Updated 1140
Man Utd team bus gets stuck in collapsed road
Not the best of adverts for Malta as the Birkirkara woman’s time hosted English giants Manchester United. The latter ended up stranded in Paola after their bus fell into a large pothole as the road collapsed beneath it. United managed to find their way to the stadium trashing the Stripes 10-0. Social media was in a frenzy this morning after Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo was pictured at the game wearing Manchester United sporting wear.
200 pharmacists required to meet demand
Authorities estimate that Malta needs ten times more pharmacists than those graduating annually at the University. In order to address this shortage, the Pharmacy Department and the Medicines Authority, in partnership with an American reputed university, will be developing a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pharmacy. The aim is that the new course at a higher level doctorate will incentivise and encourage more students to become pharmacists and carry out more research that leads to innovation. (TVM)
Law students express disagreement to new anti-deadlock mechanism
The proposed anti-deadlock mechanism for the appointment of the Standards Commissioner reduces public trust in his office through the politicisation of the mechanism, according to law students’ organisation Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi. Earier this week, government published the legal text of an amendment to introduce an anti-deadlock mechanism in the appointment of the standards commissioner, effectively requiring a simply parliamentary majority which would see the ruling party’s choice effectively taking up the post. The students recalled that the OECD had recommended that when the House of Representatives is divided, the Judicial Appointments Committee could make a binding recommendation to the President of Malta for the appointment of a Commissioner. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Two women in hospital after Selmun crash
Two elderly women were hospitalised after crashing in Mellieħa. The accident occurred around 2:45pm in Triq it-Telgħa ta’ Selmun, both the driver and passenger were taken to Mater Dei for further treatment. Their condition is still unknown but, a police investigation is ongoing. (Maltatoday)
Arrivals from China to Malta require negative COVID-19 test
Arrivals from China have to be in possession of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test from Monday to be allowed into Malta. The announcement was made through a legal notice issued by the Superintendent of Public Health. Malta’s decision follows a number of other EU countries who are imposing mandatory tests for Chinese visitors following the surge in cases in China.
Pensioners to get raise from this week
Some 100,000 people will start to benefit from better pensions this week, in line with the Budget committments presented in October. Pensioners will see an increase of €12.50 per week – €2.60 in the pension rate and €9.90 to make up for the rising cost of living. During the Budget, the government announced that all pensioners will benefit from a weekly increase of €12.50, or €650 a year, inclusive of the cost-of-living adjustment. The previous year, pensions had been increased by a total of €5 a week. (Times of Malta)
NGO objects to new supermarket on Birkirkara bypass
Moviment Graffitti is objecting to the development of a supermarket on ODZ land along the Birkirkara’ bypass, insisting that the site is an important buffer zone between two heavily congested areas. “There is absolutely no need for a supermarket in the area, and no reason for it to be built outside the development zone,” the NGO said, adding that the approval would go totally against the Planning Authority’s own policies and aims. (Newsbook)
via Reuters
