Opposition seeks Mifsud Bonnici’s resignation, government objects
The Opposition is seeking to convert its motion censuring Carm Mifsud Bonnici over his performance as Justice and Home Affairs Minister into one calling for his resignation – but the government is strongly protesting the move. A ruling is expected by the Speaker this evening, when Parliament reconvenes. Opposition home affairs spokesman Michael Falzon – who proposed the motion along with justice spokesman José Herrera last December – presented the necessary amendment at the end of what he described as the longest speech he ever made, which lasted well over two hours. As things stand, the motion first lists perceived failings in justice and home affairs before calling on the house to “censure this behaviour and demand that political responsibility is assumed for these failings.” But before the amendment could be seconded, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg raised a point of order, remarking that the amendment substantially changed the motion’s purpose. Dr Borg’s assertion led to loud protests by government MP Franco Debono – who has long been critical of Dr Mifsud Bonnici – who repeatedly shouted that the minister should be ashamed of himself before Acting Speaker Censu Galea threatened to suspend him from the House of Representatives. Continuing his argument, Dr Borg said that according to parliamentary procedure, such amendments could only be made with the consent of the entire House. Once again, Dr Debono protested, and the minister stressed that the amendment should be rejected even if he was the only one to oppose it.(independent.com.mt) The motion of censure is more than enough to make someone resign, resign the Minister himself.
Court: Deliveryman charged with stealing meat
A deliveryman was arraigned in court yesterday, charged with stealing meat worth under €2,333 from his employer, with the company lawyers protesting that the theft amounted to about €30,000. It is understood that the theft amount is to be amended when evidence starts being heard. Mark Anthony Borg, 37, of Ta’ Xbiex, worked with Park Towers Supermarket in Sta Venera. He was arraigned before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, charged with stealing meat last Tuesday and in the previous months from the stores at his workplace. Prosecuting Inspectors Robert Vella and Daryl Borg charged him with stealing the meat when he was a deliveryman, to profit from it, the gains amounting to over €233 but less than €2,333. Company counsel Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr Sharon Mizzi contested the amount mentioned, saying that the theft amounted to about €30,000.(independent.com.mt) Why such a big difference?
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it to the final
Kurt Calleja put paid to the doomsayers and took Malta to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest today. He gave a confident performance of This is the Night on stage in Baku, smiling constantly as he got the crowd clapping and swinging and can now look forward to coming up against a bit of everything on Saturday – from the Buranovskiye Babushki Russian Grannies to British Crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, 53 years his senior, as well as a number of veritable newcomers. The countries which qualified this evening – and announced in random order - were Lithuania, Bosnia, Serbia, Ukraine, Sweden, Macedonia, Norway, Estonia, Malta and Turkey. Kurt and his band jumped for joy when Malta’s qualification was announced, throwing kisses at the cameras, hugging each other and waving small Maltese flags. This will be the first time that Malta will be in the Eurovision final since Chiara made it for her third time in 2009.(timesofmalta.com) It's a good thing for Malta and its culture.
The Opposition is seeking to convert its motion censuring Carm Mifsud Bonnici over his performance as Justice and Home Affairs Minister into one calling for his resignation – but the government is strongly protesting the move. A ruling is expected by the Speaker this evening, when Parliament reconvenes. Opposition home affairs spokesman Michael Falzon – who proposed the motion along with justice spokesman José Herrera last December – presented the necessary amendment at the end of what he described as the longest speech he ever made, which lasted well over two hours. As things stand, the motion first lists perceived failings in justice and home affairs before calling on the house to “censure this behaviour and demand that political responsibility is assumed for these failings.” But before the amendment could be seconded, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg raised a point of order, remarking that the amendment substantially changed the motion’s purpose. Dr Borg’s assertion led to loud protests by government MP Franco Debono – who has long been critical of Dr Mifsud Bonnici – who repeatedly shouted that the minister should be ashamed of himself before Acting Speaker Censu Galea threatened to suspend him from the House of Representatives. Continuing his argument, Dr Borg said that according to parliamentary procedure, such amendments could only be made with the consent of the entire House. Once again, Dr Debono protested, and the minister stressed that the amendment should be rejected even if he was the only one to oppose it.(independent.com.mt) The motion of censure is more than enough to make someone resign, resign the Minister himself.
Court: Deliveryman charged with stealing meat
A deliveryman was arraigned in court yesterday, charged with stealing meat worth under €2,333 from his employer, with the company lawyers protesting that the theft amounted to about €30,000. It is understood that the theft amount is to be amended when evidence starts being heard. Mark Anthony Borg, 37, of Ta’ Xbiex, worked with Park Towers Supermarket in Sta Venera. He was arraigned before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, charged with stealing meat last Tuesday and in the previous months from the stores at his workplace. Prosecuting Inspectors Robert Vella and Daryl Borg charged him with stealing the meat when he was a deliveryman, to profit from it, the gains amounting to over €233 but less than €2,333. Company counsel Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr Sharon Mizzi contested the amount mentioned, saying that the theft amounted to about €30,000.(independent.com.mt) Why such a big difference?
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it to the final
Kurt Calleja put paid to the doomsayers and took Malta to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest today. He gave a confident performance of This is the Night on stage in Baku, smiling constantly as he got the crowd clapping and swinging and can now look forward to coming up against a bit of everything on Saturday – from the Buranovskiye Babushki Russian Grannies to British Crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, 53 years his senior, as well as a number of veritable newcomers. The countries which qualified this evening – and announced in random order - were Lithuania, Bosnia, Serbia, Ukraine, Sweden, Macedonia, Norway, Estonia, Malta and Turkey. Kurt and his band jumped for joy when Malta’s qualification was announced, throwing kisses at the cameras, hugging each other and waving small Maltese flags. This will be the first time that Malta will be in the Eurovision final since Chiara made it for her third time in 2009.(timesofmalta.com) It's a good thing for Malta and its culture.