Nadurjana.com is owned by webmaster by Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli. IT Andrew Buttigieg. Contributors in Malta Chev. Carmel Saliba and Mario Muscat
| programm_tal-hadd_17_march_2019.mp3 |
Sunday request program presented by Peter Paul Portelli, Pauline Zahra and George Sammut.
Enjoy 1 hour of your favourite songs.
Download to listen.
Enjoy 1 hour of your favourite songs.
Download to listen.
| kliem_hajja_17_marzu_2019.1.mp3 |
| dawl_mill-kelma_17-3-19_2Ħadd_randan_1.mp3 |
Tfissir tal-Vangelu tal-Hadd minn Mons. Salv Muscat
Toninu jirrakkonta
Programm imtella mill mibki Anthony Sultana Il-Rebbiegha |
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Blind man healed!
Watch the video: Jesus heals a blind man. https://www.facebook.com/Biblword/videos/2352697831462459/
Watch the video: Jesus heals a blind man. https://www.facebook.com/Biblword/videos/2352697831462459/
Il-Gvern ma kellux għażla ħlief li jagħmel kif qaltlu l-Kummissjoni Venezja – Delia
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
|22/03/2019
Il-Kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista Adrian Delia qal li wara l-pressjoni li saret mill-Oppożizzjoni, il-Gvern ma kellux għażla ħlief li jimplimenta t-tibdiliet li ssuġġerixxiet il-Kummissjoni Veneza. Skont Delia, dawn kienu simili għal dawk li l-PN kien ilhu xhur jgħid lill-Gvern biex iwettaq.
Fi stqarrija, il-PN qal li Delia tkellem dwar dan waqt attività politika fiż-Żurrieq.
Skont Delia, il-Kummissjoni Venezja tkellmet dwar il-bżonn li jitneħħa l-irwol doppju tal-avukat ġenerali. Fi kliem Delia, l-Oppożizzjoni ilha tikkritika dan il-kunflitt ta’ interess fejn l-avukat ġenerali huwa l-avukat tal-gvern u fl-istess ħin jiddeċiedi jekk jieħux passi kontra membri tal-istess gvern.
Delia qal li l-Ministru għall-Ġustizzja Owen Bonnici qal li dan huwa gvern riformista. Delia qal li l-liġijiet ma jfissru xejn jekk il-Gvern ma jkollux ir-rieda li jwettaq l-ispirtu tagħhom. Delia qal li filwaqt li Bonnici jgħid li l-Gvern biddel is-sistema li biha jintgħażlu l-ġudikanti, l-Imħallef Emeritu Giovanni Bonello qal li din is-sistema wasslet biex jintgħażlu n-nies li jrid il-Gvern.
Il-Gvern qed juża l-kundanna tal-Kummissjoni Venezja bħala ċertifikat – Delia
Skont il-Kummissjoni Venezja, fl-10 ta’ Ottubru tal-2018, iċ-Chairperson tal-Kumitat għall-Affarijiet Legali u għad-Drittijiet Umani tal-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa (PACE) talbet opinjoni tal-Kummissjoni Venezja dwar il-kostituzzjoni Maltija u s-separazzjoni tal-poteri.
“PM b’ħafna poter; nuqqas ta’ bilanċi u kontrolli”
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
|22/03/2019
Il-Kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista Adrian Delia qal li wara l-pressjoni li saret mill-Oppożizzjoni, il-Gvern ma kellux għażla ħlief li jimplimenta t-tibdiliet li ssuġġerixxiet il-Kummissjoni Veneza. Skont Delia, dawn kienu simili għal dawk li l-PN kien ilhu xhur jgħid lill-Gvern biex iwettaq.
Fi stqarrija, il-PN qal li Delia tkellem dwar dan waqt attività politika fiż-Żurrieq.
Skont Delia, il-Kummissjoni Venezja tkellmet dwar il-bżonn li jitneħħa l-irwol doppju tal-avukat ġenerali. Fi kliem Delia, l-Oppożizzjoni ilha tikkritika dan il-kunflitt ta’ interess fejn l-avukat ġenerali huwa l-avukat tal-gvern u fl-istess ħin jiddeċiedi jekk jieħux passi kontra membri tal-istess gvern.
Delia qal li l-Ministru għall-Ġustizzja Owen Bonnici qal li dan huwa gvern riformista. Delia qal li l-liġijiet ma jfissru xejn jekk il-Gvern ma jkollux ir-rieda li jwettaq l-ispirtu tagħhom. Delia qal li filwaqt li Bonnici jgħid li l-Gvern biddel is-sistema li biha jintgħażlu l-ġudikanti, l-Imħallef Emeritu Giovanni Bonello qal li din is-sistema wasslet biex jintgħażlu n-nies li jrid il-Gvern.
Il-Gvern qed juża l-kundanna tal-Kummissjoni Venezja bħala ċertifikat – Delia
Skont il-Kummissjoni Venezja, fl-10 ta’ Ottubru tal-2018, iċ-Chairperson tal-Kumitat għall-Affarijiet Legali u għad-Drittijiet Umani tal-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa (PACE) talbet opinjoni tal-Kummissjoni Venezja dwar il-kostituzzjoni Maltija u s-separazzjoni tal-poteri.
“PM b’ħafna poter; nuqqas ta’ bilanċi u kontrolli”
The Miraculous Redeemer of Senglea Malta
Ir-Redentur ta' l-Isla Malta.
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.3.19.
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155941367916594/
Ir-Redentur ta' l-Isla Malta.
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.3.19.
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155941367916594/
Malta in pictures
Top row: Street in Senglea, the Maltese Islands from air and Ramla Bay view in Gozo.
Bottom row: Filming Games of Thrones at the former Gozo's Azure Window, Valletta and Mellieha Bay by night.
Top row: Street in Senglea, the Maltese Islands from air and Ramla Bay view in Gozo.
Bottom row: Filming Games of Thrones at the former Gozo's Azure Window, Valletta and Mellieha Bay by night.
Il-President f’laqgħa mal-Papa Franġisku
Minn Monique Agius
21/03/2019
Photos: EPA-EFE/VATICAN MEDIA via Corporate Dispatch
Il-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca ltaqgħat mal-Papa Franġisku fil-Vatikan fejn fost oħrajn iddiskutew l-immigrazzjoni fil-Mediterran. Il-laqgħa saret biss ftit ġimgħat qabel jiġi fit-tmiemu t-terminu tal-President.
Fi stqarrija l-Uffiċċju tal-President qal li Coleiro Preca u l-Papa kellhom diskussjoni dwar ir-relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u l-Vatikan kif ukoll temi li jaffettwaw is-sitwazzjoni preżenti fil-Mediterran bħall-immigrazzjoni. Tema oħra li ġiet diskussa bejn il-President u l-Papa Franġisku kienet l-bżonn ta’ iktar kollaborazzjoni biex ikompli jiġi żviluppat id-djalogu bejn il-gruppi ta’ fidi differenti, bil-President tippreżenta kopja tal-ewwel dikjarazzjoni nazzjonali inter-reliġjuża li kienet iffirmata mill-mexxejja tal-komunitajiet reliġjużi differenti f’Malta.
Huma ddiskuttew ukoll kif jista’ jkun hemm iktar kollaborazzjoni bejn il-Knisja u l-Istat biex b’hekk ikun hemm iktar progress fil-qasam soċjali, kulturali kif ukoll spiritwali, speċjalment fost iż-żgħażagħ.
Il-President kienet akkumpanjata mill-Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin Carmelo Abela u l-Ambaxxatur Malti fil-Vatikan Frank Zammit. Hi ltaqgħat ukoll mas-Segretarju tal-Istat tal-Vatikan Pietro Parolin li kien akkumpanjat mill-Monsinjur Antoine Camilleri, kif ukoll mal-President Taljan Sergio Mattarella.
Minn Monique Agius
21/03/2019
Photos: EPA-EFE/VATICAN MEDIA via Corporate Dispatch
Il-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca ltaqgħat mal-Papa Franġisku fil-Vatikan fejn fost oħrajn iddiskutew l-immigrazzjoni fil-Mediterran. Il-laqgħa saret biss ftit ġimgħat qabel jiġi fit-tmiemu t-terminu tal-President.
Fi stqarrija l-Uffiċċju tal-President qal li Coleiro Preca u l-Papa kellhom diskussjoni dwar ir-relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u l-Vatikan kif ukoll temi li jaffettwaw is-sitwazzjoni preżenti fil-Mediterran bħall-immigrazzjoni. Tema oħra li ġiet diskussa bejn il-President u l-Papa Franġisku kienet l-bżonn ta’ iktar kollaborazzjoni biex ikompli jiġi żviluppat id-djalogu bejn il-gruppi ta’ fidi differenti, bil-President tippreżenta kopja tal-ewwel dikjarazzjoni nazzjonali inter-reliġjuża li kienet iffirmata mill-mexxejja tal-komunitajiet reliġjużi differenti f’Malta.
Huma ddiskuttew ukoll kif jista’ jkun hemm iktar kollaborazzjoni bejn il-Knisja u l-Istat biex b’hekk ikun hemm iktar progress fil-qasam soċjali, kulturali kif ukoll spiritwali, speċjalment fost iż-żgħażagħ.
Il-President kienet akkumpanjata mill-Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin Carmelo Abela u l-Ambaxxatur Malti fil-Vatikan Frank Zammit. Hi ltaqgħat ukoll mas-Segretarju tal-Istat tal-Vatikan Pietro Parolin li kien akkumpanjat mill-Monsinjur Antoine Camilleri, kif ukoll mal-President Taljan Sergio Mattarella.
Publish studies on Gozo tunnel alternatives, Church urges government
The Church said there is currently no reliable information available to the public to help it make an informed analysis of the possible alternatives to a tunnel
21 March 2019
by Massimo Costa
All studies on alternatives to a Gozo-Malta tunnel should be published, the Church has urged the government
The Church is calling on the government to publish all the studies on alternatives to the Gozo tunnel and to indicate which of these would offer the most environmental, social, economic and operational sustainability.
It said the government should also make known the opportunities for new jobs and investment which could be created by going for one or more of those alternatives instead of the tunnel, and whether there are factors which would still deter investors from investing in Gozo should those options be implemented.
In a statement Thursday, the Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) said that, at present, there exists no sound and reliable information in the public domain which could help people make an informed analysis of the possible alternatives which would truly lead to better accessibility between Malta and Gozo.
“The public is currently being fed information and assertions that are not backed by readily available evidence,” KA said, “Past promises of a fast ferry service and that of a fourth ship in the Gozo Channel fleet are as yet, unfulfilled. Moreover, the helicopter emergency service operating between the Gozo General Hospital and Mater Dei Hospital has deteriorated.”
In the absence of an improvement in the existing service and/or the introduction of new services which do not require a hefty capital expenditure when compared to a tunnel, arguments in favour of the latter become stronger, as the other options are not considered, let alone evaluated, it highlighted.
“The KA reiterates what it said about the subject in October 2013: before reaching a final decision on the project, the charge one would be obliged to pay for the service has to be carefully studied and made public.”
It said that the tunnel’s economic aspect has to be studied in detail, and would have to go beyond the concept that better accessibility (whatever the means adopted) may solve all the economic and investment challenges of Gozo.
There are various factors which determine whether investors decide to invest in Gozo or not, and none of these factors may be solved by a tunnel, KA pointed out, as it remarked that it would be looking forward to the publication of the full Cost-Benefit Analysis of the various alternative options to a tunnel.
KA went on to underline that a project for better accessibility between the two islands is of national strategic importance, and should be decided in a context ensuring better quality of life, sustainability and national economic development
“The principle that the people of our islands should have an equitable adequate access to administrative, educational, health and transport services, is absolute and should not be conditioned by the presence of any one means of connectivity,” it emphasized.
Local plans for both Gozo and for the whole country should be published, it said, so development zone boundaries are secured. Moreover, the government should revise the Rural Policy and Design Guidance, and the Fuel Stations Policy to ensure that the countryside will no longer be subjected to the abuse it is currently undergoing under the existing policies, it said.
Environment assessment rules should be followed strictly
The Church went on to urges the Planning Authority, the Environment and Resources Authority, the Strategic Environment Assessment Focal Point and Transport Malta to ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Strategic Environment Assessment Directives be “strictly adhered to without any legalistic stratagems similar to those used in the case of the changes made to the Smart City masterplan.”
“The KA appeals to the Department of Contracts and to the Auditor General to ensure that the procedure for the choice of any option/s for better accessibility between the two islands be truly above board, and that it gives good value for money for the development of Gozo. Above all, the selected option should not create negative impacts which would then have to be endured by Gozo and the Gozitans.”
The Church said there is currently no reliable information available to the public to help it make an informed analysis of the possible alternatives to a tunnel
21 March 2019
by Massimo Costa
All studies on alternatives to a Gozo-Malta tunnel should be published, the Church has urged the government
The Church is calling on the government to publish all the studies on alternatives to the Gozo tunnel and to indicate which of these would offer the most environmental, social, economic and operational sustainability.
It said the government should also make known the opportunities for new jobs and investment which could be created by going for one or more of those alternatives instead of the tunnel, and whether there are factors which would still deter investors from investing in Gozo should those options be implemented.
In a statement Thursday, the Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) said that, at present, there exists no sound and reliable information in the public domain which could help people make an informed analysis of the possible alternatives which would truly lead to better accessibility between Malta and Gozo.
“The public is currently being fed information and assertions that are not backed by readily available evidence,” KA said, “Past promises of a fast ferry service and that of a fourth ship in the Gozo Channel fleet are as yet, unfulfilled. Moreover, the helicopter emergency service operating between the Gozo General Hospital and Mater Dei Hospital has deteriorated.”
In the absence of an improvement in the existing service and/or the introduction of new services which do not require a hefty capital expenditure when compared to a tunnel, arguments in favour of the latter become stronger, as the other options are not considered, let alone evaluated, it highlighted.
“The KA reiterates what it said about the subject in October 2013: before reaching a final decision on the project, the charge one would be obliged to pay for the service has to be carefully studied and made public.”
It said that the tunnel’s economic aspect has to be studied in detail, and would have to go beyond the concept that better accessibility (whatever the means adopted) may solve all the economic and investment challenges of Gozo.
There are various factors which determine whether investors decide to invest in Gozo or not, and none of these factors may be solved by a tunnel, KA pointed out, as it remarked that it would be looking forward to the publication of the full Cost-Benefit Analysis of the various alternative options to a tunnel.
KA went on to underline that a project for better accessibility between the two islands is of national strategic importance, and should be decided in a context ensuring better quality of life, sustainability and national economic development
“The principle that the people of our islands should have an equitable adequate access to administrative, educational, health and transport services, is absolute and should not be conditioned by the presence of any one means of connectivity,” it emphasized.
Local plans for both Gozo and for the whole country should be published, it said, so development zone boundaries are secured. Moreover, the government should revise the Rural Policy and Design Guidance, and the Fuel Stations Policy to ensure that the countryside will no longer be subjected to the abuse it is currently undergoing under the existing policies, it said.
Environment assessment rules should be followed strictly
The Church went on to urges the Planning Authority, the Environment and Resources Authority, the Strategic Environment Assessment Focal Point and Transport Malta to ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Strategic Environment Assessment Directives be “strictly adhered to without any legalistic stratagems similar to those used in the case of the changes made to the Smart City masterplan.”
“The KA appeals to the Department of Contracts and to the Auditor General to ensure that the procedure for the choice of any option/s for better accessibility between the two islands be truly above board, and that it gives good value for money for the development of Gozo. Above all, the selected option should not create negative impacts which would then have to be endured by Gozo and the Gozitans.”
Wara l-Karnival......ir-Randan!
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
Frar ħalliena u l-Karnival, parpar ukoll. Il-Karnival organizzat fl-enclosure ta’ Pjazza Indipendenza Victoria mill-Kunsill tal-Kultura fi ħdan il-Ministeru għal Għawdex kien wieħed tajjeb u fil-fehma tiegħi ta’ livell. L-enclosure kien ippakjat bin-nies kull meta t-temp ippermetta . Mhux biss imma Għawdex ikun diġa far bil-Maltin li jaqsmu l-Fliegu biex jiġu jgawdu magħna l-Karnival meta mhux ukoll ixiddu xi kostum u joqogħdu jiġġerrew mat-toroq tagħna! Is-sehem tal-iskejjel kien importanti u rridu naraw li ninkoraġġixxu lit-tfal u ninvestu fihom jekk irridu nassikuraw il-futur tal-Karnival. Veru li fil-Karnival tagħna naqset il-komiċita’ u sirt iktar tara spettaklu ta’ lwien u żfin raffinat u sinkronizzat mal-mużika u karrijiet sbieħ movimentati u kuluri jgħajtu u jixegħlu kif ukoll kostumi fini u li jiswew il-flus u ħafna sabar u paċenzja biex tħithom. Iżda ngħid għalija qed nara li naqset il-komiċita fl-enclosure fiż-żmien il-Karnival ta’ Gużeppi Balluċċi, Baskal ta’ Kunċetta, Fredu l-leverist u l-Muskettieri Għawdxin! It-temp huwa dejjem fattur importanti f’dawn il-festi tradizzjonali u popolari u allura mportanti naraw li l-Istat jipprovdi spazju adegwat fejn jistgħu jinħadmu l-karrijiet u jistkennu minn xi ħalba xita jew mir-riħ qawwi.
Importanti wkoll is-sehem li qed jagħtu l-Kunsilli Lokali tagħna li jorganizzaw il-Karnival fl-irħula rispettivi tagħhom. Iżda hemm bżonn li kull Kunsill jagħraf iżomm il-kontroll u ma jħalli lil ħadd jabbuża jew jaqbeż il-limitu. Sabiħ il-Karnival spontanju, mela le, iżda għal kollox hemm il-limitu u d-deċenza. Qrajna wkoll dwar l-eluf kbar li qasmu l-Fliegu biex igawdu l-Karnival f’Għawdex, b’mod speċjali dak spontanju li jsir fin-Nadur. Iżda din m’għandhiex tkun okkażjoni biex jitbaxxa l-livell tal-Karnival tagħna. Għal kuntrarju din għandha tkun okkażjoni sabiħa fejn niltaqgħu u niddevertu flimkien ta’ nies edukati u maturi u mhux ninħbew taħt il-maskra biex nagħmlu li rridu. Okkażjoni tajba wkoll biex jiġġenera iktar kummerċ f’dan iż-żmien kwiet tas-sena. Jien ma qgħadtx lura u għalkemm ma sejħulix biex nippreżenta l-Karnival Ċentrali kif għamilt fis-snin l-imgħoddija, xorta ħadt gost niddeverti u ppreżentajt il-Karnival kemm fl-Għarb kif ukoll fiż-Żebbuġ u f’Ta’Sannat barra li skejjel u kumpaniji qabbduni nqabblilhom xi żewġ strofi biex jinqraw qabel tibda ż-żifna tagħhom!
Intant issa dħalna fi żmien qaddis u għażiż tar-Randan. Jalla dawk li ħarġu xi ftit ‘l barra mit-triq, issa jindunaw u jpattu għal għemilhom. Issa huwa ż-żmien li wieħed jidħol waħda fih innifsu u jgħarbel u jiżen l-imgħoddi tiegħu. Matul dawn l-erbgħin jum hemm ħafna x’wieħed jagħmel jekk tassew iħaddan il-valuri nsara tagħna. Dan hu ż-żmien tas-sagrifiċċju. L-Imgħallem divin tana l-eżempju u qatta’ erbgħin jum fid-deżert fit-talb u l-penitenza. Dari niesna kienu jsumu r-Randan sħiħ u bosta drabi fuq ħobż u ilma. Illum aħna obbligati biss nsumu f’Ras ir-Randan u fil-Jum għażiż tal-Gimgħa l-Kbira, iżda żgur li dan biss m’għandux jikkuntentana. Hemm ħafna modi kif wieħed jista’ jagħmel xi ftit tas-sagrifiċċju. Kull parroċċa tieħu ħsieb tipprovdi predikaturi tajbin biex jagħtu xi kors ta’ Eżerċizzi Spiritwali lill-kategoriji kollha u ħadd m’għandu jitlef ċans bħal dan li jagħmel eżami tal-kuxjenza darba fis-sena. Drawwa sabiħa hija dik li tara ħafna nies jinvistaw l-erbatax-il stazzjon tal-Via Sagra kif ukoll jieħdu sehem fil-purċissjonijiet tad-Duluri u tal-Gimgħa l-Kbira; f’din tal-aħħar ħafna jagħżlu li jkaxkru l-ktajjen jew jerfgħu minn xi statwa. Oħrajn jagħzlu li jnaqqsu mit-tipjip, mix-xorb u minn xi divertiment ieħor. Jiena hawnhekk inżid li sewwa kieku dak li niffrankaw nagħtuh karita’. Nista nibqa’ sejjer b’din il-kantaliena. F’kelma waħda min ma jridx ma jidħolx għal xi tip ta’ sagrifiċċju f’dan iż-żmien tas-sena. Irridu naħfru lil min naqasna u nagħmlu sforz biex inġibu lura l-għaqda u l-armonija. “Ħniena rrid u mhux sagrifiċċju”! “Ċarrtu qlubkom u mhux ilbieskom”!
