Green light for new Żebbuġ McDonald’s drive thru

Jun 2 2023

Times of Malta reported that the Planning Authority has officially granted a permit for McDonald’s to build a drive through restaurant on the Żebbuġ Main Street.

Spanning 1,600 square metres, the building will include an underground car park for around 33 cars.

The site is an area of containment identified in local plans of 2006 which accommodate industrial or commercial activities located in outside development zones (ODZ).

The site was also found to have ‘no major impact on traffic’, with the assessment having taken place in 2018 right before the COVID-19 pandemic.

#MaltaDaily

Presidential Palaces façades lit for World Blood Donor Day

Jun 2 2023

As of last night, the façades of Sant’Anton Palace and the Verdala Palace have been lit in red in recognition of the thousands of blood donors.

At the same time, awareness will be raised about the constant need for blood donations.

This year’s chosen theme by the World Health Organization is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.”

The Presidency encourages governmental as well as private entities to also undertake such initiatives while, above all, encouraging blood donation.

The façades of these Presidential Palaces will remain lit until the 28th of June.

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Calls to decriminalise abortion sound again after court case

Jun 2 2023

Following the news that a Maltese woman was brought to court after facing criminal charges for self-managing a medical abortion at home, the abortion debate which had taken Malta by storm after a bill was proposed by the Maltese government picked up steam once more.

It was revealed in a statement by Doctors for Choice Malta that the woman had reached out to them asking for help after being reported by someone known to her.

She was referred to the legal team of the Women’s Rights Foundation, and was found guilty and handed a conditional discharge for three years.

‘We have one clear message after today: this will continue to happen. We often hear in public and political discourse that women are never prosecuted in Malta for accessing abortion’, wrote Voice For Choice. ‘Today was an outrageous and painful reminder that this is not unthinkable, that it has happened, and can happen to any pregnant person who has an abortion through any means in our country.’

‘Every year, hundreds of women in Malta self-manage their own abortions. Medical abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) are safe and are listed on the WHO’s list of essential medicines. However, the criminalisation of abortion means that people worry about accessing the care they need for fear of legal (and social) repercussions. In the absence of laws that protect them, they feel alone – scared of talking about it and scared of seeking support.’

‘There cannot be talk of equality as long as women and people who can get pregnant who access abortions continue to be treated as criminals.’

The groups calling for the decriminalisation of abortion and issuing the statement are: Academics for Choice, Aditus Foundation, Doctors for Choice, Grandparents for Choice (Nanniet għall-Għażla), Integra Foundation, Lawyers for Choice, Moviment Graffitti, Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement, Malta Humanist Association, Men Against Violence, Parents for Choice, Women’s Rights Foundation and Young Progressive Beings.

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AI recreates Valletta City Gate from 1964

Jun 2 2023

AI creator @malta.ai is at it again, this time reimagining Valletta City Gate were the post-independence alterations have remained to this day.

‘The gate’s sculptural relief, created by artist Edward Caruana Dingli, depicts historical motifs and symbols, capturing the spirit of a nation forging its own identity’ the creator explained.

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A post shared by Colour My Travel – Tours Malta (@colourmytravel)

In collaboration with Colour My Travel, the images show the entrance during the day and at night as people make their way into or out of the capital of the island.

‘The architecture reflects the prevailing modernist style of the time, with clean lines and geometric forms. The gate’s design aimed to project a sense of authority and power, symbolizing Malta’s newfound independence. Its rigid and robust appearance reflects the aspirations and optimism of a young nation breaking free from its colonial past.’

#MaltaDaily