The Voice of the Maltese No.297

Approach to the Approach to the Mdina main Gate Mdina main Gate

The arched footbridge and The arched footbridge and former moat to the main gate former moat to the main gate approaching the Silent City, approaching the Silent City, Mdina with its handsome Mdina with its handsome Baroque entrance which was Baroque entrance which was built in 1724. built in 1724.

Winner of the 2023 special award by the Institute of Maltese Journalists for work among the Maltese communities overseas

Lest we forget

Every year, the 25th April is regarded as the national day of commemoration of Australia and New Zealand for victims of war and for recognition of the role of their armed forces It marks the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces became known as ANZACs The day is a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April in 1915

As Dominions within the British Empire, when in 1914 Great Britain declared war against Germany for its invasion of Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, regarded themselves automatically also at war

At dawn on that day 108 years ago, the first of approximately 70,000 soldiers from the Allies landed at Gallipoli The objective was to drive through to Istanbul, take Turkey out of the war and to provide supplies to Russia in its fight against Germany

Out of these 70,000 soldiers, more than 20,000 were Australian and New Zealand soldiers What had been planned as a bold stroke became a stalemate after the invading troops failed to reach their objective on the first day For the next eight months they clung to the land they had captured, before eventually withdrawing at the end of 1915.

After both sides had suffered heavy casualties, the Allied forces were evacuated. It is estimated that 8,700 Australian and 2,700 New Zealanders were killed One

year later, in 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt

That year, Acting Australian Prime Minister, George Pearce officially named 25 April ‘Anzac Day’

Every year, representatives of Embassies and High Commissions of Australia and New Zealand worldwide, hold Commemoration ceremonies, a service dedicated to all those who lost their lives in action at Gallipoli and in all subsequent military and peacekeeping operations including current ones

In NSW, the Maltese RSL Sub-branch will also be commemorating the event and will remember the Anzacs in particular the Maltese Anzacs who served in WWI Wreaths will also be laid at the foot of the Maltese Anzac Monument in NSW, which was built, with the complete cooperation of the MRSL Sub-branch and the GCFCC of Cringila Another service honouring the memory of the Maltese Anzacs will also be held at the Bi-Centennial Monument at Civic Park Pendle-Hill

In Malta, it is the custom for the commemoration to be held at the Pieta Military Cemetery, It is also an occasion to acknowledge Malta’s role in the care of the sick and wounded, as well as the sacrifice and service of so many others in times of conflict

The President, H E Dr George Vella and Mrs Vella will be attending and will lay a wreath along with a number of other senior dignitaries, including the editor in Malta of The Voice of the Maltese

Malta has the only monument outside of Australia and New Zealand that is dedicated to the Anzacs at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana. It was erected by the Maltese Australian Association

Anzac soldiers

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers

F i n a n c i a l t r a n s a c t i o n s b e t w e e n f a m i l y m e m b e r s : re f re s h e r

by PaulSANT

We have previously written about the provision of funds from parents to adult children, and legal implications where this may later be sought to be classified as a gift or a loan. The topic remains relevant, and in this article we will expand by looking at the different contexts – primarily, family law and estate planning – and the ways different courts that deal with those areas of law tend to treat funds advanced between family members

Family law disputes: gift versus loan

It is a common feature in family law matters that one party’s parents have provided financial assistance, particularly to the acquisition of a marital home or other property during the course of a party’s marriage

It is a common feature in family law matters that one party’s parents have provided financial assistance, particularly to the acquisition of a marital home or other property during the course of a party’s marriage reatment of funds contended to be a loan owing back to one party’s parents by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is a discretionary exercise based on the circumstances, supporting evidence – particularly of the party’s intentions – and compliance with any loan agreement

It appears that where one party contends an advancement of funds was a loan, which would have the effect of any outstanding balance being a liability, reducing the net pool of assets between the parties, the court will not readily accept this without sufficient supporting evi-

dence, particularly regarding intentions of the lender and borrower

Is there a written document?

Does it provide terms for repayment of interest? For the lender to secure the debt by way of a mortgage registered on title? Have repayments been made? Are there any further documents executed maintaining both party’s intention the funds are repayable?

Possible implications for lenders

Where a loan has been leant to a family member, with terms providing for a market comparable rate of interest to be repaid on the principal sum loaned, receipt of such interest may have unintended implications where this is classed as taxable income

All repayments received should be recorded in writing with details of calculations, if the repayment is principal and/or interest or a combination, and the balance owing after the repayment has been applied.

It is possible for a loan agreement to provide for interest to be repayable, however repayments may be comprised wholly of a principal amount only, and no interest, if there were to be adverse taxation issues for the lender

Treatment of funds advanced upon death of the lender

Turning now to deceased estates: you may have loaned some funds to one child and wish for any unpaid amount to be fairly taken into account upon your demise when you have left your Estate equally between your children

A formal loan agreement may arguably be treated as having to be repaid to your Estate, depending on the terms of any written document.

PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR) PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL

For All Your Legal Needs

Now at:

level 4, 87 Marsden Street Parramatta

Phone: 8599 8877

Where funds have been advanced and are not subject to strict commercial terms, a written document acknowledging the debt may suffice to evidence the existence of a loan, any repayment required during the lender ’s lifetime and upon their death, and any terms allowing for any amount owing to be adjusted, or offset, as part of entitlements as a beneficiary of the Estate

John Steiner v Kenneth Ross Strang and Jason Tang [2014]

Dorothy in her Will included a clause directing her executor ’s attention to an Acknowledgement of Loan between herself and her son John, requesting that her executor implement and observe the provisions of that Acknowledgement

Interestingly, it was John who instructed a lawyer to draft the document, which acknowledged that the loan existed, that should Dorothy demand repayment during her lifetime, John would repay the loan; similarly he would repay the loan to her deceased estate on her death; and if Dorothy had not demanded repayment during her lifetime, and John is named as a residual beneficiary, so long as liabilities at the date of her death are able to be paid without demanding repayment of the loan to John, it could be repaid by John offsetting the loan amount against his entitlements as a residual beneficiary of her Estate Both parties executed the document in front of witnesses

The Supreme Court of NSW held that the Acknowledgement was post-contractual conduct: neither party intended that document to be the contract between them regarding the debt – such as a Loan Agreement – but the document acknowledged a loan (and contract) already entered into

The court was required to find out what had been agreed to in a contract only partially recorded in writing, therefore postcontractual conduct assists in determining the balance of the contract

Conclusion

Also at:

Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999

Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au

Maltese Spoken

It is important that you discuss the purpose of any proposed advancement of funds with your lawyer, so they can advise you on options appropriate to your circumstances, regardless of whether funds have already been advanced or not Properly documenting intentions of gifts and loans, and taking necessary steps in accordance with any documents, may assist avoiding costly legal arguments down the track

The generosity of the Maltese people knows no boundaries when it comes to helping good causes.

P u t t i n u C a re s

They again showed their generosity recently by raising over €3 million during the annual fundraising Good Friday Telethon transmitted on all the island's TV stations to support Puttinu Cares, the caner support group that assists families of individuals who need medical treatment abroad.

Malta's most loved charity organisation, that was set up in 2002 and employs the principle of solidarity, offers help to families that need to go abroad to pursue further treatment in the UK. While the Government covers all medical costs, the Puttinu organisation supports the patients by providing accommodation for them and the accompanying family free of charge

Right now, between 60 – 90 patients are having treatment in one of 30 hospitals in the UK every month. These patients can spend weeks, months and even years away or return from the hospital

Thanks to donations, the organisation purchased 20 apartments in Surrey, the UK, to accommodate Maltese patients and accompanying family members

To help everyone requesting accommodation, in 2014, it also started renting another six apartments near the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton

Puttinu Cares started as a children's cancer support group, but it now has a dream that no patient and his family undergoing treatment abroad will have to pay for accommodation Therefore it is working hard to make more apartments available to hundreds of families in their time of need, in central London

In May last year, Puttinu Cares bought a building estimated to cost around £stg25 million, only a 10-minute walk away from central London and the King's Cross and St Pancras stations,

close to 30 hospitals

In the next few months, this property will be completely refurbushed and turned into 27 studio apartments tailor-made for the needs of patients They will provide a holistic approach to the whole family

The new building is to be named after its co-founder Victor Calvagna The paediatric cancer specialist who died in January last year has impacted the lives of many under his care.

The project is funded through donations, a €5 million grant from the National Development and Social fund, and a €10 million Bank of Valletta loan to cover the additional expenses and to refurbish the building

Such a venture is made possible with the help of the kindhearted, generous Maltese people who embrace Puttinu's pleas for financial support in annual fundraising marathons such as the one on Good Friday this year.

Part of the marathon is the annual traditional Good Friday night 17km walk that starts in Mellieha In previous years the final destination used to be in Senglea. This year ’s 18th edition finished at the Granaries in Floriana It generated more than €1m

A s t ro n a u t b l o o d s a m p l e s t o b e analysed at University of Malta

Scientists from the Universities of Malta, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), and Paris in France, have started to embark on a research project on blood, particularly on red cells They will study blood samples from a group of astronauts expected to go on space missions within a few months, hoping the research leads to new medicine and treatment for genetic diseases, including anaemia

The research starting in the summer, treats the effect that the space environment leaves on red cells in blood by taking blood samples at various times, before astronauts embark on their mission, during their voyage and when they return The research involves seven astronauts.

