SideStreet Malta

On the alarming number of deaths in prison … Watch the full video on our IGTV

Malta has recorded 22 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. 51 people recovered from the virus. Active cases stand at 586 📈 A total of 521 vaccines were administered yesterday. Malta has now administered 811,704 doses of the vaccine in total, 5,059 of which are booster doses. No deaths have been recorded in last 24 hours🏥 A total of 22 COVID-19 positive patients are being treated in Mater Dei, 3 of whom are in the ITU.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has dished out a €100,000 fine to a man who uprooted a number of trees in Ta’ Qali without permission. During an administrative sitting, the ERA said that the man, who has also applied to create a concert site in Ta’ Qali, had no approval from the authority to remove the trees. The man was sanctioned, ordered to pay a €100,000 fine and made to plant another 675 trees as compensation. Nonetheless, his application for the concert site was still approved. What do you make of this?

Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that plans for an air link between Malta and Gozo will go ahead. Abela didn’t specify whether this would be a plane, helicopter or any other air link. Over the next 7 years a total of €162 million in funding has been allocated to Gozo to be used on various projects and initiatives. Besides an air link, Abela also said that connection between the two islands will be strengthened by a fourth Gozo channel vessel, which Abela insisted would be operated using ‘clean fuel’. Do you agree with an air link between Malta and Gozo?

Construction magnate Joseph Portelli is looking to develop the former Jerma Palace Hotel into an apartment complex and hotel. Speaking during an interview with Times of Malta, Portelli outlined plans for the project which is set to include 130 apartments, a 500-room hotel and a public square in front of St Thomas Tower. Portelli assured that the new development will not be a high-rise, and will be operated by a renowned international chain. Back in 2019, MaltaToday had reported that Portelli, who is also the President of Ħamrun Spartans, was in the process of buying the hotel with a group of investors for €90 million. Do you think Jerma should be turned into a hotel again?

After months of doubt and uncertainty, it seems that the University of Malta will be holding in-person graduation ceremonies after all. Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) confirmed in a statement released today that; “The undergraduate ceremonies of both the 2020 and 2021 graduates should take place later on this year, while the post graduate ceremonies of both 2020 and 2021 graduates should take place at the beginning of next calender year,” Official confirmations and exact dates are expected shortly. Are you glad graduation is happening?

If you’re looking to get fit but get bored of running on the treadmill or lifting weights, then combat training might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Sliema Fight Co. is a brand spanking new combat based training hub offering a dynamic range of classes including Boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and rooftop Yoga. Their gym is located at the top of the Preluna Hotel and offers impressive panoramic views of the Sliema waterfront. We spoke to the founder and resident boxing coach at Sliema Fight Co. @jayrajakariyar to learn more about combat sports. “Combat sports create bonds like no other and that’s exactly how we’ve built our community. We look after each other, we encourage one another and the coaches work tirelessly to create a welcoming environment to learn in.” If you’re interested in joining their community reach out on their page @sliemafightco

Malta has recorded 25 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. 51 people recovered from the virus. Active cases stand at 617📈 A total of 1,058 vaccines were administered yesterday. Malta has now administered 811,183 doses of the vaccine in total, 4,821 of which are booster doses. No deaths have been recorded in last 24 hours🏥 A total of 21 COVID-19 positive patients are being treated in Mater Dei, 3 of whom are in the ITU.

A man has been cleared of all charges after being accused of trafficking two kilos of cannabis in 2014. 39-year-old Toni Curmi’s life has been in limbo ever since police raided his Tarxien garage following a tip off of suspected drug trafficking with co-conspirator Wayne Grima, 7 years ago. Police spotted Grima leaving Curmi’s garage carrying a paper bag containing 1,912 grams of cannabis resin, with a street value of €45,888. They were both arrested. Proceedings against Grima are still ongoing.  On Friday, the jury in Curmi’s case found him not guilty with six votes in favour of an acquittal and three against.

The US military has admitted that a drone strike in Kabul days before their withdrawal from Afghanistan mistakenly killed 10 innocent people, including 7 children. The strike instead targeted an aid worker and all nine of his family members. The youngest child, Sumaya, was just two years old. The U.S. military apologised for what it called a "tragic mistake". Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated a similar apology saying the US will “endeavour to learn from this horrible mistake."

Two prison guards have been formally charged by police and will be arraigned in court over involuntary homicide charges in relation to the death of 29-year-old inmate Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu last June.  The guards are accused of failing to stick to protocols resulting in a negligence that led to the prisoner’s death. They will face criminal proceedings on the back of an magisterial inquiry launched into Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu’s death which found serious shortcomings on the part of the guards. Involuntary homicide carries a maximum prison term of four years or a fine of €11,000.

10 incredible submissions from this year’s @ocean_photography_awards