Model plane airstrip in Wied Znuber to be four times larger than current site

Apr 18 2022

The model airplane strip which has been proposed for Wied Znuber’s vicinity in Hal Far is set to cover an areas four times larger than the current location.

The Hal Far Model Flying Association was allocated an area of around 44,400sq.m for an airstrip in close proximity to a Natura 2000 site.

Times of Malta revealed that the area is almost four times larger than the existing one used by the association. The relocation was necessary due to the current site being taken up as part of the motorsport racing track development.

The plans for such an airstrip were announced on the 12th of February, calling for the construction of an airstrip by the valley and cliffs of the area in an agreement between government agency INDIS Malta and the model airplane association.

Residents had risen up in protest of the development as they fear environmental destruction and sound pollution. This lead to Prime Minister Robert Abela stating that the valley will not be touched. He said the government could have communicated plans better but that government will remain in open dialogue with stakeholders throughout the process.

INDIS Malta has identified an alternative site for the airstrip, one which forms part of its property portfolio. The Heads of Agreement revealed by the Times shows the it was signed by INDIS as well as Sport Malta, the Lands Authority and the Model Flying Association on February 12th.

INDIS will provide €350,000 over a period of one year to cover the costs of the move, with permits being sought through a Development Notification Order. In response to all this, NGO Moviment Graffiti expressed shock at the ‘secret agreement.’

“The development is illegal because an airport is not a project approved by the DNO, with the same law that regulates DNOs,” it said. “If it is carried out, the development will be an illegal development that goes against the policies approved by government.”

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Bernard Grech begins meetings to appoint shadow cabinet

Apr 18 2022

Opposition leader Bernard Grech has began summoning MPs on Monday to appoint his shadow cabinet. Sources from the party said that the individual meetings began on Monday and will go on late in the evening.

MP Joe Giglio is being touted for home affairs, a position previously held by Beppe Fenech Adami. Meanwhile, Karol Aquilina is expected to return to the justice sector after Jason Azzopardi failed re-election.

Ryan Callus could be taking on the energy portfolio, with Robert Cutajar expected to remain the parliamentary whip. Jerome Caruana Cilia, the former Qormi local councillor, could be given a shadow cabinet after rising to popularity in the general election.

It is unknown which portfolio MP Mario de Marco and controversial politician Adrian Delia.

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Ian Borg asks Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to address Maltese parliament

Apr 18 2022

Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg has revealed that, in talks with his Ukrainian ministerial counter-part, he invited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address the Maltese parliament.

The Minister revealed that he has spoken with Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who went on to say that Ukraine is grateful for Malta and the aid it has given the war-torn country.

The humanitarian aid offered by Malta was made up of medical interventions, educational aid as well as giving support to the country’s refugees. Borg told the Minister that Malta is completely on board with the EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

Borg unveiled that the Ukrainian Minister understood perfectly why Malta has not yet driven away Russian diplomats, due to Malta’s tiny embassy in Moscow. Malta only has two personnel in Russia’s capital.

In his concluding remarks, Borg said that he asked Kuleba to consider getting Zelenskyy to address the Maltese parliament once it opens. Kuleba has appreciated the invitation and will go on to recommend it take place.

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Pharmacies not permitted to sell self-testing COVID kits as of yet

Apr 18 2022

Despite Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announcing around 10 days ago that a COVID self-testing kit system will be introduced, pharmacies have been ordered not to sell the kits as of yet.

This is due to the authorities necessitating that the list of brands of the kits be approved by the Medicines Authority (MMA)

This was revealed by sources close to news portal Newsbook, revealing that pharmacies will be meeting with the medicines authority on Monday to discuss the situation. Fearne had announced the news on 4th April, before which the kits were deemed illegal.

The influx of COVID infections meant that many people were booking tests, leading to delays and a break down of the testing system. Chief of the MMA Anthony Serracino Inglott told Times of Malta said that around 10 brands of the kits were brought up for approval.

However, none of these are approved before their brands are properly reviewed. These products were being sold illegally before the measure to make them legal was introduced.

Prior to this, people found guilty of using self-testing kits illegally could face a fine of no less than €12,000 but no more than €120,000 as well as a prison sentence of no more than two years.

#MaltaDaily