Volunteers Bring Christmas Cheer to Hundreds in Need Christmas Day proved a busy and rewarding one for volunteers as around 750 people were served lunch through initiatives organised by Caritas Malta and the Soup Kitchen OFM in Valletta. Caritas welcomed some 600 guests to its Christmas lunch at the Archbishop’s Curia, while the Franciscan-run Soup Kitchen served around 150 people. Both organisations described the day as a success, with Caritas calling the event “truly meaningful” and Franciscan friar Marcellino Micallef describing the atmosphere as joyful. Guests were treated to a traditional Christmas meal, including turkey, potatoes and vegetables, with Caritas also offering soup and the Franciscan centre serving lasagne. Up to 100 volunteers assisted on the day, supported by others involved in Caritas’ year-round work, including participants from its prison rehabilitation programmes. (Times of Malta)
Six-Month Jail Term for Repeat Driving Offences A 37-year-old man from Marsa was handed a six-month prison sentence after admitting to a series of offences, including driving without a licence or valid insurance and breaching bail conditions. Mavrick Zammit pleaded guilty to the charges, which also included failing to obey police orders. The court heard that officers noticed the man reversing his vehicle and driving away during traffic checks. He was arrested shortly afterwards and admitted fleeing because he did not hold a driving licence. Despite being explicitly warned not to drive again, Zammit went on to ignore police instructions and drove the vehicle out of the police garage himself. Magistrate Lara Lanfranco imposed a six-month jail term, ordered the confiscation of €2,000 from a bail deposit, and disqualified him from obtaining a driving licence for one year and eight days. (Maltatoday)
New Research Project Seeks to Protect Malta’s Honey Bees A new research initiative is aiming to protect Malta’s honey bees and support local beekeepers as climate change increasingly threatens pollinators. The BeeSustain project, led by the University of Malta’s Biodiversity and Ecology Research Group, combines scientific research with modern technology to better understand the pressures facing bees and develop practical, island-wide solutions. Honey bees, along with other pollinators such as butterflies and solitary bees, play a vital role in food production by enabling plants to reproduce. However, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and reduced rainfall are disrupting flowering patterns and reducing the availability of nectar and pollen. These changes make it harder for bees to survive and thrive. Through BeeSustain, researchers hope to gather data that will guide effective conservation measures and help safeguard pollinators for future generations. (Times of Malta)
