Sicily welcoming Maltese tourists for all the right reasons!

Jan 6 2022

Maltese tourists in Sicily have hit the headlines on Sicilian media and for all the right reasons.

It was reported that over 2000 passengers disembarked at Pozzallo from the two Virtu Ferries catamarans, M/V Saint John Paul II and M/V Jean de la Valette, for the Black Friday weekend to make their way to the various shopping centres and weekend markets.

4,500 other passengers and 1,300 vehicles made it to Pozzallo over the Christmas and New Year Period. Shopping was not the main reason for visiting Sicily, Catania Today pointed out. Many travellers were searching for a relaxing environment and period of time which the Sicilians were ‘obviously flattered to share with the Maltese.’

Malta’s rollout of COVID vaccination also received a lot of praise, with the newspaper pointing out that all passengers arriving on Virtu Ferries vessels carry a vaccination certificate, often with a booster shot and a negative Rapid Test.

Social distancing was observed both on board of Virtu vessels, during check-in, embarkation and disembarkation. VIrtu’s policy to Keep Travel Simple received positive praise as did the family-oriented departure times.

‘Maltese visitors are clearly very welcome and are being looked upon very favourably by the Sicilian tourist industry, with hotels and restaurants taking an increased interest in the Maltese market. This is particularly the case in the Provinces of Ragusa, Catania and Syracuse.’

With COVID still a worldwide phenomenon, people are increasingly avoiding family skiing holidays in Northern Europe whilst the slopes of Etna prove to be an interesting alternative this winter. International freight costs have also soared and Maltese commercial enterprises are increasingly looking to Sicily for merchandise of every description – an added bonus for Sicilian entrepreneurs.

‘Virtu are positively contributing to this increase in trade between the two islands by operating two vessels on a daily schedule with multiple trips per week and at the same time keeping freight rates at pre-COVID levels, against the international trend. Maltese exporters are also benefiting from this freight cost stability.’

‘For more reasons than one, Malta and the Maltese are welcome in Sicily. Equally so Sicily and our Sicilian neighbours, with whom we continue to share so much, are most welcome in Malta. Virtu Ferries have in the meantime announced very attractive offers for January and February and an Easter schedule with all this in mind.’

#MaltaDaily

Meet your Too Hot To Handle Season 3 contestants

Jan 6 2022

Netflix’s ‘Too Hot To Handle’ is back with another instalment of it’s steamiest show, and there’s a brand new set of faces ready to compete in 2022. The international dating series sees the likes of young singles from the all over the globe – from the UK and Australia to Canada and South Africa – coming together for an idyllic retreat.

However, as is usual with these fandom creating shows, there is a huge twist. Contestants do not know what they’re in for as they find out they are on THTH and they must abstain from any sexual contact. If they can’t resist, they risk losing money from a massive prize fund as they are monitored by robot Lana. The line-up has just been confirmed, with the third season launching on January 19th.

Rounding up the girls we have London-born legal secretary Beaux (@_beauxraymond_) from Kent, Australian student mid-wife Georgia (@georgiahassarati) and psychology student Holly (@hollyscarfone) from Canada. The cast is also joined by personal trainer and massive sport-enthusiast Izzy (@izfairr)from Cheltenham and fashion designer Jaz (@jazkills) from the US.

The boys joining the show this season are tree surgeon and self-proclaimed Harry Styles lookalike Harry (@harryjohnson92) from Middlesborough, model and business manager Nathan (@nathsoan) and guitar-playing Hawaiian actor Patrick (@thepatmullen). We also have LA ‘bad boy’ and tattoo enthusiast Stevan (@stevanditter) and last but not least basketball player and criminology student Truth (@truthsworld).

#MaltaDaily

Archbishop apologises for Fr David’s homophobic comments and vows action

Jan 6 2022

Archbishop Charles Scicluna has issued an apology over Fr David Muscat’s homophobic comments and pledged to take steps to prevent such incidents from repeating.

Celebrating daily mass on Thursday morning at the Chapel of Our Lady of Manresa within the Curia, the Archbishop addressed the controversy and made it clear that the comments by Muscat were condemnable.

Fr Muscat had commented on a Facebook post saying that the possibility that Paulina Dembska’s suspected murder Abner Aquilina being gay or bisexual was a disorder worse than sickness or even possession.

In his homily, the Archbishop referred to the first reading at mass from the First Letter of Saint John, which Staes that “whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

He asked for forgiveness by those who felt betrayed by the church, promised action and asked the faithful for their prayers to help him in his duties.

The controversial priest caused massive outrage through his comments, inciting a call by ministers, activists and individuals for the Archbishop to take action for the insult.

#MaltaDaily

River of Love interrogated by police over murder suspect Abner Aquilina

Jan 6 2022

Police have questioned several members of the evangelical Christian group River of Love following the possible links murder suspect Abner Aquilina had with the group.

Aquilina was arrested as the prime suspect of the murder of Polish student Paulina Dembska on the 2nd of January in a Sliema public garden. Dembska was raped and strangled according to an autopsy and no link was established between her and Aquilina.

Aquilina’s interrogation was suspended after he was referred to Mount Carmel Hospital. Investigations are attempting to establish Aquilina’s movements prior to the murder, with leads showing the likelihood of Aquilina attending a River of Love ceremony just before the tragedy.

On Thursday, Times of Malta reported the police questioned several members of the organisation, with one eye witness telling the newspaper that Aquilina attended a River of Love ceremony the night before Dembska was murdered.

It is understood that Aquilina allegedly joined members of River of Love for a Żejtun gathering and was meant to sleep over at a church member’s house but did not do so. A family member of Aquilina also told Times of Malta that the accused firs mentioned of the church around two years ago.

With footage on social media showing Aquilina accompanying members of the Christian Group on New Year’s Eve at Xrobb l-Ghagin two days before the murder, the family member also said that Aquilina was urged to seek help in dealing with severe drug addiction. However, upon attending River of Love, a family member claimed to have witnessed ‘brainwashing’ first hand.

River of Love pastor Gordon Manche distanced the church from Aquilina and said that they always cooperate with police when questioned about such interrogations.

In reference to the controversy, the pastor posted to Facebook saying that ‘when everybody is just yelling, it’s mos likely that nobody is listening.’

#MaltaDaily