Midday Update
ADPD states that energy security is under threat
Carmel Cacopardo said that during severe storms it is inevitable that the LNG tanker is put out of action, the consequences of not doing so could be catastrophic. Cacopardo said that unfortunately both Labour and PN governments have always sought to reduce Malta’s renewable energy targets to risible levels. We need more ambitious targets than that! Achieving a 50 per cent target for renewable energy generation over a ten-year timeframe would be more suitable to our needs and requirements. Without ambitious targets we will never achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality objective, concluded Cacopardo. (Malta Independent)
Pro-Life coalition questions who is government consulting with
The pro-life coalition Int Tista’ Ssalvani, the group of 80 experts and supported actively by over 25,000 petitioners, are being ignored. In a statement on Saturday, the pro-life coalition referred to media reports of comments made by health minister Chris Fearne on Friday, in which he said that the government will be holding meetings on the abortion bill with a “wide array” of stakeholders till next week or the following. “To date it appears that Government is only wanting to listen to the pro-abortion lobby, whilst ignoring completely the coalition Int Tista’ Ssalvani and the group of 80 experts supported by over 25,000 petitioners,” the statement reads. (Newsbook)
McKay defends ‘harm reduction’ cannabis reform
Head of the Cannabis Authority Lenoid McKay defended the responsible use of cannabis legislation reform, saying it tasked with harm reduction and discouraged commercialisation of the substance.McKay also emphasised that the associations would be Non-Profit Organisations. He said that the authority would make sure that their CEOs would not be paid exorbitant wages through legislation that took into consideration the market wages at the time. (MaltaToday)
PBS’s state control getting worse – Bernard Grech
PN leader Bernard Grech on Saturday pledged to continue pursuing all possible legal avenues to battle the “democratic deficit” caused by the government’s takeover of the national television station. “PN will take all action possible because we cannot allow that the country continues with this democratic deficit,” he said in a telephone interview on NET FM on Saturday. (Times of Malta)
Carnival underway
During the next five days, Malta’s towns and villages will be in colourful celebration mode – carnival floats and costumes are not in short supply and artistic abilities are on display. This morning children’s carnival is celebrated in St. George Square with the participation of dance schools as well as a parade that passes through Republic Street. (TVM)
Former Air Malta employees stuck in Jobsplus limbo
The Times reports that several Air Malta workers who opted to take the voluntary early retirement schemes and left the airline in November are still unexplainably registered with Jobsplus as employees. Consequently, many of them are considered ineligible for social benefits and struggling to find other jobs.
Parks Malta to be amalgamated in Project Green agency
The agency tasked with the upkeep of national parks and other public spaces is to be amalgamated into the new Project Green agency. A spokesperson for the Environment Ministry confirmed the change, saying all workers have been informed and will be retained on Project Green’s books. (Times of Malta)
Cocaine addiction on the rise
A newly released government drug report has shown that people have entered rehab for cocaine use is on the rise, while the number of people being treated for heroin has gone down. Heroin still remained the most prevalent drug among those in treatment, with half of the 1990 people in rehabilitation in 2021 primarily dependent on the drug. The figures emerge from the Annual National Report on the Drug Situation in Malta for the year 2021 was published on Friday by social policy minister Michael Falzon. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
HSBC backtracks on decision to double minimum loan down payment
HSBC Malta has seemingly taken a step back on a decision to double its minimum down payment requirement for home loans. After intense social media backlash, the bank issued a statement to the Malta Stock Exchange on Friday afternoon assuring investors that it “continues to offer home loans in line with its proposition up to a maximum of 90 per cent loan-to-value, while continuing to align to its risk appetite and credit criteria”. HSBC said its website was being “updated to that effect”. Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta and APS Bank said that they have no intentions to change any features. (Times of Malta / Maltatoday)
Mellieħa incident leaves two hospitalised
Two persons have been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital after a Land Rover turned over at Għadira. The accident occurred close to the roundabout on the way to Mellieħa or the bypass, at about 6.00 p.m. Both driver and passenger have been hospitalised. No other cars were involved in the incident. (TVM)
16 persons lost their lives at work in 2022
A total of 16 workers lost their lives while carrying out their job last year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). In contrast, there were nine fatal accidents at work during the previous 12 months. Moreover, in 2022, 852 non-fatal accidents per 100,000 employed persons were reported. (Newsbook)
