25 years ago - The Times
Friday, May 20, 1994
Freeport loan: du Puis denies MLP’s claims
The government has denied Labour Party claims that it was not known how the $205 million international loan taken up by the Malta Freeport to finance a second terminal would be paid back.
Rebutting criticism by Labour MPs Charles Mangion and Lino Spiteri, Economic Services Minister George Bonello du Puis said the information had been public and available at the Department of Trade since March.
An interest rate of 7.5 per cent was being charged on loan, it was being guaranteed by the government and will be repaid by 2009, he said.
Dr Bonello du Puis said the Freeport’s income of $20 million a year would increase soon when the first phase of Terminal One became fully operational and the number of containers it could handle increased from 300,000 to 560,000.
The quay had been extended from 650 to 1,000 metres, the equipment was bought, training was taking place and the terminal would be fully functional soon.
Terminal Two was in the meantime being built and the first phase would be operational next year. The project is expected to be concluded in four years’ time.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Tuesday, May 20, 1969
Balzan explosion, Mellieħa shooting – man charged
Tony Borg, 56, of Balzan, was yesterday charged before Magistrate Dr C Schembri with responsibility for destroying a number of residences in Main Street, Balzan, late on Friday night. Borg himself lived in one of the houses which was blown up.
Borg also faced a second charge – with knowingly being in possession of an explosive substance “under such circumstances to render himself suspect of having manufactured and kept this for unlawful purposes”.
Borg was further charged with having wilfully attempted to murder Salvu Gauci, Catherine Gauci and Carmen Gauci at L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa, during the same night (May 16/17). He was accused of firing at them with a shotgun and with damaging a truck.
At the start of the compilation of evidence yesterday Dr Joseph Galea Debono, Defence Counsel requested the court to order a ban on the publication of the proceedings. The court acceded to this request.
The compilation of evidence will be continued tomorrow.