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Times of Malta reports that Finance Minister Clyde Caruana on Monday sought to blame Nationalist governments for having burdened Air Malta with early retirement schemes which brought it close to financial ruin and would cost €100 million to remove.
Maltatoday says that an Italian man who gave his guards the slip whilst inside the court building, has been recaptured by the police.
Newsbook reports that the Nationalist Party will be reviewing the bill which would allow for the termination of a pregnancy when the pregnant woman’s health is at risk before taking a stand, party leader Bernard Grech said on Monday.
TVM quotes NSO data which shows that during October this year, persons seeking work were 984, 270 less than October of last year. The report also shows that unemployment marginally increased by 29 between September and October this year.
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New building regularisation could allow abuse – architects
The recently-announced building regularisation scheme could allow abuse and is morally dubious, the Chamber of Architects has warned. The Chamber argued that the proposed changes to a scheme which regularises building infringements should not sanction illegal parts of buildings which overlap development zones. While recognising cases of properties built within the development scheme having parts of their site boundaries located within ODZ and which have so far been ineligible for regularisation, the Chamber said it is essential to avoid creating regulations that are open to abuse. (Times of Malta)
Malta tops antibiotics use list
Malta has registered the highest proportion of respondents in the EU, who reported taking antibiotics in the previous 12 months, a Eurobarometer survey reveals. On the other hand, the survey shows a significant improvement in the proportion of Maltese who correctly replied that antibiotics are ineffective against cold and in those who believe antibiotics are ineffective against a virus, a reflection of the impact of health information campaigns on anti-microbial resistance. The proportion of respondents who took antibiotics is the highest in Malta (42%) and the lowest in Sweden and Germany (both 15%), Poland (16%) and the Netherlands and Denmark (both 18%). (Maltatoday)
BCRS scheme says one million containers collected in first week
One million containers were collected in the first week since the refund scheme for beverage containers was launched. This was announced by the BCRS (Beverages Container Refund Scheme) Limited, which is responsible for the scheme. BCRS said that over the next few days they will be installing more Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in certain areas. (TVM)
Morning Briefing
Labour means failed reforms – PN’s Bernard Grech
Labour is equivalent to failed reforms, PN leader Bernard Grech argued on Sunday. Speaking on NET, Grech said the cannabis law “once again proved the PN was right” as it failed months after being introduced. Listing a series of reforms carried out in recent months, including the cannabis, IVF, housing and farming reforms, Grech said that had it not been for the Opposition, some of the much-needed amendments to new laws would not be introduced. “The Labour Party wants to be known as the party of failed reforms. We were right and we will continue to be proven right,” he said. (Times of Malta)
We are catalysts for change – PM Robert Abela
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the Labour Party wants to continue as a party of social justice, with solid believes and implements reforms because it was always a catalyst for change. Addressing party delegates at the conclusion of the Annual General Conference, Dr Abela said that the party’s success depends on change and, therefore, he remarked that the confidence achieved in the last general election should lead to more changes. (TVM)
Govt in discussions to purchase kazini sites
The Maltese government is in discussions with the owners of formerly rent-controlled homes that house traditional festa band clubs, to acquire them in a bid to safeguard the historic seat of these village associations. Maltatoday reveals that landlords of the Sliema’s Stella Maris band club are requesting €1.8 million for the imposing house on Annunciation Square. Government negotiators are holding out on agreeing on such a hefty price tag, with the property’s leasehold yet to expire in 2026.
