10 years ago - The Times
Sunday, October 26, 2008
KMB picks up Gaddafi prize for Mintoff
Dom Mintoff yesterday sent Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici to pick up the Al-Gaddafi Prize for Human Rights in his stead, with a note of apology saying he was too sick to attend. The former prime minister may be 92, but he can still lure crowds. Last night a packed hall waited with bated breath to see whether Mr Mintoff would be there in person.
Instead, Dr Mifsud Bonnici, his deputy in 1980 and eventual successor, read out a handwritten note from Mr Mintoff addressed to Ahmed Ben Balla, Algeria’s first president and organising committee chairman.
The note read: “Dear comrade… my colleague (Dr Mifsud Bonnici) is familiar with my handwriting if you need help in understanding the letter. Please accept my apologies for my absence, but when you visited me you had fresh evidence of my present state of health.”
Reading out his letter, Dr Mifsud Bonnici joked that it was not the first time he was deputising for Mr Mintoff: “I think it’s my destiny to stand in for him.”
A gilded frame of Mr Mintoff in his heyday stood high in the background, seemingly keeping a close eye on Dr Mifsud Bonnici while he received the medal and $250,000-prize to loud applause.
25 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, October 26, 1993
Slow start in nominations for local election
The countdown to Malta’s first ever local council elections began yesterday with a trickle of just seven nominations reaching the Electoral Commission.
However, the number is set to rise rapidly today and tomorrow, the closing date for nominations. The Nationalist Party has announced it will be fielding 72 candidates in addition to Alternattiva Demokratika’s four, besides independent or other candidates. The Labour Party will not be fielding any candidates under its banner.
Noise reduction plans for Pembroke
Measures are to be taken to reduce noise levels at the Pembroke reverse osmosis plant, the cause of complaint by residents nearby.
In announcing the intended relief, the Department of Information said the Water Services Corporation has placed orders for some of the equipment needed to reduce the noise and has issued calls for tenders for the work.
It is anticipated that the project will be completed within the next three to four months.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Saturday, October 26, 1968
Malta delegation satisfied with outcome of EEE talks
Members of the government delegation talks in Brussels on Malta’s formal application for a form of relationship with the Common Market returned yesterday afternoon.
The delegation was led by Mr F E Amato Gauci, secretary, Ministry of Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs, who said on arrival that his delegation was satisfied with the outcome of these talks.
Chalet in dangerous state
Carmel Casha, representing the Joka Investment (Manchester) Co Ltd was charged before Magistrate Dr G. Refalo with having left the Chalet at Għar-id-Dud in a dangerous state.
Baker fined
An employee from Santa Venera was charged before the Magistrate Court with having failed to fence securely the transmission machinery and gear wheels during the kneading machine in his bakehouse. The accused was fined £5 and warned that he would be liable to a fine at the rate of £1 per day, should he fail to advise the Department of Labour that the irregularity had been rectified satisfactorily within a period of one month.