7-year-old son of couple charged with drug trafficking told to discard drugs in case of police raid

Aug 31 2022

Judith Bakoush and Murat Nazwan, the couple recently charged with drug-trafficking, had advised their 7-year-old son to throw away drugs in case of a police raid, the court has been told.

During the compilation of evidence against Bakoush and Nazwan, the young boy told police officers that his parents instructed him to throw away the sachets of drugs if police had to enter the property.

The couple is accused of trafficking heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana through their Valletta property, together with the act of money laundering. Police surveillance unveiled that drug abusers with criminal profiles would frequent the property for short periods of time.

During the testimony, the magistrate paused to tell Bakoush to “stop laughing like she’s king Carnival”, before going going on with proceedings.

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Maltese woman finds massive dead bat on her balcony

Aug 31 2022

A Maltese woman took to local Facebook group ‘Are You Being Served’ to report finding a massive bat on her balcony.

The woman, by the name of Tara Bonello, asked for assistance, later on revealing that Nature Trust convened on site to help. Unfortunately, the elderly bat died due to old age as it had no notable injuries.

We commend the woman for seeking immediate assistance when encountering such a creature, as Nature Trust have been urging people to do when it comes to bats.

Wildlife NGOs had previously issued tips on what to do when bats fall into their homes due to the intense summer heat. Despite usually being small bats no larger than a coin, large bats may still end up falling and be in need of assistance.

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Online backlash after trees mutilated to fit Senglea feast decorations

Aug 31 2022

Many on local social media took issue with a recent post which showed trees in Senglea stripped of good chunks of their canopies to accommodate feast decorations.

Photos posted to Facebook group ‘Friends of Cottonera Forum’ showed trees with leaves and branches shaved off as statues, ropes, drapes, poles and other decorations took up the vacuum.

Times of Malta confirmed that an unnamed source said the heavy pruning was done to accommodate the decorations.

With the feast set to be held next week, arborists had previously advised against pruning unless necessary in summer. Commenters weren’t impressed by the stunt, pointing out the environmental disregard which accompanies the act. Some even called out for those responsible for this to be fined.

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Mandatory helmets and penalty points for e-scooters PN propose

Aug 31 2022

The Nationalist Party has proposed the introduction of a driving license, the mandatory use of a helmet and a penalty point system for all e-scooter users.

The party issued a statement explaining that it looked at solutions which were undertaken in foreign countries to see if some can be implemented in the local context.

The government, the party said, lacks a vision that integrates different modes of transport on Maltese roads. This has resulted in ‘an infrastructure and public transport of an inadequate level.’

The Opposition pin-pointed lack of parking spaces and lack of enforcement as two of the major infrastructural problems faced by Malta s this point. In a list of proposals, the PN said that operators should verify that e-scooter users have a valid license – in the AM category for those aged between 16 and 18, and any other for those 18 and over.

The party also proposed a mobile app be developed which would allow people to report faulty scooters or those parked illegally. Operators would also be responsible in removing them within a stipulated time frame if abuse is verified.

Apart from this, the party suggested that: the e-scooters have visible registration plates; that enforcement agencies have the right to confiscate e-scooters in breach of laws; that awareness campaigns be held; that dedicated parking spaces be set up and; use of helmets should be enforced.

Furthermore, fines are to be paid directly by operators who are liable to collect money from infringing users. Fines for over-speeding should be registered through non-intrusive speed limit trackers. The number of registered e-scooters should also be proportional to the number of parking spaces offered for them.

The statement was signed by PN MPs Rebekah Cilia, Adrian Delia, Graziella Galea, Eve Borg Bonello, Graziella Attard Previ and Janice Chetcuti.

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