Robert Abela’s law firm has no legal title on Valletta office location

Feb 20 2022

Despite having no legal title to the office they operate from, Robert Abela’s law firm Abela Advocates spent the last four years working in a prime Valletta location.

This was confirmed by newsroom Times of Malta, which revealed that the Prime MInister’s government lease for the Strait Street office expired at the end of 2017.

Abela personally took over the lease from his former legal partner Ian Stafrace in 2013, with the office forming part of a block adjacent to the Palazzo Preca restaurant.

This is 30 metres away from the law courts. Instead of vacating the office upon the lease expiring four years ago, Abela petitioned the Lands Authority to further extend the lease.

A government property can only be put up for a new lease in such cases if a public tender is issued. Times of Malta revealed that Abela’s wife Lydia started the process in 2020 to register a new company called Nibral, based at the same office. The property was given out by government on a 150-year emphyteusis to the original tenants back in 1867.

A spokesperson for the Lands Authority defended the decision not to evict Abela from the property when contacted by Times of Malta. They said that the authority had always taken the ‘reasoned and legitimate approach to process requests for extension of titles, rather than restoring to the eviction of thousands of tenants with expired governmental leases.’

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister also said that a request for an extension in the title over the property was submitted to the Lands Authority and awaits processing. Despite a sign advertising Abela’s Advocates within the block having been removed from outside the building, the law firm still continues to operate from the same building.

The Lands Authority spokesperson said there are thousands of pending requests for extensions in property titles. They went on to state that the authority ‘is not in a position to provide a precise figure on account of the fact that a collation exercise to this effect, which commenced last year following the appointment of the new CEO is still ongoing.’

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Google Maps, Robert Abela FB

Here are the pharmacies opening today 9am to noon, 4pm to 7pm

Feb 20 2022

San Ġwann: Brown’s Pharmacy, 92-94, Mensija Road;

Sliema: Brown’s Pharmacy, Unit 22, Tigne Street;

Mellieħa: Brown’s Village Pharmacy, Main Street;

Żurrieq: Milia’s Pharmacy, 42, Blue Grotto Avenue;

Valletta: Chemimart, 20/21, Republic Street;

Pietà: St Luke’s Pharmacy, St Luke’s Road;

Rabat: Ideal Pharmacy, 63, Main Street;

Santa Venera: Fatima Pharmacy, 82, Ferrovija Street;

Birżebbuġa: Blossoms Pharmacy, Gurgier Street;

Cospicua: Verdala Pharmacy, 57, Gendus Street;

Żabbar St James Pharmacy, Misraħ San Ġakbu;

Tarxien: Tarxien Pharmacy, 59, Tarxien Road;

Ħamrun: The Cross Pharmacy, 859, St Joseph High Road;

Żebbuġ: Tal-Grazzja Pharmacy, Franġisk Farrugia Street;

Birkirkara: St Anne Pharmacy, 24, Sant’Elena Square;

Malta International Airport: The ‘8 Till Late Pharmacy’ is open every day from 8am to 10pm

Gozo

Victoria: Azzopardi Pharmacy, Capuchins Street;

Xewkija: Gozo Chemists, Mġarr Road

Cyber bullying punishable with up to 5 years of prison and €30,000

Feb 19 2022

Recent cases and reports have shown that cyber bully and cyber stalking are having increasingly serious consequences on individuals and society in general.

Last year, it was noted that such cases increased dramatically with Aġenzija Appoġġ reporting over 900 calls for help. To lift some of the burden on such acts, a number of amendments in the criminal code with regards to cyber bullying and cyber stalking have been made. Consequences for such crimes will be much harder on those who commit them, with amendments proposing up to 5 years of jail time and fines of up to €30,000. Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis stated that such amendments will protect those who are vulnerable in an attempt to prevent harsher consequences such as self harm and suicide.

The Minister went on to highlight that while it is important for means of communication to be used for good, misuse of such platforms will result in harsh criminal sanctions. The legal amendments are currently in their Parliamentary committee phase.

Minister for Social Justice Michael Falzon reiterated such sentiments, shining a light on the importance of controlled and regulated means, the lack of which result in an increase in reports of abuse as what happened with Aġenzija Appoġġ.

#MaltaDaily

Kanye West’s new album won’t be on streaming services; to be released on his $200 stem player

Feb 19 2022

Kanye West fans are in quite a predicament after the 44-year-old rapper announced that his ‘Donda 2’ album won’t be coming out on streaming platforms and will release exclusively on his $200 stem player.

Ye took to Instagram to state that platforms like Apple, Amazon, Spotify or YouTube only give artists 12 per cent of income and that ‘it’s time to take control’ and free ourselves from the oppressive system. While some praised the rapper for such a move, many shrugged off this decision stating that they would opt to pirate the album or not listen to it at all.

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“Tech companies made music practically free so if you don’t do merch sneakers and tours you don’t eat”, he stated. Ye has also been recently embroiled in a seemingly one-sided battle with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, current boyfriend Pete Davidson and the rest of her family, posting a number of questionable statements directed towards the Kardashian camp.

#MaltaDaily