NOW PLAYING THE SUNDAY PROGRAM
Sunday request program presented by Peter Paul Portelli, Pauline Zahra and George Sammut.
Enjoy 1 hour of your favourite songs. Sunday 18 August, 2019.
Click on the link to Download and listen. https://we.tl/t-kVAXZsDwHc
Sunday request program presented by Peter Paul Portelli, Pauline Zahra and George Sammut.
Enjoy 1 hour of your favourite songs. Sunday 18 August, 2019.
Click on the link to Download and listen. https://we.tl/t-kVAXZsDwHc
L-Isqof Giovanni Cefai jqaddes fil-Bażilika ta’ San Duminku
Minn Coryse Borg
|
20/08/2019,
Bħala parti mis-sensiela ‘Ġurnata mal-Papa San Ġwanni Pawlu II’, l-Isqof Giovanni Cefai għamel żjara fil-Bażilika ta’ San Duminku fil-Belt Valletta u qaddes mal-Komunità tal-Patrijiet u l-poplu ta’ dawk in-naħat nhar il-Ħadd 18 ta’ Awwissu 2019.
F’omelija li għamel f’din l-okkażjoni, aċċenna għal Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II bħal ikona tal-paċi. Huwa radd ħajr lil dawk kollha li qed jilqgħuh u jgħinu l-missjoni tiegħu fil-Perù fejn hemm ħafna faqar. Tkellem dwar il-paċi u stqarr li għalkemm il-poplu tiegħu ħafna drabi jgħix fil-miżerja u t-tbatija iżda fuq wiċċhom tara t-tbissima għax f’qalbhom issaltan il-paċi. Huwa awgura li din il-paċi ssaltan ukoll fil-qalb tal-poplu Malti kollu.
Din kienet inizjattiva mill-Fondazzjoni Papa Ġwanni Pawlu t-Tieni (JP2 Foundation) li qed thejji biex tfakkar matul is-sena d-dieħla l-100 sena mit-twelid tal-Papa Pollakk u t-30 sena minn mindu kien żar il-gżejjer Maltin.
Minn Coryse Borg
|
20/08/2019,
Bħala parti mis-sensiela ‘Ġurnata mal-Papa San Ġwanni Pawlu II’, l-Isqof Giovanni Cefai għamel żjara fil-Bażilika ta’ San Duminku fil-Belt Valletta u qaddes mal-Komunità tal-Patrijiet u l-poplu ta’ dawk in-naħat nhar il-Ħadd 18 ta’ Awwissu 2019.
F’omelija li għamel f’din l-okkażjoni, aċċenna għal Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II bħal ikona tal-paċi. Huwa radd ħajr lil dawk kollha li qed jilqgħuh u jgħinu l-missjoni tiegħu fil-Perù fejn hemm ħafna faqar. Tkellem dwar il-paċi u stqarr li għalkemm il-poplu tiegħu ħafna drabi jgħix fil-miżerja u t-tbatija iżda fuq wiċċhom tara t-tbissima għax f’qalbhom issaltan il-paċi. Huwa awgura li din il-paċi ssaltan ukoll fil-qalb tal-poplu Malti kollu.
Din kienet inizjattiva mill-Fondazzjoni Papa Ġwanni Pawlu t-Tieni (JP2 Foundation) li qed thejji biex tfakkar matul is-sena d-dieħla l-100 sena mit-twelid tal-Papa Pollakk u t-30 sena minn mindu kien żar il-gżejjer Maltin.
Filmat: Xufier attakkat minn turist f’Għawdex
Minn Josianne Vella
19/08/2019
Raġel li kien qed isuq xarabank bit-turisti spiċċa fl-idejn ma’ turist.
Ara il filmat hawn:
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/08/19/filmat-xufier-attakkat-minn-turist-fghawdex/#t=0:17
Fuq il-midja soċjali Josef Karl Bajada tella’ filmat li juri kif ix-xufier kien aggredit minn turist. Żied li x-xufier kien innoċenti f’din l-istorja. Numru ta’ turisti niżlu minn fuq ix-xarabank biex jassistu lix-xufier.
Il-każ ġara fix-Xlendi Għawdex għall-ħabta tal-4pm, fil-ħin li kienet għaddejja l-logħba tradizzjonali tal-ġostra.
Filmat: Josef Karl Bajada
Minn Josianne Vella
19/08/2019
Raġel li kien qed isuq xarabank bit-turisti spiċċa fl-idejn ma’ turist.
Ara il filmat hawn:
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/08/19/filmat-xufier-attakkat-minn-turist-fghawdex/#t=0:17
Fuq il-midja soċjali Josef Karl Bajada tella’ filmat li juri kif ix-xufier kien aggredit minn turist. Żied li x-xufier kien innoċenti f’din l-istorja. Numru ta’ turisti niżlu minn fuq ix-xarabank biex jassistu lix-xufier.
Il-każ ġara fix-Xlendi Għawdex għall-ħabta tal-4pm, fil-ħin li kienet għaddejja l-logħba tradizzjonali tal-ġostra.
Filmat: Josef Karl Bajada
Mother slams lifeguards for failing to stop couple having sex in public
Woman claims couple had sex at St George's BayCommunitySt Julian’sBeach
Jessica Arena
St George's Bay. Photo: ShutterstockA Maltese mother took to social media to air her grievances with lifeguards on duty at St George’s Bay, when, she claims, they failed to intervene when one particularly amorous couple allegedly began to have sex on the bay.
The woman claimed that the rambunctious pair were nude in the water and getting physical in full view of the Sunday morning beach crowd.
“Lifeguard on duty was really arrogant, you should be ashamed of yourselves,” the woman wrote.
“There is no place in this country where people do their proper job,” she continued. “If it wasn’t for lifeguard duty, the beach supervisors are there just to give out ashtrays and to stop topless people.”
Both the woman and the lifeguards on duty called police to the scene, however upon their arrival the perpetrators were nowhere to be found.
Attempts to contact the woman proved futile.
A spokeswoman for the police said that, as of yet, no police report had been filed in relation to the incident.
Blaming lifeguards was not fair, the Malta Red Cross director of operations told Times of Malta.
“There are different levels of responsibility in maintaining beaches, but at no point are lifeguards responsible for enforcing the law,” Robert Brincau said.
Lifeguards are not a public authority and are largely responsible for providing first aid and rescue on public beaches.
Mr Brincau said that while the incident in question was reported to the police by the lifeguards on duty, it does not fall within their remit to intervene directly once there was no immediate danger.
The woman posted on social media.
“It is our duty to report and to report discreetly,” he said.
Offences against decency or morals committed in public are criminal acts and could be punishable with up to three months jail time as well as a fine.
However, if lewd acts are committed in the presence of children, offenders could be potentially opening themselves up the more serious charge of defilement of minors, although defilement of a specific minor would have to be proved.
Woman claims couple had sex at St George's BayCommunitySt Julian’sBeach
Jessica Arena
St George's Bay. Photo: ShutterstockA Maltese mother took to social media to air her grievances with lifeguards on duty at St George’s Bay, when, she claims, they failed to intervene when one particularly amorous couple allegedly began to have sex on the bay.
The woman claimed that the rambunctious pair were nude in the water and getting physical in full view of the Sunday morning beach crowd.
“Lifeguard on duty was really arrogant, you should be ashamed of yourselves,” the woman wrote.
“There is no place in this country where people do their proper job,” she continued. “If it wasn’t for lifeguard duty, the beach supervisors are there just to give out ashtrays and to stop topless people.”
Both the woman and the lifeguards on duty called police to the scene, however upon their arrival the perpetrators were nowhere to be found.
Attempts to contact the woman proved futile.
A spokeswoman for the police said that, as of yet, no police report had been filed in relation to the incident.
Blaming lifeguards was not fair, the Malta Red Cross director of operations told Times of Malta.
“There are different levels of responsibility in maintaining beaches, but at no point are lifeguards responsible for enforcing the law,” Robert Brincau said.
Lifeguards are not a public authority and are largely responsible for providing first aid and rescue on public beaches.
Mr Brincau said that while the incident in question was reported to the police by the lifeguards on duty, it does not fall within their remit to intervene directly once there was no immediate danger.
The woman posted on social media.
“It is our duty to report and to report discreetly,” he said.
Offences against decency or morals committed in public are criminal acts and could be punishable with up to three months jail time as well as a fine.
However, if lewd acts are committed in the presence of children, offenders could be potentially opening themselves up the more serious charge of defilement of minors, although defilement of a specific minor would have to be proved.
Fil-periklu tal-mewt: Iweġġgħu bil-quad bike f’Għawdex, it-tieni inċident f’jumejn
Minn Beppe Galea
18/08/2019,
Żewġ tfajliet weġġgħu f’inċident li seħħ għall-ħabta tat-3pm f’Għawdex wara li persuna minnhom tilfet il-kontroll tal-quad bike. Waħda mit-tfajliet tinsab fil-periklu tal-mewt. L-inċident seħħ fi Triq ir-Rabat, in-Nadur. Jidher li f’dan l-inċident kienu involuti tliet quad bikes.
It-tfajliet għandhom 23 sena u huma minn San Ġwann u mill-Imtarfa u ttieħdu lejn l-Isptar Ġenerali ta’ Għawdex b’ambulanza. It-tfajla minn San Ġwann ġiet iċċertifikata li ġarrbet ġrieħi serji u għaldaqstant tinsab fil-periklu tal-mewt filwaqt li seħbitha mill-Imtarfa li kienet qed issuq il-quad bike għadha ma ġiet iċċertifikata.
Dan huwa t-tieni inċident f’jumejn li seħħew f’Għawdex bil-quad bike.
Ilbieraħ għall-ħabta tas-2pm, Taljan residenti r-Rabat, Għawdex iddaħħal l-isptar u ġie ċċertifikat li sofra minn ġrieħi ħfief. L-inċident seħħ fi Triq il-Qala, f’Għajnsielem hekk kif il-quad bike baqa’ dieħel f’karozza pparkjata.
Minn Beppe Galea
18/08/2019,
Żewġ tfajliet weġġgħu f’inċident li seħħ għall-ħabta tat-3pm f’Għawdex wara li persuna minnhom tilfet il-kontroll tal-quad bike. Waħda mit-tfajliet tinsab fil-periklu tal-mewt. L-inċident seħħ fi Triq ir-Rabat, in-Nadur. Jidher li f’dan l-inċident kienu involuti tliet quad bikes.
It-tfajliet għandhom 23 sena u huma minn San Ġwann u mill-Imtarfa u ttieħdu lejn l-Isptar Ġenerali ta’ Għawdex b’ambulanza. It-tfajla minn San Ġwann ġiet iċċertifikata li ġarrbet ġrieħi serji u għaldaqstant tinsab fil-periklu tal-mewt filwaqt li seħbitha mill-Imtarfa li kienet qed issuq il-quad bike għadha ma ġiet iċċertifikata.
Dan huwa t-tieni inċident f’jumejn li seħħew f’Għawdex bil-quad bike.
Ilbieraħ għall-ħabta tas-2pm, Taljan residenti r-Rabat, Għawdex iddaħħal l-isptar u ġie ċċertifikat li sofra minn ġrieħi ħfief. L-inċident seħħ fi Triq il-Qala, f’Għajnsielem hekk kif il-quad bike baqa’ dieħel f’karozza pparkjata.
Coast Road operation nets driver going at almost twice the speed limit
79 drivers were over-speedingNational Accident Police Transport
A driver going at almost twice the speed limit was among 79 stopped in a police operation on the Coast Road on Sunday morning.
The police said more than 200 vehicles were checked and 79 were found to be over speeding.
One car was being driven at 121km/hr in a 70km/hr zone.
The officers also came across two cars with passengers not wearing a seatbelt/ child restraining safety device, one of whom was an infant.
Another two vehicles were found not to have front number plates.
79 drivers were over-speedingNational Accident Police Transport
A driver going at almost twice the speed limit was among 79 stopped in a police operation on the Coast Road on Sunday morning.
The police said more than 200 vehicles were checked and 79 were found to be over speeding.
One car was being driven at 121km/hr in a 70km/hr zone.
The officers also came across two cars with passengers not wearing a seatbelt/ child restraining safety device, one of whom was an infant.
Another two vehicles were found not to have front number plates.
HELPING THE POOR IN PERU
Yesterday Bishop Giovanni Cefai a missionary priest in Peru celebrated Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Nadur.
After the Mass the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul donated money to his mission.
Thanks to the Supreme Council of the Confraternity in Melbourne and the Grand Chapter of Nadur for the money.
Thanks also to Mons. Jimmy Xerri Parish Priest of Nadur for his support.
This was the second time that the Confraternity donated money to missions in Peru in the last couple of months.
God bless His Excellency Bishop Giovanni Cefai for his work to help the poor and the sick.
God bless the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
CKSPP
Yesterday Bishop Giovanni Cefai a missionary priest in Peru celebrated Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Nadur.
After the Mass the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul donated money to his mission.
Thanks to the Supreme Council of the Confraternity in Melbourne and the Grand Chapter of Nadur for the money.
Thanks also to Mons. Jimmy Xerri Parish Priest of Nadur for his support.
This was the second time that the Confraternity donated money to missions in Peru in the last couple of months.
God bless His Excellency Bishop Giovanni Cefai for his work to help the poor and the sick.
God bless the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
CKSPP
Nine injured in Ghajnsielem traffic accidentFriday, 16 August 2019,
Five people - three children and two women - have sustained varying degrees of injuries after a traffic accident in Ghajnsielem.
Two boys aged nine and 14 are suffering from grievous injuries, whilst an 11-year-old boy and two women aged 36 and 45 who were in the Daihatsu Terios only sustained minor injuries.
The other vehicle was a Jago Geep driven by a 43 year old Norwegian residing in Kercem, who had two passengers - a 47-year-old American man residing in Rabat, Gozo; a 51-year-old German residing in Xaghra, Gozo; and a 41 year old Latvian residing in Swieqi.
Five people - three children and two women - have sustained varying degrees of injuries after a traffic accident in Ghajnsielem.
Two boys aged nine and 14 are suffering from grievous injuries, whilst an 11-year-old boy and two women aged 36 and 45 who were in the Daihatsu Terios only sustained minor injuries.
The other vehicle was a Jago Geep driven by a 43 year old Norwegian residing in Kercem, who had two passengers - a 47-year-old American man residing in Rabat, Gozo; a 51-year-old German residing in Xaghra, Gozo; and a 41 year old Latvian residing in Swieqi.
Victoria main road closed for horse racesThursday, 15 August 2019,
The main road in Victoria has been closed off to the public, in preparation for the traditional Santa Marija horse races that will take place this afternoon.
The Commissioner for Animal Welfare Dennis Montebello had reiterated his call to end horse racing on the eve of the traditional street horse races in Victoria.
A suspected contradiction was pointed out by social media users with regards to the races, as earlier this year amendments to the horse-drawn carriage legislation had tightened the parameters around which they can operate.
The main road in Victoria has been closed off to the public, in preparation for the traditional Santa Marija horse races that will take place this afternoon.
The Commissioner for Animal Welfare Dennis Montebello had reiterated his call to end horse racing on the eve of the traditional street horse races in Victoria.
A suspected contradiction was pointed out by social media users with regards to the races, as earlier this year amendments to the horse-drawn carriage legislation had tightened the parameters around which they can operate.
FEAST OF SANTA MARIA
Today the universal church celebrates the feast of Santa Maria, the Annunciation of Mary in Heaven.
Happy feast day to all our readers.
Today the universal church celebrates the feast of Santa Maria, the Annunciation of Mary in Heaven.
Happy feast day to all our readers.
Bishop Giovanni Cefai is celebrating Mass in Nadur
Newly appointed bishop for Peru Mons. Giovanni Cefai MSSP is celebrating Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Nadur on Thursday 15 August, at 10.30 am.
Yesterday Bishop Cefai celebrated Mass at his home town of Zebbug Gozo.
Newly appointed bishop for Peru Mons. Giovanni Cefai MSSP is celebrating Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Nadur on Thursday 15 August, at 10.30 am.
Yesterday Bishop Cefai celebrated Mass at his home town of Zebbug Gozo.
Nadur and Xagħra police stations closed amid seasonal rise in crime
Jeremy Micallef
Sunday, 11 August 2019,
With police stations in Nadur and Xagħra frequently found closed, those seeking the assistance of law enforcement in the two districts have been left with little direct recourse amid a seasonal rise in crime.
Nationalist Party MP Chris Said recently stated on social media that a number of robberies in Gozo had been reported but remained unsolved. When contacted by The Malta Independent on Sunday, the PN spokesperson for Gozo said that burglaries were relatively unheard of on the sister island until recently. In one particular case, he said, thieves had made off with some €60,000. This, he explained, was in addition to an increase in thefts from cars and on beaches.
Jeremy Micallef
Sunday, 11 August 2019,
With police stations in Nadur and Xagħra frequently found closed, those seeking the assistance of law enforcement in the two districts have been left with little direct recourse amid a seasonal rise in crime.
Nationalist Party MP Chris Said recently stated on social media that a number of robberies in Gozo had been reported but remained unsolved. When contacted by The Malta Independent on Sunday, the PN spokesperson for Gozo said that burglaries were relatively unheard of on the sister island until recently. In one particular case, he said, thieves had made off with some €60,000. This, he explained, was in addition to an increase in thefts from cars and on beaches.
Man remanded in custody on charges of causing grievous injuriesSunday, 11 August 2019,
A man was charged in Court on Sunday morning with grievously injuring another person following an argument at the San Ġorġ boċċi club in Qormi.
41-year-old Frankie Falzon of Qormi was accused of injuring 38-year-old Clint Caruana, with breaching bail conditions and with committing a crime while under a suspended prison sentence.
Falzon pleaded not guilty, and a request was made for bail. Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech stated that as accused runs a business, and if he ends up in prison he loses his sole income. Defence further stated that Falzon had been provoked when he was leaving the bar at about 8.30 pm on Friday.
Inspector Roderick Agius replied that accused had not been provoked at all, and had confronted the other person and pushed him onto a glass-paned window, which broke and caused him injuries.
The Prosecution added that Falzon should have been at home by 6pm according to Court-imposed conditions, whereas two and a half hours later he was still drinking at the bar.
Magistrate Charmaine Galea turned down the request for bail because of the danger of tampering with evidence and also in light of accused’s criminal record.
A man was charged in Court on Sunday morning with grievously injuring another person following an argument at the San Ġorġ boċċi club in Qormi.
41-year-old Frankie Falzon of Qormi was accused of injuring 38-year-old Clint Caruana, with breaching bail conditions and with committing a crime while under a suspended prison sentence.
Falzon pleaded not guilty, and a request was made for bail. Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech stated that as accused runs a business, and if he ends up in prison he loses his sole income. Defence further stated that Falzon had been provoked when he was leaving the bar at about 8.30 pm on Friday.
Inspector Roderick Agius replied that accused had not been provoked at all, and had confronted the other person and pushed him onto a glass-paned window, which broke and caused him injuries.
The Prosecution added that Falzon should have been at home by 6pm according to Court-imposed conditions, whereas two and a half hours later he was still drinking at the bar.
Magistrate Charmaine Galea turned down the request for bail because of the danger of tampering with evidence and also in light of accused’s criminal record.
BISHOP GIOVANNI CEFAI IN GOZO
The Grand Master and the Supreme Council of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul, together with all the knights and dames, wishes His Excellency Bishop Giovanni Cefai happy festivities in his home town of Zebbug Gozo.
Bishop Giovanni Cefai who is in charge of the territorial prelate of Santiago Apóstol de Huancané in Peru arrived in Malta this week to celebrate his ordination with his family and his compatriots of Zebbug, Gozo.
God bless His Excellency Bishop Giovanni Cefai.
Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
CKSPP
Feasts in Malta and Gozo this weekend
10th - St. Laurence, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
11th - St. Laurence, San Lawrenz, Gozo
San Gaetan, Hamrun
10th - St. Laurence, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
11th - St. Laurence, San Lawrenz, Gozo
San Gaetan, Hamrun
Malta to start process to strip citizenship off fraudster convicted of money laundering in US
Egyptian charged with securities fraud in US will be stripped of Maltese citizenship, but IIP Malta refuses to comment on possible action against Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, also indicted over unpaid US tariffs
8 August 2019, 5:48pm
by Yannick Pace
Mustafa Abdel-Wadood pleaded guilty to charges of misappropriating funds
The Maltese authorities have “initiated the process” to withdraw Maltese citizenship acquired by Mustafa Abdel-Wadood under the Individual Investor Programme, after pleading guilty to charges of misappropriation of funds in the United States last month.
A spokesperson for IIP Malta, the agency responsible for the sale of Maltese passports, said that together with the parliamentary secretariat and Identity Malta, it had “initiated the process for the deprivation of citizenship of [Mustafa Abdel-Wadood] and his dependents according to Article 14 of the Maltese Citizenship Act”.
The spokesperson declined to comment further, insisting the agency could not discuss individual cases.
Abdel-Wadood, 49, a former executive at Abraaj Group, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and agreed to co-operate with a US investigation of a scheme that helped lead to the world’s biggest private-equity insolvency in 2018. He also holds Egyptian citizenship.
He is one of six former Abraaj executives facing racketeering and securities fraud charges following an investigation by New York prosecutors.
The executive was arrested in April in New York while on a college-shopping trip with his wife and son. Since then, he has been confined to his home in New York and subject to a $10 million bond. Abdel-Wadood is the only defendant to appear in court in the US.
Under Maltese law, anyone who within seven years after becoming naturalized is sentenced to jail for over 12 months, is liable to have their citizenship removed by the government.
However, in this particular case, the minister responsible must ensure they are satisfied that the person will not be rendered stateless once Maltese citizenship is removed.
Before making such an order, the minister will have to give Abdel-Wadood notice in writing informing him of the grounds for deprivation. In turn, Abdel-Wadood will have a right to an inquiry before the Committee of Inquiry (Deprivation of Maltese Citizenship), which is chaired by judge emeritus Philip Sciberras.
Indeed, the IIP Agency was less clear about the fate of Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, also a Maltese citizen who acquired his passport under the IIP, and who was indicted in the US amid allegations that he avoided paying up to $1.8 billion in aluminum tariffs.
In this case, it is unclear whether Zhongtian, if found guilty, would lose his Maltese citizenship since Chinese law does not allow dual nationality, meaning the billionaire would risk statelessness – a condition that could protect him from deprivation of citizenship.
The IIP Agency spokesperson said it could not comment because the case was still “sub judice”.
Asked what measures were in place to monitor individuals who have been granted citizenship and whether it can guarantee the programme’s integrity in light of such cases. The spokesperson said the agency took “all possible legal steps to safeguard the integrity of the programme”.
“Instances do occur where the agency becomes aware of facts or evidence of wrong doing after due diligence is completed and citizenship is granted. In such a case, the Agency takes the necessary steps to re-evaluate the case, and where appropriate advice the Parliamentary Secretary to initiate citizenship deprivation process,” the spokesperson said.
Under Malta’s Individual Investor Programme, wealthy individuals can purchase Maltese citizenship for €650,000, in addition to a commitment to having an “immovable residence” in Malta for at least five years, either through purchasing property valued over €350,000 or by renting property at €16,000 a year equivalent to €1,333 a month.
Earlier this year, the European Commission said it would continue to monitor similar passport schemes across the EU through a group of experts from various member states.
The Commission has repeatedly raised concerns about such schemes, which it said opened the EU up to money laundering, corruption and organised crime.
Similar concerns were raised in a Council of Europe report into the rule of law in Malta which noted that the scheme granted “golden passports, giving the right to live and work throughout the EU, via non-transparent, unaccountable procedure, to persons of questionable background”.
Egyptian charged with securities fraud in US will be stripped of Maltese citizenship, but IIP Malta refuses to comment on possible action against Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, also indicted over unpaid US tariffs
8 August 2019, 5:48pm
by Yannick Pace
Mustafa Abdel-Wadood pleaded guilty to charges of misappropriating funds
The Maltese authorities have “initiated the process” to withdraw Maltese citizenship acquired by Mustafa Abdel-Wadood under the Individual Investor Programme, after pleading guilty to charges of misappropriation of funds in the United States last month.
A spokesperson for IIP Malta, the agency responsible for the sale of Maltese passports, said that together with the parliamentary secretariat and Identity Malta, it had “initiated the process for the deprivation of citizenship of [Mustafa Abdel-Wadood] and his dependents according to Article 14 of the Maltese Citizenship Act”.
The spokesperson declined to comment further, insisting the agency could not discuss individual cases.
Abdel-Wadood, 49, a former executive at Abraaj Group, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and agreed to co-operate with a US investigation of a scheme that helped lead to the world’s biggest private-equity insolvency in 2018. He also holds Egyptian citizenship.
He is one of six former Abraaj executives facing racketeering and securities fraud charges following an investigation by New York prosecutors.
The executive was arrested in April in New York while on a college-shopping trip with his wife and son. Since then, he has been confined to his home in New York and subject to a $10 million bond. Abdel-Wadood is the only defendant to appear in court in the US.
Under Maltese law, anyone who within seven years after becoming naturalized is sentenced to jail for over 12 months, is liable to have their citizenship removed by the government.
However, in this particular case, the minister responsible must ensure they are satisfied that the person will not be rendered stateless once Maltese citizenship is removed.
Before making such an order, the minister will have to give Abdel-Wadood notice in writing informing him of the grounds for deprivation. In turn, Abdel-Wadood will have a right to an inquiry before the Committee of Inquiry (Deprivation of Maltese Citizenship), which is chaired by judge emeritus Philip Sciberras.
Indeed, the IIP Agency was less clear about the fate of Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, also a Maltese citizen who acquired his passport under the IIP, and who was indicted in the US amid allegations that he avoided paying up to $1.8 billion in aluminum tariffs.
In this case, it is unclear whether Zhongtian, if found guilty, would lose his Maltese citizenship since Chinese law does not allow dual nationality, meaning the billionaire would risk statelessness – a condition that could protect him from deprivation of citizenship.
The IIP Agency spokesperson said it could not comment because the case was still “sub judice”.
Asked what measures were in place to monitor individuals who have been granted citizenship and whether it can guarantee the programme’s integrity in light of such cases. The spokesperson said the agency took “all possible legal steps to safeguard the integrity of the programme”.
“Instances do occur where the agency becomes aware of facts or evidence of wrong doing after due diligence is completed and citizenship is granted. In such a case, the Agency takes the necessary steps to re-evaluate the case, and where appropriate advice the Parliamentary Secretary to initiate citizenship deprivation process,” the spokesperson said.
Under Malta’s Individual Investor Programme, wealthy individuals can purchase Maltese citizenship for €650,000, in addition to a commitment to having an “immovable residence” in Malta for at least five years, either through purchasing property valued over €350,000 or by renting property at €16,000 a year equivalent to €1,333 a month.
Earlier this year, the European Commission said it would continue to monitor similar passport schemes across the EU through a group of experts from various member states.
The Commission has repeatedly raised concerns about such schemes, which it said opened the EU up to money laundering, corruption and organised crime.
Similar concerns were raised in a Council of Europe report into the rule of law in Malta which noted that the scheme granted “golden passports, giving the right to live and work throughout the EU, via non-transparent, unaccountable procedure, to persons of questionable background”.
It will feel like 41°C as sultry weather kicks in for the weekend
Until Tuesday, the air temperature is expected to feel over 40°C due to high humidity preventing evaporation and cooling
9 August 2019, 4:16pm
by David Hudson
Not quite a heatwave but it will most certainly feel like one
Temperatures will feel over 40°C this weekend and spilling over to next week, the Meteorological Office at Malta International Airport has warned.
Temperatures from Friday to Wednesday are expected to be between 34°C and 36°C feeling over 40°C between Sunday and Tuesday.
The seven-day forecast provided by the MET Office at MIABut the hot weather will not quite spell a heatwave.
"The 'feels like' measurement is based on wind and humidity. When humidity is high as it is expected to be in the coming days, the rate of evaporation and cooling is reduced, so it will feel much hotter on the skin than it actually is," Brian Micallef, forecaster at the MET office, told MaltaToday.
Micallef added that central Europe was currently going through a blocking high temperature. This is when northwesterly wind over the Atlantic is locked in a stationery cycle, effectively blocking changes in temperature.
"It isn't a heatwave because the temperature is not 5°C over the mean but it's always, till Wednesday, still slightly above the mean," Micallef said.
The temperature is expected to cool down after Wednesday next week.
The MET office has released a hot-weather warning.
The Ministry for Health had previously issued a public health warning at the start of summer, urging individuals to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun and to drink regular fresh water whilst avoiding dehydrating liquids like alcohol and coffee.
Until Tuesday, the air temperature is expected to feel over 40°C due to high humidity preventing evaporation and cooling
9 August 2019, 4:16pm
by David Hudson
Not quite a heatwave but it will most certainly feel like one
Temperatures will feel over 40°C this weekend and spilling over to next week, the Meteorological Office at Malta International Airport has warned.
Temperatures from Friday to Wednesday are expected to be between 34°C and 36°C feeling over 40°C between Sunday and Tuesday.
The seven-day forecast provided by the MET Office at MIABut the hot weather will not quite spell a heatwave.
"The 'feels like' measurement is based on wind and humidity. When humidity is high as it is expected to be in the coming days, the rate of evaporation and cooling is reduced, so it will feel much hotter on the skin than it actually is," Brian Micallef, forecaster at the MET office, told MaltaToday.
Micallef added that central Europe was currently going through a blocking high temperature. This is when northwesterly wind over the Atlantic is locked in a stationery cycle, effectively blocking changes in temperature.
"It isn't a heatwave because the temperature is not 5°C over the mean but it's always, till Wednesday, still slightly above the mean," Micallef said.
The temperature is expected to cool down after Wednesday next week.
The MET office has released a hot-weather warning.
The Ministry for Health had previously issued a public health warning at the start of summer, urging individuals to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun and to drink regular fresh water whilst avoiding dehydrating liquids like alcohol and coffee.
Two brothers arrested following a shooting incident in Nadur
By Monique Agius
09/08/2019,
Two brothers were arrested following a shooting incident in Nadur, Newsbook.com.mt has learnt.
A police spokesperson said that the incident happened at 1.45 am on Friday morning on Triq San Kurunatu.
Sources told this newsroom that the shoot-out happened during the night between Thursday and Friday. Newsbook.com.mt is also informed that the police are looking for a man who is on the run.
By Monique Agius
09/08/2019,
Two brothers were arrested following a shooting incident in Nadur, Newsbook.com.mt has learnt.
A police spokesperson said that the incident happened at 1.45 am on Friday morning on Triq San Kurunatu.
Sources told this newsroom that the shoot-out happened during the night between Thursday and Friday. Newsbook.com.mt is also informed that the police are looking for a man who is on the run.
IN MEMORIAM
Visit our page In Memoriam to view the pictures of Nadurin who passed away. http://www.nadurjana.com/in-memoriam.html
Send us pictures of your beloved ones who passed away.
Email to peter@nadurjana.com
Pietra and Leli Muscat of Ramla Road.
Aktar dewmien għall-iskola tar-Rabat Għawdex; sejba arkeoloġika
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
Facebook - Gozo College Rabat Primary - The Happy SchoolIt-tlestija tal-iskola Primarja tar-Rabat Għawdex se tkun qed terġa’ tittardja wara li nstabu fdalijiet minn żmien ir-Rumani fis-sit fejn hu ppjanat li tinbena l-iskola.
Fi stqarrija, il-Fondazzjoni għall-Iskejjel ta’ Għada (FTS) qalet li nstabu fdalijiet ta’ barrieri għall-qtugħ tal-blat li ġejjin minn żmien ir-Rumani. Qalet li din l-iskoperta saret waqt li kien qed isir tħaffir investigattiv mis-Sovrintendenza tal-Patrimonju Kulturali bħala parti mill-proċess ta’ evalwazzjoni arkeoloġika qabel isir l-iżvilupp.
Intqal li l-FTS qed taħdem flimkien mas-Sovrintendenza tal-Patrimonju Kulturali biex isiru r-reviżjonijiet meħtieġa fil-pjanti ta’ dan il-proġett biex jitħarsu dawn il-fdalijiet.
Fi kliem l-FTS “se jkunu qed jittieħdu l-miżuri kollha neċessarji għall-protezzjoni, il-ħarsien, u konservazzjoni ta’ dawn il-fdalijiet.”
Skont il-fondazzjoni, għalkemm is-sejba ta’ dawn il-fdalijiet u r-reviżjonijiet tal-pjanti mistennija jolqtu l-programm li tfassal għall-bini ta’ din l-iskola, l-FTS u l-Ministeru għall-Edukazzjoni u x-Xogħol qed ikomplu jimpenjaw ruħhom biex din l-iskola tinbena u tintuża fl-iqsar żmien.
L-iskola kienet mistennija tiftaħ f’Settembru tal-2019, sentejn tard mid-data oriġinali. Wara dawn l-aħħar żviluppi d-data l-ġdida għadha mhix magħrufa.
Għawdex għandu jibbenefika minn skola primarja ġdida fir-Rabat li se tkun parti minn kumpless edukattiv flimkien mal-Middle School.
Ritratti: Ara kif se tidher il-Primarja tar-Rabat Għawdex
Il-Unjin tal-Għalliema (MUT) kienet qalet li li l-pjanijiet li ssottomettiet il-FTS lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar mhux qed jipproponu bini ta’ skola Primarja ġdida fir-Rabat, Għawdex, iżda li jestendu l-binja eżistenti tal-Middle School.
Mhux vera se tinbena skola ġdida f’Għawdex – MUT
Il-Ministru għat-Trasport Ian Borg qal li għadu mhux magħruf kemm se jintilfu jew jinħolqu spazji ta’ parkeġġ fir-Rabat Għawdex. Il-Membru Parlamentari tal-PN Chris Said indika li l-ispazji jafu jonqsu minħabba l-bini ta’ skola primarja ġdida.
Għadu mhux magħruf kemm se jintilfu parkeġġi fir-Rabat Għawdex
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
Facebook - Gozo College Rabat Primary - The Happy SchoolIt-tlestija tal-iskola Primarja tar-Rabat Għawdex se tkun qed terġa’ tittardja wara li nstabu fdalijiet minn żmien ir-Rumani fis-sit fejn hu ppjanat li tinbena l-iskola.
Fi stqarrija, il-Fondazzjoni għall-Iskejjel ta’ Għada (FTS) qalet li nstabu fdalijiet ta’ barrieri għall-qtugħ tal-blat li ġejjin minn żmien ir-Rumani. Qalet li din l-iskoperta saret waqt li kien qed isir tħaffir investigattiv mis-Sovrintendenza tal-Patrimonju Kulturali bħala parti mill-proċess ta’ evalwazzjoni arkeoloġika qabel isir l-iżvilupp.
Intqal li l-FTS qed taħdem flimkien mas-Sovrintendenza tal-Patrimonju Kulturali biex isiru r-reviżjonijiet meħtieġa fil-pjanti ta’ dan il-proġett biex jitħarsu dawn il-fdalijiet.
Fi kliem l-FTS “se jkunu qed jittieħdu l-miżuri kollha neċessarji għall-protezzjoni, il-ħarsien, u konservazzjoni ta’ dawn il-fdalijiet.”
Skont il-fondazzjoni, għalkemm is-sejba ta’ dawn il-fdalijiet u r-reviżjonijiet tal-pjanti mistennija jolqtu l-programm li tfassal għall-bini ta’ din l-iskola, l-FTS u l-Ministeru għall-Edukazzjoni u x-Xogħol qed ikomplu jimpenjaw ruħhom biex din l-iskola tinbena u tintuża fl-iqsar żmien.
L-iskola kienet mistennija tiftaħ f’Settembru tal-2019, sentejn tard mid-data oriġinali. Wara dawn l-aħħar żviluppi d-data l-ġdida għadha mhix magħrufa.
Għawdex għandu jibbenefika minn skola primarja ġdida fir-Rabat li se tkun parti minn kumpless edukattiv flimkien mal-Middle School.
Ritratti: Ara kif se tidher il-Primarja tar-Rabat Għawdex
Il-Unjin tal-Għalliema (MUT) kienet qalet li li l-pjanijiet li ssottomettiet il-FTS lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar mhux qed jipproponu bini ta’ skola Primarja ġdida fir-Rabat, Għawdex, iżda li jestendu l-binja eżistenti tal-Middle School.
Mhux vera se tinbena skola ġdida f’Għawdex – MUT
Il-Ministru għat-Trasport Ian Borg qal li għadu mhux magħruf kemm se jintilfu jew jinħolqu spazji ta’ parkeġġ fir-Rabat Għawdex. Il-Membru Parlamentari tal-PN Chris Said indika li l-ispazji jafu jonqsu minħabba l-bini ta’ skola primarja ġdida.
Għadu mhux magħruf kemm se jintilfu parkeġġi fir-Rabat Għawdex
Dahlet Qorrot Bay from Sopu Tower in San Blas Nadur, Gozo. Malta.
Nadur Bailica Church from San Blas
Sopu Tower built in 1667 by the Knights of Malta
Sopu Tower is situated on the cliffs between St. Blas and Dahlet Qorrot bays in Nadur.
Sopu Tower is situated on the cliffs between St. Blas and Dahlet Qorrot bays in Nadur.
Organized by Jonathan Vella President of Ghaqda 13 ta Gunju Sant Antnin Mgarr Gozo.
Il-Hrug ta' Santa Marija tar-Rabat Ghawdex.
Carmel Saliba © 28 7 19.
Carmel Saliba © 28 7 19.
Serbian man admits to drunken shooting spree
A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court accused of going on a drunken shooting spree with a CO2-powered replica handgun in Qawra
29 July 2019, 3:05pm
by Matthew Agius
A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court accused of going on a drunken shooting spree with a CO2-powered replica handgun in Qawra during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Serbian Shopowner Draskovic Mijailo Ios, who also goes by the name Mirko Horvat, from Qawra was arrested on 28 July at 4am in St. Paul’s Bay. Superintendent Mario Haber told the court that the man had been arrested after allegedly shooting into the air and later shooting parked cars.
The accused was charged with using an unlicenced weapon, causing voluntary damage, being drunk in public, breaching the peace.
Superintendent Haber said that the man was giving different particulars to the court, adding that he would be verifying the man’s passport and possibly filing more charges if it emerges that it was falsified.
Horvat pleaded guilty to the charges. The court will sentence the accused on 1 August.
Lawyer Graziella Tanti was legal aid defence counsel to the accused.
A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court accused of going on a drunken shooting spree with a CO2-powered replica handgun in Qawra
29 July 2019, 3:05pm
by Matthew Agius
A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court accused of going on a drunken shooting spree with a CO2-powered replica handgun in Qawra during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Serbian Shopowner Draskovic Mijailo Ios, who also goes by the name Mirko Horvat, from Qawra was arrested on 28 July at 4am in St. Paul’s Bay. Superintendent Mario Haber told the court that the man had been arrested after allegedly shooting into the air and later shooting parked cars.
