Updated 1430 – Power outages cost economy €200 million – PN
According to the Nationalist Party, the frequent power outages experienced in recent days have resulted in an estimated cost of approximately €200 million for the country. Jerome Caruana Cilia, the PN’s finance spokesperson, revealed that this figure was calculated in collaboration with Ivan Bartolo, the party’s economy spokesperson, and a team of experts. The calculations were based on publicly available data and information gathered from the public. During a press conference, Caruana Cilia emphasized that the impact of these power cuts was particularly severe for small and medium-sized businesses, causing significant disruption in an unprecedented situation. The PN said that it employed the same formula used by the Labour Party 14 years ago when they were in opposition. The Labour Party had conducted a similar exercise following a previous power outage to assess the economic implications of the situation.
Updated 1230
Mater Dei to postpone non-urgent operations
In response to a surge in admissions at the emergency ward caused by the ongoing heat wave in the country, the Mater Dei Hospital administration has taken the decision to postpone several non-urgent operations. The health ministry explained that the recent influx of admissions was a direct result of the heat wave affecting the country in the past few days. In order to prioritize the highest level of care for all patients, the Hospital Administration has made the decision to reschedule some elective and non-urgent surgeries that were initially planned for tomorrow and the upcoming days, as announced by the ministry. (Maltatoday)
PM highlights investments in electricity supply
During an interview on ONE Radio, Prime Minister Robert Abela acknowledged the challenging situation the country is currently facing, affecting both residents and businesses. Addressing the record demand of 663MW for electricity, Dr. Abela emphasized the significance of past investments in the country’s electricity supply. He cited projects such as the new power station and the interconnector, which have strengthened the capacity to meet the growing electricity demands. Abela expressed sensitivity towards Enemalta workers who are tirelessly working to resolve the issues. Additionally, he highlighted several initiatives, including a respite service for the elderly, that the Government has taken to support those impacted. (TVM)
Met Office downgrades warning to yellow
The Met Office has revised its weather warning from red to yellow as Northwesterly winds bring cooler temperatures to the islands. This change in weather is resulting in temperatures returning closer to the July average, with maximum temperatures expected to range from 30°C to 34°C until 1st August, and minimum temperatures around 26°C. In retrospect, the Met Office attributed the heatwave to relatively weak atmospheric conditions stretching from the Sahara to the Central Mediterranean. The islands experienced weak winds that prevented these conditions from dissipating, leading to a build-up of air temperature. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Sofia magisterial inquiry findings show long list of failures
The Prime Minister has released the findings of the magisterial inquiry into the tragic death of Jean Paul Sofia in Kordin on 3rd December. As a result of the inquiry, the magistrate has recommended initiating criminal proceedings against architect Adriana Zammit, Matthew Schembri, Kurt Buhagiar, Milomir Jovicevic, and Dijana Jovicevic. Witness testimony “paints a picture of construction sector dilettantism that does not reflect how serious and dangerous site work is,” the court-appointed expert noted. Also, the Magistrate notes that the report does not look into administrative failures, suggesting that there are other legal avenues to address institutional failure. (Maltatoday)
PN presents no-confidence motion in Energy Minister
The Nationalist Party has presented a motion of no confidence in energy minister Miriam Dalli as it continues to insist that Parliament should be convened with urgency to discuss the ongoing energy crisis. “Since Miriam Dalli has proven unable to properly address the shortcomings that she herself caused, her position is no longer tenable, and thus the Nationalist Party is demanding that Parliament discuss this motion with immediate effect,” the Opposition party said. It also lamentedd that PM Robert Abela has been refusing the request for an urgent parliamentary sitting – Parliament is currently in recess until October – and dismissed it as a political gimmick. (Newsbook)
University gets high ranking for gaming research
A ranking of universities and institutions based on their publishing activity within the technical field of games placed the University of Malta in fifth position. The ranking, conducted by Mark J. Nelson, an Assistant Professor at an American University, assesses the top 100 institutions for their publishing activity in the past decade, specifically focusing on technical aspects related to games and interactive media. This encompasses research areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and graphics. (Times of Malta)
