Four Day Truce Between Israel And Hamas Struck

Nov 22 2023

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement brokered by Qatar, announcing a deal to release at least 50 hostages, including 3 Americans, and numerous Palestinian prisoners.

This breakthrough came after weeks of intense all-out-war. The deal involves the release of hostages taken during October 7 raids by Hamas militants in exchange for the freeing of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons.

A four-day truce was declared for the release, with the possibility of extension. Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups, holding approximately 240 Israelis and foreigners hostage in Gaza, welcomed the “humanitarian truce.”

Israel agreed to a four-day “pause” in its six-week-long military operation in Gaza to facilitate the release, with an extra day’s pause for every 10 additional hostages freed.

The Israeli government emphasized that this truce did not signify the end of the war, reiterating its commitment to eliminate Hamas and ensure the return of all hostages.

The agreement faced internal challenges in Israel, but the cabinet ultimately approved it, highlighting the urgency of reuniting families and public concern for the hostages’ fate. Israel’s Defense Minister clarified that the war would continue even after this phase.

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73.2% Of Approved Dwellings In Q3 Of 2022 Were Apartments

Nov 21 2023

In the third quarter of 2023, a total of 384 building permits were granted for 1,827 new dwellings, marking a 12.7% decrease compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Building permits serve as authorizations for commencing new construction projects, offering insights into the anticipated development of construction activities based on approved new dwellings.

Compared to the third quarter of 2022, the number of building permits dropped by 13.9%, with a corresponding 12.7% decrease in approved new dwellings. The average number of approved new dwellings per building permit was 4.8.

The predominant new dwellings approved were apartments (1,337), followed by penthouses (276), maisonettes (141), terraced houses (61), and other residential units (12).

Apartments constituted 73.2% of the total approved new dwellings.

In terms of regional variations, the number of new dwellings approved in Malta decreased by 6.5%, while in Gozo and Comino, there was a substantial 35.5% decrease.

The Northern Harbour district recorded the highest number of approved new dwellings (528), while the Western district had the lowest (160).

San Pawl Il-Baħar led in the number of approved new dwellings (222), followed by Il-Mosta (110), Birkirkara (107), Ħal Qormi (85), and Tas-Sliema (82).

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St. Paul’s Bay continues to be the most sought-after ‘rental locality’

Nov 21 2023

The Housing Authority of Malta has unveiled a detailed update on the Registered Rental Contracts for the initial six months of 2023.

Over the last three years, the Housing Authority has been instrumental in generating a wealth of data that mirrors the rapid evolution of the local rental sector. The latest figures, revealing active contracts reaching nearly 55,000 by the end of June 2023, showcase a remarkable 24% increase compared to the previous year. This surge underscores the sector’s pivotal role in addressing the diverse housing needs of Malta’s population.

The report delves into the intricacies of the rental sector, unveiling notable trends. A conspicuous demand for diversification in available properties emerges, with 7.5% of registered contracts classified as shared spaces—an increase from just under 5% the preceding year. Moreover, tenancy durations have seen a consistent rise since the establishment of the register in 2020, with tenancies exceeding three years now constituting 12% of all contracts in June 2023. The enduring nature of these tenancies brings forth stability and peace of mind for both families and landlords, underlining the positive relationships prevalent in the market.

Key highlights from the report include:

Lease Duration: 92% of active contracts were for long-term leases, indicating a commitment to stable housing arrangements.
Popular Localities: St. Paul’s Bay continues to be the most sought-after locality, boasting around 8,200 registered contracts. Sliema, Msida, Gzira, St Julian’s, and Marsascala follow closely behind.
Rent Disparities: Sliema, St Julians, and Swieqi stand out as having the highest rents. In St Paul’s Bay, the median monthly rent for two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments in the first half of 2023 stood at €700 and €850, respectively.
Shared Space Contracts: Approximately 65% of shared space contracts fall within the monthly rent range of €100 to €299.
Rent Price Trends: There is a noticeable moderation in the increase of rent prices, with an average rise of 5.5% in the first half of 2023, compared to the 6.9% growth rate registered in the second half of 2022.

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Maltese Chef Marvin Gauci Pranks Staff With Help Of Henry Galea

Nov 21 2023

Maltese chef and restaurant owner Marvin Gauci had some fun at one of his restaurants by pranking his own staff into having them think he’s just a regular customer.

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He did so with the help of Maltese makeup star Henry Galea, who is known for his bizarre and fantastical transformations through the use of cosmetics.

The influencer and the restauranteur met up and saw the latter become an unrecognisable person, complete with a moustache and beard. The two went to Caviar & Bull for a lovely dinner, with Marvin’s staff not having the slightest clue as to who was dining with the TikTok star.

After a hearty meal, Marvin revealed he was in disguise, with the staff absolutely baffled at the trick and Henry’s capability to transform someone into a completely different person.

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