The accused was charged with using an unlicenced weapon, causing voluntary damage, being drunk in public, breaching the peace.
Superintendent Haber said that the man was giving different particulars to the court, adding that he would be verifying the man’s passport and possibly filing more charges if it emerges that it was falsified.
Horvat pleaded guilty to the charges. The court will sentence the accused on 1 August.
Lawyer Graziella Tanti was legal aid defence counsel to the accused.
Delia vote: Using social media to harm PN, rather than to help, a ‘mistake’ – Beppe Fenech Adami
Monday, 29 July 2019,
MP and former PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami has warned that using social media to hurt the party rather then help it would be a mistake.
The Malta Independent contacted Beppe Fenech Adami for a reaction to Saturday’s confidence vote, in which party leader Adrian Delia was backed by two thirds of PN councillors. Although he has not used social media platforms to criticize Delia, Fenech Adami has often been linked to the group of MPs that believed that the PN leader should shoulder responsibility for the recent electoral defeat and resign.
Attempts to get comments from other MPs who did not back Delia, including former party leader Simon Busuttil and MPs Jason Azzopardi and Karol Aquilina, proved unsuccessful.
Fenech Adami said Saturday’s vote gave Delia a mandate to lead the party into the next general election. However, one must also take into account that a third of councillors did not back Delia, he said.
He said that the challenge Adrian Delia and everyone in the party, including the MPs, now faces is that despite the different opinions everyone needs to find his space and the opportunity to work in the party.
“I have no doubt that everyone who went to vote on Saturday thought that they were acting in the best interests of the party with their vote. The decision has now been taken, and everyone has the responsibility, in the shortest time possible, to make the PN a party that is a strong Opposition, but more importantly one that believes it can win the next general election.”
Fenech Adami believes that the PN’s target should be to win the next general election, not by right, but by persuading the majority of the people that the PN is significant alternative.
The MP said that, just like he has always done under previous leaders, he will continue working for the PN under Delia, and that he believes that the PN is the only alternative to the Labour Party.
Asked whether PN MPs should now stop attacking their party leader on social media, Fenech Adami clarified that he had never posted anything of the sort. He said, however, that social media is a modern reality, even in politics. All MPs should, he said, should be responsible about what they expose on social media.
“We will be making a mistake, if anyone, whoever it is, uses social media to instead of helping the PN, uses it to harm the PN.”
Imut Joe Falzon
Dalghodu griet l-ahbar man-Nadur li halliena Guzepp Falzon li kulhadd jafu bhala tal-Pupu's Bar.
Guzepp kien Naduri li jhobb dak kollu li ghandu x' jaqsam mar-rahal tieghu. Bla dubju jispikka fis-support kontinwu li kien jaghti lil Nadur Youngsters.
Guzepp zamm haj ukoll id-daqq tradizzjonali fil-Karnival tan-Nadur billi ta' kull sena fil-hanut tieghu pprovda spazju lid-daqqaqa tradizzjonali - xi haga li kienet imfittxjija mill-eluf kbar li jzuru n-Nadur fil-hamest ijiem tal-Karnival.
Ghatieh O Mulej il mistrieh ta' dejjem.
Dalghodu griet l-ahbar man-Nadur li halliena Guzepp Falzon li kulhadd jafu bhala tal-Pupu's Bar.
Guzepp kien Naduri li jhobb dak kollu li ghandu x' jaqsam mar-rahal tieghu. Bla dubju jispikka fis-support kontinwu li kien jaghti lil Nadur Youngsters.
Guzepp zamm haj ukoll id-daqq tradizzjonali fil-Karnival tan-Nadur billi ta' kull sena fil-hanut tieghu pprovda spazju lid-daqqaqa tradizzjonali - xi haga li kienet imfittxjija mill-eluf kbar li jzuru n-Nadur fil-hamest ijiem tal-Karnival.
Ghatieh O Mulej il mistrieh ta' dejjem.
Muscat congratulates Delia on ‘beating Busuttil’, hopes he can get a grip on PN
The Prime Minister likened the PN to a Netflix series, refusing to make any predictions about what the next season had in store
28 July 2019,
by Yannick Pace
Muscat congratulated Delia for beating Simon Busuttil in yesterday's vote of confidence
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning congratulated Opposition leader Adrian Delia for “beating [former PN leader] Simon Busuttil” and called on him to get a grip of the party.
Delia yesterday survived an internal vote of confidence to quell demands by his opponents within the party that he resign by way of taking responsibility of the PN’s massive defeat in last May’s local council and European Parliament elections.
The PN leader has faced a number of mutinies since taking charge of the party in September 2017.
“I think that like me and others, you watch Netflix,” Muscat said during a brief phone-in on the Labour Party’s ONE radio.
“It’s like when you’re watching a series and you think everything has passed but then something comes up again and leaves you waiting for the next season.
“When you think everything is solved everything, something happens and everything is turned on its head again and the confusion starts again. This is the feeling I get,” Muscat said.
“I’m not going to make predictions on what I think will happen, we can wait for the new season to come out. I congratulate Dr Delia for beating Simon Busuttil – no big deal, but he beat him – and I hope he now gets a grip.”
He said he hoped Delia could take control of the party because the country and the government needed an Opposition it could work with.
“One issue where we need clear direction from the PN is regarding the reform to increase gender equality in parliament,” Muscat said, adding that while the PN appeared to have received it positively, it had not communicated an official position.
The Prime Minister also touched upon European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s visit to Malta this week, where he was honoured for his “service to the EU and for helping Malta have an excellent relationship with the Commission”.
Juncker’s praise of Malta, he said, was a testament of the respect and good reputation the country had within the European Commission and the EU in general.
He said this didn’t mean that there weren’t instances when Malta is criticised by European institutions, insisting that in many cases, Malta agreed with the recommendations made.
Finally, he congratulated former EU affairs minister Helena Dalli on her nomination to the European Commission, insisting that she had all the necessary qualifications and credentials.
He said that while Dalli already had considerable support from various European NGOs and organisations, he hoped that there would also be support for her nomination locally.
The Prime Minister likened the PN to a Netflix series, refusing to make any predictions about what the next season had in store
28 July 2019,
by Yannick Pace
Muscat congratulated Delia for beating Simon Busuttil in yesterday's vote of confidence
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning congratulated Opposition leader Adrian Delia for “beating [former PN leader] Simon Busuttil” and called on him to get a grip of the party.
Delia yesterday survived an internal vote of confidence to quell demands by his opponents within the party that he resign by way of taking responsibility of the PN’s massive defeat in last May’s local council and European Parliament elections.
The PN leader has faced a number of mutinies since taking charge of the party in September 2017.
“I think that like me and others, you watch Netflix,” Muscat said during a brief phone-in on the Labour Party’s ONE radio.
“It’s like when you’re watching a series and you think everything has passed but then something comes up again and leaves you waiting for the next season.
“When you think everything is solved everything, something happens and everything is turned on its head again and the confusion starts again. This is the feeling I get,” Muscat said.
“I’m not going to make predictions on what I think will happen, we can wait for the new season to come out. I congratulate Dr Delia for beating Simon Busuttil – no big deal, but he beat him – and I hope he now gets a grip.”
He said he hoped Delia could take control of the party because the country and the government needed an Opposition it could work with.
“One issue where we need clear direction from the PN is regarding the reform to increase gender equality in parliament,” Muscat said, adding that while the PN appeared to have received it positively, it had not communicated an official position.
The Prime Minister also touched upon European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s visit to Malta this week, where he was honoured for his “service to the EU and for helping Malta have an excellent relationship with the Commission”.
Juncker’s praise of Malta, he said, was a testament of the respect and good reputation the country had within the European Commission and the EU in general.
He said this didn’t mean that there weren’t instances when Malta is criticised by European institutions, insisting that in many cases, Malta agreed with the recommendations made.
Finally, he congratulated former EU affairs minister Helena Dalli on her nomination to the European Commission, insisting that she had all the necessary qualifications and credentials.
He said that while Dalli already had considerable support from various European NGOs and organisations, he hoped that there would also be support for her nomination locally.
Feasts in Malta and Gozo this weekend
St. Margaret, Sannat, Gozo
- St. Anne. Marsascala
- Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Paul's Bay
- Christ the King, Paola
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta
- Santa Venera, Santa Venera
- St. Joseph, Zebbug
St. Margaret, Sannat, Gozo
- St. Anne. Marsascala
- Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Paul's Bay
- Christ the King, Paola
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta
- Santa Venera, Santa Venera
- St. Joseph, Zebbug
PN braces itself for general council confidence vote fallout
Councillors will be asked whether Adrian Delia should continue leading the party until the next general election
26 July 2019, 7:16pm
by Yannick Pace
The moment of truth: Adrian Delia's leadership will be tested on Saturday
Nationalist Party councillors will be deciding whether they want Adrian Delia to lead the party for the coming three years until the next general election as the internal conflict comes to a head on Saturday.
Ever since being elected leader in September 2017, Delia has faced internal strife, especially from MPsopposed to his leadership. But calls for his resignation have intensified since last May’s drubbing in the local council and European Parliament elections.
Delia backed down from his initially stand against holding a vote of confidence and called an extraordinary general council to put his leadership to the test. By doing so, Delia outsmarted his rivals who collected 200 signatures calling for a special meeting of the general council to vote on a motion of no confidence in the leader.
A counter petition expressing support for the embattled leader and calling for action to be taken against party dissenters was also presented to the party with more than 500 signatures.
During a meeting of the PN’s executive committee earlier this month, the question being put to councillors was agreed to “unanimously”.
Delia has insisted that it is his political responsibility to do all he can, to restructure the party for the next general election, in line with the mandate given to him by PN members when they elected him leader.
His detractors have argued that Delia is unelectable and will only lead the PN to another crushing defeat in the next general election.
In the run up to the confidence vote, Delia supporters and detractors have publicly crossed swords on social media in what has turned out to be a visceral battle.
The PN general council starts at 10am on Saturday and voting will continue until 6pm. The result of the vote is expected around 8pm.
There are more than 1,400 councillors eligible to vote and during early voting on Wednesday, some 500 councillors cast their vote.
Councillors will be asked whether Adrian Delia should continue leading the party until the next general election
26 July 2019, 7:16pm
by Yannick Pace
The moment of truth: Adrian Delia's leadership will be tested on Saturday
Nationalist Party councillors will be deciding whether they want Adrian Delia to lead the party for the coming three years until the next general election as the internal conflict comes to a head on Saturday.
Ever since being elected leader in September 2017, Delia has faced internal strife, especially from MPsopposed to his leadership. But calls for his resignation have intensified since last May’s drubbing in the local council and European Parliament elections.
Delia backed down from his initially stand against holding a vote of confidence and called an extraordinary general council to put his leadership to the test. By doing so, Delia outsmarted his rivals who collected 200 signatures calling for a special meeting of the general council to vote on a motion of no confidence in the leader.
A counter petition expressing support for the embattled leader and calling for action to be taken against party dissenters was also presented to the party with more than 500 signatures.
During a meeting of the PN’s executive committee earlier this month, the question being put to councillors was agreed to “unanimously”.
Delia has insisted that it is his political responsibility to do all he can, to restructure the party for the next general election, in line with the mandate given to him by PN members when they elected him leader.
His detractors have argued that Delia is unelectable and will only lead the PN to another crushing defeat in the next general election.
In the run up to the confidence vote, Delia supporters and detractors have publicly crossed swords on social media in what has turned out to be a visceral battle.
The PN general council starts at 10am on Saturday and voting will continue until 6pm. The result of the vote is expected around 8pm.
There are more than 1,400 councillors eligible to vote and during early voting on Wednesday, some 500 councillors cast their vote.
Man, 72, accused of injuring wife in domestic violence incident
A 72-year-old man from Marsa has been remanded in custody after slightly injuring his wife with a kitchen knife during a domestic argument
26 July 2019, 2:10pm
by Matthew Agius
A 72-year-old man from Marsa has been remanded in custody after slightly injuring his wife with a kitchen knife during a domestic argument.
Inspector Matthew Galea told magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo that the incident took place at the couple’s Marsa home on Thursday at around 8pm.
The man was charged with causing slight injury, causing his wife to fear violence against her, carrying a knife without a permit, insulting and threatening the woman and breaching the peace.
Defence lawyer Joe Brincat entered a plea of not guilty. He did not request bail, as the man had nowhere else to live except with his wife.
A 72-year-old man from Marsa has been remanded in custody after slightly injuring his wife with a kitchen knife during a domestic argument
26 July 2019, 2:10pm
by Matthew Agius
A 72-year-old man from Marsa has been remanded in custody after slightly injuring his wife with a kitchen knife during a domestic argument.
Inspector Matthew Galea told magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo that the incident took place at the couple’s Marsa home on Thursday at around 8pm.
The man was charged with causing slight injury, causing his wife to fear violence against her, carrying a knife without a permit, insulting and threatening the woman and breaching the peace.
Defence lawyer Joe Brincat entered a plea of not guilty. He did not request bail, as the man had nowhere else to live except with his wife.
Determined EU defies Johnson push for Brexit rewrite
Brussels had no mandate to re-negotiate - JunckerUK European UnionBrexit
The European Union on Thursday flatly rejected an aggressive push by Britain's new prime minister Boris Johnson to rewrite the Brexit agreement.
Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned EU member states that Johnson was trying to divide them by amping up the threat of a damaging "no-deal" divorce.
And the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, told Johnson in a phone call that EU leaders have given Brussels no mandate to renegotiate.
Earlier, in a pugnacious parliamentary debut as leader, Johnson had urged the European Union to "rethink" its opposition to re-opening the current deal.
"If they do not, we will, of course, have to leave the EU without an agreement," he declared, vowing to "turbo-charge" preparations ahead of the latest deadline of October 31.
The former London mayor warned that the terms of the agreement struck in November by his predecessor Theresa May were "unacceptable" and would "sign away our economic independence".
The former foreign secretary also threatened to withhold the £39 billion divorce bill that Britain has previously said it owes the European Union and spend it instead on preparing for a no-deal outcome.
Just hours later, Barnier warned that Johnson's demands were "unacceptable", in an email to member state ambassadors seen by AFP that described the speech as "rather combative".
"PM Johnson has stated that if an agreement is to be reached it goes by way of eliminating the backstop," Barnier wrote, referring to a clause of the current deal that would keep the Irish border open under all scenarios.
"This is, of course, unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council," he wrote. The European Council represents the 28 leaders of EU member states.
And Barnier advised the leaders "we have to be ready for a situation where he gives priority to the planning for 'no deal', partly to heap pressure on the unity of the EU27."
Juncker echoed this message in his first phone call with Johnson since the latter took office.
"President Juncker listened to what Prime Minister Johnson had to say, reiterating the EU's position that the Withdrawal Agreement is the best and only agreement possible – in line with the European Council guidelines," Juncker's spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said.
A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on Barnier's comments, adding: "It's day one."
Right-wing governmentJohnson addressed a raucous session of parliament, in which he was repeatedly shouted down by opposition MPs.
In his letter, Barnier noted the domestic British opposition to Johnson's policy, and appeared to suggest that it might provide an opening for EU capitals to exploit.
"I note also the many strong reactions to the speech in the House of Commons," Barnier wrote.
"In this context we must follow carefully the further political and economic reactions and developments in the UK following this speech."
The exchanges came a day after Johnson purged more than half the ministers in May's team and installed what some have described as the most right-wing British government in decades.
The 55-year-old has assembled a team of social conservatives and Brexit hardliners who argue that leaving the EU after 46 years without an agreement will be less painful than economists warn.
The markets were relieved by the appointment of former Deutsche Bank Sajid Javid as finance chief.
The pound held steady against the dollar and euro as traders waited for Johnson's first policy moves.
Call for compromiseJohnson argues that his threat of a chaotic end to Britain's EU involvement will force Brussels to relent and give London better terms that would let it pursue trade deals with powers such as China and the United States.
Brexit backers in parliament had accused May of ignoring voters' wishes by promising to keep the UK tied to the bloc's economic rules if necessary to preserve a free-flowing border between EU member Ireland and Britain's Northern Ireland.
Johnson's solution for the frontier revolves around proposals that have been rejected as either unworkable or insufficient by both EU and Irish leaders.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar - his heavily trade-dependent nation standing to lose most from a messy EU-UK split - reiterated Thursday his call for compromise.
"I hope that the new UK prime minister hasn't chosen no deal," he said.
Johnson will have the backing of his governing Conservative party but not the nation in his first days in office.
He beat the now-former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt by a two-to-one margin in a vote held by fewer than 160,000 paying members of the Conservatives.
But a YouGov survey found his approval rating in Britain as a whole at just 31%.
Brussels had no mandate to re-negotiate - JunckerUK European UnionBrexit
The European Union on Thursday flatly rejected an aggressive push by Britain's new prime minister Boris Johnson to rewrite the Brexit agreement.
Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned EU member states that Johnson was trying to divide them by amping up the threat of a damaging "no-deal" divorce.
And the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, told Johnson in a phone call that EU leaders have given Brussels no mandate to renegotiate.
Earlier, in a pugnacious parliamentary debut as leader, Johnson had urged the European Union to "rethink" its opposition to re-opening the current deal.
"If they do not, we will, of course, have to leave the EU without an agreement," he declared, vowing to "turbo-charge" preparations ahead of the latest deadline of October 31.
The former London mayor warned that the terms of the agreement struck in November by his predecessor Theresa May were "unacceptable" and would "sign away our economic independence".
The former foreign secretary also threatened to withhold the £39 billion divorce bill that Britain has previously said it owes the European Union and spend it instead on preparing for a no-deal outcome.
Just hours later, Barnier warned that Johnson's demands were "unacceptable", in an email to member state ambassadors seen by AFP that described the speech as "rather combative".
"PM Johnson has stated that if an agreement is to be reached it goes by way of eliminating the backstop," Barnier wrote, referring to a clause of the current deal that would keep the Irish border open under all scenarios.
"This is, of course, unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council," he wrote. The European Council represents the 28 leaders of EU member states.
And Barnier advised the leaders "we have to be ready for a situation where he gives priority to the planning for 'no deal', partly to heap pressure on the unity of the EU27."
Juncker echoed this message in his first phone call with Johnson since the latter took office.
"President Juncker listened to what Prime Minister Johnson had to say, reiterating the EU's position that the Withdrawal Agreement is the best and only agreement possible – in line with the European Council guidelines," Juncker's spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said.
A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on Barnier's comments, adding: "It's day one."
Right-wing governmentJohnson addressed a raucous session of parliament, in which he was repeatedly shouted down by opposition MPs.
In his letter, Barnier noted the domestic British opposition to Johnson's policy, and appeared to suggest that it might provide an opening for EU capitals to exploit.
"I note also the many strong reactions to the speech in the House of Commons," Barnier wrote.
"In this context we must follow carefully the further political and economic reactions and developments in the UK following this speech."
The exchanges came a day after Johnson purged more than half the ministers in May's team and installed what some have described as the most right-wing British government in decades.
The 55-year-old has assembled a team of social conservatives and Brexit hardliners who argue that leaving the EU after 46 years without an agreement will be less painful than economists warn.
The markets were relieved by the appointment of former Deutsche Bank Sajid Javid as finance chief.
The pound held steady against the dollar and euro as traders waited for Johnson's first policy moves.
Call for compromiseJohnson argues that his threat of a chaotic end to Britain's EU involvement will force Brussels to relent and give London better terms that would let it pursue trade deals with powers such as China and the United States.
Brexit backers in parliament had accused May of ignoring voters' wishes by promising to keep the UK tied to the bloc's economic rules if necessary to preserve a free-flowing border between EU member Ireland and Britain's Northern Ireland.
Johnson's solution for the frontier revolves around proposals that have been rejected as either unworkable or insufficient by both EU and Irish leaders.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar - his heavily trade-dependent nation standing to lose most from a messy EU-UK split - reiterated Thursday his call for compromise.
"I hope that the new UK prime minister hasn't chosen no deal," he said.
Johnson will have the backing of his governing Conservative party but not the nation in his first days in office.
He beat the now-former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt by a two-to-one margin in a vote held by fewer than 160,000 paying members of the Conservatives.
But a YouGov survey found his approval rating in Britain as a whole at just 31%.
Road widening alone won't solve Malta's traffic problem, roads agency chief says
Failure to address the root cause of traffic and to shift people onto alternative modes of transport would see the country’s roads end up in the same situation they are today, says Infrastructure CEO Frederick Azzopardi
25 July 2019, 10:09pm
by Yannick Pace
Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi said that once roads have been widened efforts must be made to ensure a push to alternative modes of transport
The widening of roads alone can’t solve Malta’s traffic problem, but it is necessary for the country to address the situation it currently finds itself in, Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi said on Thursday.
“While it is true that we have sought out certain bottlenecks and certain problematic areas that need to be addressed, we also need a long-term plan that includes alternative modes of transport,” Azzopardi said.
He added that the country could not afford to build new roads and then do nothing for the next three decades, as he said had happened in the past.
Azzopardi was a guest on current affairs programme Xtra Sajf, where he discussed the controversial Central Link Project, which was approved by the Planning Authority last week.
The project’s approval has struck a nerve with the public, with opponents describing it as an environmental catastrophe because of the loss of a considerable number of trees and a relatively large area of agricultural land.
“One point there appears to be consensus on is that there is a traffic problem in Attard that needs to be addressed,” Azzopardi said. “Maybe there is disagreement on how this should be done, but this is what we are doing.”
The project will see two additional lanes built along the stretch of road going from the roundabout at the bottom of the Saqqajja hill in Rabat up until the junction opposite the Malta Financial Services Authority in Mrieħel.
“The problem we have is that if you are coming from the direction of Mrieħel you are passing through a road with four lanes. Once you leave the Saqqajja roundabout, where the project is going to end, you have a road with four lanes. But the whole stretch of road in between has two lanes.
“So, we’re either going to say that these two lanes are missing, or else the lanes on the other roads are extra. It’s a classic bottleneck.”
Azzopardi insisted that the project would allow traffic that has been pushed into the Attard by this bottleneck to continue going straight through.
The Infrastructure Malta CEO rejected claims that no other options had been studied before the final plans were drawn up. He said however that all studies had shown that project in its current format was the most feasible option.
Azzopardi stressed that contrary to what was often said by opponents of the project, the agency had always taken constructive feedback on board.
He said Infrastructure Malta representatives, including himself, had met with farmers and other residents and had heard their concerns, and where possible, had found solutions.
He spoke of one farmer, for example, who has asked whether soil from his field along the road could be transferred to another field he owns which doesn’t have enough soil to be cultivated. Others, he said, had asked whether it would be possible for storm water to be funnel into the fields’ reservoirs.
Responding to claims that the widening of roads would only lead to an increase in cars, Azzopardi said that cars on Maltese roads had continued to increase irrespective of how wide the roads were. “Before we made roads narrower and cars continued to increase, and now we are widening roads and people are saying cars are going to increase, so its not really about how wide the roads are.”
Finally, Azzopardi noted that economist Gordon Cordina had been engaged to analyse seven specific projects and determine the return on investment the country could expect from them. He said that while on average, it was estimated that the country would get €7 back for every €1 invested, this went up to €16 for the Central Link Project.
Asked whether the resistance and some people’s feelings about the project had been underestimated, Azzopardi said that this was definitely the case.
“Yes, there are some groups who we probably should have gotten onboard from the very first day,” he said, adding however that Infrastructure Malta’s door would remain open and that the agency would always look to find a balance between different views.
Failure to address the root cause of traffic and to shift people onto alternative modes of transport would see the country’s roads end up in the same situation they are today, says Infrastructure CEO Frederick Azzopardi
25 July 2019, 10:09pm
by Yannick Pace
Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi said that once roads have been widened efforts must be made to ensure a push to alternative modes of transport
The widening of roads alone can’t solve Malta’s traffic problem, but it is necessary for the country to address the situation it currently finds itself in, Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi said on Thursday.
“While it is true that we have sought out certain bottlenecks and certain problematic areas that need to be addressed, we also need a long-term plan that includes alternative modes of transport,” Azzopardi said.
He added that the country could not afford to build new roads and then do nothing for the next three decades, as he said had happened in the past.
Azzopardi was a guest on current affairs programme Xtra Sajf, where he discussed the controversial Central Link Project, which was approved by the Planning Authority last week.
The project’s approval has struck a nerve with the public, with opponents describing it as an environmental catastrophe because of the loss of a considerable number of trees and a relatively large area of agricultural land.
“One point there appears to be consensus on is that there is a traffic problem in Attard that needs to be addressed,” Azzopardi said. “Maybe there is disagreement on how this should be done, but this is what we are doing.”
The project will see two additional lanes built along the stretch of road going from the roundabout at the bottom of the Saqqajja hill in Rabat up until the junction opposite the Malta Financial Services Authority in Mrieħel.
“The problem we have is that if you are coming from the direction of Mrieħel you are passing through a road with four lanes. Once you leave the Saqqajja roundabout, where the project is going to end, you have a road with four lanes. But the whole stretch of road in between has two lanes.
“So, we’re either going to say that these two lanes are missing, or else the lanes on the other roads are extra. It’s a classic bottleneck.”
Azzopardi insisted that the project would allow traffic that has been pushed into the Attard by this bottleneck to continue going straight through.
The Infrastructure Malta CEO rejected claims that no other options had been studied before the final plans were drawn up. He said however that all studies had shown that project in its current format was the most feasible option.
Azzopardi stressed that contrary to what was often said by opponents of the project, the agency had always taken constructive feedback on board.
He said Infrastructure Malta representatives, including himself, had met with farmers and other residents and had heard their concerns, and where possible, had found solutions.
He spoke of one farmer, for example, who has asked whether soil from his field along the road could be transferred to another field he owns which doesn’t have enough soil to be cultivated. Others, he said, had asked whether it would be possible for storm water to be funnel into the fields’ reservoirs.
Responding to claims that the widening of roads would only lead to an increase in cars, Azzopardi said that cars on Maltese roads had continued to increase irrespective of how wide the roads were. “Before we made roads narrower and cars continued to increase, and now we are widening roads and people are saying cars are going to increase, so its not really about how wide the roads are.”
Finally, Azzopardi noted that economist Gordon Cordina had been engaged to analyse seven specific projects and determine the return on investment the country could expect from them. He said that while on average, it was estimated that the country would get €7 back for every €1 invested, this went up to €16 for the Central Link Project.
Asked whether the resistance and some people’s feelings about the project had been underestimated, Azzopardi said that this was definitely the case.
“Yes, there are some groups who we probably should have gotten onboard from the very first day,” he said, adding however that Infrastructure Malta’s door would remain open and that the agency would always look to find a balance between different views.
Hal Far shooting: Survivor unable to recognise accused
One of the victims who survived the shooting testifies on how the gunshot wound to his buttock still presents difficulties three months on
25 July 2019, 1:46pm
by Matthew Agius
Lorin Scicluna (left) and Francesco Fenech (right) were charged with the murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane
Mohammed Jallow, a migrant from Gambia, has given a court his version of the events which left his friend Lassana Cisse Souleymane dead and him with gunshot wounds.
Jallow was giving evidence against two soldiers charged with murdering the Ivorian migrant in what is believed to be Malta's first racially-motivated killing.
Francesco Fenech, 21, and Lorin Scicluna, 22, are denying charges of having murdered 42 year-old Lassana Cisse Souleymane in a drive-by shooting in Birżebbuġa on April 6.
The pair are also charged with the attempted murder of Jallow, 28, and another man, Ibrahim Bah, 27, who are both from Gambia.
Jallow, who was shot in the right buttock, testified this morning, telling magistrate Ian Farrugia how the shooting still affects him 3 months on, saying he was still having trouble urinating as a result of the gunshot wound. He did not recognise the accused in court today.
Jallow did not see who shot him, he said. He had only seen lights from an approaching car and heard the shots which he had mistaken for firecrackers.
He was unable to recall having previously given evidence from his hospital bed.
One of the victims who survived the shooting testifies on how the gunshot wound to his buttock still presents difficulties three months on
25 July 2019, 1:46pm
by Matthew Agius
Lorin Scicluna (left) and Francesco Fenech (right) were charged with the murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane
Mohammed Jallow, a migrant from Gambia, has given a court his version of the events which left his friend Lassana Cisse Souleymane dead and him with gunshot wounds.
Jallow was giving evidence against two soldiers charged with murdering the Ivorian migrant in what is believed to be Malta's first racially-motivated killing.
Francesco Fenech, 21, and Lorin Scicluna, 22, are denying charges of having murdered 42 year-old Lassana Cisse Souleymane in a drive-by shooting in Birżebbuġa on April 6.
The pair are also charged with the attempted murder of Jallow, 28, and another man, Ibrahim Bah, 27, who are both from Gambia.
Jallow, who was shot in the right buttock, testified this morning, telling magistrate Ian Farrugia how the shooting still affects him 3 months on, saying he was still having trouble urinating as a result of the gunshot wound. He did not recognise the accused in court today.
Jallow did not see who shot him, he said. He had only seen lights from an approaching car and heard the shots which he had mistaken for firecrackers.
He was unable to recall having previously given evidence from his hospital bed.
Malta will have implemented all Moneyval recommendations by deadline, Muscat says
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that since data for the report was collected last year, Malta had already addressed a majority of the points raised.
25 July 20
by David Hudson
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that Malta will have implemented all of Moneyval's recommendations by the set deadline
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning that he is confident that recommendations to Malta by Moneyval – the Council of Europe’s money laundering monitoring body – will have been implemented by the set deadline.
Last week it was reported that Malta’s anti-money laundering regime had failed a Moneyval review which took place last year, though the final report has not yet been made public.
Asked what the government would be doing on the report’s findings, Muscat insisted that rather than consider what the government would be doing, a more pertinent question was to ask what it had already done.
“Whoever is reading these reports, even if they are leaked reports at this stage, should read them properly because the report has a cut-off date, which was last November, and since then many of the recommendations put forward in that report have been implemented,” Muscat told journalists.
READ ALSO: Malta miffed over leaked confidential money laundering report
“I am convinced that, without commenting on the contents of the report, that we wil have implemented all the recommendations by the set deadline.”:
For countries to pass the evaluation, they must have the necessary legislation in place to combat money laundering and to also adequately enforce those laws.
Malta’s rating was described as poor overall, with sources who spoke to the Times of Malta confirming that the country had not secured an acceptable grade in enough sections of the assessment to pass the overall test.
Malta now has a year to address the shortcomings mentioned in the report at which point it will be assessed once again.
READ MORE: Malta must use remedial period ‘wisely’ to up its game in fight against money laundering
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that since data for the report was collected last year, Malta had already addressed a majority of the points raised.
25 July 20
by David Hudson
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that Malta will have implemented all of Moneyval's recommendations by the set deadline
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning that he is confident that recommendations to Malta by Moneyval – the Council of Europe’s money laundering monitoring body – will have been implemented by the set deadline.
Last week it was reported that Malta’s anti-money laundering regime had failed a Moneyval review which took place last year, though the final report has not yet been made public.
Asked what the government would be doing on the report’s findings, Muscat insisted that rather than consider what the government would be doing, a more pertinent question was to ask what it had already done.
“Whoever is reading these reports, even if they are leaked reports at this stage, should read them properly because the report has a cut-off date, which was last November, and since then many of the recommendations put forward in that report have been implemented,” Muscat told journalists.
READ ALSO: Malta miffed over leaked confidential money laundering report
“I am convinced that, without commenting on the contents of the report, that we wil have implemented all the recommendations by the set deadline.”:
For countries to pass the evaluation, they must have the necessary legislation in place to combat money laundering and to also adequately enforce those laws.
Malta’s rating was described as poor overall, with sources who spoke to the Times of Malta confirming that the country had not secured an acceptable grade in enough sections of the assessment to pass the overall test.
Malta now has a year to address the shortcomings mentioned in the report at which point it will be assessed once again.
READ MORE: Malta must use remedial period ‘wisely’ to up its game in fight against money laundering
Imut il Kanonku Dun Guzepp Muscat
Minn Mario Muscat
Funeral tal-Kan.Kantur Dun Guzepp Muscat.
Nhar it-Tlieta 30 ta Lulju se jsir il funeral tal Kan.Kantur Dun Guzepp Muscat
3 45 pm tluq mil isptar ghal kappella tas-Sorijiet fejn ikun espost ghal Poplu
5 00 recta tat talba tal Ghasar.Wara l-ghasar akkumpanjament ghal Knisja Parrokjali .
5 30 pm Quddiesa tal Funeral
Minn Mario Muscat
Funeral tal-Kan.Kantur Dun Guzepp Muscat.
Nhar it-Tlieta 30 ta Lulju se jsir il funeral tal Kan.Kantur Dun Guzepp Muscat
3 45 pm tluq mil isptar ghal kappella tas-Sorijiet fejn ikun espost ghal Poplu
5 00 recta tat talba tal Ghasar.Wara l-ghasar akkumpanjament ghal Knisja Parrokjali .
5 30 pm Quddiesa tal Funeral
Helena Dalli nominated to European Commission
Malta's first female nominee to be replaced in cabinet
by Edward Zammit Lewis PoliticsEuropean Union Gender
Helena Dalli has resigned as minister after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat nominated her to be Malta’s next European Commission member.
Edward Zammit Lewis will replace Dr Dalli as minister. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
She is Malta's first-ever female nominee to the European Commission.
The Equality and European Affairs Minister will be replaced in cabinet by MP Edward Zammit Lewis, who served as Tourism Minister in the previous legislature and has led parliament’s Foreign and European Affairs Committee.
Dr Dalli will now focus on preparing for her grilling before MEPs as part of the nomination process, Dr Muscat said in a series of tweets announcing the change.
She will continue to serve as an MP "until her eventual confirmation", the government said in a statement.
The Prime Minister said he decided to nominate Dr Dalli after discussing the profiles of "two highly qualified individuals with [European Commission] President-Elect Ursula Von Der Leyen".
He did not identify the other individual considered for the nomination.
Ms Von der Leyen, who was approved as the European Commission's next president earlier this month, has emphasised her desire to ensure more gender balance within the Commission.
Talk of the townRumours surrounding Dr Dalli's nomination have been swirling for months, with some reports even suggesting she had been taking French lessons in preparation for her new role in Brussels.
Reports also suggested Dr Muscat was considering Finance Minister Edward Scicluna as a potential nominee.
Dr Muscat also thanked current EU commissioner Karmenu Vella for his work, saying Mr Vella led a "global campaign against plastic marine pollution, among others".
In a tweet, Commissioner Vella also thanked Dr Muscat for the trust placed in him five years ago.
RELATED STORIES
He said it was an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to represent the EU on the environment, maritime affairs and fisheries.
Dr Zammit Lewis, who will replace Dr Dalli as a cabinet minister, said he would look to build on her "unprecedented achievements".
As Equality Minister, Dr Dalli oversaw the introduction of laws which introduced marriage equality and outlawed gay conversion therapies, as well as legislation granting wide-ranging legal recognition to transgender and intersex individuals.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association currently lists Malta as the country with the most gay-friendly laws in the world.
Vetting processThe European Commission is made up of one person from each member state. Under EU rules, states' nominees must undergo a parliamentary vetting process prior to assuming their post.
That tough process sees nominees grilled by MEPs who sit on committees related to the nominee's prospective portfolio.
After MEPs question nominees, the full Commission, including the Commission President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, needs to be approved in a single vote of consent by parliament.
Malta's first female nominee to be replaced in cabinet
by Edward Zammit Lewis PoliticsEuropean Union Gender
Helena Dalli has resigned as minister after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat nominated her to be Malta’s next European Commission member.
Edward Zammit Lewis will replace Dr Dalli as minister. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
She is Malta's first-ever female nominee to the European Commission.
The Equality and European Affairs Minister will be replaced in cabinet by MP Edward Zammit Lewis, who served as Tourism Minister in the previous legislature and has led parliament’s Foreign and European Affairs Committee.
Dr Dalli will now focus on preparing for her grilling before MEPs as part of the nomination process, Dr Muscat said in a series of tweets announcing the change.
She will continue to serve as an MP "until her eventual confirmation", the government said in a statement.
The Prime Minister said he decided to nominate Dr Dalli after discussing the profiles of "two highly qualified individuals with [European Commission] President-Elect Ursula Von Der Leyen".
He did not identify the other individual considered for the nomination.
Ms Von der Leyen, who was approved as the European Commission's next president earlier this month, has emphasised her desire to ensure more gender balance within the Commission.
Talk of the townRumours surrounding Dr Dalli's nomination have been swirling for months, with some reports even suggesting she had been taking French lessons in preparation for her new role in Brussels.
Reports also suggested Dr Muscat was considering Finance Minister Edward Scicluna as a potential nominee.
Dr Muscat also thanked current EU commissioner Karmenu Vella for his work, saying Mr Vella led a "global campaign against plastic marine pollution, among others".
In a tweet, Commissioner Vella also thanked Dr Muscat for the trust placed in him five years ago.
RELATED STORIES
He said it was an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to represent the EU on the environment, maritime affairs and fisheries.
Dr Zammit Lewis, who will replace Dr Dalli as a cabinet minister, said he would look to build on her "unprecedented achievements".
As Equality Minister, Dr Dalli oversaw the introduction of laws which introduced marriage equality and outlawed gay conversion therapies, as well as legislation granting wide-ranging legal recognition to transgender and intersex individuals.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association currently lists Malta as the country with the most gay-friendly laws in the world.
Vetting processThe European Commission is made up of one person from each member state. Under EU rules, states' nominees must undergo a parliamentary vetting process prior to assuming their post.
That tough process sees nominees grilled by MEPs who sit on committees related to the nominee's prospective portfolio.
After MEPs question nominees, the full Commission, including the Commission President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, needs to be approved in a single vote of consent by parliament.
Acting leaders and the Barra Brigade: How Adrian Delia’s confidence vote is shaping up
If Adrian Delia loses Saturday’s confidence vote, his foes are proposing the appointment of an acting leader to oversee the transition until a new leader is elected
23 July 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
With Adrian Delia facing a vote of confidence on Saturday, his detractors are trying to answer the key question of what happens if the Nationalist Party leader loses.
In a three-step explainer on the Facebook page PN Mill-Ġdid Rebbieħ, Delia’s opponents foresee the appointment of an acting leader to oversee the transition towards the election of a new leader.
Delia’s opponents are insisting the political reform entrusted to party grandee Louis Galea will continue for the next 12 months as planned.
“There are enough competent people to contest when a new leadership election is called,” the group is insisting.
The question what happens next, is a pertinent one that has been making the rounds among PN councillors and members. Removing Delia without a concrete succession plan has been one of the major failures of the leader’s detractors.
But as Saturday’s vote looms, Delia’s supporters and detractors have not spared the punches in public.
In an opinion piece on Times of Malta on Tuesday, Louise Tedesco, reserved strong language for Delia’s opponents, describing them as the “Barra Brigade”.
