Having just experienced our first summer heat wave, pet owners should have realised how their four-legged, furry companions need to be kept cool to stay healthy and safe. Unlike us, dogs only have sweat glands on the pads of their feet, which means dogs rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. MSPCA advises that dogs are at high risk of heatstroke in soaring temperatures. The following measures will help to keep them cool and maintain a healthy body temperature: • Avoid walking dogs  in the middle of the day. Aim to walk dogs early in the morning or during the evening when it is cooler. It is important that people should be aware that hot pavements can burn pads; if it is too hot to put your hand on the floor, then it is too hot for your dog’s pads. • Ensure your pet has access to a cool, shaded area at all times. • Providing your dog with a cooling mat or an ice pack can help them stay cool. • Some dogs love water and a paddling pool can be a fun way for your dog to cool down. However, if your dog does not like water, it is important not to force them. • Ensure there is always plenty of drinking water available; adding ice cubes to the water can help. • Never leave...

A top Chinese official said Sunday that political tensions between Beijing and Australia were not behind a UNESCO recommendation to place the Great Barrier Reef on its endangered list. Deputy education minister Tian Xuejun is chairing this year's meeting of the UN cultural agency's heritage committee, which comes after years of worsening relations between China and Australia. The Great Barrier Reef has been put on a list of World Heritage sites that could be put on the in-danger list after losing half of its corals since 1995. Australia has assailed the move, blaming global warming for the loss, while UNESCO experts argued that pollution run-off has contributed to the loss. Asked at an online press conference about "Australian government allegations" that Beijing pressed to have the Barrier Reef listed as endangered, Tian said the decision was based "on reports and data provided by Australia itself." "Australia should fulfil its obligations to protect world heritage sites instead of making baseless accusations against other member states" of UNESCO, he added. Both China and Australia are among the 21 nations on this year's heritage committee, which is evaluating nearly 50 new...

Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a flood-ravaged region of Germany on Sunday to survey the damage and meet survivors, after days of extreme downpours in western Europe left at least 183 people dead and dozens missing. Wearing hiking boots and offering pandemic-safe fist bumps to rescue workers, the veteran leader walked through the village of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate state, one of the two hardest-hit regions in western Germany. The veteran German leader, who is retiring from politics after September's elections, listened to the accounts of residents where the swollen Ahr river swept away houses and left debris piled high in the streets. Merkel said she was horrified by the "surreal, eerie" devastation she witnessed, pledging quick aid to rebuild. "It is shocking. I can almost say that the German language doesn't have words for the destruction that's been wreaked," she told reporters. At least 156 people have died since Wednesday in Germany's worst flooding in living memory, police said. In Rhineland-Palatinate state alone, local authorities reported 110 dead and 670 injured. At least 27 people have also lost their lives in neighbouring Belgium. Rescue crews in both...

An African man was attacked by a gang of 15 men, beaten, punched and thrown into the sea in Gozo, egged on by a cheering crowd from nearby catering establishments, according to a social media post.  The possible racially motivated attack on "a guy from Somalia" at Mġarr harbour in Gozo around 1am is being investigated by the police.  “After repeatedly beating him, he kept getting up trying to explain himself and they kept beating the pulp out of him relentlessly,” the post reads.  “At one point a ‘hero’ decided to show what a KING he was in front of a crowd of 100 cheering people, moved a dust bin, moved a table and to the disgusting roar of the horde he punched the guy from Somalia and threw him in the sea. At this point in time he hit his face with a boat. “Not knowing if he could swim (he could have drowned), he pulled himself out embarrassed and humiliated and yet again tried to ask why they treated him like a dog.” Police confirmed with Times of Malta that they were called to the Mġarr harbour at 1am to respond to reports of an argument. Currently two men, a Maltese and a foregin national are being interrogated by the police and charges will be pressed against both of...

