89-year old woman grievously injured after being hit by motorcycle

Sep 15 2022

Police were informed last Tuesday afternoon at 1515hrs that their assistance was needed in Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara because of a traffic incident.

When police arrived on site they found that an incident had occured between an 89-year old woman from Birkirkara and a 33-year old motorcyclist from Rabat, Gozo. It was reported by officials that the man, driving a Kentoya Viking, hit the woman whilst driving the bike.

A medical team and ambulance convened on site, with the ambulance taking the woman to Mater Dei hospital. She was later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Investigations are still ongoing.

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Fashion giant Patagonia boss donates company to fight climate change

Sep 15 2022

Founder of fashion giant Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, revealed he has given away his company to a charitable trust in a bid to fight climate change.

Chouinard said that under a new ownership structure, any profit not reinvested in running the business will go to fight the persistent threat of changing climate. This translates to around $100 million a year.

Patagonia sells hiking and other outdoor clothing in over 10 countries all around the world.

The company’s revenue, after being founded in 1973, is estimated to be around $1.5bn this year alone, with Mr Chouinard’s net worth ranking at around $1.2bn. The entrepreneur said that despite its immensity, the earth’s resources are not infinite.

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‘It’s clear we’ve exceeded its limits’ he said. ‘Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source.’

The Californian firm was already donating 1% of annual profits to grassroots activists and committed to sustainable practices. However, he told his customers he wanted to do more.

Instead of selling the company and donating the money to charity or taking the company public, Chouinard’s family transferred all ownership to two new entities. The Patagonia Purpose Trust remains the controlling shareholder but will only own 2% of total stock. The Holdfast Collective, a US charity, now owns all of the non-voting stock – around 98% of the company.

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Local record breaking swimmer Neil Agius to return with 2023 swim

Sep 14 2022

Neil Agius, a local swimming record-breaker, took to social media to announce his return to swimming next year, 2023.

He revealed that over the last couple months he had decided to take a break from posting on social media and kept to himself, avoiding social gatherings.

‘I did this’ he explained, ‘to fully understand if I want to take on another swim in 2023 and what impact this would have on my family, friends and of course Lara.’

He asked himself why he wanted to return – whether it was his ego; whether everyone was expecting him to do so; whether he had no choice and various other reasons.

‘Am I ready for all those sleepless nights and long hours of training? Am I mentally strong enough’ he asked. ‘I know we can be inspiration to many. I know that we can make everyone live a more sustainable life that will have long lasting positive effects on our livelihoods and future generations.’

‘After going through all of the above and much more I have decided to swim again 2023’ he said. ‘I’m super excited for what’s to come. It’s time to start focusing and with my team doing something special.’

Neil broke the Longest Ocean Swim by swimming over 135km from Linosa to Malta over a span of 50 hours last June. His feat earned him various awards and titles, but also helped contribute to a good environmental cause.

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Luca Curmi: tributes pour in for Munxar construction site fatality

Sep 14 2022

Luca Curmi has been identified as the man who sadly lost his life after falling down four-storeys in Gozo earlier this morning.

Curmi fell four storeys whilst working at a construction site in Triq Damasku, Munxar. Police, Civil Protection and a medical team were all called on site, but he was unfortunately deemed dead on site.

Heritage Malta issued a statement about the passing, revealing that the 29-year-old worked as a technician within the Manufacturing and Upkeep Section and was off-duty when he passed away.

He ‘will be remembered as a hard-working and outgoing employee, always ready to assist and give a helping hand to his colleagues’ said Heritage Malta.

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