Matul Marzu tiġi wkoll il-festa għażiża tal-Patrijarka San Ġużepp meqjum b’mod speċjali fil-parroċċa tal-Qala fejn insibu Arċipriet ħabrieki, Dun Nazju Borġ, imwieled ix-Xagħra u għal żmien twil Kappillan tal-parroċċa ta’ San Lawrenz. Ċert li ħidma sfieqa tiergħ qed tħalil-frott fost il-Qalin. Ftit jiem biss wara d-19 ta’ Marzu, titfaċċa mill-ewwel il-festa għażiża tal-Lunzjata u f’Għawdex għandna kappella ferm sabiħa u qadima li nsibuha ssaltan f’nofs ta’ wied dejjem iħaddar fejn in-Natura donnha tilfet għaqalha kollu u żejnitu bi sbuħija liema bħalha.
Intant inkomplu fejn ħallejna; jekk nimxu fuq il-passi tal-Imsallab, naħfru u nestendu l-id tal-ħbiberija, ninsew l-imgħoddi u npattu bil-ġid għad-deni li rċevejna, jekk nagħmlu hekk żgur li ż-żmien tar-Randan ma jkunx ġie u mar għalxejn. Imbagħad bir-raġun ikollna għalfejn nifirħu fi żmien il-Għid li dis-sena ser jaħbat fl-21 ta’ April (ftit jiem wara, San Gorġ u l-ewwel passa tal-gamiem, jekk fadal gamiem!) u niġru bl-Irxoxt u nduqu l-figolli ta’ kull sura bil-bajda taċ-ċikkulata!
Kav Joe M Attard
Rabat - Għawdex
Frar ħalliena u l-Karnival, parpar ukoll. Il-Karnival organizzat fl-enclosure ta’ Pjazza Indipendenza Victoria mill-Kunsill tal-Kultura fi ħdan il-Ministeru għal Għawdex kien wieħed tajjeb u fil-fehma tiegħi ta’ livell. L-enclosure kien ippakjat bin-nies kull meta t-temp ippermetta . Mhux biss imma Għawdex ikun diġa far bil-Maltin li jaqsmu l-Fliegu biex jiġu jgawdu magħna l-Karnival meta mhux ukoll ixiddu xi kostum u joqogħdu jiġġerrew mat-toroq tagħna! Is-sehem tal-iskejjel kien importanti u rridu naraw li ninkoraġġixxu lit-tfal u ninvestu fihom jekk irridu nassikuraw il-futur tal-Karnival. Veru li fil-Karnival tagħna naqset il-komiċita’ u sirt iktar tara spettaklu ta’ lwien u żfin raffinat u sinkronizzat mal-mużika u karrijiet sbieħ movimentati u kuluri jgħajtu u jixegħlu kif ukoll kostumi fini u li jiswew il-flus u ħafna sabar u paċenzja biex tħithom. Iżda ngħid għalija qed nara li naqset il-komiċita fl-enclosure fiż-żmien il-Karnival ta’ Gużeppi Balluċċi, Baskal ta’ Kunċetta, Fredu l-leverist u l-Muskettieri Għawdxin! It-temp huwa dejjem fattur importanti f’dawn il-festi tradizzjonali u popolari u allura mportanti naraw li l-Istat jipprovdi spazju adegwat fejn jistgħu jinħadmu l-karrijiet u jistkennu minn xi ħalba xita jew mir-riħ qawwi.
Importanti wkoll is-sehem li qed jagħtu l-Kunsilli Lokali tagħna li jorganizzaw il-Karnival fl-irħula rispettivi tagħhom. Iżda hemm bżonn li kull Kunsill jagħraf iżomm il-kontroll u ma jħalli lil ħadd jabbuża jew jaqbeż il-limitu. Sabiħ il-Karnival spontanju, mela le, iżda għal kollox hemm il-limitu u d-deċenza. Qrajna wkoll dwar l-eluf kbar li qasmu l-Fliegu biex igawdu l-Karnival f’Għawdex, b’mod speċjali dak spontanju li jsir fin-Nadur. Iżda din m’għandhiex tkun okkażjoni biex jitbaxxa l-livell tal-Karnival tagħna. Għal kuntrarju din għandha tkun okkażjoni sabiħa fejn niltaqgħu u niddevertu flimkien ta’ nies edukati u maturi u mhux ninħbew taħt il-maskra biex nagħmlu li rridu. Okkażjoni tajba wkoll biex jiġġenera iktar kummerċ f’dan iż-żmien kwiet tas-sena. Jien ma qgħadtx lura u għalkemm ma sejħulix biex nippreżenta l-Karnival Ċentrali kif għamilt fis-snin l-imgħoddija, xorta ħadt gost niddeverti u ppreżentajt il-Karnival kemm fl-Għarb kif ukoll fiż-Żebbuġ u f’Ta’Sannat barra li skejjel u kumpaniji qabbduni nqabblilhom xi żewġ strofi biex jinqraw qabel tibda ż-żifna tagħhom!
Intant issa dħalna fi żmien qaddis u għażiż tar-Randan. Jalla dawk li ħarġu xi ftit ‘l barra mit-triq, issa jindunaw u jpattu għal għemilhom. Issa huwa ż-żmien li wieħed jidħol waħda fih innifsu u jgħarbel u jiżen l-imgħoddi tiegħu. Matul dawn l-erbgħin jum hemm ħafna x’wieħed jagħmel jekk tassew iħaddan il-valuri nsara tagħna. Dan hu ż-żmien tas-sagrifiċċju. L-Imgħallem divin tana l-eżempju u qatta’ erbgħin jum fid-deżert fit-talb u l-penitenza. Dari niesna kienu jsumu r-Randan sħiħ u bosta drabi fuq ħobż u ilma. Illum aħna obbligati biss nsumu f’Ras ir-Randan u fil-Jum għażiż tal-Gimgħa l-Kbira, iżda żgur li dan biss m’għandux jikkuntentana. Hemm ħafna modi kif wieħed jista’ jagħmel xi ftit tas-sagrifiċċju. Kull parroċċa tieħu ħsieb tipprovdi predikaturi tajbin biex jagħtu xi kors ta’ Eżerċizzi Spiritwali lill-kategoriji kollha u ħadd m’għandu jitlef ċans bħal dan li jagħmel eżami tal-kuxjenza darba fis-sena. Drawwa sabiħa hija dik li tara ħafna nies jinvistaw l-erbatax-il stazzjon tal-Via Sagra kif ukoll jieħdu sehem fil-purċissjonijiet tad-Duluri u tal-Gimgħa l-Kbira; f’din tal-aħħar ħafna jagħżlu li jkaxkru l-ktajjen jew jerfgħu minn xi statwa. Oħrajn jagħzlu li jnaqqsu mit-tipjip, mix-xorb u minn xi divertiment ieħor. Jiena hawnhekk inżid li sewwa kieku dak li niffrankaw nagħtuh karita’. Nista nibqa’ sejjer b’din il-kantaliena. F’kelma waħda min ma jridx ma jidħolx għal xi tip ta’ sagrifiċċju f’dan iż-żmien tas-sena. Irridu naħfru lil min naqasna u nagħmlu sforz biex inġibu lura l-għaqda u l-armonija. “Ħniena rrid u mhux sagrifiċċju”! “Ċarrtu qlubkom u mhux ilbieskom”!
Matul Marzu tiġi wkoll il-festa għażiża tal-Patrijarka San Ġużepp meqjum b’mod speċjali fil-parroċċa tal-Qala fejn insibu Arċipriet ħabrieki, Dun Nazju Borġ, imwieled ix-Xagħra u għal żmien twil Kappillan tal-parroċċa ta’ San Lawrenz. Ċert li ħidma sfieqa tiergħ qed tħalil-frott fost il-Qalin. Ftit jiem biss wara d-19 ta’ Marzu, titfaċċa mill-ewwel il-festa għażiża tal-Lunzjata u f’Għawdex għandna kappella ferm sabiħa u qadima li nsibuha ssaltan f’nofs ta’ wied dejjem iħaddar fejn in-Natura donnha tilfet għaqalha kollu u żejnitu bi sbuħija liema bħalha.
Intant inkomplu fejn ħallejna; jekk nimxu fuq il-passi tal-Imsallab, naħfru u nestendu l-id tal-ħbiberija, ninsew l-imgħoddi u npattu bil-ġid għad-deni li rċevejna, jekk nagħmlu hekk żgur li ż-żmien tar-Randan ma jkunx ġie u mar għalxejn. Imbagħad bir-raġun ikollna għalfejn nifirħu fi żmien il-Għid li dis-sena ser jaħbat fl-21 ta’ April (ftit jiem wara, San Gorġ u l-ewwel passa tal-gamiem, jekk fadal gamiem!) u niġru bl-Irxoxt u nduqu l-figolli ta’ kull sura bil-bajda taċ-ċikkulata!
JOE DEMICOLI - With Gozo Boy & Domnic Grech - 2003
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbWe1TT71ss&feature=share
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbWe1TT71ss&feature=share
Freddie Portelli Gozo Boy passes away
We are sorry to hear that Freddie Portelli the Gozo Boy passed away.
Condolence to his family.
May he rest in peace.
TISLIMA LIL ALFRED PORTELLI - IL-GOZO BOY
Illum n-Nadur tilef lil Fredu Portelli - il-Gozo Boy.
Alfred Portelli halla din id-dinja kmieni dalghodu u minn hawn nwasslu l-kondoljanzi lill-martu Rita, binti Aida u l-familjari kollha tieghu.
Fredu kien Naduri li habb lin-Nadur u lill-pajjizu u kull fejn kien jiehu sehem bil-kant tieghu ghamel minn kollox biex jzomm isem n-Nadur u Ghawdex fuq quddiem nett.
TISLIMA MILL-QALB U GRAZZI TA' DAK KOLLU LI GHAMILT MATUL HAJTEK.
We are sorry to hear that Freddie Portelli the Gozo Boy passed away.
Condolence to his family.
May he rest in peace.
TISLIMA LIL ALFRED PORTELLI - IL-GOZO BOY
Illum n-Nadur tilef lil Fredu Portelli - il-Gozo Boy.
Alfred Portelli halla din id-dinja kmieni dalghodu u minn hawn nwasslu l-kondoljanzi lill-martu Rita, binti Aida u l-familjari kollha tieghu.
Fredu kien Naduri li habb lin-Nadur u lill-pajjizu u kull fejn kien jiehu sehem bil-kant tieghu ghamel minn kollox biex jzomm isem n-Nadur u Ghawdex fuq quddiem nett.
TISLIMA MILL-QALB U GRAZZI TA' DAK KOLLU LI GHAMILT MATUL HAJTEK.
Ghaddejjin il-preparazzjoni ghall-purcissjoni tal-Gimgha l-Kbira fin-Nadur
Illum twahhal poster fid-dahla tan-Nadur fi Triq ir-Rabat.
Zuru l-pagna ta' facebook Gimgha Kbira Nadur u segwu dak li qed jithejja ghal din il-purcissjoni fin-Nadur li fiha jiehdu sehem mijiet ta' Nadurin.
Twahhlet il-billboard li qed tippromuovi il-Purcissjoni tal-Gimgha l-Kbira fil-Parrocca taghna. Grazzi specjali lil Martin Attard li kien inkarigat minn dan il-poster li jaghti deskrizzjoni tajba tal-Purcissjoni taghna.
Illum twahhal poster fid-dahla tan-Nadur fi Triq ir-Rabat.
Zuru l-pagna ta' facebook Gimgha Kbira Nadur u segwu dak li qed jithejja ghal din il-purcissjoni fin-Nadur li fiha jiehdu sehem mijiet ta' Nadurin.
Twahhlet il-billboard li qed tippromuovi il-Purcissjoni tal-Gimgha l-Kbira fil-Parrocca taghna. Grazzi specjali lil Martin Attard li kien inkarigat minn dan il-poster li jaghti deskrizzjoni tajba tal-Purcissjoni taghna.
Acid tanks, white powder and fake €100 notes: court hears of drug trafficking operation
29-year old Jordan Azzopardi was arrested in a police raid last week
March 20, 2019
by Edwina Brincat, Philip Leone-Ganado
Mr Azzopardi's rented farmhouse, on the limits of San Martin. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Jordan Azzopardi, the suspected mastermind behind a cocaine and heroin trafficking ring faced court today for the start of the compilation of evidence. The court heard that:
1.05pm
The prosecution asks for the counterfeit banknotes to be examined by the Central Bank. The court upholds the request and orders the Central Bank governor to appoint an official to carry out the examination and report to the court.
Mr Azzopardi has pleaded not guilty.
Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi also requests the court registrar to appear at the next sitting to show a list of pending cases against the two men who supplied information to the police.
The case has been adjourned until March 29.
12.55pm
Another police officer now takes the stand. He gives a similar testimony about the black Skoda Fabia and the trail of counterfeit notes. Inside the car, he said, were a male driver and a woman in the passenger's seat, soon joined by a third man.
Police tracked the car to Għargħur, checking out a number of shops visited by the trio. Shopkeepers described an "elderly looking man, dressed in black" tendering a €100 note. Officers identified themselves as police and collected the suspected counterfeit notes.
The witness identifies Azzopardi and the 30-year old woman in court.
12.50pm
Next to the stand is a sergeant from the Drugs Squad, who recounts his involvement in Azzopardi's arrest on March 13. He says he saw a man, the 66-year old Abdilla, exit a shop and followed his car - the black Skoda Fabia - to San Ġwann, where the man entered and exited another shop.
When police entered, the shopkeeper asked whether they had come because of the €100 he had just received, and which he said seemed fishy.
The sergeant says his suspicions were confirmed, and he followed the suspect's trail, checking for other counterfeit currency at the shops he visited.
12.45pm
Before stepping off the stand at the end of his testimony, Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca is cross-examined over the 30-year old woman's case. He is asked babout the key found in her possession and the search warrant.
On Azzopardi's case, he is asked about the credibility of the two male witnesses who had given information. The inspector says one of the men had been investigated over drug related charges.
12.40pm
The police inspector provides some more details about the counterfeiting side of Azzopardi's activities. Mario Abdilla, the third man police had spotted in Azzopardi's car, told police Azzopardi would get him to 'cash' €100 notes, giving him €10 in return. The two would meet at McDonald's car park in Għargħur.
However, it emerged at the arraignment on Friday that Abdilla had ended up empty-handed.
Upon exiting the shops after spending the fake notes, Abdilla would hand cash to the woman who was waiting for his return in the car. Abdilla was arraigned with the other two on Friday, admitted, and was jailed.
12.35pm
After searching a house in Madliena and garage nearby, the police inspector testifies, Azzopardi was told the police wanted to search a farmhouse in San Martin, and asked to speak to a lawyer.
That day, he had a slight accident at the police headquarters when he slipped down some stairs and was taken to hospital for treatment, the inspector says.
Police went to the farmhouse with Azzopardi the next day. He indicated the key to the door. Police cars had been patrolling the villa since morning.
Inside were several car keys, bullets, cannabis grinders, and a loaded firearm inside a bedroom cabinet. Also inside were five laptops and an extra passport, spoons with a whitish substance and other drug paraphernalia.
After the search Azzopardi was conducted back to the police lockup where he spoke to his lawyers.
12.30pm
The police inspector is now describing the arrest of Azzopardi and two suspected accomplices. The 30-year old woman was arrested at a Madliena residence, while Azzopardi attempted to flee before being captured at a McDonalds car park in Għargħur.
The woman refused to cooperate, the police inspector says. A key in her possession opened the Madliena premises. On Azzopardi's person, police found two mobiles, two suspected cannabis joints and eight keys in separate bunches. A search of the house also yielded cannabis buds, an amount of cash, keys to two cars, a knuckle-duster and several laptops.
The search continued on to a garage in the vicinity, also owned by Azzopardi.
12.25pm
Shadowing of Jordan Azzopardi revealed he was using a black Skoda, with a woman in the passenger seat. A third person, 66-year-old Mario Abdilla, would often enter shops in the Sliema area, paying for small purchases with a fake €100 note.
12.20pm
Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca testifies that the trafficking-houses were equipped with stone barricades, acid tanks and CCTV. Acid was used to dispose of the drugs to prevent discovery by police. According to one arrested man, Jordan Azzopardi was allegedly violent against his workers and users. Police began surveillance on Azzopardi directly.
12.15pm
Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca is the first to testify. Over the past months, he says, police received information that Jordan Azzopardi was trafficking drugs from various locations.
Surveillance operations kicked off and police carried out their first raid in October in Birkirkara, followed by another raid at Savoy Gardens, Gżira. One man arrested indicated Azzopardi as his supplier.
Further raids were carried out in Balzan, Marsa, Gżira and Pietà, leading to the identification of Azzopardi as the mastermind behind the trafficking and the setting-up of the various operations.
12.10pm
Jordan Azzopardi has been escorted from the lock-up and is brought into court, smartly dressed in a blue suit. Seated at the other end of the dock is the 30-year old mother-of-five, whose name cannot be published, also arraigned last Friday in relation to the same case.
Magistrate Doreen Clarke is presiding. Lawyers Alfred Abela and Rene Darmanin are appearing for the accused. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is representing Mr Azzopardi.
12pm
Jordan Azzopardi, 29, from Madliena, who stated that he worked in the waste sector, has pleaded not guilty to a multitude of charges ranging from trafficking and aggravated possession of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to criminal conspiracy and circulation of fake cash.
He is also charged with defrauding three shops in San Ġwann and Sliema, having an unlicensed weapon, making threats and hurting a third party and also breach of bail.
He was one of three, including a 30-year old mother of five, arrested during police raids in Madliena and St Paul’s Bay over two days last week. He did not request bail.
The sitting is scheduled to begin shortly.
29-year old Jordan Azzopardi was arrested in a police raid last week
March 20, 2019
by Edwina Brincat, Philip Leone-Ganado
Mr Azzopardi's rented farmhouse, on the limits of San Martin. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Jordan Azzopardi, the suspected mastermind behind a cocaine and heroin trafficking ring faced court today for the start of the compilation of evidence. The court heard that:
- Police tracked Azzopardi's operations for several months, raiding trafficking houses in Birkirkara, Balzan, Marsa, Gżira and Pietà;
- The houses were sophisticated operations, equipped with stone barricades, CCTV, and acid tanks to destroy the drugs in the case of a raid;
- Police also uncovered a counterfeit cash scheme where Azzopardi and two accomplices would make small purchases with fake €100 notes;
- Azzopardi was arrested on March 13. He attempted to flee but was captured a short distance away;
- Police searched a residence and garage in Madliena and a farmhouse in Madliena, discovering drugs and drug paraphernalia, weapons, cash, and numerous laptops and car keys.
1.05pm
The prosecution asks for the counterfeit banknotes to be examined by the Central Bank. The court upholds the request and orders the Central Bank governor to appoint an official to carry out the examination and report to the court.
Mr Azzopardi has pleaded not guilty.
Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi also requests the court registrar to appear at the next sitting to show a list of pending cases against the two men who supplied information to the police.
The case has been adjourned until March 29.
12.55pm
Another police officer now takes the stand. He gives a similar testimony about the black Skoda Fabia and the trail of counterfeit notes. Inside the car, he said, were a male driver and a woman in the passenger's seat, soon joined by a third man.
Police tracked the car to Għargħur, checking out a number of shops visited by the trio. Shopkeepers described an "elderly looking man, dressed in black" tendering a €100 note. Officers identified themselves as police and collected the suspected counterfeit notes.
The witness identifies Azzopardi and the 30-year old woman in court.