The research uses astronauts because recent studies conducted on human blood revealed that red blood cell death was increased during space flight and microgravity. Results indicate they are healthy when tra-velling into space, but anaemia is detected when they return

The collaboration between the University of Malta and OHRI will implement novel, cutting-edge technologies to uncover key mechanisms of spaceflight-related anaemia The studies form part of a private led mission by Polaris Program, and consist of three rocket launches to earth orbit, the first of which is the Polaris Dawn While in orbit, the crew will conduct scientific research designed to advance both human health on Earth and the understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights

The first two missions will take place on a SpaceX dragon spacecraft whilst the third and final launch will take place on a starship spacecraft. The study on blood and haemoglobin profiling of human astronauts is led by Professor Joseph Borg and his team for the Malta side whilst the full investigation is coordinated and led by Professor Guy Trudel from OHRI

Prof Borg said that the amount of pressure on the human body and the effect of solar rays once astronauts are in space is breaking a substantial amount of cells in the blood This problem is addressed a few

weeks after astronauts return from space.

The scientists hope to find other factors related to anaemia and blood, including establishing the proteins causing various problems that lead to genetic disease.

The research could find other factors related to anaemia and blood, including establishing the proteins causing various problems that lead to genetic disease.

The study can unearth a list of biomarkers and genes that may lead to new medicines and treatments that currently do not exist and may be manufactured or built upon Josef Borg, who analyses blood samples, said the studies would show effects during various times and days on red cells in the blood.

The samples will assist astronauts in their future space travel and help scientists understand particular diseases evolving in the body, especially of people on Earth. Scientists wish to understand the mechanism behind this recovery because it would assist them in using the same mechanism and help people to get better treatment for their disease.

First ever Luftwaffe aeroplane debris discovery in Malta

Eighty years after it crashed on Malta close to Santa Luċija during World War II, the plane debris of the first Luftwaffe aeroplane has been unearthed in Ħal Luqa and is being considered as a historic find

The plane's debris that crashed on 1 April 1942 was unearthed during works on a garden in St Vincent de Paule Residence Upon discovering it, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage passed it on to the Aviation Museum

The area where the debris was discovered was archaeologically sensitive, so the Superintendence ordered that archaeologists monitor the construction works, and the Superintendence was alerted.

Aviation Museum Director Ray Polidano

that the plane, a

JG 3 had been hit by the

n t i - a i rcraft and c r a s hl a n d e d next to a

rubble wall close to what is now the Santa Luċija intersection coming out of Birżebbuġa The pilot, named Hans Fitz, survived and was taken as a prisoner of war.

Since it crashed in Santa Luċija but was unearthed in Ħal Luqa, the plane, one of the first Messerschmitts to be downed in Malta, might have been taken to an RAF repart or somewhere else to be studied. The debris was later disposed of in an onsite quarry at St Vincent de Paule

During excavation, the plane's stabilisers were the first to be uncovered, followed by the wings and parts of the fuselage Ray Polidano described this as a significant find for the Aviation Museum since it possessed allied forces aeroplanes such as the Spitfire and the Hurricane but did not yet have any enemy aeroplanes

The debris will now be conserved in the Museum, where it will eventually be placed in a glass compartment

Polaris Dawn crewmembers (from left), Anna Menon, Scott Pottet, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis

The debris of the WWII Messerschmitt

Vella Bardon’s debut novel,

L a w y e r / n o v e l i s t , b e s t s e l l e r i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y

Catch, placed third on Malta's English fiction bestseller list. It was the first time a Maltese national had achieved a top-ten place. James also became the first Maltese author in English fiction to have his work accepted by curators at Netgalley and Bookbub.

James Vella Bardon

James was born in Malta, yet his first memories are of a timeless, endless desert in the United Arab Emirates, where his Maltese ex-pat parents also had another child: his younger sister Louisa After briefly relocating to Sydney, Australia, in 1984, his family moved back to Malta

As a kid, James enjoyed reading, and he also went on to do well in essay composition writing at school. He also won several national essay competitions in Malta, which the British High Commission organised

While reading law at The University of Malta, James occasionally wrote for various local publications, with the University student council even appointing him as editor of the University's student magazine In 2005 he worked with the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium; then, having been drawn immensely to the city during his previous visits, in 2007, he emigrated to Sydney

After pursuing further studies in Sydney, he worked in various regulatory risk roles while writing stories at night and attending creative writing courses at the NSW Writers' Centre in Lilyfield on weekends

In 2018 he achieved a lifelong dream when his debut novel, The Sheriff ’s Catch, was published in the UK by a London publisher Unbound

'Sheriff' recounts the story of a Maltese-born and bred sniper named Abel de Santiago After years spent serving imperial Spain in various war theatres in the known world, Santiago is press-ganged by deceitful former army comrades into joining the Spanish Armada, which is bound for England

The Spanish Armada endures numerous calamities on its way north until it is beaten at Gravelines by the English fleet The Armada's battered ships attempt to round Scotland and Ireland on their return to Spain, yet they run into raging storms that wreck them upon Atlantic coastlines

Santiago finds himself washed ashore in Connacht, Ireland. As he battles hostile surroundings and extreme weather, Santiago discovers to his horror, that Connacht is a land suppressed by English troopers which the natives call Sassenachs The Sassenachs have orders from the English viceroy in Dublin to capture and kill all Spaniards, as well as any Irishmen who would dare help and hide the Spanish stowaways

James spent nine years researching and rewriting his debut at the Fisher library, working with reputable editors and travelling to the western coast of Ireland to further explore the sites described in his book Presales of his novel saw 'Sheriff' top Unbound's presales platform for an entire week, despite stiff competition from UK celebrities and talented authors

Unbound also serialised 'Sheriff' on the international online book club The Pigeonhole, with 250 readers worldwide signing up to read it The reaction to the novel was tremendous, with rave reviews posted on Goodreads. James also became the first Maltese author in English fiction to have his work accepted by curators at Netgalley and Bookbub

Our choice for April is a lawyer/novelist, winner of international awards. James

Sheriff's

James Vella Bardon with his wife Donna Madden

*Continued from page 6

The Sheriff's Catch also placed third on Malta's English fiction bestseller list, outselling the latest title by John Grisham and Pope Francis while pushing titles by Dan Brown and Ken Follett hard for weeks Agenda Bookshop, the island's largest bookshop chain, informed James that it

was the first time a Maltese national had achieved a top ten place in English fiction in Malta

Upon achieving this milestone, James got invited to San Anton Palace in Malta to meet with then President of Malta Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Agenda Bookshop also invited James over when it hosted a launch of The Sheriff's Catch in their majestic Valletta Waterfront store

In 2019 James' debut novel also won two international awards in the USA and was shortlisted in various competitions judged in the USA, UK and Sweden.

Despite the subsequent Covid disruptions, in 2021, James was signed on by Sydneybased publisher Tearaway Press, which rereleased an improved version of The Sheriff's Catch.

This publication was incredibly named 'must-read of the week' by The Scotsman, which also proclaimed James to be 'the new

king of historical fiction.'

An audiobook version narrated by worldfamous narrator Jonathan Keeble was released shortly after on all audiobook platforms

In 2022, Tearaway Press also released A Rebel North - the long-awaited sequel to 'Sheriff' with three more instalments to follow during 2023.

That year James' action-packed novella Mad King Robin was also published It features his favourite historical character Robert the Bruce

Reader's Digest described this novella as ‘ a wonderful, riveting page turner', with a short story prequel about the Bruce, The Cream Of Chivalry, also published a few weeks later

This short story packs a punch and is available for free to readers who subscribe to James' Vella Bardon’s newsletter via the homepage of his website, https: www jamesvellabardon.com.

Every Sunday 11 am to Noon.

An hour filled with information and news. On-demand: www.89.3fm. com.au/on-demand

James Vella Bardon presenting a copy of The Sheriff ’s Catch to former President HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at San Anton Palace in Malta James (right) in his meeting with tenor Joseph Calleja

The Sheriff ’s Catch; the book with the novel that started it all for James

Ray Cassar from Sutton UK writes:

The Voice of the Maltese

is is a

(in English and Maltese) fortnightly magazine that specifically targets all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian and Maltese scenes.

e magazine can be read in flipbook or PDF format online. A pdf copy is sent via email on request. Hard copy subscription is also available at a cost.

Editors:

Malta: Joseph Cutajar

Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP Rt email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com

Letters for publication in The Voice magazine, either in Maltese or English should include name, e-mail address and residence of the writer, and be emailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

Iread the letter by Christine Muscat in the last issue (No 28=96) of The Voice about how lucky people in Malta must be with the way they are looked after in Government hospitals. I have also been very impressed that the Maltese government keeps down the cost of living for its citizens by subsidising electricity and gas.

