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Enjoy 1 hour of your favourite songs.
Click on the link to Download and listen. https://we.tl/t-dr8aHtooeI
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Aġġornata: Mara fil-periklu tal-mewt wara li ttajret minn karozza f’Ħal Luqa
Minn Sephora Francalanza
15/06/2019,
Mara ttajret minn vettura f’Ħal Luqa waranofsinhar u ttieħdet l-Isptar Mater Dei, fejn ġiet iċċertifikata li qiegħda fil-periklu tal-mewt.
Kelliem għall-Pulizija kkonferma ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li dan seħħ fi Triq San Vinċenz għall-ħabta tan-12.30pm. Il-mara ta’ 38 sena minn Ħal Qormi ntlaqtet minn vettura misjuqa minn raġel ta’ 47 sena mis-Siġġiewi.
Fuq il-post marru uffiċjali tal-pulizija u ssejħet ambulanza li ħadet lill-mara l-isptar.
Motorcyclist dies in Valley Road crash
41-year-old smashed into parked truck in early hours of the morning
AccidentBirkirkara
The victim: Mark BishopA motorcyclist died in the early hours of Saturday morning after he lost control of his motorbike and smashed into a parked truck in Birkirkara.
Mark Bishop, a 41-year-old Gozitan from Sannat, was riding through Valley Road when he appeared to lose control of his Honda CB5000FA bike at around 4am.
He ended up crashing into a parked DAF truck that was parked along the side of the road.
Paramedics were quickly called in but the man died at the scene of the incident.
Magistrate Ian Farrugia is leading an inquiry into the case, with the police saying they are investigating further.
L-Ghaqda Armar Triq Dicembru 13 jibdew jarmaw ghal festa
Minn Mario Muscat
Minn Mario Muscat
Puli calls Marlene a viper over ‘F’għoxx Il-PN’ chant during Ħaż-Żebbuġ feast
Video shows PD MP Marlene Farrugia held aloft at St Philip’s band club in Haz Zebbug while crowd chants ‘Fuck the PN’
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/puliclyde/videos/2352869678326182/
11 June 2019, 1:25pm
by Matthew Vella
No love lost between the PN’s erstwhile ‘coalition’ partner Marlene Farrugia and an enraged Clyde Puli.
The PN secretary-general has called out Marlene Farrugia over a viral video of the Democratic Party MP celebrating during the St Philip feast of Haz-Zebbug, to a scurrilous chant against the Nationalist Party.
In a Facebook post, Puli took umbrage at a video showing Farrugia enjoying herself inside the band club, while the crowd appears to be chanting ‘F’ghoxx il-PN’ (fuck the PN) to the tune of Gigi d’Agostino’s L’Amours Toujours.
While it is unclear if Farrugia herself is singing to the same chant, the mobile phone footage shows Farrugia held aloft by festa revellers inside the St Philip’s band club while the chant is taking place.
PN secretary-general Clyde Puli used the video to take Farrugia to task on Facebook. “We gave [the PD] a stage, the media, and two seats in the House. She even had the cheek to say she wanted to be our party leader. And when we wanted to cede a seat from our bench for the co-option of our leader, she wanted a PD candidate to contest it,” Puli said on Facebook.
“Today they dance to the rhythm of their hate towards us. She’s an albatross around our neck while the PN tries all it can to gain ground.”
Puli also hashtagged the post with the words “Trojan Horse” and “viper in our midst”.
Marlene Farrugia was not available for comment when called.
MaltaToday then sent the Facebook link to her partner, and PD leader Godfrey Farrugia. “We were nowhere near whoever was filming… Puli is trying to divert attention from his own problems.”
When contacted, Farrugia said he was unaware of the video but said he had no recollection of people singing “f’ghoxx il-PN” around him during the celebrations. He suggested that people might have been chanting in the vicinity of whoever was filming and not necessary near the couple. “Puli is only trying to deflect attention. I have always viewed the feast as a celebration of the community during which I meet people of different opinions and from all walks of life.”
Reacting to Puli’s remarks in a Facebook post of her own, Marlene Farrugia accused Puli of acting out of panic following the disastrous election result “he and his friends” had brought upon the PN through their “incompetence”.
“As I always do, I have fun during feasts, real fun, celebrating with friends, both new and old,” Farrugia said, adding that in her life, she had never insulted anyone.
She added that she had also spent a considerable amount of time at the Żebbuġ PN club, as well as others.
Puli, she said, was clearly threatened by her. “They are right to do so because they are as corrupt as the government they want to remove.”
Video shows PD MP Marlene Farrugia held aloft at St Philip’s band club in Haz Zebbug while crowd chants ‘Fuck the PN’
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/puliclyde/videos/2352869678326182/
11 June 2019, 1:25pm
by Matthew Vella
No love lost between the PN’s erstwhile ‘coalition’ partner Marlene Farrugia and an enraged Clyde Puli.
The PN secretary-general has called out Marlene Farrugia over a viral video of the Democratic Party MP celebrating during the St Philip feast of Haz-Zebbug, to a scurrilous chant against the Nationalist Party.
In a Facebook post, Puli took umbrage at a video showing Farrugia enjoying herself inside the band club, while the crowd appears to be chanting ‘F’ghoxx il-PN’ (fuck the PN) to the tune of Gigi d’Agostino’s L’Amours Toujours.
While it is unclear if Farrugia herself is singing to the same chant, the mobile phone footage shows Farrugia held aloft by festa revellers inside the St Philip’s band club while the chant is taking place.
PN secretary-general Clyde Puli used the video to take Farrugia to task on Facebook. “We gave [the PD] a stage, the media, and two seats in the House. She even had the cheek to say she wanted to be our party leader. And when we wanted to cede a seat from our bench for the co-option of our leader, she wanted a PD candidate to contest it,” Puli said on Facebook.
“Today they dance to the rhythm of their hate towards us. She’s an albatross around our neck while the PN tries all it can to gain ground.”
Puli also hashtagged the post with the words “Trojan Horse” and “viper in our midst”.
Marlene Farrugia was not available for comment when called.
MaltaToday then sent the Facebook link to her partner, and PD leader Godfrey Farrugia. “We were nowhere near whoever was filming… Puli is trying to divert attention from his own problems.”
When contacted, Farrugia said he was unaware of the video but said he had no recollection of people singing “f’ghoxx il-PN” around him during the celebrations. He suggested that people might have been chanting in the vicinity of whoever was filming and not necessary near the couple. “Puli is only trying to deflect attention. I have always viewed the feast as a celebration of the community during which I meet people of different opinions and from all walks of life.”
Reacting to Puli’s remarks in a Facebook post of her own, Marlene Farrugia accused Puli of acting out of panic following the disastrous election result “he and his friends” had brought upon the PN through their “incompetence”.
“As I always do, I have fun during feasts, real fun, celebrating with friends, both new and old,” Farrugia said, adding that in her life, she had never insulted anyone.
She added that she had also spent a considerable amount of time at the Żebbuġ PN club, as well as others.
Puli, she said, was clearly threatened by her. “They are right to do so because they are as corrupt as the government they want to remove.”
Kevin Cutajar sworn in as new PN MP
Monday, 10 June 2019,
Kevin Cutajar has just been sworn in as a new Member of Parliament.
"I am extremely honoured and proud to have been accepted as a new MP from Gozo," he said.
Cutajar was approved unanimously by the executive committee last Saturday after, a week earlier, it had been Jean Pierre Debono who was given the green light. Debono however later renounced the seat after voting irregularities were noticed and the party later decided that the seat vacated by David Stellini was to be filled up by a candidate from the same electoral district, the 13th.
Cutajar speaking in Parliament said that he is aware of the responsibility he has and will do his utmost to work hard in Parliament.
Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia said he was extremely proud of his colleague Cutajar. "I believe that the vision Kevin has for this island is one to bring the right results and to prove all those who did not believe in him wrong."
Monday, 10 June 2019,
Kevin Cutajar has just been sworn in as a new Member of Parliament.
"I am extremely honoured and proud to have been accepted as a new MP from Gozo," he said.
Cutajar was approved unanimously by the executive committee last Saturday after, a week earlier, it had been Jean Pierre Debono who was given the green light. Debono however later renounced the seat after voting irregularities were noticed and the party later decided that the seat vacated by David Stellini was to be filled up by a candidate from the same electoral district, the 13th.
Cutajar speaking in Parliament said that he is aware of the responsibility he has and will do his utmost to work hard in Parliament.
Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia said he was extremely proud of his colleague Cutajar. "I believe that the vision Kevin has for this island is one to bring the right results and to prove all those who did not believe in him wrong."
Fourth ship joins Gozo Channel fleet on short lease
Monday, 10 June 2019,
The MV Nicolaos arrived in Malta on Monday morning to join the Gozo Channel fleet, bringing up the total of ships to four.
The ro-ro ferry, in Gozo Channel colours, arrived from Greece.
It was leased by Gozo Channel Limited following an increase in passenger and car crossings.
The ship was chartered together with its crew on a short lease while Gozo Channel seeks a more suitable vessel for longer use.
Monday, 10 June 2019,
The MV Nicolaos arrived in Malta on Monday morning to join the Gozo Channel fleet, bringing up the total of ships to four.
The ro-ro ferry, in Gozo Channel colours, arrived from Greece.
It was leased by Gozo Channel Limited following an increase in passenger and car crossings.
The ship was chartered together with its crew on a short lease while Gozo Channel seeks a more suitable vessel for longer use.
The Feast of Ghasri in Gozo
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.6.19
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.6.19
Evviva l-festa tagħna
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
L-istaġun tal-festi f’Għawdex
Għal darb’oħra reġa’ magħna;
Fl-Għasri llum ilkoll inġbarna
Għal dil-festa għażiża tagħna!
F’din il-knisja daqstant ħelwa
Tilmaħ għadd sabiħ t’Għasrin
Illi ta’ spiss hawn iqattgħu
Ħafna minn tagħhom il-ħin!
Jitolbu lil Gesu’ Ostja
Sabiex dlonk jidħol għalihom;
Magħhom jimxi tul il-ħajja
Kull għajnua fis jagħtihom.
Statwa ħelwa l-Ħadd fl-għaxija
Mat-toroq toħroġ iddur,
Bil-ferħ timla l-Għasri kollu –
Din hi Kristu Salvatur.
Sett sabiħ ta’ bandalori
Iżejnu lil dan il-misraħ
Illi Audrey b’sengħa tatna
U li bihom kulħadd jifraħ!
U lil Kappillan ħabrieki
Ngħidulu ‘grazzi’ mill-qalb
Talli tant jaħdem u jħabrek
W inżommuh f’tagħna t-talb!
O Gesu’ fl-Ewkaristija
Ejja żurna fil-qalb tagħna;
Mingħajrek aħna lkoll nogħtru –
La tinfired qatt minn magħna!
Agħmel illi din il-festa
Tissokta tqarribna lejk
Sabiex wara din i-ħajja
Niġu lkoll ferħana ħdejk!
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
L-istaġun tal-festi f’Għawdex
Għal darb’oħra reġa’ magħna;
Fl-Għasri llum ilkoll inġbarna
Għal dil-festa għażiża tagħna!
F’din il-knisja daqstant ħelwa
Tilmaħ għadd sabiħ t’Għasrin
Illi ta’ spiss hawn iqattgħu
Ħafna minn tagħhom il-ħin!
Jitolbu lil Gesu’ Ostja
Sabiex dlonk jidħol għalihom;
Magħhom jimxi tul il-ħajja
Kull għajnua fis jagħtihom.
Statwa ħelwa l-Ħadd fl-għaxija
Mat-toroq toħroġ iddur,
Bil-ferħ timla l-Għasri kollu –
Din hi Kristu Salvatur.
Sett sabiħ ta’ bandalori
Iżejnu lil dan il-misraħ
Illi Audrey b’sengħa tatna
U li bihom kulħadd jifraħ!
U lil Kappillan ħabrieki
Ngħidulu ‘grazzi’ mill-qalb
Talli tant jaħdem u jħabrek
W inżommuh f’tagħna t-talb!
O Gesu’ fl-Ewkaristija
Ejja żurna fil-qalb tagħna;
Mingħajrek aħna lkoll nogħtru –
La tinfired qatt minn magħna!
Agħmel illi din il-festa
Tissokta tqarribna lejk
Sabiex wara din i-ħajja
Niġu lkoll ferħana ħdejk!
Updated: Kevin Cutajar co-option to House approved by acclamation in PN executive committee
Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar will become Malta’s newest MP
8 June 2019, 11:13am
by Karl Azzopardi
Kevin Cutajar (centre) with PN leader Adrian Delia
Watch the film here: https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=0:51
Watch Adrian Delia speak here.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=2:43
Kevin Cutajar, the Xagħra councillor looking to replace David Stellini in parliament, has been voted by acclamation by the PN executive committee to take his seat up in the House of Representatives.
Stellini, who was elected to parliament from the 13th District – Gozo – resigned last month, with the party now needing to fill his seat by co-opting someone to the House.
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, and has been a local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election. He is visually-impaired.
Last Saturday the same executive elected the PN’s chief political advisor Jean Pierre Debono after he beat Cutajar by 42 votes to 40.
Debono was however forced to give up his seat the following day, after it transpired that two of members of the executive who voted in the election where in fact not eligible to do so.
Saturday’s decision to select Debono over Cutajar was not received well by the party’s activists in Gozo, who are insisting that the seat should be given to someone from the same district.
Former European Court of Human Rights judge Giovanni Bonello also said the matter of co-option to the House was government by several constitutional rules, including one which designates Gozo as a special region, and another stating that in the case of a co-option he new member must be “as nearly as can be of the interests and opinions represented and held by the vacating member”.
Bonello’s opinion, Cutajar said in a Facebook post, “strengthened Gozo’s case” in the matter.
The PN did the right thing - Kevin Cutajar
In comments to the press after being co-opted to Parliament, Cutajar said that the Nationalist Party had “done the right thing”, since a seat which had been occupied by a Gozitan should remain Gozo’s.
The party had also sent a strong message that even someone with a disability could make it to that point, he said.
“The PN - a party I always believed in - did the right thing today. As I said, the seat was Gozo’s and should remain Gozo’s,” Cutajar said.
“As a Gozitan, I was very satisfied that there was near unity amongst the Gozitans when it came to this case. I think we should be unified for other causes, in order to make them a success.”
“This is a departure point. We’ll now turn the page and look forward to the work I have before me as an MP. I will try to undertake this responsibility using the utmost of my abilities,” Cutajar added.
PN identifying its weaknesses - Delia
Asked by MaltaToday - in light of comments he made on Friday’s Xarabank that he would resign if he lost the 2022 general election by a big margin - how large the loss would have to be for him to step down, Delia said that it was premature at this stage to discuss this.
He said that the PN’s executive committee had had a very fruitful session on Saturday, and that the party was identifying its weaknesses, restructuring, but also focusing on what its members have in common.
“The executive committee was very strong today, and held a long and serious discussion. We are identifying our weaknesses and looking at what restructuring has to be put in place. But we are also looking at our strengths - what unites us, not divides us, which means of communication can be used better, and how we can recognise society’s needs better,” he said.
On the co-option of Cutajar, Delia said that “the PN won, the Maltese and Gozitan people won, and the concept of just representation won” with the executive committee’s new decisions.
“The lesson is that when a party listens and debates, and recognises its challenges, good can emanate from this,” the Nationalist leader added.
Gozo local councillor Kevin Cutajar will become Malta’s newest MP
8 June 2019, 11:13am
by Karl Azzopardi
Kevin Cutajar (centre) with PN leader Adrian Delia
Watch the film here: https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=0:51
Watch Adrian Delia speak here.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/08/filmat-id-decizjoni-tal-pn-baghtet-messagg-qawwi-lil-persuni-bdizabbilta-cutajar/#t=2:43
Kevin Cutajar, the Xagħra councillor looking to replace David Stellini in parliament, has been voted by acclamation by the PN executive committee to take his seat up in the House of Representatives.
Stellini, who was elected to parliament from the 13th District – Gozo – resigned last month, with the party now needing to fill his seat by co-opting someone to the House.
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, and has been a local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election. He is visually-impaired.
Last Saturday the same executive elected the PN’s chief political advisor Jean Pierre Debono after he beat Cutajar by 42 votes to 40.
Debono was however forced to give up his seat the following day, after it transpired that two of members of the executive who voted in the election where in fact not eligible to do so.
Saturday’s decision to select Debono over Cutajar was not received well by the party’s activists in Gozo, who are insisting that the seat should be given to someone from the same district.
Former European Court of Human Rights judge Giovanni Bonello also said the matter of co-option to the House was government by several constitutional rules, including one which designates Gozo as a special region, and another stating that in the case of a co-option he new member must be “as nearly as can be of the interests and opinions represented and held by the vacating member”.
Bonello’s opinion, Cutajar said in a Facebook post, “strengthened Gozo’s case” in the matter.
The PN did the right thing - Kevin Cutajar
In comments to the press after being co-opted to Parliament, Cutajar said that the Nationalist Party had “done the right thing”, since a seat which had been occupied by a Gozitan should remain Gozo’s.
The party had also sent a strong message that even someone with a disability could make it to that point, he said.
“The PN - a party I always believed in - did the right thing today. As I said, the seat was Gozo’s and should remain Gozo’s,” Cutajar said.
“As a Gozitan, I was very satisfied that there was near unity amongst the Gozitans when it came to this case. I think we should be unified for other causes, in order to make them a success.”
“This is a departure point. We’ll now turn the page and look forward to the work I have before me as an MP. I will try to undertake this responsibility using the utmost of my abilities,” Cutajar added.
PN identifying its weaknesses - Delia
Asked by MaltaToday - in light of comments he made on Friday’s Xarabank that he would resign if he lost the 2022 general election by a big margin - how large the loss would have to be for him to step down, Delia said that it was premature at this stage to discuss this.
He said that the PN’s executive committee had had a very fruitful session on Saturday, and that the party was identifying its weaknesses, restructuring, but also focusing on what its members have in common.
“The executive committee was very strong today, and held a long and serious discussion. We are identifying our weaknesses and looking at what restructuring has to be put in place. But we are also looking at our strengths - what unites us, not divides us, which means of communication can be used better, and how we can recognise society’s needs better,” he said.
On the co-option of Cutajar, Delia said that “the PN won, the Maltese and Gozitan people won, and the concept of just representation won” with the executive committee’s new decisions.
“The lesson is that when a party listens and debates, and recognises its challenges, good can emanate from this,” the Nationalist leader added.
Woman rescued from Mellieha four-storey building collapse
Four-storey building collapses in Main Street, Mellieha where construction is taking place next door
8 June 2019
by Matthew Vella
An elderly woman has been rescued from inside the debris of a collapsed apartment building in Mellieha.
The four-storey building collapsed in Main Street, Mellieha on Saturday near the former Shoppers Supermarket. Construction is taking place next door.
The police and officers from the Civil Protection Department and ambulances were on site.
The building fell at around 6am.
All emergency forces are on site, with neighbouring buildings having been evacuated.
This is the second incident in as many months that an apartment block collapses due to third party construction, the recent one being a block in Gwardamangia, where luckily people living in the apartments managed to escape since they were not in the part of the block that collapsed.
Four-storey building collapses in Main Street, Mellieha where construction is taking place next door
8 June 2019
by Matthew Vella
An elderly woman has been rescued from inside the debris of a collapsed apartment building in Mellieha.
The four-storey building collapsed in Main Street, Mellieha on Saturday near the former Shoppers Supermarket. Construction is taking place next door.
The police and officers from the Civil Protection Department and ambulances were on site.
The building fell at around 6am.
All emergency forces are on site, with neighbouring buildings having been evacuated.
This is the second incident in as many months that an apartment block collapses due to third party construction, the recent one being a block in Gwardamangia, where luckily people living in the apartments managed to escape since they were not in the part of the block that collapsed.
Feasts in Malta and Gozo this weekend
Ghasri Gozo: Christ the Saviour in the Eucharist
Haz-Zebbug: St. Philip of Agira
Gwardamangia: Our Lady of Fatima
Ghasri church Gozo.
Ghasri Gozo: Christ the Saviour in the Eucharist
Haz-Zebbug: St. Philip of Agira
Gwardamangia: Our Lady of Fatima
Ghasri church Gozo.
Banner calling on Delia to resign hung outside PN headquarters
The banner was placed in front of the Nationalist Party’s headquarters in Pieta overnight
7 June 2019, 10:06am
by Massimo Costa
The banner was hung outside PN HQ overnight
A banner calling on Adrian Delia to resign was placed outside the Nationalist Party’s headquarters.
The banner, which reads “Irridu futur - Irrizenjaw” (We want a future - Resign), was hung across the Pieta building’s main entrance, and appears to be calling on not only Delia, but others within the party to step down too.
In the past weeks, calls for the resignation of the embattled PN leader and his top officials were made, following the party’s disastrous performance in the European and local council elections.
The situation was worsened after an PN executive committee decision to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to replace David Stellini, who resigned as an MP, resulted in a backlash for party members who alleged that individuals who were not entitled to vote had participated in the committee’s voting process.
Read also:
Clyde Puli scouting for other Gozo candidates to take up Stellini seat
Debono subsequently announced he would not be assuming his parliamentary seat
The executive committee will be meeting on Saturday to decide who to choose as Stellini’s replacement.
The banner was placed in front of the Nationalist Party’s headquarters in Pieta overnight
7 June 2019, 10:06am
by Massimo Costa
The banner was hung outside PN HQ overnight
A banner calling on Adrian Delia to resign was placed outside the Nationalist Party’s headquarters.
The banner, which reads “Irridu futur - Irrizenjaw” (We want a future - Resign), was hung across the Pieta building’s main entrance, and appears to be calling on not only Delia, but others within the party to step down too.
In the past weeks, calls for the resignation of the embattled PN leader and his top officials were made, following the party’s disastrous performance in the European and local council elections.
The situation was worsened after an PN executive committee decision to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to replace David Stellini, who resigned as an MP, resulted in a backlash for party members who alleged that individuals who were not entitled to vote had participated in the committee’s voting process.
Read also:
Clyde Puli scouting for other Gozo candidates to take up Stellini seat
Debono subsequently announced he would not be assuming his parliamentary seat
The executive committee will be meeting on Saturday to decide who to choose as Stellini’s replacement.
Titnieda l-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat 2019 fin-Nadur
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali Clint Camilleri flimkien mas-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said, qed jerġgħu għal sena oħra jorganizzaw il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat fin-Nadur.
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Agrikoltura Clint Camilleri qal li l-għan tal-Gvern huwa li avvenimenti bħal dawn fl-irħula tagħna jkomplu jikbru u jissaħħu u huwa għalhekk tingħata l-għajnuna sabiex il-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom opportunità fejn jiċċelebraw il-bżulija tagħhom. Huwa elabora kif il-wirja ta’ din is-sena qiegħda tkun organizzata mill-kunsill lokali flimkien mas-Segretarjat Parlamentari tal-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali, wara l-iffirmar ta’ Memorandum of Understaning bejn il-kunsill u s-Segretarjat li għamel dan kollu possibbli. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clint Camilleri qal li huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li madwar 250 parteċipant se jesebixxi x-xogħol tiegħu, filwaqt li qed ikun stmat li jattendu madwar 4,000 ruħ fuq jumejn.
Is-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said spjega kif ir-raħal tan-Nadur, magħruf għall-veduti mill-isbaħ tiegħu, u mogħni b’fost l-aqwa widien f’pajjiżna, huwa l-unika raħal fejn il-parroċċa tiegħu tiċċelebra l-festa tal-Imnarja, ad unur tal-Patruni San Pietru u San Pawl, fid-29 ta’ Ġunju. Huwa qal li sa mit-twaqqif tal-kunsill lokali fin-Nadur, il-kunsill beda jaħseb kif jista’ joħloq attivitajiet fl-Imnarja li huma relatati mal-istorja u t-tradizzjoni. Dan ħoloq dik l-imsejħa Wirja Agrarja aktar minn 20 sena ilu, fejn din kienet tinvolvi wirja ta’ ħaxix u frott fi Pjazza l-Arċipriet Martin Camilleri. Din l-attività kompliet tikber u r-raħħala u bdiewa bdew jikkonkorru bis-sħiħ għal din l-attività.
Il-viżitaturi kibru ħafna fin-numru u allura matul is-snin l-attività kibret b’mod awtomatiku. Illum din l-attività hija wirja u esebizzjoni mhux biss ta’ ħaxix u frott, iżda tinkludi wkoll kull tip ta’ uċuħ tar-raba lokali, festa sħiħa ta’ artiġjanat maħdum fin-Nadur u anke fi gżiritna. Fost l-isbaħ arti tradizzjonali u anke artisti live, nies jaħdmu snajja’ tradizzjonali ‘live’, kollezzjonijiet ta’ pjanti u materjal ieħor lokali u tradizzjonali, tiżjin b’armar antik ħafna tal-Imnarja u anke fost l-aqwa arranġamenti tal-fjuri maħduma lokalment, u ħafna stands oħra.
Minbarra dan, l-istess wirja tinkludi esibizzjoni ta’ tjur, tagħti l-opportunità li jsir tberik tal-pets, ikun hemm show tal-bhejjem u żwiemel fi Triq Diċembru 13 u anke tberik, u tipprovdi lil viżitaturi ċ-ċans li jduqu ikel u xorb tradizzjonali b’xejn, u saħansitra mużika u żfin folk ma jaqta’ xejn, kif ukol għana tradizzjonali.
Il-mużika u żfin se jinkludu lil Greenfields, Spiru Sillato, Mnarja Folk Group u Ta’ Ċangura Folk Group. Kull parteċipant jingħata rigal ta’ tifkira li huwa prodott lokali, u kull min itella’ l-bhejjem jingħata rigal ieħor differenti.
Din is-sena il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat se ssir nhar is-Sibt 22 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00pm u l-Ħadd, 23 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00am.
- Ġun 05, 2019
- Miktub minn iNews
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali Clint Camilleri flimkien mas-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said, qed jerġgħu għal sena oħra jorganizzaw il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat fin-Nadur.
Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Agrikoltura Clint Camilleri qal li l-għan tal-Gvern huwa li avvenimenti bħal dawn fl-irħula tagħna jkomplu jikbru u jissaħħu u huwa għalhekk tingħata l-għajnuna sabiex il-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom opportunità fejn jiċċelebraw il-bżulija tagħhom. Huwa elabora kif il-wirja ta’ din is-sena qiegħda tkun organizzata mill-kunsill lokali flimkien mas-Segretarjat Parlamentari tal-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali, wara l-iffirmar ta’ Memorandum of Understaning bejn il-kunsill u s-Segretarjat li għamel dan kollu possibbli. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clint Camilleri qal li huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li madwar 250 parteċipant se jesebixxi x-xogħol tiegħu, filwaqt li qed ikun stmat li jattendu madwar 4,000 ruħ fuq jumejn.
Is-Sindku tan-Nadur Edward Said spjega kif ir-raħal tan-Nadur, magħruf għall-veduti mill-isbaħ tiegħu, u mogħni b’fost l-aqwa widien f’pajjiżna, huwa l-unika raħal fejn il-parroċċa tiegħu tiċċelebra l-festa tal-Imnarja, ad unur tal-Patruni San Pietru u San Pawl, fid-29 ta’ Ġunju. Huwa qal li sa mit-twaqqif tal-kunsill lokali fin-Nadur, il-kunsill beda jaħseb kif jista’ joħloq attivitajiet fl-Imnarja li huma relatati mal-istorja u t-tradizzjoni. Dan ħoloq dik l-imsejħa Wirja Agrarja aktar minn 20 sena ilu, fejn din kienet tinvolvi wirja ta’ ħaxix u frott fi Pjazza l-Arċipriet Martin Camilleri. Din l-attività kompliet tikber u r-raħħala u bdiewa bdew jikkonkorru bis-sħiħ għal din l-attività.
Il-viżitaturi kibru ħafna fin-numru u allura matul is-snin l-attività kibret b’mod awtomatiku. Illum din l-attività hija wirja u esebizzjoni mhux biss ta’ ħaxix u frott, iżda tinkludi wkoll kull tip ta’ uċuħ tar-raba lokali, festa sħiħa ta’ artiġjanat maħdum fin-Nadur u anke fi gżiritna. Fost l-isbaħ arti tradizzjonali u anke artisti live, nies jaħdmu snajja’ tradizzjonali ‘live’, kollezzjonijiet ta’ pjanti u materjal ieħor lokali u tradizzjonali, tiżjin b’armar antik ħafna tal-Imnarja u anke fost l-aqwa arranġamenti tal-fjuri maħduma lokalment, u ħafna stands oħra.
Minbarra dan, l-istess wirja tinkludi esibizzjoni ta’ tjur, tagħti l-opportunità li jsir tberik tal-pets, ikun hemm show tal-bhejjem u żwiemel fi Triq Diċembru 13 u anke tberik, u tipprovdi lil viżitaturi ċ-ċans li jduqu ikel u xorb tradizzjonali b’xejn, u saħansitra mużika u żfin folk ma jaqta’ xejn, kif ukol għana tradizzjonali.
Il-mużika u żfin se jinkludu lil Greenfields, Spiru Sillato, Mnarja Folk Group u Ta’ Ċangura Folk Group. Kull parteċipant jingħata rigal ta’ tifkira li huwa prodott lokali, u kull min itella’ l-bhejjem jingħata rigal ieħor differenti.
Din is-sena il-Wirja Agrarja u ta’ Artiġjanat se ssir nhar is-Sibt 22 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00pm u l-Ħadd, 23 ta’ Ġunju wara it-8.00am.
Indepth: Divide and rule was what moved this leadership forward – Mark Anthony Sammut
Wednesday, 5 June 2019,
The politics that moved this leadership forward was the politics of divide and rule that pits Nationalists against Nationalists, and Jean-Pierre Debono kept on doing it with this letter, ex-Executive President of the Nationalist Party Mark Anthony Sammut said.
This week on Indepth, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard spoke with Mark Anthony Sammut, who on Saturday resigned from his post as Executive President of the Nationalist Party following two record-breaking defeats in the recent elections.
Noting how everyone is afraid to speak out due to lack of freedom in the Nationalist Party, he said that the insults he has been receiving over the last few days were incredible, going on to point out that Jean-Pierre Debono’s letter blamed his decision not to take the vacant seat in Parliament on politics of envy, the thirst of power at all costs and hatred.
Nationalist Party Political Co-ordinator Jean-Pierre Debono recently was controversially co-opted to fill David Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, but following public outcry and questionable voting circumstances, he gave it up.
Sammut questioned how he could be accused of having a thirst for power when he is the first one to resign from his post so that the party is given the “space to truly find who will unite, strengthen and move it forward”.
He insisted that the idea that there were warring factions in the Nationalist Party was propaganda from the Labour Party, pointing out that there were people who also hadn’t accepted Lawrence Gonzi and Simon Busuttil before Adrian Delia.
“The leader of a party must always try to find a way for those people who are not accepting of him to be more involved and bring them closer to him, and not go out there and instigate Nationalists against Nationalists.”
Maintaining that this message was not only coming from just one person, he pointed out how the first message given in public was that the blame for losing this election should be on those Nationalists that did not vote.
“With all due respect, do we have a right to the vote of these Nationalists?”
“We should be going out and giving them a reason to vote for us, and not going out there and saying it’s their fault.”
Core voters
Sammut had previously noted that, whilst it was a fact that people who proclaim themselves eternal followers of a party are decreasing, he wouldn’t expect those who identify themselves with the Nationalist Party because they believe in its principles to decrease – especially after six years in opposition, and six years of a government plagued with one story of corruption to another.
Warning about the over-extended period the Nationalist Party was taking to find its legs and understand what needs to be done, Sammut said that if opposition parties receive less than 33% of the vote, then “this country will become a dictatorship”.
“This is the responsibility that we have – as soon as the Labour Party hits two-thirds, then we can wake up tomorrow morning and live in a one-party-state and close down Parliament.”
“This is serious,” he pleaded, “being stubborn, keeping our heads in the sand, and thinking that we can delude ourselves into thinking that we can unite people after those same people lost the trust of the public is an illusion and we must understand this.”
Vacant seat in Parliament
Speaking about the steps to be taken to fill Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, Sammut insisted that in the history of the Nationalist Party, they had always given the seats to the next candidate in line that would have been voted for by the same voters.
“For the sake of justice and democracy, we should not have even had an election in the executive.”