Tedesco did not mince her words, accusing Delia’s foes of pushing the idea that the PN’s troubles started when he was elected leader by the party grassroots.
She highlighted the “flawed decisions” taken in the past by some of those who now oppose Delia, insisting that at the time people like her who disagreed “did not rally publicly against the leadership of the party”.
Tedesco also hit a raw nerve when she pointed out that the Barra Brigade personalised every issue by targeting individuals rather than being critical of institutions.
“I am against all those who abuse their position and there is no doubt in my mind that the core of our government is rotten. Having said that, I do not believe that the role of the PN is to send people to prison. That is the role of the police, the courts of justice and other state institutions. The role of the PN is to ensure that these institutions carry out their work without fear or favour, something which they have failed to do,” Tedesco said.
The statement was a clear reference to the anti-corruption drive of the previous PN administration that culminated with repeated calls for the police commissioner and the Attorney General to be removed and the Prime Minister and his wife to be sent to prison.
Simon Busuttil's infamous 'barra, barra' cry has been thrown back at him by PN executive member Louise Tedesco‘Barra, barra’, was an infamous cry by former leader Simon Busuttil during an anti-corruption meeting in Valletta.
But Tedesco accused Delia’s opponents of continuously undermining the party, delivering deth by a thousand cuts.
Delia’s opponents have been calling on councillors to deliver a fresh start on Saturday by voting out the leader.
They insist Delia cannot win the next election and should be replaced. The same Facebook page has for the past days been uploading a map of Malta and Gozo depicting the last local election results that were disastrous for the PN.
Delia is the first PN leader to be elected by members after the previous administration changed the rules to allow for a wider voting base.
Delia was elected in September 2017 but has so far failed to inspire trust and deliver change within the PN.
He has had to contend with a continuous rebellion by some in the parliamentary group, who remain opposed to his leadership.
Delia’s opponents insist the leadership has taken bad decisions along the way that have continued to alienate sections of the PN electorate.
But in her piece, Tedesco also speaks of alienation of another chunk of the PN electorate if Delia is removed.
“If the Barra Brigade don’t have it their way they will continue with their guerrilla tactics. If their wishes materialise and they succeed in removing Delia, they will in one fell swoop deprive the party of thousands of voters who will feel betrayed by a party that first asked them to choose their leader and then did everything possible to undermine their choice,” she insisted, calling for unity to prevail.
If Adrian Delia loses Saturday’s confidence vote, his foes are proposing the appointment of an acting leader to oversee the transition until a new leader is elected
23 July 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
With Adrian Delia facing a vote of confidence on Saturday, his detractors are trying to answer the key question of what happens if the Nationalist Party leader loses.
In a three-step explainer on the Facebook page PN Mill-Ġdid Rebbieħ, Delia’s opponents foresee the appointment of an acting leader to oversee the transition towards the election of a new leader.
Delia’s opponents are insisting the political reform entrusted to party grandee Louis Galea will continue for the next 12 months as planned.
“There are enough competent people to contest when a new leadership election is called,” the group is insisting.
The question what happens next, is a pertinent one that has been making the rounds among PN councillors and members. Removing Delia without a concrete succession plan has been one of the major failures of the leader’s detractors.
But as Saturday’s vote looms, Delia’s supporters and detractors have not spared the punches in public.
In an opinion piece on Times of Malta on Tuesday, Louise Tedesco, reserved strong language for Delia’s opponents, describing them as the “Barra Brigade”.
Tedesco did not mince her words, accusing Delia’s foes of pushing the idea that the PN’s troubles started when he was elected leader by the party grassroots.
She highlighted the “flawed decisions” taken in the past by some of those who now oppose Delia, insisting that at the time people like her who disagreed “did not rally publicly against the leadership of the party”.
Tedesco also hit a raw nerve when she pointed out that the Barra Brigade personalised every issue by targeting individuals rather than being critical of institutions.
“I am against all those who abuse their position and there is no doubt in my mind that the core of our government is rotten. Having said that, I do not believe that the role of the PN is to send people to prison. That is the role of the police, the courts of justice and other state institutions. The role of the PN is to ensure that these institutions carry out their work without fear or favour, something which they have failed to do,” Tedesco said.
The statement was a clear reference to the anti-corruption drive of the previous PN administration that culminated with repeated calls for the police commissioner and the Attorney General to be removed and the Prime Minister and his wife to be sent to prison.
Simon Busuttil's infamous 'barra, barra' cry has been thrown back at him by PN executive member Louise Tedesco‘Barra, barra’, was an infamous cry by former leader Simon Busuttil during an anti-corruption meeting in Valletta.
But Tedesco accused Delia’s opponents of continuously undermining the party, delivering deth by a thousand cuts.
Delia’s opponents have been calling on councillors to deliver a fresh start on Saturday by voting out the leader.
They insist Delia cannot win the next election and should be replaced. The same Facebook page has for the past days been uploading a map of Malta and Gozo depicting the last local election results that were disastrous for the PN.
Delia is the first PN leader to be elected by members after the previous administration changed the rules to allow for a wider voting base.
Delia was elected in September 2017 but has so far failed to inspire trust and deliver change within the PN.
He has had to contend with a continuous rebellion by some in the parliamentary group, who remain opposed to his leadership.
Delia’s opponents insist the leadership has taken bad decisions along the way that have continued to alienate sections of the PN electorate.
But in her piece, Tedesco also speaks of alienation of another chunk of the PN electorate if Delia is removed.
“If the Barra Brigade don’t have it their way they will continue with their guerrilla tactics. If their wishes materialise and they succeed in removing Delia, they will in one fell swoop deprive the party of thousands of voters who will feel betrayed by a party that first asked them to choose their leader and then did everything possible to undermine their choice,” she insisted, calling for unity to prevail.
Tal-Balal Road linking Naxxar and San Ġwann officially opened
Transport Minister Ian Borg says the new road would be ‘positively affecting more than 2,100 cars’
23 July 2019,
by Yannick Pace
The newly-completed Tal-Balal Road
Play VideoThe ‘Tal-Balal’ road, which connects Naxxar and San Ġwann was officially opened this morning, following a widening and rebuilding project.
Transport Minister Ian Borg emphasized that the works had seen 1.8km of road upgraded, including the rebuilding of four new roundabouts.
Borg said that “for every €1 invested, the country would be receiving €7 back”.
“Today we are here because we implemented a project that is positively affecting more than 2,100 cars passing through here every hour during peak morning and afternoon hours, and we are expecting a reduction of 40% in travelling time,” Borg said.
He added that the project would mean “less frustration on the road, fewer emissions, and fewer dust particles in the air”.
Borg said noted that the road also included “for the first time ever the placement of a pavement providing safe pedestrian access” as well as “cycling facilities”, which have, however, been described as substandard and dangerous by cyclists.
PreviousNextThe works were originally announced to include the final part of the Tal-Balal Road that passes the Taz- Żwejt housing estate, with a spokesperson for Infrastructure Malta teling MaltaToday that the project would be completed when works on other projects are complete.
That phase, the spokesperson said, would also include the redesigning of the roundabout opposite Valyou Supermarket in Naxxar.
The minister inisted that work towards increasing facilities for alternative means of transport, as well as better roads for vehciles, had been “made clear in a number of other projects scattered around the Maltese road network, and stressed that the government will not accept a road network that creates inefficiency and discomfort”.
Borg said that the project had included the settig up a “good road lighting system, strong foundations, a great number of guiding signgs as well as a system of jersey barriers”. He added that the roundaboue design was also planned for improved safety.
The project also included improvement works on services and the building of 2.5 kilometres of rubble walls.
Transport Minister Ian Borg says the new road would be ‘positively affecting more than 2,100 cars’
23 July 2019,
by Yannick Pace
The newly-completed Tal-Balal Road
Play VideoThe ‘Tal-Balal’ road, which connects Naxxar and San Ġwann was officially opened this morning, following a widening and rebuilding project.
Transport Minister Ian Borg emphasized that the works had seen 1.8km of road upgraded, including the rebuilding of four new roundabouts.
Borg said that “for every €1 invested, the country would be receiving €7 back”.
“Today we are here because we implemented a project that is positively affecting more than 2,100 cars passing through here every hour during peak morning and afternoon hours, and we are expecting a reduction of 40% in travelling time,” Borg said.
He added that the project would mean “less frustration on the road, fewer emissions, and fewer dust particles in the air”.
Borg said noted that the road also included “for the first time ever the placement of a pavement providing safe pedestrian access” as well as “cycling facilities”, which have, however, been described as substandard and dangerous by cyclists.
PreviousNextThe works were originally announced to include the final part of the Tal-Balal Road that passes the Taz- Żwejt housing estate, with a spokesperson for Infrastructure Malta teling MaltaToday that the project would be completed when works on other projects are complete.
That phase, the spokesperson said, would also include the redesigning of the roundabout opposite Valyou Supermarket in Naxxar.
The minister inisted that work towards increasing facilities for alternative means of transport, as well as better roads for vehciles, had been “made clear in a number of other projects scattered around the Maltese road network, and stressed that the government will not accept a road network that creates inefficiency and discomfort”.
Borg said that the project had included the settig up a “good road lighting system, strong foundations, a great number of guiding signgs as well as a system of jersey barriers”. He added that the roundaboue design was also planned for improved safety.
The project also included improvement works on services and the building of 2.5 kilometres of rubble walls.
Mnarja Band at the feast of St. George
For many years, the Mnarja Band of Nadur has been given a prominent program at the feast of St. George in Victoria Gozo.
The feast was held over the weekend with the Mnarja Band taking part yesterday with a march in Republic Street and then a musical program on the stage in the piazza of St. George.
For many years, the Mnarja Band of Nadur has been given a prominent program at the feast of St. George in Victoria Gozo.
The feast was held over the weekend with the Mnarja Band taking part yesterday with a march in Republic Street and then a musical program on the stage in the piazza of St. George.
Three men injured after boat capsizes off Gozo
Three men were taken to hospital on Sunday evening after a boat overturned at sea between Xlendi and Dwejra
22 July 2019, 7:48am
Three men were taken to hospital on Sunday evening after a boat overturned at sea between Xlendi and Dwejra off Gozo.
The incident occurred at 5:15pm.
The Armed Forces of Malta was called for assistance to rescue the three men who were on the boat.
The men, all aged 29 and who reside in Xewkija, Luqa and Siggiewi, were lifted onto an AFM dinghy and taken to the Gozo General Hospital for treatment.
The man from Xewkija was found to be suffering from serious injuries.
A Magisterial enquiry has been appointed into the case and a Police investigation is still ongoing.
Three men were taken to hospital on Sunday evening after a boat overturned at sea between Xlendi and Dwejra
22 July 2019, 7:48am
Three men were taken to hospital on Sunday evening after a boat overturned at sea between Xlendi and Dwejra off Gozo.
The incident occurred at 5:15pm.
The Armed Forces of Malta was called for assistance to rescue the three men who were on the boat.
The men, all aged 29 and who reside in Xewkija, Luqa and Siggiewi, were lifted onto an AFM dinghy and taken to the Gozo General Hospital for treatment.
The man from Xewkija was found to be suffering from serious injuries.
A Magisterial enquiry has been appointed into the case and a Police investigation is still ongoing.
Enemalta oil scandal: Judge orders prosecution to speed up case
Francis Portelli and Tony Cassar are also charged with complicity to trading in influence in public tenders and money laundering
21 July 2019,
by Matthew Agius
A judge has ruled that the Attorney General is breaching the fundamental human rights of two men involved in the oil scandal, by delaying their case for over six years and ordered the prosecution to close its evidence by the end of 2019.
Two business partners in bunkering firm Island Bunker Oils – the Virtu group director Francis Portelli, 69 of Ta’ Xbiex, and Cassar Shipping boss Anthony Cassar, 69, of Tarxien – had been charged with corruption and money laundering, albeit not specifically in relation to the alleged kickbacks paid to an Enemalta consultant.
They are being charged for their role as directors in Island Bunker Oils and its subsidiaries Eldaren Shipping, Oarsman Maritime, Anchor Oils, FP Holdings, AOH Ltd, Gringrams Holdings, Island Oils Holdings and Anchor Bay Maritime, for having corrupted former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut, the former chief executive of Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Company Limited (MOBC), between the years 2002 and 2005.
Portelli and Cassar were also charged with complicity to trading in influence in public tenders and money laundering.
But although proceedings began with great momentum, this soon dwindled and no progress was registered in the case for six whole years.
On 7 March 2013, the prosecution began summoning witnesses, with the court hearing 16 witnesses by January 2014. By March 2014, a year into the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court it had to send some letters rogatory to Switzerland. So the compilation of evidence had to be suspended.
But Portelli and Cassar demanded that witnesses continue to be heard whilst the court awaited the response to the letters rogatory.
In November 2014, after some responses were received, the acts of the compilation of evidence were sent to the AG. But despite the compiling magistrate’s order that proceedings continue, the prosecution brought “absolutely no substantial evidence, besides one witness…” after that.
A sitting in May that year saw co-accused Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut testify, but this testimony was inadmissible as they are co-accused in a related case.
Mr Justice Joseph Zammit Mckeon, presiding the First Hall of the Civil Court in its Constitutional jurisdiction, noted that during the period between May 2015 and January 2019, 22 sittings were held in which practically nothing was done, after which the prosecution declared in no uncertain terms that it was not going to declare its evidence closed before Frank Sammut testified.
The end result is that the case has been stuck for six years.
By law, Frank Sammut cannot be brought to testify in favour or against the other accused person until proceedings in their regard are concluded, because he faces amongst other things the same charges as Portelli and Cassar, as an accomplice or co-principal.
Proceedings against Sammut are also ongoing since 2013 and are still in the prosecution’s evidence stage. “This means there is no hope that the proceedings against [Portelli and Cassar] will be concluded in the near future,” the pair argued.
The pair claimed that their right to a fair hearing under the European Convention on Human Rights was being breached, as was their right to property, the latter due to a freezing order over all their assets.
They asked that the court declare proceedings null as the AG did not want to declare his evidence closed. Alternatively, they asked that the court force the AG to send the acts back to the court of magistrates in short order and cancel the freezing order over their assets.
The AG denied using delaying tactics and argued that it was prosecuting “responsibly and with care”.
Waiting for the conclusion of other criminal proceedings was not abdicating its responsibility to prosecute with good speed, it said. The law provided a mechanism which prevents excessive hardship to those struck by freezing orders, added the public prosecutor.
Mr Justice Joseph Zammit McKeon said that after deliberating on the matter for a long time, he found a violation of the right to a fair hearing.
“It is most clear and manifest that the reasons for the delay were due to shortcomings by the defendant (AG) and the way in which the prosecution of the applicants is being conducted. It does not emerge that the delays were due to the actions of the plaintiffs. Neither of the court.”
The prosecution had started well and with great momentum, but as the months and years passed it started to fall behind in what would be expected in such a sensitive case, Zammit McKeon said.
“The principle should be that the rule of law is the same for everyone.”
The court went further, however, singling out the fact that the letters rogatory had taken an inexplicable 11 months to be sent and arguing that the police were legally obliged to know the evidence against the accused before prosecuting. The fact that the prosecuting police inspector was changed twice during the proceedings was not acceptable in view of the facts and circumstances of the case.
“If there was a need for evidence of the glaring and gross shortcoming by the prosecution, there is the reply by Inspector Stivala, when asked whether new letters rogatory had been sent in the case against Frank Sammut,” said the court. The witness had replied that they weren’t yet sent as there were acts that still had to be scrutinised and that only one person was involved.
The point of freezing orders was not to oppress the wealth of the accused but to ensure that until the case is decided there is no illicit gain, said the court, ordering the case to continue before the Court of Magistrates but not to revoke the freezing orders. It also ordered the AG to close his evidence in this case by not later than 31 December this year.
Francis Portelli and Tony Cassar are also charged with complicity to trading in influence in public tenders and money laundering
21 July 2019,
by Matthew Agius
A judge has ruled that the Attorney General is breaching the fundamental human rights of two men involved in the oil scandal, by delaying their case for over six years and ordered the prosecution to close its evidence by the end of 2019.
Two business partners in bunkering firm Island Bunker Oils – the Virtu group director Francis Portelli, 69 of Ta’ Xbiex, and Cassar Shipping boss Anthony Cassar, 69, of Tarxien – had been charged with corruption and money laundering, albeit not specifically in relation to the alleged kickbacks paid to an Enemalta consultant.
They are being charged for their role as directors in Island Bunker Oils and its subsidiaries Eldaren Shipping, Oarsman Maritime, Anchor Oils, FP Holdings, AOH Ltd, Gringrams Holdings, Island Oils Holdings and Anchor Bay Maritime, for having corrupted former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut, the former chief executive of Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Company Limited (MOBC), between the years 2002 and 2005.
Portelli and Cassar were also charged with complicity to trading in influence in public tenders and money laundering.
But although proceedings began with great momentum, this soon dwindled and no progress was registered in the case for six whole years.
On 7 March 2013, the prosecution began summoning witnesses, with the court hearing 16 witnesses by January 2014. By March 2014, a year into the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court it had to send some letters rogatory to Switzerland. So the compilation of evidence had to be suspended.
But Portelli and Cassar demanded that witnesses continue to be heard whilst the court awaited the response to the letters rogatory.
In November 2014, after some responses were received, the acts of the compilation of evidence were sent to the AG. But despite the compiling magistrate’s order that proceedings continue, the prosecution brought “absolutely no substantial evidence, besides one witness…” after that.
A sitting in May that year saw co-accused Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut testify, but this testimony was inadmissible as they are co-accused in a related case.
Mr Justice Joseph Zammit Mckeon, presiding the First Hall of the Civil Court in its Constitutional jurisdiction, noted that during the period between May 2015 and January 2019, 22 sittings were held in which practically nothing was done, after which the prosecution declared in no uncertain terms that it was not going to declare its evidence closed before Frank Sammut testified.
The end result is that the case has been stuck for six years.
By law, Frank Sammut cannot be brought to testify in favour or against the other accused person until proceedings in their regard are concluded, because he faces amongst other things the same charges as Portelli and Cassar, as an accomplice or co-principal.
Proceedings against Sammut are also ongoing since 2013 and are still in the prosecution’s evidence stage. “This means there is no hope that the proceedings against [Portelli and Cassar] will be concluded in the near future,” the pair argued.
The pair claimed that their right to a fair hearing under the European Convention on Human Rights was being breached, as was their right to property, the latter due to a freezing order over all their assets.
They asked that the court declare proceedings null as the AG did not want to declare his evidence closed. Alternatively, they asked that the court force the AG to send the acts back to the court of magistrates in short order and cancel the freezing order over their assets.
The AG denied using delaying tactics and argued that it was prosecuting “responsibly and with care”.
Waiting for the conclusion of other criminal proceedings was not abdicating its responsibility to prosecute with good speed, it said. The law provided a mechanism which prevents excessive hardship to those struck by freezing orders, added the public prosecutor.
Mr Justice Joseph Zammit McKeon said that after deliberating on the matter for a long time, he found a violation of the right to a fair hearing.
“It is most clear and manifest that the reasons for the delay were due to shortcomings by the defendant (AG) and the way in which the prosecution of the applicants is being conducted. It does not emerge that the delays were due to the actions of the plaintiffs. Neither of the court.”
The prosecution had started well and with great momentum, but as the months and years passed it started to fall behind in what would be expected in such a sensitive case, Zammit McKeon said.
“The principle should be that the rule of law is the same for everyone.”
The court went further, however, singling out the fact that the letters rogatory had taken an inexplicable 11 months to be sent and arguing that the police were legally obliged to know the evidence against the accused before prosecuting. The fact that the prosecuting police inspector was changed twice during the proceedings was not acceptable in view of the facts and circumstances of the case.
“If there was a need for evidence of the glaring and gross shortcoming by the prosecution, there is the reply by Inspector Stivala, when asked whether new letters rogatory had been sent in the case against Frank Sammut,” said the court. The witness had replied that they weren’t yet sent as there were acts that still had to be scrutinised and that only one person was involved.
The point of freezing orders was not to oppress the wealth of the accused but to ensure that until the case is decided there is no illicit gain, said the court, ordering the case to continue before the Court of Magistrates but not to revoke the freezing orders. It also ordered the AG to close his evidence in this case by not later than 31 December this year.
Fragments from man’s first ever moon landing on display in Gozo
Heritage Malta is inviting members of the public to view moon fragments donated to Malta by US President Richard Nixon
19 July 2019, 5:58pm
by Laura Calleja
Moon Fragments with flag (Credit photo : Alvin Scicluna)
Heritage Malta is inviting members of the public to visit the Gozo Nature Museum and view moon fragments, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary since man’s first landing on the moon.
The fragments, from the Apollo 11 moon landing on 20 July 1969, were donated to Malta by US President Richard Nixon. Fragments were presented to 135 countries and 50 US states.
The fragments, as well as a small flag which was carried to the moon and back by Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, will be on display at museum on 20 July.
Those interested in viewing the fragments will need to purchase tickets, which will grant them access to all four Heritage Malta sites including the Gran Castello Historic House, the Gozo Musuem of Archaeology, the Old Prison and the Natural Science Museum.
The public will also be able to access the Citadel Visitor Centre.
Tickets are on sale at €5 for adults, €3.50 for students and senior citizens and €2.50 for children aged between six and 11.
Holders of a Heritage Malta Student Passport can enter the museum free of charge accompanied by two adults.
Likewise, senior citizens who have a Senior Passport can access all sites and may choose to be accompanied by two youths.
Opening hours are Monday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm.
Heritage Malta is inviting members of the public to view moon fragments donated to Malta by US President Richard Nixon
19 July 2019, 5:58pm
by Laura Calleja
Moon Fragments with flag (Credit photo : Alvin Scicluna)
Heritage Malta is inviting members of the public to visit the Gozo Nature Museum and view moon fragments, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary since man’s first landing on the moon.
The fragments, from the Apollo 11 moon landing on 20 July 1969, were donated to Malta by US President Richard Nixon. Fragments were presented to 135 countries and 50 US states.
The fragments, as well as a small flag which was carried to the moon and back by Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, will be on display at museum on 20 July.
Those interested in viewing the fragments will need to purchase tickets, which will grant them access to all four Heritage Malta sites including the Gran Castello Historic House, the Gozo Musuem of Archaeology, the Old Prison and the Natural Science Museum.
The public will also be able to access the Citadel Visitor Centre.
Tickets are on sale at €5 for adults, €3.50 for students and senior citizens and €2.50 for children aged between six and 11.
Holders of a Heritage Malta Student Passport can enter the museum free of charge accompanied by two adults.
Likewise, senior citizens who have a Senior Passport can access all sites and may choose to be accompanied by two youths.
Opening hours are Monday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm.
Triumph in Croatia: Gżira demolish Hajduk Split in Europa League
Gżira United make it to the second qualifying round of the Europa League after an impressive comeback sees them winning over Croatian side Hajduk Split
19 July 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
Previous
Watch: Kone's double gem puts Gżira through in Europa League
The Gżira United clan celebrating victory in the dressing room (Photo: Gżira Utd/Facebook)
Play Video
Triumph in Croatia! Watch Gzira FC demolish mighty Hajduk Split
The Gżira United clan celebrating victory in the dressing room (Photo: Gżira Utd/Facebook)
Gżira United have every reason to feel accomplished after knocking out Croatian football giants Hajduk Split from the Europa League on Thursday.
The Premier League club reversed a 2-0 defeat in Malta last week to beat the Croatian team 3-1 at the Poljud Stadium in Split.
The winning goal came deep into injury time after Ivorian striker Hamed Kone kept his cool and hit a splendid volley that stunned the stadium. Kone had earlier scored Gżira’s second goal with an amazing bicycle kick.
Gżira qualified to the second round of the Europa League qualifiers on the strength of the away goals rule.
After going one goal down just seven minutes into the game, it looked all but out of reach for Gżira. But an incredible comeback in the second half saw the Maroons snatch victory at the dead of time.
Victory surprised the Gżira clan but most of all, shocked and angered the 18,000 Hajduk Split supporters.
At the final whistle, some of the Hajduk supporters smashed stadium seats and invaded the pitch to chase after their own players.
But Gżira’s passage to the second round is also significant because this is the first time the club has progressed into the next round of a European club competition. The Maroons now face Latvian side Ventspils.
And while the Gżira clan in Croatia celebrated, the club received accolades here in Malta. Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo and former Sliema Wanderers president congratulated the team for its impressive qualification. He praised the players and Gżira club president Sharlon Pace for the whole set up.
See Joseph Muscat's other Tweets
Congratulations also poured in from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and supporters of other Maltese clubs.
On Tuesday, Valletta also made it to the second round of the Champions League qualifying stages after a draw against Luxembourg side Dudelange saw them through on the away goals rule.
Valletta now face Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
Gżira United make it to the second qualifying round of the Europa League after an impressive comeback sees them winning over Croatian side Hajduk Split
19 July 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
Previous
Watch: Kone's double gem puts Gżira through in Europa League
The Gżira United clan celebrating victory in the dressing room (Photo: Gżira Utd/Facebook)
Play Video
Triumph in Croatia! Watch Gzira FC demolish mighty Hajduk Split
The Gżira United clan celebrating victory in the dressing room (Photo: Gżira Utd/Facebook)
Gżira United have every reason to feel accomplished after knocking out Croatian football giants Hajduk Split from the Europa League on Thursday.
The Premier League club reversed a 2-0 defeat in Malta last week to beat the Croatian team 3-1 at the Poljud Stadium in Split.
The winning goal came deep into injury time after Ivorian striker Hamed Kone kept his cool and hit a splendid volley that stunned the stadium. Kone had earlier scored Gżira’s second goal with an amazing bicycle kick.
Gżira qualified to the second round of the Europa League qualifiers on the strength of the away goals rule.
After going one goal down just seven minutes into the game, it looked all but out of reach for Gżira. But an incredible comeback in the second half saw the Maroons snatch victory at the dead of time.
Victory surprised the Gżira clan but most of all, shocked and angered the 18,000 Hajduk Split supporters.
At the final whistle, some of the Hajduk supporters smashed stadium seats and invaded the pitch to chase after their own players.
But Gżira’s passage to the second round is also significant because this is the first time the club has progressed into the next round of a European club competition. The Maroons now face Latvian side Ventspils.
And while the Gżira clan in Croatia celebrated, the club received accolades here in Malta. Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo and former Sliema Wanderers president congratulated the team for its impressive qualification. He praised the players and Gżira club president Sharlon Pace for the whole set up.
See Joseph Muscat's other Tweets
Congratulations also poured in from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and supporters of other Maltese clubs.
On Tuesday, Valletta also made it to the second round of the Champions League qualifying stages after a draw against Luxembourg side Dudelange saw them through on the away goals rule.
Valletta now face Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
Parliament approves lifting of tourism restriction on Fortina Group’s Sliema land
The Fortina Group will pay government €8.1 million to have restrictions on its Sliema land lifted so that it can develop land previously limited to touristic purposes
17 July 2019, 7:42pm
by David Hudson
An artist's impression of the Fortina development in Sliema
A motion to allow the Fortina Group to pay government €8.1 million in exchange for the lifting of a restriction that its Sliema land only be used for tourism, was approved by parliament on Wednesday.
The motion was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg and tabled by Planning Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius on Wednesday.
Last week, the company said that the restriction concerned a landlocked plot measuring 1,250sq.m that Fortina has owned for 30 years.
The restriction meant that the company could only use the land in question for tourism-related purposes. The plot formed part of a much larger area on which the Fortina Hotel was built.
Agius opened the debate by highlighting the shortcomings of past Nationalist Party administrations, namely regarding a Spinola property that was transferred from government to private ownership in 2012 for just €35 profit.
The Auditor General at the time estimated the value of the property at around €2.4 million.
"Unlike previous PN administrations, the current government keeps coming to parliament for the sake of transparency. Every piece of land on the contract that has been tabled is the private property of Fortel Services Limited. We are not here to give out government land as the PN did before us," Agius said.
Though the group agreed to pay €8.1 million it claimed that this was an exaggerated amount of money for land it already owned. The lifting of the current restrictions will allow the area to be used for residential and commercial purposes.
"This private land was instrumental to the tourism industry over the years and a now a €55 million investment is planned here which will continue to aid the industry as well as house a large gaming company that will contribute to economic growth," Agius said.
He added that the works planned had already been approved by the Planning Authority.
PN Deputy leader Robert Arrigo replied by saying that the failures of previous administrations could never justify another blunder. He also disclaimed that though his sister was married to the Fortina Hotel owner, he would be voting against the motion.
"I have a duty to vote against this motion because wrong is always wrong and there are no compromises," Arrigo said.
He added that though the National Statistics Office had said that tourism had increased by 1.6% since January 2019, this was due to the number of foreign workers employed in the country.
In reality, he said, every aspect of the tourism industry had taken a dent, with tourists spending less money and fewer nights on the island.
He also insisted that the gaming company that Agius had made reference to was already occupying offices in Sliema and did not need to relocate onto Fortina's land.
Partit Demokratiku's Godfrey Farrugia argued that the government, unlike any level-headed businessman, had not obtained the best deal possible for the country.
"Thousands of youngsters are struggling to have a roof over their heads. These are not allowed soft loans or staggered payments like Fortina are. Our country doesn't belong to the rich and this parliament has lost the loyalty it had to its own country," Farrugia said, echoing Arrigo's sentiments that the PN's past miscarriages did not lend legitimacy to the current government's deference to big businesses.
Farrugia warned that such a motion was part of a pattern that the government had fallen into and reminded parliament of the DB Group's controversial capture of the ITS public land in 2017 for a premium of €15 million spread over seven years.
"We are giving away our surplus and our assets and justifying it by making reference to the bad practice of previous government. We are not saying that we are against business here but very businessman attempts to obtain the best deal. The government isn't doing the latter and has forsaken its duty to its own people," he concluded.
PN MP Ryan Callus claimed that construction works were already being carried out on the Fortina land while parliament, supposedly the highest institution of the country, had not even approved the motion yet.
"Irrespective of what we say, the government has no doubt informed the contractors that this will be approved," Callus said, adding that the first evaluation on the Fortina land came up with the figure of €12 million but that his investigations led him to believe that someone had given instructions to the Lands Authority to lower this figure by €4 million.
Opposition leader Adrian Delia lamented the fact that the government was allowing big businesses the possibility of soft loans and staggered payments when the same was not afforded to normal citizens and small businesses. He also questioned how such motions and bills were always tabled in parliament close to the date when the parliament was meant to be adjourned.
"Three proposals, Fortina, Marsa racetrack and an international school in Mtarfa were relegated to the end of the parliamentary year with as little background information as possible. We support investment in sport, tourism and education but we will never permit government to do so at the detriment of public land and public interests," Delia said, adding that the government interest was to allow the speculators to dictate for profit.
Concluding the debate, Borg lashed out at the Opposition speakers, many of whom, he argued, had not ever read the motion.
He stressed that the land in question already belonged to the Fortina Group, insisting that claims about government land being transferred to private interests did not make sense.
Borg claimed that the business community had no reservations about the price the land was being transferred for.
Regarding comments made by Callus, Borg reminded the PN MP that he personally sits on the Lands Authority board as the Opposition’s representative. He said that since the reform that turned the Lands Department into an authority, an emphasis had been made on there not being interference from the minister or the parliamentary secretary.
“You and your colleagues the governors of the board have a very big responsibility that comes close to that of parliament and you should be there to scrutinise and inform the state,” Borg said.
He said Callus had never voiced any objections within the authority, only to for him to then stand in parliament and act as though the authority was ignoring him.
“I only received a positive letter from the chairman, who ultimately represents you on the board,” he said. “There was zero political interference and that is what is important.”
The Fortina Group will pay government €8.1 million to have restrictions on its Sliema land lifted so that it can develop land previously limited to touristic purposes
17 July 2019, 7:42pm
by David Hudson
An artist's impression of the Fortina development in Sliema
A motion to allow the Fortina Group to pay government €8.1 million in exchange for the lifting of a restriction that its Sliema land only be used for tourism, was approved by parliament on Wednesday.
The motion was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg and tabled by Planning Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius on Wednesday.
Last week, the company said that the restriction concerned a landlocked plot measuring 1,250sq.m that Fortina has owned for 30 years.
The restriction meant that the company could only use the land in question for tourism-related purposes. The plot formed part of a much larger area on which the Fortina Hotel was built.
Agius opened the debate by highlighting the shortcomings of past Nationalist Party administrations, namely regarding a Spinola property that was transferred from government to private ownership in 2012 for just €35 profit.
The Auditor General at the time estimated the value of the property at around €2.4 million.
"Unlike previous PN administrations, the current government keeps coming to parliament for the sake of transparency. Every piece of land on the contract that has been tabled is the private property of Fortel Services Limited. We are not here to give out government land as the PN did before us," Agius said.
Though the group agreed to pay €8.1 million it claimed that this was an exaggerated amount of money for land it already owned. The lifting of the current restrictions will allow the area to be used for residential and commercial purposes.
"This private land was instrumental to the tourism industry over the years and a now a €55 million investment is planned here which will continue to aid the industry as well as house a large gaming company that will contribute to economic growth," Agius said.
He added that the works planned had already been approved by the Planning Authority.
PN Deputy leader Robert Arrigo replied by saying that the failures of previous administrations could never justify another blunder. He also disclaimed that though his sister was married to the Fortina Hotel owner, he would be voting against the motion.
"I have a duty to vote against this motion because wrong is always wrong and there are no compromises," Arrigo said.
He added that though the National Statistics Office had said that tourism had increased by 1.6% since January 2019, this was due to the number of foreign workers employed in the country.
In reality, he said, every aspect of the tourism industry had taken a dent, with tourists spending less money and fewer nights on the island.
He also insisted that the gaming company that Agius had made reference to was already occupying offices in Sliema and did not need to relocate onto Fortina's land.
Partit Demokratiku's Godfrey Farrugia argued that the government, unlike any level-headed businessman, had not obtained the best deal possible for the country.
"Thousands of youngsters are struggling to have a roof over their heads. These are not allowed soft loans or staggered payments like Fortina are. Our country doesn't belong to the rich and this parliament has lost the loyalty it had to its own country," Farrugia said, echoing Arrigo's sentiments that the PN's past miscarriages did not lend legitimacy to the current government's deference to big businesses.
Farrugia warned that such a motion was part of a pattern that the government had fallen into and reminded parliament of the DB Group's controversial capture of the ITS public land in 2017 for a premium of €15 million spread over seven years.
"We are giving away our surplus and our assets and justifying it by making reference to the bad practice of previous government. We are not saying that we are against business here but very businessman attempts to obtain the best deal. The government isn't doing the latter and has forsaken its duty to its own people," he concluded.
PN MP Ryan Callus claimed that construction works were already being carried out on the Fortina land while parliament, supposedly the highest institution of the country, had not even approved the motion yet.
"Irrespective of what we say, the government has no doubt informed the contractors that this will be approved," Callus said, adding that the first evaluation on the Fortina land came up with the figure of €12 million but that his investigations led him to believe that someone had given instructions to the Lands Authority to lower this figure by €4 million.
Opposition leader Adrian Delia lamented the fact that the government was allowing big businesses the possibility of soft loans and staggered payments when the same was not afforded to normal citizens and small businesses. He also questioned how such motions and bills were always tabled in parliament close to the date when the parliament was meant to be adjourned.
"Three proposals, Fortina, Marsa racetrack and an international school in Mtarfa were relegated to the end of the parliamentary year with as little background information as possible. We support investment in sport, tourism and education but we will never permit government to do so at the detriment of public land and public interests," Delia said, adding that the government interest was to allow the speculators to dictate for profit.
Concluding the debate, Borg lashed out at the Opposition speakers, many of whom, he argued, had not ever read the motion.
He stressed that the land in question already belonged to the Fortina Group, insisting that claims about government land being transferred to private interests did not make sense.
Borg claimed that the business community had no reservations about the price the land was being transferred for.
Regarding comments made by Callus, Borg reminded the PN MP that he personally sits on the Lands Authority board as the Opposition’s representative. He said that since the reform that turned the Lands Department into an authority, an emphasis had been made on there not being interference from the minister or the parliamentary secretary.
“You and your colleagues the governors of the board have a very big responsibility that comes close to that of parliament and you should be there to scrutinise and inform the state,” Borg said.
He said Callus had never voiced any objections within the authority, only to for him to then stand in parliament and act as though the authority was ignoring him.
“I only received a positive letter from the chairman, who ultimately represents you on the board,” he said. “There was zero political interference and that is what is important.”
In-Nicca tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu imzejna ghal festa taghha
Id-dar li kienet toqod fiha il familja Aquilina.
PN executive committee meeting to discuss question for confidence vote in Adrian Delia
The executive is discussing the wording of the question that will be put to General Council members in a vote on whether the party leader should resign in wake of May’s election result
16 July 2019, 7:51pm
by Yannick Pace
The PN's executive committee is currently meeting to discuss next week's general council meeting
Play VideoThe Nationalist Party’s executive committee is meeting once again this evening to discuss the wording of a question that will be put the party’s General Council members in a confidence vote in party leader Adrian Delia.
Last month, General Council president Kristy Debono was presented with a petition signed by some 200 of the council’s members, asking for a vote to be held on whether Delia should shoulder responsibility for the party’s dismal showing in the European Parliament and local council election.
According to the party’s statute, any petition that is signed by at least 150 members of the council – the party’s highest organ - must be discussed.
Debono had subsequently said that despite 84 of the 200 signatures presented were invalid, she would nonetheless be passing on the request to the executive committee.
The committee met on 4 July, in a meeting which lasted late into the night and during which the PN’s leader himself called a general council in which he will be subjected to a confidence vote.
However, last week, former PN election candidate Ivan Bartolo, former executive president Mark Anthony Sammut, MZPN secretary general Emma Portelli Bonnici, vice-president of the party's professionals' forum Martin Musumeci, and councillor Emvin Bartolo, wrote to newly-elected executive council president Alex Perici Calascione, claiming that the question which will be put to the General Council had been changed from the original wording in the petition.
They insisted that it was unacceptable that the PN executive be “misguided” in such a manner.
“This continues to strengthen the doubts we have over the current party leadership,” they said.
In response, Perici Calascione told the petitioners that he had decided to request a meeting of the executive after holding discussions with the party’s secretary general Clyde Puli and electoral commission president Francis Zammit Dimech, as well as Sammut.
The executive is discussing the wording of the question that will be put to General Council members in a vote on whether the party leader should resign in wake of May’s election result
16 July 2019, 7:51pm
by Yannick Pace
The PN's executive committee is currently meeting to discuss next week's general council meeting
Play VideoThe Nationalist Party’s executive committee is meeting once again this evening to discuss the wording of a question that will be put the party’s General Council members in a confidence vote in party leader Adrian Delia.
