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Maltese Honeybee Declared National Insect

Maltese Honeybee Declared National Insect
Sep 25 2024 Share

Malta has officially proclaimed the Maltese honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) as its National Insect, joining five other recognized national species. This distinctive honeybee, known locally as “in-naħla ta’ Malta,” has evolved in isolation on the Maltese Islands, making it ideally adapted to the region’s hot and dry summers.

Honeybees are vital for both agriculture and biodiversity, providing essential services like pollination and the production of honey and beeswax. With this new status, the Maltese honeybee will enjoy enhanced legal protections and increased public awareness regarding its crucial role in environmental health.

Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli, celebrated the declaration, saying, “This declaration is a proud moment for Malta. The Maltese honeybee is a symbol of our natural heritage and a key player in sustaining both our environment and agriculture.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Anton Refalo, highlighted the initiative as a significant step toward preserving local genetic resources and enhancing agricultural products. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by the Ministries and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to foster biodiversity monitoring and conservation, including the Malta Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, which relies on the support of volunteers and citizen scientists.

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Simpatici Cast Celebrate Double Tokis Awards Win At Quiz Night

Simpatici Cast Celebrate Double Tokis Awards Win At Quiz Night
Sep 25 2024 Share

During a Simpatiċi themed quiz night, actors from the beloved local show entered the venue to celebrate the victory of two awards at the Go Tokis Awards.

The show bagged the ‘Favourite Program Over The Years’ award as well as the ‘Most Viewed On Tokis’ award, with Hermann Bonaci and Frida Cauchi bringing the trophies to the event to celebrate.

The event was organised by ‘Botta u Risposta’, bringing together fans of the famous local show, which has found a younger audience and resurgence on the GO Tokis streaming platform.

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€35,000 Raised For Hospice Malta In 3rd Junglebox x Warehouse Challenge

€35,000 Raised For Hospice Malta In 3rd Junglebox x Warehouse Challenge
Sep 25 2024 Share

The third edition of The Jungle Box X Warehouse Hyrox Challenge, held at the University of Malta’s Campus Hub from 13th to 15th September, raised €35,000 in support of Hospice Malta. This fitness event brought together around 900 athletes, who pushed themselves through endurance and functional exercises, all in aid of a meaningful cause.


This year’s HYROX Challenge continued its tradition of combining competition with community engagement, raising funds for Hospice Malta, which provides free palliative care and comprehensive support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The money will also contribute to the opening of St. Michael Hospice, Malta’s first dedicated palliative care center.

Alexia Demicoli, Chief Relations Officer at Hospice Malta, expressed her appreciation: “We are truly grateful for the generosity of everyone involved in the 3rd edition of the HYROX Challenge. A big thank you to the amazing organizers – Junglebox, Warehouse, and Garmin Malta – for organizing this event once again. The funds raised will enable us to continue providing free palliative care to over 1,500 patients. Every contribution makes a real difference in the lives of our patients and their families.”

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17,000 Students & 3,000 Educators Enter Local Church Schools

17,000 Students & 3,000 Educators Enter Local Church Schools
Sep 25 2024 Share

Around 17,000 students and over 3,000 educators began the new school year in Malta and Gozo’s 55 Church schools, spanning kindergarten to sixth form.

Approximately 120 educators are experiencing their first year in a Church school, and as part of their preparation, the Secretariat for Catholic Education held meetings emphasizing quality education and respect for human dignity.

Educators were reminded that their presence and work embody Christian values within the school community.

Over the summer, Church schools underwent maintenance and improvement works to enhance the learning environment. Some educators also received training in new teaching methods aimed at improving student outcomes.

The Secretariat continued working during the summer, including adjusting educator salaries in line with a newly signed collective agreement.

Although discussions between Church Authorities and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) are still ongoing, it has been agreed that educators will receive back pay in December 2024, and salary improvements will take effect in January 2025 under the new agreement.

This year, around 2,000 new students joined Church schools, while more than 4,000 applications were received from students seeking entry into these schools across Malta and Gozo.

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