This particularly when Gozo was the only district where they had made gains.
“I would have expected the leader of the party to come and say that, in the interest of the party, and considering that it as a sensitive subject, and the fact that Gozo was the only place where gains were made, and the fact that the Labour Party just gave them their first Gozitan MEP - then we should not have been the ones who took a seat away from them.”
He decried the lost chance where in the same week that the Labour Party had boasted about getting a disabled individual elected into a local council, they had a chance to put the first person with a disability into Malta’s Parliament and they kicked it aside.
***
Earlier story
Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him, ex-Nationalist Party executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut said.
Apart from the leader, Sammut says that secretary general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, the party's media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut was being interviewed in this week's edition of Indepth by Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard, three days after he resigned from his post as president of the PN's executive committee.
The resignation follows the party's massive electoral defeats in the European Parliament and local council elections. Sammut resigned at the end of an executive committee meeting which generated even more controversy and in-fighting, after the party voted to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to Parliament in replacement of David Stellini. Debono eventually renounced the seat.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are "disposable" - "they could definitely have a role in the party.
"But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward."
He said that Delia had shown potential but had been taken over by others around him.
Sammut insisted that there is a need to make space for new blood that is capable of uniting and leading the party.
He maintained that "there is no other choice" but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections.
For this to happen he insisted that there first needs to be the space and the liberty for others to come forward.
"Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call."
When pushed to name names, he said that it was not his responsibility to say who they are, as they must first be given the space to come forward.
Wednesday, 5 June 2019,
The politics that moved this leadership forward was the politics of divide and rule that pits Nationalists against Nationalists, and Jean-Pierre Debono kept on doing it with this letter, ex-Executive President of the Nationalist Party Mark Anthony Sammut said.
This week on Indepth, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard spoke with Mark Anthony Sammut, who on Saturday resigned from his post as Executive President of the Nationalist Party following two record-breaking defeats in the recent elections.
Noting how everyone is afraid to speak out due to lack of freedom in the Nationalist Party, he said that the insults he has been receiving over the last few days were incredible, going on to point out that Jean-Pierre Debono’s letter blamed his decision not to take the vacant seat in Parliament on politics of envy, the thirst of power at all costs and hatred.
Nationalist Party Political Co-ordinator Jean-Pierre Debono recently was controversially co-opted to fill David Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, but following public outcry and questionable voting circumstances, he gave it up.
Sammut questioned how he could be accused of having a thirst for power when he is the first one to resign from his post so that the party is given the “space to truly find who will unite, strengthen and move it forward”.
He insisted that the idea that there were warring factions in the Nationalist Party was propaganda from the Labour Party, pointing out that there were people who also hadn’t accepted Lawrence Gonzi and Simon Busuttil before Adrian Delia.
“The leader of a party must always try to find a way for those people who are not accepting of him to be more involved and bring them closer to him, and not go out there and instigate Nationalists against Nationalists.”
Maintaining that this message was not only coming from just one person, he pointed out how the first message given in public was that the blame for losing this election should be on those Nationalists that did not vote.
“With all due respect, do we have a right to the vote of these Nationalists?”
“We should be going out and giving them a reason to vote for us, and not going out there and saying it’s their fault.”
Core voters
Sammut had previously noted that, whilst it was a fact that people who proclaim themselves eternal followers of a party are decreasing, he wouldn’t expect those who identify themselves with the Nationalist Party because they believe in its principles to decrease – especially after six years in opposition, and six years of a government plagued with one story of corruption to another.
Warning about the over-extended period the Nationalist Party was taking to find its legs and understand what needs to be done, Sammut said that if opposition parties receive less than 33% of the vote, then “this country will become a dictatorship”.
“This is the responsibility that we have – as soon as the Labour Party hits two-thirds, then we can wake up tomorrow morning and live in a one-party-state and close down Parliament.”
“This is serious,” he pleaded, “being stubborn, keeping our heads in the sand, and thinking that we can delude ourselves into thinking that we can unite people after those same people lost the trust of the public is an illusion and we must understand this.”
Vacant seat in Parliament
Speaking about the steps to be taken to fill Stellini’s vacant seat in Parliament, Sammut insisted that in the history of the Nationalist Party, they had always given the seats to the next candidate in line that would have been voted for by the same voters.
“For the sake of justice and democracy, we should not have even had an election in the executive.”
This particularly when Gozo was the only district where they had made gains.
“I would have expected the leader of the party to come and say that, in the interest of the party, and considering that it as a sensitive subject, and the fact that Gozo was the only place where gains were made, and the fact that the Labour Party just gave them their first Gozitan MEP - then we should not have been the ones who took a seat away from them.”
He decried the lost chance where in the same week that the Labour Party had boasted about getting a disabled individual elected into a local council, they had a chance to put the first person with a disability into Malta’s Parliament and they kicked it aside.
***
Earlier story
Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him, ex-Nationalist Party executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut said.
Apart from the leader, Sammut says that secretary general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, the party's media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut was being interviewed in this week's edition of Indepth by Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard, three days after he resigned from his post as president of the PN's executive committee.
The resignation follows the party's massive electoral defeats in the European Parliament and local council elections. Sammut resigned at the end of an executive committee meeting which generated even more controversy and in-fighting, after the party voted to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to Parliament in replacement of David Stellini. Debono eventually renounced the seat.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are "disposable" - "they could definitely have a role in the party.
"But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward."
He said that Delia had shown potential but had been taken over by others around him.
Sammut insisted that there is a need to make space for new blood that is capable of uniting and leading the party.
He maintained that "there is no other choice" but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections.
For this to happen he insisted that there first needs to be the space and the liberty for others to come forward.
"Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call."
When pushed to name names, he said that it was not his responsibility to say who they are, as they must first be given the space to come forward.
SUMMER IS HERE - GOT TO GO TO NADUR
Pizza from Mekren's Bakery in Nadur
Photo by Kappa Vision.
Pizza from Mekren's Bakery in Nadur
Photo by Kappa Vision.
PN co-option: Kevin Cutajar requests way forward
Former PN executive president Mark Anthony Sammut: Delia must move out
4 June 2019, 4:14pm
by Matthew Vella
Xaghra local councillor Kevin Cutajar
The Gozo councillor Kevin Cutajar has formally requested the Nationalist Party to outline the next steps for its co-option of a new MP to replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Cutajar’s bid for the seat, selected by secret ballot in the PN executive committee, was narrowly defeated by 42 votes to 40, after Adrian Delia’s chief political advisor and former MP Jean Pierre Debono won the co-option.
Since then, Debono has relinquished the co-option after former executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut, cried foul at the voting procedure.
Sammut has now told The Malta Independent that Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him.
He said that secretary-general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, and the party’s media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are “disposable” – “they could definitely have a role in the party. But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward.”
Sammut insisted that there was need for new blood that was capable of uniting and leading the party, and there was no other choice but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections. “First there must be the space and the liberty for others to come forward. Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call.”
Sammut resigned last Saturday by way of taking responsibility for the PN’s drubbing at the European and local council elections, after the PN executive voted by 42 votes to 40 to co-opt former MP and Delia’s chief political advisor, Jean Pierre Debono, to the seat vacated by Gozo MP David Stellini.
He later cried foul at the voting procedure that took place, saying that neither David Stellini – the Gozo MP who vacated his parliamentary seat earlier in the week – nor treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote for the co-option. He accused Jean Pierre Debono of having had access to the list of eligible voters for the executive committee meeting, implicating him in wrongdoing.
In the aftermath of the vote, Camilleri said he was resigning from his post with immediate effect while pushing back against a number of claims being made about Saturday’s proceedings.
Similarly, in a letter to PN leader Adrian Delia, which was published by the Nationalist Party on Monday, Debono rejected claims he had attempted to manipulate the vote, saying however that would not be taking his oath as MP.
“It is today clearer than ever before that the same group of people that did not accept the democratic result of your election as leader of the party are today engaged in a ruthless campaign to attack and discredit me personally, because of the fact that I gave up my seat in parliament for you to become leader of the Opposition,” Debono told Delia.
Debono denied claims that he had in any way manipulated the list of eligible voters before Saturday’s vote, insisting that both Kevin Cutajar and himself had full copy of the list and had not objected to it. Turning to the eligibility of PN treasurer David Camilleri, Debono said that he had been listed as eligible for months and “as far as I know there was never any notification from the president of the executive for his vote to be removed”. Sammut, he stressed, had called out each member during the vote, with no objections having been raised.
Former PN executive president Mark Anthony Sammut: Delia must move out
4 June 2019, 4:14pm
by Matthew Vella
Xaghra local councillor Kevin Cutajar
The Gozo councillor Kevin Cutajar has formally requested the Nationalist Party to outline the next steps for its co-option of a new MP to replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Cutajar’s bid for the seat, selected by secret ballot in the PN executive committee, was narrowly defeated by 42 votes to 40, after Adrian Delia’s chief political advisor and former MP Jean Pierre Debono won the co-option.
Since then, Debono has relinquished the co-option after former executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut, cried foul at the voting procedure.
Sammut has now told The Malta Independent that Adrian Delia should not ask for a vote of confidence but immediately resign, taking his team with him.
He said that secretary-general Clyde Puli, the two deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo, and the party’s media chairman Pierre Portelli and political coordinator Jean Pierre Debono should also go.
Sammut said he did not mean that Delia and Puli are “disposable” – “they could definitely have a role in the party. But neither they, nor I, or any of the people who are often referred to as belonging to some form of plot are the solution for the party to unite and move forward.”
Sammut insisted that there was need for new blood that was capable of uniting and leading the party, and there was no other choice but for the PN to have a new leader going into the next general elections. “First there must be the space and the liberty for others to come forward. Before I took this step, I took note that there is someone ready to fill this space, or else I would not have made that call.”
Sammut resigned last Saturday by way of taking responsibility for the PN’s drubbing at the European and local council elections, after the PN executive voted by 42 votes to 40 to co-opt former MP and Delia’s chief political advisor, Jean Pierre Debono, to the seat vacated by Gozo MP David Stellini.
He later cried foul at the voting procedure that took place, saying that neither David Stellini – the Gozo MP who vacated his parliamentary seat earlier in the week – nor treasurer David Camilleri were entitled to vote for the co-option. He accused Jean Pierre Debono of having had access to the list of eligible voters for the executive committee meeting, implicating him in wrongdoing.
In the aftermath of the vote, Camilleri said he was resigning from his post with immediate effect while pushing back against a number of claims being made about Saturday’s proceedings.
Similarly, in a letter to PN leader Adrian Delia, which was published by the Nationalist Party on Monday, Debono rejected claims he had attempted to manipulate the vote, saying however that would not be taking his oath as MP.
“It is today clearer than ever before that the same group of people that did not accept the democratic result of your election as leader of the party are today engaged in a ruthless campaign to attack and discredit me personally, because of the fact that I gave up my seat in parliament for you to become leader of the Opposition,” Debono told Delia.
Debono denied claims that he had in any way manipulated the list of eligible voters before Saturday’s vote, insisting that both Kevin Cutajar and himself had full copy of the list and had not objected to it. Turning to the eligibility of PN treasurer David Camilleri, Debono said that he had been listed as eligible for months and “as far as I know there was never any notification from the president of the executive for his vote to be removed”. Sammut, he stressed, had called out each member during the vote, with no objections having been raised.
6 snin ħabs għal mara li traffikat id-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem
Minn Nicole Borg
04/06/2019
Mara li nqabdet titraffika d-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem intbagħtet sitt snin ħabs.
Fil-Qorti nstema’ kif Susan Bugeja, ta’ 45 sena u residenti Għajnsielem stess, fl-14 ta’ Lulju u fix-xhur ta’ qabel kienet qed titraffika d-droga minn bar fi Triq Għajnsielem, u deversi postijiet oħra madwar Malta u Għawdex. Hi ġiet akkużata li traffikat u kienet fil-pussess tad-droga kokaina u li wettqet dan ir-reat f’inqas minn 100 metru minn skola.
Matul il-każ instemgħu għadd ta’ xhieda. Il-Kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija Joseph Portelli kien xehed li l-Pulizija rċeviet informazzjoni li kien qiegħed isir traffikar tad-droga f’bar f’Għajnsielem fit-12 ta’ Lulju tal-2013 u minn hemm il-Pulizija bdiet tagħmel sorveljanza fuq il-post. Dan kollu wassal għall-eventwalita tal-arrest tal-mara.
Il-Qorti spjegat li hija konvinta li l-imputata kienet qed titraffika d-droga u li kellha fil-pussess tagħha d-droga kokaina. Il-Qorti spjegat li dan jidher ċar mix-xhieda li taw numru ta’ kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija, li ma kien hemm l-ebda kunflitt bejn il-verżjonijiet tagħhom. Deher ukoll fl-ammont sostanzjali ta’ flus li nstab fuq l-imputata wkoll li kompla jsaħħaħ it-teżi tal-Prosekuzzjoni li kien qiegħed isir bejgħ ta’ droga.
Xehdu wkoll għadd ta’ persuni li kienu xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata. Kollha kkonfermaw li kienu jafu li l-imputata kienet qed tbiegħ id-droga mill-bar tagħha u li għalhekk kienu qed jirrikorru għandha biex jixtru d-droga. Huma kienu jidħlu fil-bar, jgħaddu l-flus minn taħt il-bank tal-bar jew mill-ġenb u min-naħa tagħha l-imputata kienet tgħaddi d-droga.
Intant il-Qorti sabitha ħatja tal-akkużi kollha kontriha u weħlet sitt snin priġunerija u €5,000 multa. Hi ġiet ordnata wkoll tħallas €1,306.77 fi spejjeż tal-esperti. Il-Qorti ordnat li tinqered id-droga kif ukoll divjett fuq l-ismijiet tax-xhieda kollha u l-pjanċi tal-karozzi tagħhom li qalu li xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata.
Minn Nicole Borg
04/06/2019
Mara li nqabdet titraffika d-droga minn bar f’Għajnsielem intbagħtet sitt snin ħabs.
Fil-Qorti nstema’ kif Susan Bugeja, ta’ 45 sena u residenti Għajnsielem stess, fl-14 ta’ Lulju u fix-xhur ta’ qabel kienet qed titraffika d-droga minn bar fi Triq Għajnsielem, u deversi postijiet oħra madwar Malta u Għawdex. Hi ġiet akkużata li traffikat u kienet fil-pussess tad-droga kokaina u li wettqet dan ir-reat f’inqas minn 100 metru minn skola.
Matul il-każ instemgħu għadd ta’ xhieda. Il-Kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija Joseph Portelli kien xehed li l-Pulizija rċeviet informazzjoni li kien qiegħed isir traffikar tad-droga f’bar f’Għajnsielem fit-12 ta’ Lulju tal-2013 u minn hemm il-Pulizija bdiet tagħmel sorveljanza fuq il-post. Dan kollu wassal għall-eventwalita tal-arrest tal-mara.
Il-Qorti spjegat li hija konvinta li l-imputata kienet qed titraffika d-droga u li kellha fil-pussess tagħha d-droga kokaina. Il-Qorti spjegat li dan jidher ċar mix-xhieda li taw numru ta’ kuntistabbli tal-Pulizija, li ma kien hemm l-ebda kunflitt bejn il-verżjonijiet tagħhom. Deher ukoll fl-ammont sostanzjali ta’ flus li nstab fuq l-imputata wkoll li kompla jsaħħaħ it-teżi tal-Prosekuzzjoni li kien qiegħed isir bejgħ ta’ droga.
Xehdu wkoll għadd ta’ persuni li kienu xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata. Kollha kkonfermaw li kienu jafu li l-imputata kienet qed tbiegħ id-droga mill-bar tagħha u li għalhekk kienu qed jirrikorru għandha biex jixtru d-droga. Huma kienu jidħlu fil-bar, jgħaddu l-flus minn taħt il-bank tal-bar jew mill-ġenb u min-naħa tagħha l-imputata kienet tgħaddi d-droga.
Intant il-Qorti sabitha ħatja tal-akkużi kollha kontriha u weħlet sitt snin priġunerija u €5,000 multa. Hi ġiet ordnata wkoll tħallas €1,306.77 fi spejjeż tal-esperti. Il-Qorti ordnat li tinqered id-droga kif ukoll divjett fuq l-ismijiet tax-xhieda kollha u l-pjanċi tal-karozzi tagħhom li qalu li xtraw id-droga mingħand l-imputata.
Nadur in pictures
Ta' Sopu Tower
By Lynda Farish
Spectacular views.
Ta' Sopu Tower
By Lynda Farish
Spectacular views.
Gozitan voters file court action against PN: ‘Cancel Jean-Pierre Debono’s co-option’
Mon, 3rd Jun '19
Two Gozitan voters have filed a judicial protest against the Nationalist Party calling on them not to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to the Parliamentary seat vacated by David Stellini.
The voters, Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia, said in their letter that the vote on Saturday morning that chose Jean Pierre Debono over Gozitan candidate Kevin Cutajar was null as it allowed two people ineligible to vote to cast their ballot. That was David Stellini himself who was supposed to have lost his right to vote upon resigning from Parliament and party Treasurer David Camilleri that had only observer status in the Executive Committee.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia also complained that in casting their own votes Jean Pierre Debono and his wife Kristy Debono breached the party’s rules on conflicts of interest.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia said that as a voter in the Gozo electoral district she has a direct interest in who is co-opted to represent her in Parliament and choosing Jean Pierre Debono would cause her prejudice that cannot be fixed.
The judicial protest calls on the PN to call a new Executive Committee meeting to choose a co-opted candidate in conformity with the party’s statute. It also holds the party responsible and reserved the right of further civil action.
The judicial protest was signed by lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Damian Cassar who work in the law office of former PN MP Franco Debono.
Mon, 3rd Jun '19
Two Gozitan voters have filed a judicial protest against the Nationalist Party calling on them not to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono to the Parliamentary seat vacated by David Stellini.
The voters, Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia, said in their letter that the vote on Saturday morning that chose Jean Pierre Debono over Gozitan candidate Kevin Cutajar was null as it allowed two people ineligible to vote to cast their ballot. That was David Stellini himself who was supposed to have lost his right to vote upon resigning from Parliament and party Treasurer David Camilleri that had only observer status in the Executive Committee.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia also complained that in casting their own votes Jean Pierre Debono and his wife Kristy Debono breached the party’s rules on conflicts of interest.
Mariella Mercieca and Daniel Cilia said that as a voter in the Gozo electoral district she has a direct interest in who is co-opted to represent her in Parliament and choosing Jean Pierre Debono would cause her prejudice that cannot be fixed.
The judicial protest calls on the PN to call a new Executive Committee meeting to choose a co-opted candidate in conformity with the party’s statute. It also holds the party responsible and reserved the right of further civil action.
The judicial protest was signed by lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Damian Cassar who work in the law office of former PN MP Franco Debono.
MALTESE FOOD AT THE MALTESE CULTURAL & HERITAGE CENTER.
Cooked Qassatat will be available for sale from this Thursday night at the Maltese Cultural and Heritage Center Albion.
Address: 27 Talmage Street, Albion.
We are open at 5.30 pm.
Also:
Ladies Maltese Lace
Table tennis
Ghana
Come and say hello and meet new friends.
Cooked Qassatat will be available for sale from this Thursday night at the Maltese Cultural and Heritage Center Albion.
Address: 27 Talmage Street, Albion.
We are open at 5.30 pm.
Also:
Ladies Maltese Lace
Table tennis
Ghana
Come and say hello and meet new friends.
Sunday, June 2, 2019,
PN postpones motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament - sources
Motion held back after MPs threaten to file injunction to block parliamentary move
Jean Pierre Debono.
A motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament was postponed late on Sunday evening, as Nationalist Party leadership scrambled to contain fallout from a contentious vote to have Mr Debono replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia received word late in the evening that the PN would not be presenting Monday’s motion, sources told Times of Malta.
The party opted to put off the vote after it learned that a number of its own MPs intended to file a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the co-option on Monday morning, sources said, in a legal bid to block Mr Debono from being appointed an MP.
The injunction had already been drafted and would still be presented if the PN sought to go ahead with Monday’s motion, the sources said.
Debono under pressureMr Debono, who won a secret ballot to replace Mr Stellini by just two votes, came under intense pressure on Sunday evening after being accused of having allowed two ineligible executive committee members to cast a vote in Saturday’s ballot, which he himself won.
The PN’s Gozo regional committee was the first to flag concerns, writing party leader Adrian Delia a letter in which it noted that Mr Stellini should not have been allowed to vote, as he had already resigned his seat in parliament.
The committee gave the party until Sunday evening to revise the decision to co-opt Mr Debono and threatened legal action if it did not do so.
Shortly afterwards, outgoing executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut suggested that another ineligible member, treasurer David Camilleri, had also been allowed to vote.
Read: Sammut points finger at Debono, who hits back
It was Mr Debono, Mr Sammut charged, who was responsible for keeping track of executive committee attendance records and data.
“The conflict of interest is clear,” he wrote. “Gozitans not only had a [parliamentary] seat stolen, it was stolen through deception”.
MP Jason Azzopardi went a step further, writing on Facebook that Mr Debono had committed “fraud”. He shared a screenshot of a Word document which appeared to show a list of committee members, including Mr Stellini and Mr Camilleri, and which was last edited on the morning of May 30 by a ‘Jean Pierre Debono’.
Mr Debono however washed his hands of the charges, saying that he had not compiled the list of voting members and that he had told Mr Sammut so before Saturday’s meeting.
“It should have been him who led the election and ensured the list in his hands was the correct one, up-to-date and in line with the [party] statute,” he wrote on Facebook.
Reprimand in 2017
It is the second time that Mr Debono has been embroiled in controversy over his handling of votes within PN structures.
Back in 2017, he received a reprimand from the party for the way in which he handled proxy votes during the leadership election which Dr Delia won.
He had been accused of collecting a member’s voting document through a proxy issued without the voter’s consent. The member said that the signature on the vote was not his.
Mr Debono had denied forging signatures but admitted to having used proxies so that sectional committees could collect voting documents on behalf of members unable to do so themselves.
PN postpones motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament - sources
Motion held back after MPs threaten to file injunction to block parliamentary move
Jean Pierre Debono.
A motion to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono into parliament was postponed late on Sunday evening, as Nationalist Party leadership scrambled to contain fallout from a contentious vote to have Mr Debono replace outgoing MP David Stellini.
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia received word late in the evening that the PN would not be presenting Monday’s motion, sources told Times of Malta.
The party opted to put off the vote after it learned that a number of its own MPs intended to file a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the co-option on Monday morning, sources said, in a legal bid to block Mr Debono from being appointed an MP.
The injunction had already been drafted and would still be presented if the PN sought to go ahead with Monday’s motion, the sources said.
Debono under pressureMr Debono, who won a secret ballot to replace Mr Stellini by just two votes, came under intense pressure on Sunday evening after being accused of having allowed two ineligible executive committee members to cast a vote in Saturday’s ballot, which he himself won.
The PN’s Gozo regional committee was the first to flag concerns, writing party leader Adrian Delia a letter in which it noted that Mr Stellini should not have been allowed to vote, as he had already resigned his seat in parliament.
The committee gave the party until Sunday evening to revise the decision to co-opt Mr Debono and threatened legal action if it did not do so.
Shortly afterwards, outgoing executive committee president Mark Anthony Sammut suggested that another ineligible member, treasurer David Camilleri, had also been allowed to vote.
Read: Sammut points finger at Debono, who hits back
It was Mr Debono, Mr Sammut charged, who was responsible for keeping track of executive committee attendance records and data.
“The conflict of interest is clear,” he wrote. “Gozitans not only had a [parliamentary] seat stolen, it was stolen through deception”.
MP Jason Azzopardi went a step further, writing on Facebook that Mr Debono had committed “fraud”. He shared a screenshot of a Word document which appeared to show a list of committee members, including Mr Stellini and Mr Camilleri, and which was last edited on the morning of May 30 by a ‘Jean Pierre Debono’.
Mr Debono however washed his hands of the charges, saying that he had not compiled the list of voting members and that he had told Mr Sammut so before Saturday’s meeting.
“It should have been him who led the election and ensured the list in his hands was the correct one, up-to-date and in line with the [party] statute,” he wrote on Facebook.
Reprimand in 2017
It is the second time that Mr Debono has been embroiled in controversy over his handling of votes within PN structures.
Back in 2017, he received a reprimand from the party for the way in which he handled proxy votes during the leadership election which Dr Delia won.
He had been accused of collecting a member’s voting document through a proxy issued without the voter’s consent. The member said that the signature on the vote was not his.
Mr Debono had denied forging signatures but admitted to having used proxies so that sectional committees could collect voting documents on behalf of members unable to do so themselves.
Joħorġu aktar fil-beraħ il-qasmiet tal-PN...
Allegazzjonijiet fuq Facebook bejn Jean Pierre Debono, Jason Azzopardi u Mark Anthony Sammut
Mark Anthony Sammut, li rriżenja minn President tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN, il-Ħadd filgħaxija iddikjara li kien hemm tal-inqas tnejn li vvutaw fl-elezzjoni tas-Sibt għall-co-option li fil-fatt lanqas kellhom dritt tal-vot. L-elezzjoni għas-siġġu parlamentari ntrebħet minn Debono bi 42 vot favurih u 40 vot favur Kevin Cutajar, kandidat nazzjonalista fl-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-2017.
Ma naqsux battibekki u attakki bejn Mark Anthony Sammut u l-istess Jean Pierre Debono. Intant il-Kumitat Reġonali għal Għawdex qed isostni li l-elezzjoni hu nulla u qed jhedded bi jieħu l-każ il-Qorti dwar il-votazzjoni li fiha Debono spiċċa rebaħ is-siġġu. Mark Anthony Sammut, il-Ħadd tard filgħaxija kkummenta li “Għalkemm jien President tal-Eżekuttiv, m'għandix aċċess dirett għad-data u għall-attendenza tal-membri. Din hi responsabbilità li dejjem kienet esklussività ta' Jean Pierre Debono, l-ewwel bħala Assistent Segretarju Ġenerali, imbagħad bħala Koordinatur Politiku; - Ġejt infurmata bid-deċiżjoni tal-laqgħa il-Ħamis li għadda. Il-lista tal-votanti eliġibbli ġiet mgħoddija lili biss eżatt qabel infetħet il-votazzjoni; - Wara l-laqgħa inġibditli l-attenzjoni li seta' kien hemm membri li ma kellhomx dritt jivvutaw u li fil-fatt ivvutaw. Minħabba f'hekk, f'dawn l-24 siegħa kkumpilajt il-lista tal-membri li suppost kellhom dritt tal-vot u minn fejn kien joħroġ id-dritt tagħhom u kkonkludejt li: - David Stellini, li filfatt ivvota, kien tilef id-dritt tal-vot wara r-riżenja tiegħu minn Deputat; u - David Camilleri, bħala Teżorier, kellu dritt biss jattendi għall-Eżekuttiv mingħajr dritt ta' vot. Minkejja dan, kien imniżżel fil-lista ta' votanti eliġibbli li ħarġet is-Segreterija tal-Partit. Persuna waħda biss setgħet iżżidu mal-lista, u l-kunflitt ta' interess tagħha hawn huwa ċar.
Ir-riżultat tal-votazzjoni huwa għalhekk ivvizjat. Milli jidher, mhux biss is-siġġu Parlamentari insteraq lill-Għawdex, imma insteraq b'qerq. Dan jerġa' jikkonferma li lbieraħ għamilt id-deċiżjoni t-tajba li ma nkunx parteċipi aktar ma' din it-tip ta' tmexxija, u nerġa' ntenni l-appell tiegħi biex dawn l-uffiċċjali jerfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet politiċi tagħhom u jirriżenjaw.” Hu reġa’ kkummenta u ddikjara li “qal li jien qed nigdeb u hu ma kellux x'jaqsam mal-lista. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, erfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet tagħkom. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tisservew bil-Partit tagħna. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tniżżlu l-Partit magħkom.” Minn naħa tiegħu, Jean Pierre Debono wieġeb għal dan u qal li “Il-persuna li qed iqarraq f'dan kollu huwa Mark Anthony Sammut li sal-bierah kien l-Ufficjal responsabbli mill-Kumitat Ezekuttiv u min ikun fil-listi tal-vot. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li qabel bdiet il-laqgha staqsieni ghal-lista u l-affarijiet marbuta mal-Elezzjoni u jiena wegibtu li jiena ma kelli x'naqsam xejn mal-listi u mal-preparazzjoni ghal din l-elezzjoni peress li kont se nkun involut direttament fiha jiena.
Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li l-lista ma hadhiex minghandi u li jiena ma kkompilajtx il-lista allura kellu jkun hu li mexxa l-elezzjoni li jara li l-lista li kellu f'idejh hija korretta, aggornata u mal-istatut. Mark Anthony Sammut mexxa kemm il-laqgha kif ukoll l-Elezzjoni, kien hu li ghajjat l-ismijiet tal-persuni wiehed, wiehed biex jivvotaw hu. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf b'dan kollu u jaf li dan li qed nghid jiena mhu xejn ghajr il-verità.”
Intant Jason Azzopardi wkoll qed jallega li fl-elezzjoni għall-co-option tal-bieraħ kien hemm it-tbabis. Huw ajtemm il-kumment fuq Facebook bil-kelma "barra."
Allegazzjonijiet fuq Facebook bejn Jean Pierre Debono, Jason Azzopardi u Mark Anthony Sammut
- Ġun 02, 2019 23:43
- Miktub minn iNews
Mark Anthony Sammut, li rriżenja minn President tal-Eżekuttiv tal-PN, il-Ħadd filgħaxija iddikjara li kien hemm tal-inqas tnejn li vvutaw fl-elezzjoni tas-Sibt għall-co-option li fil-fatt lanqas kellhom dritt tal-vot. L-elezzjoni għas-siġġu parlamentari ntrebħet minn Debono bi 42 vot favurih u 40 vot favur Kevin Cutajar, kandidat nazzjonalista fl-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-2017.
Ma naqsux battibekki u attakki bejn Mark Anthony Sammut u l-istess Jean Pierre Debono. Intant il-Kumitat Reġonali għal Għawdex qed isostni li l-elezzjoni hu nulla u qed jhedded bi jieħu l-każ il-Qorti dwar il-votazzjoni li fiha Debono spiċċa rebaħ is-siġġu. Mark Anthony Sammut, il-Ħadd tard filgħaxija kkummenta li “Għalkemm jien President tal-Eżekuttiv, m'għandix aċċess dirett għad-data u għall-attendenza tal-membri. Din hi responsabbilità li dejjem kienet esklussività ta' Jean Pierre Debono, l-ewwel bħala Assistent Segretarju Ġenerali, imbagħad bħala Koordinatur Politiku; - Ġejt infurmata bid-deċiżjoni tal-laqgħa il-Ħamis li għadda. Il-lista tal-votanti eliġibbli ġiet mgħoddija lili biss eżatt qabel infetħet il-votazzjoni; - Wara l-laqgħa inġibditli l-attenzjoni li seta' kien hemm membri li ma kellhomx dritt jivvutaw u li fil-fatt ivvutaw. Minħabba f'hekk, f'dawn l-24 siegħa kkumpilajt il-lista tal-membri li suppost kellhom dritt tal-vot u minn fejn kien joħroġ id-dritt tagħhom u kkonkludejt li: - David Stellini, li filfatt ivvota, kien tilef id-dritt tal-vot wara r-riżenja tiegħu minn Deputat; u - David Camilleri, bħala Teżorier, kellu dritt biss jattendi għall-Eżekuttiv mingħajr dritt ta' vot. Minkejja dan, kien imniżżel fil-lista ta' votanti eliġibbli li ħarġet is-Segreterija tal-Partit. Persuna waħda biss setgħet iżżidu mal-lista, u l-kunflitt ta' interess tagħha hawn huwa ċar.