12.50pm
Next to the stand is a sergeant from the Drugs Squad, who recounts his involvement in Azzopardi's arrest on March 13. He says he saw a man, the 66-year old Abdilla, exit a shop and followed his car - the black Skoda Fabia - to San Ġwann, where the man entered and exited another shop.
When police entered, the shopkeeper asked whether they had come because of the €100 he had just received, and which he said seemed fishy.
The sergeant says his suspicions were confirmed, and he followed the suspect's trail, checking for other counterfeit currency at the shops he visited.
12.45pm
Before stepping off the stand at the end of his testimony, Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca is cross-examined over the 30-year old woman's case. He is asked babout the key found in her possession and the search warrant.
On Azzopardi's case, he is asked about the credibility of the two male witnesses who had given information. The inspector says one of the men had been investigated over drug related charges.
12.40pm
The police inspector provides some more details about the counterfeiting side of Azzopardi's activities. Mario Abdilla, the third man police had spotted in Azzopardi's car, told police Azzopardi would get him to 'cash' €100 notes, giving him €10 in return. The two would meet at McDonald's car park in Għargħur.
However, it emerged at the arraignment on Friday that Abdilla had ended up empty-handed.
Upon exiting the shops after spending the fake notes, Abdilla would hand cash to the woman who was waiting for his return in the car. Abdilla was arraigned with the other two on Friday, admitted, and was jailed.
12.35pm
After searching a house in Madliena and garage nearby, the police inspector testifies, Azzopardi was told the police wanted to search a farmhouse in San Martin, and asked to speak to a lawyer.
That day, he had a slight accident at the police headquarters when he slipped down some stairs and was taken to hospital for treatment, the inspector says.
Police went to the farmhouse with Azzopardi the next day. He indicated the key to the door. Police cars had been patrolling the villa since morning.
Inside were several car keys, bullets, cannabis grinders, and a loaded firearm inside a bedroom cabinet. Also inside were five laptops and an extra passport, spoons with a whitish substance and other drug paraphernalia.
After the search Azzopardi was conducted back to the police lockup where he spoke to his lawyers.
12.30pm
The police inspector is now describing the arrest of Azzopardi and two suspected accomplices. The 30-year old woman was arrested at a Madliena residence, while Azzopardi attempted to flee before being captured at a McDonalds car park in Għargħur.
The woman refused to cooperate, the police inspector says. A key in her possession opened the Madliena premises. On Azzopardi's person, police found two mobiles, two suspected cannabis joints and eight keys in separate bunches. A search of the house also yielded cannabis buds, an amount of cash, keys to two cars, a knuckle-duster and several laptops.
The search continued on to a garage in the vicinity, also owned by Azzopardi.
12.25pm
Shadowing of Jordan Azzopardi revealed he was using a black Skoda, with a woman in the passenger seat. A third person, 66-year-old Mario Abdilla, would often enter shops in the Sliema area, paying for small purchases with a fake €100 note.
12.20pm
Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca testifies that the trafficking-houses were equipped with stone barricades, acid tanks and CCTV. Acid was used to dispose of the drugs to prevent discovery by police. According to one arrested man, Jordan Azzopardi was allegedly violent against his workers and users. Police began surveillance on Azzopardi directly.
12.15pm
Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca is the first to testify. Over the past months, he says, police received information that Jordan Azzopardi was trafficking drugs from various locations.
Surveillance operations kicked off and police carried out their first raid in October in Birkirkara, followed by another raid at Savoy Gardens, Gżira. One man arrested indicated Azzopardi as his supplier.
Further raids were carried out in Balzan, Marsa, Gżira and Pietà, leading to the identification of Azzopardi as the mastermind behind the trafficking and the setting-up of the various operations.
12.10pm
Jordan Azzopardi has been escorted from the lock-up and is brought into court, smartly dressed in a blue suit. Seated at the other end of the dock is the 30-year old mother-of-five, whose name cannot be published, also arraigned last Friday in relation to the same case.
Magistrate Doreen Clarke is presiding. Lawyers Alfred Abela and Rene Darmanin are appearing for the accused. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is representing Mr Azzopardi.
12pm
Jordan Azzopardi, 29, from Madliena, who stated that he worked in the waste sector, has pleaded not guilty to a multitude of charges ranging from trafficking and aggravated possession of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to criminal conspiracy and circulation of fake cash.
He is also charged with defrauding three shops in San Ġwann and Sliema, having an unlicensed weapon, making threats and hurting a third party and also breach of bail.
He was one of three, including a 30-year old mother of five, arrested during police raids in Madliena and St Paul’s Bay over two days last week. He did not request bail.
The sitting is scheduled to begin shortly.
St Joseph of Msida Malta back from Valletta by sea on the 125th anniversary
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 18.3.18.
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155177197046594/
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 18.3.18.
Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155177197046594/
Holy Easter in Nadur
Our Lady of Sorrow.
Our Lady of Sorrow.
Ta’ Qali crafts village being regenerated through €13 million project
The project, the first phase of which is complete, aims to turn the crafts village into a centre of excellence for artisanry
18 March 2019
by Massimo Costa
The crafts village in Ta' Qali is being regenerated through a €13 million project
A €13 million project is regenerating and transforming the crafts village in Ta’ Qali into a modern location for artisan work in Malta, better equipping it to welcome locals and tourists.
The project, the first phase of which is now complete, aims to turn the village into a centre of excellence for artisanry, housing 70 workshops.
Addressing a conference at the unveiling of the project on Monday, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that the promise to regenerate the crafts village dates back 25 years, but that, despite it having been parts of the electoral manifestos of the previous administration, it as never actually put into effect.
Now, however, through tapping into European Union funds, the project - which is being implemented through a collaboration between Malta Industrial Parks, Malta Enterprise, and the village’s operators - has materialised and is now in its final stages, Cardona said.
“This ambitious project is giving new life to the crafts village, through the investment of almost €13 million in funds, which are seeing the village being virtually rebuilt from scratch,” he said.
He underscored that, through an investment in modern infrastructure, the village is now much more appealing to the eye, with unsightly dangling wires providing services to its various operators now having been placed in culverts underground.
The villages public spaces have been enlarged, a large degree of landscaping work has taken place, and zones have been created for use by families and tourists who visit the centre.
Cardona said that a foundation will be set up to manage the village and to draw up a calendar of events related to craft work, with activities to be planned throughout the year.
EU funds parliamentary secretary Aaron Farrugia highlighted that the project, which - like the ongoing Xewkija industrial park project in Gozo - is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will be helping Maltese businesses as well as promoting tourism through providing a place to showcase Maltese artisanry and talent.
Economy Minister Chris Cardona“EU funds are being used to help Maltese businesses, not only from an infrastructural perspective, but also through providing upskilling and through the Business Enhance Scheme, which is making grants available for firms such as SMEs and start-ups,” Farrugia said.
Farrugia said that businesses and enterprises would prioritised in the upcoming EU 2021 to 2027 budget, which is currently being negotiated by the government
He added that over €30 million in EU funds are being directed towards tangible aid to businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups.
"Apart of this, the European Social Fund is being used to invest in skills for the Maltese workforce, thereby preparing it for current and future industries, as well as in schemes which are generating more jobs, and offering favourable loans and guarantees," he said.
The project, the first phase of which is complete, aims to turn the crafts village into a centre of excellence for artisanry
18 March 2019
by Massimo Costa
The crafts village in Ta' Qali is being regenerated through a €13 million project
A €13 million project is regenerating and transforming the crafts village in Ta’ Qali into a modern location for artisan work in Malta, better equipping it to welcome locals and tourists.
The project, the first phase of which is now complete, aims to turn the village into a centre of excellence for artisanry, housing 70 workshops.
Addressing a conference at the unveiling of the project on Monday, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that the promise to regenerate the crafts village dates back 25 years, but that, despite it having been parts of the electoral manifestos of the previous administration, it as never actually put into effect.
Now, however, through tapping into European Union funds, the project - which is being implemented through a collaboration between Malta Industrial Parks, Malta Enterprise, and the village’s operators - has materialised and is now in its final stages, Cardona said.
“This ambitious project is giving new life to the crafts village, through the investment of almost €13 million in funds, which are seeing the village being virtually rebuilt from scratch,” he said.
He underscored that, through an investment in modern infrastructure, the village is now much more appealing to the eye, with unsightly dangling wires providing services to its various operators now having been placed in culverts underground.
The villages public spaces have been enlarged, a large degree of landscaping work has taken place, and zones have been created for use by families and tourists who visit the centre.
Cardona said that a foundation will be set up to manage the village and to draw up a calendar of events related to craft work, with activities to be planned throughout the year.
EU funds parliamentary secretary Aaron Farrugia highlighted that the project, which - like the ongoing Xewkija industrial park project in Gozo - is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will be helping Maltese businesses as well as promoting tourism through providing a place to showcase Maltese artisanry and talent.
Economy Minister Chris Cardona“EU funds are being used to help Maltese businesses, not only from an infrastructural perspective, but also through providing upskilling and through the Business Enhance Scheme, which is making grants available for firms such as SMEs and start-ups,” Farrugia said.
Farrugia said that businesses and enterprises would prioritised in the upcoming EU 2021 to 2027 budget, which is currently being negotiated by the government
He added that over €30 million in EU funds are being directed towards tangible aid to businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups.
"Apart of this, the European Social Fund is being used to invest in skills for the Maltese workforce, thereby preparing it for current and future industries, as well as in schemes which are generating more jobs, and offering favourable loans and guarantees," he said.
Cittadella Gozo with a different view
Lejl Imkebbes.
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 16.3.19.
By Chev. Carmel Saliba
Click on link to see the video:
https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155932124171594/
Lejl Imkebbes.
Video Copyright Carmel Saliba 16.3.19.
By Chev. Carmel Saliba
Click on link to see the video:
https://www.facebook.com/carmel.saliba/videos/10155932124171594/
A small, but ‘mighty’ party… Godfrey Farrugia
Partit Demokratiku leader GODFREY FARRUGIA looks forward to May’s European elections with optimism. But can the small party repeat its success at the last general election – where it won two seats – in the absence of the ‘Forza Nazzjonali’ coalition?
17 March 2019, 8:47am
by Raphael Vassallo
Partit Demokratiku leader Godfrey Farrugia
At a glance, ‘Partit Demokratiku’ seems to suffer from identity issues. It was formed as a political party in its own right, and now has two seats in Parliament… yet those seats were won by candidates (yourself and Marlene Farrugia) who actually contested on the Nationalist Party ticket. Meanwhile, Adrian Delia has announced the end of the ‘Forza Nazzjonali’ coalition. Where does that leave PD now? What does it stand for? Who does it actually represent?
First of all, PD was born in October 2016… not in June 2017. Its founder was Marlene Farrugia; and she was part of a team. What does PD stand for? To me, it stands for what is right, and what is fair. That is how I see it. We are a small party, yes; but a mighty party. And I’ll tell you why. Because being small may have its disadvantages, but there are also advantages. One advantage is that PD is lightweight; it has its own structure, like any other party… but being small, the internal processes are simplified. We can approach issues in a timely way. But more than anything else, we are a very small party that is represented on a national level, in Parliament…
That’s the whole point of my question: are your two seats really PD’s? They were won on the PN ticket…
Yes, I will come to that. But you asked me what we stand for. We stand for justice and fairness. Though small, we are dictated to by the force of reason; by politics of conviction. This is what makes us different from all the rest. Why do I say this? Because our politics in centered on the individual, and the dignity of the person…
Sorry to interrupt again but I fail to see how that makes you any different. The PN says exactly the same thing... in the same words, too. 'Dignity of the person'. Both Adrian Delia and Simon Busuttil told me this in previous interviews...
Yes, but as the saying goes l-ezempju jkaxkar [it's what you practice not what you preach]. My point is that PD is a very viable party in Opposition. From the first time we were elected, we always said that we are going to represent 'the people's seat.' Why do I say this? Because our loyalty is to the public interest, the public good, and the nation. Our loyalty is not like that of the PL and PN... where the party comes first. We are not like that. This is what makes us different. It also makes us useful, both in and outside Parliament. Because what the two big parties miss out on - because of their hidden agendas, or whatever - we will state it. there are no red lines with us. If it's right and fair, we will state it. But then again, there are also disadvantages to being small. One is finance. We are very rigid on how the party is funded. It's nothing like how the other parties are financed... and I don't think I need to go into any detail. Another disadvantage is that we don't have the media resources that the other two parties have. We have a political system that is dysfunctional. Media comes into it, too: we are the only EU member state, as far as I am aware, where the major political parties have their own media machines, we also have a public Broadcasting Authority which argues that the two parties' media balance each other out. So they don't care about how the views of a third, fourth or fifth party gets represented. The BA only cares about giving the official slot when the campaign begins. At all other times, there's no balance whatsoever.
OK, but again, this is all a little deja-vu, isn't it? Alternattiva Demokratika has been complaining about the electoral/broadcasting imbalance for 30 years...
That doesn't make it any less of a problem...
...true.
...And it is a problem that we need to fix. This is the crux of the entire matter. One of the recurrent problems we have witnessed throughout various legislations has been [the lack of] meritocracy. And if you really believe in the dignity of the person, you will also believe that every individual should be able to attain his or her fullest potential without any political interference. More than anything else, we have a broken dysfunctional political system, where bipartisan politics and tribalism have completely banished the concept of meritocracy. Let's face it, meritocracy absolutely doesn't exist in Malta. And it is in the interests of both the PN and PL to keep it that way because of alternance of government. One of my own aspirations as PD leader is that at least I will try, as my legacy, to leave a multi-party system at national level. Now let's go back to 2017. Why was the coalition formed? As you know, the current Constitutional set-up does not favour the possibility of ever having a third or fourth party in Parliament. For example: when we tried to have, on the ballot sheet, a 'Forza Nazzjonali' section with both PN and 'Tal-Orangjo' candidates, we found that we could not. The law does not allow it. Coalitions are only recognised after an election, not before. So I had to be part of the blue list but I couldn't even put 'Partit Demokratiku' after my name. Not allowed. Even though we had been recognised as a political party since 2016.
But - to be a little cynical - that could be interpreted as just a desperate measure to get elected. You knew you had no chance of getting elected on your own steam, so you hitched your wagon to the PN...
No. Hang on, let me show you something [fetches a paper from a drawer]. You've never seen this, have you? This is a historical document: the original 'Forza Nazzjonali' coalition agreement signed by Marlene Farrugia and Simon Busuttil. We joined this coalition because there are five principles set down in this document. Good governance. Sustainable economy. Social justice. The environment. Constitutional reform.
And you joined forces with the PN to achieve those aims? Sorry to be blunt, but the PN had 25 years in government to tackle all five of those targets. What credibility could this coalition possibly have, to achieve only that now?
I agree that the Nationalist Party has not credentials to address any of those issues. None at all...
So... why join a coalition with it?
I'll tell you why. Because if we were successful and did become part of an alternative government, we would have formed the impetus to get the PN to clean up its act. By virtue of being a third political force. That is the strength of the multi-party politics: even a small party can keep its coalition partner in line. More importantly, we would also have ensured that there are the necessary checks and balances to keep all government in line too. Including our own. Having a coalition in power, instead of a single party government, would have provided an additional guarantee. This is, in fact, why I had no problem joining a coalition even in view of the PN's past record. We would have been a beacon of hope to that party. Let's face it... we don't come to this with political baggage...
Well, 'baggage' comes in different shapes and sizes. You, for instance, were Health Minister in Labour's 2013 administration. It's not like you weren't part of the system you now want to reform. On her part, Marlene Farrugia has a long and... let's just say 'colourful' history in Maltese politics. With both parties, too...
It's true that I was part of the Labour administration. So what? I joined the labour movements because I firmly believed in the call of 'Malta Taghna Lkoll'. I still believe in it, in fact. So when it comes to our ideology - what we believe in - we have remained constant. We haven't changed. Whether I was part of the labour movement or whether I am now in this party... I am still the same person. My own man, and nothing different. But there is one things we have to remember: any political party is a tool to serve the public interest. It exists so that the common good... the national interest, call it what you will... is safeguarded. That is the only way that the quality of life of the individual, the family, and the community at large can improve. So a political party is a tool... nothing more. But what happened? The labour party is no longer representative of Malta's social soul as it used to be. Forget it. The PL has become pro-business all the way to the other extreme. The Nationalist Party, although still conservative, has not remained where it was either with all its previous ideologies intact. It had its own internal problems too. And this is why I resigned from Labour in 2017 before the election. As party whip, I had tried everything in my power to change things from the inside. Remember that party whip is quite an influential position. I was, so to speak, the 'manager' of the parliamentary group... although, of course, it still falls under the Prime Minister. I was also a Cabinet member: admittedly not part of the executive but I would sit at the table at Cabinet meetings and participate in the discussion. I was also liaison officer between PL and PN. And I was a member of the party's administrative council. I was everywhere. And I tried to exert an influence, but... [shrugs] I didn't manage. Now, I am trying to influence the desirable change that our country needs to fix its broken system... through PD... this is my hope...
Yes, but that takes us back to the original question. To be influential, in the way you describe, you actually have to be in Parliament...
I am in Parliament...
Precisely. You were elected there as part of a coalition that no longer exists. So when the next election comes along - unless there is another coalition by then - the entire dynamic will be very different. Do you think you can repeat the success of 2017 as a small party on your own?
We will know shortly, in May of this year.
That's a European election. Not the same thing at all...
There are three and a half years to go before the next general election. We are still i the process of evolving our workings on it. We are now concentrating on the MEP and local council elections. We are taking things step by step. We are a small party; but we have the driving force, the energy, the optimism, to try and fix the broken system. This is why I said we are the 'people's seat'...
With all due respect, that is not your call to make. 'The people' have to agree to be represented by you before you can claim to represent them. That is, in fact, the whole point of an election. On the basis of the number of votes you actually got in 2017... how can you justify your claim to being 'the people's seat'?
Look at it this way: we succeeded in getting to Parliament. With everything - the entire electoral system - geared up against us. And we did so with the intention to improve the system, to bring about the necessary changes, so that we can at least begin to treat the cause of this chronic disease affecting our country's systems. I'm a doctor, at the end of the day, and this is how I view it. The tribalism infecting our country is a disease. Acute, and chronic. It can be diagnosed and it can be cured. This is what we, as PD, are trying to fix...
Fair enough. Earlier you mentioned MEP elections. Am I right in stating that these elections are crucial for PD? That your performance in an election unfettered by general election concerns represents a make-or-break opportunity for your party?
Yes. First of all, the opportunity to be in Brussels means that we would be able to punch above our weight. Obviously, we agree with the principles and values of the European Union: the four freedoms of movement, of people, of goods and services and capital. These, to us, are sacrosanct. Shortly, we will be issuing our manifesto. It's not published yet, so right now I can only tell you where I, personally, feel that we ought to be going. I believe that, yes, the economy must be competitive. It must also be ethical. It must recognize the social contract. This is immensely important to us. Also, we need to strengthen our institutions. They must become more accountable, more transparent. Management of migration must be more coherent and effective. And one issue I firmly believe PD could contribute to, at EU level, is climate change. And the environment in general. To me, these are the four issues - on top of the basics: respect for rule of law, good governance, etc - where I see PD making a difference. So, yes, these elections are crucial to us.
Might I ask what your realistic expectations are?
We are always optimistic. What I can say is, we will work to our utmost abilities, all the way until the race ius over. And... yes, I believe that we do have a chance of winning a seat.
Partit Demokratiku leader GODFREY FARRUGIA looks forward to May’s European elections with optimism. But can the small party repeat its success at the last general election – where it won two seats – in the absence of the ‘Forza Nazzjonali’ coalition?
17 March 2019, 8:47am
by Raphael Vassallo
Partit Demokratiku leader Godfrey Farrugia
At a glance, ‘Partit Demokratiku’ seems to suffer from identity issues. It was formed as a political party in its own right, and now has two seats in Parliament… yet those seats were won by candidates (yourself and Marlene Farrugia) who actually contested on the Nationalist Party ticket. Meanwhile, Adrian Delia has announced the end of the ‘Forza Nazzjonali’ coalition. Where does that leave PD now? What does it stand for? Who does it actually represent?