I am a Maltese living in Britain I have enjoyed living out here for most of my working life I have always paid my taxes and, for most of my 30 years, managed to balance my wages and the cost of living. However, life has been hard for the past few years, particularly after Brexit, as I am now retired. Now I am at the end of my tether

The current Church decision-makers too old

G Vella from Thirroul NSW writes:

In the magazine's latest issues, you have again given importance to the shortage of Maltese-speaking priests in Malta and especially those servicing the Maltese communities that have emigrated to countries like Canada, the USA and Australia and are now in their twilight years.

The Voice issue of March 21 (page 9) explained why religious vocations have diminished, yet the Catholic Church is still toying with introducing celibacy and female priests A change is needed, and fast It could start with appointing Bishops/Cardinals that are much younger We cannot have popes and cardinals in their seventies and eighties making decisions for the church's future

Even my two sons, who have good jobs and a small family, are finding the going tough One of my grandsons, a junior doctor, is seriously considering leaving the country to find new pastures where he can fulfil his dream of becoming a full-fledged doctor

The UK is exposed to the worldwide energy crisis, partly due to its dependence on gas for heating and electricity generation and poorly-insulated housing stock

The UK is currently in the middle of an energy crisis, a key driver of the cost-ofliving problem now hitting households Inflation rates are soaring to around 10% The energy crisis has been building up over the past year.

A steep rise in the wholesale price of gas has driven up the amount energy providers pay for gas and electricity. That cost is being passed on to the consumer, although recent policy interventions have helped cushion the extent of this impact.

For many of us, the cost of living index is unreachable, and over 150 pubs, including one close to my abode, have decided to shut down as they cannot cope

I don’t know how many years I still have to live; therefore, as I still enjoy Maltese citizenship, my wife and I are seriously considering returning to Malta where we can live and enjoy our last days there and not just exist

B e i n g i n d e p e n d e n t

Helen Camilleri from Mascot NSW writes:

Icongratulate you on how you have covered the situation in Malta regarding the following subjects: The latest surveys, the issue of Rosianne Cutajar and the debacle with Steward/Vitals You were very fair in your reporting and have done so in Maltese

I notice with satisfaction that issues that may totally concern Malta are shipped to the Maltese language pages, as they should be, and that you reserve the English language pages for matters that are more directedly savoured by an international audience and also give prominence to the feel-good factor of the Malta

After all, The Voice of the Maltese is read and printed outside of Malta You have shown that you are not influenced or controlled in opinion matters, which being independent is all about Having a closed mind or being a religious fanatic does not make one an independent,

Il - p u r ċ i s s j o n i j i e t t a l - Ġ i m g ħ a

l-Kbira jsiru wkoll fl-Awstralja

Wara nuqqas ta’ tliet snin minħabba l-pandemija, il-purċissjoi tradizzjonali Maltija tal-Ġimgħa lKbira toħrog mill-knisja maestuża ta’ Horsley Park NSW iddedikata lill-Madonna tal-Vitorja, dis-sena wkoll ħabbtet wiċċha ma’ temp li xejn ma kien ċert Filfatt kienet imbassra x-xita u l-maltemp

Wara ħafna ansjetá s-seba’ mit-tmien statwi, ħarġu trijonalment f ’purcissjoni matul it-toroq, dejjem b’xita mdendla Laħħar statwa, il-monument laħqet ħarġet il-bieb tal-knisja iżda kellhom idaħħluha ħesrem minħabba li bdiet niżla x-xita Barraminhekk, parti mill-purċissjoni kellha tidħol min-naħat ta’ wara tal-knisja

Fred Cauchi, wieħed mill-organizzaturi qal lil The Voice li kienu kuntenti li minkejja d-diffikultajiet xorta waħda rnexxielhom joħorġu anke jekk il-purċissjoni kellha tonqos bin-nofs. Huwa ta ħajr lil dawk kollha li tant ħadmu biex saru t-tħejjijiet u biex tigi mwettqa wirja hekk mimlija u spettakulari tat-triq tas-salib.

Sadanittant, Il-funzjonijiet reliġjuzi ta’ ġol-knisja, mibnija apposta mill-Maltin biex takkomoda l-istatwi tal-Gimgħa l-

Kbira f ’din, knisja li ħafna jagħrfuha bħala l-katidral tal-Western Suburbs saru xorta. Ittradizzjoni tal-purpurcissjoni f ’Horsley Park bdiet 36 sena ilu, fl-1987 Dan is-subborg jinsab xi 33km bogħod mill-belt ta’ Sydney.

Ir-reffiegħa tal-istatwa ta’ Kristu mgħobbi bis-salib iħaffu jidħlu minħabba li bdiet niżla x-xita u feġġet il-qawsalla

F’Melbourne, ilkapitali tal-istat ta’ Victoria jidher li hemm ferm aktar attivitajiet filĠim-għa l-Kbira Il-Maltese Association ta’ Hobsons Bay jorganzzaw funzjoni reliġjuza u wara ikla speċjali taħt ittmexxija ta’ Chev Joe Attard u Carmen Gauci Il-patrijiet tal-MSSP fil-kappella ta’ San Pawl f ’Parksville kellhom ukoll funzjoni addattata Ic-celebrazzjonijiet f ’Bacchus Mar-

sh madwar 50km bogħod minn Melbourne fejn toħroġ il-purċissjoni tradizzjonali tant mistennija bl-istatwi u l-kostumi millbibja li jattiraw mhux biss Maltin izda hafna ta’ nazzjonijiet oħra, it-temp żamm ukoll sakemm spiċċa kollox

L-istampi ta’ din il-paġna huma kollha meħuda mill-purċissjoni ta’ Horsley Park

L-ilsier Tork patri Dumnikan li ġie midfun fil-Bażilika ta'

Sidtna Marija tal-Porto S alvo San Duminku fil-belt Valletta

Fl-1644, fi żmien l-Ordni talKavallieri ta’ San Ġwann, il-Kunsill tal-Ordni kien iddeċieda Ii, kif kien normali Ii jsir f'dawk iż-żminijiet, parti millflotta kellha timbarka fuq missjoni ta' piraterija lejn il-Lvant, allura fil-25 ta’ Marzu ta’ dik is-sena lflotta, magħmula minn sitt opri tal-baħar, il-Kapitana u l-galeri San Giovanni, San Giuseppe, Santa Maria, San Lorenzo u La Vittoria, salpat minn Malta tfittex xwini li setgħet taħtaf.

Xahar wara li ħalliet Malta (fit28 ta’ Settembru), qrib il-gżira ta’ Rodi ntlemħet flotta Torka magħmula minn għaxar xwieni li kienet fi triqitha minn Kostantinopli llejn Lixandra fl-Eġittu Il-flotta tal-Ordni ħatfet iċ-ċans u ħabtet għaliha.

Disgħa mill-għaxart ixwieni Torok skappaw, imma wara battalja qalijla li fiha nqatlu jew sfaw feruti mat-tliet mitt ruħ miż-żewġ naħat, l-akbar xini Tork, il-Gran Sultan, waqa’ f ’idejn l-Ordni. Fost il-mejtin kien hemm ir-Rais talgalljun, il-kmandan tal-flotta talOrdni Roisbaudrant u l-kaptan tas-Santa Marija, Pioncour

Veru li l-priża maqbuda, li kienet magħmula minn teżor ta' deheb u ħaġar prezzjuż, Ii skont l-istoriku Bartolomeo dal Pozzo, kienet kbira biżżejjed biex tistagħna nofs Malta kienet kbira, imma minbarra r-rikkezzi, l-flotta tal-Ordni qabdet ukoll tlett mitt ilsir, fosthom lil mara, binha, u għadd kbir ta' servi u paġġi li kienu jservuha.

Meta x-xwieni tal-Ordni rritornaw Malta ngħataw merħba kbira Mhux l-istess għatTorok f ’Kostantinopli, l-aktar għax ilgaljun maħtuf kellu fuqu lil Żafira, waħda min-nisa fil-ħarem tas-Sultan Tork Ibrahim, li ġiet maħtufa flimkien ma’ binha ta’ sentejn, il-werriet tat-tron

Bi tpattija għal dan, f ’Mejju tal-1648 issultan Tork attakka l-gżira ta' Kandja (illum Iraklion fi Kreta, li dak iż-żmien kienet immexxija mill-Venezjani).