Ir-riżultat tal-votazzjoni huwa għalhekk ivvizjat. Milli jidher, mhux biss is-siġġu Parlamentari insteraq lill-Għawdex, imma insteraq b'qerq. Dan jerġa' jikkonferma li lbieraħ għamilt id-deċiżjoni t-tajba li ma nkunx parteċipi aktar ma' din it-tip ta' tmexxija, u nerġa' ntenni l-appell tiegħi biex dawn l-uffiċċjali jerfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet politiċi tagħhom u jirriżenjaw.” Hu reġa’ kkummenta u ddikjara li “qal li jien qed nigdeb u hu ma kellux x'jaqsam mal-lista. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, erfgħu r-responsabbilitajiet tagħkom. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tisservew bil-Partit tagħna. F'ġieħ is-sewwa, tkomplux tniżżlu l-Partit magħkom.” Minn naħa tiegħu, Jean Pierre Debono wieġeb għal dan u qal li “Il-persuna li qed iqarraq f'dan kollu huwa Mark Anthony Sammut li sal-bierah kien l-Ufficjal responsabbli mill-Kumitat Ezekuttiv u min ikun fil-listi tal-vot. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li qabel bdiet il-laqgha staqsieni ghal-lista u l-affarijiet marbuta mal-Elezzjoni u jiena wegibtu li jiena ma kelli x'naqsam xejn mal-listi u mal-preparazzjoni ghal din l-elezzjoni peress li kont se nkun involut direttament fiha jiena.
Mark Anthony Sammut jaf li l-lista ma hadhiex minghandi u li jiena ma kkompilajtx il-lista allura kellu jkun hu li mexxa l-elezzjoni li jara li l-lista li kellu f'idejh hija korretta, aggornata u mal-istatut. Mark Anthony Sammut mexxa kemm il-laqgha kif ukoll l-Elezzjoni, kien hu li ghajjat l-ismijiet tal-persuni wiehed, wiehed biex jivvotaw hu. Mark Anthony Sammut jaf b'dan kollu u jaf li dan li qed nghid jiena mhu xejn ghajr il-verità.”
Intant Jason Azzopardi wkoll qed jallega li fl-elezzjoni għall-co-option tal-bieraħ kien hemm it-tbabis. Huw ajtemm il-kumment fuq Facebook bil-kelma "barra."
‘Adrian Delia should resign’
Laurence Grech
Former editor, The Sunday Times of Malta
“Despite his best efforts, Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia has failed to stem his party’s 10-year decline. In last week’s European Parliament elections, the party declined further, to reach a nadir not seen since 1951.
The local election results, of which the loss of Valletta was the most symbolic, rubbed more salt into the PN’s wounds.
Delia not only failed to convince thousands of Nationalist-leaning voters, who preferred to stay at home, but also failed to make any inroads among Labour sympathisers and newly enfranchised young voters. I am sure, too, that a few PN sympathisers this time gave their first preference to third parties.
PN secretary-general Clyde Puli’s attempts to seek some consolation from the fact that the worst forecasts (a 72,000-vote gap between the two major parties) failed to materialise, since the gap was of ‘only’ 42,600, and Delia’s assertion that the PN is still the second largest party (ahead of Tal-Ajkla?) were pathetic, to say the least, and an insult to PN voters’ intelligence.
Delia and his supporters correctly argue that he was chosen to lead the PN democratically. Yet the fact remains that, for various reasons, he has not managed to unite the party behind him. Although he insists that his leadership can only really be tested at the next general election, the EP and local councils’ results point to only two alternatives for the PN leader.
As has been suggested elsewhere, Delia should resign and the party leadership temporarily entrusted to a veteran, widely respected PN figure until such time as a new leader is elected or, at the very least, Delia should ask for a vote of confidence from the party structures and resign if he does not obtain it convincingly.
Unless he takes one of these two options, Delia – and the party he leads – is bound to take a bigger battering come 2022.”
“Qed nikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss” – Chris Said
Minn Charmaine Attard
01/06/2019,
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Għawdxi Chris Said stqarr li l-Għawdxin huma diżgustati u fi kliemu bir-raġun. Saħaq li qed jikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss, madanakollu ma daħalx f’dettall dwar x’jista’ jkun dan il-pass.
Il-kumment ta’ Dr Said segwa l-għażla mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li Jean Pierre Debono jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament. It-tellieqa għal dan is-siġġu kienet bejn Debono u l-Għawdxi Kevin Cutajar. Debono kiseb 42 vot, filwaqt li Cutajar ġab 40 vot.
Filmat: Jean Pierre Debono se jieħu post David Stellini fil-Parlament
Ilbieraħ Chris Said kiteb pubblikament li jemmen li s-siġġu għandu jimtela minn Għawdxi, u għadda l-messaġġ lil dawk fil-Kumitat li Kevin Cutajar jixraqlu jieħu s-siġġu.
Aqra: Għandu jkun Għawdxi – Said
Intant, ma’ Newsbook.com.mt, id-Deputata Nazzjonalista Marthese Portelli, li fl-elezzjoni tal-2017 telgħet fuq żewġ distretti u ċediet dak ta’ Għawdex u b’hekk tela’ fil-Parlament David Stellini, qalet li l-Kumitat Eżekuttiv iddeċieda. Madanakollu qalet li r-realità hi li s-siġġu vakat fit-13-il Distrett issa għadda għand distrett ieħor. Sostniet li issa hemm deputat inqas jirrappreżenta lil Għawdex. Dr Portelli fissret li dak ifisser, li hi flimkien ma’ Chris Said u Frederick Azzopardi jridu jaħdmu aktar u għandhom jibdew mil-lum.
L-istess sentiment jinħass fost mijiet ta’ Nazzjonalisti Għawdxin. Fuq il-mezzi soċjali kienu bosta dawk li kitbu kontra li s-siġġu li kien tat-13-il Distrett issa m’għadux tal-Għawdxin, kif inhu bi dritt. Oħrajn saħqu li tilfu kull fiduċja li kellhom fil-PN għax ġew misruqa. “Tal-mistħija, ċittadini tat-tieni klassi, ħadulna siġġu”, kienu jgħidu wħud mill-kummenti.
Għal dawn il-kummenti fuq Facebook kien hemm min irreaġixxa u oppona. Uħud qalu li jekk l-Għawdxin riedu lil Cutajar messhom eleġġewh fl-2017 u kien ikollu siġġu żgur. Oħrajn ma sabux oġġezzjoni li s-siġġu jieħdu Jean Pierre Debono, avolja mhux Għawdxi.
Aqra: X’fiha l-iskrittura li semma Arrigo?
Minn Charmaine Attard
01/06/2019,
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Għawdxi Chris Said stqarr li l-Għawdxin huma diżgustati u fi kliemu bir-raġun. Saħaq li qed jikkunsidra l-pass li jmiss, madanakollu ma daħalx f’dettall dwar x’jista’ jkun dan il-pass.
Il-kumment ta’ Dr Said segwa l-għażla mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li Jean Pierre Debono jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament. It-tellieqa għal dan is-siġġu kienet bejn Debono u l-Għawdxi Kevin Cutajar. Debono kiseb 42 vot, filwaqt li Cutajar ġab 40 vot.
Filmat: Jean Pierre Debono se jieħu post David Stellini fil-Parlament
Ilbieraħ Chris Said kiteb pubblikament li jemmen li s-siġġu għandu jimtela minn Għawdxi, u għadda l-messaġġ lil dawk fil-Kumitat li Kevin Cutajar jixraqlu jieħu s-siġġu.
Aqra: Għandu jkun Għawdxi – Said
Intant, ma’ Newsbook.com.mt, id-Deputata Nazzjonalista Marthese Portelli, li fl-elezzjoni tal-2017 telgħet fuq żewġ distretti u ċediet dak ta’ Għawdex u b’hekk tela’ fil-Parlament David Stellini, qalet li l-Kumitat Eżekuttiv iddeċieda. Madanakollu qalet li r-realità hi li s-siġġu vakat fit-13-il Distrett issa għadda għand distrett ieħor. Sostniet li issa hemm deputat inqas jirrappreżenta lil Għawdex. Dr Portelli fissret li dak ifisser, li hi flimkien ma’ Chris Said u Frederick Azzopardi jridu jaħdmu aktar u għandhom jibdew mil-lum.
L-istess sentiment jinħass fost mijiet ta’ Nazzjonalisti Għawdxin. Fuq il-mezzi soċjali kienu bosta dawk li kitbu kontra li s-siġġu li kien tat-13-il Distrett issa m’għadux tal-Għawdxin, kif inhu bi dritt. Oħrajn saħqu li tilfu kull fiduċja li kellhom fil-PN għax ġew misruqa. “Tal-mistħija, ċittadini tat-tieni klassi, ħadulna siġġu”, kienu jgħidu wħud mill-kummenti.
Għal dawn il-kummenti fuq Facebook kien hemm min irreaġixxa u oppona. Uħud qalu li jekk l-Għawdxin riedu lil Cutajar messhom eleġġewh fl-2017 u kien ikollu siġġu żgur. Oħrajn ma sabux oġġezzjoni li s-siġġu jieħdu Jean Pierre Debono, avolja mhux Għawdxi.
Aqra: X’fiha l-iskrittura li semma Arrigo?
Filmat: “Nieħdu miżuri drastiċi kemm hemm bżonn” – Debono
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
Newsbook
01/06/2019,
Filmat: Monique Agius
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/01/niehdu-mizuri-drastici-kemm-hemm-bzonn-debono/#t=0:34
Jean Pierre Debono li ntgħażel mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista bħala dak li se jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament qal li l-partit irid jieħu l-“miżuri drastiċi” li jkun hemm bżonn. Debono ma tax eżempji konkreti ta’ dawn il-miżuri.
F’kummenti li ta mal-ġurnalisti barra d-Dar Ċentrali wara l-laqgħa tal-kumitat, Debono qal li hemm bżonn diskussjoni dettaljata dwar dak li ġara fl-elezzjonijiet tal-MEPs u tal-Kunsilli Lokali. Żied jgħid li jekk isir eżerċizzju ta’ tluq ta’ ċertu partitarji, il-partit mhux se jissaħħaħ.
“Ma naħsix li qiegħdin f’sitwazzjoni noqgħodu ngħidu jitlaq dak, dak u l-ieħr,” saħaq Debono.
Mistoqsi dwar x’azzjonijiet konkreti jrid jieħu l-PN, Debono qal li jkun prużuntuż jekk jgħid x’għandhom ikunu qabel ma ssir diskussjoni interna.
Mistoqsi dwar ir-riżenja ta’ Mark Anthony Sammut, Debono qal li jaqbel ma’ “ħafna affarijiet” li qal Sammut però ma qabilx mar-riżenja tiegħu. Spjega li hu kien wieħed minn dawk li vvutaw favur li jibqa’.
Skont Debono, l-agħar ħaġa li jista’ jagħmel il-PN bħalissa huwa li jieħu deċiżjonijiet mingħajr ma jaħsibha sew qabel.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
by Denise Grech
Sammut marches out, says PN administration should quit;
Debono co-opted Nationalist MPs
Mark Anthony Sammut has resigned his role as president of the PN executive committee
Updated 8.30pm with PN's statement
The Nationalist Party's executive committee president resigned on Saturday and urged the administration to do likewise following a stormy meeting which saw Jean-Pierre Debono narrowly co-opted to parliament.
The developments came on Saturday after two electoral batterings which has left the PN in tatters.
Mark Anthony Sammut informed his colleagues he was stepping down because he wanted to assume responsibility for the heavy PN defeat at the European and council elections and wanted to express "disgust" at the party’s reaction to the result.
"I took the decision after the worst electoral loss in the PN’s history... The rest of the administration should step down," he told reporters after the meeting.
Whatever mandate given by its members in a democratic manner was irrelevant at this stage, Mr Sammut said, saying that the administration should assume its responsibility for the disastrous result.Everyone's scared of speaking. Anybody who speaks up is branded a traitor
"We can only unite once the party walks out of this alley. Everyone's scared of speaking up. Anybody who does so is branded a traitor... History will judge us."
Asked whether Dr Delia should also step down, he simply said: “I think my statement was clear enough”.
Mr Sammut who had taken on the role in November 2017 said he had been given a unanimous vote of confidence by the party executive but felt it was his duty to assume political responsibility, despite not being involved in the elections' campaign strategy.
In a post on Facebook, Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi noted that while someone who was not involved in the drawing up of the political strategy was shouldering responsibility and resigning, those who drew it up and implemented it could not care less.
Asked about this post later, Dr Delia said he will be ignoring Dr Azzopardi.
“Dr Azzopardi has done it more than once and what he is doing is not beneficial to the party. I have no more time to waste with what he chooses to say on social media. Dr Azzopardi should shoulder his political responsibility,” Dr Delia said.
Asked whether he would be asking Dr Azzopardi to resign, Dr Delia said he would not.
“You do not ask someone to resign for a comment unless that comment goes over a certain limit,” he said.
Debono replaces Stellini
The PN's executive committee decided to vote for Jean Pierre Debono, who had ceded his seat to pave the way for Adrian Delia to be co-opted to parliament in 2017.
Forty-two votes went to Mr Debono, just two more than Gozitan lawyer Kevin Cutajar, a result which party insiders said had now unofficially split the party right down the middle.
Jean Pierre Debono: back in parliament.
The co-option comes following the resignation of MP David Stellini.
Various PN MPs had expressed their support for Dr Cutajar's bid, while certain party officials and the party administration appeared to be supporting Mr Debono.
In a statement in the evening, the Nationalist Party said the decision was taken following a secret vote which was taken after both candidates were given the opportunity to make their case.
The main argument in favour of Dr Cutajar's cooption was that Mr Stellini had been one of four Gozitan MPs so the chair should go to a Gozitan. That in favour of Mr Debono was that the two MPs elected on the seventh district in the 2017 election had been given up, one to the Democratic Party the other to the Nationalist Party, so this district deserved a representative.
Nationalist MP Chris Said took to Facebook to express the Gozitans' "disgust" at the decision. He said he was considering what action to take.
Walking out of the PN headquarters, Dr Cutajar said he had no comment to make.
PN deputy leader Robert Arrigo gave no comment as he walked into the meeting.
Walking out of the PN headquarters soon after getting co-opted to Parliament, Mr Debono said he disagreed with Mr Sammut’s decision.
"With people leaving, the party is not being strengthened but it is shrinking. What we need is a strong internal, in-depth discussion to analyse this big electoral defeat for the party."
Concrete, rather than hasty, decisions that would strengthen the party would then be taken.
Asked whether he believed Dr Delia should stay on following the result, he said "it is not a matter of who stays or who goes. My interest is to see the party strengthen. What needs to be done should be done as long as the party is strengthened," he said.
The Nationalist Party's executive committee convened on Saturday morning for the first time since a landslide defeat at the European and local council elections.
The Labour Party won a majority of 42,000 votes in the European elections increasing it to 47,000 votes in the council elections.
The party leadership appeared to downplay the extent of the defeat and Adrian Delia has insisted he would run his term until the next general election.
Asked whether he would heed former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi’s advice to put his leadership to the test, Dr Delia replied with a curt: “No.”
Later, the PN leader said he had been entrusted with a task and when the party members who gave him that trust believed they no longer had confidence in him, he would leave.
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
Newsbook
01/06/2019,
Filmat: Monique Agius
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/06/01/niehdu-mizuri-drastici-kemm-hemm-bzonn-debono/#t=0:34
Jean Pierre Debono li ntgħażel mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Partit Nazzjonalista bħala dak li se jieħu s-siġġu ta’ David Stellini fil-Parlament qal li l-partit irid jieħu l-“miżuri drastiċi” li jkun hemm bżonn. Debono ma tax eżempji konkreti ta’ dawn il-miżuri.
F’kummenti li ta mal-ġurnalisti barra d-Dar Ċentrali wara l-laqgħa tal-kumitat, Debono qal li hemm bżonn diskussjoni dettaljata dwar dak li ġara fl-elezzjonijiet tal-MEPs u tal-Kunsilli Lokali. Żied jgħid li jekk isir eżerċizzju ta’ tluq ta’ ċertu partitarji, il-partit mhux se jissaħħaħ.
“Ma naħsix li qiegħdin f’sitwazzjoni noqgħodu ngħidu jitlaq dak, dak u l-ieħr,” saħaq Debono.
Mistoqsi dwar x’azzjonijiet konkreti jrid jieħu l-PN, Debono qal li jkun prużuntuż jekk jgħid x’għandhom ikunu qabel ma ssir diskussjoni interna.
Mistoqsi dwar ir-riżenja ta’ Mark Anthony Sammut, Debono qal li jaqbel ma’ “ħafna affarijiet” li qal Sammut però ma qabilx mar-riżenja tiegħu. Spjega li hu kien wieħed minn dawk li vvutaw favur li jibqa’.
Skont Debono, l-agħar ħaġa li jista’ jagħmel il-PN bħalissa huwa li jieħu deċiżjonijiet mingħajr ma jaħsibha sew qabel.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
by Denise Grech
Sammut marches out, says PN administration should quit;
Debono co-opted Nationalist MPs
Mark Anthony Sammut has resigned his role as president of the PN executive committee
Updated 8.30pm with PN's statement
The Nationalist Party's executive committee president resigned on Saturday and urged the administration to do likewise following a stormy meeting which saw Jean-Pierre Debono narrowly co-opted to parliament.
The developments came on Saturday after two electoral batterings which has left the PN in tatters.
Mark Anthony Sammut informed his colleagues he was stepping down because he wanted to assume responsibility for the heavy PN defeat at the European and council elections and wanted to express "disgust" at the party’s reaction to the result.
"I took the decision after the worst electoral loss in the PN’s history... The rest of the administration should step down," he told reporters after the meeting.
Whatever mandate given by its members in a democratic manner was irrelevant at this stage, Mr Sammut said, saying that the administration should assume its responsibility for the disastrous result.Everyone's scared of speaking. Anybody who speaks up is branded a traitor
"We can only unite once the party walks out of this alley. Everyone's scared of speaking up. Anybody who does so is branded a traitor... History will judge us."
Asked whether Dr Delia should also step down, he simply said: “I think my statement was clear enough”.
Mr Sammut who had taken on the role in November 2017 said he had been given a unanimous vote of confidence by the party executive but felt it was his duty to assume political responsibility, despite not being involved in the elections' campaign strategy.
In a post on Facebook, Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi noted that while someone who was not involved in the drawing up of the political strategy was shouldering responsibility and resigning, those who drew it up and implemented it could not care less.
Asked about this post later, Dr Delia said he will be ignoring Dr Azzopardi.
“Dr Azzopardi has done it more than once and what he is doing is not beneficial to the party. I have no more time to waste with what he chooses to say on social media. Dr Azzopardi should shoulder his political responsibility,” Dr Delia said.
Asked whether he would be asking Dr Azzopardi to resign, Dr Delia said he would not.
“You do not ask someone to resign for a comment unless that comment goes over a certain limit,” he said.
Debono replaces Stellini
The PN's executive committee decided to vote for Jean Pierre Debono, who had ceded his seat to pave the way for Adrian Delia to be co-opted to parliament in 2017.
Forty-two votes went to Mr Debono, just two more than Gozitan lawyer Kevin Cutajar, a result which party insiders said had now unofficially split the party right down the middle.
Jean Pierre Debono: back in parliament.
The co-option comes following the resignation of MP David Stellini.
Various PN MPs had expressed their support for Dr Cutajar's bid, while certain party officials and the party administration appeared to be supporting Mr Debono.
In a statement in the evening, the Nationalist Party said the decision was taken following a secret vote which was taken after both candidates were given the opportunity to make their case.
The main argument in favour of Dr Cutajar's cooption was that Mr Stellini had been one of four Gozitan MPs so the chair should go to a Gozitan. That in favour of Mr Debono was that the two MPs elected on the seventh district in the 2017 election had been given up, one to the Democratic Party the other to the Nationalist Party, so this district deserved a representative.
Nationalist MP Chris Said took to Facebook to express the Gozitans' "disgust" at the decision. He said he was considering what action to take.
Walking out of the PN headquarters, Dr Cutajar said he had no comment to make.
PN deputy leader Robert Arrigo gave no comment as he walked into the meeting.
Walking out of the PN headquarters soon after getting co-opted to Parliament, Mr Debono said he disagreed with Mr Sammut’s decision.
"With people leaving, the party is not being strengthened but it is shrinking. What we need is a strong internal, in-depth discussion to analyse this big electoral defeat for the party."
Concrete, rather than hasty, decisions that would strengthen the party would then be taken.
Asked whether he believed Dr Delia should stay on following the result, he said "it is not a matter of who stays or who goes. My interest is to see the party strengthen. What needs to be done should be done as long as the party is strengthened," he said.
The Nationalist Party's executive committee convened on Saturday morning for the first time since a landslide defeat at the European and local council elections.
The Labour Party won a majority of 42,000 votes in the European elections increasing it to 47,000 votes in the council elections.
The party leadership appeared to downplay the extent of the defeat and Adrian Delia has insisted he would run his term until the next general election.
Asked whether he would heed former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi’s advice to put his leadership to the test, Dr Delia replied with a curt: “No.”
Later, the PN leader said he had been entrusted with a task and when the party members who gave him that trust believed they no longer had confidence in him, he would leave.
Nadur in pictures
By Mario Muscat
Click on the pictures below to enlarge.
From left: Ramla Bay and a rural house in Upper Ramla
By Mario Muscat
Click on the pictures below to enlarge.
From left: Ramla Bay and a rural house in Upper Ramla
NADUR LOCAL COUNCIL
The newly elected Nadur local council that was elected in last week's elections held in Malta and Gozo.
Congratulations to Edward Said, Joseph Vella, Eucharist Camilleri, Jean Paul Portelli and Josef Camilleri who were elected to serve in the ninth legislature for the Nadur Local Council.
The newly elected Nadur local council that was elected in last week's elections held in Malta and Gozo.
Congratulations to Edward Said, Joseph Vella, Eucharist Camilleri, Jean Paul Portelli and Josef Camilleri who were elected to serve in the ninth legislature for the Nadur Local Council.
Gozo PN councillor Kevin Cutajar in bid for co-option to House
Xaghra councillor Kevin Cutajar announces bid to occupt PN seat vacated by David Stellini
31 May 2019, 6:53pm
by Matthew Vella
Kevin Cutajar
Lawyer Kevin Cutajar has formally announced his bid to occupy the Nationalist Party seat vacated by David Stellini, potentially setting the stage for a further rift within the party.
In a Facebook post, Cutajar, a Xagħra councillor, said he will be attending the Nationalist executive committee meeting on Saturday to formally request his co-option to parliament.
"Now that the election is over... I will be seeking to take David Stellini's seat, which was earlier occupied by Marthese Portelli, so as to respect the Gozitan voters' wish," he wrote. "I'm sure the PN executive will respect Gozitan voters because the PN is Gozo's party."
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, as well as local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election.
Various Nationalist MPs have called for the co-option of Gozitan local councillor Kevin Cutajar to the House of Representatives, in the wake of David Stellini’s resignation.
Xaghra councillor Kevin Cutajar announces bid to occupt PN seat vacated by David Stellini
31 May 2019, 6:53pm
by Matthew Vella
Kevin Cutajar
Lawyer Kevin Cutajar has formally announced his bid to occupy the Nationalist Party seat vacated by David Stellini, potentially setting the stage for a further rift within the party.
In a Facebook post, Cutajar, a Xagħra councillor, said he will be attending the Nationalist executive committee meeting on Saturday to formally request his co-option to parliament.
"Now that the election is over... I will be seeking to take David Stellini's seat, which was earlier occupied by Marthese Portelli, so as to respect the Gozitan voters' wish," he wrote. "I'm sure the PN executive will respect Gozitan voters because the PN is Gozo's party."
Cutajar was a PN candidate for the 2017 and 2013 general elections, as well as local councillor in Xagħra since 2007, re-elected in the 2019 election.
Various Nationalist MPs have called for the co-option of Gozitan local councillor Kevin Cutajar to the House of Representatives, in the wake of David Stellini’s resignation.
Feasts in Malta and Gozo this weekend
Mgarr Gozo: St. Anthony
Tarxien: The Annunciation
Hal Ghaxaq: St. Joseph
Mgarr Gozo: St. Anthony
Tarxien: The Annunciation
Hal Ghaxaq: St. Joseph
Roberta Metsola files police report over Facebook threat
A Facebook user told the Nationalist MEP to be careful lest she suffers a similar fate to Daphne Caruana Galizia
30 May 2019, 3:03pm
by Yannick Pace
Roberta Metsola has filed a police report over a Facebook comment suggesting she could end up like murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has filed a police report against a Facebook user who suggested that she could end up like Daphne Caruana Galizia.
“She should be careful or she will end up like Galizia,” read the comment. Caruana Galizia was killed using a car bomb in October 2017 as she was leaving her home in Bidnija.
The comment was posted under an article which suggested that Metsola had lied about not being able to attend a meeting between the President and newly-elected MEPs on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the MEP told MaltaToday that though she did not necessarily consider the comment to be a death threat, she chose to involve the police because such hate speech was “unacceptable”.
He said the police would now determine what action to take.
Moreover, the spokesperson pointed out that in many cases, such threats were the result of “dishonest spin”.
“The Labour Party's propaganda channel chose to publish a story about MEP Metsola, knowing full well that as she had an urgent flight to catch,” the spokesperson said, adding that the timing of the President's appointment, would not have made it possible for her to make then flight when considering “traffic and airport considerations”.
“Labour knew this, yet chose to spin it dishonestly,” the spokesperson added.
The meeting was scheduled to take place at 1:30pm on Tuesday.
Apology from man who wrote comment
The man behind the threatening comment, Josef Farrugia, later appeared to regret what he said, and took to his own Facebook wall to seemingly apologise to Metsola.
"I am the one who sent the message, I am very sorry, forgive me," he wrote.
A Facebook user told the Nationalist MEP to be careful lest she suffers a similar fate to Daphne Caruana Galizia
30 May 2019, 3:03pm
by Yannick Pace
Roberta Metsola has filed a police report over a Facebook comment suggesting she could end up like murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has filed a police report against a Facebook user who suggested that she could end up like Daphne Caruana Galizia.
“She should be careful or she will end up like Galizia,” read the comment. Caruana Galizia was killed using a car bomb in October 2017 as she was leaving her home in Bidnija.
The comment was posted under an article which suggested that Metsola had lied about not being able to attend a meeting between the President and newly-elected MEPs on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the MEP told MaltaToday that though she did not necessarily consider the comment to be a death threat, she chose to involve the police because such hate speech was “unacceptable”.
He said the police would now determine what action to take.
Moreover, the spokesperson pointed out that in many cases, such threats were the result of “dishonest spin”.
“The Labour Party's propaganda channel chose to publish a story about MEP Metsola, knowing full well that as she had an urgent flight to catch,” the spokesperson said, adding that the timing of the President's appointment, would not have made it possible for her to make then flight when considering “traffic and airport considerations”.
“Labour knew this, yet chose to spin it dishonestly,” the spokesperson added.
The meeting was scheduled to take place at 1:30pm on Tuesday.
Apology from man who wrote comment
The man behind the threatening comment, Josef Farrugia, later appeared to regret what he said, and took to his own Facebook wall to seemingly apologise to Metsola.
"I am the one who sent the message, I am very sorry, forgive me," he wrote.
Local Council Elections
Labour makes impressive gains as PN crashes
It was a second dismal night for the Nationalist Party, winning only four of the 21 localities up for grabs • Għarb ends in deadlock
30 May 2019, 11:18pm
by Kurt Sansone
The election of Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop gave PN activists some moments of joy in an otherwise bleak night for the party
The Labour Party has confirmed its primacy across Malta and Gozo, registering impressive gains across the board in the second night of vote counting.
The party not only confirmed its majorities in the battleground localities of Msida and Birkirkara but won back San Ġwann in what has been a dismal night for the Nationalist Party.
But the PL also made impressive gains across the board, increasing its majority in Pieta – a locality that in the past had a PN majority – and strengthening its hold on strongholds in the south.
In Pieta, the PL received an unprecedented 69.3% of the vote, confirming Keith Tanti as mayor and increasing one more seat in the five-seat locality.
In Żabbar, a traditional PL stronghold, the party now holds nine seats against the PN’s two, an increase of one for the PL.
Bormla reconfirmed Alison Zerafa Civelli as mayorThe PL’s success story continued in every locality as the night progressed, leaving the PN to smart over another disastrous result.
The PN was punished hard in Għarb, where it not only lost the council but was pushed to third after an independent grouping clinched second place and two seats. The PL got two seats.
The PN could only win in Lija, Victoria, Mġarr and Sliema, where it registered gains and re-elected Anthony Chircop as mayor. Chircop's election provided some relief for PN agents in the counting hall, who lifted him up in joy.
With 44 council votes counted over the course of two days, the PL won majorities in 32, the PN won in 11, and Għarb is deadlocked.
The last batch of 23 localities will be counted tomorrow with particular focus on Mosta and Siġġiewi, where the PL is aiming to overturn existing PN majorities.
Labour makes impressive gains as PN crashes
It was a second dismal night for the Nationalist Party, winning only four of the 21 localities up for grabs • Għarb ends in deadlock
30 May 2019, 11:18pm
by Kurt Sansone
The election of Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop gave PN activists some moments of joy in an otherwise bleak night for the party
The Labour Party has confirmed its primacy across Malta and Gozo, registering impressive gains across the board in the second night of vote counting.
The party not only confirmed its majorities in the battleground localities of Msida and Birkirkara but won back San Ġwann in what has been a dismal night for the Nationalist Party.
But the PL also made impressive gains across the board, increasing its majority in Pieta – a locality that in the past had a PN majority – and strengthening its hold on strongholds in the south.
In Pieta, the PL received an unprecedented 69.3% of the vote, confirming Keith Tanti as mayor and increasing one more seat in the five-seat locality.
In Żabbar, a traditional PL stronghold, the party now holds nine seats against the PN’s two, an increase of one for the PL.
Bormla reconfirmed Alison Zerafa Civelli as mayorThe PL’s success story continued in every locality as the night progressed, leaving the PN to smart over another disastrous result.
The PN was punished hard in Għarb, where it not only lost the council but was pushed to third after an independent grouping clinched second place and two seats. The PL got two seats.
The PN could only win in Lija, Victoria, Mġarr and Sliema, where it registered gains and re-elected Anthony Chircop as mayor. Chircop's election provided some relief for PN agents in the counting hall, who lifted him up in joy.
With 44 council votes counted over the course of two days, the PL won majorities in 32, the PN won in 11, and Għarb is deadlocked.
The last batch of 23 localities will be counted tomorrow with particular focus on Mosta and Siġġiewi, where the PL is aiming to overturn existing PN majorities.
Elezzjoni tal-Kunsill Lokali tan-Nadur
F’dan il-lokal Edward Said se jkun is-Sindku.
F’isem il-Partit Nazzjonalista telgħu wkoll Eucharist Camilleri u Josef Frank Camilleri. F’isem il-PL telgħu Joseph Vella u Jean Paul Portelli.
F’dan il-lokal Edward Said se jkun is-Sindku.
F’isem il-Partit Nazzjonalista telgħu wkoll Eucharist Camilleri u Josef Frank Camilleri. F’isem il-PL telgħu Joseph Vella u Jean Paul Portelli.
Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul
GRAND CHAPTER OF GERMANY
Saturday 25 May, 2019
The Grand Chapter of Germany led by Grand Prior Chevalier Peter Michael Neuen, had the investiture last Saturday, 25th of May 2019 in Mannheim.
The Grand Prior Chevalier Peter Michael Neuen was assisted by the Chancellor Dame Gabriele Neuen.
They welcomed the new Conseurs Silvija and Beatrice and the new Confreres Daniel, Denis, Jörg-Peter, Simon and their son Alexander.
The new members were presented with a pin and the certificate of admission and all were really happy.
The Grand Master Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli sent a message to be read for the occasion.
After this ceremony an asparagus meal was served.
It was a very harmonious evening, new contacts were made and existing contacts deepened.
Congratulation to all.
GRAND CHAPTER OF GERMANY
Saturday 25 May, 2019
The Grand Chapter of Germany led by Grand Prior Chevalier Peter Michael Neuen, had the investiture last Saturday, 25th of May 2019 in Mannheim.
The Grand Prior Chevalier Peter Michael Neuen was assisted by the Chancellor Dame Gabriele Neuen.
They welcomed the new Conseurs Silvija and Beatrice and the new Confreres Daniel, Denis, Jörg-Peter, Simon and their son Alexander.
The new members were presented with a pin and the certificate of admission and all were really happy.
The Grand Master Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli sent a message to be read for the occasion.
After this ceremony an asparagus meal was served.
It was a very harmonious evening, new contacts were made and existing contacts deepened.
Congratulation to all.
Mass celebrated by Mons Mario Grech, bishop of Gozo, at Tac-Cawla area limits of Victoria Gozo.
Photos Carmel Saliba 28.5.19.
