Pope Francis’ visit to Malta postponed as election speculation rises

Oct 7 2021

The Pope’s visit to Malta has been postponed yet again amid concerns of a spike in COVID-19 cases but also due to speculation of an election. Times of Malta confirmed that both Valletta and the Vatican have agreed to hold off for the time being, despite December being the month the Pope was set to visit the island. Sources close to the discussion stated that the two main reasons were the pandemic’s resurgence in cases and the possibility of an election announcement.

Governmental sources have revealed that one of the criteria set by the Vatican during discussions was that the visit would not take place within a few weeks, before or after, an election. Times of Malta was also informed last month that Prime Minister Robert Abela’s advisers were positing November as the ideal month for an election.

Abela has since been mum on the reveal, saying that a snap election is not on the cards. Government sources said Malta informed the Vatican that December would be the ideal window for the Pope to visit. Despite Castille singling out the first week of December as ideal for the visit, both parties have since amended the decision, stating that it had to be postponed to 2022 for obvious reasons.

Once a new date for the visit is agreed upon, having been pushed back twice, the visit to Malta will be mark the third pontiff to visit the island.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB, France 24

Speed cameras outside Santa Venera tunnels removed

Oct 7 2021

Recommendations by Transport Malta made to Cabinet to remove two speed cameras outside the Santa Venera tunnels were approved. Transport Malta’s chairman Joe Bugeja stated that after the improvement works in the main road and the completion of the tunnels, the speed cameras became redundant. The authority revealed that Cabinet approved the recommendations submitted by experts to remove the speed cameras from main arterial roads.

The recommendations came in as a result of projects done by Infrastructure Malta in the area. These include the Marsa-Hamrun bypass and the removal of traffic lights further down. With these interventions, Bugeja stated, traffic is bound to flow better. He also pointed out how the cameras did not solve the problems they were intended to solve. It made more sense to just remove them entirely, with another area currently being sought after to place them there. Studies on where accidents happen are being done, with the Home Affairs Ministry and the Local Enforcement Agency participating in the study.

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Photo Source: Malta Chamber of Commerce, Arnold Clark

WATCH: Professional diver jumps gracefully off Gozo cliff in 22 metre personal best

French diver jumps gracefully off Gozo cliff in 22 metre personal best

Oct 7 2021

Footage uploaded to Instagram shows French woman Laura Marino achieving her personal best jump after diving a 22-metre cliff in Gozo. The amazing feat was carried out in Wied il-Mielah, Gozo, with the 28-year-old professional diver stating this was her new personal best.

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A post shared by Laura Marino (@_lauramarino)

Marino stated that it would have been difficult to end her trip to Malta in a better way. She thanked her team for the incredible energy, with the jump garnering the attention of thousands, and many locals congratulating her incredible location. It’s such a blessing to see our sister island provide the landscape necessary for such records to be broken.

Marino herself is a World and European champion, having also competed in Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. And we cannot help but point out how magnificent it looked as she leapt off the edge.

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Photo Source:: @_lauramarino IG

Back to travel? Strongest passenger traffic since pandemic hit

Oct 7 2021

September came with very positive news for the Malta International Airport as it recorded its strongest month in terms of passenger volumes ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. A total of 418,473 passengers in September, outperforming August for the first time since 1999. The news was revealed on Wednesday, but the MIA said that passenger traffic nearly halved when compared with pre-pandemic volumes, despite the rise in airport activity.

A 45.1% drop in passenger movements was recorded in September over the same month in 2019. Seat-occupancy also remained below pre-pandemic levels, with airlines carrying passengers at an average seat load factor of just over 70%. The UK is still the top driver of passenger traffic for MIA, with over 108,000 passengers departing or arriving from this destination in September. Italy, Germany and France fill up the remaining top contender ranks as MIA published its flight schedule for next season which include links to Croatia, North Macedonia and United Arab Emirates.

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Photo Source: Local.fo, Wallpaperflare