Last month, General Council president Kristy Debono was presented with a petition signed by some 200 of the council’s members, asking for a vote to be held on whether Delia should shoulder responsibility for the party’s dismal showing in the European Parliament and local council election.
According to the party’s statute, any petition that is signed by at least 150 members of the council – the party’s highest organ - must be discussed.
Debono had subsequently said that despite 84 of the 200 signatures presented were invalid, she would nonetheless be passing on the request to the executive committee.
The committee met on 4 July, in a meeting which lasted late into the night and during which the PN’s leader himself called a general council in which he will be subjected to a confidence vote.
However, last week, former PN election candidate Ivan Bartolo, former executive president Mark Anthony Sammut, MZPN secretary general Emma Portelli Bonnici, vice-president of the party's professionals' forum Martin Musumeci, and councillor Emvin Bartolo, wrote to newly-elected executive council president Alex Perici Calascione, claiming that the question which will be put to the General Council had been changed from the original wording in the petition.
They insisted that it was unacceptable that the PN executive be “misguided” in such a manner.
“This continues to strengthen the doubts we have over the current party leadership,” they said.
In response, Perici Calascione told the petitioners that he had decided to request a meeting of the executive after holding discussions with the party’s secretary general Clyde Puli and electoral commission president Francis Zammit Dimech, as well as Sammut.
Black statue of St. Peter on the throne
I saw this statue while visiting the church of St Anselm and St Cecilia Roman Catholic church in Kingsway, Holborn, London.
Just like the one in Rome and Nadur.
Binja ta’ 4 sulari fuq għerien u xelter fix-Xagħra
Minn Beppe Galea
15/07/2019
Il-ħaddiema waqt spezzjoni minn espert arkeoloġiku.
Il-ħaddiema waqt spezzjoni minn espert arkeoloġiku.Żona fix-Xagħra, Għawdex mistennija tinbena fuq għerien u xelters tat-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Dan hekk kif l-iżviluppatur issottometta l-applikazzjoni tiegħu għal bini ta’ disat idjar mifruxa fuq erba’ sulari f’sit li jinsab fi Triq ta’ Bullara.
Is-Sovrintendenza għall-Patrimonju Kulturali qalet li mhix se toġġezzjona għal dan l-iżvilupp għaliex innutat li fil-pjanti, l-iżviluppatur qal li se jżomm tliet metri ‘l bogħod mill-għerien u x-xelters li jinsabu f’dan is-sit. Mhux maħsub li jkun hemm aċċess pubbliku għal dawn ix-xelters u l-għerien.
Għalkemm l-iżviluppatur għandu l-permessi meħtieġa, reġgħu ġew issottomessi pjanti ġodda mill-Perit Alexander Bigeni biex isiru xi tibdiliet.
Pjanta tas-sit fi Triq ta’ Bullara fix-Xagħra, GħawdexDwar dan il-każ, 20 resident iffirmaw petizzjoni li ġiet ippreżentata f’rappreżentazzjoni waħda lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar il-ġimgħa li għaddiet.
Inbagħtet ukoll ittra lill-Prim Ministru bl-oġġezzjoni tar-residenti. L-ittra ntbagħtet f’isem “Neil” li qal li qed iwassal il-“karba ta’ ħafna residenti”. Spjega li b’dan l-iżvilupp fix-Xagħra, il-“memorji ta’ nanniet u storja tagħna ser jinqerdu darba u għal dejjem”.
Jgħid ukoll li din l-art kienet tal-Gvern u ġiet mibdulha ma’ art privata.
Minn Beppe Galea
15/07/2019
Il-ħaddiema waqt spezzjoni minn espert arkeoloġiku.
Il-ħaddiema waqt spezzjoni minn espert arkeoloġiku.Żona fix-Xagħra, Għawdex mistennija tinbena fuq għerien u xelters tat-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Dan hekk kif l-iżviluppatur issottometta l-applikazzjoni tiegħu għal bini ta’ disat idjar mifruxa fuq erba’ sulari f’sit li jinsab fi Triq ta’ Bullara.
Is-Sovrintendenza għall-Patrimonju Kulturali qalet li mhix se toġġezzjona għal dan l-iżvilupp għaliex innutat li fil-pjanti, l-iżviluppatur qal li se jżomm tliet metri ‘l bogħod mill-għerien u x-xelters li jinsabu f’dan is-sit. Mhux maħsub li jkun hemm aċċess pubbliku għal dawn ix-xelters u l-għerien.
Għalkemm l-iżviluppatur għandu l-permessi meħtieġa, reġgħu ġew issottomessi pjanti ġodda mill-Perit Alexander Bigeni biex isiru xi tibdiliet.
Pjanta tas-sit fi Triq ta’ Bullara fix-Xagħra, GħawdexDwar dan il-każ, 20 resident iffirmaw petizzjoni li ġiet ippreżentata f’rappreżentazzjoni waħda lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar il-ġimgħa li għaddiet.
Inbagħtet ukoll ittra lill-Prim Ministru bl-oġġezzjoni tar-residenti. L-ittra ntbagħtet f’isem “Neil” li qal li qed iwassal il-“karba ta’ ħafna residenti”. Spjega li b’dan l-iżvilupp fix-Xagħra, il-“memorji ta’ nanniet u storja tagħna ser jinqerdu darba u għal dejjem”.
Jgħid ukoll li din l-art kienet tal-Gvern u ġiet mibdulha ma’ art privata.
Assassinju Daphne: X’se jiġri għada?
Minn Nicole Borg
|
14/07/2019,
Għada se tkun qed tkompli l-kumpilazzjoni tax-xhieda fil-każ tal-assassinju tal-ġurnalista Daphne Caruana Galizia. Madanakollu dwar x’se jiġri għada fil-Qorti, hemm rapporti kunfliġġenti fil-ġurnali llum. The Malta Independent irrapporta li t-tliet akkużati bl-assassinju ta’ Daphne se jitpoġġew taħt att ta’ akkuża. Min-naħa l-oħra, il-MaltaToday ikkwotat dak li qal fuq Facebook l-Ispettur tal-Pulizija Keith Arnaud, li stqarr li din l-istorja dwar Alfred Degiorgio, George Degiorgio u Vince Muscat mhix vera.
Aqra: Assassinju Daphne: Bżonn konferma formali li se ssir l-inkjesta – Repubblika
Fl-aħħar xhur qamet biża’ kbira li l-akkużati se jkollhom jingħataw il-ħelsien mill-arrest b’mod awtomatiku u skont kif inhu mitlub mil-liġi jekk l-Avukat Ġenerali ma jpoġġihomx taħt att ta’ akkuża fi żmien 20 xahar. Huma ġew arrestati f’Diċembru tal-2017 u b’hekk it-terminu jiskadi f’Awwissu.
Il-ġurnal The Malta Independent irrapporta li sorsi qrib il-każ li talbu sabiex jibqgħu anonimi, insistew li ma hemm l-ebda intenzjoni li l-akkużati jitħallew joħorġu mill-ħabs u li jridu jarawhom maqfulin f’ċella u saħansitra “jarmu ċ-ċwievet”.
Aqra: Assassinju Daphne: Qed jissemma li min ordnah għandu aċċess għal kurituri għolja tal-poter – Azzopardi
Min-naħa tiegħu, Arnaud tenna li l-Pulizija qatt ma jaħdmu bl-intenzjoni li jsakkru lil xi ħadd il-ħabs u jarmu ċ-ċwievet. Għaldaqstant talab sabiex qabel ma ċertu kummenti jiġu ppubblikati fil-midja wieħed għandu jikkunsidra dak li qed jingħad. Sostna li jekk hemm sors ewlieni fil-każ innifsu huwa hu stess u ddeskriva dak li ħareġ fl-artiklu bħala “farsa”.
Minn Nicole Borg
|
14/07/2019,
Għada se tkun qed tkompli l-kumpilazzjoni tax-xhieda fil-każ tal-assassinju tal-ġurnalista Daphne Caruana Galizia. Madanakollu dwar x’se jiġri għada fil-Qorti, hemm rapporti kunfliġġenti fil-ġurnali llum. The Malta Independent irrapporta li t-tliet akkużati bl-assassinju ta’ Daphne se jitpoġġew taħt att ta’ akkuża. Min-naħa l-oħra, il-MaltaToday ikkwotat dak li qal fuq Facebook l-Ispettur tal-Pulizija Keith Arnaud, li stqarr li din l-istorja dwar Alfred Degiorgio, George Degiorgio u Vince Muscat mhix vera.
Aqra: Assassinju Daphne: Bżonn konferma formali li se ssir l-inkjesta – Repubblika
Fl-aħħar xhur qamet biża’ kbira li l-akkużati se jkollhom jingħataw il-ħelsien mill-arrest b’mod awtomatiku u skont kif inhu mitlub mil-liġi jekk l-Avukat Ġenerali ma jpoġġihomx taħt att ta’ akkuża fi żmien 20 xahar. Huma ġew arrestati f’Diċembru tal-2017 u b’hekk it-terminu jiskadi f’Awwissu.
Il-ġurnal The Malta Independent irrapporta li sorsi qrib il-każ li talbu sabiex jibqgħu anonimi, insistew li ma hemm l-ebda intenzjoni li l-akkużati jitħallew joħorġu mill-ħabs u li jridu jarawhom maqfulin f’ċella u saħansitra “jarmu ċ-ċwievet”.
Aqra: Assassinju Daphne: Qed jissemma li min ordnah għandu aċċess għal kurituri għolja tal-poter – Azzopardi
Min-naħa tiegħu, Arnaud tenna li l-Pulizija qatt ma jaħdmu bl-intenzjoni li jsakkru lil xi ħadd il-ħabs u jarmu ċ-ċwievet. Għaldaqstant talab sabiex qabel ma ċertu kummenti jiġu ppubblikati fil-midja wieħed għandu jikkunsidra dak li qed jingħad. Sostna li jekk hemm sors ewlieni fil-każ innifsu huwa hu stess u ddeskriva dak li ħareġ fl-artiklu bħala “farsa”.
‘No sacred cows in the PN’ – Richard Cachia Caruana
Says the PN brand is not damaged beyond repair
By Jacob Borg
“In politics the electorate chooses you, you don’t choose it” - Cachia Caruana served in government for several years.Former Ambassador to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana knows a thing or two about politics and winning elections, having served as Eddie Fenech Adami’s chief of staff and later as an adviser to Lawrence Gonzi.
Replying to questions put to him by The Sunday Times of Malta, Mr Cachia Caruana weighs in on the troubles facing the PN and the appointment of Louis Galea to oversee much-needed reforms within the party.
As a starting point, do you think a PN ‘grandee’ is the right man for the job, or does the party need a fresh pair of eyes? Do you feel his appointment undermines the PN leadership’s position?
Organisationally, the PN lost its way many years ago and it was only by keeping ahead of the policy ‘curve’ that it managed 36 years of political successes and almost 24 continuous years in government, ending in 2013.
Though it was a long time ago, Louis Galea was the general secretary who, under Eddie Fenech Adami’s leadership, took a disheartened and bullied party organisation in 1976 and turned it into a lean political machine that was streets ahead of the Labour Party. No other former PN general secretary gets close.
It doesn’t mean that they didn’t have successes, but it does mean that when he left the post in 1987, he left the party in a much stronger position than when he took over the post.
While an outsider can advise on what a political party might require at its headquarters, its other levels need someone who knows how these levels can drive political success. We all seem to have forgotten that the party machine must include many coordinated levels other than those parts of the membership that serve in elected positions. The vast proportion of the party membership doesn’t stand for elected office – even internally – but they have a major political communication role in the country as do also those even more numerous traditional PN voters that are not party members. It should also include those people who rarely, if ever, vote PN but believe in putting ‘country before party’.
In the absence of a reform process led by the party leader, Louis Galea is the right person. As to whether his appointment undermines the PN leadership’s position, I am sure Louis was appointed to strengthen the leadership’s position.
During an interview on Times Talk this week, Dr Galea said it was a mistake to open up voting for the PN’s top leadership positions to paid-up members. Do you agree with this?
Absolutely. I was shocked when this amendment was put forward by the previous leadership. Firstly, because that is the system that existed in the PN before 1977 and it was only when the party congress (made up of all members) was replaced by the General Council (made up of over 1,000 elected representatives of every party level) that real reforms were able to be carried out in the party.
How can you persuade a PL voter to choose PN if you cannot persuade your own activists
Secondly, the UK Conservative party introduced this system after John Major’s term of office and promptly went through three leaders before they could find one who could win a general election.
This is nothing to do with the political maturity or otherwise of the general membership of a party. It is natural for a party’s members to want to choose ‘their’ person – it also happens in US primary elections – but in our system the leader of a party becomes Prime Minister only if the party wins a general election and, therefore, he or she needs to be electable by a majority of the national electorate not the party electorate.
Is the PN’s ‘brand’ damaged beyond repair or can an image overhaul like Labour undertook under Muscat work?
I do not believe the PN’s ‘brand’ is damaged beyond repair but a ‘party brand’ is made up of many things. Image is only one of them – and, in any case, the image has to match the reality. The role of the leader is crucial as we know. Alfred Sant could not win the 1998, 2003 and 2008 general elections just as Joseph Muscat couldn’t lose the 2013 general election.
How can the PN become relevant again? Should it try beat Labour at its own game or go down a different path?
In my opinion, trying to beat Labour at its own game will not work – in fact, I cannot recall any national elections where this tactic did work. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all the PL’s policies are wrong and should be dumped but it does mean that the electorate is unlikely to change ‘the real thing’ for a copy.
The job of the PN is primarily that of forging a majority within the country around a set of governing principles and policies that the electorate recognises as being in its interests. And this relies on effective communication at every level.
From your experience, how have past PN leaders dealt with infighting, and how has this approached differed from that of the current leadership?
Principally by recognising that it is the leader’s job to create a united party from the many diverse elements that exist within it. Only united parties win and therefore leaders, however charismatic they are, cannot win if they cannot meld the conflicting ambitions and policies in the party around themselves. How can you persuade a PL voter to choose the PN if you cannot persuade your own activists to do so happily rather than with a heavy heart?
This is why leadership in politics is so difficult. The job description of a successful leader doesn’t include getting rid of those who don’t like or trust him or her but it does include the duty to persuade all to work for the common good. Sometimes that can even leave you with a bad taste in your mouth but in politics the electorate chooses you, you don’t choose it.
Is it fair to lay the PN’s meltdown squarely at the present leadership’s feet, or does the problem have deeper roots?
As I said in the aftermath of the EP and local council elections, a sizable minority of the PN voter base reached the conclusion that it was more important to send a message to the PN leader, general secretary, executive committee and general council than to fully challenge Labour. And their message was simple, they do not believe that today’s Nationalist Party can win a general election.
There are, naturally, reasons for the sending of this message that predate the election of the current leader but if he had been on the right track this message – by the only people that can make him prime minister – would not have been sent.
What would your advice to the present leadership be?
Whether we like it or not, a political party exists to win elections. We can only be grateful that the PN voter base respects the Nationalist Party enough to tell it to get its house in order rather than just writing it off once and for all at the next general election.
The party must now show that it has heard the message, understood it and is totally committed to change whatever needs to be changed. There can be no ‘business as usual’. There can be no delays. There can be no sacred cows.
Key takeaways■ Louis Galea right man for the job in absence of reform process by leader.
■ PN brand not damaged beyond repair… leader’s role is crucial.
■ Trying to beat Labour at its own game will not work.
■ Charismatic leader cannot win if they cannot meld conflicting ambitions and policies in the party around themselves.
Says the PN brand is not damaged beyond repair
By Jacob Borg
“In politics the electorate chooses you, you don’t choose it” - Cachia Caruana served in government for several years.Former Ambassador to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana knows a thing or two about politics and winning elections, having served as Eddie Fenech Adami’s chief of staff and later as an adviser to Lawrence Gonzi.
Replying to questions put to him by The Sunday Times of Malta, Mr Cachia Caruana weighs in on the troubles facing the PN and the appointment of Louis Galea to oversee much-needed reforms within the party.
As a starting point, do you think a PN ‘grandee’ is the right man for the job, or does the party need a fresh pair of eyes? Do you feel his appointment undermines the PN leadership’s position?
Organisationally, the PN lost its way many years ago and it was only by keeping ahead of the policy ‘curve’ that it managed 36 years of political successes and almost 24 continuous years in government, ending in 2013.
Though it was a long time ago, Louis Galea was the general secretary who, under Eddie Fenech Adami’s leadership, took a disheartened and bullied party organisation in 1976 and turned it into a lean political machine that was streets ahead of the Labour Party. No other former PN general secretary gets close.
It doesn’t mean that they didn’t have successes, but it does mean that when he left the post in 1987, he left the party in a much stronger position than when he took over the post.
While an outsider can advise on what a political party might require at its headquarters, its other levels need someone who knows how these levels can drive political success. We all seem to have forgotten that the party machine must include many coordinated levels other than those parts of the membership that serve in elected positions. The vast proportion of the party membership doesn’t stand for elected office – even internally – but they have a major political communication role in the country as do also those even more numerous traditional PN voters that are not party members. It should also include those people who rarely, if ever, vote PN but believe in putting ‘country before party’.
In the absence of a reform process led by the party leader, Louis Galea is the right person. As to whether his appointment undermines the PN leadership’s position, I am sure Louis was appointed to strengthen the leadership’s position.
During an interview on Times Talk this week, Dr Galea said it was a mistake to open up voting for the PN’s top leadership positions to paid-up members. Do you agree with this?
Absolutely. I was shocked when this amendment was put forward by the previous leadership. Firstly, because that is the system that existed in the PN before 1977 and it was only when the party congress (made up of all members) was replaced by the General Council (made up of over 1,000 elected representatives of every party level) that real reforms were able to be carried out in the party.
How can you persuade a PL voter to choose PN if you cannot persuade your own activists
Secondly, the UK Conservative party introduced this system after John Major’s term of office and promptly went through three leaders before they could find one who could win a general election.
This is nothing to do with the political maturity or otherwise of the general membership of a party. It is natural for a party’s members to want to choose ‘their’ person – it also happens in US primary elections – but in our system the leader of a party becomes Prime Minister only if the party wins a general election and, therefore, he or she needs to be electable by a majority of the national electorate not the party electorate.
Is the PN’s ‘brand’ damaged beyond repair or can an image overhaul like Labour undertook under Muscat work?
I do not believe the PN’s ‘brand’ is damaged beyond repair but a ‘party brand’ is made up of many things. Image is only one of them – and, in any case, the image has to match the reality. The role of the leader is crucial as we know. Alfred Sant could not win the 1998, 2003 and 2008 general elections just as Joseph Muscat couldn’t lose the 2013 general election.
How can the PN become relevant again? Should it try beat Labour at its own game or go down a different path?
In my opinion, trying to beat Labour at its own game will not work – in fact, I cannot recall any national elections where this tactic did work. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all the PL’s policies are wrong and should be dumped but it does mean that the electorate is unlikely to change ‘the real thing’ for a copy.
The job of the PN is primarily that of forging a majority within the country around a set of governing principles and policies that the electorate recognises as being in its interests. And this relies on effective communication at every level.
From your experience, how have past PN leaders dealt with infighting, and how has this approached differed from that of the current leadership?
Principally by recognising that it is the leader’s job to create a united party from the many diverse elements that exist within it. Only united parties win and therefore leaders, however charismatic they are, cannot win if they cannot meld the conflicting ambitions and policies in the party around themselves. How can you persuade a PL voter to choose the PN if you cannot persuade your own activists to do so happily rather than with a heavy heart?
This is why leadership in politics is so difficult. The job description of a successful leader doesn’t include getting rid of those who don’t like or trust him or her but it does include the duty to persuade all to work for the common good. Sometimes that can even leave you with a bad taste in your mouth but in politics the electorate chooses you, you don’t choose it.
Is it fair to lay the PN’s meltdown squarely at the present leadership’s feet, or does the problem have deeper roots?
As I said in the aftermath of the EP and local council elections, a sizable minority of the PN voter base reached the conclusion that it was more important to send a message to the PN leader, general secretary, executive committee and general council than to fully challenge Labour. And their message was simple, they do not believe that today’s Nationalist Party can win a general election.
There are, naturally, reasons for the sending of this message that predate the election of the current leader but if he had been on the right track this message – by the only people that can make him prime minister – would not have been sent.
What would your advice to the present leadership be?
Whether we like it or not, a political party exists to win elections. We can only be grateful that the PN voter base respects the Nationalist Party enough to tell it to get its house in order rather than just writing it off once and for all at the next general election.
The party must now show that it has heard the message, understood it and is totally committed to change whatever needs to be changed. There can be no ‘business as usual’. There can be no delays. There can be no sacred cows.
Key takeaways■ Louis Galea right man for the job in absence of reform process by leader.
■ PN brand not damaged beyond repair… leader’s role is crucial.
■ Trying to beat Labour at its own game will not work.
■ Charismatic leader cannot win if they cannot meld conflicting ambitions and policies in the party around themselves.
Feast in Malta and Gozo this weekend
Our Lady of Relief (Sokkors), Kercem, Gozo
St. Joseph, Kirkop
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Gzira
The Annunciation, Balzan
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fgura
16th - Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta
VISITING ENGLAND
After a week of evnts representing the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, I am now spending a few days with my daughter and her family in England.
I went to Buckingham Palce to meet the queen but although I told them that I am Bin is-Sultan they refused my request.
Then I had to settle for Kensington Palace.
After a week of evnts representing the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, I am now spending a few days with my daughter and her family in England.
I went to Buckingham Palce to meet the queen but although I told them that I am Bin is-Sultan they refused my request.
Then I had to settle for Kensington Palace.
Tourism watchdog clamps down on illegally-placed deckchairs on Gozitan beaches
Konrad Mizzi says the Malta Tourism Authority's enforcement efforts will soon be increased
12 July 2019, 5:28pm
by Massimo Costa
The Malta Tourism Authority confiscated deckchairs and umbrellas from Imġarr ix-Xini and Xwejni Bay which were missing a permit
The Malta Tourism Authority has clamped down on illegally-placed deckchairs in two Gozitan bays, emphasising that it would not put up with anyone breaking the rules across Malta’s beaches.
Officials confiscated deckchairs and umbrellas, from the Imġarr ix-Xini and Xwejni bays, which were being offered for rent to beachgoers without the owners having the necessary permits in place.
In a statement, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi emphasised the importance of maintaining order and enforcing the rules to safeguard Malta’s tourism industry.
“Friday’s enforcement action clearly shows that the MTA will not tolerate any illegal behaviour on our islands,” Mizzi said, “We will soon be increasing our enforcement efforts to ensure that everyone operates in conformity with the law and with the relevant permit requirements.”
“Public bays should be accessible to everyone, including tourists and locals,” the minister added.
Konrad Mizzi says the Malta Tourism Authority's enforcement efforts will soon be increased
12 July 2019, 5:28pm
by Massimo Costa
The Malta Tourism Authority confiscated deckchairs and umbrellas from Imġarr ix-Xini and Xwejni Bay which were missing a permit
The Malta Tourism Authority has clamped down on illegally-placed deckchairs in two Gozitan bays, emphasising that it would not put up with anyone breaking the rules across Malta’s beaches.
Officials confiscated deckchairs and umbrellas, from the Imġarr ix-Xini and Xwejni bays, which were being offered for rent to beachgoers without the owners having the necessary permits in place.
In a statement, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi emphasised the importance of maintaining order and enforcing the rules to safeguard Malta’s tourism industry.
“Friday’s enforcement action clearly shows that the MTA will not tolerate any illegal behaviour on our islands,” Mizzi said, “We will soon be increasing our enforcement efforts to ensure that everyone operates in conformity with the law and with the relevant permit requirements.”
“Public bays should be accessible to everyone, including tourists and locals,” the minister added.
Dangerous truck driver Marius Camilleri jailed for 18 months
Marius Camilleri is also banned from driving for two years after his release
11 July 2019
by Matthew Agius
The accused's truck was caught on video on various occasions driving dangerously
Malta’s roads are a little bit safer this afternoon after infamous driver Marius Camilleri was jailed for 18 months for dangerous driving.
Marius Camilleri, 57, of Qormi, has a criminal history stretching back 23 years, with a considerable number of convictions for traffic offences.
The sentence was handed down in a case filed in December 2017, when Police Inspector Sergio Pisani had charged Camilleri with 11 offences, ranging from having a road licence issued to a 125cc motorcycle displayed on his 35-tonne truck, too dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, to speeding.
Camilleri, who has at least four convictions for reckless and dangerous driving, three for driving uninsured and a number of other convictions for illegal arrest, theft, violence against police officers and who had been out of prison on a two suspended sentences and a conditional discharge simultaneously, was arrested after wardens spotted the wanted man driving and called the police.
It was reported at the time that the man had shown no remorse for his actions and allegedly promised that if he posted bail he would block the road with his truck, “and if you have the balls, come and move me.”
Magistrate Simone Grech found him guilty of several charges including driving a truck without a road or driver’s licence, speeding and driving dangerously, giving false details to the police, damaging third-party property, failing to stop after an accident and breaching the peace.
Aside from the 18-month prison sentence, Camilleri was also banned from driving for two years after his release. The court further ordered the confiscation of the truck he had been driving at the time the offences took place.
Inspector Sergio Pisani prosecuted.
Lawyer Leslie Cuschieri was defence counsel.
Marius Camilleri is also banned from driving for two years after his release
11 July 2019
by Matthew Agius
The accused's truck was caught on video on various occasions driving dangerously
Malta’s roads are a little bit safer this afternoon after infamous driver Marius Camilleri was jailed for 18 months for dangerous driving.
Marius Camilleri, 57, of Qormi, has a criminal history stretching back 23 years, with a considerable number of convictions for traffic offences.
The sentence was handed down in a case filed in December 2017, when Police Inspector Sergio Pisani had charged Camilleri with 11 offences, ranging from having a road licence issued to a 125cc motorcycle displayed on his 35-tonne truck, too dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, to speeding.
Camilleri, who has at least four convictions for reckless and dangerous driving, three for driving uninsured and a number of other convictions for illegal arrest, theft, violence against police officers and who had been out of prison on a two suspended sentences and a conditional discharge simultaneously, was arrested after wardens spotted the wanted man driving and called the police.
It was reported at the time that the man had shown no remorse for his actions and allegedly promised that if he posted bail he would block the road with his truck, “and if you have the balls, come and move me.”
Magistrate Simone Grech found him guilty of several charges including driving a truck without a road or driver’s licence, speeding and driving dangerously, giving false details to the police, damaging third-party property, failing to stop after an accident and breaching the peace.
Aside from the 18-month prison sentence, Camilleri was also banned from driving for two years after his release. The court further ordered the confiscation of the truck he had been driving at the time the offences took place.
Inspector Sergio Pisani prosecuted.
Lawyer Leslie Cuschieri was defence counsel.
PN Delia vote question wording 'changed completely':
petitionersParty rejects 'insinuations', 'fact-twisting'Adrian Delia P
Adrian Delia is due to face a vote on July 27. Photo: Chris Sant FournierUpdated at 8.45pm, adds PN statement
Nationalist Party members behind a petition which is seeking a vote of confidence in PN leader Adrian Delia are concerned that the vote scheduled for July 27 will not be fair.
The group, led by former candidate Ivan Bartolo, expressed its concerns on Wednesday in a letter to Alex Perici Calascione, who is the new president of the PN executive.
In a letter, the group said that the party had "completely changed" the wording of the original question petitioners wanted PN councillors to vote on.
Changed wordingThe petition asked for a secret vote on the question: "After the results obtained by the PN in the European and local elections of 25 May 2019, should the party leader take political responsibility and resign? Yes/No.”
"The question has now been changed to something along the lines of 'Do you want Adrian Delia to continue leading the PN into the next general election and undertake reforms needed?'", a source told Times of Malta.
Mr Bartolo speaking outside PN headquarters in June.
The PN executive agreed last week to convene a general council meeting on July 27 in which a vote on Dr Delia's leadership would be taken.
Wednesday's letter did not say what that wording had been changed to, but said it was "unacceptable" that the PN executive had been misled during last week's meeting, which PN secretary general Clyde Puli was present for.
Such goings on continued to fuel concerns about the way the party was being run, the group said.
The group presented its petition for the no-confidence vote on June 25. A counter-petition expressing confidence in Dr Delia was presented to the party a few days later.
RELATED STORIES
Mr Bartolo and other petitioners also expressed concern that Mr Puli had laid down that communication with the councils could only be made by the Electoral Commission or through the party.
Despite having presented the petition, the group said, they had no direct access to the councillors to explain their position.
Last but not least it appeared that the list of eligible voters had been frozen on July 4, when Dr Delia called the council meeting, and not June 25, when the petition was submitted.
Dr Delia speaking following last week's meeting.
The group said it had been informed that in the intervening period internal manoeuvres were made, with instructions to section committees to replace certain people who would have a right to vote in the council.
"In view of the above, it is clear that the vote will not be a fair one and it will not be based on the promises of transparency and honesty. All this is unacceptable and runs counter to the fundamental principles which the Nationalist Party is supposed to hold dear" the group said.
Dr Perici Calascione was asked to call a special meeting of the executive to remedy the situation.
Party rejects 'insinuations', 'fact-twisting'In a statement, the Nationalist Party said General Council election rules were established by the statute and by what had been decided by the executive committee.
A fair and transparent process was being ensured through the setting up of an Electoral Commission with an independent chairperson unanimously agreed by the executive committee and by another two members chosen by petitioners from each side. This reflected the sense of transparency and accountability.
It rejected claims of what it called were insinuations and twisting of facts.
The executive, it said, had agreed with the Opposition leader’s proposal to call a General Council under a clause which permitted him to do this. He did this to resolve the doubts that had risen on the validity of the first petition which questioned whether he should remain at the helm. Dr Delia confirmed he would be proposing the question about the continuation of his leadership until the next election.
The list of councillors was frozen on July 4 in line with the statute when the council was called. Sectional committees chose their representatives in the council freely and democratically as they had always done and in line with the statute.
Since the moment the council was called and an electoral commission appointed, the lists and verification obligations were passed on to the commission and no individual or official had the right to change them, the party said.
petitionersParty rejects 'insinuations', 'fact-twisting'Adrian Delia P
Adrian Delia is due to face a vote on July 27. Photo: Chris Sant FournierUpdated at 8.45pm, adds PN statement
Nationalist Party members behind a petition which is seeking a vote of confidence in PN leader Adrian Delia are concerned that the vote scheduled for July 27 will not be fair.
The group, led by former candidate Ivan Bartolo, expressed its concerns on Wednesday in a letter to Alex Perici Calascione, who is the new president of the PN executive.
In a letter, the group said that the party had "completely changed" the wording of the original question petitioners wanted PN councillors to vote on.
Changed wordingThe petition asked for a secret vote on the question: "After the results obtained by the PN in the European and local elections of 25 May 2019, should the party leader take political responsibility and resign? Yes/No.”
"The question has now been changed to something along the lines of 'Do you want Adrian Delia to continue leading the PN into the next general election and undertake reforms needed?'", a source told Times of Malta.
Mr Bartolo speaking outside PN headquarters in June.
The PN executive agreed last week to convene a general council meeting on July 27 in which a vote on Dr Delia's leadership would be taken.
Wednesday's letter did not say what that wording had been changed to, but said it was "unacceptable" that the PN executive had been misled during last week's meeting, which PN secretary general Clyde Puli was present for.
Such goings on continued to fuel concerns about the way the party was being run, the group said.
The group presented its petition for the no-confidence vote on June 25. A counter-petition expressing confidence in Dr Delia was presented to the party a few days later.
RELATED STORIES
- Watch: 'It's not business as usual' - petition to oust Delia reaches PN HQ
- Watch: Almost 5,000 sign petitions backing Delia
Mr Bartolo and other petitioners also expressed concern that Mr Puli had laid down that communication with the councils could only be made by the Electoral Commission or through the party.
Despite having presented the petition, the group said, they had no direct access to the councillors to explain their position.
Last but not least it appeared that the list of eligible voters had been frozen on July 4, when Dr Delia called the council meeting, and not June 25, when the petition was submitted.
Dr Delia speaking following last week's meeting.
The group said it had been informed that in the intervening period internal manoeuvres were made, with instructions to section committees to replace certain people who would have a right to vote in the council.
"In view of the above, it is clear that the vote will not be a fair one and it will not be based on the promises of transparency and honesty. All this is unacceptable and runs counter to the fundamental principles which the Nationalist Party is supposed to hold dear" the group said.
Dr Perici Calascione was asked to call a special meeting of the executive to remedy the situation.
Party rejects 'insinuations', 'fact-twisting'In a statement, the Nationalist Party said General Council election rules were established by the statute and by what had been decided by the executive committee.
A fair and transparent process was being ensured through the setting up of an Electoral Commission with an independent chairperson unanimously agreed by the executive committee and by another two members chosen by petitioners from each side. This reflected the sense of transparency and accountability.
It rejected claims of what it called were insinuations and twisting of facts.
The executive, it said, had agreed with the Opposition leader’s proposal to call a General Council under a clause which permitted him to do this. He did this to resolve the doubts that had risen on the validity of the first petition which questioned whether he should remain at the helm. Dr Delia confirmed he would be proposing the question about the continuation of his leadership until the next election.
The list of councillors was frozen on July 4 in line with the statute when the council was called. Sectional committees chose their representatives in the council freely and democratically as they had always done and in line with the statute.
Since the moment the council was called and an electoral commission appointed, the lists and verification obligations were passed on to the commission and no individual or official had the right to change them, the party said.
Jason Azzopardi hits out at Dragonara lease extension Opposition did not object to
Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi said that the 64-year lease of government land to the Dragonara Casino without a tendering process was "scandalous" and called for Economy Minister Chris Cardona to resign
9 July 2019, 7:29pm
by David Hudson
Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi in Parliament
Economy Minister Chris Cardona should "immediately resign" after a "scandalous" lease extension of government land without a competitive tendering process, Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi said.
He was speaking in Parliament when he said that Cardona had come to Parliament with a resolution informing the House that the government land would be leased for 64 more years after the previous lease agreement between government-owned Casma Ltd and Dragonara Gaming Ltd was entering its final year.
READ ALSO: Dragonara casino operator gets 64-year concession extension with no competitive tender
"This means that millions of euros and government land is simply being given away and all this behind the Prime Minister's back because the deal did not go through Cabinet. But because Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is a hostage of Cardona, he is unable to take measures against him," Azzopardi said.
The resolution was tabled in Parliament last week where the Opposition, of which Azzopardi is a member, had the opportunity to object, comment or even vote against the said resolution. None of these options were used in the democratic apparatus of Parliament and the Opposition had yet to officially comment upon the lease extension.
In his parliamentary speech on Tuesday, Azzopardi asked a suggestive question of how many times Cardona had been abroad with the directors of Dragonara Gaming Ltd.
"Muscat has lost his control over his minister, so much so that he is allowing a decision that binds the country to 65 years with the result of losing millions of euros," Azzopardi said.
View image on Twitter
Jason Azzopardi@AzzopardiJasonMin Cardona has just confirmed, with his reply to my PQ, that the multi million direct order € Dragonara casino deed, wasn’t discussed in Cabinet. Shocking. The PM is held hostage by a Minister whom he can’t sack ‘cos of what the Minister knows about the PM @matt_vella
7
2:40 AM - Jul 10, 2019
See Jason Azzopardi's other Tweets
Twitter Ads info and privacyTaking to Twitter, Azzopardi quoted the published parliamentary answer Cardona made to Azzopardi's question on the concession deal and said that it was "shocking" that the deal had not even been discussed amongst the Cabinet ministers.
He had also asked on Friday whether anyone had replaced the Casma Ltd Chairman Edward Gatt, who had resigned. Azzopardi implied that Gatt had resigned while the deal between Casma Ltd and Dragonara Gaming Ltd was being finalised. Nobody has filled Gatt's vacuum in the interim.
READ ALSO: Casino rivals mull action over state aid rules’ breach
Council of Europe report
Azzopardi contradicted Justice Minister Owen Bonnici's claim that Turkey was the only country to be monitored by the Council of Europe.
"This is not true. There are ten other countries and the list is public: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine," Azzopardi said.
He said that when Bonnici accused him of being “spiteful” for supporting a call for the Council of Europe to impose a monitoring procedure on Malta is also a lie.
"I have nothing to be ashamed of. Shame should be felt by whoever defends the corrupt. The traitor is the corrupt and history will vindicate us eventually," he said, adding that he was proud of fighting for democracy in Malta unlike Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who was a hostage of the criminals who had surrounded him and of the situation he had created in government.
He added that the 42 amendments Maltese delegates submitted to the "damning" Council of Europe report, were all shot down in the European Parliament.
Egrant Inquiry leak
Azzopardi accused Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Economy Minister Chris Cardona of behaving like criminals before the law courts.
In a case filed by NGO Repubblika, calling for an inquiry on the controversial Vitals Global Healthcare hospitals concession deal, the three ministers made reference to the Egrant Inquiry report, a report that is yet to be made public.
"When Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit questioned how the ministers were quoting from the report, the ministers were completely evasive and since they have the right to remain silent and they invoked it, the magistrate couldn't force them to answer. This is what we have become: having ministers invoking their right to remain silent as criminals do," Azzopardi said.
Joseph Muscat's European aspirations
Azzopardi concluded by targeting the Prime Minister, saying that Muscat had had a serious shot at occupying a high office within the European Union, possibly replacing European Council President Donald Tusk, but was ultimately not considered by the EU a week ago since he was considered "toxic."
"He could have avoided this situation had he taken steps against Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri but because he protected them he allowed the Bank of Valletta, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, the Malta Financial Services Association to become victims of their impunity," Azzopardi said.
He added that the Prime Minister of the smallest European member state had a "golden opportunity" to occupy a high office but lost this golden ticket because he abstained from removing those people who were compromising that very same golden opportunity for Malta.
"The question we need to ask is this: what is that serious and important for Muscat that made him lose such an opportunity that he himself wanted so desperately? What do the criminals around him know about him?" Azzopardi asked, adding that following the Standards Commissioner, George Hyzler's report, it was clear that Muscat had "bought the loyalty" of his MPs by allowing them to have government jobs, ostensibly engendering several cases of conflict of interest.
Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi said that the 64-year lease of government land to the Dragonara Casino without a tendering process was "scandalous" and called for Economy Minister Chris Cardona to resign
9 July 2019, 7:29pm
by David Hudson
Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi in Parliament
Economy Minister Chris Cardona should "immediately resign" after a "scandalous" lease extension of government land without a competitive tendering process, Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi said.
He was speaking in Parliament when he said that Cardona had come to Parliament with a resolution informing the House that the government land would be leased for 64 more years after the previous lease agreement between government-owned Casma Ltd and Dragonara Gaming Ltd was entering its final year.
READ ALSO: Dragonara casino operator gets 64-year concession extension with no competitive tender
"This means that millions of euros and government land is simply being given away and all this behind the Prime Minister's back because the deal did not go through Cabinet. But because Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is a hostage of Cardona, he is unable to take measures against him," Azzopardi said.
