met expectations, a strong December boosted commercial forecasts for the end of the year, said the chamber’s CEO, Abigail Mamo.

Maltatoday reports that two men have been remanded in custody after being charged in connection with three thefts from the same petrol station that took place in the space of five days.

TVM says that in the month of November, Malta achieved this year’s target of just under five million and five hundred thousand passengers who passed through Malta’s international airport.

The Malta Independent says that the Nationalist Party accused the government of still paying €11,000 a month to former MFSA CEO Joseph Gavin. In a statement on Friday, the PN said in the past it has asked Finance Minister Clyde Caruana to say why Gavin is still being paid thousands, and to also published his contract.

Morning Briefing

St Paul’s Bay Council threatens to block access to BCRS machines

The St Paul’s Bay council has warned it will block access to BCRS machines in the locality if people continue dumping rubbish around them and if the operator fails to clean the mess. The seaside locality’s Alfred Grima warned that the council is prepared to take “drastic steps” if the situation is ignored. “The negative effect on the environment and the residents is forcing the local council to consider taking drastic steps, including blocking these machines, in the event that the authorities remain passive,” Grima said on social media. (Times of Malta)

Regulator closes off Mqabba road after unusual movements

Infrastructure Malta (IM) will be carrying out urgent interventions in Triq is-Sejba, Mqabba over the next few weeks after motorists reported unusual road movements. The authority was notified of geological movement on the road’s surface, which is surrounded by quarries. Reports suggest that the road surface has rapidly deteriorated and access to it has been closed for traffic. Concerns on the road are significant since it is built over two quarries. (Maltatoday)

Malta condemns Taliban university ban on women
Malta has joined the international community in condemning the Taliban’s ban on university education for women, with foreign affairs minister Ian Borg condemning the oppressive measures. “I joined other Foreign Ministers to strongly condemn the Taliban’s new oppressive measures on university education for women and girls in Afghanistan,” Ian Borg said on Thursday. “Malta stands with all Afghans in their quest to exercise their human rights and freedoms”. (Newsbook)