How well are Malta’s domestic animals protected?

Oct 20 2021

On October 13, Anthony Vella was given a 2-year prison sentence suspended for four years and a €20,000 fine for keeping around 50 dogs in an unacceptable state in his Zejtun home. Beyond the fine and the suspended prison sentence, the dogs in Vella’s residence were released and immediately fell under the custody of the Animal Welfare Directorate.

The case, dating back to May 2018, also revealed that some dogs were being kept in cages in the man’s garage, triggering a national discussion on animal welfare in Malta. Minister for Justice and Governance Edward Zammit Lewis took to Facebook to condemn such acts and highlight the importance of the recent legal amendments affecting animal abusers.

Being a dog owner and animal lover himself, Zammit Lewis shared his sentiments attached to a photo which included his dog, Charlie. The Minister called upon the public to show love to each and every animal because our treatment of animals reflects on ourselves.

In 2021, the Minister for Justice, together with the Minister for Agriculture Anton Refalo and Commissioner for Animal Welfare Alison Bezzina put forward a legal amendment which prohibited animal abusers from owning or being in the same household as an abused animal, even if it is not the same animal which was abused. The amendment came as a breath of fresh after multiple calls for increased laws protecting animals and speaks volumes about the commitment to Malta’s animal population.

Are you aware of the current laws protecting animals?

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Will Smith shows off results of going from ‘worst’ to ‘best’ shape of his life

Oct 20 2021

Will Smith is beaming with energy and motivation as he hits the gym, progressing on a daily basis towards what he deems the best shape of his life. The 53-year-old ‘I am Legend’ actor posted to social media in May, revealing that the ‘dad bod’ he developed throughout the pandemic was the worst shape of his life. He had stated how the body carried him throughout the pandemic and that he loved it, but he wants to feel better. Now, he is posing photos and videos hitting the gym and doing everything from sit-ups to dumbbell presses.

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Smith’s initial ‘dad post’ even inspired other celebrities to post similar photos and outline their fitness goals. The workout videos Smith posts seem intense as he flips tires and does heavy-weight back squats. ‘No more midnight muffins…this is it!’ The actor also announced that he is documenting his transformation with YouTube through a partnership for a new original series premiering next year.

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Photo Source: Will Smith IG

World Cup every 2 years as FIFA plans leaked

Oct 20 2021

A massive and significant change to the game of football has just been leaked as FIFA’s plans to reduce the waiting time between World Cups to two years makes waves. FIFA plan to hold the match every two years starting in 2026, with the idea having been on FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s mind for a while. He seems keen on implementing the concept into reality, along with some more massive changes to the game.

The modification starting in five years’ time will also reduce the time each player will leave their respective clubs for international duty from 50 days a year to 30. This is also one of the reasons why FIFA justifies the initiative. Cadena Ser’s show ‘El Larguero’ leaked the documents, revealing that the World Cup Qualifiers will have a maximum of seven encounters, reducing also the number of international windows to two at best. One will be held in October and the other in March. The new schedule would be voted for in December and it seems as though there is a strong motion for it to be approved.

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Photo Source: Phoenix FM

Alfred Sant calls for general elections to take place every four years and not five

Oct 20 2021

Former Labour leader Alfred Sant has asked whether it is time to reduce the five-year term by at least one year. Malta’s constitution sets the term of a legislature at five years, but the prime minister has the ability to call an election whenever he wishes. This is often used by the PM to seek a date best suited for political advantage over rivals. Now Sant has stated that since the 1992 election, it has almost become a custom that elections are held earlier than the five years mentioned in the Constitution.

He asks whether this is a sign that five years is too long for a legislature and that there is a legitimate argument for the normal term to return to a four-year period. In hindsight, looking back at the last seven elections since 1992, an election three months or before the natural end of legislature were held on five occasions. Sant’s own administration in 1996 was truncated after 22 months after losing a vote of confidence in parliament. The current legislature expires naturally in June 2022.

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Photo Source: Alfred Sant FB