Farewell To Former PL Deputy Leader Joe Brincat

Aug 5 2024

Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Labour Party bid farewell to Joe Brincat, the party’s former deputy leader and Member of Parliament.

Footage uploaded to Robert Abela’s social media show the prime minister giving his farewell to the late MP, whop passed away on the 2nd of August 2024 at the age of 80.

Members from the Labour Party were all gathered to give their own send-off.

Joe Brincat, a former Labour Party deputy leader and MP, passed away at 80.

A dedicated Labour activist and lawyer, Brincat twice served as the party’s deputy leader for party affairs and enjoyed a long parliamentary career.

First contesting for a seat in 1971, he later won and was re-elected multiple times. Brincat briefly served as minister for justice, lands, housing, and parliamentary affairs from 1979 to 1981.

He also represented Malta in the Council of Europe Assembly and was its vice president in 1978. Known for his strong socialist values, Brincat made significant contributions to Maltese politics.

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Travel To Italy With Both ID & Passport Due To Thefts

Aug 5 2024

The Embassy of Malta in Italy released a statement urging those travelling to Italy and its islands to avoid travelling with just the Maltese ID card or passport.

The travellers are being urged to travel with both documents and keeping them separate as there are many thefts being reported at the moment.

‘We recommend travellers to exercise caution especially on the metro and crowded places’, the statement reads. ‘Enjoy the holidays in a responsible manner.’

Have you been to Italy recently?

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Meet Beacon, Team USA’s Therapy Dog

Aug 5 2024

Meet Beacon , the four-year old golden retriever providing therapy to Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fully accredited, Beacon made the journey to France to support gymnasts such as Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Jade Carey.

The gymnasts performance relies on a prepared mind as much as a trained body. Pet therapy, is proven to lower cortisol levels and enhance focus, therefore making it essential. Beacon, who previously worked as a therapy dog in a hospital, joined the USA Gymnastics team in May 2023. Since then, he has been a soothing presence for the gymnasts at numerous competitions and training sessions.

Recently , Beacon comforted athletes during the 2024 Olympic Trials, easing the nerves of the women’s national gymnastics team after two top prospects were injured. Beacon’s role as a therapy dog extends beyond just comforting athletes and he has become a crucial part of Team USA’s emotional support system.

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Prices Up By 10% Due To 19% Decrease In Drivers, High Demand – Bolt

Aug 5 2024

Bolt released a statement to ‘set the record straight on pricing and waiting time.’

‘Whilst higher prices due to higher customer demand during tourist peak season are common, over the past week, average ride prices were approximately 10% higher compared to the same period in 2023’, the statement explained.

This was attributed to a 19% decrease in the number of available drivers on the platform, with this being ‘linked to the rejection of temporary work permits of hundreds of drivers.’

‘This is further compounded by an endemic 7.9% turnover of personnel on average a month within the transport industry’, as outlined by Central Bank of Malta statistics.

‘Conversely, demand for rides has increased by 23%, which is higher than what we have historically seen at this time of year.’

The statement addressed ‘concerning allegations that bolt intervened to increase waiting times and pricing mechanisms as some sort of retaliation.’

Bolt uses automated surge pricing like other platforms in the industry, which match customer demands with driver supply.

‘In 2024, Bolt ended collaboration with 28 fleets which did not meet Bolt’s standard of engagement. Bolt will continue to terminate its agreements with any fleet or individual operators if they are found to be in breach of applicable law or are involved in any kind if malpractice in breach of their contract.’

‘We also understand Malta’s challenges and the strategy outlined by the Maltese government in the National Employment Policy 2021-2030’, the statement ended.

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