Start of Summer’s End? Rain showers and possible thunderstorms ahead

Aug 22 2022

Weather forecasters are predicting a high possibility of rain showers, and even thunderstorms, in the coming days in what could be the beginning to the end of summer 2022.

According to Malta Weather Facebook page, an upper level cold pool of air is moving towards the central Mediterranean.

‘This is generating instability and giving rise to localised cumulus and potentially cumulonimbus clouds producing isolated RAIN showers that may be heavy and/or thundery in places across Malta and Gozo until next Tuesday.’

This forecast comes with a rate of 60% confidence. According to Malta International Airport weather forecasts, temperatures are set to feel like 32 degrees Celsius. This will give way to partly cloudy days all throughout the week.

Other Facebook page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’ also stated how the sea temperature is currently at around 29 degrees Celsius, which is around 2 °C higher than August’s average. Winds will go down from a Force 5 to a Force 3 by Tuesday.

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Photo source: markcassar.hotch (via Malta Weather)

WATCH: Man arrested in Hamrun after flailing belt at police officers & shouting offensive language

Aug 22 2022

Earlier today, a man was arrested in Hamrun’s Fra Diegu Square after reportedly flailing what seems to be an industrial belt at district police officers whilst shouting offensive language.

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A video sent to Malta Daily shows three officers apprehending the individual and taking him to the Hamrun police station right after he attempted to flee the scene towards St. Joseph High Street.

WARNING: The video below was sent to Malta Daily by an eyewitness and the platform categorically condemns any offensive language heard in the clip.

This is the latest in a string of concerning incidents to take place in the centre of Hamrun. The most recent incident saw a large group of individuals come into blows in the middle of St. Joseph High Street, with some picking up ordinary objects from their surroundings to use as weapons.

What do you make of this?

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21 year old accused of raping two women 24 hours apart

Aug 22 2022

A 21-year-old Tarxien student has been charged with raping a woman and a girl in separate incidents situated 24 hours apart.

The man’s name was not issued due to a court order, and was charged with two counts of rape and illegal arrest. He pleaded not guilty, with the court being informed that the first of the alleged incidents took place close to midnight on June 3rd.

The other incident occurred at a similar time on June 4th at Little Armier. A bail was requested, as well as a ban on the publication of the name of the accused and his two victims. The bail request was denied.

The prosecution objected to the bail, with the prosecutor pointing out that the victims were still yet to testify in the case. There were also some alleged civilian witnesses.

Police inspector John Spiteri added that the alleged victim of the first assault had been intoxicated with alcohol and could not describe her assailant.

Several people, who were with the victim at the time, said that what little she remembers is very important. The accused and the victim had no connection or form of communication between them. The remaining witnesses are CCTV owners as well as people who will testify that the victim was drunk.

The second case involved a minor. The lawyer said that the accused is a 21-year-old, first time offender with a clean criminal record. ‘He’s still a student, living with his parents, who are prepared to guarantee his bail.’

Inspector Spiteri agreed in part with the defence, but said that although the accused was still a student, the fear of tampering with evidence remained.

Bail was denied and the request for a ban on the publication of the names was upheld. The case is ongoing.

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Maltese football fans fuming due to ‘potato football pitch’ for season opener

Aug 22 2022

Local fans of football were left fuming at the state of the pitch at the Tony Bezzina Stadium for the season opener.

The match concerned was Valletta versus Hibernians, which finished in a 1-1 draw. However, despite the usual passion for the game, the attention was diverted to the ground’s physical state, with some describing it as a literal ‘potato field.’

Many commented on the state of the pitch. ‘I hope that the pitches are way better come next weekend. I haven’t seen them in such a sorry state for years’ said one commenter.

Another said that ‘a ploughed field is in better state than the Hibernians ground. Shameful.’

‘With all due respect, this is not a ground which footballers play in in 2022. Not even a potato field looks like this.’ Another directed criticism at the Malta Football Association, saying that the players seemed to be playing ice hockey instead of football.

Still, one commenter also noted the positive atmosphere during the match despite the state of the pitch, highlighting how the experience can only be improved were this to be fixed.

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