The Official Malta National Transport Awards

Nov 9 2023

The Malta National Transport Awards 2023, organised by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Capital Projects, along with Transport Malta, is set to commend outstanding contributions to the transport sector.

Jonathan Borg, CEO of Transport Malta, has played a crucial role in spearheading this initiative, emphasizing the pivotal role of transport in societal progress.

The Malta National Transport Awards 2023 aims to commend outstanding contributions to the transport sector by recognizing individuals and organizations for their exceptional achievements.

It will showcase innovative projects that have offered groundbreaking solutions, foster collaboration among professionals and stakeholders to facilitate idea-sharing, and advocate for eco-friendly and efficient transport solutions in response to environmental challenges.

The award categories cover:

1. Innovation: Recognizing projects that have broken new ground, employed innovative technologies, or approached transport challenges in a unique way. “Innovation drives efficiency, and in the transport sector, efficiency is key,” Mr. Borg stressed.

2. Sustainability: Projects that have reduced the environmental impact of transport, such as the use of alternative fuels or freight practices that have lowered emissions, are acknowledged in this category. “Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s a responsibility,” said Mr. Borg.

3. Modal Shift: Modal shift involves changing the way people travel, such as shifting towards cycling or alternative modes of transportation. “Encouraging modal shift is essential for a sustainable future,” Mr. Borg commented.

4. Infrastructure: Recognizing designs that demonstrate innovation, flexibility, and sustainability, which adds value to the transport sector. “Innovation in infrastructure leads to long-term benefits,” Mr. Borg emphasized,

5. Safety: This category encompasses all aspects of road safety, traffic management, and enforcement, with a focus on results such as casualty reductions and improved journey reliability. “Safety is paramount, and we must continuously strive to make our transport systems safer,” Mr. Borg reiterated.

Projects submitted must have been implemented after January 2023, demonstrating data-driven results and positive impacts on the transport industry. The adjudicating board will comprise Mr Godwin Mifsud (Chairperson to the Board and MTIP Perm. Sec), Dr Joe Borg and Perit Carmen Vella (Former MPs and EU commissioners), Dr Therese Bajada (Academic) and Mr Glenn Bugeja (HSBC Manager).

The awards not only celebrate past achievements but also serve as a catalyst for future progress, inspiring continued innovation and positive transformations in Malta’s transportation sector. They signify a collective commitment to creating a more sustainable and safer transport landscape for the nation.

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A Peak Of Newborn Hoglets: Caution Urged By Rescue Team

Nov 9 2023

Wildlife Rescue Team Malta announced that the team is noting a peak of newborn hoglets.

‘These range from newborns to hoglets weighing less than 200g. Some are still with their eyes closed. We do our best to try and find the mother. However, in these cases, either the mum was not found or was found deceased.’

‘Bottlefeeding hoglets is very time-consuming and takes a lot of patience, especially due to their tiny size, but also because they tend to curl into a ball whilst you’re trying to feed them. They also need stimulation to toilet.’

The team emphasised that if one were to find a hog let, one should not touch the animal and instead immediately call for advice.

The team uses a special formula due to hoglets being severely lactose intolerant, with normal milk possibly killing them.

‘Please think of us and our volunteers who need to wake up even during the night to give feeds every 2-3 hours. Any support is greatly appreciated’, the team asked.

‘If you spot any of the wild animals that we rescue injured or in danger, please call the Wildlife Rescue Team on 99999505.’

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Pope Says Transgender People Can Be Baptised In Catholic Church

Nov 9 2023

The Vatican announced on Wednesday that transgender individuals are eligible to receive baptism in the Catholic church.

According to a document published on the Vatican’s website, a transgender person, even if they have undergone hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery, can undergo baptism under the same conditions as other faithful, “as long as there is no risk of causing public scandal or confusion among the faithful.”

This statement was in response to inquiries from Bishop Jose Negri of Santo Amaro in Brazil, addressing the involvement of LGBTQ individuals in routine Catholic practices. The document, approved by Pope Francis on October 31, was released by the Vatican’s Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith.

Additionally, the Vatican clarified that transgender individuals are eligible to serve as godparents and witnesses at religious weddings. It also stated that individuals in same-sex relationships can serve as witnesses in Catholic weddings.

However, the document implied that children adopted by same-sex couples or conceived through surrogacy may face restrictions on baptism. It also suggested that individuals in same-sex relationships should not be godparents to baptized children.

This gesture marks the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to be more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ community within the church.

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Malta Has 3rd Worst Public Toilet Hygiene

Nov 9 2023

In light of the bedbug crisis in Europe and heightened hygiene concerns due to the pandemic, Showers to You conducted a comprehensive study to identify the cities in Europe with the cleanest and dirtiest public toilets.

And lo and behold, Malta’s toilets were ranked third in terms of the worst levels of cleanliness, with a score of 4.47 out of 10.

11.32% of respondents said that Malta’s public toilets were dirty.

The methodology involved gathering data from Google Maps, including over 1,000 public toilets and 8,000 text reviews for each major European city. The search term “[city] public toilets” was used to generate results.

According to the findings, Riga in Latvia had the lowest cleanliness score of 3.44, with nearly one in five reviews mentioning cleanliness issues. Malta was topped by Madrid, Spain in second place and followed by Stockholm, Sweden.

Warsaw, Poland, had the lowest average toilet rating at 3.08 out of 5. Conversely, Bucharest in Romania emerged as the city with the cleanest public restrooms, boasting an impressive cleanliness score of 8.70 out of 10.

Showers to You, established in 2008, is a reputable provider of a wide range of shower and bathroom products.

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