Mercury Towers Square Fills With Thousands For 1st Semifinal

Jul 10 2024

Thousands of local football fans gathered at Mercury Towers Square to watch the first semifinal of UEFA EURO 2024, which saw Spain face France.

Spain managed to beat France despite the losing team’s early goal in the 8th minute by Randal Kolo Muani.

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However, two goals by Spain, one by the young Lamine Yamal in the 21st minute and another soon after in the 25th by Dani Olmo saw Spain come out victorious and securing their place in the final.

They will now be facing either England or the Netherlands as the two teams are set to face each other today at 21:00.

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Study Shows Malta Suffers the Most from Hate Speech in Europe.

Jul 10 2024

A recent Eurobarometer report reveals that Maltese citizens are more likely than any other EU citizens to be affected by online hate speech, with 39% reporting a substantial impact. This is nearly double the EU average of 22%, highlighting a significant issue within Malta’s digital landscape.

The report, titled ‘The Digital Decade,’ shows that Malta surpasses other EU countries in this regard, followed by Slovenia (37%), Poland (31%), and France (30%). The high incidence of hate speech points to a broader societal issue that requires urgent attention from both local authorities and the EU.

The report also identifies untrustworthy online sellers as a significant problem for Maltese citizens, with one-third affected, which is higher than the EU average. The misuse of personal data (52%) and fake news (46%) are the most pressing issues, though these figures align with broader European trends.

The findings coincide with the EU’s assessment of the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at curbing illegal activities and disinformation online. While the DSA is a positive step, the report indicates a need for more targeted measures and stronger enforcement to address Malta’s unique challenges.

The high levels of online hate speech in Malta call for immediate and comprehensive action. Collaboration among policymakers, law enforcement, and online platforms is essential to combat this problem. Public awareness and educational initiatives can empower individuals to recognize and report hate speech, fostering a more respectful online community.

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Malta Airport Welcomed Over 858K Passengers In June

Jul 10 2024

In June, Malta International Airport saw a significant rise in traffic, with passenger movements increasing by 13.9% compared to the same month the previous year, totalling 858,738.

Operations peaked on June 27, when 33,269 passengers traveled on 207 flights. Aircraft movements for the month rose by 14.7%, and seat capacity saw a 13.5% increase, reaching 991,771 seats. The seat load factor slightly improved by 0.3 percentage points from June 2023, reaching 86.6%.

The Italian market remained the top driver of traffic, contributing 198,455 passenger movements and holding just over 23% of the market share.

The United Kingdom followed with a 21.0% market share, then Germany (8.1%), France (7.7%), and Poland (5.2%). Notably, Poland was the fastest-growing market among the top five, with a 46.6% increase in passenger movements. The most popular airport was London Gatwick, which saw 50,447 passenger movements.

Cargo and mail handled during the month amounted to 1,875 tonnes.

Year-to-date traffic showed a positive trend, with 4,065,414 passenger movements, reflecting an 18.4% increase over 2023. This growth highlights Malta International Airport’s increasing role as a key hub, demonstrating notable performance in both passenger and cargo traffic.

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Diver Sacrificed Himself Trying To Save Other In Żonqor Tragedy

Jul 10 2024

A Times of Malta report revealed that experienced diver Krzysztof Białecki tragically sacrificed his life attempting to save another diver, Dominic Dubaj, during a diving incident off Żonqor, Marsaskala.

The incident occurred on Saturday while Białecki and a group of Polish divers were exploring the Le Polynesien, a World War I wreck at a depth of 50 meters.

Joanna Wyrebek, a diving instructor who witnessed the event, recounted that Białecki knowingly sacrificed crucial decompression time to assist Dubaj.

Despite their efforts, Dubaj died before reaching the hospital, and Białecki succumbed to his injuries hours later at Mater Dei Hospital.

Both divers were Polish nationals residing in the UK and were part of Diving Explorers, a group co-founded by Białecki.

Known affectionately as “tato” for his leadership and extensive diving experience, Białecki was highly respected within the diving community.

Wyrebek described Białecki as a selfless hero, revered by many.

The tragic accident is one of several recent diving-related incidents in Malta, highlighting the dangers associated with the sport. Tributes from the diving community honoured Białecki’s contributions and passion for diving, highlighting his role as a mentor and leader.

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