Is-Sultan ipprova wkoll b’ħafna modi jifdi lil Żafira u lil binha, imma l-kavallieri ma ridux jafu tant li bdew jitolbu rahan

ferm għoli, u fost kollox riedu lura l-gżira ta’ Rodi

Ikkonvertit għal Nisrani

Sadanittant, f ’Malta l-Gran Mastru poġġa lit-tifel maħtuf taħt il-ħarsien tal-Kavallier Don Ignazio Ribera li min-naħa tiegħu ħaseb biex jedukah, u meta jikber, kif filfatt għamel, ipoġġieh taħt il-ħarsien ta’ Fr Giuseppe Cafà fil-Kunvent tad-Dumnikani fil-belt Valletta, bil-ħsieb li jikkonfertih għal nisrani

L-għan irnexxa u t-tifel ġie mgħammed fil-knsja ta’ San Ġwann u mogħti l-isem ta’ Domenico Osman di San Tommaso

Tant ingħatat importanza lil din il-ġrajja, li wieħed mill-parrini tat-tfajjel kien l-istess Gran Mastru Lascaris

It-trawwim taż-żagħżugħ bħala Kristjan ssoktat meta fl-4 ta’ Awissu 1658, fl-etá ta’ madwar 14-il sena, Domenico rċeva wkoll il-griżma tal-Isqof mill-Isqof Michele Be-

laguer. Hawnhekk, il-parrinu tiegħu il-Gran Prijur tal-Ordni Fra Luca Bueno

M’għaddiex wisq żmien li Domenico wera xxewqa Ii anke jħaddan lOrdni Dumnikana u fit-30 ta' Ottubru fil-Knisja talMadonna tal-Għar firRabat, quddiem folla numeruża u għadd ġmielu ta’ Kavallieri u membri tan-Nobbiltà Maltija, ilVigarju tal-kunventi ta' Malta, P Giuseppe Costanzo tah il-Iibsa ta’ Dumnikan u ngħatalu l-isem ta’ Fr Domenico di San Tommaso Maż-żmien sar aktar magħruf bħala Padre Ottomano, u sena wara, għamel il-professjon solenni quddiem il-Pirjol Fr Innocenzio Besina.

Fuq xewqet il-Papa Alessandru VII, il-Ġeneral tal-Ordni bagħat lil Domenico jistudja Napli u f ’Ruma, u wara li temm l-istudji tiegħu fil-filosofija hemmhekk, bagħtuh ukoll jistudja t-teoloġija f ’Pariġi.

Sadanittant, l-assedju li t-Torok kienu fetħu fuq Kandja wara l-ħtif tat-tfajjel u ommu Żafira, baqa’ għaddej għal 16-il sena sħaħ, bil-Venezjani jiġu qrib li jċedu, xi ħaġa li l-Papa Klement X ma xtaqx Biex jevita dan, il-Papa ried li tiġi ffurmata armata ħalli ssalva l-gżira Fil-fatt, Franza u xi prinċpijiet Taljani, flimkien mal-Ordni ta' San Ġwann, taħt it-tmexxija tan-neputi tal-Papa, il-Balì RospigIiosi, għamlu tentattiv biex jokkupaw il-Greċja u l-Albanija u bil-għajnuna ta’ Patri Ottomano, li jitwaqqaf dak Ii kien maħsub Ii kellu jkun I-Imperu Kristjan tal-Lvant Il-ġrajja ħadet xejra mill-aktar interessanti. Il-pjan kien, li bħala preżunt werriet tat-tron tat-Torok, Patri Ottomano, kellu jsalpa lejn Kandja biex ipprova jqajjem rewwixta kontra ħuh Mawmettu IV u jieħu t-tron ta' missieru f ’idejh

*Ikompli f ’paġna 11

Ottomano vittma tal-pesta fl-etá ta’ 34 sena

*Ikompli minn paġna 10

Skont il-pjan, bla tfixkil suppost li seta’ jwettaq il-pjan tal-forzi Kristjani. Fid-19 ta’ Mejju 1668, ix-xwien tal-Papa ingħaqdu mal-flotta tal-Ordni

Mal-wasla f ’Kandja, il-Gvernatur Ġenerali Nani u xi uffiċjali Venezjani ħadu lil Patri Ottoman iżur l-akbar fortizza fil-port ta’ Souda Hemmhekk għarrafhom bilpjan li kellu, u li ġie milqugħ; ħasbu kif kellu jitwettaq.

Huwa kiteb għadd ta’ ittri lill-Gran Viżir u lill-Paxá tal-armata Torka u bagħathomlhom ma’ skjav Tork ikkonvertit bl-isem ta’ Jussef, li wkoll kellu jipprova jiġbed lejn Ottoman ħafna suldati Torok

Madankollu l-Paxá għajnu għokritu minn Jussef u ma ħallix jiġi f ’kuntatt mas-suldati torok. Fl-istess waqt għadda l-ittra lillGran Viżir hu La l-Paxá u lanqas il-Gran

Viżir ma qraw l-ittri ta’ Ottoman, u filwaqt li wegħdu l-lealtá tiegħu u tat-truppi, għadda l-ittri direttament hu lis-Sultan

Il-pjan “tal-imperu tal-Lvant” għalhekk sfratta, l-aktar meta qabel ma x-xwieni talPapa waslu l-Greċja, il-Franċiżi u l-Ordni kienu diġá abbandunaw l-ispedizzjoni u rritornaw lejn arthom Dan wassal biex fis6 ta’ Settembru 1669 il-Venezjani ċedew il-gzira lill-Gran Viżier Ahmed Koprulu u l-Musulmani

Il-Kristjani tħallew iħallu Kandja b’dak kollu li setgħu jġorru, filwaqt li l-Venezjni tħallew iżżommu l-gżejjer ta’ Gramvousa, Souda u Spinalonga li kienu ta’ portijiet naturali ta’ kenn għax-xwieni, fejn setgħu jieqfu tul il-vjaġġi lejn il-lvant tal-Baħar lAbjad (il-Mediterran).

Min-naħa ta’ Ottoman, flimkien mattruppi telliefa reġgħu lura lejn Ruma fejn

*It-tagħrif ta’ dan l-artiklu dwar il-ġrajja t’hawn fuq huwa msejjes fuq dak miksub mill-arkivji, u wkoll l-artiklu tal-kittieb Għawdxi Anton Attard, li kien ippubblikat fil-programm tal-Festa ta’ San Duminku tal-Birg fl-2008 bl-isem ta’ ‘P Domenico Osman: Mill-Palazz ta’ Sultan għal Kunvent tad-Dumnikani'

iltaqa’ mal-Papa, li mnikket bid-disfatta tal-insara, miet b’qalbu maqsuma fid-9 ta’ Diċembru

Sitt snin wara, f ’Ruma, Fr. Domenico Ottomano ġie mssejjaħ mill-Ġeneral talOrdni tad-Dumnikani u wara Ii kkonfermah Majjistru tat-Teoloġija, ħatru Pirjol tal-Kunvent ta' Portu Salvu tal-Belt Valletta u Vigarju Ġenerali tal-Ordni Dumnikana f'Malta

Ottomano wasal Malta fit-28 ta’ Marzu 1676 fi żmien meta l-pajjiż kien maħkum mill-pesta Ottomano ħadem ħafna biex jgħin lill-morda milquta mill-marda u ħeġġeġ lill-patrijiet l-oħra sħabu biex jimxu fuq i-passi tiegħu

Ix-xorti riedet li kemm hu, kif ukoll għadd ta’ patrijiet oħra ttieħdu mill-pesta F’tentattiv biex jikkurah, il-Gran Mastru ħadu f ’palazz minn tiegħu fl-Isla biex ikun taħt il-kura tat-tabib personali tiegħu

Imma kien kollu għalxejn, għax fil-25 ta' Ottubru 1676, fl-etá ta’ 34 sena, assistit minn P Giuseppe Cant, Patri Domenico Ottomano miet imdawwar mill-patrijiet ħutu tal-Kunvent tal-Lunzjata tal-Birgu Wara funeral, u wara li nżamm għal jum

espost għall-qima tal-fidili fil-Knisja tadDumnikani tal-Belt, ġie midfun b’mod solenni fl-istess knisja

Fir-Reġistri tal-Knisja Parrokkjali ta' Portu Salvu, ġiet imsaħħa l-fehma dwar Patri Ottomano, jiġifieri min verament kien, wieħed mill-iskjavi u anke l-werriet tat-Tron Ottoman L-Ordni ta' San Ġwann żammet ma’ din it-teżi, filwaqt li f'Kostantinopoli ħasbuha mod ieħor Il-mewt tiegħu tnizzlet fir-Reġistri tal-Parroċċa ta' Portu Salvu b'dan iI-mod:

A 26 Ottobre 1676, fu sepolto inquesta chiesa nostro P Ottomano, figlio del Gran Turco, morto con tutti i sagramenti (Liber Mort 1650-1694, f161) (Fis-26 ta’ Ottubru 1676 ġie midfun f ’din il-knisja, seħibna Patri Ottomano, iben itTork il-kbir (is-Sultan) li miet wara li rċeva s-sagramenti kollha)

L-istess inkiteb fuq lapida fl-istess knisja Għadd ta’ artisti ta' fama Taljani u Franċiżi wkoll pittru nkwadri li jfakkru li dan ilpatri, fosthom tnejn li sabu posthom fisSagristiji tal-Knejjes Dumnikani ta' Portu Salvu u tal-Madonna taI-Ghar, fir-Rabat, Malta

Il-Venezjani jabbandunaw Kandja. (Pittura ta’ Giuseppe Lorenzo Gatteri, 1863)

Xena rari ħafna ta’ Iraklion, il-belt Griega li qabel kienet magħrufa bħala Kandja u piet attakkata mit-Torok. Din stampa mitbugħa minn Nicolaes Visscher I (1618-1679), li x’aktarx ibbaża l-istampa fuq ix-xogħol oriġinali ta’ Jan Janssonius (1588-1664)

Roundup of News About Malta

IMF predicts Malta to have lowest unemployment rate in EU

In its economic forecast, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, said that Malta would have the lowest unemployment rate in the EU this year and the next,

Estimates projected by the IMF in its annual economic report show that unemployment in Malta will be at a level of 3%, followed by Germany, which has the second lowest unemployment rate in Europe

It also said that with a projection of 3 2% for next year, Malta would have the lowest unemployment rate over these two years.