First of all, PD was born in October 2016… not in June 2017. Its founder was Marlene Farrugia; and she was part of a team. What does PD stand for? To me, it stands for what is right, and what is fair. That is how I see it. We are a small party, yes; but a mighty party. And I’ll tell you why. Because being small may have its disadvantages, but there are also advantages. One advantage is that PD is lightweight; it has its own structure, like any other party… but being small, the internal processes are simplified. We can approach issues in a timely way. But more than anything else, we are a very small party that is represented on a national level, in Parliament…
That’s the whole point of my question: are your two seats really PD’s? They were won on the PN ticket…
Yes, I will come to that. But you asked me what we stand for. We stand for justice and fairness. Though small, we are dictated to by the force of reason; by politics of conviction. This is what makes us different from all the rest. Why do I say this? Because our politics in centered on the individual, and the dignity of the person…
Sorry to interrupt again but I fail to see how that makes you any different. The PN says exactly the same thing... in the same words, too. 'Dignity of the person'. Both Adrian Delia and Simon Busuttil told me this in previous interviews...
Yes, but as the saying goes l-ezempju jkaxkar [it's what you practice not what you preach]. My point is that PD is a very viable party in Opposition. From the first time we were elected, we always said that we are going to represent 'the people's seat.' Why do I say this? Because our loyalty is to the public interest, the public good, and the nation. Our loyalty is not like that of the PL and PN... where the party comes first. We are not like that. This is what makes us different. It also makes us useful, both in and outside Parliament. Because what the two big parties miss out on - because of their hidden agendas, or whatever - we will state it. there are no red lines with us. If it's right and fair, we will state it. But then again, there are also disadvantages to being small. One is finance. We are very rigid on how the party is funded. It's nothing like how the other parties are financed... and I don't think I need to go into any detail. Another disadvantage is that we don't have the media resources that the other two parties have. We have a political system that is dysfunctional. Media comes into it, too: we are the only EU member state, as far as I am aware, where the major political parties have their own media machines, we also have a public Broadcasting Authority which argues that the two parties' media balance each other out. So they don't care about how the views of a third, fourth or fifth party gets represented. The BA only cares about giving the official slot when the campaign begins. At all other times, there's no balance whatsoever.
OK, but again, this is all a little deja-vu, isn't it? Alternattiva Demokratika has been complaining about the electoral/broadcasting imbalance for 30 years...
That doesn't make it any less of a problem...
...true.
...And it is a problem that we need to fix. This is the crux of the entire matter. One of the recurrent problems we have witnessed throughout various legislations has been [the lack of] meritocracy. And if you really believe in the dignity of the person, you will also believe that every individual should be able to attain his or her fullest potential without any political interference. More than anything else, we have a broken dysfunctional political system, where bipartisan politics and tribalism have completely banished the concept of meritocracy. Let's face it, meritocracy absolutely doesn't exist in Malta. And it is in the interests of both the PN and PL to keep it that way because of alternance of government. One of my own aspirations as PD leader is that at least I will try, as my legacy, to leave a multi-party system at national level. Now let's go back to 2017. Why was the coalition formed? As you know, the current Constitutional set-up does not favour the possibility of ever having a third or fourth party in Parliament. For example: when we tried to have, on the ballot sheet, a 'Forza Nazzjonali' section with both PN and 'Tal-Orangjo' candidates, we found that we could not. The law does not allow it. Coalitions are only recognised after an election, not before. So I had to be part of the blue list but I couldn't even put 'Partit Demokratiku' after my name. Not allowed. Even though we had been recognised as a political party since 2016.
But - to be a little cynical - that could be interpreted as just a desperate measure to get elected. You knew you had no chance of getting elected on your own steam, so you hitched your wagon to the PN...
No. Hang on, let me show you something [fetches a paper from a drawer]. You've never seen this, have you? This is a historical document: the original 'Forza Nazzjonali' coalition agreement signed by Marlene Farrugia and Simon Busuttil. We joined this coalition because there are five principles set down in this document. Good governance. Sustainable economy. Social justice. The environment. Constitutional reform.
And you joined forces with the PN to achieve those aims? Sorry to be blunt, but the PN had 25 years in government to tackle all five of those targets. What credibility could this coalition possibly have, to achieve only that now?
I agree that the Nationalist Party has not credentials to address any of those issues. None at all...
So... why join a coalition with it?
I'll tell you why. Because if we were successful and did become part of an alternative government, we would have formed the impetus to get the PN to clean up its act. By virtue of being a third political force. That is the strength of the multi-party politics: even a small party can keep its coalition partner in line. More importantly, we would also have ensured that there are the necessary checks and balances to keep all government in line too. Including our own. Having a coalition in power, instead of a single party government, would have provided an additional guarantee. This is, in fact, why I had no problem joining a coalition even in view of the PN's past record. We would have been a beacon of hope to that party. Let's face it... we don't come to this with political baggage...
Well, 'baggage' comes in different shapes and sizes. You, for instance, were Health Minister in Labour's 2013 administration. It's not like you weren't part of the system you now want to reform. On her part, Marlene Farrugia has a long and... let's just say 'colourful' history in Maltese politics. With both parties, too...
It's true that I was part of the Labour administration. So what? I joined the labour movements because I firmly believed in the call of 'Malta Taghna Lkoll'. I still believe in it, in fact. So when it comes to our ideology - what we believe in - we have remained constant. We haven't changed. Whether I was part of the labour movement or whether I am now in this party... I am still the same person. My own man, and nothing different. But there is one things we have to remember: any political party is a tool to serve the public interest. It exists so that the common good... the national interest, call it what you will... is safeguarded. That is the only way that the quality of life of the individual, the family, and the community at large can improve. So a political party is a tool... nothing more. But what happened? The labour party is no longer representative of Malta's social soul as it used to be. Forget it. The PL has become pro-business all the way to the other extreme. The Nationalist Party, although still conservative, has not remained where it was either with all its previous ideologies intact. It had its own internal problems too. And this is why I resigned from Labour in 2017 before the election. As party whip, I had tried everything in my power to change things from the inside. Remember that party whip is quite an influential position. I was, so to speak, the 'manager' of the parliamentary group... although, of course, it still falls under the Prime Minister. I was also a Cabinet member: admittedly not part of the executive but I would sit at the table at Cabinet meetings and participate in the discussion. I was also liaison officer between PL and PN. And I was a member of the party's administrative council. I was everywhere. And I tried to exert an influence, but... [shrugs] I didn't manage. Now, I am trying to influence the desirable change that our country needs to fix its broken system... through PD... this is my hope...
Yes, but that takes us back to the original question. To be influential, in the way you describe, you actually have to be in Parliament...
I am in Parliament...
Precisely. You were elected there as part of a coalition that no longer exists. So when the next election comes along - unless there is another coalition by then - the entire dynamic will be very different. Do you think you can repeat the success of 2017 as a small party on your own?
We will know shortly, in May of this year.
That's a European election. Not the same thing at all...
There are three and a half years to go before the next general election. We are still i the process of evolving our workings on it. We are now concentrating on the MEP and local council elections. We are taking things step by step. We are a small party; but we have the driving force, the energy, the optimism, to try and fix the broken system. This is why I said we are the 'people's seat'...
With all due respect, that is not your call to make. 'The people' have to agree to be represented by you before you can claim to represent them. That is, in fact, the whole point of an election. On the basis of the number of votes you actually got in 2017... how can you justify your claim to being 'the people's seat'?
Look at it this way: we succeeded in getting to Parliament. With everything - the entire electoral system - geared up against us. And we did so with the intention to improve the system, to bring about the necessary changes, so that we can at least begin to treat the cause of this chronic disease affecting our country's systems. I'm a doctor, at the end of the day, and this is how I view it. The tribalism infecting our country is a disease. Acute, and chronic. It can be diagnosed and it can be cured. This is what we, as PD, are trying to fix...
Fair enough. Earlier you mentioned MEP elections. Am I right in stating that these elections are crucial for PD? That your performance in an election unfettered by general election concerns represents a make-or-break opportunity for your party?
Yes. First of all, the opportunity to be in Brussels means that we would be able to punch above our weight. Obviously, we agree with the principles and values of the European Union: the four freedoms of movement, of people, of goods and services and capital. These, to us, are sacrosanct. Shortly, we will be issuing our manifesto. It's not published yet, so right now I can only tell you where I, personally, feel that we ought to be going. I believe that, yes, the economy must be competitive. It must also be ethical. It must recognize the social contract. This is immensely important to us. Also, we need to strengthen our institutions. They must become more accountable, more transparent. Management of migration must be more coherent and effective. And one issue I firmly believe PD could contribute to, at EU level, is climate change. And the environment in general. To me, these are the four issues - on top of the basics: respect for rule of law, good governance, etc - where I see PD making a difference. So, yes, these elections are crucial to us.
Might I ask what your realistic expectations are?
We are always optimistic. What I can say is, we will work to our utmost abilities, all the way until the race ius over. And... yes, I believe that we do have a chance of winning a seat.
Inside the suspected Algerian visa scandal
▪ Arrivals from Algeria outstripped departures by 50%.▪ Air Malta operated ‘ghost flights’ to Algeria with a 90% no-show rate.
Sunday, March 17, 2019,
by Jacob Borg
visa sellers have taken over the consulate [in Algiers]”, the Prime Minister was told in an April 2015 e-mail. Photo: Shutterstock.
As an Air Malta flight to Algiers revs up its engines, the crew give each other a knowing glance. It will be another easy flight.
Of the over 100 passengers booked on the flight, only eight have actually turned up.
Air Malta’s former general sales agent for Algeria, Alex Fezouine, who was on that flight in 2015, says it was all too common to have 90 per cent no-show rates for these return flights.
He suspects that a racket operating right next door to Malta’s consulate in Algiers was selling Algerians false documentation and facilitating the process for them to obtain a Schengen visa to visit the island and then jet off to mainland Europe, never to return to Algeria.
“[Schengen] visa sellers have taken over the consulate [in Algiers] and the airline and started only sending illegal immigrants to Europe, through Malta of course,” Mr Fezouine wrote in an April 2015 e-mail to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Algerians applying for a Schengen visa needed to show proof of a local hotel booking and return flight from the island when applying for visas at Malta’s consulate in Algiers.
READ: Visa vetting at Malta's Algiers consulate was 'less than optimal', NAO finds
At the time of the alleged racket the consulate was headed by Robert Falzon, the Prime Minister’s first cousin, once removed.
Mr Fezouine took his suspicions of a visa-racket operating right outside the consulate’s door to Mr Falzon, and later to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Maltese police.
The Maltese-Algerian businessman, who runs a travel agency that was accused of receiving preferential treatment from the consulate prior to him blowing the whistle on the alleged racket, told The Sunday Times of Malta that the police did not show much interest in investigating the visa allegations.
Family ties with PMMr Fezouine said Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar, at the time an Assistant Commissioner responsible for immigration, cited the consul’s family ties to the Prime Minister as a complicating factor in the investigation.
Replying to questions, Mr Cutajar assured The Sunday Times of Malta that a full investigation was carried out and a report forwarded to the National Audit Office.
The NAO’s probe, published in January, discovered that 5,083 people flew in from Algeria between March 2014 and September 2015.
During the same period, only 2,664 people departed from Malta to Algeria.
This means arrivals from Algeria outstripped departures from Malta by almost 50 per cent.
Mr Fezouine insists the racket operated with complicity of people working in Malta’s consulate.
He says the police told him that he had not given them any proof of this racket.
“What were they expecting, a receipt from those operating the racket? All the police had to do was observe the passengers getting off the incoming flight from Algeria. They would scramble to the Air Malta desk upon landing to book themselves on the next flight to Paris”.
Visas for up to €8,000Those operating the racket charged €4,000-€8,000 to provide visa applicants with proof of employment, pay slips, bank account and social security details, Mr Fezouine says.
The applicants would then be hustled off to a company housed in the same building as the consulate and contracted to process the visa applications.
Mr Fezouine said an investigation of the documents received by the police as part of the visa screening process would also have been a good starting point for an investigation.
“How could you have individuals from lots of different locations all supposedly working for the same company and presenting the same payslips,” he questioned.
He claims the immigration police in Malta became progressively more frustrated with the arrivals from Algiers and started shipping off people to detention in Ħal Far until their return flight, even when this was not necessarily warranted.
Mr Fezouine said he had to intervene one time when two Algerians from a tobacco distribution company who had their hotel booking cancelled due to overbooking were shipped off to detention in Ħal Far after the police found out their bookings at the original hotel did not exist.
The two Algerians were re-booked into another hotel and released, Mr Fezouine said, but around 10 people on the same flight were detained until their return flight the following week.
‘They needn’t go back’Asked if the immigration police took to detaining Algerians on the Air Malta flight to prevent them from travelling to other destinations, the Police Commissioner told The Sunday Times of Malta that all third country nationals arriving in Malta needed to fulfil the necessary entry conditions.
“Those not doing so are refused entry and sent back. Algerians are not excluded,” the Police Commissioner said.
Questioned about the ‘ghost flights’ back to Algeria where only a fraction of the people booked on the return Air Malta flight showed up, Mr Cutajar said people issued with Schengen visas did not necessarily need to travel back to their country of origin from Malta.
“They may legally travel to other Schengen Member States within the term of validity of their visa, he said.
Mr Fezouine, who is well connected with the Algerian government, even offered to arrange the necessary logistics to fly the Maltese police out to the consulate in Algiers to witness the racket in action.
“Money was literally changing hands underneath the consul’s balcony. The police would have been able to see it all. Bribery. Fraud. Forgery”.
Mr Fezouine said in his April 2015 e-mail to the Prime Minister that the Algerian police were reluctant to act, particularly due to the potential diplomatic repercussions.
All the police had to do was observe the passengers getting off the incoming flight from Algeria
An Algerian diplomatic mission to Malta held discussions with then Foreign Minister George Vella as well as the Prime Minister about the high rate of Algerians not returning to the country after obtain their visas from Malta’s consul in Algiers
Mr Fezouine, who attended these meetings, said the Algerians knew it was a sensitive topic given that the Prime Minister’s relative was the consul in Algiers.
He said Dr Vella pointed towards figures showing that the visa refusal rate was in line with the average of other European countries.
Questioned about the concerns raised by Mr Fezouine, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s office said the Maltese-Algerian never applied for whistleblower protection.
“Mr Fezouine filed a report with the authorities. As with any other report, the police investigated the allegations in the report. The conclusions of the police investigation were submitted to the NAO, which carried out a thorough investigation.
“The NAO report concluded that on this case the government had taken satisfactory actions following the allegations, since it directed the reports to the police. The European Commission also looked into the said allegations,” the spokeswoman said.
Questions sent to Air Malta about the ‘ghost flights’ were not answered by the time of writing.
Paying the price?Mr Fezouine says he paid the price for raising his concerns about the visa scheme, becoming a virtual pariah in Malta after enjoying decades of good relations with the authorities having long assisted Malta business links with Algeria.
He says the consulate started holding up the visa process for his travel agency clients or providing them with visas that had already expired by the time their passports were picked up.
The NAO says in its report that from late 2014 to August 2015, various allegations were made by his travel agency XL Travel regarding irregularities in the issuance of visas by the consulate.
It however noted that in the period immediately preceding this, XL Travel was at the centre of multiple accusations levelled by an unnamed person, alleging that the travel firm was receiving preferential treatment from the consulate.
The report says XL Travel was also on the receiving end of accusations by an unnamed individual involving the fraudulent issuance of visas.
The NAO notes in its report that the relationship between his travel agency, XL travel, and the consulate, became “strained” in October 2014. The NAO found correspondence between the consul and Air Malta on October 27, 2014, referring to the fact that XL Travel was promoting a Malta-Paris stay on social media.
The consul advised Air Malta to stop XL Travel from mentioning the facilitation of Schengen visas, as this was attracting visa shoppers.
In apparent contrast to the Police Commissioner’s replies to this newspaper, the consul asserted in this correspondence that a visa for such a travel itinerary [involving onward travel from Malta] could not be issued.
In December 2014, the NAO said that the consul referred correspondence from XL alleging wrongdoing in the visa processing to the police.
According to the NAO, the consul insinuated that the allegations were being driven by the fact that he [Robert Falzon] had introduced XL Travel’s replacement as Air Malta’s agents to the airline, as well as the recent refusal of visas to XL Travel clients.
Mr Fezouine insists that he resigned from his position as an Air Malta agent after becoming disgusted with the inaction over the ‘ghost flights’ and visa racket.
In March, two months after the NAO’s report was published, Mr Fezouine was informed by Identity Malta that his Maltese citizenship was being revoked as it “appears to have been obtained by fraud”.
After PN MP Jason Azzopardi last week accused the government of maliciously revoking Mr Fezouine’s citizenship, Julia Farrugia Portelli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship, pointed towards a 2002 court judgement annulling his marriage to a Maltese woman in 1995.
The court said it was obvious that Mr Fezouine had married the woman to gain Maltese citizenship.
Mr Fezouine denies this is the case and intends to ask for an internal inquiry.
He says he is not very optimistic about the outcome, as the committee of inquiry, chaired by retired judge Philip Scibberas, cannot revoke the Identity Malta decision but merely forward a recommendation to the minister in charge of citizenship.
The citizenship portfolio falls under the Prime Minister’s ultimate control.
What were the NAO’s findings?The NAO established that the government was aware of the allegations. It deemed action taken by the government as appropriate, as both the consul and the Foreign Minister informed the police about the alleged irregularities.
The NAO said the police took action by seeking the views of persons of interest, in particular the consul and the “Algerian travel agent”, from whom most allegations originated.
“Whether any other action could have been taken by the government remains subject to debate, conditioned by the context within which the consulate was operating, as well as its operational set up.
“Moreover, the NAO acknowledges that there were aspects of the allegations beyond the control of the consulate, particularly the involvement of VFS and other agents in the visa process,” the report said.
The NAO’s analysis found that 484 of the 6,779, visas issued between March 2014 and September 2015, were not recommended for approval by the immigration police, yet the visas were subsequently approved by the consul.
The police recommended these visas for refusal because the applicants’ intentions to leave EU territory before the expiry of their visa could not be ascertained and justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided, the report said.
Conversely, it was also discovered that there were 865 applications where the police posted no adverse remarks yet the consul refused the issuance of a visa.
E-mail correspondence obtained by the NAO led auditors to “note” that the consul initially lacked the necessary experience for the running of a consulate.
The report also revealed that Malta was mentioned in two alerts issued by Frontex about the possible illegal immigration of Algerian nationals and Maltese visas obtained fraudulently in Algiers.
According to the Frontex alerts, Algerian women and children were departing Algiers with a transit through Marseille in France to the final destination in Malta. However, their intention was to stay in the EU territory, possibly France, given that at times they only had tickets to Marseille and without money to justify their stay as tourists in Malta.
The NAO said the investigation of alleged payments to government officials for preferential treatment in the obtaining of visas did not fall within its remit.
▪ Arrivals from Algeria outstripped departures by 50%.▪ Air Malta operated ‘ghost flights’ to Algeria with a 90% no-show rate.
Sunday, March 17, 2019,
by Jacob Borg
visa sellers have taken over the consulate [in Algiers]”, the Prime Minister was told in an April 2015 e-mail. Photo: Shutterstock.
As an Air Malta flight to Algiers revs up its engines, the crew give each other a knowing glance. It will be another easy flight.
Of the over 100 passengers booked on the flight, only eight have actually turned up.
Air Malta’s former general sales agent for Algeria, Alex Fezouine, who was on that flight in 2015, says it was all too common to have 90 per cent no-show rates for these return flights.
He suspects that a racket operating right next door to Malta’s consulate in Algiers was selling Algerians false documentation and facilitating the process for them to obtain a Schengen visa to visit the island and then jet off to mainland Europe, never to return to Algeria.
“[Schengen] visa sellers have taken over the consulate [in Algiers] and the airline and started only sending illegal immigrants to Europe, through Malta of course,” Mr Fezouine wrote in an April 2015 e-mail to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Algerians applying for a Schengen visa needed to show proof of a local hotel booking and return flight from the island when applying for visas at Malta’s consulate in Algiers.
READ: Visa vetting at Malta's Algiers consulate was 'less than optimal', NAO finds
At the time of the alleged racket the consulate was headed by Robert Falzon, the Prime Minister’s first cousin, once removed.
Mr Fezouine took his suspicions of a visa-racket operating right outside the consulate’s door to Mr Falzon, and later to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Maltese police.
The Maltese-Algerian businessman, who runs a travel agency that was accused of receiving preferential treatment from the consulate prior to him blowing the whistle on the alleged racket, told The Sunday Times of Malta that the police did not show much interest in investigating the visa allegations.