Photos Carmel Saliba 28.5.19.
Nationalist MP David Stellini resigns, paving the way for co-option of new MP
‘I don’t like Maltese partisanship’ says Nationalist MP whose seat could open new rift for PN factions
28 May 2019, 10:08pm
by Matthew Vella
David Stellini has resigned as MP
The Nationalist MP David Stellini has officially resigned his seat in the House of Representatives, to return to his posting with the European People’s Party in Brussels.
In an interview with MaltaToday, the Gozitan MP, who ran for MEP, expressed his dismay at the excessive partisanship of Maltese politics.
“I came from Brussels to Malta in a bid to work for a politics of unity, that can give people results. But there is a group of people who want the politics of the arena... a battle between gladiators,” he said.
“I call it the politics of symbiosis, because the large gladiator needs to have a smaller gladiator to fight against, and the smaller gladiator needs to pick a fight with the large opponent to keep its fans alive: the PN must be careful not to fall into this battle because it will not win it,” Stellini said. “The Maltese system is not conducive to the politics of unity I embrace.”
Stellini has previously said that his salary as an MP, which is a ‘part-time’ occupation in Malta, was insubstantial and that employers were either unwilling to take on an MP, or wanted an MP to do their bidding.
“I don’t like partisanship. Life as a part-time MP is hard: employers who do not want to be associated with politics will not employ MPs. Indeed, they told me they do not want to be tarnished by politics, something which to me is a noble pursuit.
Stellini said he had informed Opposition leader Adrian Delia and the Speaker of the House in writing of his resignation.
Stellini was elected to Parliament for the first time in the casual election on the 13th district for the seat vacated by Nationalist MP Marthese Portelli, who was elected on two districts.
Given that Stellini was elected by a casual election, his resignation from the House will prompt a co-option, allowing the PN to select any person to be installed as an MP.
His decision has already sparked approaches from both factions within the PN to only leave when the time is ripe for the co-option of their choice.
One faction which is loosely led by Beppe Fenech Adami and former PN leader Simon Busuttil, have suggested that he leaves when Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola might be in a position to return to Malta – ostensibly, Metsola is touted as an alternative to the PN’s beleaguered party chief Adrian Delia.
On the other side of the PN political spectrum, the Delia faction wants Stellini to leave at a more appropriate time to allow them to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono, who was also elected to the House for the first time in 2017, but relinquished his parliamentary seat to force a casual election – filled by an MP who resigned immediately – so that Adrian Delia could enter the House as Opposition leader.
Debono is the husband of MP Kristy Debono and is employed in the PN administration, and naturally a staunch ally of Adrian Delia.
Stellini however said he will not be resigning his post as president on the PN’s administrative council, saying he will await the outcome of the forthcoming local council elections, which are set to deliver yet another blow to PN leader Adrian Delia.
“I will continue occupying this position in the future. So I will continue contributing to the PN.
“If activists wish that I resign from the PN administrative council, then I should follow suit... I think it is premature at this point, but we are days away from another electoral result.
“I think a lot of people in 2017 said that Simon Busuttil had left the party leadership too hastily. So it is possible that such an immediate change is not always the best solution,” he said with respect to calls for Delia’s resignation. “That is why the party has to analyse the electoral result.”
Stellini also said the PN will have to endure yet more shifts in factional loyalties, as activists attempt to shore up support for Delia, or push for a new leader who can bridge the internal divide.
“Factionalism inside the PN has always been part of its history. After this election, factional loyalties will be shifting once again. It is possible that the majority of PN activists who are pleased at Roberta Metsola’s and David Casa’s election in the European Parliament, but also at retaining Adrian Delia as PN leader, because they see a balance between both factions.”
Stelllini said however that the PN has to analyse the result and that political responsibility had to be shouldered. “Humility in politics demands this. These two electoral results have to be compared with previous results, not with survey forecasts.”
‘I don’t like Maltese partisanship’ says Nationalist MP whose seat could open new rift for PN factions
28 May 2019, 10:08pm
by Matthew Vella
David Stellini has resigned as MP
The Nationalist MP David Stellini has officially resigned his seat in the House of Representatives, to return to his posting with the European People’s Party in Brussels.
In an interview with MaltaToday, the Gozitan MP, who ran for MEP, expressed his dismay at the excessive partisanship of Maltese politics.
“I came from Brussels to Malta in a bid to work for a politics of unity, that can give people results. But there is a group of people who want the politics of the arena... a battle between gladiators,” he said.
“I call it the politics of symbiosis, because the large gladiator needs to have a smaller gladiator to fight against, and the smaller gladiator needs to pick a fight with the large opponent to keep its fans alive: the PN must be careful not to fall into this battle because it will not win it,” Stellini said. “The Maltese system is not conducive to the politics of unity I embrace.”
Stellini has previously said that his salary as an MP, which is a ‘part-time’ occupation in Malta, was insubstantial and that employers were either unwilling to take on an MP, or wanted an MP to do their bidding.
“I don’t like partisanship. Life as a part-time MP is hard: employers who do not want to be associated with politics will not employ MPs. Indeed, they told me they do not want to be tarnished by politics, something which to me is a noble pursuit.
Stellini said he had informed Opposition leader Adrian Delia and the Speaker of the House in writing of his resignation.
Stellini was elected to Parliament for the first time in the casual election on the 13th district for the seat vacated by Nationalist MP Marthese Portelli, who was elected on two districts.
Given that Stellini was elected by a casual election, his resignation from the House will prompt a co-option, allowing the PN to select any person to be installed as an MP.
His decision has already sparked approaches from both factions within the PN to only leave when the time is ripe for the co-option of their choice.
One faction which is loosely led by Beppe Fenech Adami and former PN leader Simon Busuttil, have suggested that he leaves when Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola might be in a position to return to Malta – ostensibly, Metsola is touted as an alternative to the PN’s beleaguered party chief Adrian Delia.
On the other side of the PN political spectrum, the Delia faction wants Stellini to leave at a more appropriate time to allow them to co-opt Jean Pierre Debono, who was also elected to the House for the first time in 2017, but relinquished his parliamentary seat to force a casual election – filled by an MP who resigned immediately – so that Adrian Delia could enter the House as Opposition leader.
Debono is the husband of MP Kristy Debono and is employed in the PN administration, and naturally a staunch ally of Adrian Delia.
Stellini however said he will not be resigning his post as president on the PN’s administrative council, saying he will await the outcome of the forthcoming local council elections, which are set to deliver yet another blow to PN leader Adrian Delia.
“I will continue occupying this position in the future. So I will continue contributing to the PN.
“If activists wish that I resign from the PN administrative council, then I should follow suit... I think it is premature at this point, but we are days away from another electoral result.
“I think a lot of people in 2017 said that Simon Busuttil had left the party leadership too hastily. So it is possible that such an immediate change is not always the best solution,” he said with respect to calls for Delia’s resignation. “That is why the party has to analyse the electoral result.”
Stellini also said the PN will have to endure yet more shifts in factional loyalties, as activists attempt to shore up support for Delia, or push for a new leader who can bridge the internal divide.
“Factionalism inside the PN has always been part of its history. After this election, factional loyalties will be shifting once again. It is possible that the majority of PN activists who are pleased at Roberta Metsola’s and David Casa’s election in the European Parliament, but also at retaining Adrian Delia as PN leader, because they see a balance between both factions.”
Stelllini said however that the PN has to analyse the result and that political responsibility had to be shouldered. “Humility in politics demands this. These two electoral results have to be compared with previous results, not with survey forecasts.”
Nationalist MP points finger at Joseph Muscat for Souleymane murder
Interior Minister Michael Farrugia said that the cold-blooded and racist murder should not cast a shadow onto the Armed Forces of Malta
28 May 2019, 6:11pm
by David Hudson
Nationalist Party MP Beppe Fenech Adami said that the murder of Ivorian immigrant Lassana Cisse Souleymane was the fruit of what Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had sown in the past.
Fenech Adami was responding to a short ministerial statement delivered by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia in Parliament on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the court found there was enough evidence for the soldiers accused of the drive-by murder to be indicted.
While Farrugia said that this murder should not cast a shadow on the Armed Forces of Malta, Fenech Adami accused him and the government of allowing the army to fester after taking a series of bad decisions upon being elected back in 2013.
“Just 10 years ago, the immigration problem reared its head and the then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi took the unpopular decision to bring asylum-seekers into Malta.
“The same person who is now crying foul and blaming someone else is the person who ridiculed Gonzi at the time for his decision on refugees. He even promised he would not accept these people coming into the country and he promised a pushback and he fulfilled that promise,” Fenech Adami said, referring to Muscat’s attempted pushback of migrants in 2013.
He added that the racist individuals who have killed Souleymane and injured two others had been probably clapping at the Prime Minister’s statements back in 2009 and mentioned how the two accused of the murder were members of the Laburist sal-Mewt Facebook page.
“The Army has been broken by this government and despite changing the criteria of recruitment, the new system has failed because it allowed two young people in the army to feel that it’s easy to go out and shoot indiscriminately at black people,” Fenech Adami concluded.
Interior Minister Michael Farrugia in Parliament on TuesdayMinister Farrugia said he would not discuss the facts of the case so as not to prejudice the ongoing court case, and he took his time in Parliament to praise the AFM for coordinating missions to save people from drowning in the Mediterranean.
He also clarified that recruitment into the AFM required a clean criminal record and in the case of the two accused, both soldiers had a clean conduct and had even took an oath to attest that there were no pending court cases ongoing against them.
“In no way should a shadow be cast on the AFM and all the other members of the force because of this murder,” he said. He added that Fenech Adami’s response was a “desperate attack” and that it was clear that the PN had learnt nothing about trying to find common ground instead of sowing further division.
Farrugia confirmed that an internal inquiry had been initiated by the AFM to examine whether there are any xenophobic sensibilities growing amongst the members of the AFM.
PN MP Simon Busuttil asked for political responsibility to be carried by the interior minister.
“If you are not going to bear responsibility, who will? The Prime Minister? Is there someone in this country who will bear responsibility?” he asked.
Labour whip Byron Camilleri said that he was “disgusted” by Fenech Adami’s discourse and argued that it was Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who had been tottering on far-right expressions in recent times.
Interior Minister Michael Farrugia said that the cold-blooded and racist murder should not cast a shadow onto the Armed Forces of Malta
28 May 2019, 6:11pm
by David Hudson
Nationalist Party MP Beppe Fenech Adami said that the murder of Ivorian immigrant Lassana Cisse Souleymane was the fruit of what Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had sown in the past.
Fenech Adami was responding to a short ministerial statement delivered by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia in Parliament on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the court found there was enough evidence for the soldiers accused of the drive-by murder to be indicted.
While Farrugia said that this murder should not cast a shadow on the Armed Forces of Malta, Fenech Adami accused him and the government of allowing the army to fester after taking a series of bad decisions upon being elected back in 2013.
“Just 10 years ago, the immigration problem reared its head and the then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi took the unpopular decision to bring asylum-seekers into Malta.
“The same person who is now crying foul and blaming someone else is the person who ridiculed Gonzi at the time for his decision on refugees. He even promised he would not accept these people coming into the country and he promised a pushback and he fulfilled that promise,” Fenech Adami said, referring to Muscat’s attempted pushback of migrants in 2013.
He added that the racist individuals who have killed Souleymane and injured two others had been probably clapping at the Prime Minister’s statements back in 2009 and mentioned how the two accused of the murder were members of the Laburist sal-Mewt Facebook page.
“The Army has been broken by this government and despite changing the criteria of recruitment, the new system has failed because it allowed two young people in the army to feel that it’s easy to go out and shoot indiscriminately at black people,” Fenech Adami concluded.
Interior Minister Michael Farrugia in Parliament on TuesdayMinister Farrugia said he would not discuss the facts of the case so as not to prejudice the ongoing court case, and he took his time in Parliament to praise the AFM for coordinating missions to save people from drowning in the Mediterranean.
He also clarified that recruitment into the AFM required a clean criminal record and in the case of the two accused, both soldiers had a clean conduct and had even took an oath to attest that there were no pending court cases ongoing against them.
“In no way should a shadow be cast on the AFM and all the other members of the force because of this murder,” he said. He added that Fenech Adami’s response was a “desperate attack” and that it was clear that the PN had learnt nothing about trying to find common ground instead of sowing further division.
Farrugia confirmed that an internal inquiry had been initiated by the AFM to examine whether there are any xenophobic sensibilities growing amongst the members of the AFM.
PN MP Simon Busuttil asked for political responsibility to be carried by the interior minister.
“If you are not going to bear responsibility, who will? The Prime Minister? Is there someone in this country who will bear responsibility?” he asked.
Labour whip Byron Camilleri said that he was “disgusted” by Fenech Adami’s discourse and argued that it was Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who had been tottering on far-right expressions in recent times.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Maurice Mizzi hauled into meeting by minister following anti-Muslim tirade
Minister Herrera distances himself from Guardian for Future Generations' statement.
Maurice Mizzi
The government has distanced itself from remarks made by Maurice Mizzi, Guardian for Future Generations, who hit out at irregular immigration in The Sunday Times of Malta, arguing that Muslims are “taking over” and insisting the country should stop migrants from entering.
In a brief statement, the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change said it is dissociating itself with the reported statements, "as it is not reflective to the government’s vision including that of the Guardian of the Future Generations".
Minister José Herrera has requested an urgent meeting to clarify the situation.
Anti-Muslim tirade
Mr Mizzi made the inflammatory remarks during the course of an interview published in The Sunday Times of Malta.
The interview was intended to highlight his office’s work promoting sustainable development in government policymaking, but Mr Mizzi veered conversation towards migrants.
“I want to have Malta for the Maltese,” he said. “Maybe that’s an antiquated view, but I want to see it Catholic and for the Maltese. I don’t mind having others, as long as they don’t take over. And the problem is they have so many children.”
"At the moment, there are so many Muslims coming – they’re all having nine babies, next to our two – and they will take over eventually," he had said.
The comments had prompted outrage and calls for his resignation from several NGOs, who said his comments were racist and not in keeping with the function of his office.
"Mr Mizzi seems to forget the responsibility that comes with his role and the essential point that the most important factor to achieve development and guarantee future generations is peace," the NGOs said.
Correction 12.45pm: Mr Mizzi will be meeting the minister "later" in the day, sources clarified, and not at the time of writing as originally stated.
Maurice Mizzi hauled into meeting by minister following anti-Muslim tirade
Minister Herrera distances himself from Guardian for Future Generations' statement.
Maurice Mizzi
The government has distanced itself from remarks made by Maurice Mizzi, Guardian for Future Generations, who hit out at irregular immigration in The Sunday Times of Malta, arguing that Muslims are “taking over” and insisting the country should stop migrants from entering.
In a brief statement, the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change said it is dissociating itself with the reported statements, "as it is not reflective to the government’s vision including that of the Guardian of the Future Generations".
Minister José Herrera has requested an urgent meeting to clarify the situation.
Anti-Muslim tirade
Mr Mizzi made the inflammatory remarks during the course of an interview published in The Sunday Times of Malta.
The interview was intended to highlight his office’s work promoting sustainable development in government policymaking, but Mr Mizzi veered conversation towards migrants.
“I want to have Malta for the Maltese,” he said. “Maybe that’s an antiquated view, but I want to see it Catholic and for the Maltese. I don’t mind having others, as long as they don’t take over. And the problem is they have so many children.”
"At the moment, there are so many Muslims coming – they’re all having nine babies, next to our two – and they will take over eventually," he had said.
The comments had prompted outrage and calls for his resignation from several NGOs, who said his comments were racist and not in keeping with the function of his office.
"Mr Mizzi seems to forget the responsibility that comes with his role and the essential point that the most important factor to achieve development and guarantee future generations is peace," the NGOs said.
Correction 12.45pm: Mr Mizzi will be meeting the minister "later" in the day, sources clarified, and not at the time of writing as originally stated.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 14:47
by Denise Grech
Put Malta's interests first, President tells newly-elected MEPs
President praises 'fair', 'serene' elections
President George Vella and his wife Miriam (centre) with the Labour Party MEP delegation. The two PN MEPs were not present as they had already returned to Brussels. Photo: DOI.
President George Vella encouraged newly-elected MEPs to put Malta’s interests first during a meeting at the Palace on Tuesday.
Malta held its European Parliament elections this weekend. PL MEPs Miriam Dalli, Alfred Sant, Josianne Cutajar, Alex Agius Saliba and PN MEPs Roberta Metsola and David Casa came out on top to take Malta’s six seats in Brussels.
The four Labour MEPs were all present at the meeting with Dr Vella. Dr Metsola and Mr Casa informed the President’s Office they were travelling back to Brussels, the President said.
President Vella met with the MEPs in between scheduled meetings he had with former Australian minister Alexander Dowling and a courtesy call from Malta's ambassador to Libya, Charles Saliba.
Gaining a seat at the European Parliament was not a prize, but a duty MEPs must carry on their shoulders, he said. What is good for Germany and France might not necessarily be good for Malta
Maltese MEPs must keep the country’s interests at heart and remember that what is good for Germany and France might not necessarily be good for Malta, he added.
He said this election was a “fair and serene” one, adding no objections have so far been raised on the result or the electoral process.
What was beautiful about this particular result was that there was an equal mix of genders and a mix of experiences, Dr Vella said, adding both incumbents and newcomers had been elected.
For the first time, a Gozitan MEP (Dr Cutajar) had also been elected, he noted.
One still needed to see the role of far-right parties, he said, adding the strength of the larger parties in Europe took a hit during these elections.
Across Europe, the Greens increased the number of their MEPs by almost 40 per cent. On the other hand, the parliament’s main centre-left and centre-right group shrank in power.
“I believe there will be new challenges, because of the composition of the parliament,” Dr Vella said. “This is a scenario that creates new challenges but it is a scenario which can support our country,” he added.
by Denise Grech
Put Malta's interests first, President tells newly-elected MEPs
President praises 'fair', 'serene' elections
President George Vella and his wife Miriam (centre) with the Labour Party MEP delegation. The two PN MEPs were not present as they had already returned to Brussels. Photo: DOI.
President George Vella encouraged newly-elected MEPs to put Malta’s interests first during a meeting at the Palace on Tuesday.
Malta held its European Parliament elections this weekend. PL MEPs Miriam Dalli, Alfred Sant, Josianne Cutajar, Alex Agius Saliba and PN MEPs Roberta Metsola and David Casa came out on top to take Malta’s six seats in Brussels.
The four Labour MEPs were all present at the meeting with Dr Vella. Dr Metsola and Mr Casa informed the President’s Office they were travelling back to Brussels, the President said.
President Vella met with the MEPs in between scheduled meetings he had with former Australian minister Alexander Dowling and a courtesy call from Malta's ambassador to Libya, Charles Saliba.
Gaining a seat at the European Parliament was not a prize, but a duty MEPs must carry on their shoulders, he said. What is good for Germany and France might not necessarily be good for Malta
Maltese MEPs must keep the country’s interests at heart and remember that what is good for Germany and France might not necessarily be good for Malta, he added.
He said this election was a “fair and serene” one, adding no objections have so far been raised on the result or the electoral process.
What was beautiful about this particular result was that there was an equal mix of genders and a mix of experiences, Dr Vella said, adding both incumbents and newcomers had been elected.
For the first time, a Gozitan MEP (Dr Cutajar) had also been elected, he noted.
One still needed to see the role of far-right parties, he said, adding the strength of the larger parties in Europe took a hit during these elections.
Across Europe, the Greens increased the number of their MEPs by almost 40 per cent. On the other hand, the parliament’s main centre-left and centre-right group shrank in power.
“I believe there will be new challenges, because of the composition of the parliament,” Dr Vella said. “This is a scenario that creates new challenges but it is a scenario which can support our country,” he added.
Kandidat Nazzjonalista jwarrab ir-rivalità politika u jawgura lil Josianne Cutajar
L-MEP Laburista Josianne Cutajar ftit tal-minuti ilu kitbet tirringrazzja lill-poplu Malti u Għawdxi li għoġbu jagħtiha l-fiduċja tiegħu f’din l-aħħar elezzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew.
Hija żiedet tgħid li dan mhux biżżejjed għaliha u għalhekk se tkun qiegħda tiltaqa’ man-nies u tirringrazzjahom fil-pjazza ta’ Raħal Ġdid u filgħaxija taqbad il-vapur tas-7.30 lejn Għawdex biex iżżur lill-Għawdxin.
Intant il-kandidat Nazzjonalista David Stellini xerred din il-kitba ta’ Josianne Cutajar u żied jawguralha. Stellini żied jgħid li l-Għawdxin huma kburin b’Cutajar u li hemm bżonn ta’ għaqda bil-għan li Għawdex u l-Għawdxin jimxu ‘l quddiem.
Huwa temm jgħid li m’għandu l-ebda dubju li bħala l-ewwel MEP Għawdxija se tkun qiegħda tagħmel ġieħ lil Għawdex.
- Mej 27, 2019
- Miktub minn iNews
L-MEP Laburista Josianne Cutajar ftit tal-minuti ilu kitbet tirringrazzja lill-poplu Malti u Għawdxi li għoġbu jagħtiha l-fiduċja tiegħu f’din l-aħħar elezzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew.
Hija żiedet tgħid li dan mhux biżżejjed għaliha u għalhekk se tkun qiegħda tiltaqa’ man-nies u tirringrazzjahom fil-pjazza ta’ Raħal Ġdid u filgħaxija taqbad il-vapur tas-7.30 lejn Għawdex biex iżżur lill-Għawdxin.
Intant il-kandidat Nazzjonalista David Stellini xerred din il-kitba ta’ Josianne Cutajar u żied jawguralha. Stellini żied jgħid li l-Għawdxin huma kburin b’Cutajar u li hemm bżonn ta’ għaqda bil-għan li Għawdex u l-Għawdxin jimxu ‘l quddiem.
Huwa temm jgħid li m’għandu l-ebda dubju li bħala l-ewwel MEP Għawdxija se tkun qiegħda tagħmel ġieħ lil Għawdex.
Nadurija Josianne Cutajar MEP
Minn Dr. Mario Saliba MD
Prosit lil MEP Josianne Cutajar possibilment l-izghar MEP fosthom :) Ghamilt unur lin-Nadur u lil Ghawdex.
Mhux kulhadd kien jemmen li xi darba jista' jkollna lehen Ghawdxi fil-Parlament Ewropew.
Nawguralek hidma favur Malta f'isem il-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin kollha.
https://www.facebook.com/joscutajar/videos/2019970081642989/
Minn Dr. Mario Saliba MD
Prosit lil MEP Josianne Cutajar possibilment l-izghar MEP fosthom :) Ghamilt unur lin-Nadur u lil Ghawdex.
Mhux kulhadd kien jemmen li xi darba jista' jkollna lehen Ghawdxi fil-Parlament Ewropew.
Nawguralek hidma favur Malta f'isem il-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin kollha.
https://www.facebook.com/joscutajar/videos/2019970081642989/
Electoral Commission announces names of the 6 elected MEPs
Josianne Cutajar of Nadur elected to the European Parliament
By Coryse Borg
27/05/2019,
In the early hours of this morning, the Election Commission announced the official results of the election of Members of the European Parliament held on the 25th May 2019.
As had been predicted late yesterday evening, there are four elected candidates for the Partit Laburista and two for the Partit Nazzjonalista. According to the Commission, the candidate who received the most votes is Miriam Dalli (PL), followed by Roberta Metsola (PN). Alfred Sant (PL) is in third place, followed by David Casa (PN), while Alex Agius Saliba (PL) is in fifth place, followed by Josianne Cutajar (PL).
Among the six Maltese MEPs, there are two new faces – Alex Agius Saliba and Josianne Cutajar. Francis Zammit Dimech (PN) was not elected this time and Marlene Mizzi (PL) chose not to contest this year’s election.
There are still no official final figures regarding exactly how many votes each candidate received (both elected and non-elected). However, the unofficial results issued late yesterday evening by PL agents state that Miriam Dalli obtained about 51,000 votes, Alfred Sant – 21 300, Alex Agius Saliba – 15,000 and Josianne Cutajar – 12,900. Meanwhile PN agents stated that Roberta Metsola obtained 31,000 votes and David Casa – 16,500.
The quota in order to be elected is that of 37,000 votes.
Josianne Cutajar of Nadur elected to the European Parliament
By Coryse Borg
27/05/2019,
In the early hours of this morning, the Election Commission announced the official results of the election of Members of the European Parliament held on the 25th May 2019.
As had been predicted late yesterday evening, there are four elected candidates for the Partit Laburista and two for the Partit Nazzjonalista. According to the Commission, the candidate who received the most votes is Miriam Dalli (PL), followed by Roberta Metsola (PN). Alfred Sant (PL) is in third place, followed by David Casa (PN), while Alex Agius Saliba (PL) is in fifth place, followed by Josianne Cutajar (PL).
Among the six Maltese MEPs, there are two new faces – Alex Agius Saliba and Josianne Cutajar. Francis Zammit Dimech (PN) was not elected this time and Marlene Mizzi (PL) chose not to contest this year’s election.
There are still no official final figures regarding exactly how many votes each candidate received (both elected and non-elected). However, the unofficial results issued late yesterday evening by PL agents state that Miriam Dalli obtained about 51,000 votes, Alfred Sant – 21 300, Alex Agius Saliba – 15,000 and Josianne Cutajar – 12,900. Meanwhile PN agents stated that Roberta Metsola obtained 31,000 votes and David Casa – 16,500.
The quota in order to be elected is that of 37,000 votes.
Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul in Melbourne
Sunday 26 May, 2019
The Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul organized the feast of the Patron Saints in Melbourne yesterday at the Italian Community Hall in East Keilor.
People of different nationalities attended the event with good food and music.
la confraternita di San Pietro e Paolo festeggia San Pietro e Paolo grazie a tutti e stata una bellissima giornata
HYMN MARCH LILL SAN PIETRU PAWL
By the Maltese United Brass Band.
Click here to see the film: https://www.facebook.com/caterina.priscoglio/videos/10219656986606319/
Joe Said Meta Gunju jkun hiereg kull sena. Lix-xemx jghammar biex tkebbes id-dawl...……………… Hawn Malta fin-Nadur. Prosit keep up your good memories of our old Imnarja even in that big continent Australia.
Thank you to the Members of the Supreme Council and all the knights and dames for a wonderful job.
Well done. The yellow ribbons look great.
VIVA SAN PIETRU PAWL
Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
Sunday 26 May, 2019
The Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul organized the feast of the Patron Saints in Melbourne yesterday at the Italian Community Hall in East Keilor.
People of different nationalities attended the event with good food and music.
la confraternita di San Pietro e Paolo festeggia San Pietro e Paolo grazie a tutti e stata una bellissima giornata
HYMN MARCH LILL SAN PIETRU PAWL
By the Maltese United Brass Band.
Click here to see the film: https://www.facebook.com/caterina.priscoglio/videos/10219656986606319/
Joe Said Meta Gunju jkun hiereg kull sena. Lix-xemx jghammar biex tkebbes id-dawl...……………… Hawn Malta fin-Nadur. Prosit keep up your good memories of our old Imnarja even in that big continent Australia.
Thank you to the Members of the Supreme Council and all the knights and dames for a wonderful job.
Well done. The yellow ribbons look great.
VIVA SAN PIETRU PAWL
Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
Arrogance after historic win would be 'biggest mistake', Miriam Dalli says
The Labour MEP says she has responsibility to represent her voters in Europe and bring about positive change in their lives
26 May 2019, 8:47pm
by Massimo Costa
Miriam Dalli was reacting to the Labour Party's historic win at the Naxxar counting hall on Sunday evening
Play VideoIt would be a big mistake if the government were to become arrogant and fail to keep its feet on the ground following Labour's historic win, Miriam Dalli said.
The Labour MEP, who is set to be re-elected to the European Parliament with a large number of votes, said the trust her voters showed in her highlighted and increased the responsibility she had of representing the Maltese people in Europe in the best way possible.
Asked by MaltaToday if she saw any validity in concerns that, following its historic win, the government could become more arrogant, Dalli said it was paramount for her party's movement remain close to the people.
[It would be the biggest mistake [to become arrogant]," Dalli said, "I think that the most important thing for this movement is for it to remain of the people and with the people. We need to keep our feet on the ground constatly."
"The roles we have are not our privilege - they were entrusted to us by the people, because they have faith that we can represent them in the best way," she said.
Dalli added that she felt responsible to represent not only those who voted for her but also those who opted not to, and to translate this into something which leads to a positive change in their lives.
The Labour MEP says she has responsibility to represent her voters in Europe and bring about positive change in their lives
26 May 2019, 8:47pm
by Massimo Costa
Miriam Dalli was reacting to the Labour Party's historic win at the Naxxar counting hall on Sunday evening
Play VideoIt would be a big mistake if the government were to become arrogant and fail to keep its feet on the ground following Labour's historic win, Miriam Dalli said.
The Labour MEP, who is set to be re-elected to the European Parliament with a large number of votes, said the trust her voters showed in her highlighted and increased the responsibility she had of representing the Maltese people in Europe in the best way possible.
Asked by MaltaToday if she saw any validity in concerns that, following its historic win, the government could become more arrogant, Dalli said it was paramount for her party's movement remain close to the people.
[It would be the biggest mistake [to become arrogant]," Dalli said, "I think that the most important thing for this movement is for it to remain of the people and with the people. We need to keep our feet on the ground constatly."
"The roles we have are not our privilege - they were entrusted to us by the people, because they have faith that we can represent them in the best way," she said.
Dalli added that she felt responsible to represent not only those who voted for her but also those who opted not to, and to translate this into something which leads to a positive change in their lives.
[WATCH] PN leader Adrian Delia reflects on disastrous result:
'We'll not lose heart'Nationalist leader Adrian Delia says the PN is 'still the country's second largest party'...
26 May 2019, 6:14pm
by Massimo Costa
Adrian Delia: "The road is long, but we have to go through it, and we must do so together"
https://www.facebook.com/partitnazzjonalista/videos/305748630314568/
Opposition leader Adrian Delia has indicated he will not resign in the face of a humiliating defeat in the European Parliament elections.
The PN suffered a major defeat in the 2019 European elections, with unofficial vote projections putting the party at just over 36%, while Labour looking to an unprecedented 51,000 vote majority with 55.9% of the vote.
Adrian Delia has said that in the face of the major defeat the PN has suffered, he is determined to stay on as leader and will not abandon the "journey" the party has embarked on.
"We are not going to abandon the road we have taken... we must meet more people, more social partners, more institutions, and civil society. We must understand their needs and how to represent them."
Delia, in a brief address on NET TV Sunday evening, acknowledged that the results were clear, and that Labour had won the European elections with an absolute majority of votes and would obtain a fourth seat in the European Parliament.
Delia said that the PN should not lose heart even in the face of "trying times", and made an appeal to reach out for the youth vote.
He insisted that, despite the big loss, the PN remained Malta's second biggest party, and it was now important to not give up, and to continue representing the people who voted for it while increasing the effort to listen to the people's concerns.
"We know the PN has faced major challenges in the past months - I joined the PN at one of the worst points in its history," Delia said,
"There were financial difficulties - which still exist - and a large deficit of votes, which has now increased," he said.
"This means we must work harder and understand why we are still not the choice of the people."
Thousands had chosen not to vote, he said, underlining the need to inquire why these people had opted not to take part in the democratic process.
The process to revitalise the party would take more than a few months he said, and the PN had no choice but to face the difficult period before it.
He said the PN would be humble and cautious in trying to understand why voters had not chosen the party in these elections.
"The process [within the party] started and it is not one which will just have a duration of a few months. We must go through this period, and
I invite everyone who wants to embark on this journey with us to join us," he added, "The road is long, but we have to go through it, and we must do so together".
'We'll not lose heart'Nationalist leader Adrian Delia says the PN is 'still the country's second largest party'...
26 May 2019, 6:14pm
by Massimo Costa
Adrian Delia: "The road is long, but we have to go through it, and we must do so together"
https://www.facebook.com/partitnazzjonalista/videos/305748630314568/
Opposition leader Adrian Delia has indicated he will not resign in the face of a humiliating defeat in the European Parliament elections.
The PN suffered a major defeat in the 2019 European elections, with unofficial vote projections putting the party at just over 36%, while Labour looking to an unprecedented 51,000 vote majority with 55.9% of the vote.
Adrian Delia has said that in the face of the major defeat the PN has suffered, he is determined to stay on as leader and will not abandon the "journey" the party has embarked on.