Germany is projected to have a 3 3% unemployment rate this year, while

Slovenia and the Netherlands have a 3 9% rate While, next year, these countries expect to have the same level of unemployment

The IMF predicts that this year and the next, Malta will have economic growth of 3.5% and the second highest economic growth in the EU after Ireland, which expects economic growth of 5 6% and 4% next year

It means that the expected economic growth in Malta will be 2 7% more than the European average this year and 2 1% more than the average next year.

The IMF carried out the report in light

of the economic recovery following three years of the pandemic and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

In the same week that Malta was given encouraging reports by the IMF and S&P rating agency, at the weekend, another significant rating agency, DBRS

Morning Star, issued another positive statement about the island's economy, stating that helped by the government's support measures and a stronger-than-anticipated rebound in foreign tourism, Malta's economy has rapidly recovered from the shock of the pandemic

In its lengthy report, DBRS added that partly because of Malta's limited economic and energy ties to Russia and the government's decision to freeze retail electricity and fuel prices, the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the Maltese economy has so far been modest

However, driven by the slowdown in Europe and the effects of elevated inflation on purchasing power, growth is expected to decelerate in 2023 Malta's price-mitigating fiscal measures are expected to slow the pace of fiscal consolidation Despite solid revenue growth and the phase-out of coronavirus support, the fiscal deficit could remain among the highest in the European Union (EU)

DBRS Morningstar considers that Malta's still-moderate public debt levels and positive growth dynamics partly mitigate risks stemming from the fiscal outlook. Euro area membership, moderate level of

Confirms Malta at A (high), Stable Trend

public debt, solid external position, and Maltese households' strong financial position support Malta's A (high) rating

On a positive note, the rating agency further stated that the country's rapid removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) list of jurisdictions under enhanced monitoring in June 2022, combined with a continued commitment to strengthening it's Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and institutional governance setup, should limit any longlasting damage to Malta's reputation and its attractiveness to foreign investment

Malta's public finances are generally sound, but medium- to long-term challenges could stem from its contingent liabilities, changes in international taxation that affect the attractiveness of its tax system to foreign companies, or increases in age-related spending

The report says that after a pandemicinduced GDP contraction of 8 6% in 2020, Malta recorded one of the quickest recoveries in the EU, with GDP growth rates of 11 8% in 2021 and 6 9% in 2022

The recovery was driven by domestic demand and a stronger-than-anticipated re-

bound in foreign tourism last year.

The labour market is tight, with solid job growth over the last three years and an unemployment rate of 3 0% (February 2023) The government's support measures played a crucial role in helping the economy weather the pandemic and limiting potential scarring effects

DBRS said that the government's energy support package, including subsidies to freeze energy and fuel prices at prepandemic levels, has also helped to shield economic activity from the spike in global energy prices Still, the harmonised consumer price inflation index accelerated to 6 1% in 2022 from less than 1.0% in 2020 and 2021 due to strongly rising import reasonable prices (mainly food)

Following Malta’s general election in March 2022, the Labour Party won a third term in office for the 2022–27 period and ratified Robert Abela as Prime Minister This reinforces DBRS Morningstar ’s expectation for broad policy continuity and continued political commitment to improving the country’s institutional and governance framework in the coming years

S&P

upgrades Enemalta’s rating to BB-

Meanwhile, following an evaluation by its economists, credit rating agency Standard and Poor ’s (S&P) has revised upwards Malta’s national electricity provider Enemalta plc’s rating to BB-

This agency said that this rating reflects the Maltese Government’s extraordinary, continuous and timely support in ensuring that electric bills for consumers in Malta and Gozo remain stable during the international crisis in the energy sector

Enemalta has welcomed the new rating as it confirms its prospects are stable It noted the significant positive development whereby its stand-alone credit profile (SACP) has been elevated by three notches from the B- profile

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta and UAE sign new agreements in several sectors

During an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg signed several agreements on behalf of the Maltese Government for more cooperation in the maritime sector, youth, culture, and sports with the UAE.

The signing followed a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Minister Ian Borg welcomed the signing of the cooperation agreements, especially in the maritime sector, which he described as crucial for trade between the two countries He stated that work regarding the cooperation agreement within the maritime industry began during a visit to the UAE in 2021

He said that the two countries would celebrate the 50th anniversary since the beginning of diplomatic relations and that these agreements would reinforce their solid bilateral relationship

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed work in the United Nations Security Council, particularly last February's Maltese Presidency of the Council and the UAE's preparation for their Presidency in

June.

Minister Ian Borg also had an important meeting with the Minister for the Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, during which they agreed on work to explore the possibility of further investments in the services industry and also to strengthen other agreements in the aviation and connectivity sector, to increase the economic cooperation between the two countries They also identified new investment areas between Malta and Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven UAE Emirates with solid development potential for the coming

years. He discussed this potential with the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, with Borg saying that Malta can contribute to the vision and development of this sector, particularly the services industry.

Minister Borg and his delegation also met with Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, the Minister of State within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE They visited Masdar City, a research and innovation centre, and the Abrahamic Family House, a project that symbolises and increases the importance of tolerance.

Ma l t a c o n s i d e r i n g u s i n g h y d ro g

Climate change is leading experts to explore cleaner and renewable energy sources, with a foreign expert saying that Malta should explore the concept of hydrogen because it is a

cheap source and pollutes the least

Dr Srdjan Sokolovic, an expert in the field of renewable energy, said that the way forward for Malta is to start exploring the concept of hydrogen and that it could even be able to create the hydrogen it potentially uses itself

Speaking at a conference dealing with renewable energy and ESG criteria, Dr Sokolovic said that by 2030, it is predicted that the price of hydrogen will be very low, and added that it would cost the country much less to generate energy. Not only that, but it also reduces the dependence on a single source of energy

He said that hydrogen could initially also be mixed with natural gas, better known as LNG

Dr Sokolovic said that by 2030 the price would be around $3 per kilogramme Therefore Malta could start its own production of hydrogen or import it to use with the LNG ship

It could be used in the production of electricity, in the beginning, mixed with gas, or even used 100% Beyond this, the fact that Malta is completely surrounded by the

e n to produce energy

sea gives it an advantage if it chooses to go for hydrogen It can even generate from water

The Minister for Energy, Miriam Dalli said that Malta is committed to moving towards decarbonisation and reaching the European environmental targets Malta is

exploring the possibilities of using this source of energy, which she said must be done with the help of businesses; therefore, she called on them to invest more in renewable energy while using more sustainable models, including the operation of the ESG concept

Minister Ian Borg (left) with UAE

Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Il-Festi tal-Għid fil-Gżejjer Maltin

Għadna ħerġin minn jiem reliġjużi u kulturali f ’Malta, il-jiem talĠimgħa Mqaddsa, żmien tant għażiż mal-Maltin u l-Għawdxin. Din kienet l-ewwel darba, wara tliet snin, li laqwa festa tal-Knisja, tal-Għid il-Kbir, ġiet iċċelebrata bl-istess mod kif kien isir sal2019 Dan minħabba li fl-aħħar tliet snin ilCovid kien wassal għal miżuri biex ma jinġabrux folol li setgħu jipperikolaw li lmarda tkompli tinfirex

Hekk, iċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ dak kollu li għandu x’jaqsam mal-Għid, fosthom ilpurċissjonijiet tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira u tal-Irxoxt reġgħu lura għall-aqwa tagħhom

Fortunatament anke t-temp għin biex filĠimgħa l-Kbira, saru l-purċissjonijiet middiversi parroċċi f ’Malta u Għawdex, bil-poplu , flimkien ma għadd kbir ta’ turisti, jattendu bi ħġarhom għall-manifestazzjoni, u sfilata mhux biss ta’ vari, imma ta’ diversi persunaġġi tal-Bibbja li b’xi mod jew ieħor kellhom x’jaqsmu mal-ħajja ta’ Ġesù

Attwalment, dan l-iżvilupp f ’ċerti lokali-

tajiet wassal biex kien hemm min sostna li dan wassal biex titnaqqas ir-reliġjożita’ billi l-emfasi aktar kienet fuq min jagħmel laqwa u l-isbaħ kostumi, u mhux il-kostumi biss bidlu x-xejra ta’ dawn il-festi

Spiċċa dak iż-żmien meta fil-Ġimgħa lKbira kważi jieqaf kollox, spiċċa wkoll iżżmien meta kważi bilkemm issib fejn titrejjaq għax il-maġġoranza kienu jsumu u allura kważi ħadd ma kien jarma bl-ikel Illum, f ’ħafna lokalitajiet rajna l-ħwienet jiftħu l-bibien tagħhom, b’dawk li joffru likel jibqgħu għaddejjin, b’ħafna ristoranti f ’xi lokalitajiet bi klijentela mdaqqsa. Wara l-purċissjonijiet tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira waslet it-tifkira tal-qawmien ta’ Sidna Ġesu Kristu bis-soliti purċissjonijiet bil-vara ta’ Kristu Rxoxt u l-ġirja bil-vara

