Around 70 al fresco dining areas were approved for Valletta since 2016

Sep 7 2021

67 permits were issued by the Planning Authority since 2016 for Valletta catering establishments to place chairs and tables out for al fresco dining. A MaltaToday source revealed the information, indicating that the largest number of permits was issued in 2017, with a record of 23 requests being permitted. The authorities received 84 applications since 2016, compared to just 38 between 1994 and 2016.

The MaltaToday probe was limited to disclosing information in regards to the placing of tables and chairs, excluding other terminology which could be used in the request for permits. Changes to permits of establishments which already had outside dining platforms or sanctioning of similar dining areas may also be included.

The evident increase in applications and approvals seems to correlate to the 2015 policy which allows restaurants to set up platforms on kerb-sides, with pavements not being obstructed by chairs and tables in any way.

Despite the al fresco dining contributing to a ‘livelier atmosphere’ in the capital city, the increase of such platforms angered many residents due to the noise pollution and overall change in scenery in Valletta. The latest of such cases occurred over the past week when the Valletta local council protested the issue of a permit for a 44 square meter platform outside the AX group’s Rosselli hotel.

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Photo Source: Il-Kunsillier Mark Spiteri Lucas FB

Cardi B announces birth of her second child

Sep 7 2021

Artist Cardi B posted to social media revealing the birth of her second child with husband Offset. The parents shared a photo of themselves in what seems to be a hospital bed, with their newborn wrapped in a blanket. The gender of the child was revealed to be a son, with many fans suspecting this before it was officially revealed due to the emoji captions.

The post was captioned with a blue heart, a dinosaur and a teddy bear, making the as of yet unnamed Kulture Kiari’s younger brother. The pair married secretly in September 2017, but got engaged on stage a month later. Daughter Kulture was born in July 2018, with the couple splitting and reconciling more than once. Offset also has three other sons from previous relationships. Cardi’s second baby bump was revealed during a performance with Migos during the BET Awards in June.

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Photo Source: iamcardib IG, Harper’s Bazaar

Sergio Agüero criticizes Barcelona training

Sep 7 2021

New Barcelona signing Sergio Agüero has recently criticised the club’s training regime. Speaking to Ibai Llanos on Twitch, the Argentinian striker said “At City, we arrived an hour and a half before training.” followed by “Here, half an hour before. I said, ‘Well, I’ll come in at least an hour before and try and go to the gym and do some things’, but nobody was there. It was all shut.”

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A post shared by Sergio Leonel Agüero (@kunaguero)

Agüero hasn’t had the best of starts to life in Barcelona. Whilst streaming on Twitch he was complaining to his many viewers about driving in Barcelona. He also recalled a story wherein whilst driving he fought and argued with a local taxi driver.

To add salt to injury, Lionel Messi, the godfather of his son, wasn’t allowed to stay. Sources in England reported that the main factor prompting him to join Barcelona was to play regularly with his best friend.

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Parents call for a return to normal school experience for kids

Sep 7 2021

The Maltese Association of Parents of State School Students (MAPSSS) issued a statement calling for the return to a normal school experience for their children at school. With well over 80% of the whole population fully vaccinated and the easing of measures being undertaken in various sectors, the association highlighted the necessity of returning to normalcy after two disrupted school years due to the pandemic.

Despite agreeing with the prospect and logic of keeping certain COVID-19 health measures in place, such as masks and social distancing, the association appealed to no longer deny students ‘full educational entitlement.’ This involves art, music, PE, practical field work, etc. Outings were also vouched for, provided that health measures are adhered to. This comes before the release of new protocols by the Education Minister Justyne Caruana, who updated the public on the new health measures for scholastic year 2021/22.

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Photo Source: MAPSSS, Parents