"We are not going to abandon the road we have taken... we must meet more people, more social partners, more institutions, and civil society. We must understand their needs and how to represent them."
Delia, in a brief address on NET TV Sunday evening, acknowledged that the results were clear, and that Labour had won the European elections with an absolute majority of votes and would obtain a fourth seat in the European Parliament.
Delia said that the PN should not lose heart even in the face of "trying times", and made an appeal to reach out for the youth vote.
He insisted that, despite the big loss, the PN remained Malta's second biggest party, and it was now important to not give up, and to continue representing the people who voted for it while increasing the effort to listen to the people's concerns.
"We know the PN has faced major challenges in the past months - I joined the PN at one of the worst points in its history," Delia said,
"There were financial difficulties - which still exist - and a large deficit of votes, which has now increased," he said.
"This means we must work harder and understand why we are still not the choice of the people."
Thousands had chosen not to vote, he said, underlining the need to inquire why these people had opted not to take part in the democratic process.
The process to revitalise the party would take more than a few months he said, and the PN had no choice but to face the difficult period before it.
He said the PN would be humble and cautious in trying to understand why voters had not chosen the party in these elections.
"The process [within the party] started and it is not one which will just have a duration of a few months. We must go through this period, and
I invite everyone who wants to embark on this journey with us to join us," he added, "The road is long, but we have to go through it, and we must do so together".
HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL
Photo by Mario Muscat
St. Peter and Paul Square Nadur.
Photo by Mario Muscat
St. Peter and Paul Square Nadur.
THE MNARJA CAME EARLY IN MELBOURNE
The Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul is celebrating the feast of its Patron Saints early, before some of the members head to Europe.
The liturgical feast will be celebrated in late June.
A Lunch and Dance is taking place on Sunday 26 May, 2019 at the ICKA Club in East Keilor.
Music provided by: J & C Entertainment
The Maltese United Brass Band will play a set of marches during the merriment.
5 course meal, beer wine and soft drink will be served.
Tickets: $45 Adults. Children 4-12 years: $25
.
The Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul is celebrating the feast of its Patron Saints early, before some of the members head to Europe.
The liturgical feast will be celebrated in late June.
A Lunch and Dance is taking place on Sunday 26 May, 2019 at the ICKA Club in East Keilor.
Music provided by: J & C Entertainment
The Maltese United Brass Band will play a set of marches during the merriment.
5 course meal, beer wine and soft drink will be served.
Tickets: $45 Adults. Children 4-12 years: $25
.
Jagħlaq il-ħin biex wieħed jivvota għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsilli Lokali... Jibda l-ħin tal-istennija
Il Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat u il mara jaslu fil-post tal-votazzjpni.
" Hekk kif daqqu t-tokki tal-għaxra tal-lejla, għalaq il-ħin biex wieħed jivvota għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsilli Lokali. Issa jibda l-aktar ħin eċitanti u li jieħu l-aktar xogħol. Fi ftit ħin ieħor jibdew jaslu l-kaxxi mimlijin bil-voti fil-kamra tal-voti fin-Naxxar.
Din is-sena se tkun qed jintuża proċess ġdid tal-għadd tal-voti hekk kif se jkun qed jidħol l-element teknoloġiku fis-sistema. Fi ftit tal-ħin ieħor se jkunu qed joħorġu l-persentaġġi finali sal-10pm ta' dawk li vvutaw. Liema persentaġġi joħorġu mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali fejn l-persentaġġi jkunu jinkludu kemm dawk għall-elezzjonijiet għall-Parlament Ewropew kif ukoll għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali.
- Mej 25, 2019 22:00
- Miktub minn iNews
Il Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat u il mara jaslu fil-post tal-votazzjpni.
" Hekk kif daqqu t-tokki tal-għaxra tal-lejla, għalaq il-ħin biex wieħed jivvota għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsilli Lokali. Issa jibda l-aktar ħin eċitanti u li jieħu l-aktar xogħol. Fi ftit ħin ieħor jibdew jaslu l-kaxxi mimlijin bil-voti fil-kamra tal-voti fin-Naxxar.
Din is-sena se tkun qed jintuża proċess ġdid tal-għadd tal-voti hekk kif se jkun qed jidħol l-element teknoloġiku fis-sistema. Fi ftit tal-ħin ieħor se jkunu qed joħorġu l-persentaġġi finali sal-10pm ta' dawk li vvutaw. Liema persentaġġi joħorġu mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali fejn l-persentaġġi jkunu jinkludu kemm dawk għall-elezzjonijiet għall-Parlament Ewropew kif ukoll għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali.
Dr. Adrian Delia fil post tal-votazzjoni.
FESTA SEASON OPENS IN GOZO TODAY
The feast season opens today in Gozo with the feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck in Munxar.
Watch the fireworks film here:
https://www.facebook.com/marlon.spiteritalmajjust/videos/2337664246293296/
The feast season opens today in Gozo with the feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck in Munxar.
Watch the fireworks film here:
https://www.facebook.com/marlon.spiteritalmajjust/videos/2337664246293296/
Fr. Louis Mallia MSSP Next Provincial Superior for the Region of Malta
By Chevalier Carmel Saliba
Following the process of consultation held with members by the Superior General over the last few days, Fr. Louis Mallia MSSP, will be appointed as the next Provincial Superior for the Region of Malta as from 1st September 2019 after the end of the term of Fr Frankie Cini MSSP.
Both Fr Frankie and Fr Louis are from Zebbug Gozo.
Congratulations.
Photo: Copyright Carmel Saliba 26.3.14.
Fr Louis Mallia MSSP (L) and Fr Frankie Cini MSSP (R).
By Chevalier Carmel Saliba
Following the process of consultation held with members by the Superior General over the last few days, Fr. Louis Mallia MSSP, will be appointed as the next Provincial Superior for the Region of Malta as from 1st September 2019 after the end of the term of Fr Frankie Cini MSSP.
Both Fr Frankie and Fr Louis are from Zebbug Gozo.
Congratulations.
Photo: Copyright Carmel Saliba 26.3.14.
Fr Louis Mallia MSSP (L) and Fr Frankie Cini MSSP (R).
San Pawl il-Baħar bl-akbar ammont ta' voti mhux miġburin… Ara kemm inġabru voti f'kull lokalità
Mit-317,625 vot għall-elezzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew ma nġabrux 38,737, li jammontaw għal total ta’ 10.4%.
Minn informazzjoni li għandna jidher li l-biċċa l-kbira tal-voti li ma nġabrux f’dawk il-lokalitajiet fejn hemm residenti diversi barranin. Fost oħrajn wieħed isib il-lokalità tal-Gżira li mill-5,755 vot disponibbli ma nġabrux 1,454 jew 25.3% tal-voti.
Jispikkaw ukoll l-Imsida fejn mis-6,428 vot ma nġabrux 1,156 vot (18%); San Ġiljan fejn mis-7,036 vot ma nġabrux 1,848 vot (26.3%); u Tas-Sliemafejn mit-12,264 vot disponibblima nġabrux 3,063 (25%).
L-aktar lokalità li rat l-akbar ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux hija dik ta’ San Pawl il-Baħar, fejn saħansitra l-ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux ammontaw għal kważi terz. F’din il-lokalità kien hemm 16,343 vot disponibbli, li minnhom ma nġabrux 5,238 vot li jammontaw għal 32.1% tal-voti kollha.
F’dak li jikkonerna lill-gżira ta’ Għawdex, kien iż-Żebbuġ li ra l-akbar ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux, b’dawn jammontaw għal 548 vot mit-total ta’ 2,402. Dan ifisser li 22.8% tal-voti għal din il-lokalità baqgħu mhux miġburin.
- Mej 24, 2019 17:36
- Miktub minn iNews
Mit-317,625 vot għall-elezzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew ma nġabrux 38,737, li jammontaw għal total ta’ 10.4%.
Minn informazzjoni li għandna jidher li l-biċċa l-kbira tal-voti li ma nġabrux f’dawk il-lokalitajiet fejn hemm residenti diversi barranin. Fost oħrajn wieħed isib il-lokalità tal-Gżira li mill-5,755 vot disponibbli ma nġabrux 1,454 jew 25.3% tal-voti.
Jispikkaw ukoll l-Imsida fejn mis-6,428 vot ma nġabrux 1,156 vot (18%); San Ġiljan fejn mis-7,036 vot ma nġabrux 1,848 vot (26.3%); u Tas-Sliemafejn mit-12,264 vot disponibblima nġabrux 3,063 (25%).
L-aktar lokalità li rat l-akbar ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux hija dik ta’ San Pawl il-Baħar, fejn saħansitra l-ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux ammontaw għal kważi terz. F’din il-lokalità kien hemm 16,343 vot disponibbli, li minnhom ma nġabrux 5,238 vot li jammontaw għal 32.1% tal-voti kollha.
F’dak li jikkonerna lill-gżira ta’ Għawdex, kien iż-Żebbuġ li ra l-akbar ammont ta’ voti li ma nġabrux, b’dawn jammontaw għal 548 vot mit-total ta’ 2,402. Dan ifisser li 22.8% tal-voti għal din il-lokalità baqgħu mhux miġburin.
Friday, May 24, 2019,
by Edwina Brincat, Herman Grech
'Shut up or I will shoot you too': Police detail suspects' trail in migrant murderShocking compilation of evidence starts in drive-by shooting case
Lorin Scicluna and Francesco Fenech.
Evidence against two soldiers charged with the racially-motivated murder of a man was given in court on Friday morning.
Francesco Fenech, 21, and Lorin Scicluna, 22, stand accused of having killed Lassana Cisse in a drive-by shooting in Birżebbuġa last April. They deny the charges of what is believed to be Malta's first racially-motivated murder.
Highlights from Insp. Keith Arnaud's testimony:
A minute-by-minute account of Friday's court case:
10.42am: Testimony is suspended for today. The case will continue on May 28 when Insp. Arnaud will testify about the statement released by Fenech after his arrest.
Scicluna's relatives are seen hugging him in the court room before he is led out.
10.40am: On the day of the shooting, the suspects had some 1000 rounds of ammunition. Around 250 rounds were used at the range - after the crime, Scicluna threw the rest into the sea and bought a different brand of ammunition.
10.35am: The suspect told police they would sometimes drive through Ħal Far and hurl verbal abuse at migrants. One time they spotted a migrant walking along the street and they swerved the car to hit him, smashing the car windscreen in the process.
Read: A hit-and-run went unnoticed until a murder on the same road
Most of the time, the migrants would not react to the men's abuse but on one occasion, a man hurled rocks at the car and damaged it. He ran away on foot and the two soldiers proceeded to smash the migrant's bicycle.
10.33am: That evening Fenech told Scicluna: "why don’t we try shooting a cat?"
They went to the barracks to look for a cat but found none. Fenech had a loaded weapon in his hand.
They spotted Cisse in the road, Fenech put his hand out of the window and aimed a shot.
"The first shot did not kill him. But after he fired the second shot, the migrant put a hand to his temple and slid to the ground. Lorin was angry and asked why he did it and nudged him to stop," Insp. Arnaud explains.
The first shot did not kill him. After the second shot, the migrant put a hand to his temple and slid to the ground
Fenech allegedly replied: "Shut up or I will shoot you too."
Driving down the road, Scicluna saw his friend shoot at another two migrants.
The next day the two heard the news: a migrant had been killed at Ħal Far.
Scicluna argued with Fenech saying he never thought his friend would shoot at a human.
Fenech is seen in tears in the courtroom.
10.26am: Details about the two suspects' connections are emerging in court. Scicluna said he got to know Fenech when the two joined the Armed Forces of Malta. Before then they sometimes met to shoot at cats and birds using his rifle.
10.22am: Scicluna eventually confessed to the murder, Insp. Arnaud says. He said he had been driving the car but it was Fenech who pulled the trigger. Police immediately arrested Fenech, who spoke to his lawyer on the phone before interrogation.
10.19am: At first, Lorin Scicluna distanced himself from the shooting, insisting with police he had no connection with migrants through his work as a soldier. But then he admitted he did not like them.
10.17am: On the night of the murder, Scicluna had been working at a pastizzerija in Attard, and Fenech was keeping him company. He closed the shop around 10pm and the two left together, Insp. Arnaud informs the court.
10.15am: Lorin Scicluna's girlfriend was approached by police and she told them her partner disliked migrants "għax iridu jikkmandaw huma" (because they wanted to run the show). Francesco Fenech also disliked migrants, she told police, and claimed she had long told her boyfriend not to stick around with him.
Scicluna was interrogated in the presence of his lawyer, Jason Azzopardi.
10.09am: Police traced down Lorin Scicluna. Under his bed were the firearms registered in his name, all boxed with ammunition. His car was towed to Safi barracks.
10.05am: Background checks on Lorin Scicluna showed he had four firearms registered in his name. One of them was a 9mm weapon, like the one used in the fatal shooting.
Stills from a commercial establishment at Bir id-Deheb taken minutes after the shooting showed the car stuck in traffic, bearing the same distinctive marks. One headlamp was brighter than the other and it had no side strip yet.
Lorin Scicluna also used a garage midway between his home and the place where the car was last spotted on CCTV.
10.02am: The inspector is exhibiting photos in court. Each photo bears the date and time taken from Transport Malta's system.
Lorin Scicluna had reported the number plates stolen earlier on.
10am: A day after the shooting, some features were added to the car. The missing mirror was installed, a dark stripe was stuck to the side and a sticker was added. The side strip consisted of three layers of electrical tape: a quick fix to alter the outer appearance of the car, Insp. Arnaud says.
9.58am: Investigators were working against time, fearing that the car could be burnt or destroyed to wipe out the evidence.
But they finally pinned the matching details to a car registered in name of Lorin Scicluna who lived in Paola.
The vehicle had been captured by the TM system several times and police could confirm the distinctive marks.
9.54am: By a process of elimination and thanks to the help of other cameras, the police concluded that the car probably stopped at Paola. Investigators then focused on cars of that type registered in the locality. Transport Malta's automatic camera plate recognition found in Aldo Moro Street was roped in to fine-tune the search.
The police checked each vehicle having similar distinctive marks.
9.52am: The car went down Triq tal-Ġebel, then Triq iż-Żurrieq, then drove into a one way street to Birżebbuġa, near Al Fresco restaurant, to Għar Dalam, onto Bir id-Deheb. It then went on to Tal-Barrani road, Triq il-Palma headed to Tarxien, and the main road onto Paola. It was last spotted in Triq is-Sorijiet, Paola. It headed straight on from that road, the inspector says.
9.48am: The car had distinctive marks - it had bright headlamps, the right lamp was brighter than the one on the left... and it had no number plates. The car had a side mirror missing.
More than 300 registered cars of the kind are found in Malta.
The suspect car was followed in its route in the aftermath of the shooting by means of CCTVs along the possible way. That was how the route was reconstructed.
9.46am: CCTV footage showed Cisse walking down alone towards Birżebbuġa, wearing a hoodie, just before 11pm. The only car that passed by some two minutes after him, was a white hatchback, Toyota Starlet, Insp. Arnaud explains.
No other cars drove down in the same direction before that.
"First Cisse went down, then the car, then 20 seconds later the two migrants appeared. They were seen suddenly turning their heads together, as though someone had called them. That was probably when they heard the shots in the dead of the night."
9.40am: The victim might have been heading home at the time since he seemed to be walking in that direction. He was carrying identification documents with him. The autopsy revealed Lassana Cisse had a bullet in his left temple.
The police did a background check with the foreign authorities and it resulted the migrants did not have any troubled backgrounds.
9.36am: One of the injured migrants said the persons in the car were white skinned, the driver was young, dark, and had a small moustache or a goatee.
One of them was hit in the buttocks and the bullet exited his body. The other was hit in the pelvis and bullet was lodged at the right side of the pelvis. He had to be operated upon that same night and the bullet was retrieved.
9.34am: The injured migrants had moved to Malta from Italy for work. On the fateful night they had gone to watch a Spanish league match in Birżebbuġa and were on their way home. They told police they did not know the victim.Suddenly a car drove by, slowed down. They heard two shots, then another two
"Suddenly a car drove by, slowed down. They heard two shots, then another two. One of them said it was a small white car. The shots came from driver’s side," Inspector Arnaud tells the court.
"They believed Malta to be a safe place. That’s what made them come to Malta."
9.30am: It was an Ecabs driver and a female driver who had spotted the bodies and called for help. Migrants immediately informed the police of the drive-by shooting.
The police started inspecting CCTV cameras to better reconstruct the incident.
9.25am: A corpse was covered with a white sheet. Blood was trickling out into the road with two 9mm cartridges found close to the corpse. There were two crime scenes close to each other - two other migrants had been injured. Four other cartridges were found on site.
Lassana Cisse was murdered last month.
Each victim had been hit in the lower body by one shot. The victim was hit twice.
Cisse had been wearing headphones when he was shot - the music was still playing when Insp. Arnaud approached the corpse, a light flashing under the white sheet.
9.22am: Inspector Keith Arnaud takes the witness stand. He says on April 6 he was informed around 11.10pm of a shooting in Triq il-Ġebel, Ħal Far. It is the road which leads from the Jobs Plus headquarters to Birżebbuġa.
9.10am: Relatives of the accused gather in the court room, followed by the two suspects.
Mr Fenech is believed to have pulled the trigger on Lassana Cisse, a 42-year-old man from Ivory Coast. Two other migrants were also injured in the drive-by shooting. They are also being charged with another hit-and-run involving another migrant.
Read: Man killed in Birżebbuġa drive-by shooting, two others injured
The two soldiers were suspended from their duties following a special order by President George Vella. An internal inquiry is ongoing.
Lawyer Giannella de Marco is appearing for Francesco Fenech while Julian Farrugia and Franco Debono appear for Lorin Scicluna. Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Trevor Micallef are prosecuting. Dr Arthur Azzopardi is parte civile for the victim’s family.
Magistrate Ian Farrugia is presiding.
by Edwina Brincat, Herman Grech
'Shut up or I will shoot you too': Police detail suspects' trail in migrant murderShocking compilation of evidence starts in drive-by shooting case
Lorin Scicluna and Francesco Fenech.
Evidence against two soldiers charged with the racially-motivated murder of a man was given in court on Friday morning.
Francesco Fenech, 21, and Lorin Scicluna, 22, stand accused of having killed Lassana Cisse in a drive-by shooting in Birżebbuġa last April. They deny the charges of what is believed to be Malta's first racially-motivated murder.
Highlights from Insp. Keith Arnaud's testimony:
- The suspects admitted they did not like migrants and would sometimes drive past Ħal Far taunting them.
- On the night of the murder, Fenech told Scicluna to join him to shoot cats.
- When Scicluna expressed shock at the shooting, Fenech threatened to shoot him too.
- Police intricately studied CCTV footage close to the scene of the crime.
- After the murder, the suspects changed some of the car's distinctive marks to avoid identification.
- The victim was wearing headphones when shot. The music was still ongoing when Arnaud approached the corpse, a light flashing under the white sheet.
A minute-by-minute account of Friday's court case:
10.42am: Testimony is suspended for today. The case will continue on May 28 when Insp. Arnaud will testify about the statement released by Fenech after his arrest.
Scicluna's relatives are seen hugging him in the court room before he is led out.
10.40am: On the day of the shooting, the suspects had some 1000 rounds of ammunition. Around 250 rounds were used at the range - after the crime, Scicluna threw the rest into the sea and bought a different brand of ammunition.
10.35am: The suspect told police they would sometimes drive through Ħal Far and hurl verbal abuse at migrants. One time they spotted a migrant walking along the street and they swerved the car to hit him, smashing the car windscreen in the process.
Read: A hit-and-run went unnoticed until a murder on the same road
Most of the time, the migrants would not react to the men's abuse but on one occasion, a man hurled rocks at the car and damaged it. He ran away on foot and the two soldiers proceeded to smash the migrant's bicycle.
10.33am: That evening Fenech told Scicluna: "why don’t we try shooting a cat?"
They went to the barracks to look for a cat but found none. Fenech had a loaded weapon in his hand.
They spotted Cisse in the road, Fenech put his hand out of the window and aimed a shot.
"The first shot did not kill him. But after he fired the second shot, the migrant put a hand to his temple and slid to the ground. Lorin was angry and asked why he did it and nudged him to stop," Insp. Arnaud explains.
The first shot did not kill him. After the second shot, the migrant put a hand to his temple and slid to the ground
Fenech allegedly replied: "Shut up or I will shoot you too."
Driving down the road, Scicluna saw his friend shoot at another two migrants.
The next day the two heard the news: a migrant had been killed at Ħal Far.
Scicluna argued with Fenech saying he never thought his friend would shoot at a human.
Fenech is seen in tears in the courtroom.
10.26am: Details about the two suspects' connections are emerging in court. Scicluna said he got to know Fenech when the two joined the Armed Forces of Malta. Before then they sometimes met to shoot at cats and birds using his rifle.
10.22am: Scicluna eventually confessed to the murder, Insp. Arnaud says. He said he had been driving the car but it was Fenech who pulled the trigger. Police immediately arrested Fenech, who spoke to his lawyer on the phone before interrogation.
10.19am: At first, Lorin Scicluna distanced himself from the shooting, insisting with police he had no connection with migrants through his work as a soldier. But then he admitted he did not like them.
10.17am: On the night of the murder, Scicluna had been working at a pastizzerija in Attard, and Fenech was keeping him company. He closed the shop around 10pm and the two left together, Insp. Arnaud informs the court.
10.15am: Lorin Scicluna's girlfriend was approached by police and she told them her partner disliked migrants "għax iridu jikkmandaw huma" (because they wanted to run the show). Francesco Fenech also disliked migrants, she told police, and claimed she had long told her boyfriend not to stick around with him.
Scicluna was interrogated in the presence of his lawyer, Jason Azzopardi.
10.09am: Police traced down Lorin Scicluna. Under his bed were the firearms registered in his name, all boxed with ammunition. His car was towed to Safi barracks.
10.05am: Background checks on Lorin Scicluna showed he had four firearms registered in his name. One of them was a 9mm weapon, like the one used in the fatal shooting.
Stills from a commercial establishment at Bir id-Deheb taken minutes after the shooting showed the car stuck in traffic, bearing the same distinctive marks. One headlamp was brighter than the other and it had no side strip yet.
Lorin Scicluna also used a garage midway between his home and the place where the car was last spotted on CCTV.
10.02am: The inspector is exhibiting photos in court. Each photo bears the date and time taken from Transport Malta's system.
Lorin Scicluna had reported the number plates stolen earlier on.
10am: A day after the shooting, some features were added to the car. The missing mirror was installed, a dark stripe was stuck to the side and a sticker was added. The side strip consisted of three layers of electrical tape: a quick fix to alter the outer appearance of the car, Insp. Arnaud says.
9.58am: Investigators were working against time, fearing that the car could be burnt or destroyed to wipe out the evidence.
But they finally pinned the matching details to a car registered in name of Lorin Scicluna who lived in Paola.
The vehicle had been captured by the TM system several times and police could confirm the distinctive marks.
9.54am: By a process of elimination and thanks to the help of other cameras, the police concluded that the car probably stopped at Paola. Investigators then focused on cars of that type registered in the locality. Transport Malta's automatic camera plate recognition found in Aldo Moro Street was roped in to fine-tune the search.
The police checked each vehicle having similar distinctive marks.
9.52am: The car went down Triq tal-Ġebel, then Triq iż-Żurrieq, then drove into a one way street to Birżebbuġa, near Al Fresco restaurant, to Għar Dalam, onto Bir id-Deheb. It then went on to Tal-Barrani road, Triq il-Palma headed to Tarxien, and the main road onto Paola. It was last spotted in Triq is-Sorijiet, Paola. It headed straight on from that road, the inspector says.
9.48am: The car had distinctive marks - it had bright headlamps, the right lamp was brighter than the one on the left... and it had no number plates. The car had a side mirror missing.
More than 300 registered cars of the kind are found in Malta.
The suspect car was followed in its route in the aftermath of the shooting by means of CCTVs along the possible way. That was how the route was reconstructed.
9.46am: CCTV footage showed Cisse walking down alone towards Birżebbuġa, wearing a hoodie, just before 11pm. The only car that passed by some two minutes after him, was a white hatchback, Toyota Starlet, Insp. Arnaud explains.
No other cars drove down in the same direction before that.
"First Cisse went down, then the car, then 20 seconds later the two migrants appeared. They were seen suddenly turning their heads together, as though someone had called them. That was probably when they heard the shots in the dead of the night."
9.40am: The victim might have been heading home at the time since he seemed to be walking in that direction. He was carrying identification documents with him. The autopsy revealed Lassana Cisse had a bullet in his left temple.
The police did a background check with the foreign authorities and it resulted the migrants did not have any troubled backgrounds.
9.36am: One of the injured migrants said the persons in the car were white skinned, the driver was young, dark, and had a small moustache or a goatee.
One of them was hit in the buttocks and the bullet exited his body. The other was hit in the pelvis and bullet was lodged at the right side of the pelvis. He had to be operated upon that same night and the bullet was retrieved.
9.34am: The injured migrants had moved to Malta from Italy for work. On the fateful night they had gone to watch a Spanish league match in Birżebbuġa and were on their way home. They told police they did not know the victim.Suddenly a car drove by, slowed down. They heard two shots, then another two
"Suddenly a car drove by, slowed down. They heard two shots, then another two. One of them said it was a small white car. The shots came from driver’s side," Inspector Arnaud tells the court.
"They believed Malta to be a safe place. That’s what made them come to Malta."
9.30am: It was an Ecabs driver and a female driver who had spotted the bodies and called for help. Migrants immediately informed the police of the drive-by shooting.
The police started inspecting CCTV cameras to better reconstruct the incident.
9.25am: A corpse was covered with a white sheet. Blood was trickling out into the road with two 9mm cartridges found close to the corpse. There were two crime scenes close to each other - two other migrants had been injured. Four other cartridges were found on site.
Lassana Cisse was murdered last month.
Each victim had been hit in the lower body by one shot. The victim was hit twice.
Cisse had been wearing headphones when he was shot - the music was still playing when Insp. Arnaud approached the corpse, a light flashing under the white sheet.
9.22am: Inspector Keith Arnaud takes the witness stand. He says on April 6 he was informed around 11.10pm of a shooting in Triq il-Ġebel, Ħal Far. It is the road which leads from the Jobs Plus headquarters to Birżebbuġa.
9.10am: Relatives of the accused gather in the court room, followed by the two suspects.
Mr Fenech is believed to have pulled the trigger on Lassana Cisse, a 42-year-old man from Ivory Coast. Two other migrants were also injured in the drive-by shooting. They are also being charged with another hit-and-run involving another migrant.
Read: Man killed in Birżebbuġa drive-by shooting, two others injured
The two soldiers were suspended from their duties following a special order by President George Vella. An internal inquiry is ongoing.
Lawyer Giannella de Marco is appearing for Francesco Fenech while Julian Farrugia and Franco Debono appear for Lorin Scicluna. Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Trevor Micallef are prosecuting. Dr Arthur Azzopardi is parte civile for the victim’s family.
Magistrate Ian Farrugia is presiding.
Liam Debono back under arrest after being caught driving
The teenager, who stands accused of the attempted murder of police constable Simon Schembri, had been released on bail in September
24 May 2019, 7:30pm
by Massimo Costa
Liam Debono is back in police custody after being caught behind the wheel of a car on Friday afternoon
Liam Debono, the teenager accused of the attempted murder of police constable Simon Schembri, is back in police custody after being caught driving a car on Friday.
According to reports, the 18-year-old was stopped by traffic police in Luqa at around 5.45pm as he was behind the wheel of a vehicle, despite having been barred from obtaining a driving licence.
Debono had been released on bail last September against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €40,000.
Apart from the attempted murder charge, Debono - who was 17 at the time of the crime - is facing another 46 charges, after dragging Schembri for a distance under his car during the incident which happened in May 2018.
The police officer ended up losing an arm, narrowly escaping with his life.
Prior to being released on bail, Debono had been in custody since his arraignment last May.
In a separate case decided in July last year, Debono had been handed down a three-year probation sentence and fine €5,000 over a case involving car theft. The young man also had his licence suspended, effectively meaning he was barred from obtaining a valid driving licence when he reached 18.
The teenager, who stands accused of the attempted murder of police constable Simon Schembri, had been released on bail in September
24 May 2019, 7:30pm
by Massimo Costa
Liam Debono is back in police custody after being caught behind the wheel of a car on Friday afternoon
Liam Debono, the teenager accused of the attempted murder of police constable Simon Schembri, is back in police custody after being caught driving a car on Friday.
According to reports, the 18-year-old was stopped by traffic police in Luqa at around 5.45pm as he was behind the wheel of a vehicle, despite having been barred from obtaining a driving licence.
Debono had been released on bail last September against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €40,000.
Apart from the attempted murder charge, Debono - who was 17 at the time of the crime - is facing another 46 charges, after dragging Schembri for a distance under his car during the incident which happened in May 2018.
The police officer ended up losing an arm, narrowly escaping with his life.
Prior to being released on bail, Debono had been in custody since his arraignment last May.
In a separate case decided in July last year, Debono had been handed down a three-year probation sentence and fine €5,000 over a case involving car theft. The young man also had his licence suspended, effectively meaning he was barred from obtaining a valid driving licence when he reached 18.
Thursday, May 23, 2019,
Watch: Pete Buttigieg enticed with pastizzi, speaks Maltese on US campaign trail
"My people, Maltese!” surprised mayor tells Astoria members
Watch film here: http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_ghyu3hns/
Presidential candidate was enticed to speak at a Maltese migrants' club in New York with an offer of pastizzi.
Pete Buttigieg appeared to hold his own during a conversation on Wednesday in an exchange on American tabloid news website TMZ.
Mr Buttigieg, a 37-year-old mayor of Maltese descent, was caught on camera speaking in Maltese with the president of the Malta club in Astoria, New York.
“Alright, my people, Maltese! Doesn’t happen very often”, the surprised mayor says when first coming face-to-face with the Maltese speaker.
“Mil-Ħamrun,” Mr Buttigieg is heard saying when asked in Maltese where his family is originally from. His father, academic Joseph Buttigieg, who moved to the US in the late 1970s, died last January.
According to TMZ, the man tried to entice the presidential hopeful to speak at the Maltese club with an offer of pastizzi.
READ: How Maltese is Pete Boot-edge-edge?
Mr Buttigieg announced his candidacy for America’s top job in January 2019.
The popular mayor who speaks eight languages and plays classical piano has been the focus of countless news stories and profiles.
The fascination has been in no small part due to his background: he would be the youngest, first openly gay, first millennial and first mayor to become president.
But Mr Buttigieg must still overcome the perception that his youth and thin resume as mayor of a town of just 100,000 leaves him lacking the experience necessary for the presidency.
He is being viewed as a rank outsider for the Democratic nomination.
The young mayor has even found himself on the receiving end of mocking Tweets by President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, the American President scoffed at the notion that Mr Buttigieg could hold his own in high-stakes international negotiations.
"He's got a great chance, doesn't he? He'll be great representing us against President Xi of China. That'll be great," Mr Trump said sarcastically of the presidential hopeful.
The pronunciation of his surname has confused many Americans who attempt to enunciate it.
This led an associate producer on the ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to put together a short video breaking the surname down into syllables to show how it should be pronounced.
Watch: Pete Buttigieg enticed with pastizzi, speaks Maltese on US campaign trail
"My people, Maltese!” surprised mayor tells Astoria members
Watch film here: http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_ghyu3hns/
Presidential candidate was enticed to speak at a Maltese migrants' club in New York with an offer of pastizzi.
Pete Buttigieg appeared to hold his own during a conversation on Wednesday in an exchange on American tabloid news website TMZ.
Mr Buttigieg, a 37-year-old mayor of Maltese descent, was caught on camera speaking in Maltese with the president of the Malta club in Astoria, New York.
“Alright, my people, Maltese! Doesn’t happen very often”, the surprised mayor says when first coming face-to-face with the Maltese speaker.
“Mil-Ħamrun,” Mr Buttigieg is heard saying when asked in Maltese where his family is originally from. His father, academic Joseph Buttigieg, who moved to the US in the late 1970s, died last January.
According to TMZ, the man tried to entice the presidential hopeful to speak at the Maltese club with an offer of pastizzi.
READ: How Maltese is Pete Boot-edge-edge?
