Bernice Cassar’s accused killer refused bail by court

Apr 25 2023

Roderick Cassar, the man accused of murdering his wife Bernice last year, has had his request for bail turned down by a court on Tuesday.

It was revealed that Cassar threatened one of the witnesses that he would pay them all back, with Attorney General’s Office lawyer Angele Vella saying that Cassar was under a protection order in favour of his wife when the murder took place.

Making reference to Cassar’s refusal to turn himself in after the shooting, the prosecution believed that the accused would not obey court orders if granted bail.

Vella said that Cassar is incapable of obeying any order or the police, with the court turning down the request on grounds that it was not yet satisfied at this stage.

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Lower levels of stinging jellyfish expected for summer 2023

Apr 25 2023

Speaking to MaltaDaily, marine biologist Alan Deidun explained how lower levels of jellyfish can be expected for summer 2023.

When asked about stinging jellyfish, which is a different species to the blue ‘qlugħ’ jellyfish which have been populating local beaches, Deidun explained how their breeding patterns suggest a lower turnout this summer.

This stinging jellyfish species hatches in the same period during the year, with eggs being laid at the end of December and beginning of February.

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Marine biologists like Deidun stay very attentive during these periods and what kind of winter weather we have.

Deidun explained how winter of the previous year was more intense, with more rain and cold. This meant that the jellyfish hatched later and thus flooded the beaches during the summer.

Despite being slightly early to tell, this year indicates that jellyfish are already among us and could therefore not be present during summer 2023. This does not mean there won’t be any jellyfish, but a lesser amount can be expected Deidun explained.

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3,295 individuals made use of domestic violence services in 2021

Apr 25 2023

The National Statistics Office released new data showing that, in 2021, 3,295 individuals made use of the different services available to those experiencing domestic violence.

When compared to 2020, persons making use of such services during the reference year increased by 12.9 per cent in 2021.

Of the persons making use of services offered to persons experiencing domestic violence, 78.9 per cent were females.

During 2021, 171 persons made use of services available for perpetrators.

In 2021, as in previous years, the main services used by persons experiencing domestic violence were the Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) within Aġenzija Appoġġ (2,461 registered cases) and the Police Department (1,918 individual reports).

In 2021, more than half of the total cases registered across all services involved persons aged between 30 and 49 years old. The majority, 85.3 per cent, were cases involving Maltese nationals

When compared to 2019, the number of persons using services for support on domestic violence increased by 28.5 per cent, from 2,565 to 3,295.

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The Għadira Project will be accessible for the public in June

Apr 25 2023

The Għadira Project is a major infrastructure development aimed at enhancing the traffic flow and active mobility options in the area.

This €8 million investment is located in the northern part of Malta and stretches for a total of 3.3 km, with a 1 km promenade project that runs parallel to the popular Għadira Bay.

The project was divided into three phases, with the first phase of works starting in January 2022 and ending in May 2022.

The second phase, which involves the southbound lanes from Ċirkewwa to Mellieħa, started in October 2022 and will be open for public access on the first week of June.

The third and final phase of works is scheduled to take place from October 2023 to March 2024, and it will include the installation of street furniture, among other things.

According to Ivan Falzon, CEO of Infrastructure Malta, the Għadira project is a very complex one, aimed at improving the traffic flow and enhancing active mobility and road safety.

Għadira Bay is a popular tourist destination, attracting over 2 million visitors during the peak summer months.

Therefore, it was important for Infrastructure Malta to prioritise the needs of pedestrians and public transport users when planning the project.

One of the key changes that the project has introduced is the separation of bus stops from the road.

The speed limit has also been reduced to 50km per hour, with the aim of reducing accidents and improving safety for all road users.

In addition, a total of 129 parking spaces have been created along the road, but only on the bay side. Parking on the other side of the road is not permitted.

The Għadira project has also introduced a new slip road, allowing drivers to bypass the roundabout and avoid congestion during peak hours.

Additionally, 500-600m of the road has been reduced to one lane, with the rest of the road remaining at two lanes. The central strip can be used as a tidal lane in case of a major accident, improving the traffic flow in the area.

The project has also made the street more level with the beach, providing a more modern image to the area.

With the project now entering its final phase, it is expected to make a significant impact on the local community and tourists alike.

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