Coast is Clear founder takes to Mount Everest on clean up mission

Feb 21 2023

Coast is Clear, a local clean-up organisation, has taken to Mount Everest on a mission to further their environmentally oriented goal.

Coast is Clear founder Mark Galea Pace, accompanied with seven Nepalese sherpas, took to the world’s highest peak as he completes the highest clean up in the world.

Galea Pace launched a crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar to raise upwards of €10,000 to support his future clean ups back home. He also aims to kick off projects of planting new greenery on the island and spread more awareness about environmental and sustainable practices.

Galea Pace kept his followers up to date on his journey through his social media, sharing images of the ‘highest clean up in the world’.

‘An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in the oceans. 70% of the debris left behind by humans sinks into the ocean’s ecosystem, 15% floats, and 15% lands on beaches. No matter where trash is left behind, it affects us all in the long run’ the crowd-funding description reads.

He began his trip on the 8th of February, and it is set to come to a close on the 22nd of February. You can still contribute to this amazing initiative by visiting Coast is Clear Malta for more information.

#MaltaDaily

President Joe Biden’s surprise first visit to Ukraine since war began

Feb 21 2023

For the first time since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, US President Joe Biden gave a surprise visit to the war torn country.

The very secretive visit, which took place as air raid sirens could be heard around Kyiv, comes at a moment when Russia is preparing for an expected spring offensive.

Biden walked alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy around the gold-domed St Michael’s Cathedral as the Ukrainian leader announced how he hopes to reclaim more territory.

On his part, Biden also announced half a billion dollars in assistance, saying that the new package will include more military equipment. This would come with new sanctions imposed on Moscow later this week.

Biden arrived in Kyiv after a lengthy, covert journey from Washington to Mariinsky Palace and later departed Kyiv in the early afternoon.

The US, along with other Western nations, have been rushing weaponry to Ukraine in hopes of aiding the war effort. US officials hope that the influx of aid to Ukraine can help turn the tide in favour of the invaded country.

It remains unclear however what parameters Zelenskyy might be open to accept in any peace negotiations as the US has refused to define what a settlement may look like beyond stating it will be up to the Ukrainian president to decide.

#MaltaDaily

19 year old seriously injured after losing control of vehicle

Feb 21 2023

Police were informed yesterday evening at around 1815hrs that their assistance was needed in Triq l-Imdina, Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Preliminary investigations showed that a 19 year old teenage boy resident of Ħal Qormi lost control of his Toyota Vitz and crashed into both a wall and barriers.

The vehicle suffered immense damages, with a medical team immediately transporting the young man to Mater Dei Hospital. He was later certified to have suffered serious injuries.

An inquiry has been opened as police continue their investigation.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese team deemed safe as Turkey hit by new 6.4 magnitude quake

Feb 21 2023

After a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the southern province of Hatay in Turkey on Monday, the same area which was hardest hit by the quake on February 6th, it was confirmed that a Maltese volunteer team in the area was marked safe from the danger.

The news was announced by Foreign Minister Ian Borg who, through social media, revealed that he was informed by the Maltese embassy in Ankara that the SOS Malta team was safe.

The team had reportedly left the area where the earthquake struck as they had been on their way to the airport.

This comes after SOS Malta revealed on Monday that it had a team mobilised to bring aid to the victims.

The earthquake, which hit the town of Defne at 2004hrs, killed three people and reignited the panic which was caused affecter the prior earthquake which left around 45,000 dead in both Turkey and Syria.

213 people were reportedly hospitalised, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu revealed. In Syria, White Helmets said that more than 130 people were injured and that damaged buildings had collapsed.

#MaltaDaily