Police fired around 50 shots when Aidan Bartolo drove at them

Dec 16 2021

After police officers two weeks ago engaged in Aidan Bartolo’s arrest in Mizieb, they revealed in court that they fired around 50 gunshots at the fugitive’s tyres between them.

Bartolo was being investigated on suspicion of drug trafficking and was stopped by six officers when he was in his car in Mellieha. Instead of following orders, the 24-year-old allegedly drove towards the police officers.

One of the officers stated that he fired around 17 shots, with another revealing he fired 13 shots. The other officers were in doubt as to the number of shots fired, but calculations brought the number up to 50 in total.

Bartolo himself was hit in the leg by a shot and is being charged with the attempted murder of the officers. Defence counsel asked whether it had been necessary to fire so many shots.

The accused is also insisting he simply wanted to escape but did not want to hurt the officers. The officers form part of the Special Intervention Unit, saying that their faces were covered but they had the word ‘police’ on their chest.

Police added they were not aware of his intentions, with Bartolo hitting two cars and a van. Bartolo was released on bail at the last sitting against a €5,000 deposit and a €40,000 personal guarantee.

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Photo Source: TVM, Malta Police Force

The Omicron variant is spreading faster than any COVID variant

Dec 16 2021

The World Health Organisation has raised concerns about the Omicron COVID-19 variant which is spreading at a rate unseen with previous mutations.

WHO Director-General Tedros-Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that dismissing the variant as mild is concerning enough, but the symptoms are also just as alarming.

Addressing a press conference, Tedros said that the variant has been detected in 77 countries so far, but it is probably in most even if it hasn’t been detected yet.

British officials have revealed that the country is currently experiencing a tidal wave of infections from the newly discovered variant. It has so far outcompeted the Delta variant in London.

The UK reported its first death from the variant on Monday, with 78,610 cases of COVID reported on Wednesday. This is the highest number of daily cases since the pandemic began.

Omicron also went from accounting for 0.4% of circulating virus in the US in the week of December 4 to 2.9% the following week. While data from South Africa suggests Omicron might be causing milder symptoms than previous variants, experts stress its too early to make firm conclusions.

‘We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild. Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril’ said Tedros.

Local doctor Frank Portelli highlighted the symptoms of Omicron, pointing towards massive fatigue, muscle pain, head aches, sweating throughout the night and a runny nose.

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Photo Source: Frank Portelli FB

Temperatures to feel like below zero this weekend with some hail!

Temperatures to hit below zero this weekend with some hail!

Dec 16 2021

Malta Weather has reported that a super cold continental north to north-eastern force 7 wind is expected to hit Malta and Gozo this weekend early on Sunday.

Bringing with it dry air, the wind will drive the wind-chill factor to below freezing temperatures. Soft hail is also a slight possibility.

It really does seem as though the Christmas season has kicked in, considering that Malta rarely gets any form of snow. Confidence in forecast is set at 70%, meaning this is all pretty likely to occur.

Meanwhile, the weather is also expected to bring a cloudy sky throughout the whole remainder of the week. No rain or storms are currently forecasted, but stay alert for slippery roads!

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Photo Source: Chartlon Bonello FB – Malta Weather FB

Malta named one of the 15 best islands to retire on around the world

Dec 16 2021

Worldwide newsportal ‘International Living’ has listed our little Mediterranean island as one of the 15 best islands in the world to retire on. And not just any island, its at number one!

The article sets the stage by saying ‘picture yourself lying on a deserted beach sipping your favourite cocktail and enjoying the ocean breeze […] Sound tempting?’ […] Here we’ve handpicked 15 islands, scattered around the globe that make for an affordable retirement.

And just a few scrolls down, Malta is headed as their top pick. Now the islands may have been placed in no particular order but given its first position, retirement hopefuls are more likely to pin point it as a candidate.

The tiny island is described as having something for everyone; ‘from ancient walled cities and breathtaking coastal trails to countryside farmhouses and charming restaurants.’

Addressed to North Americans, the article points out how Malta’s legacy of British colonisation renders it very approachable in terms of language.

It also said how ‘dollars can go surprisingly far here, with couples living comfortably on $2,600 per month.

Valletta was also described as an especially desirable location with rolling hills reminiscent of San Francisco. The list includes the likes of Mallorca, Spain at number 2, Penang, Malaysia at number 3; and the entirety of Ireland at number 5.

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Photo Source: Malta Travel Guide, Road Affair