The resolution was tabled in Parliament last week where the Opposition, of which Azzopardi is a member, had the opportunity to object, comment or even vote against the said resolution. None of these options were used in the democratic apparatus of Parliament and the Opposition had yet to officially comment upon the lease extension.
In his parliamentary speech on Tuesday, Azzopardi asked a suggestive question of how many times Cardona had been abroad with the directors of Dragonara Gaming Ltd.
"Muscat has lost his control over his minister, so much so that he is allowing a decision that binds the country to 65 years with the result of losing millions of euros," Azzopardi said.
View image on Twitter
Jason Azzopardi@AzzopardiJasonMin Cardona has just confirmed, with his reply to my PQ, that the multi million direct order € Dragonara casino deed, wasn’t discussed in Cabinet. Shocking. The PM is held hostage by a Minister whom he can’t sack ‘cos of what the Minister knows about the PM @matt_vella
7
2:40 AM - Jul 10, 2019
See Jason Azzopardi's other Tweets
Twitter Ads info and privacyTaking to Twitter, Azzopardi quoted the published parliamentary answer Cardona made to Azzopardi's question on the concession deal and said that it was "shocking" that the deal had not even been discussed amongst the Cabinet ministers.
He had also asked on Friday whether anyone had replaced the Casma Ltd Chairman Edward Gatt, who had resigned. Azzopardi implied that Gatt had resigned while the deal between Casma Ltd and Dragonara Gaming Ltd was being finalised. Nobody has filled Gatt's vacuum in the interim.
READ ALSO: Casino rivals mull action over state aid rules’ breach
Council of Europe report
Azzopardi contradicted Justice Minister Owen Bonnici's claim that Turkey was the only country to be monitored by the Council of Europe.
"This is not true. There are ten other countries and the list is public: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine," Azzopardi said.
He said that when Bonnici accused him of being “spiteful” for supporting a call for the Council of Europe to impose a monitoring procedure on Malta is also a lie.
"I have nothing to be ashamed of. Shame should be felt by whoever defends the corrupt. The traitor is the corrupt and history will vindicate us eventually," he said, adding that he was proud of fighting for democracy in Malta unlike Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who was a hostage of the criminals who had surrounded him and of the situation he had created in government.
He added that the 42 amendments Maltese delegates submitted to the "damning" Council of Europe report, were all shot down in the European Parliament.
Egrant Inquiry leak
Azzopardi accused Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Economy Minister Chris Cardona of behaving like criminals before the law courts.
In a case filed by NGO Repubblika, calling for an inquiry on the controversial Vitals Global Healthcare hospitals concession deal, the three ministers made reference to the Egrant Inquiry report, a report that is yet to be made public.
"When Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit questioned how the ministers were quoting from the report, the ministers were completely evasive and since they have the right to remain silent and they invoked it, the magistrate couldn't force them to answer. This is what we have become: having ministers invoking their right to remain silent as criminals do," Azzopardi said.
Joseph Muscat's European aspirations
Azzopardi concluded by targeting the Prime Minister, saying that Muscat had had a serious shot at occupying a high office within the European Union, possibly replacing European Council President Donald Tusk, but was ultimately not considered by the EU a week ago since he was considered "toxic."
"He could have avoided this situation had he taken steps against Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri but because he protected them he allowed the Bank of Valletta, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, the Malta Financial Services Association to become victims of their impunity," Azzopardi said.
He added that the Prime Minister of the smallest European member state had a "golden opportunity" to occupy a high office but lost this golden ticket because he abstained from removing those people who were compromising that very same golden opportunity for Malta.
"The question we need to ask is this: what is that serious and important for Muscat that made him lose such an opportunity that he himself wanted so desperately? What do the criminals around him know about him?" Azzopardi asked, adding that following the Standards Commissioner, George Hyzler's report, it was clear that Muscat had "bought the loyalty" of his MPs by allowing them to have government jobs, ostensibly engendering several cases of conflict of interest.
Grand Master Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli in Mafra Portugal
Sunday 7 July, 2019
The Grand Master of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli is currently in Portugal visiting his members.
Pictures from Left: With members of the Fraternity of Wines and in the Basilica of Mafra.
Sunday 7 July, 2019
The Grand Master of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli is currently in Portugal visiting his members.
Pictures from Left: With members of the Fraternity of Wines and in the Basilica of Mafra.
Delia l-mikrobu tal-PN? Xi jwieġeb Louis Galea
Minn Newsbook
07/07/2019,
“Il-PN kien sar partit ‘unelectable’ minħabba diversi mikrobi”. Hekk qal Dr Louis Galea waqt il-programm Newsline fuq RTK 103 FM f’dik li kienet l-ewwel intervista in-depth miegħu wara li nhar il-Ħamis ngħata l-inkarigu biex imexxi l-proċess ta’ riforma tal-Partit Nazzjonalista.
Huwa wieġeb ukoll għall-mistoqsija jekk jaħsibx li l-Kap tal-PN Adrian Delia huwa l-akbar mikrobu fil-PN.
Filmat: Il-Kunsill Ġenerali tal-PN se jitlaqqa’; Louis Galea se jmexxi l-proċess tar-riforma
Delia bagħat għalija qabel bdew jinġabru l-firem
Fl-istess intervista Galea qal li Dr Adrian Delia kien bagħat għalih qabel bdew jinġabru l-firem biex tissejjaħ laqgħa tal-Kunsill Ġenerali li fiha se jitressaq vot biex ikun stabbilit jekk il-membri għandhomx fiduċja fil-Kap. Galea qal ukoll illi ma jkunx ħażin jekk il-PN jagħmel ‘irtir’ ta’ xahar flok il-kummenti fuq Facebook biex ikun hemm żmien ta’ riflessjoni.
Fl-opinjoni ta’ Galea, li fis-Sebgħinijiet kien protagonista fir-riforma tal-PN, hemm ħafna tajjeb fil-partit u li fuqu wieħed jista’ jibni. Huwa ripetutament qal li se jmexxi l-ħidma tiegħu b’indipendenza u mparzjalità u jkun fier ma’ kulħadd.
F’parti tal-programm tkellem ukoll il-membru tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN Ivan Bartolo, li mexxa l-inizjattiva biex jibġabru l-firem ħalli tissejjaħ laqgħa tal-Kunsill Ġenerali. Louis Galea mill-ewwel iċċara l-fatt li hu kien diġà kellu żewġ laqgħat mal-Kap Adrian Delia dwar ir-riforma meħtieġa qabel ma ġiet ippreżentata l-petizzjoni minn Ivan Bartolo.
Filmat: Il-petizzjoni b’200 firma tal-Kunsilliera tal-PN ippreżentata lill-Partit
Huwa spjega li tul il-laqgħat ma’ Delia ġie assigurat li għandu l-ispazju kollu li jrid biex jikkomunika mal-organi kollha tal-PN. Żied jgħid li meta jkollu bżonn, se jżomm lil Delia u l-amministrazzjoni infurmati.
Jien se ninżel fit-trunċiera mal-attivisti
Louis Galea qal li l-kariga li ngħatat lilu biex imexxi r-riforma fil-PN, se tarah bħala faċilitatur. B’hekk spjega li huwa mhux se jikteb ir-rapporti imma se jxammar il-kmiem u jinżel jaħdem fit-trunċiera tal-PN flimkien mal-attivisti fid-diversi fergħat tal-Partit. Qal li l-kwistjoni tal-PN ma jistax isolviha xi protagonist, imma hemm għalqa b’ħafna valuri u ideat intelliġenti u hu bil-kalma u biż-żmien meħtieġ, bħala faċilitatur, irid jgħin biex jibda jinżera’ u jiġi kkultivat il-ġdid.
Qal li dan beħsiebu jagħmlu b’indipendenza, b’imparzjalità u b’mod ġust ma’ kulħadd. Insista li hu se jagħmel xogħol ma’ nies li huma fil-Partit imma anke ma’ dawk li kienu jemmnu fil-partit u m’għadhomx, ma’ dawk li ma jaqblux mal-partit u mas-soċjetà ċivili.
Adrian Delia l-mikrobu tal-Partit?
L-eks Ministru, eks Segretarju Ġenerali tal-PN u eks Awditur fil-Kummissjoni Ewropea qal li l-PN f’dawn l-aħħar snin kien sar partit li ma setax jiġi elett. Huwa qal li fil-PN kien hemm ħafna mikrobi.
X’taħseb dwar il-fatt li ħafna nies iqisu lill-Kap tal-PN, Adrian Delia, bħala l-akbar l-“mikrobu” fil-partit, staqsa l-preżentatur tal-programm Fr Joe Borg.
Galea qal li huwa mhux se jiddeskrivi lil Delia b’dal-mod, għaliex Delia huwa mexxej li rebaħ wara li ħareġ għal elezzjoni fuq regoli li ma fassalx hu, u intgħażel minn eluf ta’ tesserati.
Minkejja dan, qal li r-riżultati tal-istħarriġ li jkomplu juru n-nuqqas ta’ fiduċja tal-poplu f’Delia, xorta waħda huma problema. Qal iżda, li jekk wieħed jibqa’ ffukat fuq il-kwistjoni li, skont dan l-istħarriġ, Delia m’għandux il-fiduċja tan-nies, ikun qed jitlef il-kumplessità tal-kwistjoni, peress li skontu, fl-aħħar snin il-Partit Nazzjonalista sar partit li ma jistax jiġi elett.
Il-PN għandu bżonn ta’ irtir
Huwa qal li fil-PN hemm bżonn perijodu ta’ kalma fejn”ma nibqgħux ngħajru, jew niktbu jew nitfgħu il-botti jew nillijkjaw ħaġa jew oħra.”
Galea żied jgħid li kieku “l-PN jagħmel xahar irtir skont Sant Injazju, jiġifieri xahar ta’ silenzju, jagħmillu ġid kbir”.
Louis Galea jinħatar President tal-AŻAD
Waqt li qal li minn għada t-Tnejn se jibda mill-ewwel bil-laqgħat mal-membri tal-Kumitati semma wkoll li diġà kiteb lill-membri parlamentari. Huwa qal li l-laqgħat mal-Kumitati jitlestew sa nhar l–Erbgha. Wara se jkun imsiefer għal xi żmien u kif jiġi lura jibda anke d-diskors ta’ natura politika.
Minn Newsbook
07/07/2019,
“Il-PN kien sar partit ‘unelectable’ minħabba diversi mikrobi”. Hekk qal Dr Louis Galea waqt il-programm Newsline fuq RTK 103 FM f’dik li kienet l-ewwel intervista in-depth miegħu wara li nhar il-Ħamis ngħata l-inkarigu biex imexxi l-proċess ta’ riforma tal-Partit Nazzjonalista.
Huwa wieġeb ukoll għall-mistoqsija jekk jaħsibx li l-Kap tal-PN Adrian Delia huwa l-akbar mikrobu fil-PN.
Filmat: Il-Kunsill Ġenerali tal-PN se jitlaqqa’; Louis Galea se jmexxi l-proċess tar-riforma
Delia bagħat għalija qabel bdew jinġabru l-firem
Fl-istess intervista Galea qal li Dr Adrian Delia kien bagħat għalih qabel bdew jinġabru l-firem biex tissejjaħ laqgħa tal-Kunsill Ġenerali li fiha se jitressaq vot biex ikun stabbilit jekk il-membri għandhomx fiduċja fil-Kap. Galea qal ukoll illi ma jkunx ħażin jekk il-PN jagħmel ‘irtir’ ta’ xahar flok il-kummenti fuq Facebook biex ikun hemm żmien ta’ riflessjoni.
Fl-opinjoni ta’ Galea, li fis-Sebgħinijiet kien protagonista fir-riforma tal-PN, hemm ħafna tajjeb fil-partit u li fuqu wieħed jista’ jibni. Huwa ripetutament qal li se jmexxi l-ħidma tiegħu b’indipendenza u mparzjalità u jkun fier ma’ kulħadd.
F’parti tal-programm tkellem ukoll il-membru tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN Ivan Bartolo, li mexxa l-inizjattiva biex jibġabru l-firem ħalli tissejjaħ laqgħa tal-Kunsill Ġenerali. Louis Galea mill-ewwel iċċara l-fatt li hu kien diġà kellu żewġ laqgħat mal-Kap Adrian Delia dwar ir-riforma meħtieġa qabel ma ġiet ippreżentata l-petizzjoni minn Ivan Bartolo.
Filmat: Il-petizzjoni b’200 firma tal-Kunsilliera tal-PN ippreżentata lill-Partit
Huwa spjega li tul il-laqgħat ma’ Delia ġie assigurat li għandu l-ispazju kollu li jrid biex jikkomunika mal-organi kollha tal-PN. Żied jgħid li meta jkollu bżonn, se jżomm lil Delia u l-amministrazzjoni infurmati.
Jien se ninżel fit-trunċiera mal-attivisti
Louis Galea qal li l-kariga li ngħatat lilu biex imexxi r-riforma fil-PN, se tarah bħala faċilitatur. B’hekk spjega li huwa mhux se jikteb ir-rapporti imma se jxammar il-kmiem u jinżel jaħdem fit-trunċiera tal-PN flimkien mal-attivisti fid-diversi fergħat tal-Partit. Qal li l-kwistjoni tal-PN ma jistax isolviha xi protagonist, imma hemm għalqa b’ħafna valuri u ideat intelliġenti u hu bil-kalma u biż-żmien meħtieġ, bħala faċilitatur, irid jgħin biex jibda jinżera’ u jiġi kkultivat il-ġdid.
Qal li dan beħsiebu jagħmlu b’indipendenza, b’imparzjalità u b’mod ġust ma’ kulħadd. Insista li hu se jagħmel xogħol ma’ nies li huma fil-Partit imma anke ma’ dawk li kienu jemmnu fil-partit u m’għadhomx, ma’ dawk li ma jaqblux mal-partit u mas-soċjetà ċivili.
Adrian Delia l-mikrobu tal-Partit?
L-eks Ministru, eks Segretarju Ġenerali tal-PN u eks Awditur fil-Kummissjoni Ewropea qal li l-PN f’dawn l-aħħar snin kien sar partit li ma setax jiġi elett. Huwa qal li fil-PN kien hemm ħafna mikrobi.
X’taħseb dwar il-fatt li ħafna nies iqisu lill-Kap tal-PN, Adrian Delia, bħala l-akbar l-“mikrobu” fil-partit, staqsa l-preżentatur tal-programm Fr Joe Borg.
Galea qal li huwa mhux se jiddeskrivi lil Delia b’dal-mod, għaliex Delia huwa mexxej li rebaħ wara li ħareġ għal elezzjoni fuq regoli li ma fassalx hu, u intgħażel minn eluf ta’ tesserati.
Minkejja dan, qal li r-riżultati tal-istħarriġ li jkomplu juru n-nuqqas ta’ fiduċja tal-poplu f’Delia, xorta waħda huma problema. Qal iżda, li jekk wieħed jibqa’ ffukat fuq il-kwistjoni li, skont dan l-istħarriġ, Delia m’għandux il-fiduċja tan-nies, ikun qed jitlef il-kumplessità tal-kwistjoni, peress li skontu, fl-aħħar snin il-Partit Nazzjonalista sar partit li ma jistax jiġi elett.
Il-PN għandu bżonn ta’ irtir
Huwa qal li fil-PN hemm bżonn perijodu ta’ kalma fejn”ma nibqgħux ngħajru, jew niktbu jew nitfgħu il-botti jew nillijkjaw ħaġa jew oħra.”
Galea żied jgħid li kieku “l-PN jagħmel xahar irtir skont Sant Injazju, jiġifieri xahar ta’ silenzju, jagħmillu ġid kbir”.
Louis Galea jinħatar President tal-AŻAD
Waqt li qal li minn għada t-Tnejn se jibda mill-ewwel bil-laqgħat mal-membri tal-Kumitati semma wkoll li diġà kiteb lill-membri parlamentari. Huwa qal li l-laqgħat mal-Kumitati jitlestew sa nhar l–Erbgha. Wara se jkun imsiefer għal xi żmien u kif jiġi lura jibda anke d-diskors ta’ natura politika.
STOP THE BOAT PEOPLE LIKE AUSTRALIA
Migrant ship heads to Malta, as another defies Italy's SalviniAlan Kurdi crew changes course, as the Alex is stuck in Lampedusa
MigrationMaritimeItaly
Kristina Abela, Bertrand Borg
Asylum seekers rescued by the Alan Kurdi. Photo: TwitterUpdated July 7
A migrant rescue ship which was waiting outside Lampedusa is heading to Malta, hours after a separate vessel which defied Italy and entered port was denied permission to disembark its passengers.
German charity Sea-Eye's vessel Alan Kurdi, carrying 65 shipwrecked migrants rescued off Libya, had arrived in international waters off Lampedusa on Saturday. Soon after, they received a note from Italian authorities.
"The Guardia di Finanza came by in person to deliver Salvini’s decree: The port is closed," the NGO said, referring to customs officers.
Late in the day, Sea-Eye said that it could not wait any longer.
"We can not wait until the state of emergency prevail," Sea-Eye tweeted.
"Now it has to be proven whether the European governments stand by Italy's attitude. Human lives are not a bargaining chip."
Sources said the vessel is expected to arrive in Malta at around 3pm on Sunday.
Alex crew defies SalviniThe Alan Kurdi opted to head to Malta after a stand-off between another NGO, Italy-registered Mediterranea, and Italian authorities continued quayside at Lampedusa.
Mediterranea’s vessel Alex was met by a strong police presence at Lampedusa after it defied Home Affairs Minister Matteo Salvini and sailed into port on Saturday afternoon.
People aboard the vessel, including 41 rescued migrants, were not allowed to disembark.
"I do not authorise any landing for those who couldn't care less about Italian laws and help the people smugglers," populist deputy prime minister Salvini tweeted.
Salvini last month issued a decree that would bring fines of up to €50,000 for the captain, owner and operator of a vessel "entering Italian territorial waters without authorisation".
After the Alex entered Lampedusa, he said that he planned to increase that fine to €1 million.
Mediterranea tweeted back a request to disembark those rescued, saying it had sailed to "the only possible safe port for landing".
"Shipwrecks and crew are exhausted... people rescued need to be cared for... this is a surreal situation and it is an unnecessary cruelty to prolong the wait."
A Rome-Valletta deal?On Friday, the Maltese government had said that it would take in people aboard the Alex, provided Italy took an equal number of asylum seekers currently in Malta.
Italian news outlet La Repubblica reported that as part of that deal, Rome also wanted Maltese authorities to arrest the crew of the Alex as soon as they docked in Malta.
A Maltese government spokesman told Times of Malta that the only agreement struck between Malta and Italy was that announced in Friday's press release.
Malta's offer was however declined by the ship's captain, who said sailing to Malta would be too arduous given conditions aboard the Alex.
"In these conditions it is impossible to face 15 hours of sailing [to Malta]. We are waiting for Italian or Maltese naval arrangements to take these people on board," Mediterranea's Alessandra Sciurba said on Twitter.
She said that while Italy had taken families and pregnant women from the small vessel, "all non-accompanied minors remain on board, including an 11-year-old."
Mediterranea consists mainly of left-wing activists, the avowed enemy of Salvini, who has seen his popularity and that of his Lega party rise thanks to his tough stance against migrant rescue ships.
Italian populist Salvini last month issued a decree ordering fines of up to €50,000 for the captain, owner and operator of a vessel "entering Italian territorial waters without authorisation".
Clashes with other NGO vesselsAuthorities on Lampedusa last week seized another rescue ship belonging to German aid group Sea-Watch after it forced its way into port with dozens of rescued migrants on board and arrested its captain, Carola Rackete.
An Italian judge this week ordered her freed as she had been acting to save lives, a decision which sparked Salvini's ire but may have encouraged the Alex crew.
Two other investigations, on charges of helping people smugglers and resisting the authorities are still underway after Rackete forced her way past Italian customs vessels.
Salvini buoyed by pollsA poll published in Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper on Saturday said 59 percent of Italians approved of Salvini's closing ports NGO vessels.
Italian authorities on Lampedusa last week seized a vessel belonging to German aid group Sea-Watch and arrested its captain, Carola Rackete, for unauthorised entry to port with dozens of rescued migrants on board.
Migrants held blankets above their heads to shield themselves from the sun. Photo: Twitter
An Italian judge this week ordered her freed as she had been acting to save lives, a decision which also sparked Salvini's ire.
Two other investigations, on charges of helping people smugglers and resisting the authorities are still underway after she forced her way past Italian customs vessels.
RELATED STORIES
Salvini on Saturday repeated his call for reform of the European Union's Dublin rules, which stipulate that asylum requests be handled by the country where they first arrive.
"It doesn't seem that the majority of European countries want to do it," said Salvini, vowing to change rules he says place an unfair burden on Italy.
"We want to overcome rules that don't work," he told journalists in Milan.
Despite Salvini's apparent firmness about closing Italian ports to migrants, dozens of migrants and asylum-seekers continue to arrive in Italy by other means, some rescued by Italian authorities.
Interior ministry figures showed 191 had arrived by sea over the last week.
Libya unsafe A makeshift vessel carrying 86 people across the Mediterranean from Libya sank off the Tunisian coast on Wednesday, with all but three of them missing or dead.
The Italian judge in last week's Sea-Watch case ruled that neither Libya nor Tunisia were safe countries for migrants.
Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has long been a major transit route for migrants, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, desperate to reach Europe.
On Tuesday night, 53 migrants were killed in an air strike on their detention centre in a Tripoli suburb.
Migrant ship heads to Malta, as another defies Italy's SalviniAlan Kurdi crew changes course, as the Alex is stuck in Lampedusa
MigrationMaritimeItaly
Kristina Abela, Bertrand Borg
Asylum seekers rescued by the Alan Kurdi. Photo: TwitterUpdated July 7
A migrant rescue ship which was waiting outside Lampedusa is heading to Malta, hours after a separate vessel which defied Italy and entered port was denied permission to disembark its passengers.
German charity Sea-Eye's vessel Alan Kurdi, carrying 65 shipwrecked migrants rescued off Libya, had arrived in international waters off Lampedusa on Saturday. Soon after, they received a note from Italian authorities.
"The Guardia di Finanza came by in person to deliver Salvini’s decree: The port is closed," the NGO said, referring to customs officers.
Late in the day, Sea-Eye said that it could not wait any longer.
"We can not wait until the state of emergency prevail," Sea-Eye tweeted.
"Now it has to be proven whether the European governments stand by Italy's attitude. Human lives are not a bargaining chip."
Sources said the vessel is expected to arrive in Malta at around 3pm on Sunday.
Alex crew defies SalviniThe Alan Kurdi opted to head to Malta after a stand-off between another NGO, Italy-registered Mediterranea, and Italian authorities continued quayside at Lampedusa.
Mediterranea’s vessel Alex was met by a strong police presence at Lampedusa after it defied Home Affairs Minister Matteo Salvini and sailed into port on Saturday afternoon.
People aboard the vessel, including 41 rescued migrants, were not allowed to disembark.
"I do not authorise any landing for those who couldn't care less about Italian laws and help the people smugglers," populist deputy prime minister Salvini tweeted.
Salvini last month issued a decree that would bring fines of up to €50,000 for the captain, owner and operator of a vessel "entering Italian territorial waters without authorisation".
After the Alex entered Lampedusa, he said that he planned to increase that fine to €1 million.
Mediterranea tweeted back a request to disembark those rescued, saying it had sailed to "the only possible safe port for landing".
"Shipwrecks and crew are exhausted... people rescued need to be cared for... this is a surreal situation and it is an unnecessary cruelty to prolong the wait."
A Rome-Valletta deal?On Friday, the Maltese government had said that it would take in people aboard the Alex, provided Italy took an equal number of asylum seekers currently in Malta.
Italian news outlet La Repubblica reported that as part of that deal, Rome also wanted Maltese authorities to arrest the crew of the Alex as soon as they docked in Malta.
A Maltese government spokesman told Times of Malta that the only agreement struck between Malta and Italy was that announced in Friday's press release.
Malta's offer was however declined by the ship's captain, who said sailing to Malta would be too arduous given conditions aboard the Alex.
"In these conditions it is impossible to face 15 hours of sailing [to Malta]. We are waiting for Italian or Maltese naval arrangements to take these people on board," Mediterranea's Alessandra Sciurba said on Twitter.
She said that while Italy had taken families and pregnant women from the small vessel, "all non-accompanied minors remain on board, including an 11-year-old."
Mediterranea consists mainly of left-wing activists, the avowed enemy of Salvini, who has seen his popularity and that of his Lega party rise thanks to his tough stance against migrant rescue ships.
Italian populist Salvini last month issued a decree ordering fines of up to €50,000 for the captain, owner and operator of a vessel "entering Italian territorial waters without authorisation".
Clashes with other NGO vesselsAuthorities on Lampedusa last week seized another rescue ship belonging to German aid group Sea-Watch after it forced its way into port with dozens of rescued migrants on board and arrested its captain, Carola Rackete.
An Italian judge this week ordered her freed as she had been acting to save lives, a decision which sparked Salvini's ire but may have encouraged the Alex crew.
Two other investigations, on charges of helping people smugglers and resisting the authorities are still underway after Rackete forced her way past Italian customs vessels.
Salvini buoyed by pollsA poll published in Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper on Saturday said 59 percent of Italians approved of Salvini's closing ports NGO vessels.
Italian authorities on Lampedusa last week seized a vessel belonging to German aid group Sea-Watch and arrested its captain, Carola Rackete, for unauthorised entry to port with dozens of rescued migrants on board.
Migrants held blankets above their heads to shield themselves from the sun. Photo: Twitter
An Italian judge this week ordered her freed as she had been acting to save lives, a decision which also sparked Salvini's ire.
Two other investigations, on charges of helping people smugglers and resisting the authorities are still underway after she forced her way past Italian customs vessels.
RELATED STORIES
Salvini on Saturday repeated his call for reform of the European Union's Dublin rules, which stipulate that asylum requests be handled by the country where they first arrive.
"It doesn't seem that the majority of European countries want to do it," said Salvini, vowing to change rules he says place an unfair burden on Italy.
"We want to overcome rules that don't work," he told journalists in Milan.
Despite Salvini's apparent firmness about closing Italian ports to migrants, dozens of migrants and asylum-seekers continue to arrive in Italy by other means, some rescued by Italian authorities.
Interior ministry figures showed 191 had arrived by sea over the last week.
Libya unsafe A makeshift vessel carrying 86 people across the Mediterranean from Libya sank off the Tunisian coast on Wednesday, with all but three of them missing or dead.
The Italian judge in last week's Sea-Watch case ruled that neither Libya nor Tunisia were safe countries for migrants.
Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has long been a major transit route for migrants, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, desperate to reach Europe.
On Tuesday night, 53 migrants were killed in an air strike on their detention centre in a Tripoli suburb.
Murder suspect's insanity plea thrown out by jury
Michael Emmanuel is accused of murdering his partner Maria Lourdes Agius
Michael Emmanuel (right) stands accused of having murdered Maria Lourdes Agius (left). Photo: Chris Sant
FournierA jury has rejected a murder suspect's plea that he was legally insane when the crime was committed.
Michael Emmanuel, 29, is accused of murdering his 35-year-old partner Maria Lourdes Agius in September 2018.
He had pleaded legal insanity when proceedings started against him, but the plea was challenged by the Attorney General.
The jury on Friday threw out the legal insanity plea.
As a result, Mr Emmanuel will now appear before the Magistrates Court, where the compilation of evidence against him will resume.
RELATED STORIES
Mother-of-seven Ms Agius was found dead in her bed with heavy bruising around her neck. Mr Emmanuel had reported to police that she was not waking up.
Police investigators told the court that during interrogation, Mr Emmanuel said that on the night of her murder, Ms Agius told him he was not the father of her youngest child.
Later that night, she had put a crucifix on her neck and asked him to “press a little”, Mr Emmanuel allegedly told officers.
Mr Emmanuel had filed a not guilty plea and argued that he was legally insane at the time of the murder.
Earlier this week, a psychiatrist testified that Mr Emmanuel had some delusions of grandeur and appeared to be paranoid about his partner.
The psychiatrist said he appeared to be suffering from “acute psychosis and was therefore insane according to the Criminal Code”.
The defence gave notice of appeal.
Lawyers Matthew Xuereb and Charles Mercieca and Inspector James Grech prosecuted.
Michael Emmanuel is accused of murdering his partner Maria Lourdes Agius
Michael Emmanuel (right) stands accused of having murdered Maria Lourdes Agius (left). Photo: Chris Sant
FournierA jury has rejected a murder suspect's plea that he was legally insane when the crime was committed.
Michael Emmanuel, 29, is accused of murdering his 35-year-old partner Maria Lourdes Agius in September 2018.
He had pleaded legal insanity when proceedings started against him, but the plea was challenged by the Attorney General.
The jury on Friday threw out the legal insanity plea.
As a result, Mr Emmanuel will now appear before the Magistrates Court, where the compilation of evidence against him will resume.
RELATED STORIES
- 'I love you' - Mother describes how she found her murdered daughter in bed
- Murder suspect suffered acute psychosis - psychiatrist
Mother-of-seven Ms Agius was found dead in her bed with heavy bruising around her neck. Mr Emmanuel had reported to police that she was not waking up.
Police investigators told the court that during interrogation, Mr Emmanuel said that on the night of her murder, Ms Agius told him he was not the father of her youngest child.
Later that night, she had put a crucifix on her neck and asked him to “press a little”, Mr Emmanuel allegedly told officers.
Mr Emmanuel had filed a not guilty plea and argued that he was legally insane at the time of the murder.
Earlier this week, a psychiatrist testified that Mr Emmanuel had some delusions of grandeur and appeared to be paranoid about his partner.
The psychiatrist said he appeared to be suffering from “acute psychosis and was therefore insane according to the Criminal Code”.
The defence gave notice of appeal.
Lawyers Matthew Xuereb and Charles Mercieca and Inspector James Grech prosecuted.
Louis Galea appointed PN think-tank president
The former minister has just been tasked with reforming the PN and bring back unity in the party
5 July 2019, 3:33pm
by Kurt Sansone
Louis Galea and Adrian Delia met at PN HQ on Friday
Louis Galea has been appointed president of the Nationalist Party’s think-tank, AZAD, as part of his task to reform the party.
The news was communicated by the PN on Friday morning, hours after Adrian Delia’s proposal to rope in Galea was unanimously accepted by the party executive.
The PN statement included letters exchanged by Delia and Galea on Friday.
Galea was appointed head of the PN think-tank to have a formal platform for his new job, Delia explained in his letter.
The former PN minister and one of the protagonists of the reform undertaken by Eddie Fenech Adami when he became leader in 1977, accepted the offer.
Galea is expected to hit the ground running and will start his work by meeting the PN sectional committees and different branches.
Downloadable Files
Adrian Delia's invitation letter to Louis Galea
Downloadable Files
Louis Galea's letter accepting the nomination
In his letter of acceptance, Galea gave a glimpse of the talks he has been having with Delia over the past two weeks.
“In our discussions we agreed on the critical situation the party is in. I also know how urgent it is for an Opposition that the party finds unity and calmness to focus effectively on its parliamentary work,” Galea said.
He insisted the job to seek unity was not one person’s work. “For this exercise to succeed genuine goodwill and sacrifices are needed from all those who have the party’s future and national interest at heart.”
Galea promised to conduct his work indepdendently, impartially and with fairness.
Galea had his first meeting with Delia and PN secretary general Clyde Puli on Friday morning.
READ ALSO: Adrian Delia gives PN grandee Louis Galea carte blanche to propose reform
The former minister has just been tasked with reforming the PN and bring back unity in the party
5 July 2019, 3:33pm
by Kurt Sansone
Louis Galea and Adrian Delia met at PN HQ on Friday
Louis Galea has been appointed president of the Nationalist Party’s think-tank, AZAD, as part of his task to reform the party.
The news was communicated by the PN on Friday morning, hours after Adrian Delia’s proposal to rope in Galea was unanimously accepted by the party executive.
The PN statement included letters exchanged by Delia and Galea on Friday.
Galea was appointed head of the PN think-tank to have a formal platform for his new job, Delia explained in his letter.
The former PN minister and one of the protagonists of the reform undertaken by Eddie Fenech Adami when he became leader in 1977, accepted the offer.
Galea is expected to hit the ground running and will start his work by meeting the PN sectional committees and different branches.
Downloadable Files
Adrian Delia's invitation letter to Louis Galea
Downloadable Files
Louis Galea's letter accepting the nomination
In his letter of acceptance, Galea gave a glimpse of the talks he has been having with Delia over the past two weeks.
“In our discussions we agreed on the critical situation the party is in. I also know how urgent it is for an Opposition that the party finds unity and calmness to focus effectively on its parliamentary work,” Galea said.
He insisted the job to seek unity was not one person’s work. “For this exercise to succeed genuine goodwill and sacrifices are needed from all those who have the party’s future and national interest at heart.”
Galea promised to conduct his work indepdendently, impartially and with fairness.
Galea had his first meeting with Delia and PN secretary general Clyde Puli on Friday morning.
READ ALSO: Adrian Delia gives PN grandee Louis Galea carte blanche to propose reform
Adrian Delia vote to be taken on July 27
Leader refused to speculate on what he would do if vote goes against him
PoliticsPNAdrian Delia
4 July, 2019
Dr Delia is to face confidence vote on July 27. Photo: Chris Sant FournierUpdated 1.30am
Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia has confirmed a vote on his leadership will be taken in the General Council, but was non-committal about resigning if the vote does not turn out in his favour.
“The decision to remove the party leader is in the hands of the paid-up members,” he told journalists following a seven-hour meeting at PN headquarters.
“This doesn’t mean all items or petitions cannot be discussed,” he added.
However, the decision of the paid-up members is what counted, he insisted.
Volume 90%
Asked what the next step would be if the General Council voted for the leadership to carry responsibility and leave, he said he would not speculate on what steps he would take.
RELATED STORIES
- Why Delia must go – and why he won’t - Kevin Cassar
- Adrian Delia to face vote of no confidence as petition hits target
The General Council, set to meet July 27, will not only discuss the vote of confidence but will discuss “wider issues” raised in the petitions.
Dr Delia had repeatedly shot down requests for a vote of no confidence following a poor showing in May’s European and local elections. Asked what changed his mind, Dr Delia said he had previously wanted to focus on the paid-up members that had voted him in.
However, he said, he would now be taking into consideration the calls and "pain" of those who signed petitions calling for him to leave.
"I will assume the political responsibility by continuing with the mandate given to me by party members. It was the previous administration which opened the process to select a leader to the wider membership rather than just an intimate group."
PN veteran Louis Galea set to lead party reform process
Galea will present report to party leader Adrian Delia within one yearPoliticsPN
4 July 2019
Nationalist Party veteran Louis Galea is set to spearhead a party reform process, following a proposal made on Thursday evening by PN leader Adrian Delia.
Dr Delia announced that he had put forward Dr Galea's name towards the end of a six-hour meeting of the executive committee on Thursday night which also saw him invoke a clause in the party statute for a vote of confidence in his leadership to be taken on July 27.
In a statement, the PN said the proposal was unanimously approved by the executive committee.
Dr Galea has been given a year to draw up his report into the state of the PN. During that time, he will meet party members and delve into every aspect of the party and the way it is run.
Although he will report directly to to the party leader, Dr Galea will be authorised to meet with the executive committee and the administrative council.
At 71, Dr Galea is one of the longest-serving members of the PN. He first became a member of the Nationalist Party’s general council and executive committee in 1972 and was a member of the administrative council from 1975 to 1987. He also served as the party’s general secretary from 1977 to 1987.
Dr Galea, a former minister, was first elected to Parliament in 1976, and recently served as Malta's representative at the EU's Court of Auditors.
Galea will present report to party leader Adrian Delia within one yearPoliticsPN
4 July 2019
Nationalist Party veteran Louis Galea is set to spearhead a party reform process, following a proposal made on Thursday evening by PN leader Adrian Delia.
Dr Delia announced that he had put forward Dr Galea's name towards the end of a six-hour meeting of the executive committee on Thursday night which also saw him invoke a clause in the party statute for a vote of confidence in his leadership to be taken on July 27.
In a statement, the PN said the proposal was unanimously approved by the executive committee.
Dr Galea has been given a year to draw up his report into the state of the PN. During that time, he will meet party members and delve into every aspect of the party and the way it is run.
Although he will report directly to to the party leader, Dr Galea will be authorised to meet with the executive committee and the administrative council.
At 71, Dr Galea is one of the longest-serving members of the PN. He first became a member of the Nationalist Party’s general council and executive committee in 1972 and was a member of the administrative council from 1975 to 1987. He also served as the party’s general secretary from 1977 to 1987.
Dr Galea, a former minister, was first elected to Parliament in 1976, and recently served as Malta's representative at the EU's Court of Auditors.
Lands Authority unaware of illegal batching plant in Gozo quarry
Probe starts after operators fail to apply for permitEnvironmentConstructionPlanning AuthorityGozo
By Ivan Camilleri
An arial view of the quarry including the almost completed batching plant.An illegal concrete batching plant, mounted inside a quarry in Kerċem, was not given the Lands Authority’s go ahead, Times of Malta is informed.
The Planning Authority has already ruled that the batching plant is illegal, because its owners, construction magnate Joseph Portelli and Mark Agius, known as Ta’ Dirjanu, failed to apply for a development permit.
It has now transpired that the Land Authority, which owns the quarry, was not even informed on this latest development.
A spokesman for the public land administrator confirmed it is investigating the story revealed by Times of Malta as it was not aware of what was going on at the site.
“The Lands Authority did not give its consent for the mentioned activity. We are currently investigating the matter following the Planning Authority’s enforcement action,” the spokesman said following questions sent.
The Kerċem quarry, known as Ta’ Qasam San Pawl, was acquired from the government through a lease agreement many years ago by Gozitan brothers, Carmel and Michael Cauchi.
Various illegalities during the years, primary among them the expansion and exploitation for quarrying purposes of areas which were not included in the original lease, had led to various PA enforcement orders.
However, no direct action was ever taken and the quarry is still commercialising stonework coming out of illegal parts of the quarry.
According to law, the Cauchis are prohibited from entering into any sub-lease agreement of public land to third parties without the permission of the Lands Authority.
They are not the owners of the latest illegal batching plant inside ‘their’ quarry, as this is being built by Mr Portelli and Mr Agius on land still registered in the names of the Cauchi brothers.
Works on the concrete batching plant started some three months ago. The large plant was imported from Sicily, transported on Gozo Channel vessels and mounted on-site.
Many in Gozo were aware of what was going on, but the Planning Authority said it only got wind of the illegalities following questions by Times of Malta.
Following verbal and written warnings to stop the assembly of the batching plant, the developers ignored the authority and carried on with the project.
