60% increase in traffic accidents in 2021 second quarter

Aug 7 2021

Traffic accidents seem to have boomed in the second quarter of 2021, as a total of 3,594 traffic accidents were recorded. This is up 59.4% compared to the same period back in 2020. The potential spike in accidents could be due to last year’s partial shutdown, resulting in people working more from home rather than take the journey to work. There were a total of 418 casualties from traffic accidents, signifying an 85% increase from accidents reported last year.

Of these casualties, 96 were grievously injured – with 65 being drivers, 12 passengers and 19 pedestrians/cyclists. With only one fatality, this marks a decrease of four less fatalities compared to 2020. The Northern Harbour district, which induce localities such as St Julian’s, Sliema, Birkirkara and Santa Venera, accounted for the most reported traffic accidents at 1,268 cases (35.3% of all accidents reported).

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Photo Source: Bloomberg.com

Potential pesticides in popular ice-cream multipacks

Aug 7 2021

Warnings issued by the Environmental Health Directorate state that a number of ice-cream products potential contain ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide and sterilising agent. The chemical is not permitted for use in foods sold in the European Union but is allowed by other countries outside the EU. Despite not proving immediate health risks, the continued consumption over a long period of time may increase risks to health if the chemical is found to be present.

The products in question include several popular ice-creams such as ice cream bars for Snickers, Twix, Bounty, Kit Kat and Extreme Sundae Caramel multipacks. The full list of the products can be found on the Health Directorate website, with other items such as Kiri Soft Cheese Spread, Cream Vegetale cooking ingredient and Orasi vegetable creams. The news raised concerns on social media, with many stating they would avoid the otherwise popular ice-creams completely.

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St. Julian’s residents lament lack of police patrols amidst vandalism and drunken disturbances

Aug 6 2021

A considerable amount of St. Julian’s residents have called for increased police presence due to an increased amount of vandalism and disturbances from revellers in the area.

Both the Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay area residents have called for the increased police patrols, stating that the situation has become unbearable, going on to suggest signs calling for respect for residents in multiple languages.

Many went on to highlight that streets of the surrounding areas turn to a disastrous state with foul smells in the morning due to individuals urinating during the late hours.

Moreover, it was highlighted that the lack of patrolling and enforcement also resulted in increased looting and vandalism of boats, illegal parkings and nightly disturbances despite multiple calls from the residents.

Do you agree with these calls?

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One of Malta’s favourite singalong TV themes just got a dance remix

Aug 6 2021

Few are the local TV theme which stood the test of time and became cultural phenomena, but the Simpatiċi theme is definitely one of them, and it just got a dance remix.

@iamdebrii

Fejn huma l-Maltin? 😅 #malta #maltatiktok #simpatici #remix

♬ original sound – Daniel Briffa

Local DJ & producer Debrii posted the 30-second clip of the dance remix on TikTok and Instagram, to which the Maltese public reacted fairly well, with the clips gaining thousands of views and hundreds of shares within the span of a few hours.

As the local music scene continues to thrive under the stressful conditions of the pandemic, a light-hearted revival of one of the country’s most beloved TV theme songs is just what we all needed.

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