261 suicides in Malta between 2013 and 2022

May 25 2023

Speaking in parliament, Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed that there were 261 suicides between 2013 and 2022 in Malta.

Providing a table with the total amount, Fearne revealed that 26 individuals below age 25 took their own lives over 10 years.

Meanwhile, the age group of 25 and 34 saw 48 instances whereas the age group between 35 and 44 saw 58.

The 45 and 54 age group saw 50 instances, the 55 and 64 age group saw 46, the 65 and 74 age group saw 17 individuals and those aged over 75 saw 16 individuals.

34 suicides were recorded in 2015 and 2021, followed by 32 suicides in 2014. The year 2019 registered the lowest amount with 21 cases.

If you, or someone you know, require professional help related to mental health, please contact either 179 or 1770 or Kellimni.com.

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Massive jellyfish army floods San Tumas Bay

May 25 2023

A video and images shared by Facebook user Lino Axiak show a massive amount of purple jellyfish having flooded parts of San Tumas Bay.

The video was shared with audiences yesterday, racking up several reactions by locals awaiting for their time to jump into the water.

Many grew concerned about the amount of jellyfish spotted around the islands, saying that it could mean that summer 2023 might mean lots of stings and less swimming.

MaltaDaily had spoken to marine biologist Alan Deidun, who said that we should expect lower levels of stinging jellyfish as we get deeper into summer.

Deidun explained how winter of the previous year was more intense, with more rain and cold. This meant that the jellyfish hatched later and thus flooded the beaches during the summer.

Despite being slightly early to tell, this year indicates that jellyfish are already among us and could therefore not be present during summer 2023. This does not mean there won’t be any jellyfish, but a lesser amount can be expected Deidun explained.

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Man arrested for stealing Lot 61 donation box

May 25 2023

Police investigations led to an arrest of a 35-year-old man a few hours after he allegedly stole a donation box from a Valletta coffee shop.

Prior to the arrest, Lot 61 Coffee Roasters MT took to social media to warn Valletta businesses of the thief.

‘If anyone knows him please let us know. He just stole our donation box’ wrote the coffee outlet, attaching images of the man in question via CCTV cameras.

The man was arrested at around 2000hrs and is to be taken to court at around 1200hrs today, Thursday 25th May.

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700 disability advocates call on the EU to ensure “Nothing about them without them”

May 25 2023

The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability (MFOPD) made a significant impact at the 5th European Parliament of Persons with Disability.

The event, which took place in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels, brought together 600 disability advocates from across the European Union to discuss the advancement of disability rights within the EU.

During the event, Gayle Mugliette represented MFOPD and delivered a powerful speech. She shared her positive personal experience of being supported by a Personal Assistant and expressed her hope that all individuals with disabilities would have access to such assistance without encountering any obstacles. She also highlighted a concerning issue in Malta: some persons with disabilities are still unable to exercise their right to vote in secrecy.

The European Parliament of Persons with Disability marked a significant milestone with the adoption of the European Disability Forum’s Manifesto on the 2024 European Elections.

This manifesto serves as a roadmap for the European Disability Forum’s campaign for next year’s elections and emphasises the movement’s demands to be fully involved in the political process.

Key elements of the manifesto include ensuring the right to vote and stand as candidates for persons with disabilities in European elections, the establishment of strong services focusing on disability rights within EU institutions, the creation of a new European agency for accessibility, the adoption of an EU-wide Disability Card for mutual recognition of disability status, and the introduction of legislation to guarantee the availability and affordability of assistive technologies.

Additionally, the manifesto emphasises the need for further protection of women and girls with disabilities, support for Ukrainians with disabilities, and the inclusion of disability considerations in the EU’s budget, green transition, and digital transformation.

The participation of the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability at this event reflects their dedication to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities at both the national and European levels.

Photo Source: EDF / MOFPD

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