This led to the issue of an official enforcement order. So far, the PA has not ordered the developers to dismantle the illegal structure. It did not seal off the plant either.
A PA spokesman said that prior to proceeding with further action, the authority still needs to take into account whether the contravener will comply with the requirements of the enforcement notice within the legal timeframe.
Probe starts after operators fail to apply for permitEnvironmentConstructionPlanning AuthorityGozo
By Ivan Camilleri
An arial view of the quarry including the almost completed batching plant.An illegal concrete batching plant, mounted inside a quarry in Kerċem, was not given the Lands Authority’s go ahead, Times of Malta is informed.
The Planning Authority has already ruled that the batching plant is illegal, because its owners, construction magnate Joseph Portelli and Mark Agius, known as Ta’ Dirjanu, failed to apply for a development permit.
It has now transpired that the Land Authority, which owns the quarry, was not even informed on this latest development.
A spokesman for the public land administrator confirmed it is investigating the story revealed by Times of Malta as it was not aware of what was going on at the site.
“The Lands Authority did not give its consent for the mentioned activity. We are currently investigating the matter following the Planning Authority’s enforcement action,” the spokesman said following questions sent.
The Kerċem quarry, known as Ta’ Qasam San Pawl, was acquired from the government through a lease agreement many years ago by Gozitan brothers, Carmel and Michael Cauchi.
Various illegalities during the years, primary among them the expansion and exploitation for quarrying purposes of areas which were not included in the original lease, had led to various PA enforcement orders.
However, no direct action was ever taken and the quarry is still commercialising stonework coming out of illegal parts of the quarry.
According to law, the Cauchis are prohibited from entering into any sub-lease agreement of public land to third parties without the permission of the Lands Authority.
They are not the owners of the latest illegal batching plant inside ‘their’ quarry, as this is being built by Mr Portelli and Mr Agius on land still registered in the names of the Cauchi brothers.
Works on the concrete batching plant started some three months ago. The large plant was imported from Sicily, transported on Gozo Channel vessels and mounted on-site.
Many in Gozo were aware of what was going on, but the Planning Authority said it only got wind of the illegalities following questions by Times of Malta.
Following verbal and written warnings to stop the assembly of the batching plant, the developers ignored the authority and carried on with the project.
This led to the issue of an official enforcement order. So far, the PA has not ordered the developers to dismantle the illegal structure. It did not seal off the plant either.
A PA spokesman said that prior to proceeding with further action, the authority still needs to take into account whether the contravener will comply with the requirements of the enforcement notice within the legal timeframe.
Man found dead in the water at St Peter's Pool
An investigation into the death of a swimmer at St Peter's Pool was launched since no eyewitnesses could describe the incident of how the man happened to die in the water
30 June 2019, 7:19pm
by David Hudson
St Peter's Pool in the limits of Marsaxlokk
A man was found dead in the water at St Peter's Pool, the popular Delimara swimming site. Police have confirmed that he was pronounced dead on site.
The man is yet to be identified and was first spotted by bathers at around 4pm, floating in the water.
Upon his body being carried to the shore, parademics who were called on site attempted to revive him but they confirmed that he had already passed away. The man was taken away in an ambulance.
While police believe that the victim encountered trouble in the water, an investigation was launched since no eyewitnesses came forward who were able to recount how the incident took place.
Magistrate Joseph Mifsud is leading an inquiry into the case.
This is the second swimmer-related incident to take place today as earlier in the morning, a 45-year-old man encountered high waves in Sliema and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
An investigation into the death of a swimmer at St Peter's Pool was launched since no eyewitnesses could describe the incident of how the man happened to die in the water
30 June 2019, 7:19pm
by David Hudson
St Peter's Pool in the limits of Marsaxlokk
A man was found dead in the water at St Peter's Pool, the popular Delimara swimming site. Police have confirmed that he was pronounced dead on site.
The man is yet to be identified and was first spotted by bathers at around 4pm, floating in the water.
Upon his body being carried to the shore, parademics who were called on site attempted to revive him but they confirmed that he had already passed away. The man was taken away in an ambulance.
While police believe that the victim encountered trouble in the water, an investigation was launched since no eyewitnesses came forward who were able to recount how the incident took place.
Magistrate Joseph Mifsud is leading an inquiry into the case.
This is the second swimmer-related incident to take place today as earlier in the morning, a 45-year-old man encountered high waves in Sliema and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
'Divide-and-rule': PN petitioners accuse party insiders of data leak
Newspaper had published names of people calling for Delia confidence vote
PN Adrian Delia
Ivan Bartolo (centre), Mark Anthony Sammut (left) and Emma Portelli Bonnici (right) present a petition calling for a confidence vote on Adrian Delia. Photo: Chris Sant
FournierFive Nationalist Party members leading the charge to force a confidence vote on Adrian Delia’s leadership have accused party insiders of leaking private information to the media.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the five – Ivan Bartolo, Emma Portelli Bonnici, Mark Anthony Sammut, Emvin Bartolo and Martin Musumeci – said people "close to the leadership" were resorting to “divide-and-rule” tactics in an attempt to pit nationalists against nationalists and "protect the status quo".
On Sunday, newspaper it-Torċa published a list of names of people it said were among the 200 who had signed a petition calling for Dr Delia to face a confidence vote.
RELATED STORIES
The newspaper claimed that it had obtained the names by speaking to PN councillors.
The five members indicated otherwise, saying councillors’ personal data had been “leaked to the media... with the aim of harassing and intimidating them and others who share the same opinion”.
On Saturday, Times of Malta reported that Dr Delia was meeting with PN councillorsin an effort to drum up support ahead of a potential confidence vote, and pledging to get rid of some members of his inner circle if he were to be reconfirmed as party leader.
Newspaper had published names of people calling for Delia confidence vote
PN Adrian Delia
Ivan Bartolo (centre), Mark Anthony Sammut (left) and Emma Portelli Bonnici (right) present a petition calling for a confidence vote on Adrian Delia. Photo: Chris Sant
FournierFive Nationalist Party members leading the charge to force a confidence vote on Adrian Delia’s leadership have accused party insiders of leaking private information to the media.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the five – Ivan Bartolo, Emma Portelli Bonnici, Mark Anthony Sammut, Emvin Bartolo and Martin Musumeci – said people "close to the leadership" were resorting to “divide-and-rule” tactics in an attempt to pit nationalists against nationalists and "protect the status quo".
On Sunday, newspaper it-Torċa published a list of names of people it said were among the 200 who had signed a petition calling for Dr Delia to face a confidence vote.
RELATED STORIES
The newspaper claimed that it had obtained the names by speaking to PN councillors.
The five members indicated otherwise, saying councillors’ personal data had been “leaked to the media... with the aim of harassing and intimidating them and others who share the same opinion”.
On Saturday, Times of Malta reported that Dr Delia was meeting with PN councillorsin an effort to drum up support ahead of a potential confidence vote, and pledging to get rid of some members of his inner circle if he were to be reconfirmed as party leader.
Videos on the feast of Mnarja
Click on the link to watch:
https://www.facebook.com/peter.paul.portelli.1/videos/2756260487721941/
https://www.facebook.com/peter.paul.portelli.1/videos/2754934101187913/
Click on the link to watch:
https://www.facebook.com/peter.paul.portelli.1/videos/2756260487721941/
https://www.facebook.com/peter.paul.portelli.1/videos/2754934101187913/
Il-Festa tal-Imnarja
Malta w Għawdex dlonk jifirħu
Hekk kif tfeġġ fuqna l-Imnarja;
Kif naqbad infisser ruħi
Ċerta bidla tinħass fl-arja!
Għax dil-festa mhix komuni --
Fil-Buskett u fin-Nadur
L-atmosfera ferreħija
U niesna bi ħġarha tmur.
Il-prodotti u l-għelejjel
Frott il-ħidma ta’ dirgħajh
Il-bidwi joħroġ fil-beraħ –
Sigħat twal f’xemx, fuq saqajh.
Mill-qalb dil-festa issellem
Lill-Appostlu Kbir tal-ġnus,
U lil Pietru, s-sajjied għaqli –
Wara Kristu kien isus!
Dawn it-tnejn spiċċaw biex ċarċru
Demmhom għal Kristu l-Mulej;
Riedu biss ‘l-Imgħallem jixbhu
Le ma qagħdu jaraw x’ġej!
Wieħed spiċċa rasu ‘l isfel
Mislub m’għuda ta’ salib;
L-ieħor spiċċa b’rasu barra
Biex miet għall-aqwa ħabib.
Fin-Nadur insibu statwa
B’dawn iz-żewġ kolonni kbar;
Fid-disgħa w għoxrin ta’ Gunju
Lilhom tqimhom sat-tfal żgħar.
Ta’ kull sena ħa nifirħu,
Naqbżu, niżfnu għalenija
Għax l-Imnarja hija l-festa
Minn kulħadd wisq mistennija.
Kav Joe M. Attard -- 29-06- 2009
Malta w Għawdex dlonk jifirħu
Hekk kif tfeġġ fuqna l-Imnarja;
Kif naqbad infisser ruħi
Ċerta bidla tinħass fl-arja!
Għax dil-festa mhix komuni --
Fil-Buskett u fin-Nadur
L-atmosfera ferreħija
U niesna bi ħġarha tmur.
Il-prodotti u l-għelejjel
Frott il-ħidma ta’ dirgħajh
Il-bidwi joħroġ fil-beraħ –
Sigħat twal f’xemx, fuq saqajh.
Mill-qalb dil-festa issellem
Lill-Appostlu Kbir tal-ġnus,
U lil Pietru, s-sajjied għaqli –
Wara Kristu kien isus!
Dawn it-tnejn spiċċaw biex ċarċru
Demmhom għal Kristu l-Mulej;
Riedu biss ‘l-Imgħallem jixbhu
Le ma qagħdu jaraw x’ġej!
Wieħed spiċċa rasu ‘l isfel
Mislub m’għuda ta’ salib;
L-ieħor spiċċa b’rasu barra
Biex miet għall-aqwa ħabib.
Fin-Nadur insibu statwa
B’dawn iz-żewġ kolonni kbar;
Fid-disgħa w għoxrin ta’ Gunju
Lilhom tqimhom sat-tfal żgħar.
Ta’ kull sena ħa nifirħu,
Naqbżu, niżfnu għalenija
Għax l-Imnarja hija l-festa
Minn kulħadd wisq mistennija.
Kav Joe M. Attard -- 29-06- 2009
Petition to force PN vote on Delia moves to the next stage
Council president Kristy Debono highlights irregularities but accepts move
Adrian DeliaPNPolitics
Ivan Bartolo on Tuesday presented a petition to force a general council meeting. Photo: Chris Sant FournierA move to force an extraordinary general council meeting of the Nationalist Party has been accepted by the party’s general council president, Kristy Debono.
In a statement, Ms Debono said that she was referring the request to the party’s executive for it to begin the process to summon a general council, despite alleged irregularities tainting 84 of the 200 signatories behind the move.
The general council meeting was forced by a petition demanding a secret vote on party leader Adrian Delia, which was presented to the party’s leadership on Tuesday afternoon.
Kristy Debono said she was referring the request to the the party's executive. Photo: Facebook
Debono questions signatoriesAccording to the PN statute, a petition must be signed by at least 150 members of the party’s general council for it to trigger a general council meeting.
That petition featured 200 signatures, PN executive member and former electoral candidate Ivan Bartolo, who handed in the petition, had told the press.
On Wednesday, Ms Debono revised that figure downward: 28 out of the 200 signatories were invalid, she said, adding that 23 were not among the PN general council’s 1,500 general council members, while another five were invalid because they had refused to renew their party membership when requested to do so.
That would bring the total number of signatories down to 172 – a number still higher than the minimum 150 required according to the party statute.
Ms Debono also raised questions about another 56 of the signatures featuring on the petition: 55 had memberships which were expired, while one more signatory had signed using a name which did not match that on their ID card.
Petition moves forwardNevertheless, the PN statement said that Ms Debono was moving forward with the petitioners’ request and calling for a general council meeting.
During an eventual general council meeting, PN councillors will be asked to vote on whether they want Adrian Delia to remain as party leader, despite two bruising electoral defeats last May.
Sources within the PN told Times of Malta that councillors who have expired party memberships will have to pay their dues before they are able to cast a vote at the eventual council meeting.
Council president Kristy Debono highlights irregularities but accepts move
Adrian DeliaPNPolitics
Ivan Bartolo on Tuesday presented a petition to force a general council meeting. Photo: Chris Sant FournierA move to force an extraordinary general council meeting of the Nationalist Party has been accepted by the party’s general council president, Kristy Debono.
In a statement, Ms Debono said that she was referring the request to the party’s executive for it to begin the process to summon a general council, despite alleged irregularities tainting 84 of the 200 signatories behind the move.
The general council meeting was forced by a petition demanding a secret vote on party leader Adrian Delia, which was presented to the party’s leadership on Tuesday afternoon.
Kristy Debono said she was referring the request to the the party's executive. Photo: Facebook
Debono questions signatoriesAccording to the PN statute, a petition must be signed by at least 150 members of the party’s general council for it to trigger a general council meeting.
That petition featured 200 signatures, PN executive member and former electoral candidate Ivan Bartolo, who handed in the petition, had told the press.
On Wednesday, Ms Debono revised that figure downward: 28 out of the 200 signatories were invalid, she said, adding that 23 were not among the PN general council’s 1,500 general council members, while another five were invalid because they had refused to renew their party membership when requested to do so.
That would bring the total number of signatories down to 172 – a number still higher than the minimum 150 required according to the party statute.
Ms Debono also raised questions about another 56 of the signatures featuring on the petition: 55 had memberships which were expired, while one more signatory had signed using a name which did not match that on their ID card.
Petition moves forwardNevertheless, the PN statement said that Ms Debono was moving forward with the petitioners’ request and calling for a general council meeting.
During an eventual general council meeting, PN councillors will be asked to vote on whether they want Adrian Delia to remain as party leader, despite two bruising electoral defeats last May.
Sources within the PN told Times of Malta that councillors who have expired party memberships will have to pay their dues before they are able to cast a vote at the eventual council meeting.
CONFRATERNITY OF THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL
Nadur. Gozo.
A meeting of the Confraternity was held in the Nadur Council Board Room on Monday 24th June where two newly Knights were appointed by Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli Grand Master CKSPP of the Confraternity of the Knights of St Peter and Paul.
These are Chev Joe M. Attard of Rabat Gozo and Chev Joe Meilaq.
Congratulations.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 24.6.19.
Nadur. Gozo.
A meeting of the Confraternity was held in the Nadur Council Board Room on Monday 24th June where two newly Knights were appointed by Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli Grand Master CKSPP of the Confraternity of the Knights of St Peter and Paul.
These are Chev Joe M. Attard of Rabat Gozo and Chev Joe Meilaq.
Congratulations.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 24.6.19.
After the meeting of the Confraternity of the Knights of St Peter and Paul we attended for the 25th Anniversary Mass of Fr Raymond Portelli at Nadur Basilica.
Donations to Fr Raymond were presented to be used in his mission in Peru.
Congratulations to Fr Raymond.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 24.6.19.
Donations to Fr Raymond were presented to be used in his mission in Peru.
Congratulations to Fr Raymond.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 24.6.19.
New building rules: Site managers must be architects, excavation works to resume
Malta's architects on collision course with government over new building rules • 'Those who don’t want the responsibility know what they should do,' Ian Borg says
24 June 2019, 5:25pm
by Yannick Pace
New building site rules to come into force on Tuesday
The Maltese government has decided to press on with new construction regulations obliging construction site managers to be architects, despite their objections.
The announcement was made by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg on Monday afternoon.
“Those who don’t want the responsibility know what they should do... everyone must shoulder responsibility,” Borg said.
The minister said that the new regulations would be published in Tuesday’s Government Gazette after which excavation and demolition works can resume, once the new conditions imposed by the new regulations have been satisfied.
Excavation and demolition works across all building sites were suspended in the wake of the third building collapse in two months. The common thread in all three cases was that the buildings were adjacent to excavation sites.
The Chamber of Architects has so far insisted that the role of a site manager, who will as of tomorrow be known as a site technical officer, should be the responsibility of the contractor, who at law must be sufficiently knowledgeable to carry out the architect’s instructions.
Borg said the new regulations would allow for the site technical officer to be a different architect to the architect that drew up the plans for a development, but must still be a warranted architect.
The site technical officer will have to be nominated by the contractor.
“Those who don’t wish to take on the responsibility can refuse to take on the job but we can’t have contractors working without the supervision of someone warranted by the State,” Borg said.
Over the five-day consultation period, some 250 submissions were received, both by NGOs and concerned private citizens, Borg said.
Tuesday’s legal notice, he said, would be radically different to that published on Monday.
Borg highlighted that the new law would require and specify the manner in which a method statement for demolition, excavation and construction works needed to be carried out.
Vague and unstructured method statements, he said, would no longer be accepted.
In addition to requiring a more detailed method statement, another “radical change” Borg said, would be the requirement for this to be made public.
In this regard, he said the Planning Authority would be stepping in to give its assistance, with method statements being published on the authority’s map server.
Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said the country expected warranted professionals such as architects to shoulder their responsibilityThe new rules will also require architects to present a condition report, which will take into account neighbouring sites and issues like the geology of the area.
Borg also noted that insurance premium necessary for works to be carried out must increase to €750,000 and must remain in place till works are certified as completed.
Fines for breaking the terms of a method statement and refusing to obey an enforcement notice will also increase substantially.
The minister stressed that the new regulations were simply a part of the reforms the government was looking to enact and would be launching a new agency that will incorporate the various entities currently regulating the construction industry.
Asked what reaction he expected from the Chamber of Architects, Borg stressed that ultimately the nation expected warranted professionals to take responsibility for their work.
Malta's architects on collision course with government over new building rules • 'Those who don’t want the responsibility know what they should do,' Ian Borg says
24 June 2019, 5:25pm
by Yannick Pace
New building site rules to come into force on Tuesday
The Maltese government has decided to press on with new construction regulations obliging construction site managers to be architects, despite their objections.
The announcement was made by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg on Monday afternoon.
“Those who don’t want the responsibility know what they should do... everyone must shoulder responsibility,” Borg said.
The minister said that the new regulations would be published in Tuesday’s Government Gazette after which excavation and demolition works can resume, once the new conditions imposed by the new regulations have been satisfied.
Excavation and demolition works across all building sites were suspended in the wake of the third building collapse in two months. The common thread in all three cases was that the buildings were adjacent to excavation sites.
The Chamber of Architects has so far insisted that the role of a site manager, who will as of tomorrow be known as a site technical officer, should be the responsibility of the contractor, who at law must be sufficiently knowledgeable to carry out the architect’s instructions.
Borg said the new regulations would allow for the site technical officer to be a different architect to the architect that drew up the plans for a development, but must still be a warranted architect.
The site technical officer will have to be nominated by the contractor.
“Those who don’t wish to take on the responsibility can refuse to take on the job but we can’t have contractors working without the supervision of someone warranted by the State,” Borg said.
Over the five-day consultation period, some 250 submissions were received, both by NGOs and concerned private citizens, Borg said.
Tuesday’s legal notice, he said, would be radically different to that published on Monday.
Borg highlighted that the new law would require and specify the manner in which a method statement for demolition, excavation and construction works needed to be carried out.
Vague and unstructured method statements, he said, would no longer be accepted.
In addition to requiring a more detailed method statement, another “radical change” Borg said, would be the requirement for this to be made public.
In this regard, he said the Planning Authority would be stepping in to give its assistance, with method statements being published on the authority’s map server.
Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said the country expected warranted professionals such as architects to shoulder their responsibilityThe new rules will also require architects to present a condition report, which will take into account neighbouring sites and issues like the geology of the area.
Borg also noted that insurance premium necessary for works to be carried out must increase to €750,000 and must remain in place till works are certified as completed.
Fines for breaking the terms of a method statement and refusing to obey an enforcement notice will also increase substantially.
The minister stressed that the new regulations were simply a part of the reforms the government was looking to enact and would be launching a new agency that will incorporate the various entities currently regulating the construction industry.
Asked what reaction he expected from the Chamber of Architects, Borg stressed that ultimately the nation expected warranted professionals to take responsibility for their work.
MONS. SALV PACE CELEBRATE 50 YEARS IN PRIESTHOOD
By Mario Muscat
By Mario Muscat
Mnarja Agricultural Show 2019
The Mnarja Agricultural Show was held this weekend in Archpriest Dun Martin Camilleri Square in Nadur.
The show was full of entertainment and display of animals, fruits, vegetables, arts and craft, etc.
The Mnarja Agricultural Show was held this weekend in Archpriest Dun Martin Camilleri Square in Nadur.
The show was full of entertainment and display of animals, fruits, vegetables, arts and craft, etc.
Adrian Delia to face confidence vote in petition to hold secret ballot in General Council
PN councillors raising 150 signatures to demand secret ballot during extraordinary General Council that will ask whether PN leader Adrian Delia should resign
22 June 2019, 11:46pm
by Matthew Vella
Another day, more long knives...
Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia is bracing himself for a confidence vote that could be brought against him within the General Council.
150 signatures from PN councillors, the members who get to vote in the party’s General Council, are close to being collected at the time of writing to force through a vote of confidence.
The petition requests that the president of the General Council, MP Kristy Debono, holds a general council in which a secret ballot will take place on whether PN leader Adrian Delia should “shoulder political responsibility and resign”.
The petition comes in the wake of a rebellion from MPs inimical to Delia’s leadership who since the party’s drubbing at the European and local elections, have repeatedly asked Delia within the executive committee and parliamentary group meetings, to take responsibility for the loss of the PN’s third seat in Brussels.
The petition, dated Saturday 22 June, needs 150 signatures to be able to force a General Council within a week.
“The PN had its worst ever electoral outing since Independence, putting at risk its future. These were results that it did not merit and do no honour to the PN, and for that the political responsibility has to be shouldered,” the petition states.
The petition will ask that a secret ballot be held asking the question: “After the results obtained by the PN in the European and local elections of 25 May 2019, should the party leader take political responsibility and resign? YES/NO”
Adrian Delia’s position at the helm of the party is a beleaguered one after having suffered strong internal opposition since the European elections.
He has refused to resign.
First, the president of the PN’s executive committee Mark Anthony Sammut resigned, saying he was setting an example for political responsibility to be shouldered.
Then, Delia’s faction narrowly won a vote in the 82-member executive, which includes 13 voting MPs, to have his ally Jean Pierre Debono – the MP who gave up his seat for Delia’s co-option to the House – co-opted instead of outgoing MP David Stellini.
Not working out… Jean Pierre Debono’s second bid at being MP was thwarted over claims of a null electionBut Sammut protested the vote, saying neither Stellini nor party treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote, insisting that the 42-40 vote was null.
Camilleri then resigned, and Debono withdrew his bid for the co-option, leading to the co-option by acclamation of Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar to the House.
Delia also suffered mounting opposition from the party’s Gozo district, which led the push to have Cutajar take the seat of the outgoing Gozitan MP.
Pierre Portelli, an early Delia ally, is now outAt the end of a stormy meeting earlier last week, the man who openly backed his bid to become party leader, Media.Link chief Pierre Portelli, submitted his resignation.
Since then it has been an open war of words between Delia and his supporters, who insist his election by paid-up members should be legitimately supported; and MPs like Jason Azzopardi, who have been reference points for critics of the party leader.
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PN councillors raising 150 signatures to demand secret ballot during extraordinary General Council that will ask whether PN leader Adrian Delia should resign
22 June 2019, 11:46pm
by Matthew Vella
Another day, more long knives...
Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia is bracing himself for a confidence vote that could be brought against him within the General Council.
150 signatures from PN councillors, the members who get to vote in the party’s General Council, are close to being collected at the time of writing to force through a vote of confidence.
The petition requests that the president of the General Council, MP Kristy Debono, holds a general council in which a secret ballot will take place on whether PN leader Adrian Delia should “shoulder political responsibility and resign”.
The petition comes in the wake of a rebellion from MPs inimical to Delia’s leadership who since the party’s drubbing at the European and local elections, have repeatedly asked Delia within the executive committee and parliamentary group meetings, to take responsibility for the loss of the PN’s third seat in Brussels.
The petition, dated Saturday 22 June, needs 150 signatures to be able to force a General Council within a week.
“The PN had its worst ever electoral outing since Independence, putting at risk its future. These were results that it did not merit and do no honour to the PN, and for that the political responsibility has to be shouldered,” the petition states.
The petition will ask that a secret ballot be held asking the question: “After the results obtained by the PN in the European and local elections of 25 May 2019, should the party leader take political responsibility and resign? YES/NO”
Adrian Delia’s position at the helm of the party is a beleaguered one after having suffered strong internal opposition since the European elections.
He has refused to resign.
First, the president of the PN’s executive committee Mark Anthony Sammut resigned, saying he was setting an example for political responsibility to be shouldered.
Then, Delia’s faction narrowly won a vote in the 82-member executive, which includes 13 voting MPs, to have his ally Jean Pierre Debono – the MP who gave up his seat for Delia’s co-option to the House – co-opted instead of outgoing MP David Stellini.
Not working out… Jean Pierre Debono’s second bid at being MP was thwarted over claims of a null electionBut Sammut protested the vote, saying neither Stellini nor party treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote, insisting that the 42-40 vote was null.
Camilleri then resigned, and Debono withdrew his bid for the co-option, leading to the co-option by acclamation of Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar to the House.
Delia also suffered mounting opposition from the party’s Gozo district, which led the push to have Cutajar take the seat of the outgoing Gozitan MP.
Pierre Portelli, an early Delia ally, is now outAt the end of a stormy meeting earlier last week, the man who openly backed his bid to become party leader, Media.Link chief Pierre Portelli, submitted his resignation.
Since then it has been an open war of words between Delia and his supporters, who insist his election by paid-up members should be legitimately supported; and MPs like Jason Azzopardi, who have been reference points for critics of the party leader.
NOW WATCH THIS
Architects not excluding strike if government presses on with proposed regulations
The Chamber has requested an urgent meeting with the government regarding draft construction regulations published on Monday
22 June 2019, 2:25pm
by Yannick Pace
The chamber of architects is not excluding a strike if the government presses on with its proposed construction regulations
The Chamber of Architects isn’t excluding the possibility of a strike, unless changes are made to draft regulations for the construction industry which were published earlier this week.
The draft regulations come in wake of three serious construction site accidents over the last two months, two of which saw homes situated next door to construction sites completely destroyed.
The regulations were published on Monday and were put to a five-day consultation period which ended on Friday.
Giving its initial reaction to the proposed rules, the chamber said on Tuesday described the proposal was ill-thought and a recipe for further confusion and lack of clarity.
Speaking on Newsbook’s Follow-up, chamber president Simone Vella Lennicker said the chamber had written to the parliamentary secretary responsible for the planning, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the proposed regulations.
Vella Lennicker said that though the chamber had not received a reply, she hoped there would be “give and take on both sides”.
“Depending on what happens on Monday, we have a position that has been agreed to our members,” she said insisting that she did not wish to comment further for the time being.
She however did not say that a strike wasn’t being excluded.
“We are not going to accept responsibilities that the law doesn’t place on us,” she said.
In a statement also published on Saturday, the chamber insisted that public safety was of paramount importance, again insisting that it was high time that the government “properly addressed in a holistic manner the problems besetting the construction industry, and not through a piecemeal approach”.
“Under Malta’s Civil Code there are only two figures responsible for construction work, namely the architect and the Contractor,” the chamber said. “The role of a site manager, as conceived in the Legal Notice, could only be assumed to be within the contractor’s setup, since the contractor was obliged at law to understand and follow the instructions issued by the architect, and be sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the significance of such instructions.”
It said that while contractors could employ any knowledgeable person to take control of a construction site without diminishing their responsibility in terms of the Civil Code in any way.
Architects must, on the other hand, bear responsibility for all instances where there may have been negligence, or where due diligence was not sufficiently exercised by them in discharging their services.”
The chamber said that during the EGM architects “reaffirmed their commitment to take full responsibility for the tasks that were within their remit”.
“They however demanded that government stops dragging its feet, and immediately takes the necessary steps to ensure that the framework which allows architects to ensure public safety is in place and effective.”
In this context, it said the EGM was demanding that the amendments to the Periti Act, which it said it had been insisting on for 12 years, be approved, full consultation with the chamber.
It also called on government to immediately enter into discussions with it on the Building and Construction Regulation Framework it has proposed, and to agree on its implementation within a reasonable timeframe.
Furthermore, the chamber said that before setting up the Building and Construction Authority, government should immediately provide the Building Regulation Office with all the necessary financial, human and technical resources it needs.
“Any Legal Notice should, rather than contain technical detail that is better placed in building regulations, include provisions that empower the architect to suspend works, and lodge a report with the Building Regulations Office, without having to relinquish his commission, if the contractor or developer refuse to comply with the architect’s instructions on matters relating to structural integrity,” it said.
Finally, the chamber said that the EGM was also demanding that there be a clear separation “between planning application and permitting processes, and the processes by which building and construction is notified, regulated and monitored”.
“Nearly five years have been wasted as a result of the misguided advice given to Government that the two processes should be brought together under the remit of the Planning Authority.”
The Chamber has requested an urgent meeting with the government regarding draft construction regulations published on Monday
22 June 2019, 2:25pm
by Yannick Pace
The chamber of architects is not excluding a strike if the government presses on with its proposed construction regulations
The Chamber of Architects isn’t excluding the possibility of a strike, unless changes are made to draft regulations for the construction industry which were published earlier this week.
The draft regulations come in wake of three serious construction site accidents over the last two months, two of which saw homes situated next door to construction sites completely destroyed.
The regulations were published on Monday and were put to a five-day consultation period which ended on Friday.
Giving its initial reaction to the proposed rules, the chamber said on Tuesday described the proposal was ill-thought and a recipe for further confusion and lack of clarity.
Speaking on Newsbook’s Follow-up, chamber president Simone Vella Lennicker said the chamber had written to the parliamentary secretary responsible for the planning, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the proposed regulations.
Vella Lennicker said that though the chamber had not received a reply, she hoped there would be “give and take on both sides”.
“Depending on what happens on Monday, we have a position that has been agreed to our members,” she said insisting that she did not wish to comment further for the time being.
She however did not say that a strike wasn’t being excluded.
“We are not going to accept responsibilities that the law doesn’t place on us,” she said.
In a statement also published on Saturday, the chamber insisted that public safety was of paramount importance, again insisting that it was high time that the government “properly addressed in a holistic manner the problems besetting the construction industry, and not through a piecemeal approach”.
“Under Malta’s Civil Code there are only two figures responsible for construction work, namely the architect and the Contractor,” the chamber said. “The role of a site manager, as conceived in the Legal Notice, could only be assumed to be within the contractor’s setup, since the contractor was obliged at law to understand and follow the instructions issued by the architect, and be sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the significance of such instructions.”
It said that while contractors could employ any knowledgeable person to take control of a construction site without diminishing their responsibility in terms of the Civil Code in any way.
Architects must, on the other hand, bear responsibility for all instances where there may have been negligence, or where due diligence was not sufficiently exercised by them in discharging their services.”
The chamber said that during the EGM architects “reaffirmed their commitment to take full responsibility for the tasks that were within their remit”.
“They however demanded that government stops dragging its feet, and immediately takes the necessary steps to ensure that the framework which allows architects to ensure public safety is in place and effective.”
In this context, it said the EGM was demanding that the amendments to the Periti Act, which it said it had been insisting on for 12 years, be approved, full consultation with the chamber.
It also called on government to immediately enter into discussions with it on the Building and Construction Regulation Framework it has proposed, and to agree on its implementation within a reasonable timeframe.
Furthermore, the chamber said that before setting up the Building and Construction Authority, government should immediately provide the Building Regulation Office with all the necessary financial, human and technical resources it needs.
“Any Legal Notice should, rather than contain technical detail that is better placed in building regulations, include provisions that empower the architect to suspend works, and lodge a report with the Building Regulations Office, without having to relinquish his commission, if the contractor or developer refuse to comply with the architect’s instructions on matters relating to structural integrity,” it said.
Finally, the chamber said that the EGM was also demanding that there be a clear separation “between planning application and permitting processes, and the processes by which building and construction is notified, regulated and monitored”.
“Nearly five years have been wasted as a result of the misguided advice given to Government that the two processes should be brought together under the remit of the Planning Authority.”
Liam Debono jailed for five years for breaching driving ban
Magistrate Joe Mifsud also flags probation officer’s 'serious' failing to inform court Liam Debono had tested positive for cannabis last April
21 June 2019, 10:49am
by Kurt Sansone
Liam Debono has been jailed and banned from holding a driving license for 10 years
Liam Debono was jailed for five years, fined €11,000 for breaching a driving ban while out on bail and disqualified from holding a driving license for 10 years.
He will also lose the €10,000 deposit and €40,000 guarantee that were imposed on him as part of the bail conditions in a separate case in which he stands charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.
Magistrate Joe Mifsud found Debono guilty on all charges after the man was accused of driving a car despite being precluded to do so.
Debono had been spotted by an off-duty police officer driving a Fiat Uno that belonged to a certain Jason Zammit. Debono attempted to change seats with Zammit, who was in the car, when he realized that police were on his trail.
Evidence presented in court showed that Debono had also driven a BMW belonging to Zammit’s daughter, Kirsty Zammit, on other occasions.
The court ordered that the Fiat Uno be confiscated and Jason Zammit be investigated for complicity in the crime perpetrated by Debono.
Magistrate Mifsud also ordered the Police Commissioner to investigate Kirsty Zammit and determine whether she perjured herself while testifying. Kirsty Zammit told the court that the keys to her BMW were always with her and it was not possible for her father to have taken them. Her testimony was contradicted by the father.
The magistrate also ordered the withdrawal of probation officer Carmen Naygaard from Debono’s case after she failed to file a report on her client within the stipulated six months.
Naygaard also failed to inform the court last April when Debono tested positive to cannabis use.
The court sent the judgment to permanent secretary within the home affairs ministry and the director of the probation and parole office for any action with regard to the “serious failing” by the probation officer.
READ ALSO: Court commends off-duty police officer for action that led to Liam Debono’s arrest
Magistrate Joe Mifsud also flags probation officer’s 'serious' failing to inform court Liam Debono had tested positive for cannabis last April
21 June 2019, 10:49am
by Kurt Sansone
Liam Debono has been jailed and banned from holding a driving license for 10 years
Liam Debono was jailed for five years, fined €11,000 for breaching a driving ban while out on bail and disqualified from holding a driving license for 10 years.
He will also lose the €10,000 deposit and €40,000 guarantee that were imposed on him as part of the bail conditions in a separate case in which he stands charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.
Magistrate Joe Mifsud found Debono guilty on all charges after the man was accused of driving a car despite being precluded to do so.
Debono had been spotted by an off-duty police officer driving a Fiat Uno that belonged to a certain Jason Zammit. Debono attempted to change seats with Zammit, who was in the car, when he realized that police were on his trail.
Evidence presented in court showed that Debono had also driven a BMW belonging to Zammit’s daughter, Kirsty Zammit, on other occasions.
The court ordered that the Fiat Uno be confiscated and Jason Zammit be investigated for complicity in the crime perpetrated by Debono.
Magistrate Mifsud also ordered the Police Commissioner to investigate Kirsty Zammit and determine whether she perjured herself while testifying. Kirsty Zammit told the court that the keys to her BMW were always with her and it was not possible for her father to have taken them. Her testimony was contradicted by the father.
The magistrate also ordered the withdrawal of probation officer Carmen Naygaard from Debono’s case after she failed to file a report on her client within the stipulated six months.
Naygaard also failed to inform the court last April when Debono tested positive to cannabis use.
The court sent the judgment to permanent secretary within the home affairs ministry and the director of the probation and parole office for any action with regard to the “serious failing” by the probation officer.
READ ALSO: Court commends off-duty police officer for action that led to Liam Debono’s arrest
Collision between two boats in Comino leaves one seriously hurtAccident took place on Thursday nightAccidentMaritime
Two boats collided in the channel between Comino and Mġarr on Thursday night, leaving the driver of one of them seriously hurt.
The injured man is a 27-year-old Macedonian residing in Żebbuġ, Gozo. He was alone in his boat at the time of the incident around 10.15pm.
There were two people in the other boat: a 48-year-old man from Naxxar and a 35-year-old woman, also from Naxxar. They were not hurt.
Police investigations are still under way.
Two boats collided in the channel between Comino and Mġarr on Thursday night, leaving the driver of one of them seriously hurt.
The injured man is a 27-year-old Macedonian residing in Żebbuġ, Gozo. He was alone in his boat at the time of the incident around 10.15pm.
There were two people in the other boat: a 48-year-old man from Naxxar and a 35-year-old woman, also from Naxxar. They were not hurt.
Police investigations are still under way.
Kunflitt ta’ interess iwassal biex il-pjan tad-db f’Pembroke jkun revokat mill-qorti
Minn Sarah Cassar Dymond
|
19/06/2019,
Il-proġett tal-Grupp DB li kien approvat is-sena li għaddiet f’nofs kontroversja kien revokat (imħassar) mill-Imħallef Mark Chetcuti fl-istadju tal-Appell. L-appell kien sar mill-Grupp Graffitti wara li kemm l-Awtorita ta’ l-Ippjanar kif ukoll it-tribunall dwar l-appelli dwar l-Ippjanar kienu approvaw il-proġett. L-Appell fil-qorti sar minħabba kunflitt ta’ interess ta’ wieħed mill-membri tal-Bord, is-Sur Matthew Pace. “F’okkażżjoni rari, il-qorti ddeċidiet li l-kunflitt ta’ interess li kellu dan il-membru tal-bord kien tali li l-premess kellu jigi revokat” qalet Dr Claire Bonello, avukat tal-Moviment Graffitti lil Newsbook.com.mt
Il-Moviment Graffitti intant qal li pjan tal-Grupp DB li kien ingħatalhom il-permess biex jidfun lil Pembroke ġie revokat fil-qorti aktar kmieni l-Erbgħa filgħodu. Il-Grupp DB se jkollu jmur lura għall-pjanti tal-proġett, ekk kif iridu jerġgħu jirrevedu l-pjanti tax-xogħol propost.
Dan wara li Moviment Graffitti u NGOs oħra, flimkien mal-Kunsilli Lokali u r-residenti għamlu sfida legali. Moviment Graffiti ħabbar dan fuq il-paġna tiegħu ta’ Facebook.
Aktar kmieni din is-sena grupp ta’ NGOs immexxija minn Moviment Graffitti ssottomettew protest ġudizzjarju kontra l-Awtorità tal-Artijiet għax sostnew li l-Grupp db kiser il-kundizzjonijiet tal-kuntratt hekk kif allegatament se jwaqqa’ xelter ta’ żmien il-Gwerra l-Bierda u jħalli biss ħajt u emblema minnu.
