UPDATED: Qala Mayor Continues To Raise Alarm On Slimy Bays

Aug 12 2024

Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg had raised alarms over the state of bays in Ħondoq as slime contaminated the swimming areas earlier this month.

Buttigieg continued to put pressure on authorities through posts and videos of bays being found contaminated by swimmers in Qala and the vicinity.

‘This year we were happy that we have no jellyfish. But now we have something worse’, wrote the mayor. ‘Jellyfish are acceptable as they are an act of of nature. This is not acceptable. Ever.’

‘I have just seen on facebook that Żrieżaq bay also has the slime that comes from the tuna farm’, he wrote on a separate post. ‘Immediately, I contacted whoever is concerned and they told me that they will go and remove it immediately.’

UPDATE:

During a meeting on site, with representatives from the Ministry of Gozo and the Qala Major Mr. Paul Buttigieg, ERA officials explained and gave instructions to the Federation of Fish Farmers as to how Hondoq ir-Rummien needs to be cleaned from residues of slime.

This plan, of action, the statement issued says, safeguards Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay, whilst the necessary cleaning will be carried out. ERA will continue to monitor the cleaning on site.

#MaltaDaily

Miss Universe Malta Meets President Myriam Spiteri Debono

Aug 12 2024

Beatrice Njoya, Malta’s 73rd Miss Universe, met with Maltese President Myriam Spiteri Debono and her husband at The Ball of the August Moon, which was held at the Verdala Palace Gardens.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miss Universe Malta Official (@miss_universe_malta)

The President wished her all the best for the upcoming competition, which was revealed to be taking place on November 16th 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Njoya became the oldest contestant to be crowned Miss Universe Malta at the age of 39 earlier this month.

She will also be the oldest contestant in this year’s edition of the international event, with the competition removing the age limit for contestants.

#MaltaDaily

Aggressor Pointed Replica Gun At Police During Stand Off

Aug 12 2024

During a press conference, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa outlined the events that unfolded this morning which resulted in the murder of Nicolette Ghirxi and the stand-off with the suspect.

3 hour negotiations took place between the suspect, who was in the sea with a gun pointed at his head in St Julian’s.

The man was identified as Edward William Johnston, an 50 year old Irish man, and had entered a hotel in St Julian’s and threatened employees.

Johnston revealed that he had murdered a person moments before, leading to the police investigating and confirming the death of Ghirxi.

Police were forced to break down the door due to no response and found Ghirxi lifeless with the weapon, a knife, found next to her.

During the negotiations, Johnston was asked to come back onto land, which he eventually did but at around 3am he pointed the weapon towards the police.

Despite demands to put the weapon down, the man leapt at one of the officers and this resulted in action taken by the police and him being shot. He was transported to Mater Dei Hospital and was confirmed dead moments later.

Autopsies are still taking place.

Ghirxi had issued reports in April of this year after the two had ended a relationship together. The victim insisted that she was not under risk and thus the risk assessment did not take place, Gafa reported.

The aggressor had reportedly been back in Ireland. Last Thursday, at around 9pm, Ghirxi informed the police that Johnston was possibly in Malta.

In July, Ghirxi had made other reports that the aggressor had issued posts on social media about her but still reportedly refused the risk assessments.

Investigations are still ongoing.

#MaltaDaily

Harassment Reports Had Been Filed By Nicolette Before Tragedy

Aug 12 2024

Nicolette Ghirxi had filed sexual harassment reports earlier this year before the tragedy that took place this morning.

As reported by NET News, Nicolette is the victim of the Birkirkara murder, allegedly killed by her ex-partner using a knife.

PN MP and colleague of Nicolette, Paula Mifsud Bonnici, took to social media to express her frustration at the lack of action in such cases.

‘Nicolette was my colleague – a responsible, hard-working and competent woman. Today, we let Nicolette become Bernice’ (in reference to another recent murder of Bernice Cilia by her estranged husband).

According to the reports, police were first alerted when the man was found on seaside rocks in Paceville, threatening to take his own life.

He then reportedly pointed a firearm at the responding officers, prompting them to open fire.

The man was killed on the spot, with four shots being fired.

The incident is underscored by the revelation that Nicolette had previously reported sexual harassment in April, adding a deeper layer of context to the tragic events.

#MaltaDaily