Updated 1715
Maltatoday reports that fresh NSO data has shown hat Malta’s annual inflation in January dropped to 6.8%, the third lowest in the EU. The NSO reported that the largest upward impact on annual inflation in January was measured in the Food and non-alcoholic beverages Index (+2.13 percentage points).
The Times of Malta says that a man was arrested after a string of hold-ups in Birkirkara this week.
Newsbook reports that Gozo Channel has announced that one of its four vessels, MV Ta’ Pinu, will be out of service due to repairs as of Monday 27 February 2023 until further notice.
TVM says that statistics issued by the National Statistics Office provided by Jobsplus shows that in January, the number of people who were registering for employment went down by 45, bringing it down to 1,072, when compared to the same time last year.
Updated 1230
Malta calls for immediate cessation of Russian aggression at UN
Malta has joined the majority of Western nations in demanding an immediate cessation of Russia’s war of aggression, calling on UN member states to support the resolution. “Halting this war is the only way forward. All UN member states must ponder the gravity of the current situation and what the result of not speaking out would be, when it comes to safeguarding a rules-based international order,” foreign minister Ian Borg told the UN assembly. Malta will continue to support all efforts by Ukraine and the international community to this end,” he added. (Maltatoday)
Abortion bill is damaging to Labour – former President
Former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has warned that plans to amend Malta’s abortion laws are “damaging” the Labour Party. Coleiro Preca, who is a member of the pro-life coalition, said that she has been contacted with people from the party who are “extremely worried” about the proposed changes. She insisted that recent amendment proposed by government goes against the social, ethical and moral order of the country. “This worries me,” the ex-president said, claiming her concerns are only amplified when party members tell her that the PL “can forget about us” if the amendment is to go through.
Traffic is increasing stress and anxiety – University study
The accelerating rates in car-use, congested roads, and traffic accidents in Malta is causing anger, anxiety, and fatigue a new study by the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta has shown. While 81.9% of respondents said that they own a car, a significant portion admitted that traffic and accidents are having an adverse effect on their wellbeing. Over 80% of respondents agreed that being stuck in traffic increases their anger, while almost 60% admitted that spending time in traffic has an effect on their mood for the rest of the day. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Court decision on Steward will not impact employees – Fearne
Health Minister Chris Fearne has insisted Steward hospital employees will not be affected by the court’s judgment on the concession agreement expected to be given on Friday. Referring to St Luke’s, Gozo and Karin Grech hospitals, which are run by Steward Healthcare, Fearne said that whatever happens, the “stellar service” offered by the hospitals will not be disturbed, and employees’ jobs will not be affected” Fearne said in parliament on Wednesday during question time. (Maltatoday)
Diver acquitted of charges related to buddy’s death
58-year-old Arthur Castillo has been acquitted of all guilt after having been found guilty in November of causing the death of Christine Gauci. Gauci, aged 35, had died when she was diving in Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo. The first Court had held Castillo responsible as the accused had assumed the victim could continue with her dive despite difficulties she encountered as soon as she dived in with the accused. However, the Court of Appeal, Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera presiding, declared the accused had neither been negligent in his actions or responsible for her. On these grounds, the Court acquitted him of all charges. (TVM)
Adrian Delia asks whether driving age should be raised
Shadow Transport Minister Adrian Delia asked whether young people should be given incentives not to start driving immediately they turn 18. He also questioned whether the time had come for the authorities to raise the minimum driving age to 21 and to start charging for on-street parking. During a Times of Malta conference on Reliable Public Transport, Minister Aaron Farrugia insisted that government was not planning to financially disincentivise car use. (Times of Malta)