Family ties with PMMr Fezouine said Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar, at the time an Assistant Commissioner responsible for immigration, cited the consul’s family ties to the Prime Minister as a complicating factor in the investigation.
Replying to questions, Mr Cutajar assured The Sunday Times of Malta that a full investigation was carried out and a report forwarded to the National Audit Office.
The NAO’s probe, published in January, discovered that 5,083 people flew in from Algeria between March 2014 and September 2015.
During the same period, only 2,664 people departed from Malta to Algeria.
This means arrivals from Algeria outstripped departures from Malta by almost 50 per cent.
Mr Fezouine insists the racket operated with complicity of people working in Malta’s consulate.
He says the police told him that he had not given them any proof of this racket.
“What were they expecting, a receipt from those operating the racket? All the police had to do was observe the passengers getting off the incoming flight from Algeria. They would scramble to the Air Malta desk upon landing to book themselves on the next flight to Paris”.
Visas for up to €8,000Those operating the racket charged €4,000-€8,000 to provide visa applicants with proof of employment, pay slips, bank account and social security details, Mr Fezouine says.
The applicants would then be hustled off to a company housed in the same building as the consulate and contracted to process the visa applications.
Mr Fezouine said an investigation of the documents received by the police as part of the visa screening process would also have been a good starting point for an investigation.
“How could you have individuals from lots of different locations all supposedly working for the same company and presenting the same payslips,” he questioned.
He claims the immigration police in Malta became progressively more frustrated with the arrivals from Algiers and started shipping off people to detention in Ħal Far until their return flight, even when this was not necessarily warranted.
Mr Fezouine said he had to intervene one time when two Algerians from a tobacco distribution company who had their hotel booking cancelled due to overbooking were shipped off to detention in Ħal Far after the police found out their bookings at the original hotel did not exist.
The two Algerians were re-booked into another hotel and released, Mr Fezouine said, but around 10 people on the same flight were detained until their return flight the following week.
‘They needn’t go back’Asked if the immigration police took to detaining Algerians on the Air Malta flight to prevent them from travelling to other destinations, the Police Commissioner told The Sunday Times of Malta that all third country nationals arriving in Malta needed to fulfil the necessary entry conditions.
“Those not doing so are refused entry and sent back. Algerians are not excluded,” the Police Commissioner said.
Questioned about the ‘ghost flights’ back to Algeria where only a fraction of the people booked on the return Air Malta flight showed up, Mr Cutajar said people issued with Schengen visas did not necessarily need to travel back to their country of origin from Malta.
“They may legally travel to other Schengen Member States within the term of validity of their visa, he said.
Mr Fezouine, who is well connected with the Algerian government, even offered to arrange the necessary logistics to fly the Maltese police out to the consulate in Algiers to witness the racket in action.
“Money was literally changing hands underneath the consul’s balcony. The police would have been able to see it all. Bribery. Fraud. Forgery”.
Mr Fezouine said in his April 2015 e-mail to the Prime Minister that the Algerian police were reluctant to act, particularly due to the potential diplomatic repercussions.
All the police had to do was observe the passengers getting off the incoming flight from Algeria
An Algerian diplomatic mission to Malta held discussions with then Foreign Minister George Vella as well as the Prime Minister about the high rate of Algerians not returning to the country after obtain their visas from Malta’s consul in Algiers
Mr Fezouine, who attended these meetings, said the Algerians knew it was a sensitive topic given that the Prime Minister’s relative was the consul in Algiers.
He said Dr Vella pointed towards figures showing that the visa refusal rate was in line with the average of other European countries.
Questioned about the concerns raised by Mr Fezouine, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s office said the Maltese-Algerian never applied for whistleblower protection.
“Mr Fezouine filed a report with the authorities. As with any other report, the police investigated the allegations in the report. The conclusions of the police investigation were submitted to the NAO, which carried out a thorough investigation.
“The NAO report concluded that on this case the government had taken satisfactory actions following the allegations, since it directed the reports to the police. The European Commission also looked into the said allegations,” the spokeswoman said.
Questions sent to Air Malta about the ‘ghost flights’ were not answered by the time of writing.
Paying the price?Mr Fezouine says he paid the price for raising his concerns about the visa scheme, becoming a virtual pariah in Malta after enjoying decades of good relations with the authorities having long assisted Malta business links with Algeria.
He says the consulate started holding up the visa process for his travel agency clients or providing them with visas that had already expired by the time their passports were picked up.
The NAO says in its report that from late 2014 to August 2015, various allegations were made by his travel agency XL Travel regarding irregularities in the issuance of visas by the consulate.
It however noted that in the period immediately preceding this, XL Travel was at the centre of multiple accusations levelled by an unnamed person, alleging that the travel firm was receiving preferential treatment from the consulate.
The report says XL Travel was also on the receiving end of accusations by an unnamed individual involving the fraudulent issuance of visas.
The NAO notes in its report that the relationship between his travel agency, XL travel, and the consulate, became “strained” in October 2014. The NAO found correspondence between the consul and Air Malta on October 27, 2014, referring to the fact that XL Travel was promoting a Malta-Paris stay on social media.
The consul advised Air Malta to stop XL Travel from mentioning the facilitation of Schengen visas, as this was attracting visa shoppers.
In apparent contrast to the Police Commissioner’s replies to this newspaper, the consul asserted in this correspondence that a visa for such a travel itinerary [involving onward travel from Malta] could not be issued.
In December 2014, the NAO said that the consul referred correspondence from XL alleging wrongdoing in the visa processing to the police.
According to the NAO, the consul insinuated that the allegations were being driven by the fact that he [Robert Falzon] had introduced XL Travel’s replacement as Air Malta’s agents to the airline, as well as the recent refusal of visas to XL Travel clients.
Mr Fezouine insists that he resigned from his position as an Air Malta agent after becoming disgusted with the inaction over the ‘ghost flights’ and visa racket.
In March, two months after the NAO’s report was published, Mr Fezouine was informed by Identity Malta that his Maltese citizenship was being revoked as it “appears to have been obtained by fraud”.
After PN MP Jason Azzopardi last week accused the government of maliciously revoking Mr Fezouine’s citizenship, Julia Farrugia Portelli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship, pointed towards a 2002 court judgement annulling his marriage to a Maltese woman in 1995.
The court said it was obvious that Mr Fezouine had married the woman to gain Maltese citizenship.
Mr Fezouine denies this is the case and intends to ask for an internal inquiry.
He says he is not very optimistic about the outcome, as the committee of inquiry, chaired by retired judge Philip Scibberas, cannot revoke the Identity Malta decision but merely forward a recommendation to the minister in charge of citizenship.
The citizenship portfolio falls under the Prime Minister’s ultimate control.
What were the NAO’s findings?The NAO established that the government was aware of the allegations. It deemed action taken by the government as appropriate, as both the consul and the Foreign Minister informed the police about the alleged irregularities.
The NAO said the police took action by seeking the views of persons of interest, in particular the consul and the “Algerian travel agent”, from whom most allegations originated.
“Whether any other action could have been taken by the government remains subject to debate, conditioned by the context within which the consulate was operating, as well as its operational set up.
“Moreover, the NAO acknowledges that there were aspects of the allegations beyond the control of the consulate, particularly the involvement of VFS and other agents in the visa process,” the report said.
The NAO’s analysis found that 484 of the 6,779, visas issued between March 2014 and September 2015, were not recommended for approval by the immigration police, yet the visas were subsequently approved by the consul.
The police recommended these visas for refusal because the applicants’ intentions to leave EU territory before the expiry of their visa could not be ascertained and justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided, the report said.
Conversely, it was also discovered that there were 865 applications where the police posted no adverse remarks yet the consul refused the issuance of a visa.
E-mail correspondence obtained by the NAO led auditors to “note” that the consul initially lacked the necessary experience for the running of a consulate.
The report also revealed that Malta was mentioned in two alerts issued by Frontex about the possible illegal immigration of Algerian nationals and Maltese visas obtained fraudulently in Algiers.
According to the Frontex alerts, Algerian women and children were departing Algiers with a transit through Marseille in France to the final destination in Malta. However, their intention was to stay in the EU territory, possibly France, given that at times they only had tickets to Marseille and without money to justify their stay as tourists in Malta.
The NAO said the investigation of alleged payments to government officials for preferential treatment in the obtaining of visas did not fall within its remit.
Sant iwiegħed li se jgħin lir-raħħala
Minn Josianne Vella
17/03/2019
Waqt żjara f’razzett tal-baqar f’Ta’ Kerċem Għawdex, l-Membru Ewroparlamentari u kandidat għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew Alfred Sant qal li se jkun qed jagħmel l-almu tiegħu biex jgħin lir-raħħala Għawdxin u Maltin jirċievu l-għajnuna bl-użu tal-fondi Ewropej. Huwa qal li permezz ta’ dawn il-fondi l-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom inċentivi biex imantnu l-livelli attwali tal-produzzjoni, f’setturi jew reġjuni fejn minħabba diversi raġunijiet ikollhom ċerti diffikultajiet.
F’dan ir-razzett Sant iltaqa’ ma’ Salvu Tabone u l-familja tiegħu li jrabbi madwar mitt baqra għall-produzzjoni tal-ħalib. Tabone spjegalu l-isfidi li jgħaddu minnhom f’din il-produzzjoni. Sant qal li r-raħħala Għawdxin u Maltin għandu jkollhom l-appoġġ tal-Gvern biex din il-produzzjoni tkun żgurata.
Minn Josianne Vella
17/03/2019
Waqt żjara f’razzett tal-baqar f’Ta’ Kerċem Għawdex, l-Membru Ewroparlamentari u kandidat għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew Alfred Sant qal li se jkun qed jagħmel l-almu tiegħu biex jgħin lir-raħħala Għawdxin u Maltin jirċievu l-għajnuna bl-użu tal-fondi Ewropej. Huwa qal li permezz ta’ dawn il-fondi l-bdiewa u r-raħħala jkollhom inċentivi biex imantnu l-livelli attwali tal-produzzjoni, f’setturi jew reġjuni fejn minħabba diversi raġunijiet ikollhom ċerti diffikultajiet.
F’dan ir-razzett Sant iltaqa’ ma’ Salvu Tabone u l-familja tiegħu li jrabbi madwar mitt baqra għall-produzzjoni tal-ħalib. Tabone spjegalu l-isfidi li jgħaddu minnhom f’din il-produzzjoni. Sant qal li r-raħħala Għawdxin u Maltin għandu jkollhom l-appoġġ tal-Gvern biex din il-produzzjoni tkun żgurata.
Nadur in pictures
By Mario Muscat
The main nave of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul.
By Mario Muscat
The main nave of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul.
Maltese High Commissioner His Excellency Charles Muscat visit the Maltese Cultural Center in Albion
By Emmanuel Brincat
Thursday night 14 March 2019, I attended at the Maltese Cultural & Heritage Centre in Albion. The invite came from the President Chev. Peter Paul Portelli. It was for a reception to welcome H E Charles Muscat High Commissioner for Malta here in Australia. H E was on an official Visit to Victoria. On his visit to Albion he was accompanied by Mr. Mario Farrugia Borg as the Consul General for Malta in Victoria. H E was welcomed by the President Chev Peter Paul Portelli, and his Board Chairman and Committee. The Committee took care to prepare plenty of food. Also taking part on the night was the Maltese Own Band Philharmonic Society Concert Band under the baton of their Musical Director Mro. Mario Cassar, followed by the Center's Ghana Group that meet here regularly on Thursday nights. Also the "Bezzila Class" was there as well.
His Excellency's visit in pictures
By Emmanuel Brincat
Thursday night 14 March 2019, I attended at the Maltese Cultural & Heritage Centre in Albion. The invite came from the President Chev. Peter Paul Portelli. It was for a reception to welcome H E Charles Muscat High Commissioner for Malta here in Australia. H E was on an official Visit to Victoria. On his visit to Albion he was accompanied by Mr. Mario Farrugia Borg as the Consul General for Malta in Victoria. H E was welcomed by the President Chev Peter Paul Portelli, and his Board Chairman and Committee. The Committee took care to prepare plenty of food. Also taking part on the night was the Maltese Own Band Philharmonic Society Concert Band under the baton of their Musical Director Mro. Mario Cassar, followed by the Center's Ghana Group that meet here regularly on Thursday nights. Also the "Bezzila Class" was there as well.
His Excellency's visit in pictures
“Qaluli nagħmel abort għax kelli l-kanċer iżda rrifjutajt” – omm
Minn Nicole Borg
16/03/2019
Omm mill-Istati Uniti rrakkuntat kif meta mardet bil-kanċer waqt it-tqala tagħha sabet tabib li ssuġġerielha tagħmel abort. Madanakollu hi rrifjutat li tagħmel dan u llum il-ġurnata mhux talli fieqet mill-kanċer iżda għandha tifla li qed tiċċelebra għeluq l-10 snin tagħha.
Fuq Facebook, Sarah Wickline Hull spjegat li ħasset li kien hemm bżonn tgħaddi l-kummenti tagħha dwar id-diskussjoni dwar l-abort li dejjem qed tikber madwar id-dinja. L-omm irrakkuntat kif meta kienet madwar 20 ġimgħa fit-tqala tagħha, ġiet dijanjostikata b’kanċer aggressiv li saħansitra lanqas beda jħalliha tieħu nifs sew.
Qalet li wara snin twal li fihom hi u r-raġel tagħha bdew jippruvaw ikollhom it-tfal, kien ta’ xokk kbir għaliha li tisma’ tabib jgħidilha biex tagħmel abort. Spjegat li kienet tippreferi tmut hi milli tabortixxi lil bintha. Spjegat li minn hemm biddlet it-tabib u sabet tobba oħra li tawha s-sapport li kellha bżonn sakemm welldet wara 34 ġimgħa. Qalet li f’Mejju li ġej se tkun qed tiċċelebra 10 snin meħlusa mill-marda tal-kanċer, filwaqt li bintha issa għalqet 10 snin.
“Craig illum jgħalaq seba’ snin”
Intant, omm Maltija li addottat tifel mill-Etijopja u li llum għandu seba’ snin spjegat kif omm Craig, minkejja ċ-ċirkustanzi ħżiena tat-tqala ta’ ommu naturali, hi xorta ddeċidiet li tkompli bit-tqala tagħha imbagħad tgħaddi lil binha għall-addozzjoni.
Minn Nicole Borg
16/03/2019
Omm mill-Istati Uniti rrakkuntat kif meta mardet bil-kanċer waqt it-tqala tagħha sabet tabib li ssuġġerielha tagħmel abort. Madanakollu hi rrifjutat li tagħmel dan u llum il-ġurnata mhux talli fieqet mill-kanċer iżda għandha tifla li qed tiċċelebra għeluq l-10 snin tagħha.
Fuq Facebook, Sarah Wickline Hull spjegat li ħasset li kien hemm bżonn tgħaddi l-kummenti tagħha dwar id-diskussjoni dwar l-abort li dejjem qed tikber madwar id-dinja. L-omm irrakkuntat kif meta kienet madwar 20 ġimgħa fit-tqala tagħha, ġiet dijanjostikata b’kanċer aggressiv li saħansitra lanqas beda jħalliha tieħu nifs sew.
Qalet li wara snin twal li fihom hi u r-raġel tagħha bdew jippruvaw ikollhom it-tfal, kien ta’ xokk kbir għaliha li tisma’ tabib jgħidilha biex tagħmel abort. Spjegat li kienet tippreferi tmut hi milli tabortixxi lil bintha. Spjegat li minn hemm biddlet it-tabib u sabet tobba oħra li tawha s-sapport li kellha bżonn sakemm welldet wara 34 ġimgħa. Qalet li f’Mejju li ġej se tkun qed tiċċelebra 10 snin meħlusa mill-marda tal-kanċer, filwaqt li bintha issa għalqet 10 snin.
“Craig illum jgħalaq seba’ snin”
Intant, omm Maltija li addottat tifel mill-Etijopja u li llum għandu seba’ snin spjegat kif omm Craig, minkejja ċ-ċirkustanzi ħżiena tat-tqala ta’ ommu naturali, hi xorta ddeċidiet li tkompli bit-tqala tagħha imbagħad tgħaddi lil binha għall-addozzjoni.
Magister in Sacra Theologia
Well done to Rev Dr Charles Tabone for your achievement.
Fr Charles has a family relation with Nadur Gozo.
By Chevalier Carmel Saliba
On Thursday 7th March, The Dean, Deputy Deans and other members of the Faculty of Economics Management and Accountancy attended the Conferment of the Degree ‘Magister in Sacra Theologia’ of our colleague Rev. Dr Charles Tabone.
This degree is a prerogative of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) and is conferred on those members of the Order who after their doctorate proved to be successful in their contribution of maintaining a high level of intellectual life in the Order, where study is considered as one of its pillars. This is accomplished through teaching at tertiary level and research. The academic life of the candidate and all his publications are thoroughly examined by a special commission appointed by the Master of the Order, before presented to be honoured with the degree.
This prestigious title ‘Magister is Sacra Theologia’ goes back to 1303, when Pope Benedict XI gave the Order the right to appoint directly its Professors in Theology, without the need to obtain the degree from an established University. Today, the title is considered to be equivalent to that of a Professor. In Church quarters the Magister is addressed as ‘Very Reverend’.
The new Magister, Rev. Dr Charles Tabone delivered an oration entitled ‘Human Development and Globalisation’. He put forward the Thesis that notwithstanding globalisation is contributing to economic growth, it is not necessarily contributing to human development, as inequality remains a persistent reality, and a good number of the goals of The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are far from being reached, as the United Nations Development Programme, among many others, report.
Well done to Rev Dr Charles Tabone for your achievement.
Fr Charles has a family relation with Nadur Gozo.
By Chevalier Carmel Saliba
On Thursday 7th March, The Dean, Deputy Deans and other members of the Faculty of Economics Management and Accountancy attended the Conferment of the Degree ‘Magister in Sacra Theologia’ of our colleague Rev. Dr Charles Tabone.
This degree is a prerogative of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) and is conferred on those members of the Order who after their doctorate proved to be successful in their contribution of maintaining a high level of intellectual life in the Order, where study is considered as one of its pillars. This is accomplished through teaching at tertiary level and research. The academic life of the candidate and all his publications are thoroughly examined by a special commission appointed by the Master of the Order, before presented to be honoured with the degree.
This prestigious title ‘Magister is Sacra Theologia’ goes back to 1303, when Pope Benedict XI gave the Order the right to appoint directly its Professors in Theology, without the need to obtain the degree from an established University. Today, the title is considered to be equivalent to that of a Professor. In Church quarters the Magister is addressed as ‘Very Reverend’.
The new Magister, Rev. Dr Charles Tabone delivered an oration entitled ‘Human Development and Globalisation’. He put forward the Thesis that notwithstanding globalisation is contributing to economic growth, it is not necessarily contributing to human development, as inequality remains a persistent reality, and a good number of the goals of The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are far from being reached, as the United Nations Development Programme, among many others, report.
‘Malta 1565’ fil-massakru fil-moskej f’New Zealand
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
15/03/2019.
It-terrorist li qatel 49 persuna f’żewġ moskej fi New Zealand kellu l-kliem ‘Malta 1565’ miktub fuq wieħed mill-armi tan-nar tiegħu.
Dan il-kliem jidher li sar b’referenza għall-Assedju l-Kbir ta’ Malta li seħħ fis-sena 1565. Dakinhar, l-Imperu Ottoman ipprova jieħu kontroll ta’ Malta.
Minn tal-inqas raġel wieħed armat b’arma tan-nar qatel 49 persuna u darab 48 oħra waqt li kienu qed jitolbu f’żewġ moskej fi New Zealand, fl-agħar attakk bi sparar li qatt ra l-pajjiż. L-attakk ġie deskritt mill-Prim Ministru tal-pajjiż bħala terroriżmu.
Inqatlu aktar f’ġurnata milli f’sena sħiħa
L-attakk li seħħ qatel aktar persuni f’jum wieħed milli kemm ikun hemm omiċidji f’New Zealand f’sena sħiħa.
Il-Prim Ministru Jacinda Ardern iddeskriviet l-attakk bħala wieħed terroristiku u li l-ġurnata kienet waħda mill-agħar fl-istorja tal-pajjiż. Dan kien l-attakk li fih l-aktar li nqatlu nies fi New Zealand.
