Weather in Malta forecasted to get windier and colder AGAIN later today

Dec 9 2021

As if it wasn’t cold and windy already, local weather page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’ has forecasted another drop in temperatures and with a cold front to hit the Maltese islands later today.

The weather page has forecasted a drop in temperatures, stronger winds from the North West and isolated showers throughout the day. Such weather is expected to persist during the weekend with isolated showers forecasted for Friday and Saturday and temperatures as low as 10°C, as reported by the Met Office.

A previous post also revealed a forecast of potential hail showers with temperature highs of 16°C, which feel as low as 6°C.

Do you enjoy this weather?

#MaltaDaily

New Zealand to introduce ban on cigarettes for future generations

Dec 9 2021

In an attempt to eventually phase out smoking in New Zealand, the country plans to ban tobacco sales to individuals of the next generation.

The new law, which is expected to be put into place next year, will not allow anyone born after 2008 to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products during their lifetime. New Zealand Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verall stated that they want to ensure young people never start smoking as they attempt to clamp down on smoking across the country.

The decision received widespread support from doctors and health experts, calling the reform a “world-leading” decision which will cut down on access to tobacco and nicotine products. University of Otago’s Prof Janet Hook stated that such a decision will allow youth to “quit or switch to less harmful products, and make it much less likely that young people get addicted to nicotine.”

New Zealand’s national goal is to cut the national smoking rate to 5% by 2025 in an attempt to ultimately eliminate smoking altogether.

#MaltaDaily

UK PM Boris Johnson announces new COVID-19 restrictions amid Omicron variant surge

Dec 9 2021

As the UK struggles in the midst of a surge in Omicron variant cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has put in place a number of new restrictions in an attempt to mitigate the surge of the heavily-mutated variant.

Johnson stated it was the “proportionate and responsible thing to move to plan B in England” as the rate of variant cases is doubling every two to three days. The government is advising employees to work from home where possible, going on to state that presentation of COVID-19 vaccine passports will become compulsory in England, with Scotland and Wales having introduced similar measures.

Johnson stated that such presentation will be required for entry into nightclubs and venues which welcome larger crowds, insisting that these new restrictions do not constitute a lockdown but they are a response to the lack of knowledge on the new variant, highlighting that “[they] can’t assume Omicron is less severe than previous variants.”

The Prime Minister also appealed to the general public to go and take their vaccines and booster doses as soon as their turn arrives.

What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily

Marsaxlokk needs more open spaces – PN critique new building application

Dec 8 2021

The Nationalist Party have criticised plans to dig up green spaces which form part of Marsaxlokk’s primary school and replace them with a library, local council offices and garages.

PN spokesman Peter Agius spoke at a press conference and stated that Marsaxlokk needs more open areas. It could not afford to lose ‘yet another’ open space to development.

Should the plans be approved by the Planning Authority, Agius said, it would be killing around 40 trees. It will instead be replaced by a three-storey block rise.

Electoral candidate Janice Chetcuti joined Agius in his critique, asking what example the authorities wish to give to Marsaxlokk’s children should a garden be replaced by construction.

The planning application is currently awaiting recommendation of assigned case officer and was filed by Marsaxlokk mayor Stephen Grech.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Peter Agius FB