60 year old man hospitalised after car crash in Luqa

Jan 31 2023

A 60-year-old man resident of Żurrieq was taken to Mater Dei this morning at around 0730hrs due to getting injured in a traffic accident in Vjal l-Avjazzjoni, Ħal Luqa.

Investigations showed that a car crash had occurred between Hyundai 120 driven by a 61 year old resident of Ħal Safi and a Kymco motorcycle driven by the victim.

A medical team was called immediately on site, with an ambulance taking the motorcyclist for further medical care. He was later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Investigations are still ongoing.

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Joseph Portelli’s player registration still unsure as resignation accepted

Jan 31 2023

The Malta Football Association (MFA) has accepted Joseph Portelli’s resignation as president of Ħamrun Spartans FC, which allows him to register as a player for the club, Times of Malta revealed.

Despite this, the MFA is still likely to deny his player registration and refer the case to its ethics committee.

The committee will then decide if Portelli can play for Ħamrun’s final premier league match. The MFA’s Reputational Risk Management Policy states that registrations which “could damage the association’s reputation” can be referred to its ethics committee.

Portelli wants to play a few minutes in the final match after the team secured the title, but has faced opposition from some clubs and the Premier League chair, Joseph Muscat.

Portelli argues that he has dreamed of playing in the premier league since he was a child and says those who want to mock the game would not invest €1.5 million annually in a local team. An international sports lawyer wrote to the MFA urging it to accept Portelli’s wish.

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Children in armed conflict a priority as Malta takes UN security council presidency

Jan 31 2023

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg announced that the use of children in armed conflicts will be a main focus during Malta’s Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

Borg stated that Malta will hold this position for the entire month of February 2023 and again in April 2024.

The objective is to find ways to protect children caught in conflicts and to gather information from children who have been granted asylum in Malta on their experiences and suggestions for assistance.

Other priorities to be discussed during Malta’s presidency include the impact of climate change on national security and oceans, women’s role in peace and security, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The annual briefing between Europe and the UN will take place on February 23rd and a discussion on how to address the Ukrainian war will occur on February 24th, the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Malta and the UN members aim to prioritise what is necessary for the international community while addressing the Ukrainian conflict.

#MaltaDaily

13 women arraigned in court over prostitution in 2022

Jan 31 2023

Replying to a parliamentary question, Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri revealed that, in 2022, 13 people were arraigned in court over prostitution in Malta.

7 of these were Colombian women, 2 were Spanish women and others hailed from Honduras, Morocco, Peru and Venezuela.

They were handed a suspended prison sentence after admitted to allowing a place to be used for prostitution, with the sentences ranging from one year suspended for two and 18 months suspended for 4.

The question posed was tabled by the PN’s Karol Aquilina.

#MaltaDaily