Ir-raġel li wettaq l-attakk iddeskriva lilu nnifsu bħala Awstraljan. Hu għamel live-stream tal-attakk fuq Facebook. Il-Pulizija appellat lill-pubbliku biex ma jxerridx il-filmat tal-massakru.
Storiku li tkellem ma’ Newsbook.com.mt qal li l-idea prinċipali dwar l-iskrizzjoni ‘Malta 1565′ hija waħda marbuta mal-white supremacists – dawk li jemmnu li l-persuni ta’ ġilda bajda huma superjuri għal razez differenti. L-armi tan-nar li ntużaw f’dan l-attakk kellhom miktub fuqhom dati ta’ rebħiet kontra l-Musulmani. Dawn inkludew Charles Martel u l-battalja ta’ Tours sal-assedju ta’ Vienna u dak ta’ Malta. Inkludew ukoll referenzi għal taqbidiet aktar reċenti bħal dawk fil-Bosnia u fin-Norveġja. Persuni qrib il-white supremacists qalu li kien hemm ħafna nies li kienu qed isegwu l-attakk li wkoll ġie mfaħħar fost dawn il-persuni.
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
15/03/2019.
It-terrorist li qatel 49 persuna f’żewġ moskej fi New Zealand kellu l-kliem ‘Malta 1565’ miktub fuq wieħed mill-armi tan-nar tiegħu.
Dan il-kliem jidher li sar b’referenza għall-Assedju l-Kbir ta’ Malta li seħħ fis-sena 1565. Dakinhar, l-Imperu Ottoman ipprova jieħu kontroll ta’ Malta.
Minn tal-inqas raġel wieħed armat b’arma tan-nar qatel 49 persuna u darab 48 oħra waqt li kienu qed jitolbu f’żewġ moskej fi New Zealand, fl-agħar attakk bi sparar li qatt ra l-pajjiż. L-attakk ġie deskritt mill-Prim Ministru tal-pajjiż bħala terroriżmu.
Inqatlu aktar f’ġurnata milli f’sena sħiħa
L-attakk li seħħ qatel aktar persuni f’jum wieħed milli kemm ikun hemm omiċidji f’New Zealand f’sena sħiħa.
Il-Prim Ministru Jacinda Ardern iddeskriviet l-attakk bħala wieħed terroristiku u li l-ġurnata kienet waħda mill-agħar fl-istorja tal-pajjiż. Dan kien l-attakk li fih l-aktar li nqatlu nies fi New Zealand.
Ir-raġel li wettaq l-attakk iddeskriva lilu nnifsu bħala Awstraljan. Hu għamel live-stream tal-attakk fuq Facebook. Il-Pulizija appellat lill-pubbliku biex ma jxerridx il-filmat tal-massakru.
Storiku li tkellem ma’ Newsbook.com.mt qal li l-idea prinċipali dwar l-iskrizzjoni ‘Malta 1565′ hija waħda marbuta mal-white supremacists – dawk li jemmnu li l-persuni ta’ ġilda bajda huma superjuri għal razez differenti. L-armi tan-nar li ntużaw f’dan l-attakk kellhom miktub fuqhom dati ta’ rebħiet kontra l-Musulmani. Dawn inkludew Charles Martel u l-battalja ta’ Tours sal-assedju ta’ Vienna u dak ta’ Malta. Inkludew ukoll referenzi għal taqbidiet aktar reċenti bħal dawk fil-Bosnia u fin-Norveġja. Persuni qrib il-white supremacists qalu li kien hemm ħafna nies li kienu qed isegwu l-attakk li wkoll ġie mfaħħar fost dawn il-persuni.
Mizzi ma marx New Zealand, Bermuda jew il-Bahamas iżda mar Dubaj
Minn Paul Cachia
13/03/2019
Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi ċaħad li qatt mar New Zealand, Bermuda jew il-Bahamas minn Marzu tas-sena 2013 sal-lum. Dan filwaqt li stqarr li mar darba Dubaj tul il-leġislatura l-oħra.
Il-Ministru kien qed iwieġeb mistoqsija parlamentari tad-deputat Nazzjonalista Simon Busuttil.
Il-ġurnalista assasinata Daphne Caruana Galizia kienet akkużat lill-Ministru Mizzi li kien fetaħ kumpanija fil-Panama kif ukoll Trust fi New Zealand. Waqt li l-grupp ta’ ġurnalisti li ħadmu fuq The Daphne Project kien żvela li l-kumpanija 17 Black kienet ġiet miftuħa f’ Dubaj, waqt li Nexia BT kienet ippruvat tiftaħ kontijiet bankarji għall-kumpanija ta’ Mizzi fil-Panama.
Minn Paul Cachia
13/03/2019
Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu Konrad Mizzi ċaħad li qatt mar New Zealand, Bermuda jew il-Bahamas minn Marzu tas-sena 2013 sal-lum. Dan filwaqt li stqarr li mar darba Dubaj tul il-leġislatura l-oħra.
Il-Ministru kien qed iwieġeb mistoqsija parlamentari tad-deputat Nazzjonalista Simon Busuttil.
Il-ġurnalista assasinata Daphne Caruana Galizia kienet akkużat lill-Ministru Mizzi li kien fetaħ kumpanija fil-Panama kif ukoll Trust fi New Zealand. Waqt li l-grupp ta’ ġurnalisti li ħadmu fuq The Daphne Project kien żvela li l-kumpanija 17 Black kienet ġiet miftuħa f’ Dubaj, waqt li Nexia BT kienet ippruvat tiftaħ kontijiet bankarji għall-kumpanija ta’ Mizzi fil-Panama.
‘Is-soċjetà hi reliġjuża imma ma tafx lil Ġesù’ – l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
12/03/2019
L-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mario Grech qal li s-soċjetà Maltija hija reliġjuża imma li ftit li xejn taf lil Ġesù.
Fi stqarrija, il-Kurja ta’ Għawdex qalet li Mons. Grech qal dan fil-messaġġ tiegħu lis-saċerdoti fi tmiem l-eżerċizzi spiritwali tar-Randan fis-Santwarju Ta’ Pinu fid-9 ta’ Marzu.
Mons. Grech talab lis-saċerdoti biex ipoġġu xbieha tal-Madonna fil-kamra tas-sodda tagħhom. Mons. Grech qal li jixtieq li t-tema prinċipali tar-Randan tkun relatata mal-ittra pastorali għal dan iż-żmien. Mons. Grech spjega li l-qofol tal-ittra huwa l-kliem li Ġesù qal lil Ġwanni mis-salib meta qal “din hi ommok”, b’referenza għal Marija. L-Isqof ta’ Għawdex qal li wieħed għandu jieħu lil Marija d-dar għax hi twassal lin-nies għand Kristu.
Żied jgħid li r-riflessjoni tal-ittra tiffoka fuq “id-dar”. Spjega li dan għaliex fid-dar jinkitbu stejjer sbieħ u oħrajn li jkunu inqas sbieħ. Żied jgħid li qabel ma Ġesù jidħol fid-dar tal-ġebel, irid jidħol fin-nies b’mod personali. Qal li Ġesù u Marija jaslu fid-djar tan-nies jekk is-saċerdoti jkunu preżenti fid-djar tan-nies.
“Tajjeb li aħna nxandru l-bxara t-tajba minn fuq l-artal, imma xejn ma jiżboq dak li ngħidu fil-widnejn u fl-intimità tad-dar,” saħaq Mons. Grech. Mons. Grech qal li s-saċerdoti m’għandhomx soluzzjonijiet tekniċi, ekonomiċi, jew politiċi. Però, qal li s-saċerdoti għandhom il-kelma ta’ Alla.
Fi kliem l-Isqof, il-Knisja fdat lis-saċerdoti bil-formazzjoni tal-kuxjenzi. Qal li s-saċerdoti jistgħu jagħmlu dan l-aktar waqt il-qrar.
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
12/03/2019
L-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mario Grech qal li s-soċjetà Maltija hija reliġjuża imma li ftit li xejn taf lil Ġesù.
Fi stqarrija, il-Kurja ta’ Għawdex qalet li Mons. Grech qal dan fil-messaġġ tiegħu lis-saċerdoti fi tmiem l-eżerċizzi spiritwali tar-Randan fis-Santwarju Ta’ Pinu fid-9 ta’ Marzu.
Mons. Grech talab lis-saċerdoti biex ipoġġu xbieha tal-Madonna fil-kamra tas-sodda tagħhom. Mons. Grech qal li jixtieq li t-tema prinċipali tar-Randan tkun relatata mal-ittra pastorali għal dan iż-żmien. Mons. Grech spjega li l-qofol tal-ittra huwa l-kliem li Ġesù qal lil Ġwanni mis-salib meta qal “din hi ommok”, b’referenza għal Marija. L-Isqof ta’ Għawdex qal li wieħed għandu jieħu lil Marija d-dar għax hi twassal lin-nies għand Kristu.
Żied jgħid li r-riflessjoni tal-ittra tiffoka fuq “id-dar”. Spjega li dan għaliex fid-dar jinkitbu stejjer sbieħ u oħrajn li jkunu inqas sbieħ. Żied jgħid li qabel ma Ġesù jidħol fid-dar tal-ġebel, irid jidħol fin-nies b’mod personali. Qal li Ġesù u Marija jaslu fid-djar tan-nies jekk is-saċerdoti jkunu preżenti fid-djar tan-nies.
“Tajjeb li aħna nxandru l-bxara t-tajba minn fuq l-artal, imma xejn ma jiżboq dak li ngħidu fil-widnejn u fl-intimità tad-dar,” saħaq Mons. Grech. Mons. Grech qal li s-saċerdoti m’għandhomx soluzzjonijiet tekniċi, ekonomiċi, jew politiċi. Però, qal li s-saċerdoti għandhom il-kelma ta’ Alla.
Fi kliem l-Isqof, il-Knisja fdat lis-saċerdoti bil-formazzjoni tal-kuxjenzi. Qal li s-saċerdoti jistgħu jagħmlu dan l-aktar waqt il-qrar.
25 persuna jingħataw għajnuna medika wara nar f’lukanda fil-Qawra
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
2/03/2019,
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/03/12/nar-flukanda-fil-qawra/#t=0:05
Il-Ministru għall-Intern Michael Farrugia qal li 25 persuna ngħataw l-għajnuna medika minħabba nar fil-lukanda Qawra Palace.
Kelliem għall-Pulizija qal ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li l-inċident seħħ għas-12.50 pm fi Triq Dawret il-Qawra, fil-Qawra. Numru ta’ pulizija, membri tad-Dipartiment tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili, u ambulanza marru fuq il-post.
Kelliem għad-Dipartiment tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili qal ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li għadd ta’ persuni ngħataw għajnuna medika fuq il-post peress li belgħu xi dħaħen.
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
2/03/2019,
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/03/12/nar-flukanda-fil-qawra/#t=0:05
Il-Ministru għall-Intern Michael Farrugia qal li 25 persuna ngħataw l-għajnuna medika minħabba nar fil-lukanda Qawra Palace.
Kelliem għall-Pulizija qal ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li l-inċident seħħ għas-12.50 pm fi Triq Dawret il-Qawra, fil-Qawra. Numru ta’ pulizija, membri tad-Dipartiment tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili, u ambulanza marru fuq il-post.
Kelliem għad-Dipartiment tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili qal ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li għadd ta’ persuni ngħataw għajnuna medika fuq il-post peress li belgħu xi dħaħen.
Gozo must benefit from European decisions, just as larger countries do – Sant
by Gozo News
March 11, 2019
“In the next five years we must ensure that European decisions must benefit Gozo as much as they do for the European larger countries,” said MEP Alfred Sant while addressing a conference on -The future of Gozo in Europe – which was held in Gozo.
He argued that “Gozo must exploit latest developments in digital technology to open new opportunities for Gozitan youth in Gozo with all the diplomatic, economic and social tools available at our disposal and with the support of the Maltese government.”
“This will compensate for Gozo’s double insularity,” explained Sant. “It’s vital to implement every available opportunity to create wealth in Gozo and encourage Gozitan youth to seek proposals for investments in Gozo.”
Dr Sant added that protecting Gozo’s natural identity will be his priority while encouraging and promoting initiatives by Gozitan youth to create and market authentic Gozitan products.
“Gozo deserves the support to protect its environment and its quality of life whilst ensuring the best European standards,” he said.
Referring to the government’s request to the European Commission on Gozo’s requirements in the 2021-2027 European budget, Sant said, “I am confident that the government will negotiate for funds for Gozo in the new European Budget which will invoke new measures to further stimulate the Gozitan economy.”
“Gozo was not recognised as a region when Malta negotiated its EU accession,” said Dr Sant.
He argued that “Gozo deserved more than the 10% of the EU funds allocated to Malta, considering Gozitan territory amounted to 27% of Malta’s territory, Gozitan coast amounts to 31% of Malta’s coastlines and Gozo’s agricultural area amounts to 31% compared to that in Malta.”
Mr Emanuel Cuschieri, who also addressed the Conference, said Gozo needs a strong voice that represents Gozitan needs and aspirations.
He continued by saying that “the European elections are important times for Gozo. Gozo needs experienced and prepared enough representatives to make the most of opportunities whilst opposing decisions which can undermine Gozo’s interests. One person that can represent best Gozo in Europe is Alfred Sant.”
Conference moderator was Dr Christian Zammit.
by Gozo News
March 11, 2019
“In the next five years we must ensure that European decisions must benefit Gozo as much as they do for the European larger countries,” said MEP Alfred Sant while addressing a conference on -The future of Gozo in Europe – which was held in Gozo.
He argued that “Gozo must exploit latest developments in digital technology to open new opportunities for Gozitan youth in Gozo with all the diplomatic, economic and social tools available at our disposal and with the support of the Maltese government.”
“This will compensate for Gozo’s double insularity,” explained Sant. “It’s vital to implement every available opportunity to create wealth in Gozo and encourage Gozitan youth to seek proposals for investments in Gozo.”
Dr Sant added that protecting Gozo’s natural identity will be his priority while encouraging and promoting initiatives by Gozitan youth to create and market authentic Gozitan products.
“Gozo deserves the support to protect its environment and its quality of life whilst ensuring the best European standards,” he said.
Referring to the government’s request to the European Commission on Gozo’s requirements in the 2021-2027 European budget, Sant said, “I am confident that the government will negotiate for funds for Gozo in the new European Budget which will invoke new measures to further stimulate the Gozitan economy.”
“Gozo was not recognised as a region when Malta negotiated its EU accession,” said Dr Sant.
He argued that “Gozo deserved more than the 10% of the EU funds allocated to Malta, considering Gozitan territory amounted to 27% of Malta’s territory, Gozitan coast amounts to 31% of Malta’s coastlines and Gozo’s agricultural area amounts to 31% compared to that in Malta.”
Mr Emanuel Cuschieri, who also addressed the Conference, said Gozo needs a strong voice that represents Gozitan needs and aspirations.
He continued by saying that “the European elections are important times for Gozo. Gozo needs experienced and prepared enough representatives to make the most of opportunities whilst opposing decisions which can undermine Gozo’s interests. One person that can represent best Gozo in Europe is Alfred Sant.”
Conference moderator was Dr Christian Zammit.
Maltese researchers develop less invasive and improved cancer screening
2,000 new cancer cases a year
Monday, March 11, 2019
by Sarah Carabott
A team of researchers at the University of Malta have come up with a cancer screening test that is less invasive and more sensitive than current methods.
The research forms part of a project called Accurate Cancer screening Tests (Act), which initially focused on improved diagnosis of breast cancer and is now developing similar tests for colorectal cancer.
Led by Prof Godfrey Grech from the Pathology Department, the partners in this ongoing project are the university's Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and industry partner Applied Biotech.
Prof Grech noted that during the research, technology was adapted to develop a new method in diagnosing tumour cells, and in the meantime discovered new characteristics of colorectal cancer.
A patent application has been submitted for the newly discovered characteristics and also the new screening methods.
The upcoming challenge will be identifying tumours at an earlier stage so that treatment could be more effective.
The sum of €200,000 was invested in the project through Fusion, a national funding programme managed by the Malta Council for Science and Technology.
MCST chair Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando commended the research, noting that cancer impacted families, the country’s economy and health sector.
One out of every three people will get diagnosed with cancer before they turn 75. However, despite increases in diagnoses, treatment was also improving, he said.
Health Minister Chris Fearne meanwhile noted that Malta sees 2,000 new cancer cases a year, while 900 people are killed by the disease annually.
He noted that the belief that Malta was too small to carry out research with a global impact had changed over the years.
The size of the island was actually advantageous as researchers had access to whole population data, a resource that only a few other countries had, he added.
Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri said it was crucial to keep investing in the Fusion programme to encourage Maltese researchers to sustain their research.
He said that some €8million had been invested in research and it was having an impact on the economy.
He thanked researchers and scientists involved in this project.
2,000 new cancer cases a year
Monday, March 11, 2019
by Sarah Carabott
A team of researchers at the University of Malta have come up with a cancer screening test that is less invasive and more sensitive than current methods.
The research forms part of a project called Accurate Cancer screening Tests (Act), which initially focused on improved diagnosis of breast cancer and is now developing similar tests for colorectal cancer.
Led by Prof Godfrey Grech from the Pathology Department, the partners in this ongoing project are the university's Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and industry partner Applied Biotech.
Prof Grech noted that during the research, technology was adapted to develop a new method in diagnosing tumour cells, and in the meantime discovered new characteristics of colorectal cancer.
A patent application has been submitted for the newly discovered characteristics and also the new screening methods.
The upcoming challenge will be identifying tumours at an earlier stage so that treatment could be more effective.
The sum of €200,000 was invested in the project through Fusion, a national funding programme managed by the Malta Council for Science and Technology.
MCST chair Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando commended the research, noting that cancer impacted families, the country’s economy and health sector.
One out of every three people will get diagnosed with cancer before they turn 75. However, despite increases in diagnoses, treatment was also improving, he said.
Health Minister Chris Fearne meanwhile noted that Malta sees 2,000 new cancer cases a year, while 900 people are killed by the disease annually.
He noted that the belief that Malta was too small to carry out research with a global impact had changed over the years.
The size of the island was actually advantageous as researchers had access to whole population data, a resource that only a few other countries had, he added.
Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri said it was crucial to keep investing in the Fusion programme to encourage Maltese researchers to sustain their research.
He said that some €8million had been invested in research and it was having an impact on the economy.
He thanked researchers and scientists involved in this project.
Chris Fearne confirms Konrad Mizzi meeting, remains silent on what was discussed
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne confirmed he and Konrad Mizzi met for a meal last week, but refused to divulge whether the Tourism Minister’s reported leadership aspirations were part of the discussion.
11 March 2019, 4:35pm
by Massimo Costa
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne confirmed meeting Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi for dinner but would not say whether any leadership ambitions were discussed
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, widely believed to be positioning himself to succeed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat once he leaves office, has avoided confirming whether he had discussed a potential future leadership race with Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi.
Illum yesterday reported that Mizzi had individually met with both Fearne and Labour MEP Miriam Dalli, who is also believed to be interested in a leadership bid.
The paper reported that the meeting had taken place in order to discuss Mizzi’s intention to run for leader once Muscat steps down.
Asked about this on Monday, Fearne, who was giving comments to journalists after a press conference on a cancer screening project, confirmed that he had met with Mizzi, but said this was something he did often.
“Minister Mizzi and I meet… maybe not every day, but certainly once or twice a week, in parliamentary group and cabinet meetings and in Parliament. Last week, as it happens, we met for a meal - this isn’t something out of the ordinary,” Fearne said.
READ MORE: 'Let's ensure Muscat stays on' - Konrad Mizzi sidesteps leadership bid questions
The Deputy Prime Minister did not however, specify if the conversation included a discussion on matters concerning the Labour Party’s leadership come Muscat’s departure.
“We spoke about many things, but I don’t disclose to the media what I discuss with my colleagues.”
Questioned on his own leadership intentions, Fearne stuck to the mantra repeated by all those considered to be potential leadership hopefuls and insisted that there was no leadership vacancy at the moment.
“I’ve been posed this question [by the media before] - my answer remains the same. There is currently no vacancy for the PL leadership post. Joseph Muscat is our leader, and he enjoys the undivided support of all members of the party. “
“The only party which has problems with its leader today, it seems, is the Nationalist Party,” Fearne added.
