Ukrainian asylum seekers offered free accommodation by MHRA

Mar 2 2022

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) is working to offer free accommodation to cover the quarantine period required by law for Ukraine asylum seekers.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced that Ukrainians seeking asylum in Malta due to the invasion by Putin’s Russia, they would be exempt from COVID-19 regulations.

Ukraine is currently considered a dark red zone, meaning that travellers would required proof of residency or work permits in Malta to travel. However, Fearne revealed that the Ukrainians will only have to abide by quarantine rules.

Expressing their solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine, the members of the MHRA, along with their president Tony Zahra, said that they share the sorrow at the lives lost and the damage being cost.

‘In the same way that Maltese hoteliers provided beds to emergency and frontline workers during the pandemic, the hospitality sector is now ready and willing to provide support and show solidarity with Ukrainian refugees.’

Free accommodation covering the quarantine period required by law for the asylum seekers is being sought after by the hotel members of MHRA.

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Bernard Grech reveals which two Labour candidates he respects most

Bernard Grech reveals which two Labour candidates he admires

Mar 2 2022

As Malta’s political parties continue to fire on all cylinders in an attempt to convince Malta to vote for their candidates, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech recently sat down with Jon Mallia to name two Labour politicians which he respects.

During the latest episode of Il-Podcast ta’ Jon, Mallia asked Grech to mention the two PL members he admires most, with Grech immediately mentioning Minister for Social Justice & Solidarity Michael Falzon. The PN leader stated that not only does he respect Falzon as a politician and a person, but he had confided in Falzon regarding a particular issue earlier on in his life. He also praised Falzon’s ‘courage’ for being one of Labour’s front-runners during their toughest period following the 2008 election.

Grech went on to discuss his admiration for Labour MP & candidate Oliver Scicluna, who was co-opted into Parliament last year. Albeit not knowing him personally, the PN leader discussed his admiration for Scicluna’s way of discourse and how the MP maintains a sense of respect when addressing others. Grech compared himself to Scicluna, outlining that he tries to avoid labelling people he criticises, calling out ‘lies’ but not calling someone a ‘liar’.

Jon Mallia’s podcast with PN leader Bernard Grech is currently available to paid patrons but will be made available to the general public very soon.

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Cargo ship carrying 4000 luxury cars sinks into Atlantic

Mar 2 2022

After it caught fire and was damaged beyond repair and saving, a cargo ship carrying up to nearly 4,000 luxury cars has sunk into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Felicity Ace was on its way to a port in Rhode Island from Germany on Wednesday on February 16th. However, it was forced to send out distress signals after a fire lit up one of its cargo decks.

The 22 crew members were evacuated, thankfully resulting in no one being injured. However, the millions of dollars worth of cars were not retrieved due to the flames. Porches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and other vehicles have been submerged to the depths.

Efforts to tow the ship were futile, revealed the Felicity Ace Incident Information Centre. Initial reports from the local salvage team state that the vessel had sunk at around 9am local time on March 1st.

Any salvage crafts will remain around the area to monitor the situation, with further information being provided as it becomes available. It is unclear what started the blaze, but some suspect that lithium-ion batteries in EVs aboard the ship caught fire.

A total of 3,965 Volkswagen Group Vehicles were being carried on board. Around a quarter of them were allegedly Porches, along with around 189 Bentleys and an unknown numbers of Audis and Volkswagens. The vehicles are valued at closer to $500 million overall.

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Cassola files complaint over lack of air time for non-major party candidates

Mar 2 2022

Independent candidate Arnold Cassola filed a complaint with the Chairperson of the Broadcasting Authority, arguing that non-major party candidates are not getting airtime on ONE and NET television.

Cassola said that it is the Broadcasting Authority’s duty to ensure that there is access to all candidates on these stations during an election campaign. ‘The BA cannot abdicate from this responsibility’ stated Cassola, urging the authority to invite him and other candidates to debates with the PN and PL candidates as soon as possible.

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Photo Source: Arnold Cassola FB