Aqra: “Se jħallu biss ħajt u emblema; kisru l-kundizzjonijiet” – NGOs dwar il-Grupp db
Il-Grupp kien diġà ssottometta pjanti ġodda wara li ħareġ bi proposta ġdida ta’ żvilupp għas-sit ta’ fejn kien hemm l-ITS f’Pembroke. Fosthom kienet qed tiġi proposta lukanda ta’ 5 stilel ta’ Klassi 3B, b’438 kamra.
Aqra: Il-Grupp db jissottometti pjanti ġodda għall-eks sit tal-ITS
Ix-xogħol tal-Grupp db kien diġà ġie sospiż din id-darba mit-tribunal tal-appelli tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar. Kien ordna li jiġi sospiż ix-xogħol fuq il-proġett tat-torri u l-lukanda f’Pembroke tal-Grupp db sakemm jiġi konkluż l-appell pendenti kontra dan l-iżvilupp.
Aqra: Sospiż ix-xogħol tal-Grupp db fuq is-sit tal-ITS f’Pembroke
B’konnessjoni max-xogħol li kien qed isir fuq l-eks sit tal-ITS ġew irrapurtati diversi drabi li qed ikun hemm tniġġis fil-bajja ta’ San Ġorġ li tiġi eżatt taħt is-sit ta’ kostruzzjoni. F’Novembru tas-sena l-oħra, fuq il-mezzi soċjali, il-Prof. Cassola qal li x-xogħlijiet għaddejjin b’ritmu mgħaġġel. Stqarr li fis-6.30am bdew ix-xogħlijiet u sa erba’ sigħat wara kien hemm diversi trakkijiet bit-terrapien u materjal ieħor.
Aqra: “Tniġġis fil-Bajja ta’ San Ġorġ: Xogħlijiet mill-Grupp db?” – Cassola
Minn Sarah Cassar Dymond
|
19/06/2019,
Il-proġett tal-Grupp DB li kien approvat is-sena li għaddiet f’nofs kontroversja kien revokat (imħassar) mill-Imħallef Mark Chetcuti fl-istadju tal-Appell. L-appell kien sar mill-Grupp Graffitti wara li kemm l-Awtorita ta’ l-Ippjanar kif ukoll it-tribunall dwar l-appelli dwar l-Ippjanar kienu approvaw il-proġett. L-Appell fil-qorti sar minħabba kunflitt ta’ interess ta’ wieħed mill-membri tal-Bord, is-Sur Matthew Pace. “F’okkażżjoni rari, il-qorti ddeċidiet li l-kunflitt ta’ interess li kellu dan il-membru tal-bord kien tali li l-premess kellu jigi revokat” qalet Dr Claire Bonello, avukat tal-Moviment Graffitti lil Newsbook.com.mt
Il-Moviment Graffitti intant qal li pjan tal-Grupp DB li kien ingħatalhom il-permess biex jidfun lil Pembroke ġie revokat fil-qorti aktar kmieni l-Erbgħa filgħodu. Il-Grupp DB se jkollu jmur lura għall-pjanti tal-proġett, ekk kif iridu jerġgħu jirrevedu l-pjanti tax-xogħol propost.
Dan wara li Moviment Graffitti u NGOs oħra, flimkien mal-Kunsilli Lokali u r-residenti għamlu sfida legali. Moviment Graffiti ħabbar dan fuq il-paġna tiegħu ta’ Facebook.
Aktar kmieni din is-sena grupp ta’ NGOs immexxija minn Moviment Graffitti ssottomettew protest ġudizzjarju kontra l-Awtorità tal-Artijiet għax sostnew li l-Grupp db kiser il-kundizzjonijiet tal-kuntratt hekk kif allegatament se jwaqqa’ xelter ta’ żmien il-Gwerra l-Bierda u jħalli biss ħajt u emblema minnu.
Aqra: “Se jħallu biss ħajt u emblema; kisru l-kundizzjonijiet” – NGOs dwar il-Grupp db
Il-Grupp kien diġà ssottometta pjanti ġodda wara li ħareġ bi proposta ġdida ta’ żvilupp għas-sit ta’ fejn kien hemm l-ITS f’Pembroke. Fosthom kienet qed tiġi proposta lukanda ta’ 5 stilel ta’ Klassi 3B, b’438 kamra.
Aqra: Il-Grupp db jissottometti pjanti ġodda għall-eks sit tal-ITS
Ix-xogħol tal-Grupp db kien diġà ġie sospiż din id-darba mit-tribunal tal-appelli tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar. Kien ordna li jiġi sospiż ix-xogħol fuq il-proġett tat-torri u l-lukanda f’Pembroke tal-Grupp db sakemm jiġi konkluż l-appell pendenti kontra dan l-iżvilupp.
Aqra: Sospiż ix-xogħol tal-Grupp db fuq is-sit tal-ITS f’Pembroke
B’konnessjoni max-xogħol li kien qed isir fuq l-eks sit tal-ITS ġew irrapurtati diversi drabi li qed ikun hemm tniġġis fil-bajja ta’ San Ġorġ li tiġi eżatt taħt is-sit ta’ kostruzzjoni. F’Novembru tas-sena l-oħra, fuq il-mezzi soċjali, il-Prof. Cassola qal li x-xogħlijiet għaddejjin b’ritmu mgħaġġel. Stqarr li fis-6.30am bdew ix-xogħlijiet u sa erba’ sigħat wara kien hemm diversi trakkijiet bit-terrapien u materjal ieħor.
Aqra: “Tniġġis fil-Bajja ta’ San Ġorġ: Xogħlijiet mill-Grupp db?” – Cassola
Adrian Delia was asked to leave or ask for a confidence vote
INSIDE THE PN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP | The PN leader was faced with calls for his resignation by more than 10 MPs
19 June 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
Adrian Delia did face calls for his resignation by more than 10 MPs
Adrian Delia did face calls for his resignation during the parliamentary group meeting held on Tuesday evening that dragged on for more than five hours.
MaltaToday is informed that there were more than 10 MPs who asked the PN leader to leave or at the least ask for a vote of confidence in the general council.
The information this newspaper received in confidence contradicts what Delia told journalists at the end of the meeting that there were no calls for his resignation.
Delia was told that with him at the helm the party was certain of another big electoral defeat.
“You should at least have the decency to ask for a vote of confidence in the general council,” Delia was told.
MaltaToday is informed that the PN leader shunned these calls and insisted he was shouldering responsibility by staying on.
Delia has always said that he was given a mandate by party members to lead the party until the next general election.
At the end of the parliamentary group meeting Delia said the party had to undergo "radical changes" but would not elaborate.
INSIDE THE PN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP | The PN leader was faced with calls for his resignation by more than 10 MPs
19 June 2019,
by Kurt Sansone
Adrian Delia did face calls for his resignation by more than 10 MPs
Adrian Delia did face calls for his resignation during the parliamentary group meeting held on Tuesday evening that dragged on for more than five hours.
MaltaToday is informed that there were more than 10 MPs who asked the PN leader to leave or at the least ask for a vote of confidence in the general council.
The information this newspaper received in confidence contradicts what Delia told journalists at the end of the meeting that there were no calls for his resignation.
Delia was told that with him at the helm the party was certain of another big electoral defeat.
“You should at least have the decency to ask for a vote of confidence in the general council,” Delia was told.
MaltaToday is informed that the PN leader shunned these calls and insisted he was shouldering responsibility by staying on.
Delia has always said that he was given a mandate by party members to lead the party until the next general election.
At the end of the parliamentary group meeting Delia said the party had to undergo "radical changes" but would not elaborate.
Aġġornata: Mara fil-periklu tal-mewt wara li ttajret minn karozza f’Ħal Luqa
Minn Sephora Francalanza
15/06/2019,
Mara ttajret minn vettura f’Ħal Luqa waranofsinhar u ttieħdet l-Isptar Mater Dei, fejn ġiet iċċertifikata li qiegħda fil-periklu tal-mewt.
Kelliem għall-Pulizija kkonferma ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li dan seħħ fi Triq San Vinċenz għall-ħabta tan-12.30pm. Il-mara ta’ 38 sena minn Ħal Qormi ntlaqtet minn vettura misjuqa minn raġel ta’ 47 sena mis-Siġġiewi.
Fuq il-post marru uffiċjali tal-pulizija u ssejħet ambulanza li ħadet lill-mara l-isptar.
Motorcyclist dies in Valley Road crash
41-year-old smashed into parked truck in early hours of the morning
AccidentBirkirkara
The victim: Mark BishopA motorcyclist died in the early hours of Saturday morning after he lost control of his motorbike and smashed into a parked truck in Birkirkara.
Mark Bishop, a 41-year-old Gozitan from Sannat, was riding through Valley Road when he appeared to lose control of his Honda CB5000FA bike at around 4am.
He ended up crashing into a parked DAF truck that was parked along the side of the road.
Paramedics were quickly called in but the man died at the scene of the incident.
Magistrate Ian Farrugia is leading an inquiry into the case, with the police saying they are investigating further.
L-Ghaqda Armar Triq Dicembru 13 jibdew jarmaw ghal festa
Minn Mario Muscat
Minn Mario Muscat
Puli calls Marlene a viper over ‘F’għoxx Il-PN’ chant during Ħaż-Żebbuġ feast
Video shows PD MP Marlene Farrugia held aloft at St Philip’s band club in Haz Zebbug while crowd chants ‘Fuck the PN’
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/puliclyde/videos/2352869678326182/
11 June 2019, 1:25pm
by Matthew Vella
No love lost between the PN’s erstwhile ‘coalition’ partner Marlene Farrugia and an enraged Clyde Puli.
The PN secretary-general has called out Marlene Farrugia over a viral video of the Democratic Party MP celebrating during the St Philip feast of Haz-Zebbug, to a scurrilous chant against the Nationalist Party.
In a Facebook post, Puli took umbrage at a video showing Farrugia enjoying herself inside the band club, while the crowd appears to be chanting ‘F’ghoxx il-PN’ (fuck the PN) to the tune of Gigi d’Agostino’s L’Amours Toujours.
While it is unclear if Farrugia herself is singing to the same chant, the mobile phone footage shows Farrugia held aloft by festa revellers inside the St Philip’s band club while the chant is taking place.
PN secretary-general Clyde Puli used the video to take Farrugia to task on Facebook. “We gave [the PD] a stage, the media, and two seats in the House. She even had the cheek to say she wanted to be our party leader. And when we wanted to cede a seat from our bench for the co-option of our leader, she wanted a PD candidate to contest it,” Puli said on Facebook.
“Today they dance to the rhythm of their hate towards us. She’s an albatross around our neck while the PN tries all it can to gain ground.”
Puli also hashtagged the post with the words “Trojan Horse” and “viper in our midst”.
Marlene Farrugia was not available for comment when called.
MaltaToday then sent the Facebook link to her partner, and PD leader Godfrey Farrugia. “We were nowhere near whoever was filming… Puli is trying to divert attention from his own problems.”
When contacted, Farrugia said he was unaware of the video but said he had no recollection of people singing “f’ghoxx il-PN” around him during the celebrations. He suggested that people might have been chanting in the vicinity of whoever was filming and not necessary near the couple. “Puli is only trying to deflect attention. I have always viewed the feast as a celebration of the community during which I meet people of different opinions and from all walks of life.”
Reacting to Puli’s remarks in a Facebook post of her own, Marlene Farrugia accused Puli of acting out of panic following the disastrous election result “he and his friends” had brought upon the PN through their “incompetence”.
“As I always do, I have fun during feasts, real fun, celebrating with friends, both new and old,” Farrugia said, adding that in her life, she had never insulted anyone.
She added that she had also spent a considerable amount of time at the Żebbuġ PN club, as well as others.
Puli, she said, was clearly threatened by her. “They are right to do so because they are as corrupt as the government they want to remove.”
Video shows PD MP Marlene Farrugia held aloft at St Philip’s band club in Haz Zebbug while crowd chants ‘Fuck the PN’
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/puliclyde/videos/2352869678326182/
11 June 2019, 1:25pm
by Matthew Vella
No love lost between the PN’s erstwhile ‘coalition’ partner Marlene Farrugia and an enraged Clyde Puli.
The PN secretary-general has called out Marlene Farrugia over a viral video of the Democratic Party MP celebrating during the St Philip feast of Haz-Zebbug, to a scurrilous chant against the Nationalist Party.
In a Facebook post, Puli took umbrage at a video showing Farrugia enjoying herself inside the band club, while the crowd appears to be chanting ‘F’ghoxx il-PN’ (fuck the PN) to the tune of Gigi d’Agostino’s L’Amours Toujours.
While it is unclear if Farrugia herself is singing to the same chant, the mobile phone footage shows Farrugia held aloft by festa revellers inside the St Philip’s band club while the chant is taking place.
PN secretary-general Clyde Puli used the video to take Farrugia to task on Facebook. “We gave [the PD] a stage, the media, and two seats in the House. She even had the cheek to say she wanted to be our party leader. And when we wanted to cede a seat from our bench for the co-option of our leader, she wanted a PD candidate to contest it,” Puli said on Facebook.
“Today they dance to the rhythm of their hate towards us. She’s an albatross around our neck while the PN tries all it can to gain ground.”
Puli also hashtagged the post with the words “Trojan Horse” and “viper in our midst”.
Marlene Farrugia was not available for comment when called.
MaltaToday then sent the Facebook link to her partner, and PD leader Godfrey Farrugia. “We were nowhere near whoever was filming… Puli is trying to divert attention from his own problems.”
When contacted, Farrugia said he was unaware of the video but said he had no recollection of people singing “f’ghoxx il-PN” around him during the celebrations. He suggested that people might have been chanting in the vicinity of whoever was filming and not necessary near the couple. “Puli is only trying to deflect attention. I have always viewed the feast as a celebration of the community during which I meet people of different opinions and from all walks of life.”
Reacting to Puli’s remarks in a Facebook post of her own, Marlene Farrugia accused Puli of acting out of panic following the disastrous election result “he and his friends” had brought upon the PN through their “incompetence”.
“As I always do, I have fun during feasts, real fun, celebrating with friends, both new and old,” Farrugia said, adding that in her life, she had never insulted anyone.
She added that she had also spent a considerable amount of time at the Żebbuġ PN club, as well as others.
Puli, she said, was clearly threatened by her. “They are right to do so because they are as corrupt as the government they want to remove.”
Kevin Cutajar sworn in as new PN MP
Monday, 10 June 2019,
Kevin Cutajar has just been sworn in as a new Member of Parliament.
"I am extremely honoured and proud to have been accepted as a new MP from Gozo," he said.
Cutajar was approved unanimously by the executive committee last Saturday after, a week earlier, it had been Jean Pierre Debono who was given the green light. Debono however later renounced the seat after voting irregularities were noticed and the party later decided that the seat vacated by David Stellini was to be filled up by a candidate from the same electoral district, the 13th.
Cutajar speaking in Parliament said that he is aware of the responsibility he has and will do his utmost to work hard in Parliament.
Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia said he was extremely proud of his colleague Cutajar. "I believe that the vision Kevin has for this island is one to bring the right results and to prove all those who did not believe in him wrong."
Monday, 10 June 2019,
Kevin Cutajar has just been sworn in as a new Member of Parliament.
"I am extremely honoured and proud to have been accepted as a new MP from Gozo," he said.
Cutajar was approved unanimously by the executive committee last Saturday after, a week earlier, it had been Jean Pierre Debono who was given the green light. Debono however later renounced the seat after voting irregularities were noticed and the party later decided that the seat vacated by David Stellini was to be filled up by a candidate from the same electoral district, the 13th.
Cutajar speaking in Parliament said that he is aware of the responsibility he has and will do his utmost to work hard in Parliament.
Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia said he was extremely proud of his colleague Cutajar. "I believe that the vision Kevin has for this island is one to bring the right results and to prove all those who did not believe in him wrong."
Fourth ship joins Gozo Channel fleet on short lease
Monday, 10 June 2019,
The MV Nicolaos arrived in Malta on Monday morning to join the Gozo Channel fleet, bringing up the total of ships to four.
The ro-ro ferry, in Gozo Channel colours, arrived from Greece.
It was leased by Gozo Channel Limited following an increase in passenger and car crossings.
The ship was chartered together with its crew on a short lease while Gozo Channel seeks a more suitable vessel for longer use.
Monday, 10 June 2019,
The MV Nicolaos arrived in Malta on Monday morning to join the Gozo Channel fleet, bringing up the total of ships to four.
The ro-ro ferry, in Gozo Channel colours, arrived from Greece.
It was leased by Gozo Channel Limited following an increase in passenger and car crossings.
The ship was chartered together with its crew on a short lease while Gozo Channel seeks a more suitable vessel for longer use.
The Feast of Ghasri in Gozo
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.6.19
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.6.19
Evviva l-festa tagħna
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
L-istaġun tal-festi f’Għawdex
Għal darb’oħra reġa’ magħna;
Fl-Għasri llum ilkoll inġbarna
Għal dil-festa għażiża tagħna!
F’din il-knisja daqstant ħelwa
Tilmaħ għadd sabiħ t’Għasrin
Illi ta’ spiss hawn iqattgħu
Ħafna minn tagħhom il-ħin!
Jitolbu lil Gesu’ Ostja
Sabiex dlonk jidħol għalihom;
Magħhom jimxi tul il-ħajja
Kull għajnua fis jagħtihom.
Statwa ħelwa l-Ħadd fl-għaxija
Mat-toroq toħroġ iddur,
Bil-ferħ timla l-Għasri kollu –
Din hi Kristu Salvatur.
Sett sabiħ ta’ bandalori
Iżejnu lil dan il-misraħ
Illi Audrey b’sengħa tatna
U li bihom kulħadd jifraħ!
U lil Kappillan ħabrieki
Ngħidulu ‘grazzi’ mill-qalb
Talli tant jaħdem u jħabrek
W inżommuh f’tagħna t-talb!
O Gesu’ fl-Ewkaristija
Ejja żurna fil-qalb tagħna;
Mingħajrek aħna lkoll nogħtru –
La tinfired qatt minn magħna!
Agħmel illi din il-festa
Tissokta tqarribna lejk
Sabiex wara din i-ħajja
Niġu lkoll ferħana ħdejk!
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
L-istaġun tal-festi f’Għawdex
Għal darb’oħra reġa’ magħna;
Fl-Għasri llum ilkoll inġbarna
Għal dil-festa għażiża tagħna!
F’din il-knisja daqstant ħelwa
Tilmaħ għadd sabiħ t’Għasrin
Illi ta’ spiss hawn iqattgħu
Ħafna minn tagħhom il-ħin!
Jitolbu lil Gesu’ Ostja
Sabiex dlonk jidħol għalihom;
Magħhom jimxi tul il-ħajja
Kull għajnua fis jagħtihom.
Statwa ħelwa l-Ħadd fl-għaxija
Mat-toroq toħroġ iddur,
Bil-ferħ timla l-Għasri kollu –
Din hi Kristu Salvatur.
Sett sabiħ ta’ bandalori
Iżejnu lil dan il-misraħ
Illi Audrey b’sengħa tatna
U li bihom kulħadd jifraħ!
U lil Kappillan ħabrieki
Ngħidulu ‘grazzi’ mill-qalb
Talli tant jaħdem u jħabrek
W inżommuh f’tagħna t-talb!
O Gesu’ fl-Ewkaristija
Ejja żurna fil-qalb tagħna;
Mingħajrek aħna lkoll nogħtru –
La tinfired qatt minn magħna!
Agħmel illi din il-festa
Tissokta tqarribna lejk
Sabiex wara din i-ħajja
Niġu lkoll ferħana ħdejk!
Updated: Kevin Cutajar co-option to House approved by acclamation in PN executive committee
Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar will become Malta’s newest MP
8 June 2019, 11:13am
by Karl Azzopardi
Kevin Cutajar (centre) with PN leader Adrian Delia
Watch the film here: https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=0:51
Watch Adrian Delia speak here.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=2:43
Kevin Cutajar, the Xagħra councillor looking to replace David Stellini in parliament, has been voted by acclamation by the PN executive committee to take his seat up in the House of Representatives.
Stellini, who was elected to parliament from the 13th District – Gozo – resigned last month, with the party now needing to fill his seat by co-opting someone to the House.
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, and has been a local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election. He is visually-impaired.
Last Saturday the same executive elected the PN’s chief political advisor Jean Pierre Debono after he beat Cutajar by 42 votes to 40.
Debono was however forced to give up his seat the following day, after it transpired that two of members of the executive who voted in the election where in fact not eligible to do so.
Saturday’s decision to select Debono over Cutajar was not received well by the party’s activists in Gozo, who are insisting that the seat should be given to someone from the same district.
Former European Court of Human Rights judge Giovanni Bonello also said the matter of co-option to the House was government by several constitutional rules, including one which designates Gozo as a special region, and another stating that in the case of a co-option he new member must be “as nearly as can be of the interests and opinions represented and held by the vacating member”.
Bonello’s opinion, Cutajar said in a Facebook post, “strengthened Gozo’s case” in the matter.
The PN did the right thing - Kevin Cutajar
In comments to the press after being co-opted to Parliament, Cutajar said that the Nationalist Party had “done the right thing”, since a seat which had been occupied by a Gozitan should remain Gozo’s.
The party had also sent a strong message that even someone with a disability could make it to that point, he said.
“The PN - a party I always believed in - did the right thing today. As I said, the seat was Gozo’s and should remain Gozo’s,” Cutajar said.
“As a Gozitan, I was very satisfied that there was near unity amongst the Gozitans when it came to this case. I think we should be unified for other causes, in order to make them a success.”
“This is a departure point. We’ll now turn the page and look forward to the work I have before me as an MP. I will try to undertake this responsibility using the utmost of my abilities,” Cutajar added.
PN identifying its weaknesses - Delia
Asked by MaltaToday - in light of comments he made on Friday’s Xarabank that he would resign if he lost the 2022 general election by a big margin - how large the loss would have to be for him to step down, Delia said that it was premature at this stage to discuss this.
He said that the PN’s executive committee had had a very fruitful session on Saturday, and that the party was identifying its weaknesses, restructuring, but also focusing on what its members have in common.
“The executive committee was very strong today, and held a long and serious discussion. We are identifying our weaknesses and looking at what restructuring has to be put in place. But we are also looking at our strengths - what unites us, not divides us, which means of communication can be used better, and how we can recognise society’s needs better,” he said.
On the co-option of Cutajar, Delia said that “the PN won, the Maltese and Gozitan people won, and the concept of just representation won” with the executive committee’s new decisions.
“The lesson is that when a party listens and debates, and recognises its challenges, good can emanate from this,” the Nationalist leader added.
Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar will become Malta’s newest MP
8 June 2019, 11:13am
by Karl Azzopardi
Kevin Cutajar (centre) with PN leader Adrian Delia
Watch the film here: https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=0:51
Watch Adrian Delia speak here.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=2:43
Kevin Cutajar, the Xagħra councillor looking to replace David Stellini in parliament, has been voted by acclamation by the PN executive committee to take his seat up in the House of Representatives.
Stellini, who was elected to parliament from the 13th District – Gozo – resigned last month, with the party now needing to fill his seat by co-opting someone to the House.
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, and has been a local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election. He is visually-impaired.
Last Saturday the same executive elected the PN’s chief political advisor Jean Pierre Debono after he beat Cutajar by 42 votes to 40.
Debono was however forced to give up his seat the following day, after it transpired that two of members of the executive who voted in the election where in fact not eligible to do so.
Saturday’s decision to select Debono over Cutajar was not received well by the party’s activists in Gozo, who are insisting that the seat should be given to someone from the same district.
Former European Court of Human Rights judge Giovanni Bonello also said the matter of co-option to the House was government by several constitutional rules, including one which designates Gozo as a special region, and another stating that in the case of a co-option he new member must be “as nearly as can be of the interests and opinions represented and held by the vacating member”.
Bonello’s opinion, Cutajar said in a Facebook post, “strengthened Gozo’s case” in the matter.
The PN did the right thing - Kevin Cutajar
In comments to the press after being co-opted to Parliament, Cutajar said that the Nationalist Party had “done the right thing”, since a seat which had been occupied by a Gozitan should remain Gozo’s.
The party had also sent a strong message that even someone with a disability could make it to that point, he said.
“The PN - a party I always believed in - did the right thing today. As I said, the seat was Gozo’s and should remain Gozo’s,” Cutajar said.
“As a Gozitan, I was very satisfied that there was near unity amongst the Gozitans when it came to this case. I think we should be unified for other causes, in order to make them a success.”
“This is a departure point. We’ll now turn the page and look forward to the work I have before me as an MP. I will try to undertake this responsibility using the utmost of my abilities,” Cutajar added.
PN identifying its weaknesses - Delia
Asked by MaltaToday - in light of comments he made on Friday’s Xarabank that he would resign if he lost the 2022 general election by a big margin - how large the loss would have to be for him to step down, Delia said that it was premature at this stage to discuss this.
He said that the PN’s executive committee had had a very fruitful session on Saturday, and that the party was identifying its weaknesses, restructuring, but also focusing on what its members have in common.
“The executive committee was very strong today, and held a long and serious discussion. We are identifying our weaknesses and looking at what restructuring has to be put in place. But we are also looking at our strengths - what unites us, not divides us, which means of communication can be used better, and how we can recognise society’s needs better,” he said.
On the co-option of Cutajar, Delia said that “the PN won, the Maltese and Gozitan people won, and the concept of just representation won” with the executive committee’s new decisions.
“The lesson is that when a party listens and debates, and recognises its challenges, good can emanate from this,” the Nationalist leader added.
Woman rescued from Mellieha four-storey building collapse
Four-storey building collapses in Main Street, Mellieha where construction is taking place next door
8 June 2019
by Matthew Vella
An elderly woman has been rescued from inside the debris of a collapsed apartment building in Mellieha.
The four-storey building collapsed in Main Street, Mellieha on Saturday near the former Shoppers Supermarket. Construction is taking place next door.
The police and officers from the Civil Protection Department and ambulances were on site.
The building fell at around 6am.
All emergency forces are on site, with neighbouring buildings having been evacuated.
This is the second incident in as many months that an apartment block collapses due to third party construction, the recent one being a block in Gwardamangia, where luckily people living in the apartments managed to escape since they were not in the part of the block that collapsed.
Four-storey building collapses in Main Street, Mellieha where construction is taking place next door
8 June 2019
by Matthew Vella
An elderly woman has been rescued from inside the debris of a collapsed apartment building in Mellieha.
The four-storey building collapsed in Main Street, Mellieha on Saturday near the former Shoppers Supermarket. Construction is taking place next door.
The police and officers from the Civil Protection Department and ambulances were on site.
The building fell at around 6am.
All emergency forces are on site, with neighbouring buildings having been evacuated.
This is the second incident in as many months that an apartment block collapses due to third party construction, the recent one being a block in Gwardamangia, where luckily people living in the apartments managed to escape since they were not in the part of the block that collapsed.
Feasts in Malta and Gozo this weekend
Ghasri Gozo: Christ the Saviour in the Eucharist
Haz-Zebbug: St. Philip of Agira
Gwardamangia: Our Lady of Fatima
Ghasri church Gozo.
Ghasri Gozo: Christ the Saviour in the Eucharist
Haz-Zebbug: St. Philip of Agira
Gwardamangia: Our Lady of Fatima
Ghasri church Gozo.
Banner calling on Delia to resign hung outside PN headquarters
The banner was placed in front of the Nationalist Party’s headquarters in Pieta overnight
7 June 2019, 10:06am
by Massimo Costa
The banner was hung outside PN HQ overnight
A banner calling on Adrian Delia to resign was placed outside the Nationalist Party’s headquarters.
The banner, which reads “Irridu futur - Irrizenjaw” (We want a future - Resign), was hung across the Pieta building’s main entrance, and appears to be calling on not only Delia, but others within the party to step down too.
In the past weeks, calls for the resignation of the embattled PN leader and his top officials were made, following the party’s disastrous performance in the European and local council elections.
The situation was worsened after an PN executive committee decision to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to replace David Stellini, who resigned as an MP, resulted in a backlash for party members who alleged that individuals who were not entitled to vote had participated in the committee’s voting process.
Read also:
Clyde Puli scouting for other Gozo candidates to take up Stellini seat
Debono subsequently announced he would not be assuming his parliamentary seat
The executive committee will be meeting on Saturday to decide who to choose as Stellini’s replacement.
The banner was placed in front of the Nationalist Party’s headquarters in Pieta overnight
7 June 2019, 10:06am
by Massimo Costa
The banner was hung outside PN HQ overnight
A banner calling on Adrian Delia to resign was placed outside the Nationalist Party’s headquarters.
The banner, which reads “Irridu futur - Irrizenjaw” (We want a future - Resign), was hung across the Pieta building’s main entrance, and appears to be calling on not only Delia, but others within the party to step down too.
In the past weeks, calls for the resignation of the embattled PN leader and his top officials were made, following the party’s disastrous performance in the European and local council elections.
The situation was worsened after an PN executive committee decision to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to replace David Stellini, who resigned as an MP, resulted in a backlash for party members who alleged that individuals who were not entitled to vote had participated in the committee’s voting process.
Read also:
Clyde Puli scouting for other Gozo candidates to take up Stellini seat
Debono subsequently announced he would not be assuming his parliamentary seat
The executive committee will be meeting on Saturday to decide who to choose as Stellini’s replacement.
Titnieda l-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat 2019 fin-Nadur
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali Clint Camilleri flimkien mas-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said, qed jerġgħu għal sena oħra jorganizzaw il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat fin-Nadur.
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Agrikoltura Clint Camilleri qal li l-għan tal-Gvern huwa li avvenimenti bħal dawn fl-irħula tagħna jkomplu jikbru u jissaħħu u huwa għalhekk tingħata l-għajnuna sabiex il-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom opportunità fejn jiċċelebraw il-bżulija tagħhom. Huwa elabora kif il-wirja ta’ din is-sena qiegħda tkun organizzata mill-kunsill lokali flimkien mas-Segretarjat Parlamentari tal-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali, wara l-iffirmar ta’ Memorandum of Understaning bejn il-kunsill u s-Segretarjat li għamel dan kollu possibbli. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clint Camilleri qal li huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li madwar 250 parteċipant se jesebixxi x-xogħol tiegħu, filwaqt li qed ikun stmat li jattendu madwar 4,000 ruħ fuq jumejn.
Is-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said spjega kif ir-raħal tan-Nadur, magħruf għall-veduti mill-isbaħ tiegħu, u mogħni b’fost l-aqwa widien f’pajjiżna, huwa l-unika raħal fejn il-parroċċa tiegħu tiċċelebra l-festa tal-Imnarja, ad unur tal-Patruni San Pietru u San Pawl, fid-29 ta’ Ġunju. Huwa qal li sa mit-twaqqif tal-kunsill lokali fin-Nadur, il-kunsill beda jaħseb kif jista’ joħloq attivitajiet fl-Imnarja li huma relatati mal-istorja u t-tradizzjoni. Dan ħoloq dik l-imsejħa Wirja Agrarja aktar minn 20 sena ilu, fejn din kienet tinvolvi wirja ta’ ħaxix u frott fi Pjazza l-Arċipriet Martin Camilleri. Din l-attività kompliet tikber u r-raħħala u bdiewa bdew jikkonkorru bis-sħiħ għal din l-attività.
Il-viżitaturi kibru ħafna fin-numru u allura matul is-snin l-attività kibret b’mod awtomatiku. Illum din l-attività hija wirja u esebizzjoni mhux biss ta’ ħaxix u frott, iżda tinkludi wkoll kull tip ta’ uċuħ tar-raba lokali, festa sħiħa ta’ artiġjanat maħdum fin-Nadur u anke fi gżiritna. Fost l-isbaħ arti tradizzjonali u anke artisti live, nies jaħdmu snajja’ tradizzjonali ‘live’, kollezzjonijiet ta’ pjanti u materjal ieħor lokali u tradizzjonali, tiżjin b’armar antik ħafna tal-Imnarja u anke fost l-aqwa arranġamenti tal-fjuri maħduma lokalment, u ħafna stands oħra.
Minbarra dan, l-istess wirja tinkludi esibizzjoni ta’ tjur, tagħti l-opportunità li jsir tberik tal-pets, ikun hemm show tal-bhejjem u żwiemel fi Triq Diċembru 13 u anke tberik, u tipprovdi lil viżitaturi ċ-ċans li jduqu ikel u xorb tradizzjonali b’xejn, u saħansitra mużika u żfin folk ma jaqta’ xejn, kif ukol għana tradizzjonali.
Il-mużika u żfin se jinkludu lil Greenfields, Spiru Sillato, Mnarja Folk Group u Ta’ Ċangura Folk Group. Kull parteċipant jingħata rigal ta’ tifkira li huwa prodott lokali, u kull min itella’ l-bhejjem jingħata rigal ieħor differenti.
Din is-sena il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat se ssir nhar is-Sibt 22 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00pm u l-Ħadd, 23 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00am.
- Ġun 05, 2019
- Miktub minn iNews
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali Clint Camilleri flimkien mas-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said, qed jerġgħu għal sena oħra jorganizzaw il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat fin-Nadur.
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Agrikoltura Clint Camilleri qal li l-għan tal-Gvern huwa li avvenimenti bħal dawn fl-irħula tagħna jkomplu jikbru u jissaħħu u huwa għalhekk tingħata l-għajnuna sabiex il-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom opportunità fejn jiċċelebraw il-bżulija tagħhom. Huwa elabora kif il-wirja ta’ din is-sena qiegħda tkun organizzata mill-kunsill lokali flimkien mas-Segretarjat Parlamentari tal-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali, wara l-iffirmar ta’ Memorandum of Understaning bejn il-kunsill u s-Segretarjat li għamel dan kollu possibbli. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clint Camilleri qal li huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li madwar 250 parteċipant se jesebixxi x-xogħol tiegħu, filwaqt li qed ikun stmat li jattendu madwar 4,000 ruħ fuq jumejn.
Is-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said spjega kif ir-raħal tan-Nadur, magħruf għall-veduti mill-isbaħ tiegħu, u mogħni b’fost l-aqwa widien f’pajjiżna, huwa l-unika raħal fejn il-parroċċa tiegħu tiċċelebra l-festa tal-Imnarja, ad unur tal-Patruni San Pietru u San Pawl, fid-29 ta’ Ġunju. Huwa qal li sa mit-twaqqif tal-kunsill lokali fin-Nadur, il-kunsill beda jaħseb kif jista’ joħloq attivitajiet fl-Imnarja li huma relatati mal-istorja u t-tradizzjoni. Dan ħoloq dik l-imsejħa Wirja Agrarja aktar minn 20 sena ilu, fejn din kienet tinvolvi wirja ta’ ħaxix u frott fi Pjazza l-Arċipriet Martin Camilleri. Din l-attività kompliet tikber u r-raħħala u bdiewa bdew jikkonkorru bis-sħiħ għal din l-attività.
Il-viżitaturi kibru ħafna fin-numru u allura matul is-snin l-attività kibret b’mod awtomatiku. Illum din l-attività hija wirja u esebizzjoni mhux biss ta’ ħaxix u frott, iżda tinkludi wkoll kull tip ta’ uċuħ tar-raba lokali, festa sħiħa ta’ artiġjanat maħdum fin-Nadur u anke fi gżiritna. Fost l-isbaħ arti tradizzjonali u anke artisti live, nies jaħdmu snajja’ tradizzjonali ‘live’, kollezzjonijiet ta’ pjanti u materjal ieħor lokali u tradizzjonali, tiżjin b’armar antik ħafna tal-Imnarja u anke fost l-aqwa arranġamenti tal-fjuri maħduma lokalment, u ħafna stands oħra.
Minbarra dan, l-istess wirja tinkludi esibizzjoni ta’ tjur, tagħti l-opportunità li jsir tberik tal-pets, ikun hemm show tal-bhejjem u żwiemel fi Triq Diċembru 13 u anke tberik, u tipprovdi lil viżitaturi ċ-ċans li jduqu ikel u xorb tradizzjonali b’xejn, u saħansitra mużika u żfin folk ma jaqta’ xejn, kif ukol għana tradizzjonali.
Il-mużika u żfin se jinkludu lil Greenfields, Spiru Sillato, Mnarja Folk Group u Ta’ Ċangura Folk Group. Kull parteċipant jingħata rigal ta’ tifkira li huwa prodott lokali, u kull min itella’ l-bhejjem jingħata rigal ieħor differenti.
Din is-sena il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat se ssir nhar is-Sibt 22 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00pm u l-Ħadd, 23 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00am.
Indepth: Divide and rule was what moved this leadership forward – Mark Anthony Sammut
Wednesday, 5 June 2019,
The politics that moved this leadership forward was the politics of divide and rule that pits Nationalists against Nationalists, and Jean-Pierre Debono kept on doing it with this letter, ex-Executive President of the Nationalist Party Mark Anthony Sammut said.
This week on Indepth, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard spoke with Mark Anthony Sammut, who on Saturday resigned from his post as Executive President of the Nationalist Party following two record-breaking defeats in the recent elections.
Noting how everyone is afraid to speak out due to lack of freedom in the Nationalist Party, he said that the insults he has been receiving over the last few days were incredible, going on to point out that Jean-Pierre Debono’s letter blamed his decision not to take the vacant seat in Parliament on politics of envy, the thirst of power at all costs and hatred.
Nationalist Party Political Co-ordinator Jean-Pierre Debono recently was controversially co-opted to fill David Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, but following public outcry and questionable voting circumstances, he gave it up.
Sammut questioned how he could be accused of having a thirst for power when he is the first one to resign from his post so that the party is given the “space to truly find who will unite, strengthen and move it forward”.
He insisted that the idea that there were warring factions in the Nationalist Party was propaganda from the Labour Party, pointing out that there were people who also hadn’t accepted Lawrence Gonzi and Simon Busuttil before Adrian Delia.
“The leader of a party must always try to find a way for those people who are not accepting of him to be more involved and bring them closer to him, and not go out there and instigate Nationalists against Nationalists.”
Maintaining that this message was not only coming from just one person, he pointed out how the first message given in public was that the blame for losing this election should be on those Nationalists that did not vote.
“With all due respect, do we have a right to the vote of these Nationalists?”
“We should be going out and giving them a reason to vote for us, and not going out there and saying it’s their fault.”
Core voters
Sammut had previously noted that, whilst it was a fact that people who proclaim themselves eternal followers of a party are decreasing, he wouldn’t expect those who identify themselves with the Nationalist Party because they believe in its principles to decrease – especially after six years in opposition, and six years of a government plagued with one story of corruption to another.
Warning about the over-extended period the Nationalist Party was taking to find its legs and understand what needs to be done, Sammut said that if opposition parties receive less than 33% of the vote, then “this country will become a dictatorship”.
“This is the responsibility that we have – as soon as the Labour Party hits two-thirds, then we can wake up tomorrow morning and live in a one-party-state and close down Parliament.”
