Gzira United Advance To 3rd UEFA Europa Conference Qualification Round

Aug 3 2023

Despite their last match loss against Luxembourger professional football team F91 Diddeleng, Gzira United managed to pass through to the third UEFA Europa Conference Qualification Round.

The Maroons, as they are locally known, pass to this stage for the second consecutive season – this time after having managed to pass through an aggregate of 3-2.

Diddeleng scored the initial two goals of the match, with the first finding the net in the 38th minute. The Maltese players managed to keep them away from scoring into the second half, before Samir Hadji scored his second in the 84th minute.

@gziraunitedfc

What a match, mixed emotions, mixed feelings….but we’re on to the next round. We always pray to God and to our Lady of Mount Carmel #pray #fyp #fypmalta🇲🇹 #gziramalta #gzira #europaleague

♬ original sound – Gzira United FC

The Maltese however found their chance and took it, with Jose Wilkson scoring in the 87th minute and bringing his team into the 3rd round.

Gzira will be facing their next opponent depending on who wins the confrontation between Kosovo’s FC Drita and Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen.

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Basketball Coach Accused Of Sexually Abusing 15 Year Old Girl

Aug 3 2023

A 15 year old girl, part of a Maltese basketball team competing in Italy, was reportedly sexually abused by her coach between July 3rd and 10th.

The basketball coach, who pleaded not guilty, had, according to the victim, kissed her and touched her intimately.

The coach, currently remanded in custody, pleads not guilty to abusing his position by engaging in sexual acts, holding the victim against her will, defilement, subjecting her to sexual acts, seeking sexual favours and causing fear of violence.

The defence requested bail, arguing that the alleged offence took place a month ago.

On their part, the victim’s lawyer argued that the girl was terrified by the incident, whilst saying that the photos posted by the victim, showing her body, were taken at a recent village feast she attended with her parents.

The bail request was turned down by Magistrate Victor George Axiak, with a ban on names ordered by the court.

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UNESCO Recommends Venice To Endangered List

Aug 2 2023

Venice is facing a perilous situation as the UN’s cultural agency, Unesco, calls for its inclusion in the list of world heritage sites in danger.

The iconic Italian city is confronting multiple threats, including overwhelming tourism, overdevelopment, and the rising sea levels attributed to climate change. Unesco’s report highlights the urgent need for better preservation to safeguard Venice’s future.

The Venice municipality’s response to the proposal is one of cautious consideration, indicating a willingness to discuss the matter with the Italian government. Unesco criticises the authorities for lacking a strategic vision to tackle the issues plaguing this picturesque city, which is often referred to as “La Serenissima,” meaning “very serene.”

Past attempts to include Venice in the danger list were thwarted by emergency measures, such as the ban on large ships in the San Marco Canal. However, these measures alone have not been enough to secure the city’s safety, and a comprehensive conservation plan remains elusive.

Rising sea levels, exacerbated by climate change, pose a severe threat to Venice due to its location surrounded by water. Additionally, the influx of approximately 28 million tourists annually leads to urban expansion projects that further endanger the city’s integrity.

Unesco’s report suggests that high-rise buildings should be situated away from the city center to mitigate their negative visual impact. The lack of a strategy to address climate change-induced risks further highlights the need for immediate action.

Unesco currently lists 55 World Heritage sites in danger, with 204 more under active monitoring due to potential threats.

While Australia’s Great Barrier Reef narrowly escaped inclusion this year, it remains under “serious threat” from climate change and water pollution, subject to further review in 2024. In the case of Venice, urgent and effective measures are essential to protect its irreplaceable cultural and environmental significance for future generations.

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Air Malta Chairman’s Controversial Salary Revealed Amid Financial Struggles

Aug 2 2023

In a recent revelation, The Shift has somewhat exposed Finance Minister Clyde Caruana’s statements about Air Malta Executive Chairman David Curmi’s salary. Despite Caruana’s claim that Curmi was not being compensated for his role, documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act tell a different story.

According to The Shift’s findings, Curmi’s three-year contract with Air Malta is worth a staggering €774,000, making him the highest-paid local consultant. His annual salary amounts to €258,000, and he receives an additional €3,500 a month to cover VAT, totalling a monthly pay of €21,500. This breaks down to a substantial €124 an hour for leading Air Malta, who is a company that is facing financial problems.

Caruana has consistently avoided divulging the financial details of Curmi’s appointment, refusing to answer parliamentary questions and rejecting freedom of information requests. However, after legal challenges by The Shift, the contract was finally obtained, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.

The former Chamber of Commerce president was tasked with turning around Air Malta’s financial woes and leading it toward profitability. Despite his efforts, quite the opposite has occurred and attempts to shed loss-making departments, including ground handling operations, failed to yield positive results, resulting in continued losses.

In a press release, the Nationalist Party said that the Maltese people should not accept that a Government Minister of “blatantly lies to the highest political institution of this country.”

The PN has asked the Commissioner of Standards to investigate the integrity of Clyde Caruana as Minister of Finance.

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