According to data released the National Statistics Office, inflation eased to 3% in February, primarily due to a slowdown in food inflation. In February, the annual inflation rate, as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), declined by 0.7 points compared to the previous month. The HICP serves as the standard measurement across the EU, facilitating comparisons of inflation among the 27 member states. Malta recorded an annual inflation rate of 0.4 percentage points higher than the 2.61% registered for the euro area in February.
Lilu King granted bail
Mohammed Elmushraty, the Libyan boxer known for his extravagant spending and whose lavish lifestyle came under scrutiny during criminal proceedings last year, has been granted bail following over nine months in preventive custody. Popularly referred to as “Lilu King,” Elmushraty faced charges including money laundering, tax evasion, participation in organized crime, breaching bail conditions, and driving without a license since May 2023. In January of this year, an additional charge of drug trafficking was added. He had been held in custody primarily due to concerns about his potential flight risk, given his international connections, and fears of tampering with civilian witnesses. (Maltatoday)
Women earn €158 less per month than men – LFS
According to the National Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, women earned €158 less per month than men on average. In 2023, the pay gap was almost the same as in 2022 but had decreased by €40 compared to 2021. Men generally outearned women in all job categories, although the difference varied. The narrowest gap was in clerical roles, with men earning €11 more. Managers had a €48 difference, while in technical roles, men also earned more. Professionals faced the widest gap, with men earning €309 more despite women comprising 51% of this sector. Lower-paying jobs like elementary work and service/sales showed significant disparities. Part-time work was more common among women, contributing to the gap. Inactive females often cited family responsibilities, unlike males who were mostly retired. (The Malta Independent)