Imsomma mill-ġdid morna lura għal dak iż-żmien meta dawn iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet kienu fl-aqwa tagħhom, sinjal ċar li l-poplu qed iħoss li ħareġ mill-Covid-19, għalkemm xorta għad qed jitfaċċa xi każi ta’ din l-marda

Il-figolla, il-ħelwa popolari tal-Għid

Aktar ‘l fuq semmejna l-figolli li żdiedu

fil- popolaritá bħala l-aktar ħelwa mfittxija fi żmien il-Għid Għal ftit żmien ħafna jinsew id-dieta u jixxenqu għaliha

Bies issir il-figolla ħafna jużaw riċetti differenti Imma l-aktar imfittxija jkunu dawk b’kisja taċ-ċikkulata fuq l-għaġina, u bittaħlita tal-lewż jew marżipan bħala mili

Il-forom ivarjaw, l-aktar jekk biex jingħataw lit-tfal Fost dawn insibu forom ta’ xi annimal, l-aktar xi papra, ħuta, fenek jew friefet. Dan l-aħħar b’ħafna tfal isegwu lcartoons, qed ukoll ikollhom xi figura minn xi karattru tal-filmati Ħafna jmorru wkoll għall figuri ta’ qlub. Kważi kollha b’xi bajda taċ-ċikkulata fuqhom

Minħabba li ħafna jippruvaw joqogħdu lura u jibżgħu għal saħħithom billi jevitaw il-ħelu, issa qed isiru wkoll figolli vegan inkella mingħajr glutina.

Biex it-tradizzjonali żgur ma tmutx, dażżmien ċerti parroċċi jħeġġu lit-tfal billi jorganizzawlhom ħin fil-Għid biex jinġabru

flimkien ħdejn il-knisja għat-tberik talfigolli Jingħad li l-bidu tal-figolli kien fi Sqallija, tant li bl-Isqalli jgħidulha figulina, li tfisser figura. Kienu wkoll jaħmuhom għal skop reliġjuż u biex ifakkru fir-rebħa kontra l-invażuri Torok Imma fil-popolaritá, bħalissa, il-figolla fi Sqallija xejn ma tersaq lejn dik f ’Malta

L-ikel ma naqasx

Sintendi l-Għid ġab miegħu konsum qawwi ta’ ikel u ħelu li huwa marbut ma dawn il-festi, fuq quddiem il-figolli, il-bajd tal-Għid u l-qagħaq tal-Appostli, flimkien ma ħelu u ieħor impurtat prinċipalment mill-Italja, fosthom il-famuża ‘Colomba’ (speċi ta’ kejk forma ta’ ħamiema))

Kien ikkalkolat li matul il-ġimgħat li wasslu għall-Festi tal-Għid fid-diversi dolċeriji Maltin ġew prodotti aktar minn miljun figolla Dan bla ma wieħed jieħu f ’kunsiderazzjoni l-għadd kbir ta’ figolli li jsiru fid-djar

Fuq quddiem fil-produzzjoni tal-qagħaq tal-Appostli, kienu hemm dawk magħmula u moħmija fil-Forn tal-ħabs Tant kienu popolari dawn il-qagħaq, li fil-jiem ta’ bejn Ħamis ix-Xirka u l-Għid tant marru nies Raħal Ġdid fejn faċċata tal-Ħabs intramat gabbana minn fejn jinxtraw dawn ilqagħaq, li ġie ffurmat kju kbir, b’uħud minn dawk li marru jixtru jkollhom jistennew għal siegħa biex jinqdew

Din id-darba barra il-qagħaq, il-ħabsin ippoduċew ukoll figolli, pasti, u pudini fost loħrajn

Għall-ewwel darba ssezzjoni tal-ħabs tan-nisa wkoll taw sehemhom billi għażlu li jħitu soft toys għall-bejgħ bħala Rigali tal-Għid

Tilar mimli qagħaq maħruġ mill-forn tal-ħabs għall-bejgħ

Issa wara dan is-suċċess, il-ħsieb hu li meta joqrob il-Milied l--ħabsin jipproduċu wkoll ħelu u ikel tradizzjonali tal-Milied

Għawdex gawda sew minn dawn il-festi

Il-festi tal-Ġimgħa

Mqaddsa ġabu magħhom ukoll xogħol qawwi għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mallukandi u ristoranti, mhux biss minħabba l-għadd kbir ta’ turisti li żaru l-Ġżejjer Maltin, imma wkoll ilMaltin li għażlu li jieklu barra mid-dar Jidher li l-aktar li gawda minn dan il-qawmien millġdid ta-settur tal-lukandi u r-ristoranti kien propju Għawdex, tant li l-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Assoċjazzjoni Għawdxija għat-Turiżmu, Joe Muscat, qal fi tmiem ilġimgħa tal-Għid l-okkupanza fil-lukandi Għawdxin kienet aqwa minn f ’ Malta

Kien hemm ukoll kkonkorrenza qawwija fir-ristoranti mhux biss minn turistiti barranin, minn Maltin li qagħdu fil-lukandi, imma wkoll fl-għadd dejjem aktar jikber ta’ residenti Maltin li għandhom it-tieni residenza tagħhom fil-gżira Għawdxija

Sintendi, dan il-moviment tat-turisti u Maltin lejn ilGżira Għawdxija wassal għal ħidma qawwija mill-vapuri tal-Gozo Channel. Tant li bejn l-Erbgħa tat-Tnibri u Ħadd-il-Għid il-vapuri tal-Gozo Channel ġarrew mal-45,000 passiġġier, b’aktar minn 11,200 passiġġier jaqsmu l-fliegu nhar Ħamis ix-Xirka

Tal-Gozo Channel impenjati ħafna

Polemika wkoll minkejja l-okkażjoni

F’pajjiż fejn il-polemiċi niekluhom bħallħobż, ma naqasx li tinqala polemika wkoll dwar iċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ dawn ilfesti fil-Belt Valletta

F’dawn l-aħħar snin il-Belt Valletta ma baqgħetx dik kważi mejta, imma saret waħda vibranti fejn issiparju ma jinżilx ma nżul ix-xemx, prinċipalment minħabba l-għadd kbir ta’ postijiet tal-ikel, tax-xorb u divertiment li nibtu f ’ħafna mit-triqat tal-Belt, fosthom dik li nafuha bħal Strada Merkanti li fi żminijiet limgħoddija kienet tospita lmonti

Illum, kważi kull toqba li hemm f ’din ittriq spiċċat f ’post tal-ikel u x-xorb, u għadd sabiħ minn dawn ir-ristoranti jarmaw l-

imwejjed u s-siġġijiet tagħhom anke fit-triq b’saħansitra wħud minnhom jarmaw ittined speċjalment fil-jiem tax-xita Din hija waħda mit-triqat ewlenin tal-Belt

li minnha jgħaddu numru ta’ purċissjonijiet, fosthom dik tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira u tal-Irxoxt

U kien propju dan il-fatt li qajjem polemika Għax għalkemm ħafna millħwienet neħħew l-imwejjed u s-siġġijiet min-nofs, kien hemm min ġabarhom filġenb u baqgħu xorta jservu l-ikel u x-xorb waqt li kienu għaddejjin il-purċissjonijiet li semmejt aktar ‘il fuq Minn xi daqqiet, dan ħoloq xi ftit ta’ diffikultá għal dawk li kienu qed jieħdu sehem fil-purċissjoni Imma forsi l-aktar li weġġa’ lil uħud kien il-fatt li fejn tradizzjonalment ikun hemm ċerta ġabra waqt ilpurċissjoni tad-Duluri u tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira, il-ħwienet komplew iservu l-ikel u x-xorb, b’saħansitra xi wħud idoqqu wkoll il-mużika, eċċ

Dan ġab reazzjoni mill-organizzaturi talpurċissjonijiet li lmentaw li bi ksur tar-regolamenti fixklu l-purċissjoni u ħolqu atmosfera xejn xierqa għal dawn il-jiem

Filwaqt li lmentaw li l-Awtoritajiet ma ħadux passi biex dak li seħħ ma jiġrix, fi stqarrija għall-istampa sostnew li ma kienux kontra n-negozju, imma ssoktaw : “Aħna ngħixu f ’dan l-istorbju tal-kummerċ ta’ kuljum Qegħdin sempliċiment nappellaw biex jirrenja s-sens komun matul tliet filgħaxijiet fis-sena; tliet filgħaxijiet li għandhom post speċjali fil-qlub ta’ ħafna Maltin”

Hija tassew ħasra li xi propjetarji ta’ stabbilimenti mhumiex konxji biżżejjed u kapaċi għal ftit jiem irażżnu l-kilba tagħhom għal gwadann finanzjarju b’rispett lejn ittrazzjonijiet soċjali u reliġjużi tal-poplu Malti u Għawdxi.

