Prime Minister pledges to keep bread and energy prices controlled

Mar 18 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed that the government is holding talks with wheat importers to keep the price of bread under control.

Speaking to the Malta Independent, the PM said that the government is monitoring the situation with regards to several commodities, from bread to oil and fuel and energy. He reiterated that the government anticipated the impact of the Ukrainian war when it came to the price of wheat and cereals.

Given that both Russia and Ukraine are among the main producers of these products, the PM sad that the government has met importers to find solutions. Abela said that the government always pledged to remain close to the people since the pandemic hit and that it will continue to do so in the wake of current situations.

He said the same when it came to energy prices as the Electro-gas hedging agreement comes to an end in April.

‘We gave a clear guarantee in March 2020 that prices would remain stable and I will keep on pledging it now and in future. The prices of electricity, petrol, diesel and LPG will remain stable – meaning they will not rise’ he said.

When asked about whether there was a new hedging agreement, the PM evaded the question and insisted that prices would remain stable. Malta has a fixed price agreement with power stations and LNG terminal operator Electrogas, whose partners include the Azerbaijani state-owned SOCAR trading. The experts comes at a date when the international prices of oil and gas spiked due to the invasion of Ukraine.

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COVID measures not eased due to election says Chris Fearne

Mar 18 2022

Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Friday that no COVID measures were relaxed due to the upcoming election.

When asked whether he ruled out re-introducing measures after the election, Fearne said that they were always introduced according to the epidemiological need. ‘Science evolves and we evolve with it’ said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also highlighted how despite there being a spike in cases, the numbers in hospital and the ITU remained low, saying that this was always the main criteria when introducing measures.

Fearne also gave his thoughts as to why the number of infections was increasing. The minister pin-pointed three variables – increased social mobility, a colder than usual March and the spread of the weaker Omicron ‘Stealth’ BA2 variant.

Fearne emphasised that the roadmap remains in place but that one should always remain cautious. Addressing questions about travel restrictions, Fearne hints at an EU meeting which could rule that people can enter Malta with just a negative PCR test even if not fully vaccinated.

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Two new heated pools inaugurated in St Paul’s Bay

Mar 18 2022

Two new outdoor heated swimming pools have just been inaugurated in St Paul’s Bay by Sport and Education Minister Clifton Grima.

This is the first phase of a major project undertaken by the Sirens Aquatic Club. The club had an outdoor swimming pool in the open sea which, in rough weather, would see the pool being unavailable for use and even damaged.

The newly inaugurated facilities will be serving as a regional centre for swimming in the north of Malta. Work is currently ongoing on another indoor swimming pool and gym.

The new pools are designed for use by both adults and children, and will be used for various sports such as waterpolo and even synchronised swimming. With pools filled with fresh water at a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, this new building of pools is part of the first phase of the Sirens Club project. It includes the construction of a storm shelter and a watertight reservoir.

The first phase of the project alone costs €3.5 million. Of these, more than €2 million were channeled by the Planning Authority. Work on the second phase has begun and consists of building an indoor swimming pool and gym.

The Minister described the project as a dream come true for this community. Chef Executive of Sport Malta Mark Cutajar made reference to other swimming pool projects being carried out in Cottonera and Gozo said that in both cases the works were at an advanced stage.

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The Sovereign Art Foundation’s grand finale is here – and you can vote!

Mar 18 2022

The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize Malta and Gozo 2022 has just unveiled its finalist’s exhibitions – and you’re invited to vote to choose the winner.

The exhibition presents the finalists of the SAFSP Malta and Gozo 2022, which will recognise and reward some of the most talented secondary students on the island.

With a jury comprised of International experts who will select one finalist to be award the Judge’s Prize, the public are also invited to cast a vote. Whoever emerges victorious will win the Public Vote Prize, each with its own monetary reward.

Winning students receive cash prizes and trophies, while the school art departments will be receiving cash grants to be used for the wider benefit of all students and their creative pursuits.

For the Judge’s Prize, the student wins €500 and the school is awarded €1,500. When it comes to the Public Vote Prize, students are awarded €300 whereas the school is awarded €800.

The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) was founded in 2003 to recognise, support and promote contemporary art talent; and to bring the therapeutic benefits of art to disadvantaged children. They run contemporary art prizes for professional artists and students of art, the most established being The Sovereign Asian Art Prize – the most prestigious art award in Asia-Pacific.

Established in 2017, The SAF Student Prize Malta & Gozo has welcomed art pieces from multiple schools on the islands, with the strong belief that Art plays a vital role in fostering creativity and building confidence in young adults. The Foundation aims to use the prize to encourage artistic talent and showcase the efforts of those talented students across the country while providing a forum to promote Art and creativity in schools.

The finalists Exhibitions will be held in March, and you can vote for your favourite piece here.

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Photo Source: Sovereign Art Foundation Website