Malta secures UN Security Council seat for second time in history

Jun 10 2022

Malta has just been as a new non-permanent member of the United Nations’ security council for a two year term.

With a 97% vote from among 190 voting member states, Malta secured its place during a ballot taken at around 4pm on Thursday 9th June. The island received 185 votes from 190 nations, having needed 127 to get in.

Malta’s two year mandate sees it joining nine other non-permanent members at the UN’s highest discussion table which take decisions on global peace and security.

Malta is joined by Switzerland, Ecuador, Japan and Mozambique, with the entry being commended by Prime Minister Robert Abela as an honour.

Foreign Minister Ian Borg as also very much pleased with the vote, going on to say that serving on the council provides Malta a significant opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of global peace and security.

The candidacy is charged with handling issues which relate to international peace and security. The council is made up of five permanent members – the US, UK, France, Russia and China – and 10 non-permanent elected members which serve tow year terms.

The non-permanent seats are divided among the UN’s five regional groupings to ensure geographic proportionality. Malta had previously served for a two-year term on the council in 1983.

Borg headed a government delegation in New York ahead of the vote, having a meeting late on Wednesday with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Malta now has an opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in, what Borg deemed, a meaningful way.

The country will be working on everything from the children and armed conflict portfolio to the women, peace and security agenda, to the impact of climate change on International security and peace, to the links between literacy and international peace and security.

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Malta lose out to Estonia in last minute of the game

Jun 9 2022

The Maltese national team have unfortunately lost against their Nations League competitors Estonia. What made the loss worse for all Maltese football fans was the fact that it came out of a mistake in the dying minutes of the game. The match was played in Ta’ Qali in front of an impressive number of Maltese supporters.

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The match started in the best possible way for the Maltese players with them being awarded a penalty in the opening minutes. The penalty was given because of a handball made by the Estonian defender. Unfortunately Maltese star player Teddy Teuma missed the chance to give Malta the lead. The game got worse for Teuma as only 5 minutes after his penalty miss, he lost the ball to Estonia captain Vassiljev who managed to score from a powerful shot outside the box.

The second half was much better for Malta. The players seemed more up for it and attacked more to score a much needed equalizer. Hibernians attacker Jurgen Degabriele was the man of the hour for Malta, as he sent the Maltese fans crazy in the 56th minute after he directly scored from a corner. The match was destined to end in a draw until the 94th minute when Estonian attacker Henri Anier capitalized on numerous defensive mistakes made by the Maltese team to score the winner.

The loss now means that Malta will have to beat Estonia in Estonia, next September, to get promoted to league C of the Nations League. There next game is next Sunday against familiar opposition in San Marino. They will be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing match.

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Service dogs to visit University of Malta to help students overcome exam stress

Jun 9 2022

With exam season well under way, many students across Malta & Gozo may be experiencing increased levels of stress & anxiety trying to keep up with their work, but this year they were met with a furry surprise.

Fortunately, the Faculty for Social Wellbeing within the University of Malta has collaborated with KSU to offer ‘service dog sessions’ for the first time ever. The initiative allowS students to be visited by service dogs during their studies and will take place again on Thursday 16th June after its first session on June 8.

Various studies have cited dogs as a beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety and depression whilst also potentially improving cardiovascular health and with this year’s exam stress, paired with the increased temperatures, students will definitely benefit from a visit from their furry friends.

Send this to a DOG LOVER!

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Pope Francis retirement rumoured after 85-year-old announces latest plans

Jun 9 2022

Rumours surrounding Pope Francis’ retirement have run rampant after the 85-year-old announced that he will attend a feast initiated by 13th century pope who also resigned.

Various Italian and Catholic media outlets have speculated that Pope Francis may follow in his predecessor Benedict XVI’s footsteps after he was recently seen using a wheelchair in public due to a minor knee operation.

The operation, together with the reportedly unusual decision of hosting a consistory on August 27 to create new cardinals have continued to fuel Pope Francis’ retirement rumours.

A day after the 27th, Francis will attend the Perdonanza Celestiniana festival in L’Aquila, where he will visit the tomb of Celestine V, a pope who resigned in 1294, only five months after becoming pope. Benedict had visited this same tomb in 2009 ahead of his resignation in 2013, with many considering it to be a symbolic gesture.

Do you think that Pope Francis will resign?

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