Queen Elizabeth funeral & mourning cost UK government £162 million

May 20 2023

The Treasury has revealed that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and events during the 10 days of mourning have cost the UK government around £162 million.

With the state funeral on the 19th of September, 2022, being held 11 days after the monarch’s death, the Home Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport spent £74 million and £57 million respectively.

Thousands of people visited Westminster Abbey where the Queen was laid in state.

Chief secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said that the government’s priority at that time was making sure that the events ran smoothly and with a level of dignity, whilst ensuring the safety of the public.

A revelation of the costs shows the following costs:

Department for Culture, Media & Sport – £57.42m
Department for Transport – £2.565m
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – £2.096m
Home Office – £73.68m
Ministry of Defence – £2.890m
Northern Ireland Office – £2.134m
Scottish Government – £18.756m
Welsh Government – £2.202m

Thousands of people lined up, including David Beckham, to pay their respects, with world leaders also flying from all over the world after the announcement of the longest serving monarch in history’s death was announced.

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Godfried Narh Okunor wins best bus driver for 4th consecutive quarter

May 20 2023

The Malta Public Transport ‘Tallinja’ ‘Efficient Driving Awards were held this week to reward the drivers for their work during the 1st Quarter of 2023.

Once again, bus driver Godfried Narh Okunor managed to place 1st for the fourth consecutive quarter – a remarkable feat considering that Tallinja employs around 900 bus drivers.

Narh Okuyor was awarded in the presence of Malta Public Transport officials and colleagues, along with his co-workers who were also rewarded for their continuous service all over the islands.

Godfried has managed to rank first for three consecutive terms, with trips assessed in real time through driver assistive technology.

Tallinja congratulated all the bus drivers for ‘going that extra mile to deliver a cleaner, safer and more comfortable service to bus passengers. Well done to everyone!’.

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€5 million for home facade restorations by Planning Authority

May 20 2023

The Planning Authority has revealed that a €5 million financial aid scheme for property owners will be allocated to restore the facades of local homes.

The scheme was announced by the Minister for Planning and Public Works Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi alongside the Planning Authority’s Executive Chairman Oliver Magri.

Residents who own properties in any Maltese or Gozitan locality which fall under the Urban Conservation Areas, will be able to restore their property facades and receive a 100% refund of the works up to a maximum of €11,000.

The scheme will also be applicable for buildings scheduled in the First or Second Grade, with a maximum of €16,000. Part of the refund will include up to €800 for eligible professional services and €200 for local council permits.

€4 million will be go to residential properties in UCA areas whereas €1 million will go to scheduled residential properties. Buildings who have already benefitted from the scheme will not be able to reapply.

The applications will be accepted between 30th May 2023 and 30th June 2023 for UCA residences. For scheduled properties, the time frame is listed as June 6th 2023 to July 6th 2023.

The Minister explained how this scheme will help homeowners renovate their homes whilst also preserving the beauty of Maltese architecture.

On his part, Magri said that since 2017, the Planning Authority has already allocated over €27 million, with 3,000 in UCA zones profiting off of the scheme.

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New York City is sinking due to weight of all the skyscrapers

May 20 2023

Newly released research has suggested that New York City is currently experiencing partial sinking due to the weight of its insane amount of skyscrapers and buildings.

The Big Apple’s flooding threat is being worsened as it subsides by approximately 1-2mm each year on average, according to researchers. Some areas are facing this risk at double the rate.

The sinking is made worse by the impact of rising sea levels which are accelerating at around twice the global average due to glacier meltdowns and global heating.

Since 1950, the water surrounding the city has risen by around 22cm, and researchers predict that major flooding could be exacerbated to four times more frequency by the end of the century.

The study was published in Earth’s Future journal, with researchers writing worryingly that a ‘deeply concentrated population of 8.4 million people faces varying degrees of hazard from inundation in New York City.’

This is a threat being faced by many other cities around the globe, the researchers write, but the sheer bulk of the city’s infrastructure is making matters worse for the US attraction.

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