Joseph Portelli resigns from president to be able to play for Hamrun Spartans

Jan 26 2023

Malta Daily can confirm that Gozitan entrepreneur Joseph Portelli has handed in his resignation as president of the Hamrun Spartans Football Club, expressing interest in getting registered as a player.

Net Television’s Replay reported that the resignation has already been sent to the Hamrun Spartans Football Club Committee and Malta Football Association, with Portelli stating his desire to get registered as a player and play under the guidance of Spartans Coach Branko Nisevic until the end of the season.

Local football rules state that Portelli cannot play for Hamrun if he is still registered as Prsident of the same club.

Last April, the Gozitan business magnate lived his lifelong dream of playing for Nadur Youngsters F.C., debuting with a goal to secure a 1-1 draw against Kercem Ajax FC in the Gozitan League.

It remains to be seen what will be the way forward for Portelli, with a response pending from the Hamrun Spartans committee and MFA.

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€10 million for greening and open spaces within the community

Jan 26 2023

Project Green launches Community Greening Grant: €10 million for greening and open spaces within the community

Project Green launched Community Greening Grant, a €10 million grant scheme, giving communities in Malta and Gozo the opportunity to create and enrich green open spaces in their localities.

Community Greening Grant was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett and Project Green CEO Steve Ellul.

Through this scheme, local councils, NGOs, schools, and other organisations will receive financial assistance to create greener spaces in their community. Project Green will be receiving applications for this grant and will guide eligible projects to benefit from European Funds. Additionally, Project Green will provide technical assistance, to further encourage organisations to apply.

This scheme will incentivise the creation of new green spaces, giving the community and nearby residents a new lease of life in their neighbourhoods. The scheme encourages the identification of sites which have fallen in disrepair, or which can be opened to the public. The scheme will also address issues related to water management faced by the community within their public spaces, to harvest rainwater for irrigation and cleaning, and to mitigate flooding risks

“This is one of the biggest environmental schemes for environmental projects in the community ever launched in our country. We are injecting a €10 million direct investment in our communities to implement the green projects that they have always aspired for. This scheme aims to encourage quality and innovation. We want the people to reap the greatest rate of return possible on this investment,” explained Minister Miriam Dalli.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that the government is committed to channel EU funds to support Project Green, as it implements projects that continue to improve our country.

“The environment is our priority, and we are determined to utilise the new EU funds programme to invest in projects that improve our environment and create more green spaces for our families,” said Chris Bonett.

Project Green CEO Steve Ellul explained how the agency will provide technical support before and during project implementation, while funding 90% of the project costs through the Community Greening Grant.

“We are aware that when it comes to such grant applications, applicants face complications and bureaucracy. Therefore, we prepared clear and simple guidelines and conditions. We will truly be investing people’s money for the people,” said Mr Ellul.

As part of the application process, applicants need to submit a 10-year maintenance plan, so that beneficiaries will implement the project and then oversee the maintenance of the area. More information can be found on: https://project.green.

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US and Germany to aid Ukraine by sending battle tanks

Jan 26 2023

Both Germany and the United States announced on Wednesday that they will be aiding Ukraine break combat stalemates against Russia by sending battle tanks.

The announcement marks stage one of a coordinated effort by Western countries to provide Ukraine with heavy weaponry.

Germany first agreed to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks, which it had refused to do so unless the US put its 31 M1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden agreed to do so after months of holding back as, according to him, they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that this is the result of intensive consultations with allies and international partners. Biden backed him up, saying European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described this as the creation of a ‘tank coalition’, and continued on to say that Ukraine will push for more weapons such as long-range missiles and even aircraft.

It was revealed by various Ukrainian officials and figures that their troops have had to deal with equipment breakdown as well as a low stocked arsenal as Russia continued to attack.

France, the UK, the US, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands have all agreed to send tanks and other armoured vehicles to aid Ukraine. However, Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev, called the decision extremely dangerous as it shifts the conflict to a new level of confrontation.

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Maltese artist JOON to perform at legendary Texas festival South By Southwest

Jan 26 2023

Maltese singer-songwriter JOON has just made an earthquake of an announcement, revealing that she will be performing by legendary Texas event South By Southwest.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JOON (@templeofjoon)

An iconic event in its own right, this year’s SXSW Music Festival will happen between March 13-18 in Austin Texas, with an incredible line-up of artists including legendary Manchester Outfit New Order, Atlanta rapper and activist Killer Mike, UK rising star Venbee and so many more.

The Maltese artist burst onto the scene under stage name ‘Yews’ before JOON was born, going on to reach local and international success whilst also signing with popular record label Italians Do It Better.

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