Tanker veers dangerously close to coast in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq; tug boats pull it further off shore

Mar 19 2022

A chemical tanker has been spotted veering close to the Baħaq iċ-Ċagħaq coast as a result of the strong winds.

Tug Malta dispatched a tug boat before 10am to control the tanker’s movements, with a second tug boat arriving at around 10.35am. Transport Malta have stated that the two boats were called on the scene to pull the tanker further from shore in order to prevent the tanker from hitting the shore.

In a Facebook post published earlier today, Transport Minister Ian Borg said that he has been informed that risk of pollution is very low – he went on to thank all workers for their efforts in such an operation.

Earlier today, a windmill in Zurrieq sustained damages as a result of the strong winds, with the Met Office stating that strong winds are to persist today.

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Malta climbs four places in global happiness index; ranks 33rd worldwide

Mar 19 2022

The World Happiness Report has revealed that Malta has climbed four places in its global index ranking countries by happiness.

After last year’s dramatic drop, Malta placed 33rd out of 146 countries, with scores being generated from survey results over a period of three years between 2019 and 2021. Finland occupied the top spot for the fifth year in a row, with Denmark and Iceland closely following.

Afghanistan, Lebanon and Zimbabwe ranked lowest in global happiness with distribution based on living factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, perceptions of corruption and dystopia.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report stated that “overall levels of life evaluations have been fairly stable during the two years of COVID-19, matched by modest changes in the global ranking,” with anger levels remaining relatively low and stable globally. South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have seen large increases offset by trend declines everywhere.

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Labour-PN election gap could be over 30,000 votes, survey suggests

Mar 19 2022

A recent survey commissioned by Lovin Malta has revealed that the Labour Party appears to be leading the Nationalist Party by 11 per cent, suggesting a gap of over 30,000.

That being said, undecided voters and those who refused to reveal their voting preference play a strong role in election sway with non-voters accounting for 10.4% and those who refused to reveal their preference accounting for 12.3%. With 44% of the electorate backing the Labour Party and 33% the PN, only 2% of survey respondents revealed that they will be voting for the lesser parties, who have yet to get any major traction during the current election campaign.

The survey also revealed that 9% of respondents expressed regret in their voting choice in 2017, with the majority of votes going to the Labour Party – another 32% stated that they did regret voting for the Nationalist Party in 2017.

With regards to leadership, it was revealed that 51% of survey respondents want Robert Abela as their Prime Minister with Grech getting 32% of votes. Despite this, a substantial 17% stated that they want neither of the two.

Do you know who you’re going to vote for?

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Zurrieq windmill sustains damages due to strong winds

Mar 19 2022

The ‘Mitħna tax-Xarolla‘ windmill in Zurrieq has sustained major damages after being hit by strong winds between Friday and Saturday.

Photos shared on social media show the windmill to have sustained damages to its blades. Reacting to such damages, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated the windmill is of important historical heritage and that the government will continue to support the local council in order to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made.

The windmill was built during the Knights of St. John’s time in Malta and it is one of four windmills which were used for wheat distribution within Zurrieq and the surrounding areas and was reportedly essential to the production chain, especially with regards to bread production. The Met Office has issued another notice stating that strong winds are to persist over the remainder of Saturday.

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