Mr Buttigieg announced his candidacy for America’s top job in January 2019.
The popular mayor who speaks eight languages and plays classical piano has been the focus of countless news stories and profiles.
The fascination has been in no small part due to his background: he would be the youngest, first openly gay, first millennial and first mayor to become president.
But Mr Buttigieg must still overcome the perception that his youth and thin resume as mayor of a town of just 100,000 leaves him lacking the experience necessary for the presidency.
He is being viewed as a rank outsider for the Democratic nomination.
The young mayor has even found himself on the receiving end of mocking Tweets by President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, the American President scoffed at the notion that Mr Buttigieg could hold his own in high-stakes international negotiations.
"He's got a great chance, doesn't he? He'll be great representing us against President Xi of China. That'll be great," Mr Trump said sarcastically of the presidential hopeful.
The pronunciation of his surname has confused many Americans who attempt to enunciate it.
This led an associate producer on the ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to put together a short video breaking the surname down into syllables to show how it should be pronounced.
Thursday, May 23, 2019,
Muscat ends campaign with call for unity and pledge to deliver
55 per cent of 2017 manifesto has already been delivered, PM says
https://www.facebook.com/josephmuscatdotcom/videos/1952203058218261/
Joseph Muscat addresses the crowd during a campaign event in Birgu on Thursday.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat wound up the Labour Party’s election campaign on Thursday with a message of unity and a pledge to deliver further on the achievements of recent years.
Speaking in Birgu, Dr Muscat highlighted the 55 per cent of his party’s 2017 electoral pledges that he said had already been achieved and the tangible benefits he said these had delivered.
He reiterated his characterisation of Saturday’s European Parliament and local council elections as a choice between himself and PN leader Adrian Delia, while stressing his full confidence in each of his party’s candidates.
At the same, Dr Muscat stressed the need to challenge racism and xenophobia, as he has in recent campaign appearances since the arrest and arraignment of the men alleged to have killed an Ivorian migrant.
“The challenge of our time is learning how to live alongside each other,” Dr Muscat said.
“In this country, whether you are Maltese or foreign, everyone has to follow the same laws, but the future is one of integration, not segregation. If anyone believes the language of hate can unite us, they are wrong.
“Our history is one of a people that always welcomed other peoples while demanding the right to determine its own fate. Now, we want to be sovereign in a united European Union.”
Through his speech, Dr Muscat highlighted measures he said had, in the six years since the Labour Party came to government, transformed the country from one “out of hope” to one that believed its children would be better off than the current generation.
He pointed to the reduction in taxes and measures such as the first-time buyers scheme and in-work benefits, which he said had all contributed to a two-thirds reduction in poverty since 2013.
He said the government had now started work on ensuring that the minimum wage would be sufficient to support a family, having already introduced a law to ensure automatic year-by-year increases.
“Our goal is for the minimum wage to only be there on paper, while every worker is earning more,” he said.
The next challenge, he added, would be ensuring an end to the “unacceptable” gender pay gap, while also promising to deliver on remaining electoral pledges - including the construction of a motorsports race track, removal of tax on overtime and additional days of leave.
Thursday, May 23, 2019,
Delia: Saturday's elections will only be 'the end of the beginning' for the PN
'PN is one party, a united team'
https://www.facebook.com/partitnazzjonalista/videos/353276955545769/
Dr Delia speaking at the rally which closed the PN electoral campaign.
Saturday’s elections would mark the ‘end of the beginning’ for the PN, Opposition leader Adrian Delia said on Thursday, borrowing a phrase from Winston Churchill.
As of Monday, he told a Net TV interviewer, the Nationalist Party would embark on a fresh process where it would analyse what it had learnt and channel it to its programme for an alternative government.
Dr Delia said the past 20 months since he became PN leader had been a journey during which he had the privilege to meet people from all walks of life to discuss their needs and their view of what the country needed.
He had discussed all sort of things, such as the people’s complaints that salaries and pensions were inadequate, how rents had gone through the roof and how students were learning things they did not need, but not getting the right skills of the 20th century.
Many complained about how Malta was losing its character. And despite the country becoming more populated and congested, some spoke about their solitude.
In the health sector, while the PN would continue to speak about the Vitals scandal, he had also heard complaints about the medicines the people had to buy and about shortcomings in the care of cancer patients, or those who suffered diabetes or fibromyalgia, among others.
The same applied in the energy sector. On the national plane, the party spoke about the Electrogas power station scandal, but the people were also concerned about how they were being robbed through the billing system, something the PN was determined to address.
There were a myriad of other problems, not least in Gozo.
The PN in government, Dr Delia said, had been at its best in safeguarding the country’s interests and reputation, but it may have distanced itself from the individual people’s interests. His task, therefore, was to take the party to the people, where it was born and where it grew. The party’s ultimate aim was to serve the people, without succumbing to populism.
Dr Delia hit out at the present government for blaming everyone and anyone but never assuming responsibility when issues cropped up.
A case in point was the recent racially-motivated migrant murder. In any other democracy, the responsible minister would have offered his resignation. But in Malta this government was not even saying what one of the soldiers allegedly involved had been convicted of before, when he was still allowed to serve in the army.
Similarly, following the damning Council of Europe report on the rule of law in Malta, the prime minister set about criticising its author and the Council of Europe itself.
The country was facing a situation where the government was attempting to monopolise the media and selling a reality which was fake.
Dr Delia urged all eligible voters to pick up their votes in the few remaining hours and to do their duty on Saturday. This was the moment when the people could really have their say in a democracy. Joseph Muscat would still be prime minister on Sunday, but the people could change the direction of this country by trimming the government’s arrogance and opposing issues such as abortion, which the European socialists wanted to see introduced as a ‘right’ in all European countries.
Not voting would amount to a vote for the government, Dr Delia said.
End of campaign rally
Dr Delia later closed the PN campaign by addressing a rally before an enthusiastic crowd which chanted: Delia hu il-mexxej. He insisted that the PN had to be close to the people not play with numbers or take over the institutions, as the government was bent on doing.
He said he was proud that the PN was one party, a united team. It was not a team which was telling the people 'come with us' but it was saying 'we are with you and for you,' he said to cheering.
The PN, he said, was the party of Europe and the party which stood by its values.
An apology
In his speech Dr Delia said the PN had made mistakes and it was apologising to all those who were hurt, those who were forgotten, ignored after serving the country or not given an effective remedy after suffering injustice.
"We have made mistakes. I am not here to say how good or great I am but to apologise and to say we are ready to rebuild and to become the party that deserves the people's respect," he said.
He said that his promise was that the party would humbly seek to understand the people's difficulties and plan the country's future. He urged people to come forward with their ideas and proposals, stressing that the door was open to everyone.
Delia: Saturday's elections will only be 'the end of the beginning' for the PN
'PN is one party, a united team'
https://www.facebook.com/partitnazzjonalista/videos/353276955545769/
Dr Delia speaking at the rally which closed the PN electoral campaign.
Saturday’s elections would mark the ‘end of the beginning’ for the PN, Opposition leader Adrian Delia said on Thursday, borrowing a phrase from Winston Churchill.
As of Monday, he told a Net TV interviewer, the Nationalist Party would embark on a fresh process where it would analyse what it had learnt and channel it to its programme for an alternative government.
Dr Delia said the past 20 months since he became PN leader had been a journey during which he had the privilege to meet people from all walks of life to discuss their needs and their view of what the country needed.
He had discussed all sort of things, such as the people’s complaints that salaries and pensions were inadequate, how rents had gone through the roof and how students were learning things they did not need, but not getting the right skills of the 20th century.
Many complained about how Malta was losing its character. And despite the country becoming more populated and congested, some spoke about their solitude.
In the health sector, while the PN would continue to speak about the Vitals scandal, he had also heard complaints about the medicines the people had to buy and about shortcomings in the care of cancer patients, or those who suffered diabetes or fibromyalgia, among others.
The same applied in the energy sector. On the national plane, the party spoke about the Electrogas power station scandal, but the people were also concerned about how they were being robbed through the billing system, something the PN was determined to address.
There were a myriad of other problems, not least in Gozo.
The PN in government, Dr Delia said, had been at its best in safeguarding the country’s interests and reputation, but it may have distanced itself from the individual people’s interests. His task, therefore, was to take the party to the people, where it was born and where it grew. The party’s ultimate aim was to serve the people, without succumbing to populism.
Dr Delia hit out at the present government for blaming everyone and anyone but never assuming responsibility when issues cropped up.
A case in point was the recent racially-motivated migrant murder. In any other democracy, the responsible minister would have offered his resignation. But in Malta this government was not even saying what one of the soldiers allegedly involved had been convicted of before, when he was still allowed to serve in the army.
Similarly, following the damning Council of Europe report on the rule of law in Malta, the prime minister set about criticising its author and the Council of Europe itself.
The country was facing a situation where the government was attempting to monopolise the media and selling a reality which was fake.
Dr Delia urged all eligible voters to pick up their votes in the few remaining hours and to do their duty on Saturday. This was the moment when the people could really have their say in a democracy. Joseph Muscat would still be prime minister on Sunday, but the people could change the direction of this country by trimming the government’s arrogance and opposing issues such as abortion, which the European socialists wanted to see introduced as a ‘right’ in all European countries.
Not voting would amount to a vote for the government, Dr Delia said.
End of campaign rally
Dr Delia later closed the PN campaign by addressing a rally before an enthusiastic crowd which chanted: Delia hu il-mexxej. He insisted that the PN had to be close to the people not play with numbers or take over the institutions, as the government was bent on doing.
He said he was proud that the PN was one party, a united team. It was not a team which was telling the people 'come with us' but it was saying 'we are with you and for you,' he said to cheering.
The PN, he said, was the party of Europe and the party which stood by its values.
An apology
In his speech Dr Delia said the PN had made mistakes and it was apologising to all those who were hurt, those who were forgotten, ignored after serving the country or not given an effective remedy after suffering injustice.
"We have made mistakes. I am not here to say how good or great I am but to apologise and to say we are ready to rebuild and to become the party that deserves the people's respect," he said.
He said that his promise was that the party would humbly seek to understand the people's difficulties and plan the country's future. He urged people to come forward with their ideas and proposals, stressing that the door was open to everyone.
Nadur in pictures
By Mario Muscat
Harvest time.
By Mario Muscat
Harvest time.
“Xogħol u tkabbir fl-ekonomija Għawdxija”
L-impenn tal-gvern biex joħloq ambjent kummerċjali favur in-negozju wassal għall-investiment barrani f’Għawdex sabiex jikber b’mod sinifikanti fl-aħħar ftit snin, kif ukoll dak min-naħa tan-negozji żgħar u medji Għawdxin. Fl-2018, il-korporazzjoni Malta Enterprise approvat mal-15-il proġett li ser isiru f’Għawdex, bl-investimenti ta’ dawn il-proġetti jlaħħqu l-€1.6 miljun u jfissru l-ħolqien ta’ madwar 100 impjieg.
Il-Ministru għall-Ekonomija, l-Investiment u n-Negozji ż-Żgħar Chris Cardona u l-Ministru għal-Għawdex Justyne Caruana, żaru tliet kumpaniji fiż-Żona Industrijali tax-Xewkija li esperjenzaw tkabbir u espandew l-operazzjonijiet tagħhom fl-aħħar snin. Dawn jinkludu Magro Brothers, Merit Precision Tools Ltd u Hutchinson. Fl-istess żona industrijali tax-Xewkija, il-Ministru Cardona ħabbar kif mill-2013 sal-llum, fetħu għaxar kumpaniji ġodda u l-impjiegi telgħu minn madwar 500 impjieg għal-800 impjieg.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana qalet li dan il-Gvern hu mpenjat li f’Għawdex ikompli joħloq l-investiment u xhieda ta’ dan huma diversi proġetti li għaddejjin f’Għawdex bħalissa, ewlenin fostom dak ta’ Barts. Il-Ministru Caruana qalet li apparti investimet dirett barrani, il-gvern qed jindirizza wkoll il-bżonnijiet tal-industrija lokali fejn sar investiment fiż-żona industrijali tax-Xewkija. Il-Ministru għal Għawdex stqarret li f’Għawdex, l-ażjendi lokali komplew jinvestu u jissaħħu u dan b’sinerġija mal-gvern.
Il-Ministru Justyne Caruana fakkret ukoll fl-investimenti kapitali li qed iwettaq il-gvern fejn qed jinbnew aktar spazji fiż-żona magħrufa bħala l-Ħofra fix-Xewkija, l-ICT Hub u l-proġett immexxi mill-Ministeru għal Għawdex, tal-SME Park. Il-Ministru Caruana qalet li apparti investiment fl-infrastruttura, il-ministeru ħaseb biex isaħħaħ il-kapital uman u dan permezz ta’ skema – il-Gozo Employment Scheme – immexxija mill-istess ministeru u li din is-sena assistiet 32 intrapriża u li permezz tagħha nħolqu 80 impjieg ġdid fil-gżira Għawdxija.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex qalet li l-sifida tal-konnettività wkoll qed tiġi indirizzata permezz tal-introduzzjoni tar-raba vapur, it-tqegħid tat-tieni fibre optic cable u issa wkoll permezz tal-konnettività bl-ajru.
“Nemmnu li punt permanenti bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer mhux biss ser itejjeb drastikament il-kwalità tal-ħajja ta’ Għawdxin li għandhom bżonn jivjaġġaw bejn il-gżejjer kuljum, imma se jagħti wkoll triq biex l-investiment dirett barrani jimxi lejn din il-gżira, u jagħti lill-Għawdxin aktar opportunitajiet biex jgħixu u jaħdmu eqreb lejn darhom. Jiena konvint li fis-snin li ġejjin aħna se nirrevedu dan il-perjodu ta’ żmien bħala l-ħin fejn Għawdex ħa l-aqwa riżultati ekonomiċi u soċjali tiegħu”, qal il-Ministru Cardona.
- Mej 22, 2019 20:40
- Miktub minn iNews
L-impenn tal-gvern biex joħloq ambjent kummerċjali favur in-negozju wassal għall-investiment barrani f’Għawdex sabiex jikber b’mod sinifikanti fl-aħħar ftit snin, kif ukoll dak min-naħa tan-negozji żgħar u medji Għawdxin. Fl-2018, il-korporazzjoni Malta Enterprise approvat mal-15-il proġett li ser isiru f’Għawdex, bl-investimenti ta’ dawn il-proġetti jlaħħqu l-€1.6 miljun u jfissru l-ħolqien ta’ madwar 100 impjieg.
Il-Ministru għall-Ekonomija, l-Investiment u n-Negozji ż-Żgħar Chris Cardona u l-Ministru għal-Għawdex Justyne Caruana, żaru tliet kumpaniji fiż-Żona Industrijali tax-Xewkija li esperjenzaw tkabbir u espandew l-operazzjonijiet tagħhom fl-aħħar snin. Dawn jinkludu Magro Brothers, Merit Precision Tools Ltd u Hutchinson. Fl-istess żona industrijali tax-Xewkija, il-Ministru Cardona ħabbar kif mill-2013 sal-llum, fetħu għaxar kumpaniji ġodda u l-impjiegi telgħu minn madwar 500 impjieg għal-800 impjieg.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana qalet li dan il-Gvern hu mpenjat li f’Għawdex ikompli joħloq l-investiment u xhieda ta’ dan huma diversi proġetti li għaddejjin f’Għawdex bħalissa, ewlenin fostom dak ta’ Barts. Il-Ministru Caruana qalet li apparti investimet dirett barrani, il-gvern qed jindirizza wkoll il-bżonnijiet tal-industrija lokali fejn sar investiment fiż-żona industrijali tax-Xewkija. Il-Ministru għal Għawdex stqarret li f’Għawdex, l-ażjendi lokali komplew jinvestu u jissaħħu u dan b’sinerġija mal-gvern.
Il-Ministru Justyne Caruana fakkret ukoll fl-investimenti kapitali li qed iwettaq il-gvern fejn qed jinbnew aktar spazji fiż-żona magħrufa bħala l-Ħofra fix-Xewkija, l-ICT Hub u l-proġett immexxi mill-Ministeru għal Għawdex, tal-SME Park. Il-Ministru Caruana qalet li apparti investiment fl-infrastruttura, il-ministeru ħaseb biex isaħħaħ il-kapital uman u dan permezz ta’ skema – il-Gozo Employment Scheme – immexxija mill-istess ministeru u li din is-sena assistiet 32 intrapriża u li permezz tagħha nħolqu 80 impjieg ġdid fil-gżira Għawdxija.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex qalet li l-sifida tal-konnettività wkoll qed tiġi indirizzata permezz tal-introduzzjoni tar-raba vapur, it-tqegħid tat-tieni fibre optic cable u issa wkoll permezz tal-konnettività bl-ajru.
“Nemmnu li punt permanenti bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer mhux biss ser itejjeb drastikament il-kwalità tal-ħajja ta’ Għawdxin li għandhom bżonn jivjaġġaw bejn il-gżejjer kuljum, imma se jagħti wkoll triq biex l-investiment dirett barrani jimxi lejn din il-gżira, u jagħti lill-Għawdxin aktar opportunitajiet biex jgħixu u jaħdmu eqreb lejn darhom. Jiena konvint li fis-snin li ġejjin aħna se nirrevedu dan il-perjodu ta’ żmien bħala l-ħin fejn Għawdex ħa l-aqwa riżultati ekonomiċi u soċjali tiegħu”, qal il-Ministru Cardona.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2019,
Muscat, Delia face off in last campaign debate
Abortion, the environment, and migration, among a myriad of issues raised
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Adrian Delia debated abortion, the environment, and migration, among a myriad of other issues in a final TV showdown on Wednesday ahead of the European elections.
The two leaders largely stuck to their respective campaign messages but Dr Muscat appeared to be more confrontational than he had been in previous debates with Dr Delia.
Moderator Mario Xuereb rang in the first round with a toughly worded question on abortion for Dr Delia.
The PN, Mr Xuereb said, appeared to be approaching the election as one it knew it would lose. Dr Delia was raising the spectre of abortion, but this could not be imposed by the EU, could it? And, by framing the election as a referendum on abortion, surely he had just played into the pro-choice camp’s hands, since it was an open secret he would not be winning this poll?
Replying, Dr Delia said the PN had clear proposals for both the EP and the local council elections, giving a brief overview.
Turning to abortion, he said the PN was adamantly “in favour of life”.
On the other hand, the European socialists were calling for the introduction of a “right to abortion”. The Labour Party, having endorsed this European manifesto, might tell Maltese it was pro-life, but it was also backing the introduction of this right.
Labour, he said, was being inconsistent.
Dr Muscat retorted that the PN was waging a campaign without any sense and it had resorted to the issue of abortion because its back was against the wall.
The EU, he insisted, could not make Malta introduce abortion, and Dr Delia knew this.
The PN had “lost itself”, going from the party that had taken Malta into the EU, to the party that tried to spread fear about ‘too many foreigners’, and now that the EU would bring in abortion.
Mr Xuereb asked Dr Muscat why he had framed this weekend’s election as a choice between him and the Opposition leader.
Dr Muscat said he was in the middle of his second term as Prime Minister and it was only natural that the electorate would judge his performance. This was also Dr Delia’s first test and the electorate would be judging him, he added.
Asked about social inequality, Dr Muscat gave a resume' of government initiatives.
Then came a question for Dr Delia: Love it or hate it the Individual Investor Programme (passports for cash) is here, does the PN back it?
His answer was: “no”. As a result of the damage done to its reputation, Malta was losing out on genuine investment opportunities that would outstrip the IIP, he said.
Dr Muscat might think the PN was counting sheep, but it certainly wouldn’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
And as for a ‘campaign of hate’ that some had criticised the PN on, Dr Delia said he had nothing to be ashamed of when it came to his party.
Dr Delia then raised the issue of long term planning – something he insisted the government was not doing.
Labour was widening roads, but this will not have solved the problem of traffic, and air will be even dirtier.
Another question for Dr Delia concerned foreigners in Malta. Was the PN turning to the far right?
Here too the Opposition leader responded with a quick “no”.
The argument, he insisted, was about the impact which a rapidly expanding population had on the country. “Sure there are more jobs today, but what do they pay?” he asked
It was not a matter of race. The PN had zero tolerance to racism.
“We need to see where the issue of racism is coming from. Perhaps Joseph Muscat can tell us about pushback?” he said, adding that he had been among the lawyers to sign an anti-pushback petition.
On the murder of migrant Lassana Cisse, several issues needed to be looked at. Had standards dropped in the AFM? And would the AFM or the Prime Minister say what was the mystery crime one of the two soldiers accused of the murder had already committed when he joined the army?
Dropping in some statistics from a recent economic impact study on the road works projects, Dr Muscat asked whether Dr Delia thought the government should have left the roads with potholes to stop people from buying cars.
He also warned against thinking Malta could control flows of people, saying the last European party to do this had been the UK conservatives, and now they had Brexit to deal with.
A follow-up question for Dr Muscat asked about concerns on over-development.
Here, Dr Muscat admitted, perhaps in the clearest way to date, that the environment had been a failing for his government.
The government, he said, had not been as “sensitive” as it should have been.
In his closing remarks, Dr Delia implored voters to ask what they expected from their MEPs.
Dr Muscat on other hand asked viewers who they trusted to get things done.
Muscat, Delia face off in last campaign debate
Abortion, the environment, and migration, among a myriad of issues raised
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Adrian Delia debated abortion, the environment, and migration, among a myriad of other issues in a final TV showdown on Wednesday ahead of the European elections.
The two leaders largely stuck to their respective campaign messages but Dr Muscat appeared to be more confrontational than he had been in previous debates with Dr Delia.
Moderator Mario Xuereb rang in the first round with a toughly worded question on abortion for Dr Delia.
The PN, Mr Xuereb said, appeared to be approaching the election as one it knew it would lose. Dr Delia was raising the spectre of abortion, but this could not be imposed by the EU, could it? And, by framing the election as a referendum on abortion, surely he had just played into the pro-choice camp’s hands, since it was an open secret he would not be winning this poll?
Replying, Dr Delia said the PN had clear proposals for both the EP and the local council elections, giving a brief overview.
Turning to abortion, he said the PN was adamantly “in favour of life”.
On the other hand, the European socialists were calling for the introduction of a “right to abortion”. The Labour Party, having endorsed this European manifesto, might tell Maltese it was pro-life, but it was also backing the introduction of this right.
Labour, he said, was being inconsistent.
Dr Muscat retorted that the PN was waging a campaign without any sense and it had resorted to the issue of abortion because its back was against the wall.
The EU, he insisted, could not make Malta introduce abortion, and Dr Delia knew this.
The PN had “lost itself”, going from the party that had taken Malta into the EU, to the party that tried to spread fear about ‘too many foreigners’, and now that the EU would bring in abortion.
Mr Xuereb asked Dr Muscat why he had framed this weekend’s election as a choice between him and the Opposition leader.
Dr Muscat said he was in the middle of his second term as Prime Minister and it was only natural that the electorate would judge his performance. This was also Dr Delia’s first test and the electorate would be judging him, he added.
Asked about social inequality, Dr Muscat gave a resume' of government initiatives.
Then came a question for Dr Delia: Love it or hate it the Individual Investor Programme (passports for cash) is here, does the PN back it?
His answer was: “no”. As a result of the damage done to its reputation, Malta was losing out on genuine investment opportunities that would outstrip the IIP, he said.
Dr Muscat might think the PN was counting sheep, but it certainly wouldn’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
And as for a ‘campaign of hate’ that some had criticised the PN on, Dr Delia said he had nothing to be ashamed of when it came to his party.
Dr Delia then raised the issue of long term planning – something he insisted the government was not doing.
Labour was widening roads, but this will not have solved the problem of traffic, and air will be even dirtier.
Another question for Dr Delia concerned foreigners in Malta. Was the PN turning to the far right?
Here too the Opposition leader responded with a quick “no”.
The argument, he insisted, was about the impact which a rapidly expanding population had on the country. “Sure there are more jobs today, but what do they pay?” he asked
It was not a matter of race. The PN had zero tolerance to racism.
“We need to see where the issue of racism is coming from. Perhaps Joseph Muscat can tell us about pushback?” he said, adding that he had been among the lawyers to sign an anti-pushback petition.
On the murder of migrant Lassana Cisse, several issues needed to be looked at. Had standards dropped in the AFM? And would the AFM or the Prime Minister say what was the mystery crime one of the two soldiers accused of the murder had already committed when he joined the army?
Dropping in some statistics from a recent economic impact study on the road works projects, Dr Muscat asked whether Dr Delia thought the government should have left the roads with potholes to stop people from buying cars.
He also warned against thinking Malta could control flows of people, saying the last European party to do this had been the UK conservatives, and now they had Brexit to deal with.
A follow-up question for Dr Muscat asked about concerns on over-development.
Here, Dr Muscat admitted, perhaps in the clearest way to date, that the environment had been a failing for his government.
The government, he said, had not been as “sensitive” as it should have been.
In his closing remarks, Dr Delia implored voters to ask what they expected from their MEPs.
Dr Muscat on other hand asked viewers who they trusted to get things done.
Beppe Fenech Adami warns Malta has major crime problem, says Joseph Muscat is out of touch
The murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane has further shown that Malta is not a safe country, the PN says
20 May 2019, 6:17pm
by Massimo Costa
Beppe Fenech Adami has accused the Prime Minister of being 'brazen faced' when declaring Malta is a safe country
Beppe Fenech Adami has accused the Prime Minister of being in a state of denial when describing Malta, a “safe place” after two soldiers were charged with racial murder.
The Nationalist Party MP said Joseph Muscat was “brazen faced” and out of touch with what people were feeling.
“Honest people no longer feel safe in a country where a man is killed because he is black, a journalist is killed for doing her job, an elderly woman is mugged and higher theft is recorded as a result of organised crime,” Fenech Adami said.
He was reacting in the wake of the developments over the weekend that saw the police charge two soldiers with the murder of an Ivorian man and the attempted murder of three other migrants.
Fenech Adami said the case shocked the country and Muscat’s use of the words “Malta is a safe place” in a tweet over the weekend was out of touch with what people were feeling.
But the former PN deputy leader rejected suggestions that the PN’s rhetoric about the excess number of foreigners on the island could contribute to a climate of hatred towards foreigners.
“The PN’s criticism is that the government has based economic growth on population growth. With all due respect, it has nothing to do with [the creation of a] racist element,” Fenech Adami told MaltaToday.
He said the PN understood that, as a result of Malta’s EU membership, foreigners would come to Malta. “But Muscat based the economy purely on increasing population size.”
Referring to Muscat, the PN MP said that racist was he who “fooled the Maltese people [into believing] that there is a solution to the big challenges faced by the EU in the last years” in relation to migration.
He went on to link the government's immigration policy to the current situation Malta was facing, where two soldiers had killed a migrant.
“Muscat spoke of pushbacks and put this into action, so much so that he left women and children stranded for weeks at sea in winter, to appear strong, populist and to attract votes,” Fenech Adami charged.
He added that a number of years after the Prime Minister had started to adopt such an attitude in relation to migration, Malta was now “reaping the fruit of the seeds which Joseph Muscat planted”.
Fenech Adami was taking questions after speaking at a PN press conference focussing on criminality.
PN MP Robert Cutajar also criticised the government for taking local law enforcement out of the hands of councils. “The government has abandoned law enforcement on a local level,” Cutajar charged.
Government captured the army and police
MEP candidate Dione Borg accused the government of “capturing the police force and the army” by putting its own people in charge.
“All that is happening is the fault of the government’s political manoeuvres, through which it sought to have absolute power by controlling all the important institutions,” Borg insisted.
“It did this when it appointed a Police Commissioner who is there to serve the government, not society. And it did the same with the armed forces – when the time came to promote the most professional and efficient people who could guarantee security, the government instead acted in a partisan way [when it dished out promotions],” he said.
Borg insisted the PN had reason to be worried about crime, as are the people.
The murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane has further shown that Malta is not a safe country, the PN says
20 May 2019, 6:17pm
by Massimo Costa
Beppe Fenech Adami has accused the Prime Minister of being 'brazen faced' when declaring Malta is a safe country
Beppe Fenech Adami has accused the Prime Minister of being in a state of denial when describing Malta, a “safe place” after two soldiers were charged with racial murder.
The Nationalist Party MP said Joseph Muscat was “brazen faced” and out of touch with what people were feeling.
“Honest people no longer feel safe in a country where a man is killed because he is black, a journalist is killed for doing her job, an elderly woman is mugged and higher theft is recorded as a result of organised crime,” Fenech Adami said.
He was reacting in the wake of the developments over the weekend that saw the police charge two soldiers with the murder of an Ivorian man and the attempted murder of three other migrants.
Fenech Adami said the case shocked the country and Muscat’s use of the words “Malta is a safe place” in a tweet over the weekend was out of touch with what people were feeling.
But the former PN deputy leader rejected suggestions that the PN’s rhetoric about the excess number of foreigners on the island could contribute to a climate of hatred towards foreigners.
“The PN’s criticism is that the government has based economic growth on population growth. With all due respect, it has nothing to do with [the creation of a] racist element,” Fenech Adami told MaltaToday.
He said the PN understood that, as a result of Malta’s EU membership, foreigners would come to Malta. “But Muscat based the economy purely on increasing population size.”
Referring to Muscat, the PN MP said that racist was he who “fooled the Maltese people [into believing] that there is a solution to the big challenges faced by the EU in the last years” in relation to migration.
He went on to link the government's immigration policy to the current situation Malta was facing, where two soldiers had killed a migrant.
“Muscat spoke of pushbacks and put this into action, so much so that he left women and children stranded for weeks at sea in winter, to appear strong, populist and to attract votes,” Fenech Adami charged.
He added that a number of years after the Prime Minister had started to adopt such an attitude in relation to migration, Malta was now “reaping the fruit of the seeds which Joseph Muscat planted”.
Fenech Adami was taking questions after speaking at a PN press conference focussing on criminality.
PN MP Robert Cutajar also criticised the government for taking local law enforcement out of the hands of councils. “The government has abandoned law enforcement on a local level,” Cutajar charged.
Government captured the army and police
MEP candidate Dione Borg accused the government of “capturing the police force and the army” by putting its own people in charge.
“All that is happening is the fault of the government’s political manoeuvres, through which it sought to have absolute power by controlling all the important institutions,” Borg insisted.
“It did this when it appointed a Police Commissioner who is there to serve the government, not society. And it did the same with the armed forces – when the time came to promote the most professional and efficient people who could guarantee security, the government instead acted in a partisan way [when it dished out promotions],” he said.
Borg insisted the PN had reason to be worried about crime, as are the people.
“Dak li ġara ma jirrappreżentax lil Malta.
Huwa totalment l-oppost ta’ dak kollu li jsawwarna”
“Dak li ġara ma jirrappreżentax lil Malta. Huwa totalment l-oppost ta’ dak kollu li jsawwarna.” Hekk qal il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat hekk kif aktar kmieni llum iltaqa’ mal-mexxejja tal-komunitajiet tal-immigranti.
Huwa ltaqa’ magħhom fil-kuntest tal-arrest ta’ żewġ suldati b’rabta mal-qtil ta’ Lassana Cisse Souleymane, l-immigrant ta’ 42 sena li nqatel b’tiri ta’ arma tan-nar waqt li kien miexi fi triq f’Birżebbuġa.
F’diskors li għamel nhar is-Sibt li għadda fix-Xewkija Għawdex, il-Prim Ministru saħaq li ż-żewġ persuni arrestati ma jirrappreżentawx il-filosofija u l-mod ta’ kif jaħdmu l-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta. Huwa wissa wkoll li m’għandniex inħallu li tinbet fina ż-żerriegħa tal-mibegħda għax dan mhux dak li jikkaratterizzana bħala poplu.
Huwa totalment l-oppost ta’ dak kollu li jsawwarna”
- Mej 20, 2019 14:23
- Miktub minn iNews
“Dak li ġara ma jirrappreżentax lil Malta. Huwa totalment l-oppost ta’ dak kollu li jsawwarna.” Hekk qal il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat hekk kif aktar kmieni llum iltaqa’ mal-mexxejja tal-komunitajiet tal-immigranti.
Huwa ltaqa’ magħhom fil-kuntest tal-arrest ta’ żewġ suldati b’rabta mal-qtil ta’ Lassana Cisse Souleymane, l-immigrant ta’ 42 sena li nqatel b’tiri ta’ arma tan-nar waqt li kien miexi fi triq f’Birżebbuġa.
