Maltese families to host migrants in their homes in rescue pilot project

Maltese families to host migrants at their homes in rescue pilot project

Sep 24 2021

International humanitarian organisation Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) has launched a pilot project in which Maltese families may offer their homes to host refugees and asylums seekers in Malta.

Since its founding in 2013 by Maltese-based American philanthropist Christopher Catrambone and his Italian wife Regina, MOAS has provided humanitarian assistance to people in need smack bang in the middle of the Mediterranean migration crisis. Migrants are put into detention and subject to removal order, often facing subsequent financial instability and housing issues after leaving the detention centres.

MOAS’ Family Hosting pilot project has already seen a family with two children host a 21-year-old South Sudanese man for a number of months, where he is hosted and provided food in return for daily chores and volunteer work with the organisation.

Several Maltese citizens residents have already expressed their interest in hosting the refugees and supporting the organisation through sponsorships and housing solutions. MOAS reportedly draws inspiration from projects beyond our shores such as the “Refugee in my home” project from the Italian Caritas.

Would you host a refugee in your home?

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Maltese government registers €753.2 million deficit by end of August; NSO reveals

Sep 24 2021

The National Statistics Office has published a statement which reveals that the Government’s Consolidated Fund registered a deficit of €753.2 million by the end of August 2021.

From January until August, recurrent revenue was registered at €3,221.5 million which is 27.6% higher than the figures reported the year before. The largest recorded increase came from income tax at €331.4 million, followed by value added tax at €186.1 million, social security at €134.6 million and customs and excise duties at €58.5 million. The country’s expenditure total stood at €3,974.7 million by the end of August, which is 10.1% higher than 2020.

The primary contributor to the Recurrent Expenditure was the whopping €433.2 million rise registered under programmes and initiatives, with the largest development of the latter being the Pandemic Assistance Scheme which include the COVID-19 Business Assistance Programme, totalling at €257.4 million.

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Barcelona draw against Cadiz as dire season continues

Sep 24 2021

Barcelona’s disastrous season continued yesterday, as they lost points again, this time to 14th place Cadiz. The game ended in a 0-0 deadlock but was filled with drama and two red cards for the Blaugrana one for midfielder Frenkie de Jong and the other for manager Ronald Koeman.

The first half of the game didn’t feature a lot of highlights, it was dominated by possession from Barcelona and counter attacking from Cadiz. Despite there being suitable chances for both teams,, no one managed to convert them. The second half became more intense, as Barcelona were nervous of another bad result whilst Cadiz knew it was there chance to beat them.

The nervousness and intensity of the Barcelona players led to a second yellow card for Frenkie de Jong in the 65th minute. The game changed because of the red card. Barcelona were now more cautious which led to Cadiz attacking more and more. In the dying embers of the game as Cadiz were attacking more and more, Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets did something that later would go viral.

The defensive midfielder after noticing there were two balls by mistake on the field, kicked the extra ball at the Cadiz player who had the actual ball in his feet. This led to the referee awarding a free kick to Cadiz, but also stopped them from scoring a goal.

Now Busquets carded for kicking the second ball on the pitch… wtf is happening. #CadizBarca pic.twitter.com/CSDtGEyl2S

— Poor Kid (@__brownpepper) September 23, 2021

The game ended with another red card, this time to Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman for complaining throughout the game. Ronald Koeman has been making headlines lately, with many journalists reporting that he is close to the sack. He reportedly has a very distant relationship with the president of Barcelona Joan Laporta right now. That and the added factor of the team not performing won’t help him going forward. Names such as Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Conte and former player Xavi have already been shortlisted according to many reports.

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Only electric cars allowed in Valletta by 2030; Valletta Cultural Agency proposes

Sep 24 2021

Amongst a number of other proposals made by The Valletta Cultural Agency to the government and relevant authorities, the VCA has proposed that only electric vehicles should be allowed entry into the city by 2030.

A statement by the VCA stated that “following the success of Valletta’s economic, social and cultural regeneration and the Valletta 2018 legacy, the Valletta Cultural Agency is working on a long-term vision for a cleaner and greener city…”

The Valletta 2030 vision tackles a number of environmental issues into consideration and bases itself around green energy and positive contribution to the environment, with one of the main take-aways being less pollution as a result of fewer cars. Shifting to clean and renewable energy not only cuts down on greenhouse gases and as a result provides “cleaner air, modern services and more habitable spaces.”

Other proposals include turning all service-providing vehicles electric by 2023 and only granting permits to hospitality establishments which are 100% eco-friendly.

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