Drug dealers move online to beat COVID-19 impact

Jun 10 2021

Drug dealers combatted the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic posed by taking their businesses online, as revealed by an EU report. Director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Alexis Goosdeel stated that ‘we are witnessing a dynamic and adaptive drug market, resilient to COVID-19 restrictions. Using encrypted messaging apps for home delivery, people could work around the restrictions through ads placed online. Goosdeel stated that the market was urbanised quicker due to the outbreak.

Drugs have thus become hyper-available, with EMCDDA’s annual report highlighting how users now have access to wider range of drugs than before, with increasing levels of purity and potency. 46 new drugs were detected in the EU in 2020 alone.

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Photo Source: The Fix

Information on cultural and social sector reopening by tomorrow

Jun 10 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne and Culture Minister Jose Herrera have revealed that information regarding the resuming of cultural and social events will be released on Friday 11th June 2021. With July expected to see a controlled reopening, Fearne stated that those vaccinated will be getting a plan as to how the social and cultural life in Malta will be restarting.

The Health Minister stated that the COVID-19 situation in Malta is under control, but a cautionary restart is still required so as not to instigate any sudden surge in cases. Pressure has been put to issue out a plan by artists and those involved in the cultural sector, with a campaign appropriately called Restart decrying that the sector is the only one left in the dark throughout the pandemic.

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB, Restart FB

FKNK tracked birds allegedly died soon after release

Jun 10 2021

In March, the ‘Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti’ (FKNK) was given a €14,000 public cash grant to release and monitor turtle doves bred in captivity. It was noted however that nearly all the protected birds in the tracking programme died within days of release. The FKNK, who is attempting to collect data on turtle doves to support a bid which will let them hunt the species, denied the claim. Solar-powered GPS transmitters were attached to six birds released with the latest group between May and June.

A spokesperson for the EU suppliers of the tracking devices stated that five of the six birds showed no signs of life just a few days after they were equipped and released into the wild. The spokesperson stated in correspondence with Times of Malta that two transmitters are currently active, with one having been retrieved and put onto another bird.

The federation declined to provide access to the tracking data, and stated that the company made false claims as eight, not six, trackers were purchased. It was later conceded however that two were returned when delivery problems were encountered. FKNK stated it is prepared to take legal action should the company persist in these claims.

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Photo Source: Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti – FKNK FB

Mino Raiola plans to sign top Maltese female player

Jun 10 2021

The internationally renowned football agent Mino Raiola has confirmed his interest in a Maltese female player on Wednesday. Despite not specifying who the player is, he revealed his interest during a press conference centred around ThreeSports, which is a representation company based in Qormi he himself owns. He also spoke about being immensely impressed by the player’s achievements and stated that he will see if ThreeSports can sign her due to being ‘one of the best.’

Raiola represents high profile players like Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erling Haaland. He stated that he was always a pioneer of wherever the players hail from and is not restricted to any country. He stated that ‘for sure, Malta will have a top player in the top clubs and hopefully it’s mine.’ Who might this female football star be?

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Photo Source: Football365