F’diskors li għamel nhar is-Sibt li għadda fix-Xewkija Għawdex, il-Prim Ministru saħaq li ż-żewġ persuni arrestati ma jirrappreżentawx il-filosofija u l-mod ta’ kif jaħdmu l-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta. Huwa wissa wkoll li m’għandniex inħallu li tinbet fina ż-żerriegħa tal-mibegħda għax dan mhux dak li jikkaratterizzana bħala poplu.
Il-proġett tal-ħelikopter bejn Malta u Għawdex... pass ieħor biex il-proġett jiġi implimentat
Il-Ministeru għat-Turiżmu u l-Ministeru għal Ghawdex komplew għaddejin bix-xogħol dwar il-proġett tal-helikopter bejn Malta u Għawdex. Għada mistennija toħroġ sejħa għall-proposti mill-kumpanija tal-Gvern Malta Medair (Malta Air Travel Ltd). Dan ġie mħabbar mill-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi f’kummenti li ta lil gazzetta IT-TORĊA.
Il-Ministru Konrad Mizzi semma’ kif issa sar l-ewwel xogħol preliminari meħtieġ dwar dan il-proġett u għalhekk issa l-Gvern ser ikun qiegħed jimxi għall-pass li jmiss, dik li jsib operatur li jopera servizz ta’ ħelikopter li jokkupa mill-inqas 15-il pasiġġier. Huwa spjega li l-mudell għall-dan is-servizz ser ikun biex jgħaqqad iż-żewġ gżejjer u jopera direttament għall-Ajruport Internazzjonali ta’ Malta.
Dan is-servizz ta’ air link bejn Malta u Għawdex se jkollu numru ta’ benefiċċji fosthom: Li jassigura s-servizz bejn Malta u Għawdex f’każ ta’ emerġenza, konnettività għal skopijiet ta’ turiżmu, konnettività aħjar internazzjonalment kemm għall-Għawdxin u għall-barranin” spjega l-Ministru Mizzi.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex, Justyne Caruana qalet li lI viżjoni tagħha għal Għawdex hi li jkun hemm konnettività aħjar bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer biex jiġi massimizzat il-potenzjal tal-gżira Għawdxija. Kien għalhekk li bħala Ministru għal Għawdex matul din il-legiżlatura mill-ewwel bdiet id-diskussjonijiet biex dan is-servizz essenzjali jerġa’ jiġi introdott għax il-kumpanija Gozo Heliport Limited ingħatat lura lill-Ministeru għal Għawdex. “Ghalhekk flimkien mal-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi bdejna l-ħidma biex l-ewwel saru l-istudji meħtieġa li issa wasslu għall-pubblikazzjoni tat-tender għall-għoti tas-servizz”
“Dan kollu hu parti mill-pjan ħolistiku li għandu l-gvern biex itejjeb il-konnettività tal-gżira Għawdxija kemm permezz tal-mina, bil-baħar u anke bis-servizz tal-ħelikopter li jkun ekonomikament vijabbli u li jopera bi skeda” qalet il-Ministru Caruana
Dan il-proġett ta’ air link bejn Malta u Għawdex ġie imħabbar fi Frar li għadda waqt żjara li saret fil-Heliport f’Għawdex, mil-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi u l-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana.
- Mej 19, 2019 18:41
- Miktub minn iNews
Il-Ministeru għat-Turiżmu u l-Ministeru għal Ghawdex komplew għaddejin bix-xogħol dwar il-proġett tal-helikopter bejn Malta u Għawdex. Għada mistennija toħroġ sejħa għall-proposti mill-kumpanija tal-Gvern Malta Medair (Malta Air Travel Ltd). Dan ġie mħabbar mill-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi f’kummenti li ta lil gazzetta IT-TORĊA.
Il-Ministru Konrad Mizzi semma’ kif issa sar l-ewwel xogħol preliminari meħtieġ dwar dan il-proġett u għalhekk issa l-Gvern ser ikun qiegħed jimxi għall-pass li jmiss, dik li jsib operatur li jopera servizz ta’ ħelikopter li jokkupa mill-inqas 15-il pasiġġier. Huwa spjega li l-mudell għall-dan is-servizz ser ikun biex jgħaqqad iż-żewġ gżejjer u jopera direttament għall-Ajruport Internazzjonali ta’ Malta.
Dan is-servizz ta’ air link bejn Malta u Għawdex se jkollu numru ta’ benefiċċji fosthom: Li jassigura s-servizz bejn Malta u Għawdex f’każ ta’ emerġenza, konnettività għal skopijiet ta’ turiżmu, konnettività aħjar internazzjonalment kemm għall-Għawdxin u għall-barranin” spjega l-Ministru Mizzi.
Il-Ministru għal Għawdex, Justyne Caruana qalet li lI viżjoni tagħha għal Għawdex hi li jkun hemm konnettività aħjar bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer biex jiġi massimizzat il-potenzjal tal-gżira Għawdxija. Kien għalhekk li bħala Ministru għal Għawdex matul din il-legiżlatura mill-ewwel bdiet id-diskussjonijiet biex dan is-servizz essenzjali jerġa’ jiġi introdott għax il-kumpanija Gozo Heliport Limited ingħatat lura lill-Ministeru għal Għawdex. “Ghalhekk flimkien mal-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi bdejna l-ħidma biex l-ewwel saru l-istudji meħtieġa li issa wasslu għall-pubblikazzjoni tat-tender għall-għoti tas-servizz”
“Dan kollu hu parti mill-pjan ħolistiku li għandu l-gvern biex itejjeb il-konnettività tal-gżira Għawdxija kemm permezz tal-mina, bil-baħar u anke bis-servizz tal-ħelikopter li jkun ekonomikament vijabbli u li jopera bi skeda” qalet il-Ministru Caruana
Dan il-proġett ta’ air link bejn Malta u Għawdex ġie imħabbar fi Frar li għadda waqt żjara li saret fil-Heliport f’Għawdex, mil-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi u l-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana.
MaltaToday Survey | Labour set for another landslide in European elections
Labour could be poised for a historic 57.8% win against the PN’s 39.1%, a victory that could translate into a gap of almost 49,000 votes
19 May 2019, 7:52am
by Kurt Sansone
Miriam Dalli is still leading the pack in our latest MaltaToday rankings, followed by Roberta Metsola, Frank Psaila, Alfred Sant, David Casa and Josianne Cutajar
The Labour Party is set for another landslide victory in the European election with MaltaToday’s latest poll giving it a 13-point lead over the Nationalist Party.
The survey released today puts the PL at 41.3% and the PN at 27.9%. Norman Lowell at 1.1% has polled higher than the Democratic Party and Alternattiva Demokratika together.
Excluding those who said they will not vote or are undecided will give the PL a historic 57.8% against the PN’s 39.1%. This would translate into a gap of almost 49,000 votes.
The trust barometer shows Joseph Muscat running at 50.6%, against Adrian Delia’s 22.8%. The PN leader is not trusted by a third of PN voters.
The MEP candidate rankings confirm PL MEP Miriam Dalli in the lead, followed by PN MEP Roberta Metsola. PN candidate Frank Psaila is now third, followed by PL MEP Alfred Sant.
The survey was carried out on an expanded sample of 849 respondents between 9 and 15 May.
Labour could be poised for a historic 57.8% win against the PN’s 39.1%, a victory that could translate into a gap of almost 49,000 votes
19 May 2019, 7:52am
by Kurt Sansone
Miriam Dalli is still leading the pack in our latest MaltaToday rankings, followed by Roberta Metsola, Frank Psaila, Alfred Sant, David Casa and Josianne Cutajar
The Labour Party is set for another landslide victory in the European election with MaltaToday’s latest poll giving it a 13-point lead over the Nationalist Party.
The survey released today puts the PL at 41.3% and the PN at 27.9%. Norman Lowell at 1.1% has polled higher than the Democratic Party and Alternattiva Demokratika together.
Excluding those who said they will not vote or are undecided will give the PL a historic 57.8% against the PN’s 39.1%. This would translate into a gap of almost 49,000 votes.
The trust barometer shows Joseph Muscat running at 50.6%, against Adrian Delia’s 22.8%. The PN leader is not trusted by a third of PN voters.
The MEP candidate rankings confirm PL MEP Miriam Dalli in the lead, followed by PN MEP Roberta Metsola. PN candidate Frank Psaila is now third, followed by PL MEP Alfred Sant.
The survey was carried out on an expanded sample of 849 respondents between 9 and 15 May.
Australia
Federal election result: Scott Morrison says 'I have always believed in miracles' as Coalition retains power
Henry Belot
19 May, 2019
Shorten quits as Labor leader after humiliating defeat
Palmer claims credit for Scott Morrison's election win
© Provided by ABC News Scott Morrison thanked his family, Josh Frydenberg and the entire state of Queensland for the Coalition's victory. Scott Morrison has defied years of opinion polls and public expectation to lead the Coalition to a shock election victory.
"I have always believed in miracles," the Prime Minister declared as he claimed victory.
The result is a crushing defeat for the Labor Party, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announcing he will step down from the Labor leadership.
At this stage, it is not clear whether the Coalition will govern in majority or need to rely on a partnership of independent MPs in a minority government.
"It's always been for those of you watching this at home tonight, for me and for my Government, for all of my team, it's all about you," Mr Morrison told supporters shortly after midnight.
"Tonight is not about me, it's not about even the Liberal Party.
"Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first."
Mr Morrison's victory means he has to put together a new Cabinet, having lost a string of high-profile figures — including Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Kelly O'Dywer, Michael Keenan and former minister Craig Laundy — to retirement.
Liberal senator and party powerbroker Arthur Sinodinos took a veiled swipe at the departing frontbenchers, paying tribute to those to "put their heads down" and delivered a victory.
"We've got a lot of work to do. And we're going to get back to work," Mr Morrison said.
"We're going to get back to work for the Australians that we know go to work every day, who face those struggles and trials every day."
Labor looking for a new leaderLaborwas confident it could win majority government after six years of Coalition government and leadership instability.
But Mr Shorten took to the stage a little after 11:30pm AEST to announce he had conceded the election to Prime Minister Scott Morison and the Coalition.
"Without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government," Mr Shorten said.
"I called Scott Morrison to congratulate him and I wish Jenny and their daughters all the very best.
"Above all, I wished Scott Morrison good fortune and good courage in the service of our great nation. The national interest required no less."
Mr Shorten said it was time for new Labor leadership, with him having held the position for nearly six years.
"This has been a tough campaign, toxic at times. But now that the contest is over all of us have a responsibility to respect the result, respect the wishes of the Australian people and to bring our nation together," he said.
"However that task will be one for the next leader of the Labor Party."
Mr Shorten expressed pride at Labor's campaign, and made mention of the Coalition's "arrangements" with Clive Palmer's United Australia Party and One Nation, which he said "have hurt our vote in a lot of places where it mattered most, particularly in Queensland and NSW".
"I am not disappointed for me. I'll always be proud of the courage and the integrity and the vision that our team showed.
"I'm disappointed for people who depend upon Labor but I'm proud that we argued what was right, not what was easy."
Labor Senator Penny Wong described the night as "a very tough result" for the Labor Party.
Senator Wong and senior Labor figures attributed, at least in part, the swing against the party to the United Australia Party and Mr Palmer's big investment in campaign advertising.
"I think we will need to think about what that means for our country, if there are a substantial number of seats that end up going to a particular political party because there is a deal with a man like Mr Palmer or Pauline Hanson," Senator Wong said.
Crossbench changes in both housesThe ABC is projecting new-look crossbenches in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
In the Lower House, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Rebekah Sharkie and Adam Bandt have all been re-elected.
Independent Helen Haines is expected to succeed retiring independent Cathy McGowan in Indi.
Zali Steggall's defeat of former prime minister Tony Abbott in Warringah sees her joining the crossbench but Kerryn Phelps' future remains unclear.
As of 12:49am AEST, with 68 per cent of the vote counted, Ms Phelps leads 50.4 per cent to 49.6 per cent on a two candidate preferred basis.
In the Senate, the crossbench could pose a problem for the government, with the loss of right-wing minor parties.
The ABC is projecting the Coalition will have 33 senators, Labor 26 and the Greens nine in the 76 seat chamber.
The Coalition will need support from the crossbench to pass its agenda.
That crossbench is likely to include two from Centre Alliance, a re-elected Jacqui Lambie, Cory Bernadi and potentially two One Nation senators.
Result surprises pollsters, punters and politiciansFor more than 12 months, opinion polls have predicted a Labor victory and even senior Liberal strategists were not brave enough to predict a Coalition victory.
Bookmakers had already paid out millions of dollars of money, confident that a Labor government would be elected comfortably.
As of 1am, Labor had failed to win a single seat north of the Brisbane River in Queensland, where there were big swings to Coalition MPs.
The Coalition also performed better than expected in Tasmania, where it is likely to pick up Bass and Braddon.
In Queensland, there was a 12 per cent swing to Nationals MP Michelle Landry in the ultra-marginal seat of Capricornia.
Her colleague George Christensen was also re-elected with an 11 per cent swing, despite Labor running a hard campaign against him and dubbing him "the member for Manilla".
Tony Abbott, who lost his seat of Warringah tonight, said Scott Morrison would now "enter the Liberal pantheon forever".
Labor has 'lost the unlosable election'Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who remains close with many in the party, described "panic stations" at Labor Party headquarters as the results came in.
"I think the Labor Party looks as if it may have lost the unlosable election," he said.
Former Liberal prime minister John Howard said Australia rejected Mr Shorten's "envy-driven politics".
"I did believe very strongly that Bill Shorten had overplayed his hand on the class warfare stuff," Mr Howard said.
"Australians believe in egalitarianism, they reject the politics of class warfare.
"All this stuff about the big end of town and the envy-driven politics of the Labor Party have done them in big time."
Federal election result: Scott Morrison says 'I have always believed in miracles' as Coalition retains power
Henry Belot
19 May, 2019
Shorten quits as Labor leader after humiliating defeat
Palmer claims credit for Scott Morrison's election win
© Provided by ABC News Scott Morrison thanked his family, Josh Frydenberg and the entire state of Queensland for the Coalition's victory. Scott Morrison has defied years of opinion polls and public expectation to lead the Coalition to a shock election victory.
"I have always believed in miracles," the Prime Minister declared as he claimed victory.
The result is a crushing defeat for the Labor Party, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announcing he will step down from the Labor leadership.
At this stage, it is not clear whether the Coalition will govern in majority or need to rely on a partnership of independent MPs in a minority government.
"It's always been for those of you watching this at home tonight, for me and for my Government, for all of my team, it's all about you," Mr Morrison told supporters shortly after midnight.
"Tonight is not about me, it's not about even the Liberal Party.
"Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first."
Mr Morrison's victory means he has to put together a new Cabinet, having lost a string of high-profile figures — including Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Kelly O'Dywer, Michael Keenan and former minister Craig Laundy — to retirement.
Liberal senator and party powerbroker Arthur Sinodinos took a veiled swipe at the departing frontbenchers, paying tribute to those to "put their heads down" and delivered a victory.
"We've got a lot of work to do. And we're going to get back to work," Mr Morrison said.
"We're going to get back to work for the Australians that we know go to work every day, who face those struggles and trials every day."
Labor looking for a new leaderLaborwas confident it could win majority government after six years of Coalition government and leadership instability.
But Mr Shorten took to the stage a little after 11:30pm AEST to announce he had conceded the election to Prime Minister Scott Morison and the Coalition.
"Without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government," Mr Shorten said.
"I called Scott Morrison to congratulate him and I wish Jenny and their daughters all the very best.
"Above all, I wished Scott Morrison good fortune and good courage in the service of our great nation. The national interest required no less."
Mr Shorten said it was time for new Labor leadership, with him having held the position for nearly six years.
"This has been a tough campaign, toxic at times. But now that the contest is over all of us have a responsibility to respect the result, respect the wishes of the Australian people and to bring our nation together," he said.
"However that task will be one for the next leader of the Labor Party."
Mr Shorten expressed pride at Labor's campaign, and made mention of the Coalition's "arrangements" with Clive Palmer's United Australia Party and One Nation, which he said "have hurt our vote in a lot of places where it mattered most, particularly in Queensland and NSW".
"I am not disappointed for me. I'll always be proud of the courage and the integrity and the vision that our team showed.
"I'm disappointed for people who depend upon Labor but I'm proud that we argued what was right, not what was easy."
Labor Senator Penny Wong described the night as "a very tough result" for the Labor Party.
Senator Wong and senior Labor figures attributed, at least in part, the swing against the party to the United Australia Party and Mr Palmer's big investment in campaign advertising.
"I think we will need to think about what that means for our country, if there are a substantial number of seats that end up going to a particular political party because there is a deal with a man like Mr Palmer or Pauline Hanson," Senator Wong said.
Crossbench changes in both housesThe ABC is projecting new-look crossbenches in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
In the Lower House, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Rebekah Sharkie and Adam Bandt have all been re-elected.
Independent Helen Haines is expected to succeed retiring independent Cathy McGowan in Indi.
Zali Steggall's defeat of former prime minister Tony Abbott in Warringah sees her joining the crossbench but Kerryn Phelps' future remains unclear.
As of 12:49am AEST, with 68 per cent of the vote counted, Ms Phelps leads 50.4 per cent to 49.6 per cent on a two candidate preferred basis.
In the Senate, the crossbench could pose a problem for the government, with the loss of right-wing minor parties.
The ABC is projecting the Coalition will have 33 senators, Labor 26 and the Greens nine in the 76 seat chamber.
The Coalition will need support from the crossbench to pass its agenda.
That crossbench is likely to include two from Centre Alliance, a re-elected Jacqui Lambie, Cory Bernadi and potentially two One Nation senators.
Result surprises pollsters, punters and politiciansFor more than 12 months, opinion polls have predicted a Labor victory and even senior Liberal strategists were not brave enough to predict a Coalition victory.
Bookmakers had already paid out millions of dollars of money, confident that a Labor government would be elected comfortably.
As of 1am, Labor had failed to win a single seat north of the Brisbane River in Queensland, where there were big swings to Coalition MPs.
The Coalition also performed better than expected in Tasmania, where it is likely to pick up Bass and Braddon.
In Queensland, there was a 12 per cent swing to Nationals MP Michelle Landry in the ultra-marginal seat of Capricornia.
Her colleague George Christensen was also re-elected with an 11 per cent swing, despite Labor running a hard campaign against him and dubbing him "the member for Manilla".
Tony Abbott, who lost his seat of Warringah tonight, said Scott Morrison would now "enter the Liberal pantheon forever".
Labor has 'lost the unlosable election'Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who remains close with many in the party, described "panic stations" at Labor Party headquarters as the results came in.
"I think the Labor Party looks as if it may have lost the unlosable election," he said.
Former Liberal prime minister John Howard said Australia rejected Mr Shorten's "envy-driven politics".
"I did believe very strongly that Bill Shorten had overplayed his hand on the class warfare stuff," Mr Howard said.
"Australians believe in egalitarianism, they reject the politics of class warfare.
"All this stuff about the big end of town and the envy-driven politics of the Labor Party have done them in big time."
Żewġ flyovers għall-Imsida: The Msida Creek Project
Il-Ministru għat-Trasport, Infrastruttura u Proġetti Kapitali Ian Borg ħabbar proġett maġġuri ġdid fl-Imsida, The Msida Creek Project, li se jkun qiegħed jintroduċi żewġ pontijiet (flyovers) b’tul ta’ 175 metru ’l wieħed minflok it-traffic lights junction li tgħaqqad Triq Marina, Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida u Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli, ħolqa li tara aktar minn 4,500 vettura f’siegħa.
“Gvern impenjat li jkompli jaħdem favur toroq aktar siguri, toroq aktar effiċjenti, inqas konġestjoni u kwalità tal-ħajja dejjem aħjar. Illum qegħdin f’lokalità ċentrali mhux biss fuq il-mappa ta’ Malta imma anke għall-importanza strateġika tagħha bħala konnessjoni u bħala ċentru kummerċjali u turistiku. Għal darboħra għandna proġett ieħor essenzjali għall-isfidi tat-traffiku u konġestjoni li għandna f’din il-lokalità, proġett li se jkun qiegħed inaqqas ukoll ir-riskju tal-inċidenti u jtejjeb il-kwalità tal-arja.”
Il-Ministru Borg spjega li permezz ta’ din l-intersection ġdida li se tkun fuq livell separat, se tkun qed tiżdied l-effiċjenza u l-kapaċità ta’ din il-ħolqa importanti, filwaqt li se jkun qed isir ukoll titjib tal-konnessjonijiet l-oħra fl-inħawi, bħal dik ta’ bejn Ta’ Xbiex u Triq il-Marina, minn Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida u minn u lejn ir-roundabout tal-iskatepark. Huwa żied jgħid li dan il-proġett se jtejjeb ukoll l-inħawi bi spazju miftuħ rikreattiv viċin il-Monument tal-Ħaddiema, faċilitajiet pedonali fosthom żewġ pontijiet pedonali aktar sikuri minflok il-pelican crossings eżistenti u 100 spazju ta’ parkeġġ ġdid.
“Min-naħa tiegħi inħoss li se nkunu qegħdin nagħtu lill-poplu proġett tassew mixtieq, li se jtaffi inkonvenjent kbir għar-residenti, għan-negozji, li se jtejjeb l-andament tat-trasport pubbliku li jgħaddi minn hawn u li se jiffaċilita l-ħajja għal ħafna studenti li jużaw din it-triq. Dan huwa proġett ieħor għall-kwalità tal-ħajja tan-nies, soluzzjoni oħra minn dan il-gvern, proġett li se jkompli jgħaqqad katina ta’ investiment li ma rax tramuntana, nofsinhar u ċentru imma pajjiż wieħed magħqud – proġett ta’ gvern li jrid jibni fuq kull investiment biex il-poplu jkomplu jara l-frott, gvern kommess li jisma’ l-prijoritajiet tan-nies u determinat li jkompli jaħdem b’mod ħolistiku biex iwettaq il-viżjoni tiegħu.”
Il-Ministru qal li bħalissa għaddejjin bosta diskussjonijiet ma’ diversi stakeholders, fosthom il-kunsill, biex imbagħad jiġu finalizzati l-pjanti u ssir l-applikazzjoni għall-permessi mal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin.
- Mej 18, 2019 20:48
- Miktub minn iNews
Il-Ministru għat-Trasport, Infrastruttura u Proġetti Kapitali Ian Borg ħabbar proġett maġġuri ġdid fl-Imsida, The Msida Creek Project, li se jkun qiegħed jintroduċi żewġ pontijiet (flyovers) b’tul ta’ 175 metru ’l wieħed minflok it-traffic lights junction li tgħaqqad Triq Marina, Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida u Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli, ħolqa li tara aktar minn 4,500 vettura f’siegħa.
“Gvern impenjat li jkompli jaħdem favur toroq aktar siguri, toroq aktar effiċjenti, inqas konġestjoni u kwalità tal-ħajja dejjem aħjar. Illum qegħdin f’lokalità ċentrali mhux biss fuq il-mappa ta’ Malta imma anke għall-importanza strateġika tagħha bħala konnessjoni u bħala ċentru kummerċjali u turistiku. Għal darboħra għandna proġett ieħor essenzjali għall-isfidi tat-traffiku u konġestjoni li għandna f’din il-lokalità, proġett li se jkun qiegħed inaqqas ukoll ir-riskju tal-inċidenti u jtejjeb il-kwalità tal-arja.”
Il-Ministru Borg spjega li permezz ta’ din l-intersection ġdida li se tkun fuq livell separat, se tkun qed tiżdied l-effiċjenza u l-kapaċità ta’ din il-ħolqa importanti, filwaqt li se jkun qed isir ukoll titjib tal-konnessjonijiet l-oħra fl-inħawi, bħal dik ta’ bejn Ta’ Xbiex u Triq il-Marina, minn Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida u minn u lejn ir-roundabout tal-iskatepark. Huwa żied jgħid li dan il-proġett se jtejjeb ukoll l-inħawi bi spazju miftuħ rikreattiv viċin il-Monument tal-Ħaddiema, faċilitajiet pedonali fosthom żewġ pontijiet pedonali aktar sikuri minflok il-pelican crossings eżistenti u 100 spazju ta’ parkeġġ ġdid.
“Min-naħa tiegħi inħoss li se nkunu qegħdin nagħtu lill-poplu proġett tassew mixtieq, li se jtaffi inkonvenjent kbir għar-residenti, għan-negozji, li se jtejjeb l-andament tat-trasport pubbliku li jgħaddi minn hawn u li se jiffaċilita l-ħajja għal ħafna studenti li jużaw din it-triq. Dan huwa proġett ieħor għall-kwalità tal-ħajja tan-nies, soluzzjoni oħra minn dan il-gvern, proġett li se jkompli jgħaqqad katina ta’ investiment li ma rax tramuntana, nofsinhar u ċentru imma pajjiż wieħed magħqud – proġett ta’ gvern li jrid jibni fuq kull investiment biex il-poplu jkomplu jara l-frott, gvern kommess li jisma’ l-prijoritajiet tan-nies u determinat li jkompli jaħdem b’mod ħolistiku biex iwettaq il-viżjoni tiegħu.”
Il-Ministru qal li bħalissa għaddejjin bosta diskussjonijiet ma’ diversi stakeholders, fosthom il-kunsill, biex imbagħad jiġu finalizzati l-pjanti u ssir l-applikazzjoni għall-permessi mal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin.
Żewġ suldati tal-Forzi Armati se jkunu akkużati bil-qtil f'Birżebbuġa tar-raġel mill-Kosta tal-Ivorju
AĠĠORNAT: Iż-żewġ suldati li ġew arrestati b’rabta mal-qtil ta’ Lassana Cisse Souleyman huma Francesco Fenech miż-Żejtun u Lorin Scicluna minn Raħal Ġdid.
AKTAR QABEL: Suldat tal-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta ġie arrestat inkonnessjoni mal-qtil tar-raġel mill-Kosta tal-Ivorju, Lassana Cisse Souleyman ta’ 42 sena, u l-attentat ta’ qtil ta’ żewġ irġiel oħra li seħħew nhar is-6 ta’ April li għadda f’Ħal Far.
B’rabta ma’ dan il-każ mistenni li jkun arrestat ukoll suldat ieħor tal-FAM.
Il-vittmi kienu jinsabu mexjin f’Birżebbiuġa fid-direzzjoni ta’ Ħal Far u kienu għaddejjin minn Triq tal-Ġebel għall-ħabta tal-11.00 p.m. meta ġew sparati tiri minn karozza.
Apparti li nqatel Cisse Souleyman, f’dan l-inċident indarbu wkoll raġel ta’ 22 sena mill-Guinea u raġel ta’ 28 sena mill-Gambia.
Cisse Souleymane, missier ta’ tlett itfal miet fuq il-post wara li ntlaqat minn tiri f’rasu. Iż-żewġ vittmi l-oħrajn instabu fl-istess triq ftit ’il bogħod mill-vittma.
- Mej 18, 2019 11:43
- Miktub minn iNews
AĠĠORNAT: Iż-żewġ suldati li ġew arrestati b’rabta mal-qtil ta’ Lassana Cisse Souleyman huma Francesco Fenech miż-Żejtun u Lorin Scicluna minn Raħal Ġdid.
AKTAR QABEL: Suldat tal-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta ġie arrestat inkonnessjoni mal-qtil tar-raġel mill-Kosta tal-Ivorju, Lassana Cisse Souleyman ta’ 42 sena, u l-attentat ta’ qtil ta’ żewġ irġiel oħra li seħħew nhar is-6 ta’ April li għadda f’Ħal Far.
B’rabta ma’ dan il-każ mistenni li jkun arrestat ukoll suldat ieħor tal-FAM.
Il-vittmi kienu jinsabu mexjin f’Birżebbiuġa fid-direzzjoni ta’ Ħal Far u kienu għaddejjin minn Triq tal-Ġebel għall-ħabta tal-11.00 p.m. meta ġew sparati tiri minn karozza.
Apparti li nqatel Cisse Souleyman, f’dan l-inċident indarbu wkoll raġel ta’ 22 sena mill-Guinea u raġel ta’ 28 sena mill-Gambia.
Cisse Souleymane, missier ta’ tlett itfal miet fuq il-post wara li ntlaqat minn tiri f’rasu. Iż-żewġ vittmi l-oħrajn instabu fl-istess triq ftit ’il bogħod mill-vittma.
Malta's Song in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019
Click here to watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdyQ-ebzFgk
Click here to watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdyQ-ebzFgk
Nadur in pictures
By Mario Muscat
By Mario Muscat
VAPUR LI GHANDU 32 SENA
Minn Dr. Chris Said MP
Dak li habbret it-Times jumejn ilu gie konfermat illum mill-Ministru ghal Ghawdex.
Il-Gozo Channel kriet vapur biex ikollha r-raba' wiehed. Bzonn urgenti u ghalhekk pass importanti.
Il-vapur jidher li gie mikri mill-Grecja. Jidher li huwa vapur li ghandu 32 sena ghax inbena fl-1987. Allura huwa vapur li huwa 11-il sena ixjah mill-eqdem vapur li ghandha l-Gozo Channel bhalissa.
Jekk qed nghidu li l-vapuri ezistenti jridu jinbidlu fi zmien ghaxar snin (meta jaghlqu 30 sena) allura kif ngab vapur li ghandu izjed minn 30 sena? Dan li jistghu joffru lil Ghawdxin? Gvern tal-PN bena tlett vapuri godda fjamanti meta kien hemm il-bzonn. Ghaliex ma ngabx vapur gdid jew almenu kwazi gdid? Ghawdex u l' Ghawdxin tas-second hand u tal-iskadut?
Barra minn hekk jidher li dan il-vapur inkera b' dak li jissejjah 'wet lease' jigifieri bil-crew b' kollox. Dan inslut ghall-haddiema Ghawdxin li ghandhom l-esperjenza mal-Gozo Channel u fuq il-vapuri. Din it-tip ta' kirja ser teffettwa bl-ikrah lill-haddiema ezistenti specjalment lil dawk li ddahhlu qabel l-elezzjoni bil-weghda li ser isiru tal-fiss mal-Gozo Channel fi zmien qasir.
Irridu naraw ukoll vapur tant antik x' emmissjonijiet jikkawza? Din hija wahda mill-problemi li ghandu dan il-pajjiz - it-tniggiz tal-arja.
Dan il-vapur accessibbli ghal kulhadd? Il-passiggieri ser jergghu jispiccaw johorgu u jidhlu mill-garage tal-karozzi? Jekk inhu hekk morna lura 20 sena. Viva d-dhahen li jrid jibla' kull min ser juza dan il-vapur.
Ghawdex u l-haddiema tal-Gozo Channel JIXIRQILHOM AHJAR.
Minn Dr. Chris Said MP
Dak li habbret it-Times jumejn ilu gie konfermat illum mill-Ministru ghal Ghawdex.
Il-Gozo Channel kriet vapur biex ikollha r-raba' wiehed. Bzonn urgenti u ghalhekk pass importanti.
Il-vapur jidher li gie mikri mill-Grecja. Jidher li huwa vapur li ghandu 32 sena ghax inbena fl-1987. Allura huwa vapur li huwa 11-il sena ixjah mill-eqdem vapur li ghandha l-Gozo Channel bhalissa.
Jekk qed nghidu li l-vapuri ezistenti jridu jinbidlu fi zmien ghaxar snin (meta jaghlqu 30 sena) allura kif ngab vapur li ghandu izjed minn 30 sena? Dan li jistghu joffru lil Ghawdxin? Gvern tal-PN bena tlett vapuri godda fjamanti meta kien hemm il-bzonn. Ghaliex ma ngabx vapur gdid jew almenu kwazi gdid? Ghawdex u l' Ghawdxin tas-second hand u tal-iskadut?
Barra minn hekk jidher li dan il-vapur inkera b' dak li jissejjah 'wet lease' jigifieri bil-crew b' kollox. Dan inslut ghall-haddiema Ghawdxin li ghandhom l-esperjenza mal-Gozo Channel u fuq il-vapuri. Din it-tip ta' kirja ser teffettwa bl-ikrah lill-haddiema ezistenti specjalment lil dawk li ddahhlu qabel l-elezzjoni bil-weghda li ser isiru tal-fiss mal-Gozo Channel fi zmien qasir.
