Rita Azzopardi identified as woman who died after balcony collapse

Apr 5 2022

Rita Azzopardi, a mother and grandmother, was identified as the 75-year-old woman from Birzebbuga who died after the balcony she was in collapsed.

The 75-year-old woman, who was known for her humility and simple passion for staying at home, was deemed dead on the site when police convened.

Rita was reportedly washing the balcony when the balustrades gave way, leading to her falling around one storey. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway.

Rest in Peace Rita and condolences to all the family.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: ONE News

Russia threatens Wikipedia with huge fine over ‘misinformation’

Apr 4 2022

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on, Putin’s Russia is set to fine Wikipedia for more than $64,000 over what it deems to be ‘inaccurate information.’

Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, known as Roskomnadzor, announced late in March that it will fine the free online encyclopaedia 4 million rubles. This is due to its failure to delete false information after an article appeared on the site entitled ‘The Russian Invasion of Ukraine.’

The article cites sources and data from the United Nations and many Western media sources, listing injuries and fatalities from both sides. Just after the invasion was launched, Russia’s media watchdog ordered independent media to remove any reports describing the war effort as ‘invasion’, ‘assault’ or ‘declaration of war.’ Wikipedia has already received two warnings from the Russian media censorship agency.

Tweeting out today, Wikipedia said that ‘the English Wikipedia article about the invasion has been edited 5,200+ times by 863 volunteers, viewed over 12.1 million times and translated into 100 languages.’ The site has remained steadfast despite the accusations and threats, saying that Wikipedia is an important source or ‘reliable, factual information in this crisis. We will not back down in the face of efforts to censor and intimidate members of our movement.’

#MaltaDaily

Sale of pastizzi to rise by 10c as ingredient costs soar

Apr 4 2022

The price of the popular and traditional Maltese snack, the pastizzi, will be rising by around 10c in most outlets. This is due to the cost of ingredients soaring.

The snack will be going up to 50c from 40c in various outlets as producers blamed the price of raw materials shooting up.

Cheddar cheese rose form €2.90 per kilo to €5.15 in just three weeks. A pastizzeria owner told Times of Malta that it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation as supply is very limited.

The increases are not just on one ingredient, as sunflower oil, which previously cost €1.70 per litre has now doubled to around €3.80 in just two days.

Among the causes being identified are Brexit as well as the Ukraine war, which is being seen as the final straw. Consumers have thus far been understanding, said many owners, as almost literally everything that can be bought is increasing in price.

However, other pastizzeria owners said that some customers were complaining, despite still buying the products. Prices in margarine, eggs and even chicken breast have been noted.

A 10kg box of margarine almost doubled from €11 to €20 whereas a box of canned catering-size tuna went up from €46 to €56 in a week. Producers cannot forecast when the increases will stop, with many attempting to stock up in fear of more trying times.

#MaltaDaily

3,000 UK workers to trial four-day work week in largest pilot

Apr 4 2022

Well over 3,000 workers spread over 60 companies across Britain will be trialing a four-day working week. This could be the biggest pilot scheme to take place anywhere in the world.

Employees from a wide variety of businesses and charities are expected to participate, running from June to December. Businesses include everything from brewing companies, the Royal Society of Biology, a fish and chip shop in Norfolk and a medical devices firm.

The scheme comes as the push for companies to adopt the method gains more momentum as a way of improving work conditions.

Academics from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as US Boston College, will be running the pilot programme. This is a partnership with campaign group ‘4 Day Week Global’, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign and the Autonomy think tank.

The participation of 3,000 workers means it is larger than a previous pilot which occurred in Iceland which saw 2,500 workers taking part.

The research comes after the COVID pandemic led many people and companies to re-examine their working patterns due to a rise in hybrid work styles.

Chief executive of the 4 Day Week Global Joe O’Connor said that there was no way to turn the clock back to the pre-pandemic world. He said that, increasingly, managers are embracing a new model which focuses on quality of outputs and not quantity of hours.

#MaltaDaily