Maltese Scientist Wins Prestigious National Geographic Grant

Jan 8 2025

Prof. Eleanor Scerri, a Maltese scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany, has been awarded a prestigious National Geographic Grant, one of only ten granted globally this year.

This accolade follows her earlier success in securing a €1.5 million European Research Grant. The funding will support her groundbreaking research into the ancient ecosystems of the Maltese Islands, shedding light on the region’s unique miniaturised ‘megafauna,’ such as pygmy elephants and giant swans, which once roamed the islands.

Prof. Scerri, in collaboration with the University of Malta’s Department of Classics and Archaeology, Heritage Malta, and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, aims to answer fundamental questions about when these animals lived, why they disappeared, and how their loss shaped local ecosystems. Her work also explores how human activity later transformed the islands’ landscapes and biodiversity.

To disseminate early findings, Prof. Scerri and Prof. Nicholas Vella from the University of Malta are organising a flagship conference titled Island Legacies: Prehistoric Insular Ecosystems, Societies, and Climate Change in the Mediterranean.

Supported by RIDT and the Max Planck Institute, the conference will unite experts from across the Mediterranean to link past insights with present ecological challenges. Prof. Scerri believes this research will contribute valuable knowledge to address today’s climate and biodiversity crises.

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Maltese Among Lowest In EU To Spend Disposable Income On Housing

Jan 8 2025

According to reports by Eurostat, the Maltese were the second to last in 2023 among EU households to spend disposable income on housing.

Malta registered 12% of disposable income being spent on housing, following Cyprus at 11.6%. Slovenia followed Malta at 13.8%.

Meanwhile, the highest amount was registered in Greece at 35.2% of total income, followed by Denmark and Germany at 25.9% and 25.2% respectively.

In the EU in general, an average of 19.7% was spent on housing in 2023.

What do you make of this?

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PN Leader Insists Attorney General Publish 17 Black Inquiry In Full

Jan 8 2025

In an interview with Dione Borg on the program Kuntatt on NET FM, Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) Leader Bernard Grech discussed recent developments regarding the magisterial inquiry into the 17 Black company and the Panama Papers. Grech described these developments as further evidence supporting longstanding claims by the PN that the Electrogas power station project was tied to corruption under Labour-led governments.

Grech criticized the Attorney General, Victoria Buttigieg, for not providing a copy of the full inquiry to those who originally initiated it, including PN representatives Simon Busuttil and David Casa. He emphasized that the Attorney General has a responsibility to publish the inquiry, which he has repeatedly called for. Grech argued that full publication would allow the public to understand the extent of alleged corruption and how funds were misappropriated.

The PN Leader also reiterated his concerns about inaction by the Police Commissioner and Attorney General, stating that many corruption cases tied to the Labour Party remain unresolved. He highlighted that the magisterial inquiry into 17 Black, which linked the company to former Minister Konrad Mizzi and former Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, was only made possible through the efforts of PN officials and journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed the company before her assassination.

Grech urged Prime Minister Robert Abela to ensure the inquiry’s publication and accused him of failing to hold his government accountable. He also expressed concerns that the inquiry could face the same delays as other investigations, such as the Vitals-Steward case. Should this occur, Grech stated that the PN would pursue legal action and public demonstrations to defend citizens’ rights.

He said that Labour MPs had obstructed efforts to investigate the Electrogas project within the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, including voting against summoning key witnesses. Grech concluded by reiterating his party’s commitment to uncovering the truth and addressing corruption.

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Team Maximum Lock To Represent At Europe’s Biggest Motorsport Show

Jan 8 2025

In a landmark achievement for Maltese motorsport, Team Maximum Lock is set to make history at Autosport International 2025, Europe’s largest motorsport show, held January 9-12 at Birmingham’s NEC.

Representing Malta as the sole international act from the islands, the team will dazzle audiences with their precision driving expertise.

Drivers Mark Galea, Christian Bezzina, Clint Abela, and Jack Fenech will perform breathtaking routines using high-performance Nissan Skylines and 350Zs.

The indoor arena’s low-light conditions, illuminated only by stage lighting, will challenge their precision, demanding extraordinary spatial awareness as they execute synchronized drifts and high-speed stunts with millimeter-perfect accuracy.

What sets Team Maximum Lock apart is their multifaceted approach—handling logistics, marketing, and planning alongside their driving, an uncommon feat in a highly specialized industry.

Their participation at Autosport International, which attracts over 90,000 global attendees, highlights Malta’s growing presence in the international motorsport scene.

This performance isn’t just a display of technical mastery; it’s a celebration of Malta’s influence on the global stage.

As ambassadors of their nation, the team carries the pride of the Maltese Islands, proving that even small countries can make an outsized impact in motorsport. Their journey continues to inspire, uniting skill, precision, and showmanship.

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