Study leave for full-time workers and other education proposals by PN

Mar 9 2022

The Nationalist Party have proposed to offer the right of study leave during examination periods for people who study full time.

The new pledge comes as part of the Opposition’s aim to improve the educational sector overall, also pledging other proposals which would target students, teachers and all those somehow involved in the sector.

This new measure would give those who are studying any course the possibility of taking leave to focus on their examinations as they seek to further their education and possibly change their career path.

The party also proposed more pledges aimed at improving the lives of students and teachers, revealing how, if elected into government, the PN would open a new specialised secondary school every year.

The party also pledged to create developmental programs focused on talents on a personal basis of each student, increasing by 25% students’ maintenance grants as well as the stipend of students who do voluntary work.

The party also pledged to hand out €500 vouchers to students between the ages of 16 and 21 for cultural or sport related travel as well as the overall improvement of the conditions of work for teachers at all levels.

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26 Ukrainian refugees taken in by Malta reveals PM

Mar 9 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed that 26 people who fled Ukraine as refugees have been granted refugee status in Malta and have already arrived on the island.

They are expected to stay in the country for the foreseeable future, but it is not clear whether they are staying with family members or are being housed by the government.

The Prime Minister did not give details as to how many refugees the country expects to take in as civilians as they flee the war-torn country as Russia continues the invasion.

Abela said that Malta is helping in every way possible but within the island’s limitations. The United Nations revealed on Tuesday that the amount of people fleeing Ukraine has reached 2 million, with most moving to Moldova, Poland and Romania.

Abela also revealed that talks have kicked off with Puttinu Cares to help young Ukrainian cancer patients to receive oncology treatment. The PM did not uncover how much the government has put aside to cover potential increases in fuel prices.

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“It’s not anti-life, it’s pro-choice”, Volt Malta’s Thomas ‘Kass’ Mallia discusses abortion policy

Mar 9 2022

During Malta Daily’s latest episode of ‘The Interview with Fabian Demicoli’, Volt Malta candidate Thomas ‘Kass’ Mallia breaks down the party’s stance on abortion in Malta.

When asked where they would draw the line if they are elected, Mallia highlight that both she and Volt don’t consider it as ‘murder’, stating that individuals with a pro-life stance could make that argument. The tenth and eleventh district candidate argued that such an issue could be approached from a philosophical standpoint – “for me personally, life begins after you are born”.

The Volt Malta candidate stated that it is equally understandable to believe that life begins at conception or that “life is always there, as it is ongoing.” From a policy approach, she stated that Volt’s main focus is not to be anti-life but pro-choice, highlighting that the main focus and concept is bodily autonomy, providing the opportunity of choice to the mother and father.

Watch the full clip below:

Do you agree with Mallia?

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€22 million investment to build pharmaceutical facility in Malta

Mar 9 2022

Multinational pharmaceutical company Torrent Pharma has announced a €22 million investment on Wednesday to build a new production plant in Hal Far.

The facility will include a large pharmaceutical lab and is expected to generate around 120 new jobs. Works are scheduled to start next month and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.

The news was addressed by Torrent Pharma Malta general manager Fredrick Schembri during a press conference. He said that the first phase of the investment will see the company develop logistical and packaging operations and sterilisation testing labs in Malta, passing 16,000 batches annually.

The company also plans on developing an oncology mediation testing facility by 2024. The company was founded in India and is the flagship company of the Torrent Group conglomerate.

The Prime Minister addressed the press conference, saying that he believes Torrent is going places. Enterprise and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli also said that the foreign direct investment would make Malta its European centre for testing and quality control. Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said the substantial investment showed the company’s trust in the jurisdiction and that the testing lab would be one of the largest in Europe.

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