Il-laqgħa bejn il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela u l-President Emeritu Ugo Mifsud Bonnici

Lil hinn mill-politika

Jidher li ċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-Għid il-Kbir poġġa fil-ġenb, tal-inqas għall-ftit ħin, il-pika politika Dan dmeta waqt il-purċissjoni bl-istatwa tal-Irxoxt f ’Bormla, li għaliha jattendu ħafna nies, il-ġurnalisti talMalta today irnexxielhom li f ’atmosfera relassanti u ta’ ċelebrazzjoni, jieħdu ritratt tal-Prim Ministru Dr Robert Abela jiġi milqugħ mill-eks President tar-Repubblika

Ugo Mifsud Bonnici u ibnu, il-Parlamentari tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, Dr Carmelo

Fl-istess okkażjoni, irnexxielhom jaqbdu wkoll il-waqt li fih, il-mara tal-Prim Ministru, Dr Lydia Abela ltaqgħet mal-President tal-Parlament Ewropew Dr Roberta Metsola

Ħalli l-familja tagħna tgħin lillfamilja tiegħek

Fil-Belt Valletta, imwejjed mixħuta fil-ġenb sakemm tgħaddi l-purċissjoni

The federal opposition says NO

The Liberal Party has delivered a "resounding no" to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's model for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, leader Peter Dutton says.

But speaking after a special party room meeting in Parliament House, he said the major coalition partner would back constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and local and regional bodies to “get practical outcomes on the ground”

Mr Dutton accepted “three or four” backbenchers may follow suit, but insisted the “overwhelming majority” of Liberal MPs backed the stance he unveiled, claiming the wording proposed by the Voice working group last month would divide Australia

“It should be very clear to Australians by now that the prime minister is dividing our country and the Liberal Party seeks to unite our country We want to make sure that we can get the best possible outcomes for Indigenous Australians "

Moderate Liberals had been agitating for a conscience vote on the referendum, in line with the party's approach to the 2017 gay marriage plebiscite No Australian referendum has passed without bipartisan support, though none has been held for over two decades.

Meanwhile, Ken Wyatt the first Aboriginal person to hold the Indigenous Australians portfolio has quit the Liberal Party over its Opposition to the Voice Noel Pearson, a Guugu Yimithirr man and one

50% female ministers

NSW Premier Chris Minns has appointed the state's first female ministers of police, energy, natural resources, regional NSW, transport and finance in his new cabinet. It is a historic shift that will put women into 50 per cent of the NSW government’s frontbench positions

Minns has announced a slightly reduced cabinet of 22 ministers – down from the Coalition's 23 – as part of his government's mandate to "rebuild our essential services" and execute reforms promised ahead of Labor's election victory

The 50-50 gender split formalised in Minns' cabinet (excluding the Premier) represents a marked shift from the former Perrottet government, which initially had 26 ministers, of which only seven were women By the election, the former government's cabinet had been reduced to 23, including six women

Opposition suffers a h i s t o r i c l o s s

Several Liberal MPs are urging federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to shift to the centre and refresh his shadow cabinet after the party's by-election loss in Aston Dutton accepted responsibility for the result, in which local woman Mary Doyle won the seat in Melbourne's outer east with a 6 4 per cent swing to Labor

He vowed to rebuild the party to make it more competitive but did not specify how he would improve its performance

It is the first time in a century that a sitting government has won a seat from the Opposition in a by-election Several MPs laid the blame for the defeat on poor campaigning and candidate selection

of the chief architects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, said Mr Dutton will “bring the country to shame” by campaigning against the Voice, accusing him of “trying to bury” the Uluru Statement from the Heart

Mr Pearson warned the public debate would hit “extreme lows” over the next six months but insisted a "unity ticket" between Mr Dutton and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is unlikely to succeed at the ballot box

Others expressed alarm that the Coalition's cost-of-living message failed to resonate even in outer-suburban "mortgage belt" seats like Aston, where repeated interest rate rises have hit voters hard

“I think the party needs to stop ideological dog whistling and return to centrist Liberal values,” said moderate Liberal MP Bridget Archer. “You’ve got ideological culture warriors who would rather we lose than make space for a diversity of views ... it’s a choice between ideology and electability ”

t a t e o f Vi c t o r i a r u l e s against Catholic Church

The State of Victoria's highest court has ruled that the Catholic Church is vicariously liable for sexual abuse by a paedophile priest because he was a "servant of the diocese" whose role gave him the "power and intimacy" to access and abuse children

The decision by the Victorian Court of Appeal upholds the original landmark ruling, which, for the first time in Australia, found the Church is vicariously liable for the abuse of its priests

The case involves a then five-year-old boy, known only as DP, who was abused by Fr Bryan Coffey at his parent's home in Port Fairy during pastoral visits in 1971.

The critical issue in the case was whether the diocese and the current Bishop of Ballarat, Paul Bird, could be held liable for Coffey's actions, despite the assistant priest not being a formal employee of the Church

DP's lawyers, Ken Cush and Associates, successfully convinced the Victorian Supreme Court in late 2021 that, despite the lack of formal employment, the diocese was "all powerful in the management of clergy within a diocese" and that activ-

ities of an assistant parish priest were under the "direct control" of the priest, who reported to the bishop

That left the Church vicariously liable for Coffey's abuse, the court found The Church appealed against the decision; however, the court of appeal upheld the previous ruling of vicarious liability DP was previously awarded $230,000. The court of appeal declined a cross-appeal seeking to increase the number of damages.

The ABC reports that Coffey was convicted in the Ballarat County Court in February 1999 of multiple counts of sexual assault against other children and was given a three-year suspended sentence. He died in 2013

Peter Dutton (Liberal)

S

King Charles’ coronation

Britain will formally welcome its new monarch, King Charles III, at a coronation ceremony in London on 6 May, nearly eight months after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II Buckingham Palace recently released new details on the ceremony, including modern twists on a thousand-year-old tradition But with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to head an Australian delegation, there are still a number of questions still to be answered

Because the coronation will be on a

Q u e e n s l a n d d r i v e r s b e w a re

Drivers renewing their licences may have their road rule knowledge tested as the Queensland government aims to strengthen safety measures across the state

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says the government is considering a range of new measures including a "refresher course" for people renewing their licences due to changes in road rules between renewals

“There's often a lot of changes to road rules between getting a licence say five years ago and renewing it,” he told ABC Radio Brisbane. That is similar to courses available for learner and new drivers

The government is floating the idea and seeking feedback from the community

The government also announced its 'Ride to Zero' initiative to address motorcycle safety

Motorcycle riders make up five per cent of Queensland's road users but contributed to a quarter of the state's road toll last year

Sunday morning in Australia, most Australians won't need to take a day off to watch the ceremony itself. Canada is yet to confirm its decision, but New Zealand was quick to announce it won't be having a holiday.

It's a different story in the United Kingdom, where residents will mark their new king's coronation with a bank holiday on Monday 8 May Overseas British territories the Cayman Islands and Bermuda will join them

The ceremony will be scaled back from the extravagance of the last coronation, for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 That's partly because the UK government will foot the bill for the ceremony, and it's under pressure to be modest as the kingdom grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.

Davidson High School in Sydney

North is one of the few public schools that implemented the ban before the new state Labor government made its announcement to block all mobile phones in public high schools from 9 October this year

It's a tried-and-tested approach to blocking students from their phones during their school day, and its approach has impressed the state government.

While each school can decide how to implement the ban, the rule will be enforced as early as October across the entire state.

NSW Premier Chris Minns made the phone ban announcement, visiting Condell Park High School in Sydney's southwest, which has done away with phones for 16 years. "It’s time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions and create better environments for learning," Mr Minns said He pointed to Condell Park and Davidson High as leaders in the state that have enforced their own personal bans ahead of the state policy A 2022 study in Norway and one in Spain from 2020 were among mounting research that found banning phones led to an increase in academic performance and a drop in bullying incidents

NSW is the latest state to impose the school phone ban A ban is already in place in NSW's p r i m a r y schools, as well as every Australian jur i s d i c t i o n e x c e p t

Q u e e n sland and the ACT

Australian PM Anthony Albanese (right) at Buckingham Palace with King Charles

Ta g ħ r i f d w a r l - i l s i e n M a l t i Il-Festa ta’ San Girgor tradizzjoni ta’ 480 sena

Kif dejjem sar ħlief għas-snin tal-pandemija, din is-sena wkoll, Malta żammet mat-tradizzjoni li tlett ijiem wara l-Għid il-Kbir, f ’jum l-Erbgħa, tiffesteġġja l-festa ta’ San Girgor, li ħafna jassoċjawha wkoll malewwel għawma.

Il-qofol ta’ din il-festa, waħda minn tlieta tradizzjonali li l-Maltin tant iħobbuha u jipparteċipaw fiha, flimkien mal-Imnarja u l-Vitorja, issir fl-irħula ġierien taż-Żejtun u Marsaxlokk , bin-nies l-ewwel tieħu sehem fiċċelebrazzjoni reliġjuża, bil-quddiesa u l-pellegrinaġġ, u wara terħilha lejn Marsaxlokk biex tgawdi l-jum mod ieħor.

