10 years ago - The Times
Monday, December 1, 2008
Renzo Piano resurrected for City Gate
World-renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano is likely to be back to develop Valletta’s City Gate after the government resumed contact with him, The Times has learnt.
Attempts to re-establish contact with Mr Piano started during the previous legislature but the effort has recently been intensified, paving the way for the design of the city’s entrance by the ‘star’ architect behind some of the most avant-garde contemporary architecture.
The design process for City Gate is expected to kick off next year, with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying yesterday that capital projects should include Valletta and stating his intention for them to start as soon as possible.
Mr Piano had attracted strong objection when his contact with Malta started in 1985. In 1988, he presented his guidelines for the master plan for Valletta, with conceptual designs for the urban space of Freedom Square, including the old Opera House, and detailed plans, down to materials, for its entrance.
His idea that Valletta no longer needed closed doors in the 20th century, but an invitation into it, did not go down too well with the public, and although the Cabinet of the day had originally approved the project in 1990, it had to drop it due to growing criticism.
25 years ago - The Times
Wednesday, December 1, 1993
Sanctions against Libya announced
Regulations which conform with a United Nations sanctions resolution against Libya were announced by the Maltese government yesterday, to take effect one minute after six this morning.
They freeze funds and other financial resources owned or controlled by the Government of Libya and carry a fine of up to Lm50,000 against anyone contravening them. The regulations, drawn up by the Prime Minister and announced in the Government Gazette yesterday, are cited as the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations, 1993.
The sanctions were imposed by the United Nations against the Libyan government in connection with the bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, when 270 were killed.
Sant labels 1994 budget as socially divisive
Opposition leader Alfred Sant said yesterday anyone taking up the government’s suggestion to renew the incomes policy agreement on the basis of the existing retail price index would be losing credibility.
Half a century ago - Sunday Times of Malta
Sunday, December 2, 1968
Viscount Boyd in Malta
The Rt Honourable Viscount Boyd of Merton, president of the Royal Commonwealth Society, arrived yesterday afternoon to attend the centenary dinner of the Royal Commonwealth Society to be held tomorrow evening at the Hotel Phoenicia.
The centenary dinner is being held under the auspices of the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Royal Overseas League-St George’s Club; and the Victorial League for Commonwealth Friendship.
Viscount Boyd was accompanied by Mr Stephen Kemp, secretary general of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Arriving with Viscount Boyd were Mr Philip Crawshaw, director general of the Royal Over-Seas League and Mrs Crawshaw, and Mr Geoffrey Draper, vice-president of the Royal Over-Seas League.
Welcoming party at Luqa were Dr Joseph G. Borg, vice-president of the Royal Overseas League-St George’s Club; the Hon. Mabel Strickland, hon. corresponding secretary of the Royal Commonwealth Society; Dr Vincent Scerri, president, Royal Overseas League-St George’s Club and Mr Anthony Griscti, hon. corresponding secretary of the Royal Overseas League-St George’s Club.