12 Y-Plate Vehicles Confiscated For Not Adhering To Law

Jan 10 2025

Taking to social media, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett revealed that, throughout last night, a number of Y-plate vehicles were suspended for not being compliant with the law.

‘We made it clear that abuse needs to stop’, wrote Bonett in a statement. ‘This principle will continue to guide our work in this sector.’

Transport Malta also issued a statement, revealing that the the vehicles were mostly suspended for not having an allocated space in a Public Service Garage.

‘Whilst ride hailing apps suspended every vehicle identified by TM, 12 vehicles were found out on the round without permission. The vehicles were confiscated.’

This follows 890 cabs out of 4,800 in operation being reportedly flagged for violating the Public Service Garage (PSG) policy requirements.

A fifth of Malta’s Y-plate cabs were thus ordered off the roads following multiple prior warnings and extended deadlines.

This crackdown follows a year-long effort to bring operators in line with the 2023 regulation, which required fleets to submit site plans for garages or off-street parking facilities.

While some operators failed to comply, others blamed an unresolved dispute between architects and transport authorities for delays in license renewals.

Transport Malta insists the enforcement will not affect ride prices, given the current post-holiday lull in demand. Questions have been sent to all three ride-hailing platforms for comment.

#MaltaDaily

Ryan & Josmar On Hosting Big Brother Malta

Jan 10 2025

Taking to their social media stories, newly revealed Big Brother Malta hosts Ryan and Josmar expressed their excitement of hosting the upcoming reality show set to hit Maltese television this month.

‘Sometime ago we received a call that left us completely speechless’, the two wrote in a joint statement.

‘Our first thought? It was surreal, overwhelming, and honestly, a little intimidating. But after some reflection, we knew we had to say YES.’

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‘Keeping this from our closest friends and family was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do’, they continued.

‘Big Brother isn’t just a TV show – it’s a phenomenon that connects people, stirs emotions and reflects the raw, unfiltered essence of humanity’.

The couple promised to step into this role with all the ‘love, passion, and authenticity’ that they can muster.’

‘So we are hope you’re ready, because we definitely are. The house is opening soon and remember: Big Brother will be watching EVERYTHING.’

The programme will air everyday at 20:45 on TVM and TVM+, with daily 24/7 stream on tvmi.mt and 24/7 coverage on GO Plus.

#MaltaDaily

Government-Private Partnership For Non-Complicated Emergency Care

Jan 10 2025

The Ministry for Health and Active Ageing has announced the start of a collaboration between the Government and three private hospitals to outsource emergency services.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela stated that through this partnership, patients with non-complicated medical and surgical diagnoses will receive care at private hospitals, with the Government covering the costs.

He emphasised that this initiative will complement the services provided by Mater Dei Hospital. Patients with less complex conditions, including those requiring surgeries, will be treated in the private sector. This arrangement aims to allow Mater Dei Hospital to focus on serious cases, particularly those linked to seasonal illnesses, during the winter months.

Minister Abela explained that this is the first phase of the agreement, with patient transfers being coordinated by the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital. A second phase will later be introduced, which will launch a new referral system for various emergency services in the country.

On the first day of this collaboration, two successful surgical procedures were already carried out at one of the private hospitals involved.

“This new system of collaboration between the Government and the private sector aims to improve the efficiency of emergency services while ensuring excellent care,” concluded Minister Abela.

#MaltaDaily

Miss Universe Malta Opens Up On Hate Speech Online

Jan 10 2025

Speaking on Popolin, Miss Universe Malta 2024 Beatrice Njoya spoke out about the hate speech and racist comments she encountered whilst on her journey representing Malta for the competition.

‘The first thought is not about trying to understand what is going on. The first thought is to judge and just go for hate speech’, she said.

‘We have a lot of people who run faster than wisdom’, says Njoya, calling out people who do not take the time to gather information but resort to levelling straight up hatred at someone they do not know.

In her address, Njoya recounts how one of her children showed her that they had created a fake account to defend their mother from hate speech on TikTok.

‘How do they (her children) feel reading those things about their mum’, asked Njoya.

‘Whatever you said would not change the fact that she’s the title holder of Miss Universe Malta.’

#MaltaDaily