Reforms Minister Owen Bonnici slams Marsaskala marina plans

Feb 22 2022

Minister for Research and Innovation Owen Bonnici has come out against the Marsaskala plans which were published last summer, following in the footsteps of Chris Fearne.

The Minister was speaking on an interview on ONE, and reiterated that his position is the same as Prime Minister Robert Abela and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne’s.

‘I absolutely do not agree with the Marsaskala marina plans that were published during Summer’ he told the interviewer, going on to explain that the inner part of the bay should be organised in a way that ‘makes sense to today’s world.’

He also stated that an extension of the marina into the outer part of the bay does not make sense, going on to explain how any development for this zone needs to have a number of principles satisfied within the plans.

Of these, he mentioned swimmers’ rights to swim along with cultural traditions which should be respected. Back when Fearne’s statements were issued, Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg had downplayed comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister, saying that he was not in fact expressing disagreement on the marina.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Owen Bonnici FB, Chris Fearne FB, Moviment Graffiti FB

Standstill traffic across Malta due to four-car collision in Marsa

Feb 22 2022

If you were anywhere close to Maltese roads this morning, you probably noticed the jaw-dropping amount of traffic across the entire island.

Such traffic was caused by a four-car collision in a main road leading to Marsa, with the Police confirming that the accident took place at around 6:45am in Hamrun Bypass. One individual, a passenger, was taken to Mater Dei Hospital after sustaining injuries as their condition remains pending.

The Malta Police Force has revealed that the road has been opened.

Were you stuck in traffic this morning?

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Maltese Roads Traffic Updates

World leaders condemn Russia as troops move into eastern Ukraine

Feb 22 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops to move into two rebel-held regions in Eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent states.

This was met with severe condemnation by several world leaders as Russia claimed that the troops would be engaging in ‘peacekeeping’ in the regions. The two regions, Luhansk and Donetsk, harbour Russian-backed rebels who have fought Ukrainian forces since 2014.Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of wilfully violating its sovereignty, calling for clear an effective actions of support from its International partners.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield dismissed Russia’s peacekeeping claims, saying that ‘we know what they really are.’In reaction, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that prohibits new investment, trade and financing by Americans in the breakaway regions. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson too said that the actions are a flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on Twitter that the recognition of the two separatist territories in Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements. ‘The EU and its partners will react with unity, firmness and with determination in solidarity with Ukraine’ she said.

The recognition of the two separatist territories in #Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the #Minsk agreements.

The EU and its partners will react with unity, firmness and with determination in solidarity with Ukraine.

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) February 21, 2022

This was echoed by UK’s Sajid Javid who told Sky News that the invasion of Ukraine ‘has begun’, and that further sanctions will be imposed on Russia. ‘Europeans were waking up to a very dark day’ he said.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: ABC News, Roberta Metsola FB

Increase in green spaces & decrease in taxes, says Robert Abela

Feb 21 2022

During his first electoral rally on Monday evening, Prime Minister Robert Abela kicked off his and the Labour Party’s electoral campaign with a bang, listing a number of significant proposals from the party’s manifesto.

Amongst others, Abela stated that while the government’s current legislature focused on improving Malta’s roads, the years to come will focus on an increase in green spaces and infrastructure. He went on to state that the government will continue to invest in family spaces with the goal of improving quality of life across Malta and Gozo. The Prime Minister highlighted that the government will invest €100 million per year over a period of seven years in green infrastructure.

In addition to the investment on green spaces, Abela highlighted that the Labour Party will increase pensions and ensure free medication for pensioners. Additionally, Abela also highlighted that the Labour Party will ensure a decrease in tax rate for businesses, reiterating his party’s claim that hard work & diligence will be rewarded.

Watch the full speech here:

#MaltaDaily