It’s Time To Remove The Parliament Barriers, Says Architect

Dec 20 2023

Taking to LinkedIn, Chartered Engineering Fellow and Architect David Grima expressed his disdain for the remaining barriers in front of Maltese Parliament following protests which took place over 4 years ago.

‘The building’, Grima writes, ‘was built on stilts to make it seem permeable to society. A lot of money was then spent to achieve this design’ by Renzo Piano.

‘The barriers are not only ugly and unpleasant to the eye but completely screw up the architectural concept that was envisioned.’

Grima argued that it’s a pity that certain decisions undermined the effort to change the ‘hideous Valletta entrance before it’s big overhaul.’ He even argued in favour of altering the landscape to find a way to plant permanent trees and ‘remove those cheap wooden planters’.

This is not the first time the barriers have drawn online criticism. Back in 2022, young PN MP Eve Borg Bonello had pledged to work to eventually have these barriers removed.

Others have used them as a source of their protest

What do you think? Is it time the barriers were removed?

#MaltaDaily

CCTV Footage Shows Man Setting Recycling Bins On Fire

Dec 20 2023

A shocking video uploaded by GreenPak Coop shows a man setting recycling bins in the early hours of the morning.

GreenPak, which is responsible for the bins, reported that they were situated at Fr Charles Plater Street, Paola, and urged anyone who has any information to contact the authorities.

The video shows the act and the immediate aftermath of the vandalism, with some of the bins being reduced to nothing but debris.

Police are reportedly investigating the act. If you have information, you can contact the police even anonymously.

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National Record For Most Lights To Decorate House

Dec 20 2023

The Malta Records have established yet another national achievement, a building in Ħal-Lija which broke two national records in a single go.

The first record, which was granted to Matthew Conti, had to do with the biggest facade decorated for Christmas. The facade spans a width of 85.5 feet by a height of 82 feet.

The second record was even more astounding, given that the facade required a whopping 20,520 lights to fully decorate.

If you’d like to witness the festive home, the house is located next to the the locality’s parish church. Well done all!

#MaltaDaily

Barn Owl Found With Gun Shot Injury In Ħaż-Żebbuġ

Dec 19 2023

A Barn Owl, part of the Barn Owl Reintroduction Project managed by the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti (FKNK), fell victim to illegal shooting, culminating in the bird’s discovery within the grounds of St Dorothy’s School in Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

The injured owl, exhibiting a visible gunshot wound to its right wing, was located by a concerned citizen and subsequently handed over to BirdLife Malta on December 18th.

Upon examination by a government veterinarian, the extent of the harm became evident, with the bird suffering from a gunshot wound resulting in a broken right wing.

Identified by a ring on its left leg marked “024-BORP,” the owl is traced back to FKNK’s Barn Owl Reintroduction Project, initiated in 2018 and financially supported by the government through the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU).

The project aims to restore the Barn Owl population eradicated by illegal hunting over the years, fostering breeding and release in Malta and Gozo.

BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana condemned the incident, emphasising the destructive impact of hunting on conservation efforts and highlighting the need for genuine conservation practices rather than attempts to “greenwash” hunters’ activities.

#MaltaDaily