Updated 1145
Club delegates ask Portelli to think twice about donning Spartans kit
Several football club representatives have discouraged Joseph Portelli from registering as a player with Ħamrun Spartans FC, The Times of Malta reveals. Many delegates asked the construction entrepeneur to reconsider his decision to play in the top flight of local football, out of fear that it would harm his reputation and the “integrity of football”. It is understood that former PM Joseph Muscat also tried to talk Portelli out of this idea. Earlier this week, NET Replay revealed that Portelli had tendered his resignaton as President of the Spartans, ostensibly to play a few minutes in one of the final matches of the league season. (Times of Malta)
Malta to be taken to EU Court on trapping
The European Commission has referred Malta to the European Court of Justice for authorising the trapping of finches in yet another case concerning the issue. The Commission has not bought government’s reason for the derogation to allow the live capture (trapping) of seven species of wild finches on the pretext of scientific research. The Brussels executive is arguing the derogation violates of the Birds Directive and Treaty Obligations. (Maltatoday)
86% of Soup kitchen users are Maltese
86% of the individuals who turned up at the Soup Kitchen OFM in Valletta were Maltese, according to a report shared by the initiative for the year 2022. The soup kitchen in Valletta served almost 120,000 plates of food last year, feeding a total of 30,450 individuals of whom 220 were children. 86% of the 30,450 individuals were Maltese, 14% were foreigners. The majority, 62%, were male, and came from across Malta. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Cannabis clubs can sell marijuana from Feb
Cannabis clubs can apply to sell home-grown marijuana from next month but must abide by a list of regulations outlined on Friday. The associations are the only way to legally buy the drug, which was legalised in December 2021. They can apply for licensing from February 28 through a non-profit model set by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC). They must be non-profit and can only sell their own product, meaning that only seeds can be imported from abroad. This means that cannabis legally sold in Malta must be grown in the country. (Times of Malta)
Kirkop flyover open from this morning
Drivers exiting the Kirkop tunnels towards Luqa and Qormi will be able to use the first completed flyover as from this morning. Traffic outside the airport will be rerouted again to enable Infrastructure Malta to work on different parts of the junction. The roads regulator said that the new system will see traffic from Gudja to Ħal Far no longer passing through the newly constructed airport tunnel, but will instead be diverted through Triq il-Karwija. By Tuesday, IM intends to begin construction on the last phase of the project – the road connecting Kirkop Tunnels to Luqa. (Maltatoday)
New business schemes for renewables announced
Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that over the past few days the Cabinet of Ministers approved two schemes designed to help businesses focus on renewables and sustainability. Addressing an event marking the Chamber of Commerce’s 175th anniversary Abela explained that a legislative proposal for a basic right of a bank account for self-employed and businesses will be launched in the coming months as promised in the Labour Party’s electoral programme. Abela explained that work is underway on a system that facilitates the due diligence processes while ensuring they are robust and strong. (Newsbook)
