Maltese couple teams up for Malta in Brussels

Dec 2 2022

MEP Cyrus Engerer and MP Randolph De Battista took part in discussions held at the European Parliament in Belgium.

This was the first time that the Maltese couple sat on the seats of the same parliament.

De Battista was representing the Maltese Parliament whilst Engerer represented the European Parliament during discussions about rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights.

Posting on social media, MEP Cyrus Engerer shared an interesting fact: “I know of 4 different couples where one person is an MEP and the other in the national parliament or senate.”

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51 recruits successfully complete basic military training

Dec 1 2022

Fifty-one recruits from intake 221 have successfully completed their basic military training.

After the selection process, 68 recruits enlisted and began the necessary training on July 18th 2022. During this period, the recruits were exposed to military life, where they were trained in various fields such as physical training, training in the use of weapons, in drill and other military subjects. By the end of this training, 51 recruits completed their training successfully.

In line with military tradition, this occasion is celebrated with a Passing Out Parade. This is a day that marks their change from a recruit to a soldier in front of distinguished guests and family. During this parade, inside the barracks of Ħal Luqa, the recruits formed in their respective squads, and together with their instructors and Training School personnel, saluted and performed a march-past in slow and quick time in honour of the dignitaries present.

These soldiers will now be posted to the various units of the AFM according to the exigencies of the Service whether on land, at sea or in the air.

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20.3% of Maltese population at risk of poverty and social exclusion

Dec 1 2022

According to the National Statistics Office, the at risk of poverty or social exclusion rate in 2021 was estimated at 20.3% of the population living in private households.

Persons are considered to be at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion if they are in at least one of the following states: at-risk-of-poverty, severely materially and socially deprived, or living in households with very low-work-intensity.

This was estimated to be around 20.3%, or 103,329, of the population living in private households.

This year, the at risk of poverty threshold was calculated at €10,222. Out of the population living in private households, 16.9% were estimated to be at risk of poverty, remaining unchanged from the previous year.

This is equivalent to around 85,754. The relative median at risk of poverty gap is an indicator which measures the extent to which the income of those persons who are at-risk-of-poverty falls below the at-risk-ofpoverty threshold. In 2021, this was estimated at 18.3 per cent, an increase of 2.3 percentage points, when compared with a year earlier.

In 2021, 27,334 persons, equivalent to 5.4 per cent of the population living in private households, were estimated to fall in the category of being materially and socially deprived.

These cannot afford at least 5 deprivation items. 9.8% of the population, an increase of 0.4%, were socially and materially deprived persons.

Full report by NSO here.

Adrian Delia appeals to President Vella to ‘follow his conscience’ on abortion signature

Dec 1 2022

Nationalist MP and former PN leader Adrian Delia has issued an open letter to President of Malta George Vella to ‘follow his conscience’ and not give into the choices which will make him ‘an accomplice to shortcomings’.

“As a doctor who swore to save lives, as President of the Republic, as a trustee of the constitution, stay strong, do not fear, do not follow anyone and anything and do not abdicate from your noble responsibility.”

Delia also stated that, speaking for himself and many of his colleagues, Vella’s stance on abortion is why they were in agreement on Vella’s pledge to be nominated as President, which was unanimously approved by Parliament.

Earlier today, Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech described this law as ‘the law that opens wide – not just slams the door to abortion’ calling on the government to change its mind.

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