Moment owner and lost dog reunite after almost 3 month separation

Apr 26 2023

Parliamentary Secretary for Fishing, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said issued a video showing the moment an owner and his lost dog reunited in a shelter.

‘After 8 dogs were confiscated following an incident which occurred on the 18th of April 2023 in Imsida, one of the dog’s owners was identified’ said the Parliamentary Secretary, in reference to the case which saw a dog breeder attacked by dogs.

‘It was found that Blue’s (the dog) owner had been searching for her for a number of weeks’.

This suggests that Blue might have been found by Andre Galea, the breeder who was attacked in the streets of Imsida.

‘I extend my thanks to the Animal Welfare Directory for the work done after the confiscation to give the dogs the attention and cure needed’ said the Parliamentary secretary.

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Garden remains, petrol station turned down

Apr 26 2023

An appeals court has recently confirmed the decision by the Administrative Review Tribunal to reject a move by the Lands Authority to take back a portion of a public garden that had been leased to Gżira local council.

The intended purpose of the space was to relocate a petrol station, which the Gżira council had contested.

The council, which had been managing the Yacht Marina Garden for over two decades, had argued before the tribunal that the garden was the only green space in a commercialised area where development had gone unchecked.

The council based its appeal on three grounds, including the Authority’s failure to consult with council representatives and the failure to administer the public property in the best manner possible.

Gżira Mayor Conrad Borg Manche welcomed the decision, thanking the media and those who had signed a petition to protect the garden.

Mayor Borg Manche has been fighting to prevent the Manoel Island Petrol Station from being relocated to the adjacent Ġnien Il-Kunsill Tal-Ewropa garden, taking up almost 1,000 square meters of green space in a highly urbanised area.

The Mayor has initiated five lawsuits on behalf of the Gżira Local Council to reverse the decision, which has been controversial and even caused tension within the Mayor’s own party, with party president Ramona Attard representing the Lands Authority in the legal battle.

Borg Manche accused the party of betraying its socialist principles by favouring speculators over the public’s needs. The Mayor has received support from the public, including a message from a lecturer who praised him for his efforts to protect the garden.

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Youths to suggest strategic visions for Malta

Apr 26 2023

In a public statement, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the official public call for the Youth Advisory Forum.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the setting up of the forum a few weeks ago during a Cabinet meeting with youths held at MCAST campus in Paola. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that this meeting will not be a one-time occasion as the Government will keep a regular dialogue with youths.

In a video message, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that young people shall be at the heart of the decision-making table. “We are taking this initiative, a first in our country, because we believe in direct involvement of young people in the country’s administration”, the Prime Minister said.

The Forum will be composed of nine young people chosen by a selection board composed by public officials and a representative of the National Youth Council (KNŻ).

The appointed members of the Youth Advisory Forum can express their views in regular meetings with the Prime Minister, who will be chairing the meeting. KNŻ will express its own positions and of its member organisations in the forum meetings through a member nominated by the council.

One can serve as a member of the Forum for an 18 month period with the opportunity to serve only for another term.

‘“Young people shall be at the heart of the decision-making table” said Abela. More information here.

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Repubblika head Robert Aquilina pens letter seeking police protection

Apr 26 2023

Rule of law group Repubblika’s head Robert Aquilina has written a letter to both Prime Minister Robert Aquilina and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa to request protection for both himself and his family.

Having recently authored the book ‘Pilatus: A Laundromat Bank in Europe’, Aquilina issued the letter so that he assures his right to freedom of expression despite growing security concerns.

Lawyer Therese Comodini Cachia said that a hostile environment against Aquilina is being created, with harassment and dehumanisation taking place on media platforms.

The letter also reminded the authorities of the circumstances which led to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

It urged the authorities not to act only when there is a knife already metaphorically at his throat.

In a statement by Repubblika, the group led by Aquilina said that activism is a duty for every citizen with a conscience and an essential part of democracy.

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