“This is serious,” he pleaded, “being stubborn, keeping our heads in the sand, and thinking that we can delude ourselves into thinking that we can unite people after those same people lost the trust of the public is an illusion and we must understand this.”
Vacant seat in Parliament
Speaking about the steps to be taken to fill Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, Sammut insisted that in the history of the Nationalist Party, they had always given the seats to the next candidate in line that would have been voted for by the same voters.
“For the sake of justice and democracy, we should not have even had an election in the executive.”
This particularly when Gozo was the only district where they had made gains.
“I would have expected the leader of the party to come and say that, in the interest of the party, and considering that it as a sensitive subject, and the fact that Gozo was the only place where gains were made, and the fact that the Labour Party just gave them their first Gozitan MEP - then we should not have been the ones who took a seat away from them.”
He decried the lost chance where in the same week that the Labour Party had boasted about getting a disabled individual elected into a local council, they had a chance to put the first person with a disability into Malta’s Parliament and they kicked it aside.
***
Earlier story
Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him, ex-Nationalist Party executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut said.
Apart from the leader, Sammut says that secretary general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, the party's media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut was being interviewed in this week's edition of Indepth by Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard, three days after he resigned from his post as president of the PN's executive committee.
The resignation follows the party's massive electoral defeats in the European Parliament and local council elections. Sammut resigned at the end of an executive committee meeting which generated even more controversy and in-fighting, after the party voted to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to Parliament in replacement of David Stellini. Debono eventually renounced the seat.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are "disposable" - "they could definitely have a role in the party.
"But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward."
He said that Delia had shown potential but had been taken over by others around him.
Sammut insisted that there is a need to make space for new blood that is capable of uniting and leading the party.
He maintained that "there is no other choice" but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections.
For this to happen he insisted that there first needs to be the space and the liberty for others to come forward.
"Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call."
When pushed to name names, he said that it was not his responsibility to say who they are, as they must first be given the space to come forward.
Wednesday, 5 June 2019,
The politics that moved this leadership forward was the politics of divide and rule that pits Nationalists against Nationalists, and Jean-Pierre Debono kept on doing it with this letter, ex-Executive President of the Nationalist Party Mark Anthony Sammut said.
This week on Indepth, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard spoke with Mark Anthony Sammut, who on Saturday resigned from his post as Executive President of the Nationalist Party following two record-breaking defeats in the recent elections.
Noting how everyone is afraid to speak out due to lack of freedom in the Nationalist Party, he said that the insults he has been receiving over the last few days were incredible, going on to point out that Jean-Pierre Debono’s letter blamed his decision not to take the vacant seat in Parliament on politics of envy, the thirst of power at all costs and hatred.
Nationalist Party Political Co-ordinator Jean-Pierre Debono recently was controversially co-opted to fill David Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, but following public outcry and questionable voting circumstances, he gave it up.
Sammut questioned how he could be accused of having a thirst for power when he is the first one to resign from his post so that the party is given the “space to truly find who will unite, strengthen and move it forward”.
He insisted that the idea that there were warring factions in the Nationalist Party was propaganda from the Labour Party, pointing out that there were people who also hadn’t accepted Lawrence Gonzi and Simon Busuttil before Adrian Delia.
“The leader of a party must always try to find a way for those people who are not accepting of him to be more involved and bring them closer to him, and not go out there and instigate Nationalists against Nationalists.”
Maintaining that this message was not only coming from just one person, he pointed out how the first message given in public was that the blame for losing this election should be on those Nationalists that did not vote.
“With all due respect, do we have a right to the vote of these Nationalists?”
“We should be going out and giving them a reason to vote for us, and not going out there and saying it’s their fault.”
Core voters
Sammut had previously noted that, whilst it was a fact that people who proclaim themselves eternal followers of a party are decreasing, he wouldn’t expect those who identify themselves with the Nationalist Party because they believe in its principles to decrease – especially after six years in opposition, and six years of a government plagued with one story of corruption to another.
Warning about the over-extended period the Nationalist Party was taking to find its legs and understand what needs to be done, Sammut said that if opposition parties receive less than 33% of the vote, then “this country will become a dictatorship”.
“This is the responsibility that we have – as soon as the Labour Party hits two-thirds, then we can wake up tomorrow morning and live in a one-party-state and close down Parliament.”
“This is serious,” he pleaded, “being stubborn, keeping our heads in the sand, and thinking that we can delude ourselves into thinking that we can unite people after those same people lost the trust of the public is an illusion and we must understand this.”
Vacant seat in Parliament
Speaking about the steps to be taken to fill Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, Sammut insisted that in the history of the Nationalist Party, they had always given the seats to the next candidate in line that would have been voted for by the same voters.
“For the sake of justice and democracy, we should not have even had an election in the executive.”
This particularly when Gozo was the only district where they had made gains.
“I would have expected the leader of the party to come and say that, in the interest of the party, and considering that it as a sensitive subject, and the fact that Gozo was the only place where gains were made, and the fact that the Labour Party just gave them their first Gozitan MEP - then we should not have been the ones who took a seat away from them.”
He decried the lost chance where in the same week that the Labour Party had boasted about getting a disabled individual elected into a local council, they had a chance to put the first person with a disability into Malta’s Parliament and they kicked it aside.
***
Earlier story
Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him, ex-Nationalist Party executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut said.
Apart from the leader, Sammut says that secretary general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, the party's media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut was being interviewed in this week's edition of Indepth by Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard, three days after he resigned from his post as president of the PN's executive committee.
The resignation follows the party's massive electoral defeats in the European Parliament and local council elections. Sammut resigned at the end of an executive committee meeting which generated even more controversy and in-fighting, after the party voted to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to Parliament in replacement of David Stellini. Debono eventually renounced the seat.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are "disposable" - "they could definitely have a role in the party.
"But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward."
He said that Delia had shown potential but had been taken over by others around him.
Sammut insisted that there is a need to make space for new blood that is capable of uniting and leading the party.
He maintained that "there is no other choice" but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections.
For this to happen he insisted that there first needs to be the space and the liberty for others to come forward.
"Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call."
When pushed to name names, he said that it was not his responsibility to say who they are, as they must first be given the space to come forward.
SUMMER IS HERE - GOT TO GO TO NADUR
Pizza from Mekren's Bakery in Nadur
Photo by Kappa Vision.
Pizza from Mekren's Bakery in Nadur
Photo by Kappa Vision.
PN co-option: Kevin Cutajar requests way forward
Former PN executive president Mark Anthony Sammut: Delia must move out
4 June 2019, 4:14pm
by Matthew Vella
Xaghra local councillor Kevin Cutajar
The Gozo councillor Kevin Cutajar has formally requested the Nationalist Party to outline the next steps for its co-option of a new MP to replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Cutajar’s bid for the seat, selected by secret ballot in the PN executive committee, was narrowly defeated by 42 votes to 40, after Adrian Delia’s chief political advisor and former MP Jean Pierre Debono won the co-option.
Since then, Debono has relinquished the co-option after former executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut, cried foul at the voting procedure.
Sammut has now told The Malta Independent that Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him.
He said that secretary-general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, and the party’s media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are “disposable” – “they could definitely have a role in the party. But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward.”
Sammut insisted that there was need for new blood that was capable of uniting and leading the party, and there was no other choice but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections. “First there must be the space and the liberty for others to come forward. Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call.”
Sammut resigned last Saturday by way of taking responsibility for the PN’s drubbing at the European and local council elections, after the PN executive voted by 42 votes to 40 to co-opt former MP and Delia’s chief political advisor, Jean Pierre Debono, to the seat vacated by Gozo MP David Stellini.
He later cried foul at the voting procedure that took place, saying that neither David Stellini – the Gozo MP who vacated his parliamentary seat earlier in the week – nor treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote for the co-option. He accused Jean Pierre Debono of having had access to the list of eligible voters for the executive committee meeting, implicating him in wrongdoing.
In the aftermath of the vote, Camilleri said he was resigning from his post with immediate effect while pushing back against a number of claims being made about Saturday’s proceedings.
Similarly, in a letter to PN leader Adrian Delia, which was published by the Nationalist Party on Monday, Debono rejected claims he had attempted to manipulate the vote, saying however that would not be taking his oath as MP.
“It is today clearer than ever before that the same group of people that did not accept the democratic result of your election as leader of the party are today engaged in a ruthless campaign to attack and discredit me personally, because of the fact that I gave up my seat in parliament for you to become leader of the Opposition,” Debono told Delia.
Debono denied claims that he had in any way manipulated the list of eligible voters before Saturday’s vote, insisting that both Kevin Cutajar and himself had full copy of the list and had not objected to it. Turning to the eligibility of PN treasurer David Camilleri, Debono said that he had been listed as eligible for months and “as far as I know there was never any notification from the president of the executive for his vote to be removed”. Sammut, he stressed, had called out each member during the vote, with no objections having been raised.
Former PN executive president Mark Anthony Sammut: Delia must move out
4 June 2019, 4:14pm
by Matthew Vella
Xaghra local councillor Kevin Cutajar
The Gozo councillor Kevin Cutajar has formally requested the Nationalist Party to outline the next steps for its co-option of a new MP to replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Cutajar’s bid for the seat, selected by secret ballot in the PN executive committee, was narrowly defeated by 42 votes to 40, after Adrian Delia’s chief political advisor and former MP Jean Pierre Debono won the co-option.
Since then, Debono has relinquished the co-option after former executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut, cried foul at the voting procedure.
Sammut has now told The Malta Independent that Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him.
He said that secretary-general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, and the party’s media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are “disposable” – “they could definitely have a role in the party. But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward.”
Sammut insisted that there was need for new blood that was capable of uniting and leading the party, and there was no other choice but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections. “First there must be the space and the liberty for others to come forward. Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call.”
Sammut resigned last Saturday by way of taking responsibility for the PN’s drubbing at the European and local council elections, after the PN executive voted by 42 votes to 40 to co-opt former MP and Delia’s chief political advisor, Jean Pierre Debono, to the seat vacated by Gozo MP David Stellini.
He later cried foul at the voting procedure that took place, saying that neither David Stellini – the Gozo MP who vacated his parliamentary seat earlier in the week – nor treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote for the co-option. He accused Jean Pierre Debono of having had access to the list of eligible voters for the executive committee meeting, implicating him in wrongdoing.
In the aftermath of the vote, Camilleri said he was resigning from his post with immediate effect while pushing back against a number of claims being made about Saturday’s proceedings.
Similarly, in a letter to PN leader Adrian Delia, which was published by the Nationalist Party on Monday, Debono rejected claims he had attempted to manipulate the vote, saying however that would not be taking his oath as MP.
“It is today clearer than ever before that the same group of people that did not accept the democratic result of your election as leader of the party are today engaged in a ruthless campaign to attack and discredit me personally, because of the fact that I gave up my seat in parliament for you to become leader of the Opposition,” Debono told Delia.
Debono denied claims that he had in any way manipulated the list of eligible voters before Saturday’s vote, insisting that both Kevin Cutajar and himself had full copy of the list and had not objected to it. Turning to the eligibility of PN treasurer David Camilleri, Debono said that he had been listed as eligible for months and “as far as I know there was never any notification from the president of the executive for his vote to be removed”. Sammut, he stressed, had called out each member during the vote, with no objections having been raised.
6 snin ħabs għal mara li traffikat id-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem
Minn Nicole Borg
04/06/2019
Mara li nqabdet titraffika d-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem intbagħtet sitt snin ħabs.
Fil-Qorti nstema’ kif Susan Bugeja, ta’ 45 sena u residenti Għajnsielem stess, fl-14 ta’ Lulju u fix-xhur ta’ qabel kienet qed titraffika d-droga minn bar fi Triq Għajnsielem, u deversi postijiet oħra madwar Malta u Għawdex. Hi ġiet akkużata li traffikat u kienet fil-pussess tad-droga kokaina u li wettqet dan ir-reat f’inqas minn 100 metru minn skola.
Matul il-każ instemgħu għadd ta’ xhieda. Il-Kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija Joseph Portelli kien xehed li l-Pulizija rċeviet informazzjoni li kien qiegħed isir traffikar tad-droga f’bar f’Għajnsielem fit-12 ta’ Lulju tal-2013 u minn hemm il-Pulizija bdiet tagħmel sorveljanza fuq il-post. Dan kollu wassal għall-eventwalita tal-arrest tal-mara.
Il-Qorti spjegat li hija konvinta li l-imputata kienet qed titraffika d-droga u li kellha fil-pussess tagħha d-droga kokaina. Il-Qorti spjegat li dan jidher ċar mix-xhieda li taw numru ta’ kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija, li ma kien hemm l-ebda kunflitt bejn il-verżjonijiet tagħhom. Deher ukoll fl-ammont sostanzjali ta’ flus li nstab fuq l-imputata wkoll li kompla jsaħħaħ it-teżi tal-Prosekuzzjoni li kien qiegħed isir bejgħ ta’ droga.
Xehdu wkoll għadd ta’ persuni li kienu xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata. Kollha kkonfermaw li kienu jafu li l-imputata kienet qed tbiegħ id-droga mill-bar tagħha u li għalhekk kienu qed jirrikorru għandha biex jixtru d-droga. Huma kienu jidħlu fil-bar, jgħaddu l-flus minn taħt il-bank tal-bar jew mill-ġenb u min-naħa tagħha l-imputata kienet tgħaddi d-droga.
Intant il-Qorti sabitha ħatja tal-akkużi kollha kontriha u weħlet sitt snin priġunerija u €5,000 multa. Hi ġiet ordnata wkoll tħallas €1,306.77 fi spejjeż tal-esperti. Il-Qorti ordnat li tinqered id-droga kif ukoll divjett fuq l-ismijiet tax-xhieda kollha u l-pjanċi tal-karozzi tagħhom li qalu li xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata.
Minn Nicole Borg
04/06/2019
Mara li nqabdet titraffika d-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem intbagħtet sitt snin ħabs.
Fil-Qorti nstema’ kif Susan Bugeja, ta’ 45 sena u residenti Għajnsielem stess, fl-14 ta’ Lulju u fix-xhur ta’ qabel kienet qed titraffika d-droga minn bar fi Triq Għajnsielem, u deversi postijiet oħra madwar Malta u Għawdex. Hi ġiet akkużata li traffikat u kienet fil-pussess tad-droga kokaina u li wettqet dan ir-reat f’inqas minn 100 metru minn skola.
Matul il-każ instemgħu għadd ta’ xhieda. Il-Kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija Joseph Portelli kien xehed li l-Pulizija rċeviet informazzjoni li kien qiegħed isir traffikar tad-droga f’bar f’Għajnsielem fit-12 ta’ Lulju tal-2013 u minn hemm il-Pulizija bdiet tagħmel sorveljanza fuq il-post. Dan kollu wassal għall-eventwalita tal-arrest tal-mara.
Il-Qorti spjegat li hija konvinta li l-imputata kienet qed titraffika d-droga u li kellha fil-pussess tagħha d-droga kokaina. Il-Qorti spjegat li dan jidher ċar mix-xhieda li taw numru ta’ kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija, li ma kien hemm l-ebda kunflitt bejn il-verżjonijiet tagħhom. Deher ukoll fl-ammont sostanzjali ta’ flus li nstab fuq l-imputata wkoll li kompla jsaħħaħ it-teżi tal-Prosekuzzjoni li kien qiegħed isir bejgħ ta’ droga.
Xehdu wkoll għadd ta’ persuni li kienu xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata. Kollha kkonfermaw li kienu jafu li l-imputata kienet qed tbiegħ id-droga mill-bar tagħha u li għalhekk kienu qed jirrikorru għandha biex jixtru d-droga. Huma kienu jidħlu fil-bar, jgħaddu l-flus minn taħt il-bank tal-bar jew mill-ġenb u min-naħa tagħha l-imputata kienet tgħaddi d-droga.
Intant il-Qorti sabitha ħatja tal-akkużi kollha kontriha u weħlet sitt snin priġunerija u €5,000 multa. Hi ġiet ordnata wkoll tħallas €1,306.77 fi spejjeż tal-esperti. Il-Qorti ordnat li tinqered id-droga kif ukoll divjett fuq l-ismijiet tax-xhieda kollha u l-pjanċi tal-karozzi tagħhom li qalu li xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata.
Nadur in pictures
Ta' Sopu Tower
By Lynda Farish
Spectacular views.
Ta' Sopu Tower
By Lynda Farish
Spectacular views.
Gozitan voters file court action against PN: ‘Cancel Jean-Pierre Debono’s co-option’
Mon, 3rd Jun '19
Two Gozitan voters have filed a judicial protest against the Nationalist Party calling on them not to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to the Parliamentary seat vacated by David Stellini.
The voters, Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia, said in their letter that the vote on Saturday morning that chose Jean Pierre Debono over Gozitan candidate Kevin Cutajar was null as it allowed two people ineligible to vote to cast their ballot. That was David Stellini himself who was supposed to have lost his right to vote upon resigning from Parliament and party Treasurer David Camilleri that had only observer status in the Executive Committee.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia also complained that in casting their own votes Jean Pierre Debono and his wife Kristy Debono breached the party’s rules on conflicts of interest.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia said that as a voter in the Gozo electoral district she has a direct interest in who is co-opted to represent her in Parliament and choosing Jean Pierre Debono would cause her prejudice that cannot be fixed.
The judicial protest calls on the PN to call a new Executive Committee meeting to choose a co-opted candidate in conformity with the party’s statute. It also holds the party responsible and reserved the right of further civil action.
The judicial protest was signed by lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Damian Cassar who work in the law office of former PN MP Franco Debono.
Mon, 3rd Jun '19
Two Gozitan voters have filed a judicial protest against the Nationalist Party calling on them not to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to the Parliamentary seat vacated by David Stellini.
The voters, Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia, said in their letter that the vote on Saturday morning that chose Jean Pierre Debono over Gozitan candidate Kevin Cutajar was null as it allowed two people ineligible to vote to cast their ballot. That was David Stellini himself who was supposed to have lost his right to vote upon resigning from Parliament and party Treasurer David Camilleri that had only observer status in the Executive Committee.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia also complained that in casting their own votes Jean Pierre Debono and his wife Kristy Debono breached the party’s rules on conflicts of interest.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia said that as a voter in the Gozo electoral district she has a direct interest in who is co-opted to represent her in Parliament and choosing Jean Pierre Debono would cause her prejudice that cannot be fixed.
The judicial protest calls on the PN to call a new Executive Committee meeting to choose a co-opted candidate in conformity with the party’s statute. It also holds the party responsible and reserved the right of further civil action.
The judicial protest was signed by lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Damian Cassar who work in the law office of former PN MP Franco Debono.
MALTESE FOOD AT THE MALTESE CULTURAL & HERITAGE CENTER.
Cooked Qassatat will be available for sale from this Thursday night at the Maltese Cultural and Heritage Center Albion.
Address: 27 Talmage Street, Albion.
We are open at 5.30 pm.
Also:
Ladies Maltese Lace
Table tennis
Ghana
Come and say hello and meet new friends.
Cooked Qassatat will be available for sale from this Thursday night at the Maltese Cultural and Heritage Center Albion.
Address: 27 Talmage Street, Albion.
We are open at 5.30 pm.
Also:
Ladies Maltese Lace
Table tennis
Ghana
Come and say hello and meet new friends.
Sunday, June 2, 2019,
PN postpones motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament - sources
Motion held back after MPs threaten to file injunction to block parliamentary move
Jean Pierre Debono.
A motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament was postponed late on Sunday evening, as Nationalist Party leadership scrambled to contain fallout from a contentious vote to have Mr Debono replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia received word late in the evening that the PN would not be presenting Monday’s motion, sources told Times of Malta.
The party opted to put off the vote after it learned that a number of its own MPs intended to file a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the co-option on Monday morning, sources said, in a legal bid to block Mr Debono from being appointed an MP.
The injunction had already been drafted and would still be presented if the PN sought to go ahead with Monday’s motion, the sources said.
Debono under pressureMr Debono, who won a secret ballot to replace Mr Stellini by just two votes, came under intense pressure on Sunday evening after being accused of having allowed two ineligible executive committee members to cast a vote in Saturday’s ballot, which he himself won.
The PN’s Gozo regional committee was the first to flag concerns, writing party leader Adrian Delia a letter in which it noted that Mr Stellini should not have been allowed to vote, as he had already resigned his seat in parliament.
The committee gave the party until Sunday evening to revise the decision to co-opt Mr Debono and threatened legal action if it did not do so.
Shortly afterwards, outgoing executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut suggested that another ineligible member, treasurer David Camilleri, had also been allowed to vote.
Read: Sammut points finger at Debono, who hits back
It was Mr Debono, Mr Sammut charged, who was responsible for keeping track of executive committee attendance records and data.
“The conflict of interest is clear,” he wrote. “Gozitans not only had a [parliamentary] seat stolen, it was stolen through deception”.
MP Jason Azzopardi went a step further, writing on Facebook that Mr Debono had committed “fraud”. He shared a screenshot of a Word document which appeared to show a list of committee members, including Mr Stellini and Mr Camilleri, and which was last edited on the morning of May 30 by a ‘Jean Pierre Debono’.
Mr Debono however washed his hands of the charges, saying that he had not compiled the list of voting members and that he had told Mr Sammut so before Saturday’s meeting.
“It should have been him who led the election and ensured the list in his hands was the correct one, up-to-date and in line with the [party] statute,” he wrote on Facebook.
Reprimand in 2017
It is the second time that Mr Debono has been embroiled in controversy over his handling of votes within PN structures.
Back in 2017, he received a reprimand from the party for the way in which he handled proxy votes during the leadership election which Dr Delia won.
He had been accused of collecting a member’s voting document through a proxy issued without the voter’s consent. The member said that the signature on the vote was not his.
Mr Debono had denied forging signatures but admitted to having used proxies so that sectional committees could collect voting documents on behalf of members unable to do so themselves.
PN postpones motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament - sources
Motion held back after MPs threaten to file injunction to block parliamentary move
Jean Pierre Debono.
A motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament was postponed late on Sunday evening, as Nationalist Party leadership scrambled to contain fallout from a contentious vote to have Mr Debono replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia received word late in the evening that the PN would not be presenting Monday’s motion, sources told Times of Malta.
The party opted to put off the vote after it learned that a number of its own MPs intended to file a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the co-option on Monday morning, sources said, in a legal bid to block Mr Debono from being appointed an MP.
The injunction had already been drafted and would still be presented if the PN sought to go ahead with Monday’s motion, the sources said.
Debono under pressureMr Debono, who won a secret ballot to replace Mr Stellini by just two votes, came under intense pressure on Sunday evening after being accused of having allowed two ineligible executive committee members to cast a vote in Saturday’s ballot, which he himself won.
The PN’s Gozo regional committee was the first to flag concerns, writing party leader Adrian Delia a letter in which it noted that Mr Stellini should not have been allowed to vote, as he had already resigned his seat in parliament.
The committee gave the party until Sunday evening to revise the decision to co-opt Mr Debono and threatened legal action if it did not do so.
Shortly afterwards, outgoing executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut suggested that another ineligible member, treasurer David Camilleri, had also been allowed to vote.
Read: Sammut points finger at Debono, who hits back
It was Mr Debono, Mr Sammut charged, who was responsible for keeping track of executive committee attendance records and data.
“The conflict of interest is clear,” he wrote. “Gozitans not only had a [parliamentary] seat stolen, it was stolen through deception”.
MP Jason Azzopardi went a step further, writing on Facebook that Mr Debono had committed “fraud”. He shared a screenshot of a Word document which appeared to show a list of committee members, including Mr Stellini and Mr Camilleri, and which was last edited on the morning of May 30 by a ‘Jean Pierre Debono’.
Mr Debono however washed his hands of the charges, saying that he had not compiled the list of voting members and that he had told Mr Sammut so before Saturday’s meeting.
“It should have been him who led the election and ensured the list in his hands was the correct one, up-to-date and in line with the [party] statute,” he wrote on Facebook.
Reprimand in 2017
It is the second time that Mr Debono has been embroiled in controversy over his handling of votes within PN structures.
Back in 2017, he received a reprimand from the party for the way in which he handled proxy votes during the leadership election which Dr Delia won.
He had been accused of collecting a member’s voting document through a proxy issued without the voter’s consent. The member said that the signature on the vote was not his.
Mr Debono had denied forging signatures but admitted to having used proxies so that sectional committees could collect voting documents on behalf of members unable to do so themselves.
Joħorġu aktar fil-beraħ il-qasmiet tal-PN...
Allegazzjonijiet fuq Facebook bejn Jean Pierre Debono, Jason Azzopardi u Mark Anthony Sammut
Mark Anthony Sammut, li rriżenja minn President tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN, il-Ħadd filgħaxija iddikjara li kien hemm tal-inqas tnejn li vvutaw fl-elezzjoni tas-Sibt għall-co-option li fil-fatt lanqas kellhom dritt tal-vot. L-elezzjoni għas-siġġu parlamentari ntrebħet minn Debono bi 42 vot favurih u 40 vot favur Kevin Cutajar, kandidat nazzjonalista fl-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-2017.
Ma naqsux battibekki u attakki bejn Mark Anthony Sammut u l-istess Jean Pierre Debono. Intant il-Kumitat Reġonali għal Għawdex qed isostni li l-elezzjoni hu nulla u qed jhedded bi jieħu l-każ il-Qorti dwar il-votazzjoni li fiha Debono spiċċa rebaħ is-siġġu. Mark Anthony Sammut, il-Ħadd tard filgħaxija kkummenta li “Għalkemm jien President tal-Eżekuttiv, m'għandix aċċess dirett għad-data u għall-attendenza tal-membri. Din hi responsabbilità li dejjem kienet esklussività ta' Jean Pierre Debono, l-ewwel bħala Assistent Segretarju Ġenerali, imbagħad bħala Koordinatur Politiku; - Ġejt infurmata bid-deċiżjoni tal-laqgħa il-Ħamis li għadda. Il-lista tal-votanti eliġibbli ġiet mgħoddija lili biss eżatt qabel infetħet il-votazzjoni; - Wara l-laqgħa inġibditli l-attenzjoni li seta' kien hemm membri li ma kellhomx dritt jivvutaw u li fil-fatt ivvutaw. Minħabba f'hekk, f'dawn l-24 siegħa kkumpilajt il-lista tal-membri li suppost kellhom dritt tal-vot u minn fejn kien joħroġ id-dritt tagħhom u kkonkludejt li: - David Stellini, li filfatt ivvota, kien tilef id-dritt tal-vot wara r-riżenja tiegħu minn Deputat; u - David Camilleri, bħala Teżorier, kellu dritt biss jattendi għall-Eżekuttiv mingħajr dritt ta' vot. Minkejja dan, kien imniżżel fil-lista ta' votanti eliġibbli li ħarġet is-Segreterija tal-Partit. Persuna waħda biss setgħet iżżidu mal-lista, u l-kunflitt ta' interess tagħha hawn huwa ċar.
Ir-riżultat tal-votazzjoni huwa għalhekk ivvizjat. Milli jidher, mhux biss is-siġġu Parlamentari insteraq lill-Għawdex, imma insteraq b'qerq. Dan jerġa' jikkonferma li lbieraħ għamilt id-deċiżjoni t-tajba li ma nkunx parteċipi aktar ma' din it-tip ta' tmexxija, u nerġa' ntenni l-appell tiegħi biex dawn l-uffiċċjali jerfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet politiċi tagħhom u jirriżenjaw.” Hu reġa’ kkummenta u ddikjara li “qal li jien qed nigdeb u hu ma kellux x'jaqsam mal-lista. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, erfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet tagħkom. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tisservew bil-Partit tagħna. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tniżżlu l-Partit magħkom.” Minn naħa tiegħu, Jean Pierre Debono wieġeb għal dan u qal li “Il-persuna li qed iqarraq f'dan kollu huwa Mark Anthony Sammut li sal-bierah kien l-Ufficjal responsabbli mill-Kumitat Ezekuttiv u min ikun fil-listi tal-vot. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li qabel bdiet il-laqgha staqsieni ghal-lista u l-affarijiet marbuta mal-Elezzjoni u jiena wegibtu li jiena ma kelli x'naqsam xejn mal-listi u mal-preparazzjoni ghal din l-elezzjoni peress li kont se nkun involut direttament fiha jiena.
Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li l-lista ma hadhiex minghandi u li jiena ma kkompilajtx il-lista allura kellu jkun hu li mexxa l-elezzjoni li jara li l-lista li kellu f'idejh hija korretta, aggornata u mal-istatut. Mark Anthony Sammut mexxa kemm il-laqgha kif ukoll l-Elezzjoni, kien hu li ghajjat l-ismijiet tal-persuni wiehed, wiehed biex jivvotaw hu. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf b'dan kollu u jaf li dan li qed nghid jiena mhu xejn ghajr il-verità.”
Intant Jason Azzopardi wkoll qed jallega li fl-elezzjoni għall-co-option tal-bieraħ kien hemm it-tbabis. Huw ajtemm il-kumment fuq Facebook bil-kelma "barra."
Allegazzjonijiet fuq Facebook bejn Jean Pierre Debono, Jason Azzopardi u Mark Anthony Sammut
- Ġun 02, 2019 23:43
- Miktub minn iNews
Mark Anthony Sammut, li rriżenja minn President tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN, il-Ħadd filgħaxija iddikjara li kien hemm tal-inqas tnejn li vvutaw fl-elezzjoni tas-Sibt għall-co-option li fil-fatt lanqas kellhom dritt tal-vot. L-elezzjoni għas-siġġu parlamentari ntrebħet minn Debono bi 42 vot favurih u 40 vot favur Kevin Cutajar, kandidat nazzjonalista fl-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-2017.
Ma naqsux battibekki u attakki bejn Mark Anthony Sammut u l-istess Jean Pierre Debono. Intant il-Kumitat Reġonali għal Għawdex qed isostni li l-elezzjoni hu nulla u qed jhedded bi jieħu l-każ il-Qorti dwar il-votazzjoni li fiha Debono spiċċa rebaħ is-siġġu. Mark Anthony Sammut, il-Ħadd tard filgħaxija kkummenta li “Għalkemm jien President tal-Eżekuttiv, m'għandix aċċess dirett għad-data u għall-attendenza tal-membri. Din hi responsabbilità li dejjem kienet esklussività ta' Jean Pierre Debono, l-ewwel bħala Assistent Segretarju Ġenerali, imbagħad bħala Koordinatur Politiku; - Ġejt infurmata bid-deċiżjoni tal-laqgħa il-Ħamis li għadda. Il-lista tal-votanti eliġibbli ġiet mgħoddija lili biss eżatt qabel infetħet il-votazzjoni; - Wara l-laqgħa inġibditli l-attenzjoni li seta' kien hemm membri li ma kellhomx dritt jivvutaw u li fil-fatt ivvutaw. Minħabba f'hekk, f'dawn l-24 siegħa kkumpilajt il-lista tal-membri li suppost kellhom dritt tal-vot u minn fejn kien joħroġ id-dritt tagħhom u kkonkludejt li: - David Stellini, li filfatt ivvota, kien tilef id-dritt tal-vot wara r-riżenja tiegħu minn Deputat; u - David Camilleri, bħala Teżorier, kellu dritt biss jattendi għall-Eżekuttiv mingħajr dritt ta' vot. Minkejja dan, kien imniżżel fil-lista ta' votanti eliġibbli li ħarġet is-Segreterija tal-Partit. Persuna waħda biss setgħet iżżidu mal-lista, u l-kunflitt ta' interess tagħha hawn huwa ċar.
Ir-riżultat tal-votazzjoni huwa għalhekk ivvizjat. Milli jidher, mhux biss is-siġġu Parlamentari insteraq lill-Għawdex, imma insteraq b'qerq. Dan jerġa' jikkonferma li lbieraħ għamilt id-deċiżjoni t-tajba li ma nkunx parteċipi aktar ma' din it-tip ta' tmexxija, u nerġa' ntenni l-appell tiegħi biex dawn l-uffiċċjali jerfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet politiċi tagħhom u jirriżenjaw.” Hu reġa’ kkummenta u ddikjara li “qal li jien qed nigdeb u hu ma kellux x'jaqsam mal-lista. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, erfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet tagħkom. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tisservew bil-Partit tagħna. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tniżżlu l-Partit magħkom.” Minn naħa tiegħu, Jean Pierre Debono wieġeb għal dan u qal li “Il-persuna li qed iqarraq f'dan kollu huwa Mark Anthony Sammut li sal-bierah kien l-Ufficjal responsabbli mill-Kumitat Ezekuttiv u min ikun fil-listi tal-vot. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li qabel bdiet il-laqgha staqsieni ghal-lista u l-affarijiet marbuta mal-Elezzjoni u jiena wegibtu li jiena ma kelli x'naqsam xejn mal-listi u mal-preparazzjoni ghal din l-elezzjoni peress li kont se nkun involut direttament fiha jiena.
Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li l-lista ma hadhiex minghandi u li jiena ma kkompilajtx il-lista allura kellu jkun hu li mexxa l-elezzjoni li jara li l-lista li kellu f'idejh hija korretta, aggornata u mal-istatut. Mark Anthony Sammut mexxa kemm il-laqgha kif ukoll l-Elezzjoni, kien hu li ghajjat l-ismijiet tal-persuni wiehed, wiehed biex jivvotaw hu. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf b'dan kollu u jaf li dan li qed nghid jiena mhu xejn ghajr il-verità.”
Intant Jason Azzopardi wkoll qed jallega li fl-elezzjoni għall-co-option tal-bieraħ kien hemm it-tbabis. Huw ajtemm il-kumment fuq Facebook bil-kelma "barra."
“Qed nikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss” – Chris Said
Minn Charmaine Attard
01/06/2019,
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Għawdxi Chris Said stqarr li l-Għawdxin huma diżgustati u fi kliemu bir-raġun. Saħaq li qed jikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss, madanakollu ma daħalx f’dettall dwar x’jista’ jkun dan il-pass.
Il-kumment ta’ Dr Said segwa l-għażla mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li Jean Pierre Debono jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament. It-tellieqa għal dan is-siġġu kienet bejn Debono u l-Għawdxi Kevin Cutajar. Debono kiseb 42 vot, filwaqt li Cutajar ġab 40 vot.
Filmat: Jean Pierre Debono se jieħu post David Stellini fil-Parlament
Ilbieraħ Chris Said kiteb pubblikament li jemmen li s-siġġu għandu jimtela minn Għawdxi, u għadda l-messaġġ lil dawk fil-Kumitat li Kevin Cutajar jixraqlu jieħu s-siġġu.
Aqra: Għandu jkun Għawdxi – Said
Intant, ma’ Newsbook.com.mt, id-Deputata Nazzjonalista Marthese Portelli, li fl-elezzjoni tal-2017 telgħet fuq żewġ distretti u ċediet dak ta’ Għawdex u b’hekk tela’ fil-Parlament David Stellini, qalet li l-Kumitat Eżekuttiv iddeċieda. Madanakollu qalet li r-realità hi li s-siġġu vakat fit-13-il Distrett issa għadda għand distrett ieħor. Sostniet li issa hemm deputat inqas jirrappreżenta lil Għawdex. Dr Portelli fissret li dak ifisser, li hi flimkien ma’ Chris Said u Frederick Azzopardi jridu jaħdmu aktar u għandhom jibdew mil-lum.
L-istess sentiment jinħass fost mijiet ta’ Nazzjonalisti Għawdxin. Fuq il-mezzi soċjali kienu bosta dawk li kitbu kontra li s-siġġu li kien tat-13-il Distrett issa m’għadux tal-Għawdxin, kif inhu bi dritt. Oħrajn saħqu li tilfu kull fiduċja li kellhom fil-PN għax ġew misruqa. “Tal-mistħija, ċittadini tat-tieni klassi, ħadulna siġġu”, kienu jgħidu wħud mill-kummenti.
Għal dawn il-kummenti fuq Facebook kien hemm min irreaġixxa u oppona. Uħud qalu li jekk l-Għawdxin riedu lil Cutajar messhom eleġġewh fl-2017 u kien ikollu siġġu żgur. Oħrajn ma sabux oġġezzjoni li s-siġġu jieħdu Jean Pierre Debono, avolja mhux Għawdxi.
Aqra: X’fiha l-iskrittura li semma Arrigo?
Minn Charmaine Attard
01/06/2019,
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Għawdxi Chris Said stqarr li l-Għawdxin huma diżgustati u fi kliemu bir-raġun. Saħaq li qed jikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss, madanakollu ma daħalx f’dettall dwar x’jista’ jkun dan il-pass.
Il-kumment ta’ Dr Said segwa l-għażla mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li Jean Pierre Debono jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament. It-tellieqa għal dan is-siġġu kienet bejn Debono u l-Għawdxi Kevin Cutajar. Debono kiseb 42 vot, filwaqt li Cutajar ġab 40 vot.
Filmat: Jean Pierre Debono se jieħu post David Stellini fil-Parlament
Ilbieraħ Chris Said kiteb pubblikament li jemmen li s-siġġu għandu jimtela minn Għawdxi, u għadda l-messaġġ lil dawk fil-Kumitat li Kevin Cutajar jixraqlu jieħu s-siġġu.
Aqra: Għandu jkun Għawdxi – Said
Intant, ma’ Newsbook.com.mt, id-Deputata Nazzjonalista Marthese Portelli, li fl-elezzjoni tal-2017 telgħet fuq żewġ distretti u ċediet dak ta’ Għawdex u b’hekk tela’ fil-Parlament David Stellini, qalet li l-Kumitat Eżekuttiv iddeċieda. Madanakollu qalet li r-realità hi li s-siġġu vakat fit-13-il Distrett issa għadda għand distrett ieħor. Sostniet li issa hemm deputat inqas jirrappreżenta lil Għawdex. Dr Portelli fissret li dak ifisser, li hi flimkien ma’ Chris Said u Frederick Azzopardi jridu jaħdmu aktar u għandhom jibdew mil-lum.
L-istess sentiment jinħass fost mijiet ta’ Nazzjonalisti Għawdxin. Fuq il-mezzi soċjali kienu bosta dawk li kitbu kontra li s-siġġu li kien tat-13-il Distrett issa m’għadux tal-Għawdxin, kif inhu bi dritt. Oħrajn saħqu li tilfu kull fiduċja li kellhom fil-PN għax ġew misruqa. “Tal-mistħija, ċittadini tat-tieni klassi, ħadulna siġġu”, kienu jgħidu wħud mill-kummenti.
Għal dawn il-kummenti fuq Facebook kien hemm min irreaġixxa u oppona. Uħud qalu li jekk l-Għawdxin riedu lil Cutajar messhom eleġġewh fl-2017 u kien ikollu siġġu żgur. Oħrajn ma sabux oġġezzjoni li s-siġġu jieħdu Jean Pierre Debono, avolja mhux Għawdxi.
Aqra: X’fiha l-iskrittura li semma Arrigo?