Recycling record set for Malta’s 2021 reveals Environment Minister

Sep 3 2021

Since WasteServ’s inception in 2002, this year is set to be record breaking in terms of collected recyclables. Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia revealed this whilst visiting the Sant’ Antnin waste treatment plant in Marsaskala. WasteServ has streamlined its operations and managed to surpass the ground lost since 2017.

Estimates show that for 2021, around 18,000 tonnes of good quality material will be recycled and returned to the economy. This translates into around 5,500 tonnes of cardboard and paper, with 3,500 tonnes of metal, 7,000 tonnes of glass and 2,000 tonnes of plastic.

The Minister said that this is a confirmation of how the government is working to deliver better environmental contexts for future generations. ‘Hard work combined with the determination to deliver concrete results in a sector that faced stagnation for a number of years, has led to sharp and quick improvements.’

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Photo Source: Aaron Farrugia FB

Marsa wins first title of Town of Culture and €200,000 fund

Sep 3 2021

Speaking at a press conference, Culture Minister Jose Herrera named Marsa as Malta’s first ever town of culture. The locality will be given a €200,000 fund to implement a cultural programme throughout all of next year 2022, which will see carnival activities, a Christmas village and various other music and fireworks shows.

The Minister, who contests on the first district which also includes Marsa, praised the council of the locality for their win in the inaugural competition. Herrera described the locality as a hidden gem possessing a number of historical areas which have regenerating potential.Marsa mayor Josef Azzopardi highlighted how this prize will help upgrade Marsa, bringing in the public to see what it has to offer.

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Photo Source: Jose Herrera FB, TheMayor.eu

England to make pet abduction new criminal offence as cases increase

Sep 3 2021

Following a rise reported thefts during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, pet abduction is set to be made a criminal offence in England. The theft of a pet is currently treated as the loss of an owner’s property, but ministers are calling for a new law that acknowledges the emotional distress it can cause. The pet theft Taskforce found that around 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year, with the proposal being set up to tackle the increase during the lockdown. The report found that seven in ten pet thefts recorded involved dogs.

It is not known what the maximum sentence for a new offence of pet abduction might be. The report also reveals that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds significantly increased during the first lockdown. Said to have risen as high as 89%, the Taskforce suggested this potentially made dog theft more appealing to criminals seeking profit. Google searches for ‘buy a puppy’ increased by over 160% in the months after England’s first nationwide lockdown began.

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Photo Source: The Connexion

Fifa to investigate racist abuse and chanting at England players

Sep 3 2021

England has openly condemned the racist abuse directed at their players during a World Cup qualifier in Budapest, calling it completely unacceptable. Despite England winning the game 4-0, Manchester city forward Raheem Sterling and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham were targeted during the game. When the players took the knee before the kick-off, loud racist chanting could be heard as well as objects being thrown later in the game.

Sterling was targeted with paper cups and bottles as he opened the score for England, with other members also being attacked. A flare was even thrown onto the pitch after Maguire scored. Ice was thrown at England manager Gareth Southgate during his post-match interview. Hungary’s players asked supporters to respect England’s knee gesture but the fans didn’t follow. Southgate said that everyone knows what the team stands for and, pointing to the match being filmed, that he hopes action is taken right away.

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Photo Source: Sky Sports, Sky News