Manuel Delia to flee Malta following death threats

Sep 23 2021

After receiving anonymous threats, some concerning his well-being, activist and blogger Manuel Delia has revealed that he will be temporarily leaving Malta due to security reasons. The news was first revealed on an Italian website which forms part of a wider interview on Articolo21. The portal highlighted how Delia was being forced to leave the island, his family and children due to the threats, with the European Center for Press and Media Freedom offering him a safe place to spend time until the situation improves. Delia clarified that he will not stop writing while away however, saying that he will be able to focus on his work without having to give much ‘heed too nuisance phone calls in the middle of the night and the sort of noise that is designed to distract [him].’

Delia revealed that there are other journalists, activists, lawyers and even state officials who are under a lot of pressure and have just as much reason to be concerned. Delia spoke in an interview, saying that he was facing threats by criminals inside and outside prison which are ’empowered by a ruling political party.’ He told MaltaToday that he had received text messages personally directed at him, from anonymous numbers and from a US number based in Miami. Delia does not think the threats form part of a partisan campaign from any party, but the Labour party media’s reports intending to discrediting him could add fuel to the fire and impunity.

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Photo Source: Manuel Delia

Story Bridge in Brisbane lights up with Maltese colors

Sep 23 2021

Story Bridge in Brisbane Australia donned the Maltese colors red and white on Tuesday for Malta’s Independence Day celebrations. The spectacle celebrates the Maltese expats living in the country, with many living in Brisbane and other Australian localities such as Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast uniting together to celebrate the country’s Independence. Photos were uploaded to Facebook by Sandra Alexandra Micallef, who thanked the Brisbane City Council for lighting up the bridge with the colors to raise awareness about the Maltese holiday.

Here is a short video on Malta’s Independence Day:

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Bernard Grech receives copy of cannabis White Paper after claiming it was never published

Sep 23 2021

After the Opposition Leader Bernard Grech claimed during an interview that no ‘white paper’ for cannabis decriminalization was ever published, Labour’s youth group Zghazagh Laburisti teased Grech by sending him a copy said white paper. A letter attached read: ‘We took note of the claims that you made at the end of the week about cannabis. As a branch in a political party which pushed their ideas about the subject forward, we were sorely disappointed by your assertive claim which seems to imply that you were not even aware of there being a White Paper published last March for public consultation.’

The letter continued by implying that Grech might have forgotten about the publication, because the political wing ‘remembers’ Grech blaming the conversation regarding cannabis as being the culprit behind the survey results garnered by Grech himself. They also pointed out how Grech seemed to imply that youths only care about cannabis. They continued; ‘we are interested in seeing everyone contribute to the discussion, and the government has already stated that the legislative process will commence once Parliament reconvenes.’

The letter concluded that should Grech re-enter the conversation with a heavy heart, he should ignore their letter. What do you make of this situation?

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB, Zghazagh Laburisti FB

The air pollution crisis is worse than we thought says WHO

Sep 23 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the air pollution crisis is even more dangerous than we had previously conceived. It warns us of this information as it slashes maximum safe levels of key pollutants such as nitrogen oxide. With an estimated 7 million people dying prematurely annually from air-pollution linked diseases, it is low and middle income countries which suffer mostly from this issue due to their heavy reliance on fossil fuels for economic development. The WHO is now urging its 194 member states to cut down emissions and take action ahead of the COP26 summit taking place in November, placing air pollution right next to smoking and unhealthy eating.

What is considered a safe amount of pollution is constantly being lowered year by year, making the UK’s legal limits for the most harmful pollutants now four times higher than the maximum levels recommended by WHO. Air pollution is immensely difficult to stop, with the sources of such an issue being vehicle exhausts, gas central healing, cleaning fluids, solvents and even paints. Not even electric cars can offer a perfect solution as tyres wearing on the road are also a source of such pollutants.

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Photo Source: HealthCentral