Over 400 businesses to benefit from new Lands Authority Scheme

Aug 31 2021

Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri has just launched the Lands Authority Scheme in relation to the revision of commercial leases and recognition of heirs upon the demise of the lessee. With around 400 commercial leases on governmental properties which have or are about to expire, the Minister explained how a large number of renewals are on hold in view of the rise in rental value.

Many of these commercial leases are considered to be family-run businesses with a limited turnover. The minister stated how, ‘through this scheme, as a government, we are seeking to provide an equitable and affordable solution in order to aid all businesses in the current situation. The scheme shall be limited to those leases which have expired and are pending renewal.

All leases which have expired, are pending renewal or are due to expire in the near future can benefit up to the end of 2023. With the scheme taking into consideration all requests for recognition of heirs up to the end of 2023, the Minister explained that the Lands Authority identified three specific scenarios in which the scheme would be beneficial to owners.

1 – Lease holders with expired leases or leases about to expire (up to the end of 2023) who have either refused new terms or haven’t yet applied for renewal. Commercial leases entered into before the 25th April 2017 and have expired or are yet to do so before 2023 ends, shall be automatically renewed with a standard annual increase of 5% for date of expiry up to first of June 2028.

2- Lease holders who have accepted renewal and are paying the revised rates, but their lease has expired before the 1st of June 2028. An extension up to the 1st of June 2028 applies, along with refund difference in rates through notice of a credit note and establishing a new rental value of +5%/annum as of the last expiry date. Commercial leases entered into prior 25th of April 2017 and have since expire or shall expire before 2023’s end shall be renewed automatically with a standard annual increase of 5 percent from date of export up to 1st of June 2028

3 – Finally, lease holders who have already accepted the renewal and are paying the revised rates and will have their leases expire after 1st June 2028. Given this context, lease holders can retain current lease agreements, along with current rental rates and relative expiry date, or accept the renewal of commercial leases and revision of rental rates of 2021. In this case, the lease expiry date shall be changed to 1st June 2028.

L-iskema li ħabbart dalgħodu se tkun qed tgħin madwar 400 negozju li l-maġġoranza tagħhom huma negozji żgħar jew negozji…

Posted by Silvio Schembri on Tuesday, 31 August 2021

The minister announced that official letters will be sent to all owners who will benefit from this scheme. He also acknowledged heirs upon demise of the lessee. He explained that the heirs will be recognised and the 5% rental increase per annum will be applied. Finally, the minister also stated, with great satisfaction, that no one will be left behind by the government and that through the scheme, hardships will be eased and businesses will be reached out to.

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Photo Source: Silvio Schembri FB

Philippines vaccine centre plays zombie film as people await their jab

Aug 31 2021

As people waited to receive their vaccination in the Philippines, they were treated to a screening of World War Z, a blockbuster zombie film released in 2013. A photo showing people waiting on plastic chairs with a gigantic screen with the movie’s title card was shared on Twitter and captioned with a phrase ‘a bit of a questionable film choice…’. Some however, found the decision quite fitting, calling it an instructional video on getting vaccinated and avoiding spread of the virus.

Of course, the film features reanimated corpses munching on people and Brad Pitt looking elegant as he evades zombie horde after horde. Still, the photo garnered a lot of attention, with some recommending other zombie franchises to be shown for the next round of jab applicants. Some pointed out how a vaccine saves the heroes whilst others recommended other zombie films with less positive endings. Walking Dead for walk-in vaccination hubs anyone?

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Protect your ageing brain by finding your sleep ‘sweet spot’

Aug 31 2021

According to a new study published in the journal JAMA Neurology, the length of adult’s sleep schedules could affect their brain health. Disrupted sleep is a common phenomenon late in life and is associated with changes in cognitive function. This is the mental capacity for learning, reasoning, decision-making, remembering and paying attention. Age-related changes in sleep have also had connections to depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Those in the study who reported short sleep duration (6 hours or less) had elevated levels of beta amyloid, which increases risk of dementia. That was in comparison to participants who slept seven to eight hours per night, considered to be the normal sleep duration. Older adults with inadequate sleep also performed moderately to worse on tests used on older adults to assess cognition, orientation, attention, language and memory. Sleeping too much, on the other hand, was associated with lesser executive function and even higher body mass index. The moral of the story: find your sleep sweet spot no matter how busy you get!

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Photo Source: Adobe Stock, Brittanica

‘I’m back where I belong!’; Cristiano Ronaldo opens up about his move to Manchester United

Aug 31 2021

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo took to Facebook to open up about his very recent move to Manchester United. He opened his statement by saying that everyone who knows him knows about his never ending love for the team. He said ‘The years I spent in this club were absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.’

He unveiled how he cannot explain his feelings as he sees his return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. He spoke of how, despite playing multiple times against Manchester United, he still felt love and respect from the supporters in the stands. He described this as ‘100% of what dreams are made of.’ He said that his first domestic league, first cup, Champions League, Golden Boot, and Ballon d’Or were born from this connection to Red Devils.

‘I’m back where I belong! Let’s make it happen once again!’ concludes Ronaldo, dedicating it to former manager Alex Ferguson.

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