Record-breaking sum of €3,133,430 gathered during Puttinu Cares fundraising marathon

Apr 16 2022

During yesterday’s Good Friday fundraising marathon in aid of the Puttinu Cares project, a record sum of over €3,133,430 was gathered.

The generosity of the Maltese and Gozitan people exhibited in yesterday’s fundraiser will contribute to the purchase of an essential building in central London which will be able to house those needing medical treatment in English hospitals.

The building will be named after the late founder of Puttinu Cares, Dr. Victor Calvagna, who tragically passed away after a traffic incident early this year.

The marathon was televised on the national television station and a number of other channels, with people who found support from Puttinu speaking about their experiences with cancer and how the organisation helped so much throughout their journey.

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A return to Good Friday processions after COVID pandemic

Apr 15 2022

Maltese towns and Holy Week enthusiasts will see the return of processions that commemorate the Passion of the Christ during the first Good Friday religious tradition since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

The tradition mark the end of the 40-day lenten period which leads up to Easter Sunday and will see processions across Malta and Gozo. The virus is no longer a concern for the enthusiasts as its spot for potential trouble was taken up by the windy weather.

After health authorities lifted most restrictions, the religious celebrations will be going on as they once did. People of all ages will dress up as Biblical characters as band players lead the procession. Some walk barefoot in the streets with chains tied to their ankles as others drag large wooden crosses.

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Turtle dove hunting season to go ahead as court revokes BirdLife case

Apr 15 2022

The First Hall of the Civil Court has dismissed a case which was filed by NGO and bird conservation group Birdlife Malta.

The case was filed in a bid to stop the hunting season of turtle doves, but Madame Justice Audrey Demicoli dismissed the case and revoked the prohibitory injunction. This was issued earlier this week before the court heard the case in an urgent sitting.

The NGO had filed proceedings requesting the court to order the Prime Minister, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri as well as the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) to close the spring hunting season which will start on Sunday and go on until April 30th.

This means that licensed hunters will be able to shoot turtle doves and quails with a big limit of 1,500 for the turtle doves. The opening of a spring hunting season for the bird came after years of pressure from hunting organisations, despite the turtle dove being a vulnerable species.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who is also an avid hunter, thanked the State Advocate and Wild Birds Regulation Unit for working to have the injunction revoked. Taking to social media, the Minister said that ‘what is ours, remains ours.’

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Hotels welcoming influx of tourists for Easter holidays says Tourism Minister

Apr 15 2022

Taking to social media, Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo highlighted how the Easter period in Malta for this year will be a very busy one indeed.

Following three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector took quite a hit due to lack and difficulty when it come to travel. However, the Minister revealed that this will be different this year.

He explained how the occupancy in four star hotels in Malta has reached a rate of 90%, whereas the rate for five star hotels is set to reach 80%. This indicates a strong return for tourism in Malta as the world recuperates from the pandemic.

This comes as many Maltese have also opted to travel abroad to enjoy their Easter holidays, indicating a thriving and active tourism sector. With the easing of measures and the summer period just around the corner, we might be finally seeing a return to pre-pandemic tourist activity on the island.

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