Man compares driving a Vespa versus a car on Maltese roads

Sep 27 2022

A local guy by the name of Yanis Azzopardi decided to shed some light on the differences between driving a vespa and a car on Maltese roads.

Yanis, who typically drives a Vespa, was somewhat forced to undertake the experiment when it ‘decided to have a little break’ and needed fixing.

Turning to his car, he kept track of all the changes he experienced on the road, with the first being that he ‘easily spent an extra 7 hours travelling and looking for parking.’

‘7 hours that could have easily been enjoyed with the family, exercising, reading a book, working, meditating, and anything else your mind can think of.’

Yanis also noticed how his Vespa required sometimes less than €10 fuel per week, but had to spend around €45 per week on his Toyota IQ. ‘Now that back-to-school chaos has started, if you’re travelling solo, think of the possibility of barely ever having to be in traffic…’

‘Think about getting to work or anywhere else in 10-15 minutes’ said Yanis. ‘Long term solutions exist, but until we get there, two weeks all the way.’

He also put out a word of advice to other Vespa or motorcycle driver’s saying that ‘having two wheels doesn’t give you the right to drive like a maniac or overtake cars like there’s no tomorrow.

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Pro-choice activist swallows medical abortion pill during rally

Sep 27 2022

Activist and gynaecologist Isabel Stabile wanted to show the public how safe and effective medical abortion pills are – and she did so by swallowing one during last Sunday’s pro-choice rally.

Stabile explained the process of her ordering the pills online through Women on Web, and how safe the pills are for anyone making use of them. To elucidate the rest of the process, she was handed a bottle of water and went on to swallow the pill to the clapping and cheering of the crowd.

Stabile has been very vocal about the right to abortion and the need for Malta to remove the blanket ban which makes it the only EU country to have such a law in place.

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Her activism even landed her in unfortunate situations when in May of this year she was assaulted by a driver as she protested for the cause.

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5% of students feel Malta’s education system prepares them for everyday life

Sep 27 2022

As the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) launch their Education Reform Campaign, a new survey issued by the same organisation highlighted the sentiments by various groups towards Malta’s educational system.

In terms of student sentiments, KSU found that only 5% of student respondents felt that the Maltese education system prepares them for everyday life. Conversely, 99.9% expressed their wishes of being taught financial literacy coding and other non-traditional skills.

With 24% feeling that their method of assessment suits their course, KSU proposed that students are given a more flexible approach to education, allowing for ‘multiple areas of study combined with nontraditional skills that cater for different interests, capabilities and learning patterns.

Meanwhile, 90% of parents expressed that they would like to be more involved in their children’s education. 61% of parents are always home when their children return home from school, and 57% said that they would be interested in being involved on individual school boards.

KSU are advocating for the formalisation of Parent-Teacher partnerships which involve school bards allowing for representation of both educators and parents.

Taking a look at persons with disabilities involved in the education system, 16% of physically and/or mentally impaired respondents felt that they were catered for in their respective schools. 75% of respondents did not feel included within their schools.

And what about educators? 84% felt reform fatigue, with another 86% saying they are not satisfied with the system. A whopping 98% support more autonomy in some form, prompting KSU to advocate for a more competitive salary, a professional development grant, quality classrooms and fringe benefits.

The survey also found that 96% of respondents felt that the government is not doing enough to improve the education system. And finally, 85% of respondents agreed on having staff assisting school administrations to deal with school logistics.

You can read more about KSU proposals here.

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Campaign for new equipment could see cancer patients treated in Malta

Sep 27 2022

Pink Oct-Mov’22, the annual nationwide educational campaign could see some cancer patients getting their treatment in Malta instead of having to go abroad.

As the campaign educates, raises awareness and gathers funds, your generous offers could go into acquiring a Canon Aplio diagnostic ultrasound system, which provides ‘brachytherapy’.

Unfortunately, no such therapy is conducted in Malta and all patients have to travel to London to get such treatment. This does not come without its challenges, but The Marigold Foundation seeks to ease these troubles for already suffering individuals.

The team at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre are currently working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to bring brachytherapy to Malta in the next few years, so that patients no longer need to travel to the UK for this purpose.

The announcement of this mission came during a press conference held by The Marigold Foundation and presented by Michelle Muscat under the patronage of First Lady Mrs Miriam Vella.

As Pink October extends its awareness to not just breast cancer but also ovarian, cervical and male cancers, the acquisition of such an instrument could prove pivotal in saving travel costs, pressures and above all else, lives.

If you would like to support Pink Oct-Mov ’22 please visit the Pink Oct-Mov Facebook Page, Instagram or marigold.org.mt/pink.

To learn more on Pink Oct – Mov ’22’s events this month or donate on the numbers below:

SMS Donations 50619238 for €11.65

CALL Donations 51702052 €15 51802053 €25

MOBILE PAY number 99912373 for amounts up to €500

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