Prime Minister’s Secretary Cabinet Charged with Drunk Driving

Aug 23 2024

Ryan Spagnol, the Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister, is facing calls to resign after being convicted of drink-driving. Spagnol was stopped at a Żejtun roadblock on December 22, where he failed a breathalyser test, registering nearly twice the legal alcohol limit. In May, a court found him guilty of driving while intoxicated, fined him €1,800, and suspended his licence for six months.

The conviction only came to light in mid-August, after lawyer Jason Azzopardi publicized the case on social media. Azzopardi accused Abela of delaying the publication of the court ruling to avoid scrutiny. The Prime Minister’s office denied the accusation.

The Nationalist Party has since demanded Spagnol’s resignation, calling his continued presence in office unacceptable. They criticised the government for not acting sooner, arguing that public officials should be held to higher standards. Despite being aware of the charges, Abela kept Spagnol in his role.

#MaltaDaily

Temu’s Owner Colin Huang Now China’s Richest Person

Aug 23 2024

Colin Huang, 44, has risen to become one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth of $51.1 billion as of August 16, 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This puts him at number 23 on the global rich list.

Huang started his career with internships at Microsoft before earning a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004. After graduating, he joined Google as a software engineer and quickly moved up to a product manager position.

His major breakthrough came with the launch of Temu, an e-commerce marketplace where sellers, mostly from China, offer a wide range of products. These include fast fashion, makeup, electronics, and homeware, available through Temu’s website and app.

Temu operates by allowing third-party sellers to list and sell their products directly to consumers, a model that has driven its rapid success. Huang’s journey from tech worker to billionaire entrepreneur highlights his sharp business acumen and has firmly established him among the world’s wealthiest.

#MaltaDaily

Promoting Plant Health Life Through #PlantHealth4Life Campaign

Aug 23 2024

EFSA, the European Commission (EC), and their partners in EU Member States have launched the #PlantHealth4Life campaign to promote awareness of the vital role plant health plays in everyday life.

The campaign highlights the threats to plants from climate change and human activities like trade and travel, which can introduce devastating pests.

An example of this is Xylella fastidiosa, a pest that has killed millions of olive trees in Italy’s Puglia region and is spreading across Southern Europe.

EFSA’s Executive Director, Bernhard Url, stated, “Plant health is fundamental to our wellbeing and the environment.

The #PlantHealth4Life campaign aims to raise citizens’ awareness about plant health risks and foster collective responsibility across the EU to keep plants healthy.” Claire Bury, Deputy Director-General for Food Sustainability of DG SANTE, added, “Protecting the EU from plant pests and diseases is a priority.

The smallest actions can have significant effects. Everyone must understand this fight and contribute meaningfully to protecting our biodiversity.”

The campaign encourages individuals to:

🪴 Avoid bringing exotic plants or seeds from outside the EU to prevent pest spread.

🇪🇺 Ensure plants bought online from outside the EU come with a phytosanitary certificate.

👪 Educate children about the importance of plant health to create future plant health ambassadors.

Resources such as press materials, videos, and social media posts are available on the #PlantHealth4Life website in all EU languages.

The campaign targets 22 countries: among them: Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Montenegro.

In Malta, the campaign is being advertised on ferries, bus terminals, and through the Agrikoltura social media platforms.

Malta is also participating in this campaign through the Plant Protection Directorate within the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights, which is dedicated to the conservation and improvement of the health and propagation of indigenous plants, including fruit trees, making it a crucial institution within the Maltese agricultural framework.

The Directorate’s aim is to prevent the introduction and distribution of pests, diseases, and plant damage, and to safeguard the conservation and sustainable use of local genetic resources for food and agriculture.

#MaltaDaily

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Top Gozo Athletes Awarded in Gozo Sports Awards

Aug 23 2024

The ninth edition of the Gozo Sports Awards was successfully organized yesterday, celebrating the achievements of Gozitan athletes across various sports disciplines. It was a remarkable evening that recognized the dedication and efforts of many athletes, while also highlighting the commitment of those who continue to contribute to Gozo’s sporting scene.

The Ministry for Gozo and Planning reaffirmed its commitment to investing in the Gozitan sports sector, recognizing its importance for the community.

Several athletes and teams were honored, including Mark Camilleri as Officer of the Year and Franklin Grima as Coach of the Year. The Gozo Dream Yacht Racing Team won Team of the Year, while Noel Grech was acknowledged for his ongoing athletic contributions at age 45. Raymond Attard received a Lifetime Sports Career award, and Giuseppina Galea and Carmelo Pace were honored with Special Olympics recognitions.

Promising Young Athlete awards went to Keira Attard and Liam Daly. Lara Calleja was named Sportswoman of the Year, and Marlon Attard earned Sportsman of the Year.

#MaltaDaily