142 AFM members recognised for their efficient service

Apr 5 2023

142 members of the Armed Forces of Malta were given recognition for their long and efficient service in the army.

In a ceremony which took place in the AFM barracks, Minister for Security, Home Affairs and Reform Byron Camilleri, along with Chief Commander Clinton J O’Neill, issued medals to members and ex-members of the army who served 18, 25 or 30 years.

During his speech, Minister Byron Camilleri said that the medals are only symbolic representations which cannot fully capture the sacrifice they made for the AFM.

‘The government is recognising the hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the armed forces members’ said the Minister.

He mentioned a €15 million yearly investment made over 5 years so that the members of the corp could benefit from advancements and support. He also made reference to how, just over 10 years ago, the members were forgotten when it came to investment and even in salaries.

On his part, J O’Neill said that this is not a collective honour but one that each member has worked for, with all of them becoming better persons as they underwent their service.

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Animal abusers face no consequences: NGO shows lack of support

Apr 5 2023

Associations for Abandoned Animals took to social media highlighted various cases of abandoned dogs out in Malta’s streets to highlight the abuse and lack of resources for animal welfare.

The NGO said that they are not pointing fingers at Animal Welfare as the problem is much nigger and higher than animal welfare.

‘The lack of resources is massive, the apathy to change laws is terrible, the many ‘important’ people hindering improvement is worse and we could go on. But if we stay silent, we too will be complicit.’

‘Right now, there is going on some great rescues by animal welfare and we of AAA take in so many of them. In terrible states, with extreme medical neglect and all abandoned. But none of their owners are fined or taken to court.’

The NGO highlighted how abusers are free to abuse new victims in Malta with no consequences, going on to showcase various examples of poor animals who suffered such abuse.

‘We have sent enough emails and called enough. We simply do not have the time and energy to continue asking for justice. And we are in no way minimising the great job most people in animal welfare do. The problem is higher up.’

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Educators at local school praised for joining Class of 23 for TikTok

Apr 5 2023

Educators at a Maltese school, Ħal Kirkop’s San Benedittu Secondary, were praised for joining the Class of 2023 for a fun TikTok trend.

Three educators approach each other before sitting down in front of a group of students, who form the number 23 in their sitting position.

@nyorah.celeste07

Class of 2023 💛

♬ цепи цепи на шее – 💎

One of the teachers forces his own head up before an image unveils the number, which is this group’s final year at the secondary school.

The TikTok video racked up three thousand views as of time of writing, with comments sharing hearts and praise for the educators for joining the students and leaving the students with great memories of their time at the school.

Well done to all involved!

#MaltaDaily

UK could introduce wristbands which change colour if drink was spiked

Apr 5 2023

The UK could roll out ‘Date Rape’ wristbands, which change colour within two minutes of being exposed to a drop of a drink which has been spiked.

The police are set to test out the new wristbands which only require a drop of a drink from a straw to work. They will immediately change colour if the drink contains ketamine, ecstasy and common date rape drug GHB which causes drowsiness.

The wrist band still cannot identify every drug but Essex police are hoping to trial it out to see if these can be distributed across the country should manufacturers be interested in producing them.

The need for this technology comes as drink-spiking offences have reportedly soared in recent years in the country.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is illegal to administer a substance to someone with ‘intent to overpower that person in enable sexual activity with them’ and could land offenders up to 10 years in prison.

In 2016, Essex saw 60 recorded drink-spiking offences. This jumped to 354 in 2022, which an increase of around 490%.

#MaltaDaily