NGO shocked over dismissal of Cannabis Authority chair

Nov 12 2022

Following the dismissal of Malta’s first chair of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis Mariella Dimech, NGO Releaf released a statement expressing its concerns about the situation’s development.

Mariella Dimech announced that her services had been terminated by the home affairs ministry 10 months since her appointment despite being appointed for a 3 year term.

Dimech said that over the last 10 months she had to work without any functional office, no staff or budget and a political strategy she disagreed with.

The NGO raised concerns over the former Caritas drug rehab coordinator’s dismissal, saying that the human rights framework is being transformed into a commercial model by the industry.

Meanwhile, former Caritas director and executive head of the Housing Authority Leonid McKay has been appointed as the new executive chair of the cannabis authority.

The new appointment was however not approved by Releaf, with another statement pointing to his reportedly prohibitionist stances of ‘labelling’ cannabis users as ‘sick patients in need of rehabilitation.’

On his part, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri defended McKay’s appointment, saying he is a worthy successor and that he would not have accepted the role had he not believed in the cause.

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Community policing to now cover 75% of Malta says Minister

Nov 12 2022

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri revealed on Friday that community policing is set to be extended to 8 other localities.

This scheme would thus be extending the service to over 75% of Malta, with new officers being introduced to Zurrieq, Zebbug, Siggiewi, Qrendi, San Gwann, Xghajra, Zabbar and Marsascala.

The scheme goes back to Mellieha in 2019, with the police force adding more localities to the list as the government pledged extending it to the entire island by 2023.

Camilleri explained how this is intended to allow officers to operate foot patrols in the same area more often and hopefully create a stronger bond with people in the localities.

Localities will have their own personal police officers, Camilleri explained, as well as Facebook groups for residents and the police through collaboration with the local councils.

Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa explained that the ambitious plan of having public policing nation-wide by 2023 is slowly being achieved and confirms how people are more entrusting of the police force.

Minivan full of school children crashes into wall in Imsida; no grievous injuries reported

Nov 11 2022

At around 1:30pm today, a minivan full of school children crashed into a wall in Triq l-Isqof F.S. Caruana, Msida.

Preliminary investigations found that the driver lost control of his Ford Transit van and crashed into the wall.

A medical team and ambulance were called on site to assist the driver and children and thankfully, no grievous injuries were sustained. For precautionary reasons, those involved were still taken to Mater Dei hospital for examination.

A part of the road was closed for traffic, with Transport Malta officials directing traffic whilst police conduct the relevant investigations.

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Photo Source: Malta Dizastru Totali

Clouds on Friday with thunder and rain showers over Malta for the rest of the weekend

Nov 11 2022

Ahead of what is expected to be a turbulent two days, Malta’s weather on Friday looks to remain party cloudy with periods of sunshine whilst feeling relatively humid.

Winter conditions begin to approach, with multiple weather pages forecasting temperature highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C. On Saturday & Sunday, the Malta Meteorological Office is forecasting isolated showers and thundery showers respectively.

Despite the Met Office’s forecast of partly cloudy weather throughout the remainder of Friday, alternative weather pages such as ‘Malta Weather’ are forecasting potential isolated rain showers across Malta and Gozo.

Do you have any plans for tonight?

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Photo Source: Nikolett Everett / Polina Kovaleva