Sudden Mooring Men Strike Leads To Gozo Ferry Delays

Jun 27 2024

On Thursday, hundreds of passengers experienced extensive delays for the Gozo ferries due to an unexpected strike by mooring men.

Some drivers and passengers reported to Times of Malta being stuck at the quay for up to two hours in their cars under the scorching sun.

The situation was exacerbated by Gozo Channel’s failure to provide any explanation for the delays. Around 2:30 PM, one ferry departed from Ċirkewwa while two others remained docked.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri later explained that several mooring men, acting independently and without union support, did not report to work on Thursday. Others who did report refused to perform their duties.

He stated that Gozo Channel plans to take disciplinary action against the workers involved in the impromptu strike.

The minister expressed gratitude to other employees who took on additional responsibilities to moor the ships and help restore normal service as quickly as possible.

The strike occurred on the eve of Mnarja, a traditional holiday when many Maltese residents travel to Gozo.

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Dog Owners Should Prove Legality Of Ear, Tail Cropping

Jun 27 2024

Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina has proposed that dog owners be required to prove the legality of ear and tail cropping if prosecuted.

Despite the practice being illegal since 2014, prosecutors struggle to secure convictions due to challenges in proving culpability.

Bezzina’s recommendation, presented to Animal Welfare Minister Anton Refalo, aims to reverse the burden of proof, similar to money laundering cases. She suggests a three-week amnesty for owners to register dogs with cropped ears without penalty, after which the new rule would apply. Additionally, she advises that such dogs remain ineligible for competition or sale.

Bezzina’s proposal is part of her fifth set of recommendations since becoming Commissioner in 2020. Another recommendation is to allow Animal Welfare Directorate employees to walk dogs in the evenings.

Currently, dog walking slots are only available from 6am onwards, limiting exercise during hot summer months. Evening slots would help mitigate this issue.

The third recommendation is to introduce tax incentives for landlords to make rental properties pet-friendly. Many rentals currently prohibit pets, discouraging potential pet owners or forcing them to abandon their pets. Bezzina aims to reverse this trend with financial incentives for landlords.

She emphasises that her recommendations are designed to improve animal welfare, promote responsible ownership, and respect human freedoms.

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Study Reveals That Malta Amongst Heaviest Drinkers In Europe

Jun 27 2024

A recent study, has revealed that Malta is one of the heaviest drinkers and binge-drinkers in all of Europe. The study analysed various data showing how the European nature of alcoholic consumption changed during the years 2000 to 2019.

Malta along with countries such as Ireland, Finland, Iceland and Luxembourg were all classed in the group called “High CD and HED countries,”. High CD referred to high current drinkers and HED referred to heavy episodic drinking or also known as binge drinkers.

Malta’s group had the highest number of prevalent current drinkers with nearly 80.9% of the adults in that group consuming alcohol and also the highest number of episodic drinkers with 44.1% of the general adult population being episodic drinkers and around 53.8% of current drinkers being binge drinkers.

A key finding of the study was the stable nature of the number of drinkers in Europe throughout the 19 years of the study, this suggested the importance to European culture consumption of alcohol has and that change is not looking likely.

A study made back in 2021 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that Maltese men drink about four times more than Maltese women and that Maltese adults on average consume the equivalent of 1.6 bottles of wine or 3.1 litres of beer each week.

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Somalian Worker Dies After Being Electrocuted In St Julian’s

Jun 27 2024

Today, at around 1130hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq Manuel Dimech, St Julian’s.

Police convened immediately on site and, through preliminary investigations, found that a 31 year old Somalian man resident of Ħal Qormi was electrocuted whilst setting up scaffolding.

A medical team assisted the man and transported him to Mater Dei Hospital. Unfortunately, he was certified as dead a few moments later.

An inquiry has been opened as police continue investigations along with the workplace health and safety authority.

May he rest in peace.

#MaltaDaily