65 newly licensed motor vehicles per day from July to September

Oct 24 2022

According to data by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the stock of licensed motor vehicles increased by 3,322 in the third quarter of 2022 over the previous quarter.

At the end of September 2022, the stock of licensed motor vehicles stood at 422,576.

Out of this total, 74.9% were passenger cars, 13.6% were commercial motor vehicles, 10.3% were motorcycles/quadricycles/E-kick scooters and 1% were buses and mini-buses.

During the quarter under review, the stock of licensed motor vehicles increased at a net average rate of 36 motor vehicles per day. Newly licensed motor vehicles put on the road during the same period amounted to 6,013.

During the third quarter of 2022, 6,845 motor vehicles were taken off the road due to restrictions. Out of these, 35.7% were scrapped, 31.5% were resold, while 30.7% were garaged.

As at the end of September 2022, 248,505 motor vehicles (58.8%) of the total had petrol-powered engines. Diesel-powered motor vehicles reached 155,791 (36.9) of the total. Electric and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles accounted for 2.6% of the entire stock, with a total of 10,805 motor vehicles.

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Full statistics here.

Anti-cheating hats: students wearing creative hats during exams go viral

Oct 24 2022

Images of students wearing quirky anti-cheating hats during college exams in the Philippines have gone viral on social media.

Students at one college in Legazpi City were encouraged to create and wear headgear which would hinder their ability to take a quick peek at their classmate’s papers.

Taking up the challenge, many students turned up with hats made out of everything from cardboard boxes or recycled materials. Others showed up with motorcycle helmets or tissue rolls stuck to their glasses.

Their tutor, Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz, said that this was a fun way to also ensure integrity and honesty in her classes. Implemented for her mid-term exams, she was inspired by a similar technique used in Thailand.

In 2013, university students in Bangkok took tests while wearing ear flaps made out of sheets of paper stuck to the side of their head.

This Philippines class went the extra mile however, as students wore Halloween costumes and other weird headgear. One even created a mini lollipop shop through her hat. None were caught cheating, with the students found to be performing better overall.

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Malta’s Budget 2023 worries: Environment, Wages and Food Prices

Oct 24 2022

A survey recently issued by Malta Survey, powered by IDEA Group, highlighted the worries and concerns the Maltese population is projecting onto this year’s 2023 Budget. The survey immediately highlights how the public feels a significant need for wages to be reviewed and possibly bump it up to address the cost of living.

51.40% placed reviewing wages as their first priority, with 16.57% of this same group highlighting controlling food prices as their second priority.

Controlling food prices was placed in first priority by 18.81% of survey respondents, with 31.53% placing this same concern in second priority and making it the second largest concern.

Property prices came in third place, with 9.99% placing it as their first priority. This sector was given 3rd priority by 12.73% of respondents. Both of these come in socio-economic contexts of the energy crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war as well as many youth lamenting about the inability to acquire independence outside their family home.

This was all coupled with the local environment being the highest priority sector which needs immediate addressing. 33.58% placed the environment as their first priority, followed by health at 24.46% and education at 15.39%.

The survey also found that the environment was the first priority sector for all ages between the ages of 18 and 60. This comes as Finance Minister Clyde Caruana is expected the budget later today in Parliament.

Read the full survey here.

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Source: Malta Survey

Rishi Sunak set to become UK’s new prime minister as Boris drops out

Oct 24 2022

Rishi Sunak seems set to become the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after Liz Truss resigned and Boris Johnson u-turned his decision to run once again.

Johnson pulled out of the Conservative leadership run and left Sunak as the frontrunner ahead of Penny Mordaunt. The leadership party contest will close off at 1400hrs on Monday 24th October, with candidates required to have amassed the support of at least 100 Tory MPs.

Johnson opted out of the race after amassing a total public backing of 59 Tory MPs. Johnson also said that it wouldn’t be the right thing to do to return as UK leader despite his previous confidence of delivering a Tory victory in 2024.

Sunak praised Johnson for delivering Brexit and the vaccine rollout, saying that he led the country through some of the toughest challenges ever facd. ‘Although he has decided not to run for PM again, I truly hope he continues to contribute to public life at home and abroad’ he said.

By the end of yesterday, Sunak had over 165 supporters whereas Mordaunt amassed a mere 25. The supporters of the latter are still hopeful for her possible win however.

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