Weekly News highlights

National Audit Office head Joseph Galea last week said that "there are over Lm500 million in arrears" muddying the true picture of government finances.

"Much of the income tax, for example, will never be collected as it included ex offcio assessments, which were incorrect and need to be adjusted. There are arrears that have to be written off as bad debts in respect of companies that have wound up."

Hunger striker taken to hospital

An illegal immigrant detained at Ta' Kandia, one of a group of hunger strikers in three detention centres including Safi and Hal Far, was hospitalised on Sunday because of his condition. The strike started on February 23, in protest at the overlong period they have been in detention. Some 80 migrants were on hunger strike, having been held for around 18 months.

Most of the migrants called off the hunger strike on Monday following a visit by Peace Lab director Fr Dionysius Mintoff. The 30 migrants at Hal Far, however, refused to call off the hunger strike, even after Fr Mintoff's visit on Tuesday.

Another two detainees in the group held at Hal Far, who joined the protests on February 26, were hospitalised on Wednesday. One of these returned to the detention centre on Thursday, having only accepted a drip at hospital. Also on Thursday, another two hunger strikers were hospitalised having to receive medical attention.

Start of tourism recovery expected

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said on Sunday that 14 airlines would start operating or increase their flight frequency over the coming months.

He said that the number of tourist arrivals in January was marginally higher than in the same month last year, and the planned increase in air capacity appeared to confirm projections that tourism to Malta would start recovering this year.

MUSEUM treasurer faces misappropriation charges

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro ruled on Monday that there were enough reasons for the indictment of the treasurer of the MUSEUM, Manueli Catania, who is charged with the misappropriation of over Lm400,000.

Investigations revealed that Catania had loaned Lm50,000 from the MUSEUM's funds to Kevin Zammit against interest. Further investigations showed that Catania had lent Zammit over Lm400,000.

Works begin on Malta's first official campsite

The ground at Dahlet ix-Xmajjar, near Armier, is being levelled to make way for the construction of facilities for the first official local campsite. Developer Silvio Abela said the campsite would include all the usual facilities including toilets, showers and a launderette. It would also have an administration building, sports facilities and recreational areas, while the surrounding area would be landscaped.

Colon cancer on the rise

Colon cancer cases in Malta are rising, with 150 to 160 new cases a year, although related deaths have dropped from 89 in 1996 to 72 in 2000.

While awareness has improved, much remains to be done to persuade people to undergo screening tests, which could save their lives.

Major review of Matsec exam launched

Education Minister Louis Galea on Wednesday launched a major review of the Matsec examinations, saying one of his aims was to have all students leave school with some kind of certification under their belts.

Annually about a thousand fifth-formers do not sit for SEC exams, ending 11 years of schooling with nothing to show.

Flood relief works in Qormi, Burmarrad

An extensive project to avoid a repetition of the damage caused by September's flooding is being undertaken at Qormi and Burmarrad, with works including cleaning of the valleys in the area to improve waterflow, as well as the modification or removal of certain buildings, as well as the construction of bridges.

Over 1,400 jobs lost in manufacturing

Registered unemployed in October 2003 amounted to 8,249 people, or 5.7 per cent, compared with 5.3 per cent in October 2002. Full-time gainfully occupied dropped by 737 over the same period.

Whereas the labour supply increased by 344 people between September and October 2003, this was still a decrease of 179 for the 12 months to October 2003.

October 2003 revealed a drop in employment in manufacturing of 1,406 jobs over the previous 12 months.