Britney Spears, in a furious Instagram post, said she has "quit" doing live performances and slammed her father's control over her affairs. For weeks the pop superstar has been pleading with a judge in Los Angeles to free her from the years-long conservatorship largely governed by her father, Jamie, ramping up worldwide interest in her case. Late Saturday she took to Instagram in a new, public demonstration of her anger. "I'm not gonna be performing on any stages anytime soon with my dad handling what I wear, say, do, or think," she wrote. Instead, she said, she will share her own dance videos "from my living room" instead of from a stage in Las Vegas. "I quit !!!!" she wrote. Spears, who rocketed to fame in her teens, suffered a highly public 2007 breakdown -- when the shaven-headed star attacked a paparazzo's car at a gas station. The following year, a California court placed her under a unique legal guardianship largely governed by her father. Spears swiftly returned to performing after that, released three albums, appeared on various television shows and even took up the Las Vegas residency she referenced in the Instagram post. But in January 2019, she abruptly announced she...

Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen crashed out of the British Grand Prix on Sunday after a first-lap collision with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. Roared on by a capacity crowd, home driver Hamilton, who started second on the grid, attacked Verstappen from the start. He made several attempts to overtake and tried to cut inside on Copse corner. As Dutchman Verstappen turned he hit the front tyre of the Mercedes, and his Red Bull flew across the gravel and into the barriers.  The race was suspended with Charles Leclerc in the lead as crews worked to removed Verstappen’s car and the stewards reviewed the incident.  Continue reading this article on SportsDesk, the sports website of the Times of Malta  

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged from hospital on Sunday having spent four days receiving treatment for an intestinal obstruction. The far right leader was originally taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups that had lasted around 10 days. Later that day he was transferred to the private Vila Nova Star hospital in Sao Paulo. "I had to go on a diet, I did what I had to do. I wanted to leave from day one, but they wouldn't let me. I hope that in about 10 days I will be able to eat a rib eye steak," Bolsonaro told reporters as he left the hospital. "It seems that my stomach was on fire. The cause was an intestinal obstruction, which is common in those like me that have undergone surgery, after the stabbing," said Bolsonaro, who spoke to journalist for half an hour. There had been fears Bolsonaro, 66, might need surgery to clear the obstruction, although that was quickly ruled out. He has undergone surgery six times since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 on the campaign trail. On Thursday the hospital had said he was "evolving satisfactorily" while his legislator son, Eduardo Bolsonaro said doctors had...

The Minister for the Elderly and Active Ageing, Michael Farrugia has tested positive for COVID-19. The minister announced the development in a Facebook post saying he underwent a PCR swab test on Sunday afternoon and tested positive. Farrugia, who is a doctor, said he would be spending the next two weeks in quarantine, though his office will remain open.  Malta has seen a dramatic increase in virus cases in the last two weeks, especially as the tourism season reopened.  Another 195 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Sunday but the number of virus patients receiving treatment in hospital remains low, reflecting the trend in many countries.   

Lewis Hamilton revived his Formula One title defence by winning the British Grand Prix after a first lap crash that left championship leader Max Verstappen complaining he had been “taken out”. Hamilton retorted after the race that he would “not be bullied”.  Roared on by a crowd of more than 140,000, Hamilton attempted to overtake championship leader Verstappen on Copse corner on the first lap.  Verstappen refused to yield. The two touched wheels and the Red Bull went careening off the track and into the barrier. Hamilton drove on with just a broken wheel rim. “Glad I’m ok,” tweeted Verstappen from hospital. “Very disappointed with being taken out like this.” Continue reading this article on SportsDesk, the sports website of the Times of Malta  

A 59-year-old man was seriously injured following an argument with a 39-year-old in St Paul's Bay on Sunday afternoon.  Police were called to assist to the incident between the Maltese and Serbian national, both residents of St Paul's Bay at Triq Port Ruman at 2.20pm. The Maltese victim sought treatment at the health centre where it was established he was suffering from grievous injuries. The other man involved in the fight was arrested and is being detailed at the police lock-up.  Police are investigating the incident. 

Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen crashed out of the British Grand Prix on Sunday after a first-lap collision with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen’s Red Bull careened off the track and into the barriers as he was knocked out of the race.  His Red Bull team tweeted that he has been taken to hospital for further precautionary tests. “Thank god he’s walked away unscathed,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told the race director.  “Full blame lays on Hamilton who should never have been in that position.”   Continue reading this article on Sports Desk, the new sports website by Times of Malta

Tadej Pogacar won a second successive Tour de France on Sunday, hailing his victory as “an incredible adventure” as Wout van Aert claimed the final stage on the Champs-Elysees in Paris after three weeks of thrilling action. Pogacar stole in at the 11th hour to win the 2020 edition, but this year he stamped his authority in the first week before he pulled on the yellow jersey beneath the Arc de Triomphe as the undisputed champion, aged just 22. “We did it,” he said with a huge smile. “It was one thing last year, the first win, I didn’t cry this year,” he said glowing in his big moment and thanking everyone with his parents and siblings all present. “I hope we can all come back next year without masks. “It’s been an incredible adventure being part of this cycling family,” he said dedicating his latest triumph to “all cycling fans everywhere.”  Continue reading this article on SportsDesk, the sports website of the Times of Malta

The father of a teenager found dead at the foot of Dingli Cliffs five years ago has asked the German courts to order the Maltese authorities to reopen investigations into the mysterious death that resulted in his son being returned home with most organs missing. Mike Mansholt’s body had been found at the bottom of a cliff on July 26, 2016. The Maltese magisterial inquiry into the incident had concluded that Mike, 17, died of natural causes and the police consider the case closed, a police spokesperson confirmed. However, his father is contesting the conclusions and is determined to understand what led to Mike’s death. This week, the family kickstarted the process to obtain a European Investigation Order whereby German prosecutors have asked the German courts to order the Maltese courts to continue investigating the case. “My son, Mike, died in Malta in 2016. Unexplained cause. The exact circumstances that led to his death are still unclear and many circumstances are very mysterious… I will not give up until all the questions have been asked,” his father, Bernd Alexander Mansholt, told Times of Malta. If the German courts uphold the EIO request, Malta will be bound to execute the...

A new monument dedicated to St Francis of Assisi was inaugurated in the square dedicated to him in Victoria last Tuesday. The monument, by artist Manuel Farrugia, complements the recent embellishment of the square. The sculpture represents the saint with open arms for people to join him in reciting the famous Canticle of Brother Sun, written by Francis himself. The monument was inaugurated by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri and blessed by Mgr Joe Vella Gauci. Taking part in the inauguration event were the Schola Cantorum Jubilate Children’s Choir and SCJ Teenage Boys Singers who joined forces with the renowned Brasstubes ‒ Brass Ensemble for Weddings and Functions. The young choristers performed works related to St Francis. The three-metre-high statue was cast in bronze at the Domus Dei foundry in Rome. It weighs one ton. The pedestal, designed also by Farrugia, was manufactured by J&J Gauci Ltd of Mġarr, Malta. It was set up by Raymond Bonello and his team. The Gozo Ministry was responsible for the embellishment of the square and monument. The project was initiated by former Gozo minister Anton Refalo.

High-tea and custard cream cover-ups See more work by Seb Tanti Burlò.

US travellers to Malta I am a resident of Minnesota in the United States. My dad and stepmother live in New Mexico. Both states are now on Malta’s ‘red’ list. It has now been several months since we’ve all completed either both shots of the US Centres for Disease Control-approved Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Johnson & Johnson single-shot. But Malta does not currently accept proof of these. We had booked travel to meet dear, long-time family friends from Denmark (also vaccinated) in Malta in August. Now we are all nervously watching the Maltese news every day and keeping an eye out as our travel dates loom. We obviously hope Maltese policy will be changed to allow vaccinated US travellers to visit. Otherwise, we will have to cancel – we can’t afford a costly and medically-unnecessary 14-day quarantine. But we also know that Malta must do everything in its power to protect its population. Among the many difficult and tragic lessons of this pandemic are the need to stay empathetic, be a global citizen and put the public good first. Pleasure travel is a luxury. We can postpone – even though we hope we don’t have to. We send our love to Malta and hope to see you soon. Sara...

