More police have retired than been recruited in 10 years

Aug 25 2021

More police officers have retired from the force than joined over the past decade, with the tattoo policy, low starting salary and lack of incentives being the highest factors impacting this phenomenon. Between 2010 and June of 2021, around 1,205 officers retired from duty, according to data provided to Times of Malta. On the other hand, 998 recruits were appointed between 2010 and 2020, with 65 more added in 2021.

A spokesperson told Times of Malta that another 41 candidates are undergoing induction training within the Academy for Disciplined Forces. The MPF also removed height restrictions as of November 2020, along with increasing the age limit to 39 from 30. The tattoo issue seems to be the biggest hinderance for new recruits as, despite not being outright banned, they must be fully covered up by the uniform. The lack of recruits, according to General secretary of the Malta Police Association Marlon Hili, is not exclusive to Malta, as other countries are experiencing a similar phenomenon.

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force FB

Buckingham Palace staff shocked after finding out who the Queen supports

Aug 25 2021

The Queen has long kept her mouth shut when it comes to which football club she supports in order to stay neutral. Many football fans have wondered over which football team she supports, but their answers might have been answered as the Queen has reportedly slipped out her favourite team.

According to The Daily Mirror, the British Head of State, upon hearing that one of her staff was a Millwall fan, told her staff that she was a West Ham fan. This came as a shock to not only her staff but to nearly any football fan in the country as West Ham are a club notoriously associated with hooligans.

It is reported that the Queen also has a fondness for fellow London side Arsenal. Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas told news that whilst meeting her royal highness, she told the team that she has always had a soft spot for Arsenal. It is said that the Queen started supporting West Ham back in the 60’s when they won an FA Cup, European Cup winners Cup and had the bulk of their squad in England’s team that won the World Cup in 1966.

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Marlene Farrugia and Konrad Mizzi MPs with most fines for being absent from parliament

Aug 25 2021

Independent MPs Konrad Mizzi and Marlene Farrugia have racked up the largest amount of fines for being absent from parliament. Figures obtained by MaltaToday show how Konrad Mizzi was absent from parliament with no justification on 26 occasions, with Marlene up close with 25 instances. Both were fined €50 on each of these occasions, leading to Mizzi cultivating a bill of €1,300 and Farrugia a bill of €1,250.

Clerk of the House provided the newsroom with the attendance records. These stats also show Jason Azzopardi, Chris Said and Economy Minister Silvio Schembri in third place, having been absent on 12 occasions. A total of 46 MPS have been fined, with Prime Minister Robert Abela and Health Minister Chris Fearne being fined for one instance of absenteeism. According to the rules, MPs are fined €50 if they are not present in parliament for a whole day when the House is convened.

Although MPs may be listed in records as absent, a fine will not be incurred if they would have attended a parliamentary committee at any point during that day. Records also show that parliament’s plenary was in session 489 times in the current legislature until the summer recess.

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Photo Source: Euronews, ConstitutionNet, The Report Company

Boris Johnson demanding Taliban allow safe passage for fleeing Afghans

Aug 25 2021

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has demanded that the Taliban guarantee safe passage for anyone wishing to leave Afghanistan. Following US President Joe Biden’s resistance to pressure to extend the timeline for American troops to withdraw beyond August 31st, Johnson said that leaders have now agreed upon a joint approach to dealing with evacuees. This comes after a virtual G7 summit, with a roadmap allegedly being on the way to engage with Taliban militants.

Johnson has said that despite G7 leaders agreeing to future engagement with Taliban, they cannot let Afghanistan to ‘lurch back’ into a terrorist breeding ground. Girls must still receive an education up until the age of 18 and the safe passage of evacuees beyond 31st August is the G7’s number one priority. Despite the deadline and Taliban warning consequences for those attempting leave afterwards, Johnson believes the tight deadline can be worked with.

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Photo Source: Sky News, DW