Malta

Groups of residents and activists took to the streets of Valletta on Sunday to protest against the occupation of public pavements by businesses; around 50 people accompanied by percussionists from protest group Banda Graffiti asked for "no pavements"

Recent regulations limiting the number of pet boarding houses will likely lead to a significant increase in fees, animal rights activists and pet sitters have warned, up to a 40% increase in daily fees

Nominations for the upcoming Labour Party elections, scheduled for 13-14 September, have been closed on 25 August; each role open was filled with either one or two people contesting while the executive members, open for 12 members, received 38 nominations

The second turtle nest of the season sees 60 turtles hatched, out of the 74 eggs in the nest; in the whole of Malta there are currently six more nests expected to hatch in the coming weeks

Żminijietna, left-wing think-tank organisation, declared the need for more accessible and safe pavements in local communities

The number of 24-hour health centres in Malta will be increased from three to five following government plans

More patients die from stroke in Malta than in the EU average, Mater Dei Hospital's neuroscience department reported and highlighted the need for brain health initiatives to improve outcomes and reduce the number of deaths

The Oceanography Malta research group at the University of Malta has launched a new app, ANDROMEDA, to help spread awareness about the problem of microplastics in the sea; it focuses on the collection, analysis and monitoring of microplastics

Plastic bags have replaced the pipes in a new drip irrigation system in the municipality of Zebbug; each PVC bag contains over 70 litres of water that drips slowly into the ground over 8-10 hours

A new government agency, Real Estate Market Agency, will regulate the real estate market and protect real estate agents, real estate consultants and brokers, and also create standards for brokerage and related services

Transport Malta defended its decision to introduce a geofencing system, stating that it is already legislated, responding to criticism from taxi companies; the aim is to improve traffic flow and safety

For European Testing Week, artist Emma Grima collaborated with Checkpoint Malta to campaign We Are Positive, with an art installation in which the Love Monument was covered with 600 boxes of HIV self-testing kits to encourage people to get tested