60 years to the day after US President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, it is opportune to remember his unwavering commitment to serve the underserved, including persons with disabilities. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of John F Kennedy’s tragic assassination today, it’s essential to remember not only the charismatic leader he was but also his profound impact on the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. JFK’s family,...

The reason why the debt burden has, since 2019, increased in nearly all EU countries is that, first because of Covid and then because of the energy crisis, governments had to sustain businesses and households in an unprecedented fashion. Before the 2013 general election, the Nationalist Party argued that, if Labour were voted into power, the country would end up requiring a financial bailout from the European Union. This was quite a strong claim, given that the Nationalist administration held the...

Rosalynn Carter’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a mental health advocate and influential figure in American politics will endure. As the world mourns the passing of Rosalynn Carter, it’s essential to reflect on her remarkable legacy as a mental health activist and her pivotal role in shaping mental health policies. Mrs Carter’s influence extended far beyond the traditional role of a First Lady,...

Former British PM Cameron’s comeback is a significant development that calls for thoughtful analysis, and it provides Malta with the chance to learn from the UK's political trajectory, given the shared historical connections. Anyone who follows international politics will have observed with keen interest what has been happening in the UK over the last couple of days. One year ahead of going to the polls, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak carried out the second reshuffle of his...

Selective legal aspects concerning age: a series delving into the legal landscape surrounding ageing – Part 1. There has clearly been a shift in recent years wherein the field of law and ageing has gained visibility. Starting in North America and spreading to Common Law jurisdictions, it eventually reached continental Europe. Such historical shifts cannot be ignored. The...

“The new airline should not be run by the government which will, despite all good intentions, inevitably interfere. If at all humanly possible, the airline should have a private majority ownership with the Government retaining a golden share.” Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi recently told The Malta Independent that he believes the new airline which will replace Air Malta “should not be to make a profit” but still be strong enough to aid the country’s economy move forward, without becoming “a bottomless...

Whether high inflation has become embedded in economies remains a moot point. While inflation has started falling, it’s going to be tough to bring it back to pre-Covid levels. High inflation has plagued many developed economies since mid-2021.  The European Central Bank (ECB) has taken forceful action in response to the unprecedented surge inflation in the Euro area, raising its key interest rate from -0.5% to 3.5%.  Policy...

We rely on our caregivers not only for physical assistance but also for emotional support and companionship. Caregivers are our confidants, helping us navigate the challenges that come with disabilities and obtain access to resources and opportunities. November is caregiver month, a time to honour and acknowledge the vital role that caregivers play in the lives of individuals with disabilities. It’s an occasion to recognise the sacrifices, devotion, and unwavering love they provide to those in need. The significance...

More than a soup kitchen - A shameful crime - It’s a dog’s life More than a soup kitchen First we had Father Hilary Tagliaferro with his Love Kitchen at the Millenium Chapel in Paceville, then it was the turn of Patri Marcellino with his Soup Kitchen in Valletta, and now we have Martha’s Kitchen run by the Franciscan Welfare...

Accompanying Sammy Meilaq on the campaign to show that Malta’s neutrality is too precious to abandon in the laps of professional politicians. L-Aħħar Testment ta’ Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici – Dnubiet u Profeziji (2023), written by Sammy Meilaq, could hardly have seen the light in a more apt time than that of the latest round of mass scale slaughter of thousands of Palestinians entrapped in the largest open-air...

Beneficial public projects are at times jeopardised by a lack of clear and timely communication with the public and other stakeholders, which is essential for building trust and support for such initiatives. Public awareness of the importance of trees for livable and sustainable communities has grown significantly in recent years. Any government body or entity that needs to remove or replace trees, especially in urban areas, should be fully aware beforehand of the public backlash that they will likely face. Facts are important, but so are emotions. When community members are already emotionally invested in an issue, rational arguments based on facts or technicalities are unlikely to achieve the intended effect to shift public opinion, at least in the short-term. People...

The sad truth is that, abiding by rules which curtail our wish to park where we want, drive how we want, fish and hunt or, in general, do whatever we want is seen as an infringement of our freedom. We build now and regulate later; we only slow down for the speed cameras and quickly ramp up the gas. We are culturally inclined to ignore or bend the rules with an “u iva”. We are flexible with our moral codes to suit our needs for the moment. Those of you keeping up with the news could not have missed the developments on the falsified medical certificates controversy, with the most recent being statements inferring unfair or selective targeting. With Malta being Malta this is, of course, unsurprising....