Father of late Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu to sue state over inhuman prison treatment

Sep 19 2021

Following the tragic passing of young inmate Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu, her father Martin is set to initiate legal proceedings in the constitutional court this week. Kim died after a suicide attempt at the Corradino Correctional Facility, and her father is claiming his daughter was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment while serving her sentence. Kim was found unconscious in her cell on the 16th of June and died on the 4th the following month. This occurred after 3 weeks in intensive care, with her funeral being held on August 31st, which was her 30th birthday.

The father is holding the State Advocate, CCF director Alex Dalli and others possibly involved in his daughter’s death responsible for their actions, or rather omissions, which led her to attempt to take her own life. The attempt occurred just three weeks prior to Kim being due for release. The case will be filed by the family lawyers Rachel Tua and Edmond Cuschieri. The police are also starting a criminal action against two warders identified as the ones who should answer criminally for their involvement in Kim’s death. Her father broke the silence in a Times of Malta interview, saying that her time in prison pushed her to the brink and shredded her to bits. Her telling the warders she felt suicidal was also ignored by warders.

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Pharmacies could stay open into afternoons on Sundays

Sep 19 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne issued a statement on social media revealing that advanced discussions are currently underway concerning the openings of pharmacies. The minister revealed that pharmacies could be extending their opening hours to beyond the afternoon so as to provide more services and service hours to whoever may need them.

So far, no more additional information has been revealed, but the cry of many people who have requested such a concept, mostly due to being in need of urgent medicines, has been heard. This is a developing story and further updates will be issued by the authorities.

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Labour boasts 56% of popular support against PN’s 42%

Sep 19 2021

A recent survey carried out by statistician Vince Marmara has shown that the Labour Party boasts a 55.9% of popular vote, whereas the Nationalist Party trails behind with 42%. Marmara published the results to his Facebook page, revealing that he used the Multiple Imputation Technique in carrying out the scientific survey. Compared to the results of the last election, this new survey highlights how the Labour party has gained 0.9% votes, with the Opposition losing a much more significant 1.3%. APPD and other alternative parties registered an increase of 0.4%.

Marmara revealed that the survey was conducted between the 25h of June and the 1st of July with a sample of 830 persons. The confidence level of the survey racks up at around 95%, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%. According to other results of the survey, published on ‘it-Torca’, showed that current Prime Minister Robert Abela enjoys 51% of the trust of those interviewed. Bernard Grech falls behind at 32.5%. What do you make of this study?

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Drug tests being scrapped due to employee shortages

Sep 19 2021

In what seems to be a massive cultural shift, around 4,050 employers from around 43 countries are starting to look past the recreational use of drugs in order to fill vacant positions. A survey conducted by staffing firm Manpower Group suggested that around 9% of more than 45,000 employers were making away with drug tests or job screenings as an incentive to, reportedly, ‘attract and retain in-demand talent.’ It does seem that cannabis is the main, if not only, drug having its tests ignored due to its specific therapeutic usages but also massive movements vouching for its decriminalisation.

The model may be something Malta may have to consider come the near future as, according to a Times of Malta report on the 5th of July of this year, three fourths of businesses were struggling to find staff. A whopping 77% of businesses were finding it difficult to find workers of varying skills required for specific jobs, with the pandemic skyrocketing such issues for employers. With the advent of the cannabis White Paper, the island may see a bit of a shake up and easing when it comes to recreational drug use. It seems as though the world is aiming towards such a lifestyle, and maybe Malta should do some catching up.

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