Over 1,000 Calls Made to 138 Hotline in First Two Weeks

Aug 21 2024

A new helpline for reporting construction site issues has received over 1,000 calls in its first two weeks, Times of Malta reports. Launched on August 5 by Servizz.gov, the 138 helpline deals with a variety of concerns, including construction site abuse and health and safety inquiries.

According to figures revealed to Times of Malta, the helpline, operated by six to eight agents, has forwarded more than 700 calls to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and over 200 to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA). The BCA oversees construction site standards, while the OHSA addresses worker safety.

Massimo Vella, CEO of Servizz.gov, spoke to Times of Malta about the helpline’s unexpected high volume of calls. He emphasized that the response reflects a significant demand for such a service. The helpline is named in memory of Jean Paul Sofia, a construction site accident victim.

Vella highlighted that common issues reported include dust emissions, non-compliance with BCA protocols, and safety breaches like the lack of protective gear. The helpline operates 24/7, with calls typically handled within five minutes.

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Local Linguist Goes Viral Finding Maltese Version Of ‘Demure’

Aug 21 2024

Taking to social media, linguist Kurt Rumbajsa went viral attempting to find the Maltese versions of currently trending phrases ‘demure’, ‘mindful’ and ‘cutesy’.

The phrase “very mindful, very demure” has gone viral, thanks to TikTok user Jools Lebron, who popularized it in a series of videos. The TikToker uses these words to describe the appropriateness of makeup and fashion choices for different settings.

@rumbajsa

kif tkun demure b’mod Mediterran u meħud mix-xemx 🫶🏼💖💋🌸🍰✨🩰🎀 #demure #fyp #fypmalta #fypage #foryou #foryoupage #tiktokmalta #maltatiktok #maltafyp #malti #🇲🇹 #malta #maltese #malteselanguage #language #linguistics

♬ original sound – Kurt Rumbajsa

Kurt concluded that ‘dekoruż/a’ or ‘għandha d-dekor’ can be the best version of demure in Maltese (whilst also commending a commenter who shared a photo of Freddie Portelli as someone with demure).

Meanwhile, Kurt suggested we use the phrase ’nkun nies’ (literally ‘to be people’) as the alternative for mindful.

As for cutesy, while quite simple, Kurt urged us to bring back the diminutive forms of adjectives and thus recommends ‘ħlejju’.

What do you think of Kurt’s suggestions?

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Donald Trump Posts Fake Images of Taylor Swift Endorsement

Aug 21 2024

Donald Trump has shared AI-generated images on Truth Social, falsely suggesting that Taylor Swift and her fans are endorsing him for the 2024 presidential election. One image features Taylor Swift dressed in patriotic colours with the caption, “Taylor Swift Wants You To Vote For Donald Trump.” Trump added the comment, “I accept!” alongside the post.

Swift has not publicly endorsed any candidate for the upcoming election, though she previously supported Joe Biden in 2020 and has been critical of Trump in the past. Some of the images show fans in “Swifties for Trump” T-shirts, but NBC News reports that at least 15 of the women in the pictures are AI-generated.

The images, originally posted on X (formerly Twitter) by pro-Trump accounts, were also accompanied by guides on how to use AI tools to create similar content. One account even admitted there is no “Swifties for Trump” movement, but Trump’s campaign spokesperson contradicted this, claiming it is “growing bigger every single day.”

Swift has not responded to the posts and is currently concluding her European tour. The fake images are part of a growing trend of AI-generated content shared by Trump in his 2024 campaign.

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Huge Success For Maltese Trio Team Maximum Lock In Guernsey, UK

Aug 21 2024

Team Maximum Lock, Malta’s premier precision driving team, has been captivating audiences worldwide with their thrilling stunt performances.

Recently, they showcased their incredible skills at prestigious events, including the Guernsey Motor Festival, The British Motor Show, and BugJam, performing in front of over 150,000 spectators.

Their shows, featuring the iconic Nissan Skylines and 350Zs, deliver high-adrenaline, tyre-smoking action that leaves crowds on the edge of their seats.

This Maltese team, composed of drivers Clint Abela, Mark Galea, and Christian Bezzina, has become a standout name in Europe’s precision driving scene.

Performing 21 shows over just four weeks, they shared the stage with world-renowned stunt driver Paul Swift and popular YouTuber Mark McCann, further cementing their reputation as a leading act in the stunt driving world.

Team Maximum Lock’s performances are defined by their remarkable precision, leaving no room for error, making them a crowd-puller at any event. Recognized as one of Europe’s best precision driving teams, they have a packed schedule ahead, with 14 international events lined up for 2024.

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