Woman Dies After Tragic Gozo Quadbike Incident

Jun 30 2024

Yesterday, around 8PM, a woman tragically lost her life on Wied il-Mielaħ Road, Għarb, Gozo, after a quad bike fell off a cliff with people on it.

The police, along with members of the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department, immediately went to the scene. It was determined that a 47-year-old Italian man was driving the quad bike near the cliff and lost control. With him was a 31-year-old Italian woman.

The man managed to jump off, but the woman fell off the cliff into the sea. After a search, she was retrieved from the water and taken to Mġarr Port, where she was unfortunately certified dead.

The man received medical assistance on site and was later taken to Gozo General Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

#MaltaDaily

Mellieħa Mayor Decided: Independent Deputy Mayor

Gabriel Micallef To Serve As Mellieha Mayor, Matthew Borg Cuschieri Deputy Mayor

Jun 29 2024

Gabriel Micallef of the Nationalist Party announced on social media that, after a mature discussion among elected councillors, an agreement was reached to honour the majority vote.

Consequently, Micallef will be the new mayor and Matthew Borg Cuschieri will serve as deputy mayor for the five-year term.

This announcement followed Labour’s proposal to appoint Borg Cuschieri as mayor, despite the council being hung after the June 8 elections, with both Labour and the Nationalist Party winning four seats each and one seat going to an independent.

Labour suggested Borg Cuschieri for mayor for the full term and proposed alternating deputy mayors from each party for two and a half years.

Borg Cuschieri acknowledged Labour’s proposal but emphasised the need to respect the democratic vote distribution.

Initially offering a shared mayoral term with the PN, Borg Cuschieri eventually accepted the role of deputy mayor under a Nationalist mayor, maintaining his independent stance and rejecting coalition claims with the PN.

The Nationalist Party welcomed the agreement as a reflection of Mellieħa residents’ wishes. The local council plans to implement the PN’s electoral program while considering other campaign proposals.

Almost half of Mellieħa’s 13,000 eligible voters participated in the election, with the PN receiving 49%, PL 41%, and Borg Cuschieri 8%.

#MaltaDaily

Italy Eliminated From Euro 2024 After Loss To Switzerland

Jun 29 2024

Current holders Italy have officially been eliminated from UEFA Euros 2024 after a 2-0 loss to Switzerland.

The Italians failed to find the net in the first match of the knockout stages, a.k.a Round of 16.

This means Switzerland will be moving to the quarter finals, and will be facing either England or Slovakia.

#MaltaDaily

Moviment Graffitti Protest In Joseph Portelli’s Qala Pools

Jun 29 2024

Earlier this morning, a protest against “Joseph Portelli’s illegal pools in Qala ODZ” was organized by the NGO Movement Graffitti. Armed with spray paint and flares, activists took over the Gozo site that they claim is being “illegally developed.”

Moviment Graffitti explained how their main goal is to uncover the “rigged system” that planners uphold, which allows developers to take advantage of gaps in the law and planning-related flaws.

The NGO further explained stating “When, in 2021, it was reported that developer Joseph Portelli and his associates had begun digging two enormous pools without permits in Qala’s ODZ, Moviment Graffitti immediately reported the illegality to the Planning Authority,”

“Joseph Portelli even publicly admitted that while it was true that there was no permit for the works, he claimed to have done nothing wrong as he was sure he would be eventually granted the aforementioned permits,”

They continued on by revealing that “In fact, after a while, he did apply for the permits for two illegal pools on ODZ land, and after a few months, the Planning Authority approved them.”“Moviment Graffitti and the Qala Local Council banded together and appealed these permits. The courts revoked the permits and declared the pools illegal.”

#MaltaDaily