4,000 people received a fine for breaking COVID-19 measures in 2021

Jan 20 2022

In the past year, 4,000 people received fines from LESA officials after being caught breaking social distancing measures or not wearing a mask.

During an interview on TVMnews+ morning programme ‘TVAM’, LESA Chief Executive Svetlick Flores stated that in 2021, LESA issued close to 4,000 pandemic-related fines. He went on to explain that LESA enforcement goes on to this day based on the regulations put into place by the Superintendence for Public Health. Flores said that LESA enforces the regulations in public with 80 officials and a number of other officials assigned to particular tasks.

Meanwhile, 177,000 fines related to traffic regulations were issued in 2021.

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Harry Styles announces 2022 world tour dates

Jan 20 2022

Beloved singer-songwriter and former One Direction member Harry Style has announced the rescheduled dates for his world tour, which he had postponed back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tour was originally lined up to kick off in April 2020 and was then postponed to February and March of the following year due to pandemic struggles. In December of 2020, Styles had to postpone the tour indefinitely due to the uncertainty brought upon by the spread of COVID-19 and restrictions around the world.

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Now, Styles has revealed the dates and locations for his huge 32-city tour which includes dates in South America, the UK and most of Europe. Regrettably, the artist had to cancel his New Zealand and Australia dates, to the dismay of fans from that region. The tour will include special guets Arlo Parks, Koffee, Mitski and Wolf Alice on selected dates.

Last week, Styles was also announced as one of the headliners for the 2022 edition of Coachella, topping the bill with fellow trailblazer and young superstar Billie Eilish, legendary EDM trio Swedish House Mafia and enigmatic rap icon Kanye West, who was billed as Ye.

Send this to someone who should take you to a Harry Styles concert.

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Social service helping young children strives despite issues brought by pandemic

Jan 20 2022

15 years after its launch, the chairpersons of social service Home Start within Malta and Gozo have stated that the pandemic has created some major obstacles for the organisation. Home Start provides support to families who are going through a difficult time through the participation of volunteers. Families with children of under 5 years are provided the necessary support for both the parents as well as the children themselves.

The chairperson of service within Malta, Martin Chetcuti, has stated that the pandemic has contributed to a number of limitations due to restricted social contact. Despite this, the service provided assistance to 36 children in Malta and 51 children in Gozo. “Pandemic times have offered a reality where we had to ensure that everything we offer is offered in the best way possibility to benefit everyone, at the same time we had to see how to remain proactive and reach people’s homes to be there for the children and their parents to see what their needs are and assist them in everyday necessities.”

Gozo chairperson Monsignor Joseph Vella Gauci highlighted that the pandemic’s problems contributed to further issues faced by parents, with children locked inside without being able to go to school. Ministry for Social Justice and Solidarity, The Family and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon stated that social work is not easy and everyone should make an effort to help those in need.

Chief Executive for the Foundation of Social Welfare Services Alfred Grixti stated that the success of Home Start is thanks to its volunteers’ and professionals’ contribution. He went on to state that this year, a conference will be held to welcome various Home Start representatives from around the world in Malta.

Were you aware of this service?

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Paceville bag thief gets caught and beaten up by passers-by

Jan 20 2022

An 18-year-old who reportedly stole a woman’s bag in Paceville received quite the beating from random passers-by after he was spotted and chased in the streets.

Sayfedine Bonavia appeared in court with a limp and bruised face after being accused of aggravated theft of two mobile phones costing around €1,000 each. He was also accused of resisting arrest, insulting three police officers, not wearing a mask, breaking arrest conditions and committing a crime while carrying a suspended sentence.

The Court, presided over by magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, heard that a passerby saw the youth stealing the bag from the foreign couple and immediately ran after the thief, quickly followed by a number of other individuals. The court stated that while the youth remains under arrest he should not have been treated in this manner, irrelevant of his actions.

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Photo Source: Christpher Farrugia