Yazmin Helledie Speaks At Miscarriage Leave Consultation Launch

Apr 10 2025

Yazmin Helledie delivered a heartfelt keynote speech at the Miscarriage Leave Conference yesterday, marking the official start of Malta’s national consultation on Miscarriage Leave.

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“Everything happens for a reason, and I know this was mine,” wrote the former Love Island Malta host. “This is just the beginning of the recognition our losses deserve.”

Addressing Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Dr. Andy Ellul, members of Parliament, professionals, the press, and others who have experienced pregnancy loss, Helledie described it as “an honour” to speak at such a significant event.

The consultation process, led by Dr. Ellul, brought together voices from across society—including medical professionals, psychologists, trade unions, employers, and individuals with lived experience of miscarriage. The aim is to develop a responsible and inclusive policy.

Although official data reports around 300 miscarriages annually in Malta, estimates suggest the real number may be closer to 1,000 due to underreporting.

Announced on International Women’s Day, the initiative seeks to strengthen workers’ rights. Dr. Ellul confirmed that the government will cover all financial costs related to the leave’s implementation.

Further discussions will explore its scope—including whether it should extend to partners or apply in same-sex relationships—and issues surrounding disclosure and privacy in the workplace.

Also speaking was Melanie Kelly, who shared her experience from 11 years ago – “a story that still weighs heavy on my heart.”

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“I’m incredibly proud to have stood alongside others calling for a future where loss is not silenced, and where support is the standard, not the exception”, said Kelly.

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Puttinu Cares To Grow London Apartments With Extra Floor

Apr 10 2025

Puttinu Cares has received planning permission to build an additional floor on its new apartment building in the heart of London.

A place that has shown support for countless Maltese families seeking medical treatment abroad.

Some doors bear the names of kind-hearted individuals, charities, and companies under a sign that reads ‘Generously Sponsored By’, highlighting their support. Through this, Puttinu Cares encourages others to follow their example and contribute.

This latest expansion means more than extra space. It means more families will have a place to stay, a sense of peace during uncertain times, and the comfort of knowing they’re not alone.

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27 Road Checks During St Patrick’s In St Julian’s, Sliema & Gżira

Apr 10 2025

Responding to a question tabled in parliament by PN MP Albert Buttigieg, Minister Byron Camilleri revealed that between the 17th and 18th of March, that is, for St Patrick’s Day, 27 road checks took place in St Julian’s Sliema and Gżira.

From the road checks, 27 fines were issued, with two testing positive when the breathalyser was used to determine if drivers had drank alcohol.

There were no fines issued related to cannabis consumption.

The Minister emphasised that road checks are done frequently as part of an effort to manage road safety.

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Study Unveils 1st Mellieha Landings 1,000 Years Before 1st Farmers

Apr 10 2025

For years, remote islands like Malta were thought to have been inaccessible to humans until the rise of agriculture. However, new research led by Maltese archaeologists has uncovered evidence that hunter-gatherers reached Malta over 7,000 years ago—more than a thousand years before the first farmers.

The findings, published in Nature, show that these early humans crossed at least 100 kilometers of open sea without sails, likely using dugout canoes.

The study, led by Professor Eleanor Scerri of the Max Planck Institute and the University of Malta, and Professor Nicholas Vella of the University of Malta, documents the oldest known long-distance seafaring in the Mediterranean.

The crossing would have involved navigating with sea currents, winds, stars, and visible landmarks, requiring travel through hours of darkness even during the longest summer days.

At Għar Latnija cave in Mellieħa, researchers uncovered stone tools, hearths, and food remains. These included red deer, long believed extinct at the time, as well as tortoises and large now-extinct birds.

Evidence of marine exploitation was also found: seals, grouper, crabs, sea urchins, and thousands of edible shellfish—all cooked.

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Reacting to the news, Mellieħa mayor Gabriel Micallef issued a video commemorating the special day of discovery and urging not just the local council but even relevant authorities and the public, to work diligently to safeguard this important part of Maltese history.

The work was supported by Malta’s Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and funded by the European Research Council and the University of Malta.

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