Masked Man Making Police WhatsApp Scam Calls

Apr 24 2024

The Malta Police Force have issued a scam warning of scam WhatsApp calls being made with their official logo.

The calls are being made in the name of the police force but with foreign numbers. Upon answering, persons ere met with a masked person wearing a t-shirt resembling a police uniform.

The person proceeds to ask for details related to bank information and credit cards.

‘These calls are not being made by the Malta Police Force and users must refrain from answering such calls and ignore them’, the police force wrote on social media.

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30% Of Local Households Could Not Afford 1 Week Annual Holiday

Apr 24 2024

The European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey for 2023 revealed rates of material and social deprivation at 9.2% and severe material and social deprivation at 4.1%, showing slight decreases from 2022.

These rates are determined based on the ability of households to afford a set of essential items, with those unable to afford at least five items classified as materially and socially deprived, and those unable to afford at least seven items considered severely deprived.

Specifically, in 2023, significant percentages of respondents reported difficulty affording certain necessities, such as a one-week annual holiday away from home (30.0 percent), settling unexpected expenses over €770 (15.9 percent), keeping the home adequately warm in winter (6.8percent), and making timely payments on mortgage or rent, utility bills, or loan payments (5.7 percent).

The survey also highlighted disparities among different demographics, with 5.6% of children and varying percentages of adults experiencing severe material and social deprivation. Quality-of-life indicators, including social activities and leisure participation, also reflected challenges faced by a notable portion of the population.

Additionally, household problems such as pollution (34.6%), neighbourhood noise (30.5%), inadequate lighting (9.0%), and crime (7.6%) were reported, with an increase in overall dwelling-related issues compared to the previous year.

These findings underscore ongoing challenges related to material and social deprivation across demographic groups in Europe, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to improve quality of life and address housing and financial concerns.

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Source: NSO

20 Years Since Biggest EU Enlargement In 2004

Apr 24 2024

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola spoke about the 20th anniversary since the EU’s largest enlargement as it welcomed 10 new countries into the fold.

Malta was joined by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia in their accession into the European Union.

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Metsola explained how, 20 years ago, she was present in Malta’s capital city of Valletta along with thousands of other people.

Their attention was directed to counting down the seconds until Malta joined the EU – with the image of such a large crowd remaining imprinted in Metsola’s mind.

‘For millions of people, joining the EU meant renewal, a sense of pride and union’, said Metsola. Referring to the various challenges the EU has faced these past few years, Metsola reminded everyone of what the EU stands for and what, together, it can achieve.

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Saharan Dust Storm Clouds Turn Athens, Greece Orange

Apr 24 2024

A yellow-orange haze of dust from the Sahara desert has swept across parts of Greece, creating striking visuals and prompting health advisories.

The Greek meteorological service attributed the phenomenon to favourable weather conditions on Tuesday that facilitated the movement of dust from Africa, resulting in heightened concentrations in the atmosphere, particularly in the southern regions of Greece.

The dust was expected to gradually diminish by Wednesday morning, becoming confined to the eastern areas later in the day.

Videos and images shared online depicted Athenians observing the unusual yellow-orange fog from vantage points near the city.

Social media posts showcased the surreal scenes, with Greek Meteorologist Kostas Lagouvardos comparing Athens to “a colony of Mars” due to the unusual atmospheric appearance.

This occurrence of dust clouds originating from northern Africa impacting Greece and neighboring regions is intermittent but not uncommon, leading to reduced visibility and respiratory concerns.

Cyprus, situated in the eastern Mediterranean, also experienced similar dust incursions in mid-April, resulting in darkened skies and compromised air quality, as confirmed by NASA’s observations from the Terra satellite. NASA anticipates continued dust migration across the Mediterranean, affecting both Cyprus and Greece in the coming days.

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Sources:
Ekaterina_Zaeva TikTok
Shona TikTok