8 weekly breathalyser tests done over 5 years in Malta

Feb 7 2023

A total of 2,129 breathalyser tests have reportedly took place over the past 5 years.

The Malta Police Force provided the figures to Times of Malta, revealing that this was an average off about 8 per week.

Under half resulted in charges being issued against drivers who tested positive for being above the accepted alcohol limit or for those who refused to undertake the test.

The Malta Insurance Association stated that this was a low number as the police have at least 15 breathalyser kits.

Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 2,129 breathalyser tests were carried out according to figures obtained by the police.

Under the local laws, officers must have a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of alcohol to carry out a test. Figures have shown that the majority of those breathalysed proved to be negative.

An averagely built man cannot drink more than a large glass of wine in order to be marked within the alcohol limit. Women would have to drink a small glass of wine.

Out of the aforementioned 2,129, 743 tested positive for driving under the influence. 208 refused to be take the test. LESA also started carrying out tests during the last quarter of 2022.

#MaltaDaily

New policy aims to make Maltese schools more LGBTIQ+ inclusive

Feb 7 2023

A recently launched policy document by Education Minister Clifton Grima seeks to make Maltese schools more inclusive towards trans, gender variant and intersex children.

Noting a rise in the number of transitioning students, the policy states that this may mean that they could adopt names, pronouns, clothing, hairstyles and mannerisms which match their respective identity.

With some even undergoing hormone therapies or puberty blockers, the policy aims to promote the learning of human diversity that is inclusive and ensure a school climate that is physically, emotionally and intellectually safe for all students.

The policy is encouraging specific training to college/school based teachers on how to address LGBTIQ+ themes and issues in the curriculum.

The policy also aims to invest in resources with representations off trans, gender variant and intersex persons as well as encourage the use of resources and discourse that are inclusive.

Libraries will also be encouraged to have resources which are inclusive of diversity rich situations to expose learners to concepts of social inclusion.

The policy also aims to address other issues such as bullying, approaches to healthy living and physical activity, and other barriers encountered by students, teachers, LSEs and all those involved in the pedagogical process.

#MaltaDaily

Read full policy here.

Intensely low temperatures and rain to hit Malta this week

Feb 7 2023

According to various weather forecast portals, Malta is set for some of the coldest weather it has experienced this year yet.

According to weather Facebook page ‘Malta Weather’, a mediterranean cyclone will form around the Maltese islands starting today, Tuesday, causing ‘heavy rain and damaging winds.’

Depending on the final position of this cyclone, the page is forecasting that Malta could either get the worst of the weather or remain relatively unscathed.

According to the Malta International Airport’s weather forecast, wind and rain are expected all the way through to the weekend. Temperatures are set to feel like 8 to 9 degrees Celsius.

The highest temperatures will be a chill 12 degrees celsius, with the lowest being around 8 to 7 degrees Celsius.

According to the same forecast page, the intense weather is expected to become mainly cloudy by the weekend and relax on the rainfall.

According to It-Temp Madwarna, Malta registered the maximum coldest temperature this winter. The highest temperature, the page reported, was just 11.2°C, which is 4°C less than the seasonal average.

#MaltaDaily

Another earthquake hits Turkey as rescuers battle freezing temperatures

Feb 7 2023

A 5.8-magnitude quake struck central Turkey early Tuesday, while a winter storm with freezing temperatures is hampering rescue efforts.

This is yet another in a series of earthquakes which have devastated Turkey and Syria, killing over 5,000 people and injuring tens of thousands more.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that up to 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, could be affected by the disaster.

Many residents have been left homeless and without food or shelter, and hospitals are struggling to provide adequate care for the injured.

The death toll in Turkey has risen to 4,300, with 20,534 people injured. The WHO fears that the toll could reach as high as 20,000 as search and rescue efforts continue.

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has deployed over 13,740 search and rescue personnel, and is working to provide essential aid to the affected regions. Temperatures in the quake-hit areas are expected to drop further in the coming days, making the situation even more dire.

#MaltaDaily