Youth and Government come together to discuss the property market

Jul 8 2022

Held by the Ministry for Social and Affordable Accommodation, the first ‘Youths in Housing’ conference was held to give youth the space to voice their concerns about the reality they are experiencing in the property market.

In association with the ‘Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ’ (KNZ), the conference initiated discussions based on various studies which were presented by several experts on the subject.

Speaking at the conference, Minister for Accommodation Roderick Galdes said that it is crucial to maintain an ongoing conversation with Malta’s youth so that the island’s politics can truly address their challenges.

‘We have been closely monitoring the figures and conducting studies to understand the challenges that be when it comes to affordability in the past couple of months’ said Galdes.

He highlighted how, following up on last years’ schemes to give homes to whoever it may be, the programmes will continue and take a particular focus on Malta’s youth.

The Minister explained that in the past few years there has been collaboration between the government and the local banks and pointed to the fact that the majority of bank clients have changed from couples to singles. Many of these are approaching banks to become owners of their own homes and the age of these individuals is averaging at around 30 years.

Speaking at the conference, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasised the importance of ‘Youth in Housing’ as it can help the government truly understand what the youth are experiencing on the market.

‘The wish of many youths is that, one day, they can achieve a level of independence and have their own home. We have all undergone such sacrifices’ he said, and it is a journey which continues to change depending on the realities of today.

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Apple is expected to increase iPhone 14 prices drastically

Jul 8 2022

Even though the excitement for the iPhone 14 has been mounting alongside the leaks, fears have also started to rise as people fear Apple could hike up prices significantly.

And, unfortunately for the speculators, these fears have been intensified by new leaked information. Popular industry insider @TheGalox_ published a breakdown of the specifics and their costs – $1099 and $1199.

The prices on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max represent a $100 increase on the iPhone 13 Pro ($999) and iPhone 13 Pro Max ($1099) respectively.

They will be tallying with the higher iPhone 14 Pro prices which were first revealed by LeaksApplePro in January, with a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirming that the new iPhone 14 Max will be $200-$300 more expensive than the iPhone 13 Mini.

Should the rumours prove correct, it will be the first time since 2018 that Apple increased the price of its iPhone Pro tier as well as the first time the company launched three iPhones at higher price points than predecessors.

All this being said, with the two models looking almost indistinguishable from each other, a price raise would prove a hard sell. Especially considering that the iPhone 13 is likely to stick around at a reduced price after 14’s launch.

#MaltaDaily

New barn owl hatchlings born as species returns to Maltese islands

Jul 8 2022

In new fascinating footage captured mere hours after the birth, new barn owls were successfully hatched by the FKNK as they work to reintroduce the species on the island.

These barn owl hatchlings will begin their process at 46 days old of being trained to be returned to the wild and thus survive in their natural element.

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Despite not yet being able to fly, the owls will reside in a big ‘hacking box’ on the roof of a farm in Buskett. They will start to adapt to the surrounding environment and will start to explore the territory when they learn to fly.

The FKNK said that they will continue to provide them with food and other important care until they learn to hunt on their own and become independent.

Learn more about the process of reintegrating the species here.

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Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shot and in critical condition

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo shot and in critical condition

Jul 8 2022

Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe is currently in critical condition and at risk of dying after being shot in the street, in broad daylight, whilst making a campaign speech in Nara.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated in a press conference on Friday that Abe is receiving emergency treatment at the Nara Medical University hospital.

Kishida described this as an ‘unforgivable act’ and said that they will comprehend the situation and take appropriate measures.

Abe’s younger brother, who is Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, told reporters Abe was receiving a blood transfusion, and an official from the Nara City Fire Department confirmed to CNN that Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest – which describes a sudden loss of heart function and breathing.

Abe is the former Liberal Democratic Party leader as well as Japan’s longest serving prime minister. He held office from 2006 to 2007 and then gain from 2012 to 2020, before resigning due to health reasons.

He still remained in the public eye after stepping down to discuss current affairs. Following the shooting, the former PM was rushed to hospital via helicopter and he is believed to have been shot twice, in the chest and neck.

A suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. The 40-year-old suspect used a handmade gun in the attack, but the motive remains unclear.

UPDATE: the former prime minister of Japan has passed away due to the injuries suffered after he was shot. Doctors spent four and a half hours trying to save him but have since announced that Abe bled to death.

No vital signs were detected by the time he had arrived at the hospital. The former Japanese prime minister suffered wounds to the right side of his neck and to the left collarbone, before being rushed to hospital where he received a blood transfusion.

#MaltaDaily