What will the weather be like this week after storm Helios?

Feb 13 2023

Following what must have been the most intense weather on the Maltese islands late last week, thanks to storm Helios, weather forecasts for this upcoming week might be a breath of fresh air for many who were stuck indoors or did not dare venture out into the cold and watery chaos.

According to the Malta International Airport weather forecast, the entirety of this week is set to be partly cloudy, with some isolated rain showers on, mainly, Monday.

The temperatures are set to range from a height of 15 degrees Celsius to a low of around 8 degrees Celsius. The temperatures are set to feel around 15 to 16 degrees Celsius which is a considerable difference after last week’s freezing cold.

According to Facebook page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’, the wind is set to be around a Force 4, with a moderately strong sea. So far, no stormy battering seem to be in sight.

#MaltaDaily

Police chase bailed out 27 year old to find 3 kilos of cannabis

Feb 13 2023

27 year old Kane Grima, a resident of Valletta, has been remanded into custody after being caught with three kilos of cannabis during a high-speed car chase with police.

On Saturday, Grima refused to stop when police signalled to him on Tal-Barrani Road in Żejtun, leading officers on a pursuit that ended in Madliena.

During the chase, Grima crashed into police cars and third-party vehicles, causing significant damage.

After being apprehended, a search of Grima’s car and police headquarters led to the discovery of the cannabis.

Grima was charged with possession of the drug for purposes other than personal use, causing wilful damage to property over €2,500, reckless and dangerous driving, disobeying police orders, and illegal possession of an unlicensed weapon.

He was also accused of violating probation, breaching a suspended sentence, and two previous bail decrees from 2018 and 2019.

At the arraignment on Monday, Grima’s lawyers did not request bail, and Magistrate Nadine Lia ordered him to remain in custody.

The prosecution was handled by Inspectors Mark A. Mercieca and John Leigh Howard, while Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were the defence counsels.

#MaltaDaily

5,000 minors reportedly abused by Portuguese Catholic clergy since 1950

Feb 13 2023

An independent commission in Portugal has found that Catholic clergy have abused nearly 5,000 children since 1950.

This announcement comes after the commission heard from over 500 victims, with the inquiry having been commissioned by the Church itself in the Catholic-majority country.

One of the 25 cases that have been transferred to the police is that of “Alexandra,” a now 43-year-old woman who alleges she was raped by a priest during confession when she was a novice nun at the age of 17.

he eventually reported the attack to the Church but felt her pleas to address the issue were ignored.

The Vatican has yet to respond to her complaint. Despite this, Alexandra has found support from the independent commission.

The bishops of Portugal will convene in March to address the report’s findings and work towards eliminating the abuse from the Church. Pope Francis is also facing increasing pressure to address the widespread abuse within the Catholic Church and investigations have been launched in several countries.

Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and the highest ranking prelate in Portugal Manuel Clemente said in April of 2022 that he was prepared to address the errors of the past and ask the victims for forgiveness.

Despite this the time limit for bringing charges already expired for most of the alleged offences. However, 25 cases have been transferred as police inquiries open up.

For the likes of Alexandra, the independent commission represents a positive step for victims seeking to break the silence surrounding their abuse.

#MaltaDaily

Various Turkish building contractors arrested as death toll rises

Feb 13 2023

The death toll from the earthquake that struck parts of Turkey and Syria could double from the current tally of 33,000, as the situation in the north-west of Syria, already ravaged by civil war, is increasingly desperate.

Turkish authorities have issued over 100 arrest warrants for contractors, architects and engineers connected to some of the tens of thousands of buildings destroyed or damaged in Monday’s earthquake, and 12 people are currently in custody.

Turkey’s vice-president, Fuat Oktay, said that detention orders had been issued for 113 of the 131 people suspected of being responsible for the collapse of the buildings.

Opposition leaders have accused the government of not enforcing building regulations and failing to account for the proceeds of a levy imposed after the 1999 earthquake to ensure earthquake-resistant buildings.

The environment minister, Murat Kurum, said that 24,921 out of 170,000 buildings assessed in the south of the country had either collapsed or were heavily damaged.

The UN has said that at least 870,000 people urgently need hot meals across Turkey and Syria, while the WHO estimates up to 26 million people have been affected in both countries.

#MaltaDaily