Malta ranks as fifth most religious country in Europe

Nov 25 2021

Malta ranked fifth in the EU in terms of attributing importance to religion in their daily lives. The Maltese also ranked 7th most likely to define themselves on the basis of nationality. A Eurobarometer which was held in all member states asked how important religion is for respondents on a scale of 0 to 10. It showed that religion is not important for 9% of Maltese, compared to 19% of Europeans.

Conversely, religion is of maximum importance for 22% of the Maltese, compared to just 11% in all 26 member states. Religion was thus important for 58% of Maltese when compared to 36% of all EU respondents. On the other hand, religion was not important for 20% of the Maltese, compared to 36% of all Europeans.

Malta was surpassed by majority Orthodox Christian countries, starting with Cyprus at 80% and followed by Romania (73%), Greece (72%) and Bulgaria (60%). Sweden, Luxembourg and Denmark ranked the least religious in Europe. However, Maltese are more likely to identify with nationality (80%) than with religion (65%). This despite the Maltese being more likely (65%) than Europeans (53%) to identify with their religion.

The survey also showed that the percentage of Maltese who feel their identity is under threat (25%) is five points higher than in all EU countries. Despite giving importance to religion and nationality, only 43% of Maltese think that maintaining traditional values is a key part of their identity. This is compared to 53% of all EU respondents.

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Photo Source: Locally Abroad, Learning Religions

Thunderous weather to extend until tonight

Nov 25 2021

Buckle up – the current thunderstorm over Malta is forecasted to extend until the evening and will not relent in terms of intensity.

A video making the rounds on several WhatsApp chats showing huge flooding in Msida was allegedly filmed a couple of years ago. Although the video was shot a couple of years ago, multiple localities have been hit with heavy thunderstorms causing huge floodings, with weather reports suggesting that an entire day of flashing lightning, rumbling thunder and constant downpour awaits.

Tomorrow is set to be partly cloudy, with some semblance of sunlight expected. The weekend is unfortunately forecasted to have isolated rain showers, so adjust your plans accordingly!

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Photo Source: The Malta Expat

One step closer towards European Parliament president – Roberta Metsola

Nov 25 2021

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has made one more step towards becoming the next President of the European Parliament with an absolute landslide vote.This is after she was confirmed as the EPP’s candidate for the role, receiving a majority of 64.4% of the votes of her fellow EPP Group. Metsola was chosen by the European People’s Party during a private meeting on Wednesday evening.

Austrian Othmar Karat and Dutch Esther de Lange had also submitted their candidature alongside Metsola, receiving 18 and 44 votes respectively. Metsola said that she feels humbled and honoured to have been given a strong mandate by the EPP Group to be its candidate for President of the European Parliament.

She was congratulated by several Maltese politicians. David Casa, who previously stated that he would give up his quaestor position to give Metsola a better chance, stated: ‘We made it!’ as he went on to congratulate her achievement.

Opposition leader Bernard Grech said that ‘Metsola has made us proud us to be Maltese today. […] Today’s vote is an acknowledgment of her work, and by extension Malta and the Nationalist Party.

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Photo Source: Roberta Metsola FB

12 mafia associates in Malta identified by Italian authorities

Nov 24 2021

The Gaming regulator asked the Italian authorities for information on anti-mafia money laundering probe with ties to Malta. Sources from the Malta Gaming Authority stated that the regulator recently contacted law enforcement in Italy after the conclusion of an anti-mafia crackdown across several Italian jurisdictions.

The Game Over II law enforcement operation concluded in Italy earlier this month, including Maltese companies and online gambling sites which once had licenses in Malta. Italian news agencies reportedly found 12 suspects participating in illegal gambling operations using websites owned by Maltese companies.

All suspects are believed to be involved in illegal online betting, falsification of documents and several other charges. The alleged members of the criminal organisation illegally collected money for bets in Italy through the use of websites which belong to Maltese companies operating without a license issued by Italian authorities.

Five of the suspects allegedly used intimidation techniques tied to infamous Sicilian clan known as Cosa Nostra.

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Photo Source: DW