Muscat has stated his intention to leave before the next general election on a number of occasions since he first said he would leave during the last general election campaign.
Speaking to Politico back in January, Muscat had said that the prospect of him landing a senior EU post were “a long shot” but didn’t go as far as to rule it out. Last week he reiterated that he believed that no Prime Minister should stay in office more than 10 years.
In comments to this newspaper yesterday, Mizzi, who held a press conference at the same time as Muscat’s political speech on Sunday, said he would be working to ensure that Muscat stays on as leader.
"At this stage, I am being very clear: Dr Muscat is the most popular leader our country has ever had, and we want to ensure that he stays on - it is good for the country. The journey is still not over, and I am convinced there is more left to do and that our country can truly have major aspirations."
Pressed whether he would be interested in contesting for the post when the time does come for Muscat to leave, Mizzi, however, fell short of confirming or denying his leadership aspirations.
READ MORE: Konrad Mizzi sounds out leadership bid with Labour delegates
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne confirmed he and Konrad Mizzi met for a meal last week, but refused to divulge whether the Tourism Minister’s reported leadership aspirations were part of the discussion.
11 March 2019, 4:35pm
by Massimo Costa
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne confirmed meeting Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi for dinner but would not say whether any leadership ambitions were discussed
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, widely believed to be positioning himself to succeed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat once he leaves office, has avoided confirming whether he had discussed a potential future leadership race with Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi.
Illum yesterday reported that Mizzi had individually met with both Fearne and Labour MEP Miriam Dalli, who is also believed to be interested in a leadership bid.
The paper reported that the meeting had taken place in order to discuss Mizzi’s intention to run for leader once Muscat steps down.
Asked about this on Monday, Fearne, who was giving comments to journalists after a press conference on a cancer screening project, confirmed that he had met with Mizzi, but said this was something he did often.
“Minister Mizzi and I meet… maybe not every day, but certainly once or twice a week, in parliamentary group and cabinet meetings and in Parliament. Last week, as it happens, we met for a meal - this isn’t something out of the ordinary,” Fearne said.
READ MORE: 'Let's ensure Muscat stays on' - Konrad Mizzi sidesteps leadership bid questions
The Deputy Prime Minister did not however, specify if the conversation included a discussion on matters concerning the Labour Party’s leadership come Muscat’s departure.
“We spoke about many things, but I don’t disclose to the media what I discuss with my colleagues.”
Questioned on his own leadership intentions, Fearne stuck to the mantra repeated by all those considered to be potential leadership hopefuls and insisted that there was no leadership vacancy at the moment.
“I’ve been posed this question [by the media before] - my answer remains the same. There is currently no vacancy for the PL leadership post. Joseph Muscat is our leader, and he enjoys the undivided support of all members of the party. “
“The only party which has problems with its leader today, it seems, is the Nationalist Party,” Fearne added.
Muscat has stated his intention to leave before the next general election on a number of occasions since he first said he would leave during the last general election campaign.
Speaking to Politico back in January, Muscat had said that the prospect of him landing a senior EU post were “a long shot” but didn’t go as far as to rule it out. Last week he reiterated that he believed that no Prime Minister should stay in office more than 10 years.
In comments to this newspaper yesterday, Mizzi, who held a press conference at the same time as Muscat’s political speech on Sunday, said he would be working to ensure that Muscat stays on as leader.
"At this stage, I am being very clear: Dr Muscat is the most popular leader our country has ever had, and we want to ensure that he stays on - it is good for the country. The journey is still not over, and I am convinced there is more left to do and that our country can truly have major aspirations."
Pressed whether he would be interested in contesting for the post when the time does come for Muscat to leave, Mizzi, however, fell short of confirming or denying his leadership aspirations.
READ MORE: Konrad Mizzi sounds out leadership bid with Labour delegates
Statues of Good Friday in Nadur
By Mario Muscat
By Mario Muscat
Honouring Profs. Mro. Joseph Vella
Former Band Master of La Stella in Victoria Gozo, Prof. Mro. Joseph Vella was honoured with a bust statue at Villa Rundle.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.3.19
Former Band Master of La Stella in Victoria Gozo, Prof. Mro. Joseph Vella was honoured with a bust statue at Villa Rundle.
Photos Copyright Carmel Saliba 9.3.19
Isma’ l-kanzunetta ta’ Malta għall-Eurovision 2019
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
10/03/2019.
Ara il film hawn.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/03/10/filmat-isma-l-kanzunetta-ta-malta-ghall-eurovision-2019/#t=0:03
Ġiet żvelata l-kanzunetta ta’ Malta li biha Michela Pace se tkun qed tikkompeti fil-kompetizzjoni tal-Eurovision ta’ din is-sena.
Il-Eurovision ta’ din is-sena se jsir bejn l-14 u t-18 ta’ Mejju f’Tel Aviv, l-Iżrael.
Il-kantanta Michela Pace rebħet l-ewwel edizzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni tal-kant X Factor Malta. Parti mill-premju kien li tirrappreżenta lil Malta fil-Eurovision.
Il-music video nġibed f’Malta
Fi stqarrija, PBS qal li nieda il-kanzunetta Chameleon li hija diska pop b’taħlita ta’ Reggaetone grove b’elementi Kubani. Il-kanzunetta nktibet u ġiet produċuta minn Symphonics li kisbu t-tieni, t-tielet, u r-raba’ post fil-Eurovision fl-aħħar tliet snin.
Il-kanzunetta ġiet irrekordjata fi Vienna, fl-Iżvezja, u f’Malta. Il-music video nġibed kollu f’Malta bi produzzjoni tal-PBS.
Skont it-TVM, wara li ddedikat dawn l-aħħar jiem biex tintgħażel il-kanzunetta finali u jinġibed il-music video, fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin Michela se tkun qed tkompli bil-preparazzjonijiet tagħha għall-Eurovision fejn se tkun qed tikkompeti għall-ewwel darba fis-16 ta’ Mejju.
Min kiteb il-kanzunetta?
Il-kanzunetta nkitbet minn Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, u Johan Alkanas b’kompożizzjoni mill-istess persuni.
Min hi Michela?
Michela għandha 18-il sena u tgħix Għawdex. Hija studenta fis-sixth form ta’ Għawdex – Sir MA Refalo. Waqt li kienet qed tieħu sehem f’X Factor Malta, il-mentor tagħha kien Howard Keith Debono.
Pace rebħet il-kompetizzjoni Music Talent League fil-Litwanja, kienet finalista fil-‘Baltic Voices’, u attendiet il-programm ta’ żvilupp artistiku ‘Ultimate Artist’ f’Londra fejn ħadmet mal-producer ta’ Rhianna.
Michela bħalissa għandha kuntratt ma’ Sony Music.
Minn Christoph Schwaiger
10/03/2019.
Ara il film hawn.
https://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2019/03/10/filmat-isma-l-kanzunetta-ta-malta-ghall-eurovision-2019/#t=0:03
Ġiet żvelata l-kanzunetta ta’ Malta li biha Michela Pace se tkun qed tikkompeti fil-kompetizzjoni tal-Eurovision ta’ din is-sena.
Il-Eurovision ta’ din is-sena se jsir bejn l-14 u t-18 ta’ Mejju f’Tel Aviv, l-Iżrael.
Il-kantanta Michela Pace rebħet l-ewwel edizzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni tal-kant X Factor Malta. Parti mill-premju kien li tirrappreżenta lil Malta fil-Eurovision.
Il-music video nġibed f’Malta
Fi stqarrija, PBS qal li nieda il-kanzunetta Chameleon li hija diska pop b’taħlita ta’ Reggaetone grove b’elementi Kubani. Il-kanzunetta nktibet u ġiet produċuta minn Symphonics li kisbu t-tieni, t-tielet, u r-raba’ post fil-Eurovision fl-aħħar tliet snin.
Il-kanzunetta ġiet irrekordjata fi Vienna, fl-Iżvezja, u f’Malta. Il-music video nġibed kollu f’Malta bi produzzjoni tal-PBS.
Skont it-TVM, wara li ddedikat dawn l-aħħar jiem biex tintgħażel il-kanzunetta finali u jinġibed il-music video, fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin Michela se tkun qed tkompli bil-preparazzjonijiet tagħha għall-Eurovision fejn se tkun qed tikkompeti għall-ewwel darba fis-16 ta’ Mejju.
Min kiteb il-kanzunetta?
Il-kanzunetta nkitbet minn Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, u Johan Alkanas b’kompożizzjoni mill-istess persuni.
Min hi Michela?
Michela għandha 18-il sena u tgħix Għawdex. Hija studenta fis-sixth form ta’ Għawdex – Sir MA Refalo. Waqt li kienet qed tieħu sehem f’X Factor Malta, il-mentor tagħha kien Howard Keith Debono.
Pace rebħet il-kompetizzjoni Music Talent League fil-Litwanja, kienet finalista fil-‘Baltic Voices’, u attendiet il-programm ta’ żvilupp artistiku ‘Ultimate Artist’ f’Londra fejn ħadmet mal-producer ta’ Rhianna.
Michela bħalissa għandha kuntratt ma’ Sony Music.
Meta se tittaffa l-problema tal-parkeġġ fir-Rabat Għawdex?
Minn Nicole Borg
10/03/2019
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Chris Said staqsa fil-Parlament dwar fiex waslu d-diskussjonijiet dwar l-ispazji għall-parkeġġ fir-Rabat, Għawdex biex tkun tista’ tittaffa l-problema tal-parkeġġ f’din il-lokalità.
Min-naħa tagħha, il-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana qalet li d-diskussjonijiet għadhom għaddejjin u l-Ministeru qed jistenna l-eżitu tal-proġett tal-Parkeġġ tal-Katidral.
Bħalissa l-applikazzjoni għal parkeġġ ta’ tliet sulari minflok id-dar, tinsab fi stadju ta’ konsultazzjoni u s’issa ġew sottomessi aktar minn 1,400 rappreżentazzjoni lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar.
AQRA: “Il-parkeġġ u l-aċċessibilità aktar importanti mid-dar b’sinifikat dubjuż”
Fl-aħħar xhur, Newsbook.com.mt kien irrapporta kif minn filmati maħruġa mill-Gvern kien jidher li se jonqos il-parkeġġ fi Pjazza San Franġisk fir-Rabat Għawdex. Din hija pjazza ewlenija fir-Rabat, Għawdex li fiha bħalissa jipparkjaw għadd ta’ karozzi.
Filmati: Se jonqos il-parkeġġ fi Pjazza San Franġisk fir-Rabat Għawdex
Minn Nicole Borg
10/03/2019
Id-Deputat Nazzjonalista Chris Said staqsa fil-Parlament dwar fiex waslu d-diskussjonijiet dwar l-ispazji għall-parkeġġ fir-Rabat, Għawdex biex tkun tista’ tittaffa l-problema tal-parkeġġ f’din il-lokalità.
Min-naħa tagħha, il-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana qalet li d-diskussjonijiet għadhom għaddejjin u l-Ministeru qed jistenna l-eżitu tal-proġett tal-Parkeġġ tal-Katidral.
Bħalissa l-applikazzjoni għal parkeġġ ta’ tliet sulari minflok id-dar, tinsab fi stadju ta’ konsultazzjoni u s’issa ġew sottomessi aktar minn 1,400 rappreżentazzjoni lill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar.
AQRA: “Il-parkeġġ u l-aċċessibilità aktar importanti mid-dar b’sinifikat dubjuż”
Fl-aħħar xhur, Newsbook.com.mt kien irrapporta kif minn filmati maħruġa mill-Gvern kien jidher li se jonqos il-parkeġġ fi Pjazza San Franġisk fir-Rabat Għawdex. Din hija pjazza ewlenija fir-Rabat, Għawdex li fiha bħalissa jipparkjaw għadd ta’ karozzi.
Filmati: Se jonqos il-parkeġġ fi Pjazza San Franġisk fir-Rabat Għawdex
Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul
Grand Chapter of Melbourne
10 March, 2019
Yesterday was a great day for the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul, members of the Supreme Council travelled 240 km to the town of Giffard in South Gippsland to donated money to 5 farmers who are doing it tough to survive.
These farmers are finding it hard to keep their farm. Their farms haven't received good rain for 2 years.
It was an emotional moment for them as this was very unexpected and we became very excited when we started writing the cheques.
The Confraternity made new friends in Giffard, South Gippsland.
Farmer Dan Boland donated a book of the local history to the Confraternity.
We will keep in touch with these lovely people.
Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
Grand Chapter of Melbourne
10 March, 2019
Yesterday was a great day for the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul, members of the Supreme Council travelled 240 km to the town of Giffard in South Gippsland to donated money to 5 farmers who are doing it tough to survive.
These farmers are finding it hard to keep their farm. Their farms haven't received good rain for 2 years.
It was an emotional moment for them as this was very unexpected and we became very excited when we started writing the cheques.
The Confraternity made new friends in Giffard, South Gippsland.
Farmer Dan Boland donated a book of the local history to the Confraternity.
We will keep in touch with these lovely people.
Peter Paul Portelli
Grand Master
Simon Busuttil files application for new investigation into Panama Papers allegations
The former PN leader said that ‘institutional paralysis’ was preventing an investigation into the leak
8 March 2019
by Matthew Agius
Former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this morning filed a 77-page application again calling for an investigation into the Panama Papers scandal
Former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil filed a court application on Friday morning, arguing that Malta’s institutions had “flagrantly and consistently” failed to act against Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri over the three-year period since the Panama Papers leak.
In his application, Busuttil said that the “institutional paralysis” preventing an investigation into the Panama Papers scandal was in breach of EU law.
In a 77-page application addressed to the duty magistrate on call today, Doreen Clarke, the former PN leader repeats his call for an investigation into the allegations arising from the leaked documents.
He says the country’s institutions failed to act against Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri over a three-year period following revelations in the Panama Papers about secretive offshore structures they had opened.
He argues that this constitutes a breach of the Treaty of the European Union and the EU Charter on Fundamental Human Rights.
The applications states that there is incontrovertible evidence that the subject matter of the crimes it alleges still exists in the shape of paper trails and electronic correspondence which is found on computers and servers in several offices in Malta.
Other documents include Know Your Client (KYC) forms relating to Mizzi and Schembri’s New Zealand trusts, copies of bearer certificates for Hearnville and Egrant Inc and a report by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit into Mizzi, which he says concluded that there were reasonable grounds to suspect that he had committed or attempted to commit money laundering offences.
The former PN leader argues that the failure by various institutions to act against the pair was also I breach of domestic laws and the EU’s anti-money laundering directive.
Busuttil placed himself at the disposal of the Inquiring magistrate to pass on whatever information is deemed necessary under oath.
In January, the appeals court presided by Judge Giovanni Grixti ruled against a request for an inquiry into the Panama Papers, which Busuttil had filed shortly after the 2017 election.
A magistrate had ruled in favour of an inquiry but the decision was appealed by the people indicted by Busuttil, including the Prime Minister, Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi. The appeal dragged on after Busuttil objected to it being heard by now-retired judge Antonio Mizzi.
The case eventually ended up in Grixti's lap after Antonio Mizzi retired and in a ruling this year said the allegations made by Busuttil were "speculative" because they were based on his views and that of third parties without clearly indicating what and who committed the criminal behaviour.
READ ALSO: Why a Maltese judge threw out Simon Busuttil’s complaint for a Panama Papers investigation
The former PN leader said that ‘institutional paralysis’ was preventing an investigation into the leak
8 March 2019
by Matthew Agius
Former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this morning filed a 77-page application again calling for an investigation into the Panama Papers scandal
Former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil filed a court application on Friday morning, arguing that Malta’s institutions had “flagrantly and consistently” failed to act against Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri over the three-year period since the Panama Papers leak.
In his application, Busuttil said that the “institutional paralysis” preventing an investigation into the Panama Papers scandal was in breach of EU law.
In a 77-page application addressed to the duty magistrate on call today, Doreen Clarke, the former PN leader repeats his call for an investigation into the allegations arising from the leaked documents.
He says the country’s institutions failed to act against Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri over a three-year period following revelations in the Panama Papers about secretive offshore structures they had opened.
He argues that this constitutes a breach of the Treaty of the European Union and the EU Charter on Fundamental Human Rights.
The applications states that there is incontrovertible evidence that the subject matter of the crimes it alleges still exists in the shape of paper trails and electronic correspondence which is found on computers and servers in several offices in Malta.
Other documents include Know Your Client (KYC) forms relating to Mizzi and Schembri’s New Zealand trusts, copies of bearer certificates for Hearnville and Egrant Inc and a report by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit into Mizzi, which he says concluded that there were reasonable grounds to suspect that he had committed or attempted to commit money laundering offences.
The former PN leader argues that the failure by various institutions to act against the pair was also I breach of domestic laws and the EU’s anti-money laundering directive.
Busuttil placed himself at the disposal of the Inquiring magistrate to pass on whatever information is deemed necessary under oath.
In January, the appeals court presided by Judge Giovanni Grixti ruled against a request for an inquiry into the Panama Papers, which Busuttil had filed shortly after the 2017 election.
A magistrate had ruled in favour of an inquiry but the decision was appealed by the people indicted by Busuttil, including the Prime Minister, Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi. The appeal dragged on after Busuttil objected to it being heard by now-retired judge Antonio Mizzi.
The case eventually ended up in Grixti's lap after Antonio Mizzi retired and in a ruling this year said the allegations made by Busuttil were "speculative" because they were based on his views and that of third parties without clearly indicating what and who committed the criminal behaviour.
READ ALSO: Why a Maltese judge threw out Simon Busuttil’s complaint for a Panama Papers investigation
Hold your horses on Malta-Gozo tunnel, NGOs warn
Several questions still pending over the tunnel
Saturday, March 9, 2019,
by Denise Grech
There is nothing to show that an underwater tunnel will effectively address Gozo's challenges at this stage, 13 NGOs said on Saturday, as the controversial project looms on the horizon.
There was also nothing to show that the tunnel's social, economic and environmental impacts will be sustainable, they added, saying they feared authorities were not taking a decision based on evidence.
The government said last December a call for tender for the Malta-Gozo tunnel project is expected to be published within the next six months.
The current proposal will lead to the creation of a 13km-long tunnel with a seven metre radius and one traffic lane heading in either direction, with an additional safety lane.
Traffic analysts predict that around 6,500 vehicles will use the tunnel on a day-to-day basis.
Speaking at a news conference in front of the parliament building, Gozitan Julia Camilleri lamented the lack of public information saying people did not have access to the studies the government kept citing.
“Buses were not reliable and I had to resign myself to live in Malta. I’m lucky I do not need to go to Gozo everyday, but I know people in those situations,” she said.
The public still does not know why a fast ferry option has not been studied, Ms Camilleri added.
A decision on whether the tunnel is the best solution should only be established after serious studies are carried out and after a public consultation, the NGOs said.
Watch: Gozo tunnel will be built and run by the private sector
Tunnel will only damage the environment further
Malta’s environment is already depleted and problems will only worsen with the tunnel, Ingran Bondin from the Ramblers' Association feared.
Arable and natural land will be eaten up for the tunnel’s two entrances and the authorities have to somewhat cater for the unprecedented volume of one million cubic metres of waste generated from the tunnelling.
The traffic going to Gozo may become four or five times worse with traffic, he added.
The NGOs called for a strategic environmental assessment to compare the tunnel to other options and the Maltese public and stakeholders needed to be informed.
They wanted to know the impact on the road network and whether the construction of a tunnel would turn Gozo into a Maltese suburb instead of an island in its own right.
The authorities were acting like the discussion is over, when in reality it has not even begun, they lamented.
The NGOs who joined foreces were the Ramblers Association, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Archaeological Society Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Birdlife Malta, Kamra tal-Periti, Nature Trust Malta, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Għaqda Siġar Maltin, Isles of the Left, Bicycle Advocacy Group and Żminijietna.
Several questions still pending over the tunnel
Saturday, March 9, 2019,
by Denise Grech
There is nothing to show that an underwater tunnel will effectively address Gozo's challenges at this stage, 13 NGOs said on Saturday, as the controversial project looms on the horizon.
There was also nothing to show that the tunnel's social, economic and environmental impacts will be sustainable, they added, saying they feared authorities were not taking a decision based on evidence.
The government said last December a call for tender for the Malta-Gozo tunnel project is expected to be published within the next six months.
The current proposal will lead to the creation of a 13km-long tunnel with a seven metre radius and one traffic lane heading in either direction, with an additional safety lane.
