Minister Owen Bonnici officially unveils Valletta Green Festival 2022

Apr 18 2022

Taking to social media, Minster for National Heritage Owen Bonnici, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and Valletta Cultural Agency Jason Micallef announced the Valletta Green Festival.

The green and sustainability based project was announced to take place between the 28th of April and the 1st of May, and will focus on the importance of open public spaces to enrich the island.

The theme of this year’s Valletta Green Festival also concerns the care of our country’s precious environment as well as the effect that the loss of this element has on our local fauna and flora.

Minister for National Heritage, Art and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that such activities raise our conscience and awareness when it comes to the environment, leading to more sustainable change to occur.

He added that this festival shows that the Labour government kept to the proposed vision which was brought forth during the electoral campaign. He said that such projects not only enrich our environmental consciousness, but also highlights our artistic and cultural sectors.

The last Valletta Green Festival saw the capital city embellished with marvellous floral designs and this year’s version will undoubtedly continue to raise the island’s environmental awareness.

#MaltaDaily

Bail denied after father threatened wife with shooting three children

Apr 18 2022

A man was denied bail during his Monday arraignment after it was revealed that he threatened to shoot his daughter and two other minors during a heated argument with his wife.

The incident took place on Sunday night at the family’s Gharghur home during an argument between a 37-year-old husband and his wife.

The man’s name was banned from publication by the court, with the couple currently undergoing personal separation proceedings.

It was reported that the man forced his wife out of the house, but then asked her to return. When she refused, he reportedly threatened to shoot his 10-year-old daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, as well as his 15-year-old foster daughter and her friend.

Police officers turned up at the residence, and found that the three girls had managed to get away and that the ordeal was over. The daughter’s friend had recorded the entire argument, providing a 10-minute audio clip of the incident.

The accused was charged with holding three children against their will, slightly injuring one of the girls, threatening and assaulting his ex-wife, possessing a fire-arm as well as causing fear of violence.

Despite pleading not guilty, the court turned down the bail request. The man had been seeking psychiatric help since December, urging prosecution to summon witnesses as early as possible.

#MaltaDaily

Model plane airstrip in Wied Znuber to be four times larger than current site

Apr 18 2022

The model airplane strip which has been proposed for Wied Znuber’s vicinity in Hal Far is set to cover an areas four times larger than the current location.

The Hal Far Model Flying Association was allocated an area of around 44,400sq.m for an airstrip in close proximity to a Natura 2000 site.

Times of Malta revealed that the area is almost four times larger than the existing one used by the association. The relocation was necessary due to the current site being taken up as part of the motorsport racing track development.

The plans for such an airstrip were announced on the 12th of February, calling for the construction of an airstrip by the valley and cliffs of the area in an agreement between government agency INDIS Malta and the model airplane association.

Residents had risen up in protest of the development as they fear environmental destruction and sound pollution. This lead to Prime Minister Robert Abela stating that the valley will not be touched. He said the government could have communicated plans better but that government will remain in open dialogue with stakeholders throughout the process.

INDIS Malta has identified an alternative site for the airstrip, one which forms part of its property portfolio. The Heads of Agreement revealed by the Times shows the it was signed by INDIS as well as Sport Malta, the Lands Authority and the Model Flying Association on February 12th.

INDIS will provide €350,000 over a period of one year to cover the costs of the move, with permits being sought through a Development Notification Order. In response to all this, NGO Moviment Graffiti expressed shock at the ‘secret agreement.’

“The development is illegal because an airport is not a project approved by the DNO, with the same law that regulates DNOs,” it said. “If it is carried out, the development will be an illegal development that goes against the policies approved by government.”

#MaltaDaily

Bernard Grech begins meetings to appoint shadow cabinet

Apr 18 2022

Opposition leader Bernard Grech has began summoning MPs on Monday to appoint his shadow cabinet. Sources from the party said that the individual meetings began on Monday and will go on late in the evening.

MP Joe Giglio is being touted for home affairs, a position previously held by Beppe Fenech Adami. Meanwhile, Karol Aquilina is expected to return to the justice sector after Jason Azzopardi failed re-election.

Ryan Callus could be taking on the energy portfolio, with Robert Cutajar expected to remain the parliamentary whip. Jerome Caruana Cilia, the former Qormi local councillor, could be given a shadow cabinet after rising to popularity in the general election.

It is unknown which portfolio MP Mario de Marco and controversial politician Adrian Delia.

#MaltaDaily