12 brand new off-road vehicles for Malta’s Police Force

Sep 3 2022

The Malta Police Force has received 12 brand new 4×4 vehicles designed to be used by district and special branches police for the island’s rural areas.

Bought for almost €500,000, the Ssangyong Musso vehicles were part financed from the European Fund for Internal Security. Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds Chris Bonett were also present during their unveiling at Ta’ Kandja police quarters.

Through this investment our District officers will, for the first time, be equipped with these type of vehicles which facilitate access to areas which are not easily accessible, such as rural areas” said the police commissioner.

“As we have recently done with Rapid Intervention Unit and Traffic vehicles, the livery design chosen for these vehicles is intended to increase visibility on the streets.”

Minister Byron Camilleri said that such an investment shows that the government is committed to empowering the police force. “In fact” he said, “we saw a 4% reduction in crime in the first six months of this year when compared to last year.”

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66-year-old diver dies after difficulty swimming in Wied iz-Zurrieq

Sep 3 2022

A 66-year-old German man sadly lost his life after finding difficulty swimming whilst diving in Wied iz-Zurrieq

At around 1600hrs yesterday, police were informed that a man had found himself in a precarious situation and needed immediate assistance.

The man was given preliminary assistance by Red Cross members until Civil Protection Officers arrived on site. He was then transported to Mater Dei Hospital, but was unfortunately certified deceased.

Police are still carrying out investigations into the case and an inquiry has been opened.

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Launch of the first ‘State of the Arts – Malta National Symposium’

Sep 2 2022

The first ‘State of the Arts – Malta National Symposium’ has been launched. This will take place on the 26th and 27th of October at the Valletta Campus Theatre, University of Malta. The symposium will examine Malta’s artistic sector and discuss issues that artists and creative practitioners face, in light of local and global challenges.

During a press conference, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that this is another electoral proposal that is being fulfilled and reflects the government’s vision for Malta’s artistic sector as an important pillar for the country’s social and economic development. He emphasised that this symposium will further strengthen dialogue among all the stakeholders involved in this sector.

The symposium will explore several themes outlined in the recently published Strategy 2025 through a number of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities with international and local artists. These themes include the working conditions of artists, artistic freedom and expression, arts and sustainable development, and cultural rights, amongst others.

Arts Council Malta’s Director-Funding and Strategy Mary Ann Cauchi stated that, “This symposium is a unique opportunity for us to critically examine the artistic sectors in Malta, particularly in light of the challenging global realities that inevitably shape artistic practice in Malta. This is particularly pertinent in light of the recent launch of Strategy 2025, which sets out Arts Council Malta’s strategic vision and priorities for the upcoming years”.

Keynote speakers include Professor Milena Dragićević Šešić, Shain Shapiro and Sara Whyatt.

Registrations for the symposium are open and interested attendees may register at maltaartssymposium.com. Reduced rates are available for students, older adults and representatives from NGOs and voluntary organisations. More information on the symposium, including the full programme, is available at maltaartssymposium.com.

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Spain’s tomato festival returns after two-year halt due to pandemic

Sep 2 2022

As much as 20,000 people gathered in the Spanish town of Buñol to throw bright red tomatoes as part of Spain’s La Tomatina festival, which returned after a two-year halt due to the pandemic.

Photo Source: Juan Medina/Reuters

The tomato festival saw trucks unload 130 tonnes of tomatoes in one of Buñol’s main streets, with attendees paying €12 each to take part in the traditional Spanish activity.

Inspired by a food fight between children in 1945, the one-hour activity showered the tomato-producing region with vibrant red pulp. The festival’s 75th anniversary has become an international tourist attraction, bringing in large quantities of visitors from around the world.

Would you consider attending La Tomatina festival?

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Photo Source: Juan Medina/Reuters