Traffic analysts predict that around 6,500 vehicles will use the tunnel on a day-to-day basis.
Speaking at a news conference in front of the parliament building, Gozitan Julia Camilleri lamented the lack of public information saying people did not have access to the studies the government kept citing.
“Buses were not reliable and I had to resign myself to live in Malta. I’m lucky I do not need to go to Gozo everyday, but I know people in those situations,” she said.
The public still does not know why a fast ferry option has not been studied, Ms Camilleri added.
A decision on whether the tunnel is the best solution should only be established after serious studies are carried out and after a public consultation, the NGOs said.
Watch: Gozo tunnel will be built and run by the private sector
Tunnel will only damage the environment further
Malta’s environment is already depleted and problems will only worsen with the tunnel, Ingran Bondin from the Ramblers' Association feared.
Arable and natural land will be eaten up for the tunnel’s two entrances and the authorities have to somewhat cater for the unprecedented volume of one million cubic metres of waste generated from the tunnelling.
The traffic going to Gozo may become four or five times worse with traffic, he added.
The NGOs called for a strategic environmental assessment to compare the tunnel to other options and the Maltese public and stakeholders needed to be informed.
They wanted to know the impact on the road network and whether the construction of a tunnel would turn Gozo into a Maltese suburb instead of an island in its own right.
The authorities were acting like the discussion is over, when in reality it has not even begun, they lamented.
The NGOs who joined foreces were the Ramblers Association, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Archaeological Society Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Birdlife Malta, Kamra tal-Periti, Nature Trust Malta, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Għaqda Siġar Maltin, Isles of the Left, Bicycle Advocacy Group and Żminijietna.
'I've grown tired of politicians who want to stick to their seats' - Muscat
Says MPs should retain seat for no more than four terms
Saturday, March 9, 2019.
Joseph Muscat celebrating the party victory in 2017.
Prime Ministers should serve for no longer than two terms and MPs should retain their seats for no more than four parliamentary terms, according to Joseph Muscat.
Dr Muscat's comments to reporters on Friday reinforced his pledge to step down before the next general election.
“Speaking for myself, I grew tired of seeing politicians who only care about their seats and who remain stuck to them. I want to send out a message that politicians are there to serve the country for a period of time, after which they move on. Everybody has a life,” the prime minister said.
He said he hopes the issue of term limits should be discussed in the country's new convention.
Read: Joseph Muscat insists: I will step down by next election
Speculation has been growing that Dr Muscat would rethink his decision to extend his political career, especially after a resounding electoral victory in June 2017, but his recent comments and back-room trading confirmed that a change at the top could be imminent.
Health Minister Chris Fearne, Transport Minister Ian Borg, and MEP Miriam Dalli are those often cited as potentially interested in the post.
Dr Muscat said he would not speculate on minister Konrad Mizzi's potential candidature for the post of party leader and eventually prime minister.
Cabinet ministers and Labour Party delegates confirmed last week that Dr Mizzi, a former deputy leader, had made contact with them to ask for their support should he decide join the contest for control of the Labour Party.
Says MPs should retain seat for no more than four terms
Saturday, March 9, 2019.
Joseph Muscat celebrating the party victory in 2017.
Prime Ministers should serve for no longer than two terms and MPs should retain their seats for no more than four parliamentary terms, according to Joseph Muscat.
Dr Muscat's comments to reporters on Friday reinforced his pledge to step down before the next general election.
“Speaking for myself, I grew tired of seeing politicians who only care about their seats and who remain stuck to them. I want to send out a message that politicians are there to serve the country for a period of time, after which they move on. Everybody has a life,” the prime minister said.
He said he hopes the issue of term limits should be discussed in the country's new convention.
Read: Joseph Muscat insists: I will step down by next election
Speculation has been growing that Dr Muscat would rethink his decision to extend his political career, especially after a resounding electoral victory in June 2017, but his recent comments and back-room trading confirmed that a change at the top could be imminent.
Health Minister Chris Fearne, Transport Minister Ian Borg, and MEP Miriam Dalli are those often cited as potentially interested in the post.
Dr Muscat said he would not speculate on minister Konrad Mizzi's potential candidature for the post of party leader and eventually prime minister.
Cabinet ministers and Labour Party delegates confirmed last week that Dr Mizzi, a former deputy leader, had made contact with them to ask for their support should he decide join the contest for control of the Labour Party.
Sejha ghalik mill Parrocca tan-Nadur
Restoration work on Citadel World War II Air-Raid shelters inaugurated
by Gozo News · March 7, 2019
The Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana has inaugurated the restoration work carried out by Wirt Ghawdex on the World War II Air-Raid shelters located opposite the main entrance of the Citadel in Victoria.
The World War II shelters in the Citadel comprise of a complex of rooms, 32 in total, located below the St Martin’s Bastion. Construction on this haven from air attacks started in 1941, and in a tunnel which is over 150 metres in length there are a number of private rooms that were used as a refuge for families.
A programme of extensive restoration work was carried out at the shelters, which included cleaning away a range of material that had accumulated over the years, installation of modern lighting and PA system, renovation of rooms with staging of some of the shelters and installation of informational panels about the site and its combined history.
Dr Caruana praised this initiative of Wirt Ghawdex, saying that, “this supports the Ministry for Gozo’s commitment to continue working together with Wirt Ghawdex on the protection and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of our country.”
The Minister explained that this extensive project benefited from funds through an agreement signed between the Ministry for Gozo and Wirt Ghawdex in February last year for more than €50,000, and also included the restoration of the Loggja tal-Palju located in the upper part of Republic Street, in Victoria, which was inaugurated last November.
“The protection of historical heritage remains key and it is being given the attention it deserves by this Ministry,” said Dr Caruana.
She also explained how each year, the Ministry issues restoration schemes for local councils to submit their proposals for restoring historic sites in the villages.
The Minister Caruana concluded by stating that the collaboration and excellent relationship which exists between the Ministry for Gozo and Wirt Ghawdex will continue to strengthen, when in the coming days initiatives will be announced to restore other sites of historical importance and will be part of the working plan for Wirt Ghawdex in 2019.
Photograph:MGOZ/George Scerri
by Gozo News · March 7, 2019
The Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana has inaugurated the restoration work carried out by Wirt Ghawdex on the World War II Air-Raid shelters located opposite the main entrance of the Citadel in Victoria.
The World War II shelters in the Citadel comprise of a complex of rooms, 32 in total, located below the St Martin’s Bastion. Construction on this haven from air attacks started in 1941, and in a tunnel which is over 150 metres in length there are a number of private rooms that were used as a refuge for families.
A programme of extensive restoration work was carried out at the shelters, which included cleaning away a range of material that had accumulated over the years, installation of modern lighting and PA system, renovation of rooms with staging of some of the shelters and installation of informational panels about the site and its combined history.
Dr Caruana praised this initiative of Wirt Ghawdex, saying that, “this supports the Ministry for Gozo’s commitment to continue working together with Wirt Ghawdex on the protection and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of our country.”
The Minister explained that this extensive project benefited from funds through an agreement signed between the Ministry for Gozo and Wirt Ghawdex in February last year for more than €50,000, and also included the restoration of the Loggja tal-Palju located in the upper part of Republic Street, in Victoria, which was inaugurated last November.
“The protection of historical heritage remains key and it is being given the attention it deserves by this Ministry,” said Dr Caruana.
She also explained how each year, the Ministry issues restoration schemes for local councils to submit their proposals for restoring historic sites in the villages.
The Minister Caruana concluded by stating that the collaboration and excellent relationship which exists between the Ministry for Gozo and Wirt Ghawdex will continue to strengthen, when in the coming days initiatives will be announced to restore other sites of historical importance and will be part of the working plan for Wirt Ghawdex in 2019.
Photograph:MGOZ/George Scerri
MP Rosianne Cutajar ‘hurt’ by comments likening her to a ‘prostitute’'
Derogatory language is not acceptable''
Thursday, March 7, 2019.
by Edwina Brincat
I was hurt by those comments both personally and especially as a woman,' Rosianne Cutajar said in court.
Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar said in court on Thursday she wanted to send out a message to all women that derogatory language was not appropriate and acceptable in a democratic society.
The young politician was testifying in libel proceedings instituted against Godfrey Leone Ganado and Rachel Antoinette Williams over Facebook posts wherein she was likened to a “prostitute” and “call girl”.
“I was hurt by those comments both personally and especially as a woman,” Ms Cutajar explained, adding that in today’s society much was said about violence, including verbal violence, which could possibly have a negative psychological impact upon its target.
Watch: “You have no right to call me a whore” – Labour MP
Referring to Mr Leone Ganado, the MP pointed out that she had been targeted by the man on previous occasions.
“I know that just as he attacked me, he also attacks others. He called me a prostitute and a whore, representing prostitutes in Parliament,” Ms Cutajar went on, adding that this speech was insulting since at the end of the day, she was a person who rendered a service to the country.
As for Ms Williams, the MP pointed out that the respondent had not attempted to put a stop to offensive comments posted on her Facebook wall in similar vein.
Rather than invite commentators to criticise Ms Cutajar without resorting to insulting speech, Ms Williams, showing no feminine solidarity, had replied with an hekk hu or qed tghid sew to comments that had likened the MP to a prostitute.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mr Leone Ganado also took the witness stand, being first shown a screenshot of a Facebook post wherein he had written “However, hamalli, prostitutes and call girls have a right to be represented in Parliament”.
“I wrote that because I felt that that was what I ought to write. After all, all groups should be represented in Parliament,” said Mr Leone Ganado.
When asked how his comment related to Ms Cutajar, the witness explained, “I qualify them as political prostitutes because they are given other jobs so as to keep their mouth shut. The majority of government MPs and persons of trust are political prostitutes.”
Asked about another comment which had read, “Does she no longer render personal services in Catania under the Cicciolina franchise?” Mr Leone Ganado pointed out that the comment had been posted by someone else.
Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona was counsel to the respondents. Lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo were counsel to Ms Cutajar.
Derogatory language is not acceptable''
Thursday, March 7, 2019.
by Edwina Brincat
I was hurt by those comments both personally and especially as a woman,' Rosianne Cutajar said in court.
Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar said in court on Thursday she wanted to send out a message to all women that derogatory language was not appropriate and acceptable in a democratic society.
The young politician was testifying in libel proceedings instituted against Godfrey Leone Ganado and Rachel Antoinette Williams over Facebook posts wherein she was likened to a “prostitute” and “call girl”.
“I was hurt by those comments both personally and especially as a woman,” Ms Cutajar explained, adding that in today’s society much was said about violence, including verbal violence, which could possibly have a negative psychological impact upon its target.
Watch: “You have no right to call me a whore” – Labour MP
Referring to Mr Leone Ganado, the MP pointed out that she had been targeted by the man on previous occasions.
“I know that just as he attacked me, he also attacks others. He called me a prostitute and a whore, representing prostitutes in Parliament,” Ms Cutajar went on, adding that this speech was insulting since at the end of the day, she was a person who rendered a service to the country.
As for Ms Williams, the MP pointed out that the respondent had not attempted to put a stop to offensive comments posted on her Facebook wall in similar vein.
Rather than invite commentators to criticise Ms Cutajar without resorting to insulting speech, Ms Williams, showing no feminine solidarity, had replied with an hekk hu or qed tghid sew to comments that had likened the MP to a prostitute.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mr Leone Ganado also took the witness stand, being first shown a screenshot of a Facebook post wherein he had written “However, hamalli, prostitutes and call girls have a right to be represented in Parliament”.
“I wrote that because I felt that that was what I ought to write. After all, all groups should be represented in Parliament,” said Mr Leone Ganado.
When asked how his comment related to Ms Cutajar, the witness explained, “I qualify them as political prostitutes because they are given other jobs so as to keep their mouth shut. The majority of government MPs and persons of trust are political prostitutes.”
Asked about another comment which had read, “Does she no longer render personal services in Catania under the Cicciolina franchise?” Mr Leone Ganado pointed out that the comment had been posted by someone else.
Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona was counsel to the respondents. Lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo were counsel to Ms Cutajar.
George Vella set to be Malta's next president
Prime Minister nominates his choice for Malta's next head of state
George Vella is set to become Malta's next president, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
In a tweet, Dr Muscat said that he was nominating his former Foreign Affairs minister to be Malta's next head of state. He will be Malta's 10th president.
Malta's president is nominated by a simple parliamentary majority, meaning Dr Vella's ascent to the post is now all but a formality.
Dr Muscat said that the nomination had the unanimous approval of cabinet and the Labour Party's parliamentary group.
"I am sure Dr Vella will be another unifying figure for our people and country," his tweet read.
'A man of integrity'
In a short video statement, the Prime Minister said Dr Vella was a man "of absolute integrity", whose career had not been mired in controversy.
His international experience means he can contribute to discussions on Malta's role in the international sphere, Dr Muscat added.
Dr Muscat also thanked President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, saying she served with unmatched energy. She was a symbol of unity, he said.
In a statement, the Labour Party congratulated Dr Vella and highlighted his integrity and international acumen, while thanking President Coleiro Preca for her "impeccable" work.
President Coleiro Preca, whose term comes to an end on April 4, endorsed the nomination.
"I am truly convinced that George Vella is indeed the right person to serve as Malta’s next President," she wrote on Twitter.
'Expected and well-deserved'
Dr Vella's nomination was also praised by MEP Alfred Sant, who, as Prime Minister, had had Dr Vella as his deputy.
The nomination, he said, was expected and well-deserved. Dr Vella had continuously proven his ability, intelligence, attentiveness and tolerance.
Dr Sant said he learnt a lot from Dr Vella as he saw him take decisions in favour of Malta and the Maltese, without any sign of partisanship. Whenever he was faced with difficult decisions he took them courageously and honestly.
He said he was convinced that, as President, Dr Vella would again distinguish himself through his sincerity, sense of justice and wisdom and would be an agent of genuine unity.
Dr Sant also thanked outgoing President Marie Loiuse Coleiro, who, he said, carried out her duties with commitment and in an impeccable manner.
She gave the post of President a social dimension and showed that the position could provide the country with guidance.
The people, he said, should be grateful.
'A missed opportunity'
The Opposition was less enthused by Dr Muscat's choice. In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that its MPs would be meeting to discuss Dr Vella's nomination.
It nevertheless said that the Prime Minister had missed an opportunity to look past partisan interests and pick a head of state which two-thirds of parliament favoured.
In the past months, PN leader Adrian Delia had openly called on Dr Muscat to nominate a Nationalist-leaning president, suggesting Lawrence Gonzi, Tonio Borg or Louis Galea as candidates.
PD statement
Partit Demokratiku said Dr Vella was a capable politician but said that in the context of the present political scenario it would have been prudent had someone perceived to be close to all citizens of Malta and Gozo been chosen.
End of term
In a separate tweet, Dr Muscat said that cabinet had unanimously resolved a vote of thanks to President Coleiro Preca "for her sterling work".
"We are glad that she will continue with her contribution towards Maltese society through the Foundation for Social Wellbeing," Dr Muscat wrote.
The tweet pointedly did not refer to President Coleiro Preca's current role at the helm of the steering committee for a Constitutional convention.
A long political career
Rumours about her replacement have been swirling for several weeks, with Dr Vella the acknowledged favourite.
Dr Vella, who will be turning 77 next month, had already been touted as a favourite to take over the presidency five years ago, only for the Prime Minister to opt for Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca instead.
A doctor by profession, Dr Vella has had a long career in Maltese politics, serving as cabinet minister in two separate legislatures and deputy prime minister in one.
He joined the Labour Party in 1976 and was elected to parliament for the first time two years later. That was the start of a parliamentary career which would stretch into seven legislatures, with a hiatus in 1987 when he served as Malta’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe after missing out on a parliamentary seat.
His appreciation for global affairs led the Labour Party to make him its spokesman on foreign affairs in 1992, and he served as minister with that portfolio on two occasions: first between 1996 and 1998, serving under Alfred Sant - when he also served as deputy prime minister - and again between 2013 and 2017 under Dr Muscat.
In 2017, he was made a companion of the National Order of Merit.
As a Member of Parliament, he represented the 3rd and 5th Districts.
Born in Żejtun, and an alumni of De La Salle college, Dr Vella is married and has three children and seven grandchildren.
Prime Minister nominates his choice for Malta's next head of state
George Vella is set to become Malta's next president, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
In a tweet, Dr Muscat said that he was nominating his former Foreign Affairs minister to be Malta's next head of state. He will be Malta's 10th president.
Malta's president is nominated by a simple parliamentary majority, meaning Dr Vella's ascent to the post is now all but a formality.
Dr Muscat said that the nomination had the unanimous approval of cabinet and the Labour Party's parliamentary group.
"I am sure Dr Vella will be another unifying figure for our people and country," his tweet read.
'A man of integrity'
In a short video statement, the Prime Minister said Dr Vella was a man "of absolute integrity", whose career had not been mired in controversy.
His international experience means he can contribute to discussions on Malta's role in the international sphere, Dr Muscat added.
Dr Muscat also thanked President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, saying she served with unmatched energy. She was a symbol of unity, he said.
In a statement, the Labour Party congratulated Dr Vella and highlighted his integrity and international acumen, while thanking President Coleiro Preca for her "impeccable" work.
President Coleiro Preca, whose term comes to an end on April 4, endorsed the nomination.
"I am truly convinced that George Vella is indeed the right person to serve as Malta’s next President," she wrote on Twitter.
'Expected and well-deserved'
Dr Vella's nomination was also praised by MEP Alfred Sant, who, as Prime Minister, had had Dr Vella as his deputy.
The nomination, he said, was expected and well-deserved. Dr Vella had continuously proven his ability, intelligence, attentiveness and tolerance.
Dr Sant said he learnt a lot from Dr Vella as he saw him take decisions in favour of Malta and the Maltese, without any sign of partisanship. Whenever he was faced with difficult decisions he took them courageously and honestly.
He said he was convinced that, as President, Dr Vella would again distinguish himself through his sincerity, sense of justice and wisdom and would be an agent of genuine unity.
Dr Sant also thanked outgoing President Marie Loiuse Coleiro, who, he said, carried out her duties with commitment and in an impeccable manner.
She gave the post of President a social dimension and showed that the position could provide the country with guidance.
The people, he said, should be grateful.
'A missed opportunity'
The Opposition was less enthused by Dr Muscat's choice. In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that its MPs would be meeting to discuss Dr Vella's nomination.
It nevertheless said that the Prime Minister had missed an opportunity to look past partisan interests and pick a head of state which two-thirds of parliament favoured.
In the past months, PN leader Adrian Delia had openly called on Dr Muscat to nominate a Nationalist-leaning president, suggesting Lawrence Gonzi, Tonio Borg or Louis Galea as candidates.
PD statement
Partit Demokratiku said Dr Vella was a capable politician but said that in the context of the present political scenario it would have been prudent had someone perceived to be close to all citizens of Malta and Gozo been chosen.
End of term
In a separate tweet, Dr Muscat said that cabinet had unanimously resolved a vote of thanks to President Coleiro Preca "for her sterling work".
"We are glad that she will continue with her contribution towards Maltese society through the Foundation for Social Wellbeing," Dr Muscat wrote.
The tweet pointedly did not refer to President Coleiro Preca's current role at the helm of the steering committee for a Constitutional convention.
A long political career
Rumours about her replacement have been swirling for several weeks, with Dr Vella the acknowledged favourite.
Dr Vella, who will be turning 77 next month, had already been touted as a favourite to take over the presidency five years ago, only for the Prime Minister to opt for Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca instead.
A doctor by profession, Dr Vella has had a long career in Maltese politics, serving as cabinet minister in two separate legislatures and deputy prime minister in one.
He joined the Labour Party in 1976 and was elected to parliament for the first time two years later. That was the start of a parliamentary career which would stretch into seven legislatures, with a hiatus in 1987 when he served as Malta’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe after missing out on a parliamentary seat.
His appreciation for global affairs led the Labour Party to make him its spokesman on foreign affairs in 1992, and he served as minister with that portfolio on two occasions: first between 1996 and 1998, serving under Alfred Sant - when he also served as deputy prime minister - and again between 2013 and 2017 under Dr Muscat.
In 2017, he was made a companion of the National Order of Merit.
As a Member of Parliament, he represented the 3rd and 5th Districts.
Born in Żejtun, and an alumni of De La Salle college, Dr Vella is married and has three children and seven grandchildren.