Record hot temperatures hit Europe to start off 2023

Jan 3 2023

An intense wintertime heat dome covered much of Europe at the turn of the year, breaking records in the process.

Temperatures were soaring between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius as the calendar marked 2023 – temperatures far above the norm for countries like France or western Russia.

The extreme warm spell followed a record-warm year in many European countries – a phenomenon being heralded as more evidence of human-caused climate change.

We just observed the warmest January day on record for many countries in Europe.

Truly unprecedented in modern records. pic.twitter.com/bUux1XOBH9

— Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) January 1, 2023

At least 7 countries saw their warmest January weather on record on New Year’s Day as temperatures hit those characteristic of springtime. Latvia hit 11.1°C and Denmark saw 12.6°C.

These were some of the relatively mildest, as the Czech Republic registered a whopping 19.6°C and Poland 19°C. The Netherlands registered 16.9°C and Lithuania 14.6°C.

Bilbao, Spain reached 25.1°C, which was its hottest January day yet as Trois-Ville, France reached 24.9°C.

#MaltaDaily

Motorcyclist grievously injured in Santa Venera

Jan 3 2023

Yesterday, at around 2145hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed due to an incident which had taken place in Triq il-Ferrovija, Santa Venera.

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a 44-year-old Nepalese man resident of Imsida had lost control of his Kymco motorcycle and, as a result, fell off his vehicle.

A medical team was called onto the site, with an ambulance later taking the man to Mater Dei Hospital. He was later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Investigations are still ongoing.

#MaltaDaily

Vigil relit for Paulina Dembska one year after murder

Jan 3 2023

One year after the brutal murder of Polish student Paulina Dembska right after New Year’s Day, vigils were lit up at the Sliema site to commemorate the loss.

The murder led to a legislation which introduced the concept of femicide into the Maltese criminal code.

Dembska, 29-years-old, was sexually assaulted and killed in Independence Gardens at the promenade on January 2nd of 2022. The accused, Abner Aquilina, is currently pleading not guilty to the murder.

A mass prior to the relighting of the vigil was given at St Gregory parish church in Sliema, situated close to the murder site.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source:
Women’s Rights Foundation FB
Anton Debono via Miguela Xuereb

Could Malta get a football stadium named after Pele?

Jan 3 2023

Following the recent passing of Brazilian football legend Pele at the age of 82 last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that he plans to ask every country in the world to name a football stadium after the great player.

Pele passed away on the 29th of December 2022 after a battle with colon cancer which he had been enduring since September 2021.

Infantino, who attended the sport legend’s funeral in São Paulo, Brazil, told local reporters that he plans to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.

“His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words” stated Infantino.

Rio de Janeiro had scrapped plans to name the famous Maracana Stadium after Pele after it was vetoed by the state governor in April of 2021.

#MaltaDaily