Yesterday, at around 1900hrs, police were informed that a traffic accident had taken place in Triq il-Palma, Raħal Ġdid.
Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a 68 year old man resident of Raħal Ġdid had been hit by a Renault Clio driven by a 44 year old man also hailing from the same locality.
The victim was transported to Mater Dei and was later confirmed to have suffered grievous injuries.
Police are still investigating.
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In today’s parliamentary session, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness, Glenn Bedingfield, indicated potential government intervention in Malta’s Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS).
This follows Prime Minister Robert Abela’s expression of dissatisfaction with the scheme’s current operations, emphasising that operators should enhance their services before considering cost increases for importers.
The BCRS, launched on 14 November 2022, aims to promote recycling by adding a €0.10 deposit to the price of single-use beverage containers. Consumers can reclaim this deposit by returning empty containers to designated reverse vending machines or public recycling hubs. The scheme’s goal is to collect and recycle up to 90% of such containers by 2026, significantly contributing to Malta’s environmental targets.
Despite collecting over 204 million beverage containers in its inaugural year, the BCRS has faced criticism regarding its implementation and service quality. The government’s recent statements suggest that if these issues persist, it may consider direct intervention to ensure the scheme’s objectives are met effectively.
As discussions continue, stakeholders and the public await further developments on how the BCRS will evolve to better serve Malta’s environmental and economic interests.
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The Minister for Social and Affordable Housing, Roderick Galdes, has announced the implementation of the 2025 Budget measure related to the Rent Benefit. During a press conference, Minister Galdes emphasised that starting this year, the maximum annual income threshold for all categories under the Rent Benefit scheme has been increased by €1,000.
“This is a strong measure through which we stand side by side with our families. As a Government, we have pledged to support our families, including in terms of rent payments, and we are making this commitment clear by strengthening the Rent Benefit. This is one of the key measures we have implemented in recent years, benefiting around 3,100 families. This translates into an investment of approximately €11 million per year, aimed at assisting those in need with their rent payments. What does this mean? It means that through this rent benefit, we are leaving €10.7 million in people’s pockets,” stated the Minister.
The Minister noted that the latest official statistics show that 85% of Maltese citizens own their own homes. “Despite this, we are aware that there are individuals who, due to social and economic realities, need assistance to rent their residences. This benefit is a testament to the Government’s policy—not only do we not turn a blind eye to these realities, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with these individuals. In fact, on average, the Government provides financial assistance amounting to €3,500 per year to each person benefiting from this scheme,” Minister Galdes added.
The Minister outlined the different categories of individuals benefiting from this scheme and the assistance they receive:
“These are important measures in the field of affordable housing, all of which contribute to a significant improvement in residents’ quality of life—an issue that is very close to our hearts,” concluded the Minister.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority, Matthew Zerafa, explained that “through its Customer-Centric Approach, the Authority places the realities and aspirations of the families it serves at the heart of all its operations.”
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Maltese rapper David Sammut, known as Il-Buggly, has released a rap song expressing his anger and sorrow over the death of his 17-year-old son, Diego, who died by suicide two years ago. The track, titled Il-Protesta (The Protest), was shared on Facebook alongside a music video.
In the song, Sammut criticises various support agencies, depicted in the video as masked figures seated around a table, accusing them of failing to take responsibility for Diego’s struggles. He uses the platform to voice his frustration at what he sees as a lack of accountability from those who should have provided help.
Speaking to Times of Malta, Sammut recalled how Diego’s behaviour changed when he turned 16, shifting from being a quiet teenager to showing signs of deep distress.
The song has sparked discussion about mental health support services and the challenges faced by families coping with loss. Sammut’s heartfelt tribute serves as both a personal expression of grief and a call for greater awareness and action on youth mental health in Malta.
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