190 False Blue Badges Flagged Since January 2022

Jul 6 2023

According to the Minister for Inclusion on Wednesday, a total of 190 counterfeit blue badges have been reported to the Commission for the Rights of Persons with a Disability since January 2022.

The blue badge is a legally issued document for drivers with severe and permanent mobility restrictions, granting them permission to park in designated reserved areas.

Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli stated that 108 fake blue badges were identified in 2022, and an additional 82 were flagged in the first half of 2023.

She highlighted that while forging blue badges is a punishable offence, the actual use of these badges is not. Therefore, legal amendments are being considered to address this issue.

Farrugia Portelli provided this response to a parliamentary question posed by Opposition MP Ivan Bartolo, who also inquired about the number of blue badges that have been revoked since 2020.

The minister stated that the commission had revoked 12 blue badges over the past three years.

Initially, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability issued blue badges, but in 2022, the responsibility was transferred to Aġenzija Sapport.

As of last month, Aġenzija Sapport has issued more than 1,200 blue badges out of over 1,800 applications received.

#MaltaDaily

Latest Details For 47th Edition Of L-Għanja Tal-Poplu Announced

Jul 6 2023

The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, announced the latest details for the 47th Edition of the Maltese People’s Song Contest.

This popular event will take place on Saturday, August 5th, at 20:45 in Pjazza Teatru Rjal, with the participation of the Malta Concert Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Paul Abela.

Minister Bonnici explained that the first edition of this festival took place exactly 50 years ago in Valletta, and throughout all this time, the Maltese People’s Song Contest has continued to attract both young talents and established artists who have the Maltese song at heart.

“This year, a total of 142 songs were submitted, and the best 16 were selected. I believe that through events like these, we continue to promote the Maltese language,” Minister Bonnici concluded.

The special guest of this year’s event is Merga, who will perform two beautiful songs from the 1960s with orchestral arrangements by Maestro Joe Brown. The festival will be hosted by the couple Joseph Galea and Antonella Galea Loffreda.

The online ticket sales will start soon at www.ticketline.com.mt. For more information, visit the website www.ghanjatalpoplu.org.

This festival is organized in collaboration with Pjazza Teatru Rjal and is supported by the Maltese Arts Council.

Additional info:

The finalists of the 47th Edition of the Maltese People’s Song Contest (in the order they will be presented in the final evening) are:

Song – Singer(s) (Lyricist, Composer)

Il-Baħħ u Jien – Christian Arding (Natasha Grima, Natasha Grima and Charlene Grech)
Ġenn Ż – JAMM Band (Christopher Abela Mizzi and Mark Cachia)
Għal Xejn – Jodi Zerafa Heckenlaible (Ian Zerafa)
Meravilja – Mark Spiteri Lucas and Debbie Scerri (Emil Calleja Bayliss, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
Maltija – Kayley Cuschieri (Joe Julian Farrugia, Philip Vella)
O Żmien Ħlejju – Xelin (Etienne Micallef, Dominic Cini)
X’Għarukaża – Graziella and Kirsten Mifsud Schembri Vella (Etienne Micallef, Priscilla Giordano Psaila)
Katina – Laura Bruno (Paul Ellul, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
Kreattività tal-Pastizzi – Kapitlu Tlettax and Grecia Bezzina (Emil Calleja Bayliss and Kapitlu Tlettax, Kapitlu Tlettax)
Għadu Ma Sarx – Kelsey Bellante (Lon Kirkop)
Mitlufin – Janelle Rapa (Mark Cachia, Glen Vella)
Naħdmu Flimkien – Walter Micallef and Philip Vella (Walter Micallef, Philip Vella)
Mhix Imħabba – Charlene Rae (Emil Calleja Bayliss, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
Kelma Bejn Tnejn – Joseph Refalo (Joe Julian Farrugia, Pamela Bezzina

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Chelsea & Allen Break Up, Allen Reveals

Jul 6 2023

In a shocking revelation, Love Island Malta’s hottest couple, Chelsea and Allen, have decided to end their fairy-tale romance. The pair, who stole hearts and clinched the ultimate prize €20,000 prize on the hit reality show, have left fans devastated after Allen dropped the bombshell news on his Instagram story.

As fans scramble to uncover the real reason behind their split, we can’t help but wonder if the pressures of fame and constant public scrutiny were too much for this once picture-perfect duo.

Heartbroken fans flooded social media with messages of support for both Chelsea and Allen, expressing their shock and disappointment at the news. The duo had captured the hearts of viewers with their undeniable chemistry and infectious charm throughout their Love Island journey.

However, Allen’s recent revelation on Instagram has shattered the illusion of their perfect love story, leaving fans wondering if there is any hope for a reconciliation. Could this be a temporary setback or a permanent breakup?

Only time will tell if Chelsea and Allen can mend their broken hearts and find their way back to each other’s love-struck embrace. Stay tuned for more updates on this gut-wrenching Love Island split!

#MaltaDaily

Gżira Mayor Calls Out Impermissible Construction Work

Jul 6 2023

Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manche took to social media to post images of reportedly impermissible construction work, despite it not being allowed during the specific week due to the feast.

‘I made it public so that whoever needs to see this does so and takes action as I am tired of such things’, he wrote.

‘We have been reporting this particular individual but nothing happens. Working without a permit – so that everyone knows he is not doing so with our blessing but with that of the authorities who fine only those who they want.’

He called out the hypocrisy of an angered public getting fined for parking wrongly whilst these individuals are working without a permit and without being stopped or fined.

‘The system of enforcement is not working. That is where the reforms need to happen if we want order in this country’, he concluded.

#MaltaDaily