Police Day was commemorated at Santa Marija Cemetery chapel in Victoria, on  July 15, with the celebration of Mass in memory of deceased members. The main celebrant was Diocesan vicar general Mgr Tarcisio Camilleri, assisted by Gozo Police Force chaplain Mgr Paul Cardona and Malta Police chaplain Fr Raymond Bonnici, OFM Cap. Leading the congregation was police commissioner Angelo Gafà. Inspectors Charles Bernard Spiteri and Josef Gauci, superintendent Joseph Hersey, assistant police commissioner Stephen Gatt, deputy commissioner Ramon Mercieca and ex-superintendent Ray Zammit, representing the Association of Retired Police Officers (Malta), also attended. After Mass, Mgr Camilleri blessed the police graves, followed by the laying of wreaths by police commissioner Gafà and sergeant Jonathan Vella on behalf of the Police Officers Union, among others. The Malta Police Force in its present form dates from a proclamation during the governorship of Sir Thomas Maitland (1813-1814). By Proclamation XXII of July 1, 1814, Maitland ordered and directed that all powers up to then exercised with respect to the administration of the police of Malta and its dependencies were, after July 12,...

An Israeli firm accused of supplying spyware to governments has been linked to a list of 50,000 smartphone numbers, including those of activists, journalists, business executives and politicians around the world, according to reports Sunday. Israel's NSO Group and its Pegasus malware have been in the headlines since at least 2016, when researchers accused it of helping spy on a dissident in the United Arab Emirates. Sunday's revelations raise privacy and rights concerns, and reveal the far-reaching extent to which the private Israeli company's software may be being misused by its clients internationally. The extent of the use of Pegasus was reported by The Washington Post, the Guardian, Le Monde and other news outlets who collaborated on an investigation into a data leak. The leak was of a list of more than 50,000 smartphone numbers believed to have been identified as people of interest by clients of NSO since 2016, the media outlets said. Total number of targeted phones unknown The Post said the list was shared with the news organizations by Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based journalism nonprofit, and Amnesty International. The newspaper said the total number of phones on the...

Obituary FALZON. On July 18, GAETANO, of Iklin, aged 65, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his great loss his wife Maria, his children Erica and Chris, Daria and her fiancé Anthony, Jurgen and his wife Amy, his grandson Jake C., other relatives and friends. The funeral cortège leaves Mater Dei Hospital tomorrow Tuesday, July 20, at 9.30am for St Helen’s Basilica, Birkirkara, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 10am followed by interment in the Falzon family grave at Burmarrad Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza would be greatly appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest. In Memoriam De BRINCAT− Sweet and tender memories of my adored father, Publius. A dearly loved grandfather to Christopher and Ian Gauci. As always, Connie. De GIOVANNI – JOE. Fondest memories of a beloved father and grandfather, today the 33rd anniversary of his demise. Lovingly remembered by his family. LICARI. In loving and unfading memory of TARA MALOU, 15.02.1999-19.07.2016. On the fifth anniversary since you were called to eternal life. You are forever in our hearts, dad, mum, Gabriel, Timothy and Samuel. Mass for the...

Malta and its government seem to enjoy playing with yoyos. Each time we get our COVID-19 cases down to zero and our vaccination rates to among the best in the world, we fall into the trap of thinking we have beaten the virus. Off we go and open the airport, allowing the most dangerous types of visitors to come to Malta. Most of this article was written the day before Health Minister Chris Fearne closed the language schools and stopped all travel except for people with double vaccination or accepting to stay in quarantine. Suddenly, the government pulled back the yoyo. The question is: when will they let it down again? The British tourists bring the Delta variant with them whether they are vaccinated or not. With over 30,000 cases per day estimated to rise to over 100,000 a day, and allowing 60,000 to attend football matches in these pandemic times, England, under Boris Johnson, threatens to release the virus on its entire population and the world by letting go all restrictions today, July 19. And we invite them to come by, even recognising their local digital certificate instead of the EU one! Secondly the language students. These, coming from whichever country they come, are...