Situation For Palestinians At Catastrophic Level, Says Ian Borg

May 28 2024

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and Rafah, calling for renewed peace efforts towards a two-state solution.

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, he urged the international community to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, stressing its necessity to end the human tragedy, release hostages, and expedite humanitarian aid to Palestinian families.

Borg emphasized the need to support the Palestinian Authority to maintain regional stability. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of humanitarian agencies but noted that these efforts are insufficient given the immense needs of the people in the region.

He condemned the latest ground invasion in Rafah and expressed hope that the EU could persuade Israel to cease its actions.

“We welcome the efforts that have taken place so far to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, including the work of humanitarian agencies on the ground. However, our efforts are clearly just a drop in an ocean of dire needs which the people in this region continue to face,” Minister Ian Borg said.

The meeting also included discussions with ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States on Middle Eastern developments.

#MaltaDaily

Former PM Joseph Muscat To Face Court Charges Today

May 28 2024

Former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat faces corruption charges today in a landmark case.

A significant police presence is expected as Labour supporters gather to back Muscat outside the law courts. Muscat, along with 22 others, including former chief of staff Keith Schembri and ex-health minister Konrad Mizzi, will face charges of money laundering, corruption, bribery, and forming a criminal organization.

The charges relate to a €4 billion deal in 2015 that awarded the management of three public hospitals to Vitals Global Healthcare through an allegedly rigged tender process, likened to a “Ponzi scheme” by investigators.

Muscat, Schembri, and Mizzi are suspected of benefiting from a political support fund set up by Steward Health Care, which took over the hospital concession in 2018.

Other notable defendants include accountants Brian Tonna and Karl Cini, lawyer David Meli, and Vitals’ auditor Chris Spiteri, all facing various charges. The arraignment will occur in the largest courtroom, Hall 22, with the public balcony reserved for press and family.

Muscat maintains his innocence, and the case is expected to be lengthy, possibly culminating in a jury trial. Political reactions vary, with Prime Minister Robert Abela supporting institutional processes, while Opposition leader Bernard Grech accuses him of complicity in the scandal.

#MaltaDaily

‘Let Institutions Work’: Prime Minister On Vitals Inquiry Findings

May 27 2024

Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated the importance of letting the “institutions work” when questioned about the Vitals inquiry findings.

Speaking to journalists of MaltaToday outside the court building on Monday, Abela expressed his agreement with the President’s call for the courts to decide the case calmly and without external pressures.

When asked by MaltaToday whether, regardless of guilt, the facts revealed by the inquiry were concerning, Abela said that he took the necessary political steps in 2020 without commenting on anyone’s guilt.

“That is a matter for the courts to decide. We must allow the institutions to function properly. It is not my place to judge guilt or innocence,” he said.

These comments came a day after MaltaToday published the full inquiry into the Vitals scandal. Abela emphasized that the inquiry itself is not evidence and does not establish guilt, but merely compiles facts for the court to evaluate.

#MaltaDaily

Around 75% Of Workers Use AI At Work, New Survey Finds

May 27 2024

According to a new survey by Microsoft and LinkedIn, around 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work, with 46% of them having started using it less than 6 months ago.

The 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report found that users say AI helps them save time (90%), focus on their most important work (85%), be more creative 84% and enjoy work more (83%).

Meanwhile, 79% of leaders agree that their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive, but 59% worry about quantifying the productivity gains of AI.

60% of leaders worry their organisation’s leadership lacks a pan and vision to implement AI.

In terms of age, Gen Z (ages 18 to 28) are using AI tools which are not provided by their organisation at work at 85%.

78% of millennials (ages 29 to 43) are doing so, with 76% of Gen X (44 to 57) using AI. Even boomers at the age of 58 and over seem to be adopting AI, at 73%.

The survey targeted 31,000 people across 31 countries.

#MaltaDaily