Ukraine war a major concern for local voters

Mar 22 2022

A survey commissioned by Times of Malta found that around one in four Maltese people see the war in Ukraine as one of the main problems facing their country.

The war placed second alongside COVID-19, just below the rising cost of living. A total of 19% of respondents view the war as the biggest threat to Malta at present.

The cost of living has ben listed as the leading concern by 25.7% of respondents. The last survey was conducted by the newsroom between March 5th and 15th by market research firm Esprimi.

A survey carried out in February showed that rising prices had risen to second place in the lit of concerns, with the first being the pressure on Malta’s healthcare system due to COVID-19.

The latest round of the survey showed that the pandemic is a leading concern for 19% of respondents, placing equally up with the war in Ukraine. Corruption dropped to fourth place, replaced by traffic.

Around 13% think corruption is a leading concern, compared to around 16% who think that traffic congestions are the biggest problem facing the country. This was followed by salaries as being the biggest problem (around 6.7%). Despite the invasion being seen as a threat to the country, it is not seen as an issue which will personally impact the Maltese people.

The youngest of voters, between 16-to-24-year-olds, said they are least concerned with the war, with just 12.5% of this group thinking the war is the greatest threat to the country.

#MaltaDaily

Prime Minister denies secret deal to make Ian Castaldi Paris speaker

Mar 22 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela denied reaching a deal with the former MP Ian Castaldi Paris to nominate him for the role of parliamentary Speaker in exchange for him not contesting the election.

Abela told Times of Malta that this was ‘spin reporting’ and that he excludes it. ‘There was never any such discussion between us’ said Abela.

This follows a report by Nationalist Party media NET News which said that Abela reached a secret electoral agreement with the former party backbencher. Castaldi Paris had revealed that he was not contesting the election last December following a Times of Malta report which exposed how he had been investigated by tax officials over thousands of euros in undeclared worth.

The backbencher was investigated by the Tax Compliance Unit after a local bank raised a red flag on Castaldi Paris. Sources privy to the audit said the MP’s unexplained wealth reached up to €1 million.

Paris had insisted that the amount of the undeclared income is significantly lower, though he has not yet elaborated. According to his obligatory financial filings, Paris has around €18,200 in bank savings.

#MaltaDaily

Biden says Putin is considering chemical weapons in Ukraine

Mar 22 2022

US President Joe Biden has stated that it is clear Russia is considering the use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine. Biden warned of severe Western response if Putin chose to do so, saying that the Russian president’s back is against the wall.

The accusation was recently made by Russia about the United States, saying that America is holding chemical and biological weapons in Europe.

‘Simply not true, I guarantee you’ said Biden. ‘They are also suggesting that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. That’s a clear sign he’s considering using both of those.’

The statements were echoing ones made by his administration earlier this month as well as Western nations. This is after Russian officials accused Ukraine of seeking to hide alleged an US-backed chemical weapons program.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted out saying that ‘now that Russia has made these false claims, we should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them.’

Biden said that such an action would prompt a sever response from Western allies. ‘Putin knows there will be severe consequences because of the units NATO front’ he said. Biden also warned of a response if Russia launched cyber attacks against US critical infrastructure.

#MaltaDaily

Haley Bugeja among best youth talents in high-profile football portal

Mar 22 2022

Haley Bugeja has been scoring awards with no indication of stopping. And this latest achievement, despite not coming as much of a surprise, it is still a testament to her success.

The Maltese football star placed third in Goal’s NXGN list of the best women’s football youth talents. Goal.com is a high profile football portal which focused on covering women’s football in recent years, awarding incredible starlets.

Haley made her introduction into the list last season after she was named in the top ten. She kept a spot in the list when they expanded it to 20 players. It was then open for players born on or after January 1, 2003.

Bugeja, born in 2004, could make it onto the list for the third time next season. In 2021, Bugeja managed to top Sassuolo’s scoring charts for her debut season with 12 goals.

With an overall record of 14 goals and 6 assists in 28 Serie A games for Sassuolo, she also played in the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup.

#MaltaDaily