Investment of half a million euros on the restoration of Bastion of St John, and the Baroque Gates

Nov 20 2022

The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, together with the Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli visited the restoration works being done on the San Ġwann forts and the baroque gates. Which is part of a much larger project that sees the restoration of a substantial part of the Cottonera Lines (from the Bastion of San Paul to the Fort of San Klement, also including the Bastion of Notre Dame) and of the Margherita Lines.

The value of the works being carried out on the fort of St. John and on the Baroque Gate found next to it amount to half a million euros. Earlier this year, the work on the San Gwann Bastion was completed. The work on the fort of St. John started in August 2021 and is planned to be completed by the end of this year.

Minister Owen Bonnici, in his intervention, said, “Through this hard work, a promise in the electoral manifesto has been fulfilled; we will continue to build on our commitment to Cultural Heritage, as part of our ongoing work to safeguard the patrimonial heritage of our country.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli praised the work done by the restoration directorate’s workers and said that “thanks to this investment, we are preserving the cultural heritage for future generations while strengthening the touristic value of the surrounding localities.”

Cottonera Foundation Chairman Glenn Bedingfield stated “This work gives me a lot of satisfaction because I am seeing the strategy of Cottonera being carried out, and now it is reaching the localities bordering the three cities. We also want regeneration for the people, and that is why we are preparing plans so that the open spaces around the forts will be new spaces that can be enjoyed by people”.

The Architect in charge of this work, Ivana Farrugia explained in detail the work done, “In the original plan, the intended intervention was limited to the restoration of the forts’ facade and the Baroque gates. Following the damage caused during last winter’s storms, the work was extended also to cover the platform located on the fort, which platform is also the roof of the casemates located along San Gwann t’Għuxa street.”

Architect Farrugia went on to say that the interventions carried out included the removal of invasive vegetation, consolidation of the original stone surface, replacement of badly deteriorated stones, temporary removal and reconstruction of unstable areas and plastering.

Now that the restoration of the fort has been completed, the works are now focusing on the restoration of the baroque gates.

#MaltaDaily

Joe Biden becomes first U.S. President ever to turn 80 whilst in office

Nov 20 2022

Joe Biden has officially become the first president in the United States’ history to turn 80 whilst in office, celebrating his birthday today.

Biden was elected back in January 2020, with 58-year-old Vice President Kamala Harris also become the highest-ranking female official in the history of the United States.

For some context, Biden won his first-ever Senate race in 1972, a time when Barack Obama was 11 years old and Vice President Harris was 8.

If the POTUS were to pursue a second term in office, a prospect which seems more than likely, he would be 86 by the time his term comes to an end.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: ABC News

European teams to wear ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband despite FIFA’s request for alternatives

Nov 20 2022

Following a number of European teams’ initiative to wear ‘OneLove’ rainbow armbands at the Qatar World Cup, FIFA has responded by suggesting a number of different armbands with different social causes.

In reaction to the Qatar’s treatment of LGBTQ communities, where homosexuality is in fact illegal, team captains from England, Germany, Denmark and more opted to wear the rainbow armband in order to promote diversity and inclusion.

In a United Nations-backed campaign, FIFA has requested that armbands with promotional messages like “Share the meal” and “Football unites the world” are worn, stating “each round of matches will be associated with its own dedicated campaign design to maximise reach and impact.”

With the huge global competition set to kick off today, the World Cup has been met with its fair share of controversy due to Qatar’s human rights violations and other issues.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: CBS Sports / The Sun

You could earn €30,000 by moving to this Italian town

Nov 19 2022

It’s not the first one to try it out, but the picturesque Italian town of Presicce is paying people up to €30,000 to move to this Puglia situated region.

Towns across Italy have been racing to launch clever schemes aimed at luring in new residents, very often to revive old towns with ageing populations.

Competition has been fierce, with homes selling for little more than a dollar to ready-to-occupy houses offered at very cheap prices. Presicce is the next one to join the ranks in this race towards residency.

The houses up for sale as part of the deal are priced from around €25,000 and have been long abandoned by their original owners. But what might convince movers might be the location itself.

Presicce boasts turquoise clear waters of Santa Maria di Leuca, situated at the heel of Italy’s boot. Authorities hope that the offer of a cash incentive will breathe new life into their depopulating town.

To qualify for the 30,000-euro incentive, buyers must take up residency in Presicce and purchase one of a selection of properties built before 1991, which have been mapped by authorities.

The town has earned the reputation of Puglia’s city of green gold due to its lush olive groves that yield premium extra virgin olive oil. It also boasts a long history which new residents will have plenty of time to explore.

#MaltaDaily