Former soldier to rescue 200 dogs and cats from Afghanistan

Aug 28 2021

Former Royal Marine and now animal charity boss Paul ‘Pen’ Farthing has had his proposal to rescue dogs and cats out of Afghanistan approved. Okayed by the UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the operation has since been dubbed ‘Operation Ark’ and is run by the Nowzad animal shelter in Kabul. The shelter campaigned to try and safely remove not just staff, but also around 200 cats and dogs out of the recently Taliban occupied Afghanistan.

Farthing chartered a $500,000 plane to land at Kabul Airport to fly his staff and the rescue animals out of the country. The Defence Secretary said that Farthing could get through the gates as a British passport holder, with his workforce being offered places as entitled personnel. Wallace certified that if all personnel, animals and Farthing can make it to the airport, a slot will be actively sought. Farthing also responded to ‘claims’ that he was prioritising animals over people. He never claimed this, he said, and added that since he cannot park people in cargo holds, he can do so with the rescue animals.

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Photo Source: Nowzad

Malta Chamber in defence of compulsory post-secondary extension proposal

Aug 28 2021

Despite criticism, both by many citizens and by the union of teachers as well, the Malta Chamber has defended its recommendation for compulsory education extension by two years. Made on Wednesday, the proposal was presented by Malta Chamber president Marisa Xuereb as she explained that the recommendation would mean students have to keep studying up until age 18. The defence statement made on Saturday said that the unions going against the proposal shows that the 50-page document was not read.

The document highlights, according to the chamber, the importance of employers investing in ups killing employees and working hand in hand with educational institutions. It criticised one of the unions’ interpretation of business wanting to shrug off responsibility. Pointing to one objection, that of there not being enough teachers to cope with increasing demand, the chamber said that the representatives failed to consider that the additional two years were not to be spent in secondary school.

It continued by saying that should a lack of teachers be the main limiting factor, what was being done in other sectors needed addressing through recruitment of required resources from other countries. The most damning objection was, according to the chamber, that such an extension could possibly decline tax revenues from 16 to 18 year olds. The statement pointed out that if a student enters the labour market at low ranks without adequate qualifications, the probability is that they will remain in such ranks for life.

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Photo Source: Malta Chamber FB, Seeker Spot

Hundreds in protest against Marsaskala yacht marina

Aug 28 2021

The protests against the yacht marina in Marsascala continue as hundreds convene in the area, wielding powerful signs and showcasing their disapproval of the plans. Opposed by civil society, NGOs and residents of Wied il-Ghajn and other localities, the plans were not only criticised for ‘taking away the sea from residents’ (as one sign pointed out), but also for not being consulted on any level with local council or inhabitants.

Wirt iz-Zejtun president Ruben Abela addressed the protest and stressed the bay’s value to the community’s collective memory. He also urged people to leave out politics in relation to the issue. Some also criticised the fact that Marsaskala was always seemingly sacrificed for the interests of the rich, and insisted that policies concerning the locality work for its wellbeing instead. Moviment Graffiti added how the marina will suffocate the bay and the locality, impacting both human life and worsen ecological concerns further.

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Photo Source: Moviment Graffiti FB

Bernard Grech invites Prime Minister to openly condemn journalist hatred

Aug 28 2021

Opposition leader Bernard Grech has openly condemned the culture of hatred towards journalists and invites Prime Minister Robert Abela to do the same immediately. In a Facebook post, the Nationalist Party chief said that the ‘attacks towards journalists, bloggers and politicians are weakening the pillars of Maltese democracy and are leading to a situation where those investigating corruption and abuse of power are being intimidated.’

He concluded his statement by saying how ‘we cannot remain silent in the face of threats, disruption and intimidation.’ The post follows reports that several media houses in Malta received fake emails coming from civil society group Repubblika, activist Manuel Delia and MP Jason Azzopardi. The latter identified ‘soulless lawyers’ as the culprits behind such coordinated attacks.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB, Bernard Grech FB