10 years ago - The Times
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Petroleum distribution privatisation: Preferred bidder implicated in fraud
Owners of a Lebanese oil company in the running for the €100 million privatisation of Enemalta’s petroleum distribution operation had been implicated in a landmark fraud case running into some $15 million.
B.B. Energy, owned by Lebanese brothers Bahedine and Mohamed Bassatne, has been chosen as the preferred bidder to take over petroleum supplies for 30 years. A call for expressions of interest in the tender was issued in 2007.
Victim’s widow testifies in bank murder trial
She recognised his hand beneath the white sheet that covered his badly disfigured face after he was shot in the head and, running up to the body, she “just wanted to wake him up and take him home”.
Mary Ferriggi gave a heartwrenching account of the morning her husband Alphonse was killed shortly after leaving home to start a day’s work delivering mail to Bank of Valletta branches.
25 years ago - The Times
Friday, February 4, 1994
Agreement on Budget claims: GWU lifts action
An agreement reached between the government, the General Workers’ Union, Enemalta and Telemalta corporations over the GWU’s budget proposals for this year provides for reduced water and electricity costs, a revision of the telephone tariff and the incorporation of the Lm2 wage increase in the tax credit to be given next year.
The GWU, which announced the agreement yesterday, has lifted all its directives and industrial action ordered over the issues.
These included a boycott of the processing, issue and distribution of telephone, water and electricity bills and a boycott by port workers of any goods for the government, including coal for the Marsa power station.
PM on Malta in the EU
“Malta’s security is the first aim of our foreign policy, and it is in our interest to belong to an entity which makes us more secure.”
Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami insisted in a speech to a Brussels foundation yesterday that the European Union must show as much commitment to its Mediterranean frontier as it is showing towards the north and the east.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Tuesday, February 4, 1969
Inclusive tour project announced
Lord Thomson today announced plans for an inclusive tour project involving the new Mellieħa Bay Hotel. Lord Thomson was speaking at a reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, marking the preview of the £800,000, 428-bed Mellieħa Bay Hotel, built specially for the inclusive holiday market.
Lord Thomson spoke of Britain’s debt of gratitude to Malta and expressed delight at his, the largest yet, motel and first inclusive tour hotel to be built. He said the decision to build was a major act of faith since it had to be taken before the grant of the licence.
Lord Thomson hoped that the decision of the Airport Air Transport Licensing Board will help begin the building of low-price holidays in Malta. Holidays at Mellieħa Bay Hotel begin from 48 guineas.
Telstar u Il-Berqa
Tomorrow’s Telstar u Il-Berqa will have exclusive features on how and when the United States of America was involved in the war in Vietnam, on a Maltese lay missionary who is working the far-away Papua, on the United Nations Party Trail and on a historic gift by a Lutheran Prince to a Grandmaster.