Irridu naraw ukoll vapur tant antik x' emmissjonijiet jikkawza? Din hija wahda mill-problemi li ghandu dan il-pajjiz - it-tniggiz tal-arja.
Dan il-vapur accessibbli ghal kulhadd? Il-passiggieri ser jergghu jispiccaw johorgu u jidhlu mill-garage tal-karozzi? Jekk inhu hekk morna lura 20 sena. Viva d-dhahen li jrid jibla' kull min ser juza dan il-vapur.
Ghawdex u l-haddiema tal-Gozo Channel JIXIRQILHOM AHJAR.
Thursday, May 16, 2019,
by Ivan Camilleri
Fourth Gozo ferry on its way in a few weeks' time
Ro-ro vessel poses technical problems
Gozo Channel is expected to start operating with four vessels in a few weeks’ time, as the company has concluded a deal to lease an old ro-ro vessel to join its three current ships making the crossing between the two islands.
Maritime industry sources told the Times of Malta that the deal was given the greenlight by Prime Minster Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party was planning to make an official announcement during a partisan activity in Gozo just a few days before the end of the ongoing electoral campaign.
Gozo Channel sources confirmed that a lease agreement has been finalised and the ship is expected to leave a Greek port in the coming days to join the company’s fleet “at least for this summer”.
The ship has been leased together with its on-board crew, as is usually done for short ship leases, and will not necessitate any other additional staff on the part of Gozo Channel.
Gozo Channel would be paying thousands every day for the services of the ship, expected to carry some 250 passenger cars.
This is not Gozo Channel’s first attempt to increase its vessels to four in order to be able to offer a better and quicker channel crossing.
Many Gozitan lobby groups had been putting pressure on the government to introduce a fourth ship as they complain that, with the increase in traffic, they are waiting much longer to board the ferry and reach their final destinations.
Last year, Gozo Channel had managed to find a ship and had almost completed its lease for summer at €3,000 a day.
However, the deal was vetoed by the Finance Ministry, as it was calculated that the increase in the quality of the service offered compared to the expense incurred by the company was not justified.
The state entity already receives millions of taxpayer funds in subsidies and the forth ship will necessitate more State aid.
However, Gozo Channel sources described the government’s priorities this year as “special”.
“As happened before the last general election, where almost every Tom, Dick and Harry in Gozo was somehow put on the government’s payroll, the fourth ship is Labour’s carrot for this month’s election,” the sources said.
“It seems that this time around, the government has other priorities than saving money and the Finance Minister is not objecting anymore,” the sources commented.
Although the leased ro-ro is expected to reduce the crossing waiting time, logistically it is posing some technical problems.
Since there seems to be no place for the ship to berth at the Mġarr Harbour - as the port can only hold three ships at one go - one of the company’s vessels will have to be berthed in Ċirkewwa with the crew on board, around the clock, in case of inclement weather.
The passenger gangways at both Mġarr and Ċirkewwa, custom built for the current Gozo Channel vessels, will apparently not be used for the leased ship.
Gozo Channel officials said that although it was true that an additional ship on its fleet will come at a cost, certain savings could still be made as overtime for Gozo Channel personnel and its contractors will come to a halt if no extra trips are necessary.
In the meantime, plans to introduce a long-awaited fast-ferry service between the two islands are still at a standstill as a legal battle on the way the State company chose its fast-ferry partner is being contested.
Virtu Ferries is challenging the company’s decision after its offer was rejected and an inexperienced company – Islands Ferry Network – was selected.
While Gozo Channel is insisting that its decision was based on the best commercial offer, Virtu Ferries claims that this was a ‘flawed’ and ‘illegal’ selection.
by Ivan Camilleri
Fourth Gozo ferry on its way in a few weeks' time
Ro-ro vessel poses technical problems
Gozo Channel is expected to start operating with four vessels in a few weeks’ time, as the company has concluded a deal to lease an old ro-ro vessel to join its three current ships making the crossing between the two islands.
Maritime industry sources told the Times of Malta that the deal was given the greenlight by Prime Minster Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party was planning to make an official announcement during a partisan activity in Gozo just a few days before the end of the ongoing electoral campaign.
Gozo Channel sources confirmed that a lease agreement has been finalised and the ship is expected to leave a Greek port in the coming days to join the company’s fleet “at least for this summer”.
The ship has been leased together with its on-board crew, as is usually done for short ship leases, and will not necessitate any other additional staff on the part of Gozo Channel.
Gozo Channel would be paying thousands every day for the services of the ship, expected to carry some 250 passenger cars.
This is not Gozo Channel’s first attempt to increase its vessels to four in order to be able to offer a better and quicker channel crossing.
Many Gozitan lobby groups had been putting pressure on the government to introduce a fourth ship as they complain that, with the increase in traffic, they are waiting much longer to board the ferry and reach their final destinations.
Last year, Gozo Channel had managed to find a ship and had almost completed its lease for summer at €3,000 a day.
However, the deal was vetoed by the Finance Ministry, as it was calculated that the increase in the quality of the service offered compared to the expense incurred by the company was not justified.
The state entity already receives millions of taxpayer funds in subsidies and the forth ship will necessitate more State aid.
However, Gozo Channel sources described the government’s priorities this year as “special”.
“As happened before the last general election, where almost every Tom, Dick and Harry in Gozo was somehow put on the government’s payroll, the fourth ship is Labour’s carrot for this month’s election,” the sources said.
“It seems that this time around, the government has other priorities than saving money and the Finance Minister is not objecting anymore,” the sources commented.
Although the leased ro-ro is expected to reduce the crossing waiting time, logistically it is posing some technical problems.
Since there seems to be no place for the ship to berth at the Mġarr Harbour - as the port can only hold three ships at one go - one of the company’s vessels will have to be berthed in Ċirkewwa with the crew on board, around the clock, in case of inclement weather.
The passenger gangways at both Mġarr and Ċirkewwa, custom built for the current Gozo Channel vessels, will apparently not be used for the leased ship.
Gozo Channel officials said that although it was true that an additional ship on its fleet will come at a cost, certain savings could still be made as overtime for Gozo Channel personnel and its contractors will come to a halt if no extra trips are necessary.
In the meantime, plans to introduce a long-awaited fast-ferry service between the two islands are still at a standstill as a legal battle on the way the State company chose its fast-ferry partner is being contested.
Virtu Ferries is challenging the company’s decision after its offer was rejected and an inexperienced company – Islands Ferry Network – was selected.
While Gozo Channel is insisting that its decision was based on the best commercial offer, Virtu Ferries claims that this was a ‘flawed’ and ‘illegal’ selection.
Malta tgħaddi għall-finali tal-Eurovision Song Contest … Prosit Michela!
Wara nuqqas ta’ sentejn, Malta rnexxielha tgħaddi għall-finali tal-Eurovision Song Contest, li din is-sena qed isir f’Tel Aviv, l-Iżrael.
Kienet wirja impekkabbli dik taż-żagħżugħa Għawdxija Michela Pace, li interpretat il-kanzunetta “Chameleon” b’mod eċċellenti.
Hija kantat fil-11-il post fis-semi-finali tal-lum li matulha ħadu sehem 18-il pajjiż.
L-għaxar pajjiżi li llum għaddew għall-finali tal-Eurovision huma dawn: Malta, Tramuntana tal-Maċedonja, l-Olanda, l-Albanija, l-Iżvezja, ir-Russja, l-Ażerbajġan, id-Danimarka, in-Norveġja, l-Iżvizzera.
- Mej 16, 2019 23:00
- Miktub minn iNews
Wara nuqqas ta’ sentejn, Malta rnexxielha tgħaddi għall-finali tal-Eurovision Song Contest, li din is-sena qed isir f’Tel Aviv, l-Iżrael.
Kienet wirja impekkabbli dik taż-żagħżugħa Għawdxija Michela Pace, li interpretat il-kanzunetta “Chameleon” b’mod eċċellenti.
Hija kantat fil-11-il post fis-semi-finali tal-lum li matulha ħadu sehem 18-il pajjiż.
L-għaxar pajjiżi li llum għaddew għall-finali tal-Eurovision huma dawn: Malta, Tramuntana tal-Maċedonja, l-Olanda, l-Albanija, l-Iżvezja, ir-Russja, l-Ażerbajġan, id-Danimarka, in-Norveġja, l-Iżvizzera.
Parrocca tan-Nadur
B'sogħba ngħarrfukom bil-mewt ta' Frances Camilleri li għaddiet għal ħajja oħra nhar it-Tnejn 13 ta' Mejju.
Frances kienet benefattriċi kbira tal-komunità parrokkjali, sewwa fil-qadi lil kulħadd fl-uffiċċju parrokkjali u anke fil-kant liturġiku.
Il-funeral tagħha se jsir illum l-Ħamis 16 ta' Mejju. L-Għasar ikun fil-5.10pm u l-quddiesa tibda fil-5.30pm.
Agħtija O Mulej il-mistrieħ ta' dejjem.
B'sogħba ngħarrfukom bil-mewt ta' Frances Camilleri li għaddiet għal ħajja oħra nhar it-Tnejn 13 ta' Mejju.
Frances kienet benefattriċi kbira tal-komunità parrokkjali, sewwa fil-qadi lil kulħadd fl-uffiċċju parrokkjali u anke fil-kant liturġiku.
Il-funeral tagħha se jsir illum l-Ħamis 16 ta' Mejju. L-Għasar ikun fil-5.10pm u l-quddiesa tibda fil-5.30pm.
Agħtija O Mulej il-mistrieħ ta' dejjem.
Nadur
By Lino DeBono
by Gozo News
May 15, 2019
“Nadur, after Victoria, has the second largest population, closely followed by Xaghra. Nadur is also one of the nicest villages that Gozo enjoys, situated on a hilltop, it enjoys a natural panoramic view and a beauty of its own.
From Nadur one can view the surrounding countryside of Gozo, as well as Comino and Malta, and on the other side, especially from Mixta Cave, one also gets a stupendous view of Ramla Bay. For me it is just breath-taking.
Nadur also enjoys terraced farmland which is a beauty to behold, and of course leads onward to San Blas Bay and the lovely Dahlet Qorrot Bay. Lastly, together with Xaghra, Nadur enjoys the ever beautiful Ramla Bay.
The people of Nadur have many ties with America as many of them emigrated there after the First World War, mainly to New York. It is in fact quite common to find houses in Nadur with signs of “God Bless America” or American flags hoisted on rooftops.
After the carnival was discontinued in Victoria, Nadur took it over and in recent years the Nadur Carnival has become famous throughout Gozo, Malta and the rest of the world.
People from all over, included foreigners, flock to participate and watch these festivities which are spontaneous and most natural. Carnival at Nadur has indeed become “a must see event.”
Access of roads
As previously mentioned, Nadur is situated on a hilltop, access to it is limited to about four roads, as far as I know. I may be mistaken, but that’s how I know it.
The major roads with access to Nadur are those from Mgarr to Nadur – Mgarr Road and Tax-Xhajma Road from Xewkija to Nadur. A minor road leads from Qala to Nadur and lastly there is a secondary road, which is only used by locals, connecting Qala with Nadur from the sea area.
Ta’ Xhajma Road.
I remember very well when this road was extended to how it is at present. The road was built on clay foundation and as no modern technology was then available, the road subsided quite a few times, until in very recent years major works were carried out to correct the foundations of the road.
Indeed in Victoria, at what is called the Kappuccini area, the first houses built there all shifted because they were built on a clay foundation, causing subsidence and fissures larger than the width of an arm. This provide a salutary lesson for future generations who acquired a governmental plot in that particular area.
Experts were brought in, who after long extensive tests, found a solution to this particular problem, enabling new roads and buildings to be constructed without similar problems. One learns by ones mistakes or lack of a professional expert’s advice. This may take some time, but prevention is the best cure of all.
Mgarr Road leading to Nadur
Recently the Mgarr Road leading to Nadur had large fissures appearing in it and part of the road started to give way to subsidence Although several temporary works of patching and filling have been done on it, no one till now had taken the bull by the horns and really examined the problem of how to fix these very important issues on this road.
The road eventually had to be closed due to parts of it collapsing and it also became clear that even the Nadur Football Ground is being effected by the movement of the road, which makes it even more dangerous than previously thought. Experts were were therefore brought in to examine the area in order to find solutions of how to fix these problems once and for all.
It was then discovered that the boundary walls supporting this road were not thick enough to withstand the pressure of the road (This is something similar to Ta’ Xhajma Road). Borehole digging in this area had also affected it, as well as water flowing underneath which added to the problem, and drainage water leaking from underground pipes was also discovered.
Due to this becoming a major problem – which no one in the past had ever dared to go into, the present administration took the bull by the horns – and brought in local and foreign experts to find the cause and provide solutions, to rebuild this road once and for all.
As a matter of fact I have been informed when inquiring, that works will start as soon as the expert’s reports come in.
Frustrations
One can certainly understand the frustrations of local people having one of their major roads closed or in limited use, but as the Maltese saying goes “Qattusa Ghaggelija – Freh Ghomja Tghamel” (Measure a Hundred Times before Cutting).
As this road does require major works at huge expense, one has to be quite certain that works implemented are done professionally, with and on expert’s advice. Works therefore have to last for a long period of years together with ongoing maintenance.
This, everyone knows, is a major project which will be done. The Gozo Ministry has promised so, and as everyone knows, the Gozo Minister the Hon Justyne Caruana, keeps to her word, let us give her space and let the project be guided and implemented by the experts.
It would be irresponsible to start works prior to the expert’s professional advice, so apart from the frustration for a person to by-pass the major road to reach Nadur, one has to make use of the other roads which are available.
The present administration certainly do keep their promises, as can be seen by the initial works which started on the Gozo Aquatic Centre which had been promised by one and all for many long years, and has now been started under the present Minister.”
Lino Debono,
Gozo.
By Lino DeBono
by Gozo News
May 15, 2019
“Nadur, after Victoria, has the second largest population, closely followed by Xaghra. Nadur is also one of the nicest villages that Gozo enjoys, situated on a hilltop, it enjoys a natural panoramic view and a beauty of its own.
From Nadur one can view the surrounding countryside of Gozo, as well as Comino and Malta, and on the other side, especially from Mixta Cave, one also gets a stupendous view of Ramla Bay. For me it is just breath-taking.
Nadur also enjoys terraced farmland which is a beauty to behold, and of course leads onward to San Blas Bay and the lovely Dahlet Qorrot Bay. Lastly, together with Xaghra, Nadur enjoys the ever beautiful Ramla Bay.
The people of Nadur have many ties with America as many of them emigrated there after the First World War, mainly to New York. It is in fact quite common to find houses in Nadur with signs of “God Bless America” or American flags hoisted on rooftops.
After the carnival was discontinued in Victoria, Nadur took it over and in recent years the Nadur Carnival has become famous throughout Gozo, Malta and the rest of the world.
People from all over, included foreigners, flock to participate and watch these festivities which are spontaneous and most natural. Carnival at Nadur has indeed become “a must see event.”
Access of roads
As previously mentioned, Nadur is situated on a hilltop, access to it is limited to about four roads, as far as I know. I may be mistaken, but that’s how I know it.
The major roads with access to Nadur are those from Mgarr to Nadur – Mgarr Road and Tax-Xhajma Road from Xewkija to Nadur. A minor road leads from Qala to Nadur and lastly there is a secondary road, which is only used by locals, connecting Qala with Nadur from the sea area.
Ta’ Xhajma Road.
I remember very well when this road was extended to how it is at present. The road was built on clay foundation and as no modern technology was then available, the road subsided quite a few times, until in very recent years major works were carried out to correct the foundations of the road.
Indeed in Victoria, at what is called the Kappuccini area, the first houses built there all shifted because they were built on a clay foundation, causing subsidence and fissures larger than the width of an arm. This provide a salutary lesson for future generations who acquired a governmental plot in that particular area.
Experts were brought in, who after long extensive tests, found a solution to this particular problem, enabling new roads and buildings to be constructed without similar problems. One learns by ones mistakes or lack of a professional expert’s advice. This may take some time, but prevention is the best cure of all.
Mgarr Road leading to Nadur
Recently the Mgarr Road leading to Nadur had large fissures appearing in it and part of the road started to give way to subsidence Although several temporary works of patching and filling have been done on it, no one till now had taken the bull by the horns and really examined the problem of how to fix these very important issues on this road.
The road eventually had to be closed due to parts of it collapsing and it also became clear that even the Nadur Football Ground is being effected by the movement of the road, which makes it even more dangerous than previously thought. Experts were were therefore brought in to examine the area in order to find solutions of how to fix these problems once and for all.
It was then discovered that the boundary walls supporting this road were not thick enough to withstand the pressure of the road (This is something similar to Ta’ Xhajma Road). Borehole digging in this area had also affected it, as well as water flowing underneath which added to the problem, and drainage water leaking from underground pipes was also discovered.
Due to this becoming a major problem – which no one in the past had ever dared to go into, the present administration took the bull by the horns – and brought in local and foreign experts to find the cause and provide solutions, to rebuild this road once and for all.
As a matter of fact I have been informed when inquiring, that works will start as soon as the expert’s reports come in.
Frustrations
One can certainly understand the frustrations of local people having one of their major roads closed or in limited use, but as the Maltese saying goes “Qattusa Ghaggelija – Freh Ghomja Tghamel” (Measure a Hundred Times before Cutting).
As this road does require major works at huge expense, one has to be quite certain that works implemented are done professionally, with and on expert’s advice. Works therefore have to last for a long period of years together with ongoing maintenance.
This, everyone knows, is a major project which will be done. The Gozo Ministry has promised so, and as everyone knows, the Gozo Minister the Hon Justyne Caruana, keeps to her word, let us give her space and let the project be guided and implemented by the experts.
It would be irresponsible to start works prior to the expert’s professional advice, so apart from the frustration for a person to by-pass the major road to reach Nadur, one has to make use of the other roads which are available.
The present administration certainly do keep their promises, as can be seen by the initial works which started on the Gozo Aquatic Centre which had been promised by one and all for many long years, and has now been started under the present Minister.”
Lino Debono,
Gozo.
[WATCH] Eurovision: Could this be our year? Most of you think so...
All respondents have proclaimed support for the 18-year-old Michela Pace and most say that the daring Chameleon may even make it all the way to the top
15 May 2019, 4:05pm
by David Hudson
Israel has won the Eurovision song contest four times and has hosted the contest twice, both in 1979 and 1999; this is the first time it will be held in Tel Aviv
Same old same old or realistic deliberation?
People praised the Malta song’s beat and compared it with Tuesday’s semi-final competitors saying most did not compare with Pace’s virtuosity.
READ MORE: Not likely but possible — Malta’s chances at the Eurovision
Respondents said that Pace is talented, has a good voice and that Malta’s song choices are improving year on year.
Chameleon was written by Swedish songwriters and producers Joacim Persson and Johan Alkenäs, Paula Winger, and successful Bulgarian composer Borislav Milanov.
Untitled infographic
InfogramThey happen to have also written Azerbaijan’s entry this year, which song is currently doing better than Malta in terms of winning odds.
Malta is currently placed at 10th place by bookmakers according to Eurovisionworld, Azerbaijan at 7th and Netherlands has enjoyed top spot for over a month.
When asked about Malta's chances, most respondents were positive and all hoped that Pace would do well on the night, praising her singing skills and her "sweet" personality.
People said that they expect Malta to make it to the top 5 at least and that they are rooting for their home country all the way.
Malta is set to perform in position 11 on Thursday in the Eurovision's second semi-final. Chameleon is expected to go through to the second round and compete in the final on Saturday 18 May.
This year’s host country has been contentious at the least, with Israel hoping the contest may help its image despite the international calls for a boycott.
All respondents have proclaimed support for the 18-year-old Michela Pace and most say that the daring Chameleon may even make it all the way to the top
15 May 2019, 4:05pm
by David Hudson
Israel has won the Eurovision song contest four times and has hosted the contest twice, both in 1979 and 1999; this is the first time it will be held in Tel Aviv
Same old same old or realistic deliberation?
People praised the Malta song’s beat and compared it with Tuesday’s semi-final competitors saying most did not compare with Pace’s virtuosity.
READ MORE: Not likely but possible — Malta’s chances at the Eurovision
Respondents said that Pace is talented, has a good voice and that Malta’s song choices are improving year on year.
Chameleon was written by Swedish songwriters and producers Joacim Persson and Johan Alkenäs, Paula Winger, and successful Bulgarian composer Borislav Milanov.
Untitled infographic
InfogramThey happen to have also written Azerbaijan’s entry this year, which song is currently doing better than Malta in terms of winning odds.
Malta is currently placed at 10th place by bookmakers according to Eurovisionworld, Azerbaijan at 7th and Netherlands has enjoyed top spot for over a month.
When asked about Malta's chances, most respondents were positive and all hoped that Pace would do well on the night, praising her singing skills and her "sweet" personality.
People said that they expect Malta to make it to the top 5 at least and that they are rooting for their home country all the way.
Malta is set to perform in position 11 on Thursday in the Eurovision's second semi-final. Chameleon is expected to go through to the second round and compete in the final on Saturday 18 May.
This year’s host country has been contentious at the least, with Israel hoping the contest may help its image despite the international calls for a boycott.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019,
by Ivan Camilleri
Private roads tarmacked through public funds in minister’s district
Infrastructure Malta says repairs carried out in view of public utility
Works on Triq Bellic, a private road in Qormi, yesterday.
The government is carrying out various infrastructural works on private roads in Qormi and Żebbuġ using taxpayer funds despite that such works should have been carried out and paid for by private owners, Times of Malta is informed.
Through its new roads agency, Infrastructure Malta, works have already been done in Żebbuġ, asphalting stretches of private streets which lead to complexes of garages built years ago.
Following reports reaching the newspaper, Times of Malta on Monday witnessed ongoing works on a similar private garage complex in Qormi where a company contracted by Infrastructure Malta was rebuilding the streets and installing new underground services in preparation for a final level of fresh tarmac.
Works are being done on the eve of another electoral campaign, with local and MEP elections slated for May 25.
Qormi and Żebbuġ form part of the sixth and seventh electoral districts which incidentally are represented in Parliament by Minister Ian Borg, responsible for the roads agency.
“Just a few weeks ago a Labour candidate for the local council came to tell me at my garage that Ian (Minister Borg) will be doing up our road,” a garage owner in Qormi’s Bellic Street, told the newspaper.
“We were always told that since this is a private road the government is not responsible and works have to be carried either by the owner, who sold us his garages, or by us if we didn’t pay the owner for the road when we purchased our garages,” he said.
“However, it seems that the coming elections have at least served us for something,” the garage owner added.
A similar situation occurred just a few weeks ago in Żebbuġ. Private streets forming part of a garage complex in Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri were dug up and new tarmac was laid after new pavements were constructed at government’s expense.
A 55-year-old owner of a garage in the street, who said he had been lobbying with the garages’ developer for the tarmacking of the road for years, let slip that “the dentist had surely helped out”, referring to former Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando who has his private dental clinic on one of the corners of the freshly surfaced private road.
Asked to confirm the works on private roads, an Infrastructure Malta spokesman at first avoided giving a direct reply and instead said that “these were publicly accessible” streets.
Pressed to state whether the roads in question are privately owned and to explain why the government had spent tens of thousands of euros from public funds for works which were supposed to be carried by the road owners, the spokesman admitted that these were indeed privately-owned streets.
“The indicated roads were originally formed for private use but through the years became publicly-accessible and started being used as public roads,” the spokesman said.
“Infrastructure Malta carried out the required repairs in view of their public utility, and in line with applicable road work regulations.”
Quoting new road regulations, enacted only last year through subsidiary legislation, the spokesman said that the rules allow such intervention.
“The agency may, at any time, carry out or cause or allow to be carried out in and under any private road and work whatsoever which it considers necessary or useful on grounds of public utility.”
However, the government agency failed to state that the same rules clearly state that works on private roads are to be paid by private owners.
The rules Infrastructure Malta did not quote“The owners of any property immediately abutting on any private road or the persons holding such property on emphyteutical lease shall, for the purpose of this part, be deemed to be the persons who opened such road and the owners thereof:
Provided that any person who is bound to carry out any work in any such road shall be entitled to bring against third parties any civil action, admissible according to law, for the recovery of any expenses incurred in the execution of the work.
The Agency shall be enabled to carry out, or as the case may be, to continue the carrying out of all or any of the works (in private roads) after having given the owner notice by registered letter of its decision so to do: any such works shall be carried out at the expense of the person who has opened the road.
Every private road, including the footway thereof, shall, on notice by registered letter given by the Authority, be asphalted or surfaced otherwise as indicated by the Authority, by the Agency, at the owner’s expense.
by Ivan Camilleri
Private roads tarmacked through public funds in minister’s district
Infrastructure Malta says repairs carried out in view of public utility
Works on Triq Bellic, a private road in Qormi, yesterday.
The government is carrying out various infrastructural works on private roads in Qormi and Żebbuġ using taxpayer funds despite that such works should have been carried out and paid for by private owners, Times of Malta is informed.
Through its new roads agency, Infrastructure Malta, works have already been done in Żebbuġ, asphalting stretches of private streets which lead to complexes of garages built years ago.
Following reports reaching the newspaper, Times of Malta on Monday witnessed ongoing works on a similar private garage complex in Qormi where a company contracted by Infrastructure Malta was rebuilding the streets and installing new underground services in preparation for a final level of fresh tarmac.
Works are being done on the eve of another electoral campaign, with local and MEP elections slated for May 25.
Qormi and Żebbuġ form part of the sixth and seventh electoral districts which incidentally are represented in Parliament by Minister Ian Borg, responsible for the roads agency.
“Just a few weeks ago a Labour candidate for the local council came to tell me at my garage that Ian (Minister Borg) will be doing up our road,” a garage owner in Qormi’s Bellic Street, told the newspaper.
“We were always told that since this is a private road the government is not responsible and works have to be carried either by the owner, who sold us his garages, or by us if we didn’t pay the owner for the road when we purchased our garages,” he said.
“However, it seems that the coming elections have at least served us for something,” the garage owner added.
A similar situation occurred just a few weeks ago in Żebbuġ. Private streets forming part of a garage complex in Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri were dug up and new tarmac was laid after new pavements were constructed at government’s expense.
A 55-year-old owner of a garage in the street, who said he had been lobbying with the garages’ developer for the tarmacking of the road for years, let slip that “the dentist had surely helped out”, referring to former Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando who has his private dental clinic on one of the corners of the freshly surfaced private road.
Asked to confirm the works on private roads, an Infrastructure Malta spokesman at first avoided giving a direct reply and instead said that “these were publicly accessible” streets.
Pressed to state whether the roads in question are privately owned and to explain why the government had spent tens of thousands of euros from public funds for works which were supposed to be carried by the road owners, the spokesman admitted that these were indeed privately-owned streets.
“The indicated roads were originally formed for private use but through the years became publicly-accessible and started being used as public roads,” the spokesman said.
“Infrastructure Malta carried out the required repairs in view of their public utility, and in line with applicable road work regulations.”
Quoting new road regulations, enacted only last year through subsidiary legislation, the spokesman said that the rules allow such intervention.
“The agency may, at any time, carry out or cause or allow to be carried out in and under any private road and work whatsoever which it considers necessary or useful on grounds of public utility.”
However, the government agency failed to state that the same rules clearly state that works on private roads are to be paid by private owners.
The rules Infrastructure Malta did not quote“The owners of any property immediately abutting on any private road or the persons holding such property on emphyteutical lease shall, for the purpose of this part, be deemed to be the persons who opened such road and the owners thereof:
Provided that any person who is bound to carry out any work in any such road shall be entitled to bring against third parties any civil action, admissible according to law, for the recovery of any expenses incurred in the execution of the work.
The Agency shall be enabled to carry out, or as the case may be, to continue the carrying out of all or any of the works (in private roads) after having given the owner notice by registered letter of its decision so to do: any such works shall be carried out at the expense of the person who has opened the road.
Every private road, including the footway thereof, shall, on notice by registered letter given by the Authority, be asphalted or surfaced otherwise as indicated by the Authority, by the Agency, at the owner’s expense.
[WATCH] Parliament a farce: Opposition parties decry House suspension during campaign
The government has said that the decision to suspend sittings was taken in light of poor attendance resulting from the fact that many MPs were occupied with campaign events
14 May 2019, 5:02pm
by Yannick Pace
The government yesterday said it was adjourning parliament till after the upcoming elections
A decision by the government to suspend parliament till after the elections scheduled to take place at the end of this month has both opposition parties accusing the government of undermining the country’s democracy.
Yesterday, parliament was adjourned by until after the elections, with the government citing poor attendance for sittings as a result of the fact that many MPs were occupied with campaign events.
Government whip Byron Camilleri told MaltaToday that the poor attendance was making it difficult for parliament to continue to function properly. “So much so, that one could tell that attendance in parliament was poor.”
Camilleri said the Opposition had been informed “during the sitting” and that extra sessions would be scheduled for after the election, to make up for the ones missed.
The decision however was criticised by the Nationalist and Democratic parties.
“On the eve of a sitting whether the estimates of the Embryo Protection Authority were to be debated and which was agreed to two weeks ago in the House Business Committee, the government decided, out of the blue, to adjourn parliament till after the elections,” the Nationalist Party said in a statement yesterday.
It added that it was clear that the decision had been taken because the government was not comfortable discussing the subject before the election.
The decision was described by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi as “unprecedented abuse” by the government, which he said was “running roughshod over Parliament”.
Democratic Party leader Godfrey Farrugia similarly said the government’s decision stopped debates necessary for the proper functioning of a representative democracy.
Watch film here: https://www.facebook.com/drgodfreyfarrugia/videos/494571197745404/
“Parliamentary sittings just resumed after a three week break for Easter and out of the blue, it was adjourned again by the government’s whip, obviously on the instructions of the Office of the Prime Minister,” Farrugia said in a video uploaded to his Facebook page.
“I was whip and I know how things are done. Nobody adjourns parliament for no reason and it shows how weak our democracy is, where the government can unilaterally decide to adjourn parliament.
He added that poor attendance, especially during an MEP campaign, was nothing new, and that this was mainly due to the fact that the government had “bought” its backbench and was ignoring the Opposition.
“Parliament had become a farce in the hands of the maestro, the Prime Minister,” Farrugia said.
Camilleri did not respond to a question on whether the move could be considered undemocratic.
The government has said that the decision to suspend sittings was taken in light of poor attendance resulting from the fact that many MPs were occupied with campaign events
14 May 2019, 5:02pm
by Yannick Pace
The government yesterday said it was adjourning parliament till after the upcoming elections
A decision by the government to suspend parliament till after the elections scheduled to take place at the end of this month has both opposition parties accusing the government of undermining the country’s democracy.
Yesterday, parliament was adjourned by until after the elections, with the government citing poor attendance for sittings as a result of the fact that many MPs were occupied with campaign events.
Government whip Byron Camilleri told MaltaToday that the poor attendance was making it difficult for parliament to continue to function properly. “So much so, that one could tell that attendance in parliament was poor.”
Camilleri said the Opposition had been informed “during the sitting” and that extra sessions would be scheduled for after the election, to make up for the ones missed.
The decision however was criticised by the Nationalist and Democratic parties.
“On the eve of a sitting whether the estimates of the Embryo Protection Authority were to be debated and which was agreed to two weeks ago in the House Business Committee, the government decided, out of the blue, to adjourn parliament till after the elections,” the Nationalist Party said in a statement yesterday.
It added that it was clear that the decision had been taken because the government was not comfortable discussing the subject before the election.
The decision was described by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi as “unprecedented abuse” by the government, which he said was “running roughshod over Parliament”.
Democratic Party leader Godfrey Farrugia similarly said the government’s decision stopped debates necessary for the proper functioning of a representative democracy.
Watch film here: https://www.facebook.com/drgodfreyfarrugia/videos/494571197745404/
“Parliamentary sittings just resumed after a three week break for Easter and out of the blue, it was adjourned again by the government’s whip, obviously on the instructions of the Office of the Prime Minister,” Farrugia said in a video uploaded to his Facebook page.
“I was whip and I know how things are done. Nobody adjourns parliament for no reason and it shows how weak our democracy is, where the government can unilaterally decide to adjourn parliament.
He added that poor attendance, especially during an MEP campaign, was nothing new, and that this was mainly due to the fact that the government had “bought” its backbench and was ignoring the Opposition.
“Parliament had become a farce in the hands of the maestro, the Prime Minister,” Farrugia said.
Camilleri did not respond to a question on whether the move could be considered undemocratic.