Survey reports uncomfortable standard of living and raised costs

Sep 9 2021

A survey published by MISCO on public perception in regards to cost and standard of living as well as income levels shows how these factors became a major issue for an overwhelming majority. Around 86% of survey respondents revealed that the cost of living has increased since the last three years, with only 1% saying I decreased. With 13% stating that it remained relatively the same, around 26% mentioned cost of living when asked what is the main problem they face personally.

Asked about whether they are living as comfortably as they wish with their earnings, 59% of respondents reported that this is not the case. By comparison, 36% replied they are living comfortably with 5% not expressing an opinion. Around 67% of female respondents reported they are not living as comfortably as they wish, echoed by 69% of people aged over 65. 56% reported that they are earning the same as they did three years ago, with 24% stating they are earning more and 20% reportedly earning less. Around 400 persons participated in the survey, conducted by telephone in the last week of August.

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Photo Source: Oxford Mail

PN propose Gozo tunnel referendum, two new ferries and harbour expansion

Sep 9 2021

The Nationalist Party has promised to hold a referendum on the Gozo tunnel, introduce two new ferries and even work to expand the Mgarr harbour should it be elected into government. In a statement, spokesperson Peter Agius alongside elected parliament deputies Kevin Cutajar and Joseph Ellis said that Gozitans are not second-class citizens and deserve every right to benefit from a larger market between their island and Malta and the rest of Europe.

Kevin Cutajar spoke about the prospect of democratising the decision about having a tunnel between Gozo and Malta. This decision would be an irreversible change on the Gozitan character as it raises sentiments in favour of and against the tunnel concept. The Opposition Party stated how every Gozitan has the right to express their opinion about the tunnel as this is the only way the public can make this critical step with conviction for the current and future generations.

Peter Agius explained how the PN, as it did in the past by investing in three vessels which permitted more development and work in Gozo over the past thirty years, will now be introducing two new ships to the existing fleet. These ships will address the needs for more affordable services and to have a specified schedule for merchant work.

Finally, Joseph Ellis elaborated on the prospect of expanding the Imgarr harbour. The harbour has not only housed the Gozo Channel but also became a landing space for the Fast Ferry and other private vessels. This shows the necessity of increasing the harbour, with Ellis stating that the ambition of the Gozitan people is bigger than this harbour and thus work should see it grow to sustain more.

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Photo Source: Peter Agius FB, Kevin Cutajar FB, Joseph Ellis FB, Archidose of Malta, MyNorthwest

Women in Afghanistan banned from playing sports

Sep 9 2021

Despite pledging to adopt several rights for women, the Taliban has prohibited women from partaking in sport in Afghanistan. Following their militant takeover, reports of violence, classroom segregation and gunfire surfaced and now women have been banned from playing sports altogether. Deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural admission spoke to Australia’s SBS, saying that women’s sport was not appropriate or necessary in Afghanistan.

The Guardian reports the deputy saying that women shouldn’t play cricket because ‘it is not necessary that women should play cricket. In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. […] It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people watch it.’ It’s administration also features no women within the loyalist ranks, facing heavy criticism from the EU, who highlight how ‘upon initial analysis […] it does not look like […] inclusive and representative formation.’

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Photo Source: France 24, DW

41 dead after fire breaks out at overcrowded Indonesian prison

Sep 8 2021

41 inmates died while eight were badly injured and 72 sustained minor injuries after a fire broke out in a prison in Indonesia. Firefighters were called to the scene after a blaze emerged in a cell block at Tangerang Penitentiary in Jakarta, which block housed inmates imprisoned due to drug charges.

The thick smoke which clouded the sky is reported to be due to a short circuit, Jakarta police chief Fadil Imran revealed in a press conference. Prisons in Indonesia are notorious for being overcrowded and having unsanitary conditions, which house around 270,000 inmates and often suffer from jailbreaks.

Back in 2019, 30 people including a number of children were killed after a matchstick factory work dropped a lighter in a matchstick factor in North Sumatra.

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