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Iconic Mosta Rotunda to get state of the art glow up

Iconic Mosta Rotunda to get state of the art glow up
Aug 9 2021 Share

The iconic Mosta Rotunda will be getting a state of the art glow up through an external lighting system through an €850,000 investment. The investment is set to come from the National Social and Development Fund, further enhancing the architectonic elements of the Basilica. 

By using energy far more efficiently and sustainably, the Rotunda will attempt to create the least amount of pollution possible as it shines as a piece of Maltese national heritage. 

Franck Franjou is set to be the architect behind the project, with a CV of work boasting more than 300 similar projects around the world. Apart from theatres, train stations and museums, Franjou has designed the lighting of the Parliament Building and the City Gate. 

Parliamentary Secretary for Communities Alex Muscat commented, stated that this project will embellish the aesthetics of the Rotunda while also increasing the value of the landmark for locals and tourists. The Roman Catholic Parish Church was built between 1833 and the 1860s on the site of an earlier Renaissance church. With the third largest unsupported dome in the world, the Rotunda survived destruction during World War II when a German aerial bomb fell into it during mass but did not explode. This event alone continued to increase the Rotunda’s national and international fame. 

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Photo Source: Medium

Solar panels for Malta Public Transport vehicles to reduce carbon emissions

Solar panels for Malta Public Transport vehicles to reduce carbon emissions
Aug 9 2021 Share

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg announced on social media that a €40 million investment into Malta’s public transport has been secured. This investment will see the fleet of public transport vehicles go electric as Malta acquired a strong fund packet from European Funds as it works to recuperate from the pandemic’s negative effects. 

The project will see the installation of solar panels on the roof of several vehicles, with testing by Zarb Coaches Malta and Tallinja currently underway. The vehicles will, through this investment, reduce the level of CO2 emissions and cut back on yearly diesel expenses. The investment will also mean that, locally, diesel consumption will decrease by 8 to 10% annually. 

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB

VAR to be introduced in Malta

Aug 9 2021 Share

UEFA have confirmed that VAR will be used in the next batch of World Cup qualifying matches, including Malta’s matches against Cyprus, Slovenia and Russia. This will be the first time that VAR will be used in Malta as it is still not allowed in the domestic leagues and tournaments.

The decision to install VAR at the World Cup qualifying matches was supposed to happen earlier, but due to Covid-19 issues they delayed it to the matches in September. MFA president Bjorn Vassallo told the Times of Malta newsroom that the technology and resources to install VAR at the National stadium will be covered by UEFA. Bjorn also confirmed that VAR will not be used in domestic competitions as they still do not have the necessary resources and technology for it but he did confirm that Maltese referees are being trained by FIFA and UEFA how to operate the VAR software.

This is a huge step in the future of Maltese football. Hopefully more and more local referees will learn how to operate VAR!

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Dr Anton Grech in charge of new Corradino Correctional Facility evaluation board

Dr Anton Grech in charge of new Corradino Correctional Facility evaluation board
Aug 9 2021 Share

Following news of an attempted suicide by a prison inmate which caused social media uproar, Psychiatrist Dr Anton Grech was set up as chairman of a board which will evaluate the internal procedures at Corradino Correctional Facility. Grech will be joined by medical doctor Dr George Grech and academic Dr Janice Formosa. 

The latter offered her resignation from the Board of Governors of the Corradino Correctional Facility at Kordin in order to, according to the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, serve on this board. All this is being done in the light of the reforms which have taken place over the last few months in which the Agency for Correctional Services has doubled the number of professionals who create a programme for each prisoner. 

Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri is set to receive proposals based on the following concerns within 60 days:

  • Scrutiny of procedures followed by the Agency with regard to assessing the mental and physical health of each inmate as they are admitted to the facility. 
  • Scrutiny of procedures followed by the Agency which concern the mental and physical well-being of the prisoners whilst serving their sentence
  • Scrutiny of Agency’s procedures when prisoners are release from Mount Carmel Hospital and returned to Corradino
  • Scrutiny of all procedures, policies and regulations when it comes to rehabilitation of prisoners and;
  • Scrutiny of the measures of suicide prevention

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Photo Source: Wikipedia, Anton Grech FB