Ġeneralment f ’Marsaxlokk wieħed kien ukoll jieħu l-ewwel għawma tas-sena, u wara jqatta’ lbqija tal-jum, jippassiġġa, idur il-bankarelli biex

jixtri, jilgħab it-tombla, jisma’ l-għana u jiekol f ’xi wieħed mill-ħafna ristoranti f ’xatt raħal is-sajjieda Dan kollu reġa’ seħħ ukoll fil-11 ta’ April bil-parteċipazzjoni ta’ eluf ta’ Maltin

L-ewwel pellegrinaġġ ta’ din il-festa sar fl-1543 Dak iż-żmien kien isir mill-Imdina għall-knisja ta’ San Girgor fiż-Żejtun li għandha l-oriġini tagħha fis-Seklu 16 meta l-festa kienet saret għall-ewwel darba bħala turija ta’ ħajr li Malta nħelset mill-effetti tal-pesta.

Bħal fl-aħħar snin, il-pellegrinaġġ, beda mill-kappella ta’ San Klement ħdejn ilKnisja ta’ San Girgor fiż-Żejtun fejn qabel saret ukoll il-quddiesa millArċisqof Charles Scicluna. Wara, il-kap tal-knisja Maltija mexxa wkoll il-pellegri-

naġġ, li fih ħadu sehem għadd kbir ta’ saċerdoti u l-imsieħba tal-Ariċkonfraternità ta’ San Ġuzepp tar-Rabat

L-Arċisqof spjega li San Girgor huwa turija perseveranti tad-devozzjoni talMaltin lejn il-qaddis, filwaqt li l-purċissjoni titqies bħala waħda penitenzjali fejn isir talb ta’ ħniena lil Alla, u talb għall-interċessjoni tal-qaddisin biex issaltan ilpaċi fid-dinja u ħelsien mill-mard

Iż-Żwieten ikunu protagonisti għax għandhom imħabba speċjali lejn it-tradizzjonijiet, u din hi waħda minnhom Għal xi żmien il-purċissjoni kienet timxi għażŻejtun minn ħdejn is-salib tad-Dejma ta’ Ħal Tarxien Imbagħad fis-sibgħinijiet bdiet tiġi minn San Klement fit-tarf tażŻejtun

Din is-sena l-jum kien wieħed mill-isbaħ bix-xemx tiddi u tħajjar lil min xtaq li tassew jieħu l-ewwel għawma Imma filfatt ftit kienu dawk li azzardaw għax ilbaħar kien għadu kiesaħ

Mhumiex biss iż-Żwieten u x-Xlukkajri li jiċċelebraw San Girgor Sa minn dejjem, mijiet oħra minn inħawi ta’ Malta kienu jerħulha lejn il-festa biex igawdu dan il-jum Qabel min imur Marsaxlokk kien jitgħabba bil-ħobż biż-żejt u fliexken tax-xorb. Daż-żmien mod ieħor.

Il-Maltin li jżuru Marsaxlokk, kemm jekk għal din il-festa, u kemm jekk f ’jiem oħra, jippeferu minflok li jużaw ir-ristoranti varji tal-post

Il-Maltin minn dejjem kienu jafu jixxalaw daż-żmien aktar, għandhom biex!

Parti mill-folla li attendiet f ’Marsaxlokk għal-festa ta’ San Girgor din is-sena

Nies imdawrin ma’ tal-qubbajt u nisa bl-għonnella f ’San Girgor iż-Żejtun fl-1916

Mill-Gzira Ghawdxija . -

Charles Spiteri Charles Spiteri

IL-ĦAĠAR b’wirja ta’ Esprit Barthet

Għall-ewwel darba f ’Għawdex, filmużew Il-Ħaġar (fi Pjazza San Ġorġ, Victoria) bħalissa, u sat-28 ta’ Mejju hemm wirja interessanti, u ferm importanti, A LIFE OF COLOUR magħmula minn madwar sittin pittura ta’ Esprit Barthet (1919-1999), kurata minn Nicoline

Sagona

Fiha wieħed jista’ jammira wieħed millaqwa artisti Maltin tas-seklu 20. Isem Barthet twaħħad mal-famużi Bjut – serje li pproduċa prinċipalment fis-snin sittin u sebgħin

L-artist kien, u jibqa’ magħruf sew ukoll bħala ritrattista. Kellu bosta kummissjonijiet, mhux neqsin għal personalitajiet magħrufa Ġew miġbura għadd ta’ awtorittratti imma li jolqtuk żgur hu, id-dumnikani Seraphim Zarb u Marius Zerafa Ingħaqdu ukoll “Marì tal-Bajd” (mill-Muża) u Victor

Borg

Barthet

Matul il-karriera tiegħu, Barthet esperimenta bi stili differenti u wasal biex anke jistabbilixxi l-istil tiegħu u jakkwista sehem essenzjali fil-bidu tal-arti moderna f ’Malta.

Għal bosta snin hu kien għalliem tal-arti u kellu rwol influwenti fuq artisti ġodda Din il-wirja t’issa tħares lejn passi prinċipali filkarriera tiegħu, anki permezz ta’ eżempji minn kollezzjonijiet li ma jistgħux jinżaru.

Nicoline Sagona hi gradwat fl-istorju talarti, fejn iddiskutiet il-kontribuzzjoni artistka ta’ Esprit Barthet ftit xhur biss wara mewtu Hija rriċerkat u ppublikat dwar di-

L-isem Traces of human, hija wirja interessanti ta’ skultura fl-injam li ttellgħet minn żewġ artisti fis-sala tal-Esibizzjonijiet fil-bini tal-Ministeru għal G ħ a wdex fi

versi suġġetti, l-aktar b’konnessjoni ma’ artisti barranin li pittru lil Għawdex waqt il-vjaġġi tagħhom

Sagona kienet kuratriċi ta’ bosta wirjiet temporanji, dwar l-istorja tal-arti, l-arkeoloġija u l-etnografija.

Il-katalgu ta’ din il-wirja hu n-numru 24 mis-sensiela Il-Ħaġar GEMS Wirja eċċezzjonali bħal din tixraq sew fl-għaxar anniversarju tal-ftuħ ta’ dan iċ-ċentru kultural li tant qed ikun ta’ sosten għall-kultura filGżejjer Maltin

Traces of human

Pjazza San Franġisk, Victoria Ix-xogħlijiet, huma ta’ Mario Agius lGħawdxi mix-Xagħra u tal-Malti millQrendi u li jgħix f ’Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Angelo Agius, imwieled Malta waħda mix-xogħlijiet tiegħu hi l-Mother and Child (ix-xellug)

Il-Federazzjoni Maltija Vetturi Antiki organizzat l-edizzjoni għal din is-sena tal-Vintage Motors Festival, bi spettaklu f ’Għajnsielem, fin-Nadur u fir-Rabat, f ’Għawdex, li kien jinkludi għażla ta’ 130 vettura minn Malta u minn Għawdex. Fost kollox kien hemm karozzi mid-diversi klabbijiet imsieħba tal-Federazzjoni Maltija li kienu jinkludu, l-Old motors club, Military Vehicles club Gozo, Military vehicles collectors club Malta, u l-American Auto Malta club )

Fuq: Għazla ta’ vetturi antiki mill-wirja li l-Federazzjoni Vetturi Maltija Antiki tellgħet f ’Għajnsielem

Establishing Malta as hub of excellence for sports tourism

The partnership between English Premier League club Manchester United and VisitMalta has again proved advantageous. The two entities created a campaign that resonated with the target audience when they organised the first edition of the "Malta Day" promotional campaign at United's home ground, Old Trafford, on April 5

During the advertising campaign, which coincided with the club's league match against Brentford, the VisitMalta brand was prominently showcased through various marketing initiatives in and around Old Trafford and the bustling city centre itself

The buzz around Old Trafford on match days is undeniable, with many supporters flocking to the stadium On average, footfall in the area reaches between 80,000 and 100,000 supporters.

First edition of Malta Day at Old Trafford a great success

On this day, VisitMalta's advertising campaign made its mark. The campaign featured two massive stadiumside banners prominently displaying the VisitMalta brand incorporating QR codes directing users to its website In addition, numerous perimeter advertising banners were strategically placed around the stadium entrance to maximise exposure

The Manchester United Mega Store also incorporated advertising for the brand, while leaflets promoting Malta as a travel destination were distributed to supporters at United's famous Mega Store

Several activations were also implemented inside the stadium promoting the brand, including the collaboration between

Maltese Chef Thomas Stellini and Man. Utd's Executive Chef, James Tagg, as they served Maltese food and popular Maltese drinks in the hospitality suites

The hospitality suites saw an impressive number of visitors, with an estimated 10,000 attending To further promote the brand, flyers providing information and directing users to the VisitMalta website were placed on tables in the hospitality dining areas

In addition to the activations inside the stadium, VisitMalta maximised its exposure to the broader audience of 75,000 attending the match by displaying its digital

advertisements on the pitch-side signboards

They were also televised globally to millions of viewers

To further increase its promotional reach, VisitMalta also implemented marketing activations in the immediate surroundings of the stadium, and Hotel Football, located close to Old Trafford, displayed various rotating VisitMalta video adverts on two gigantic screens.

Europe's second giant Digital Out-ofHome screen, located by the M17 1AB motorway, further promoted the Maltese Islands Other advertising efforts were extended beyond Old Trafford and into the city centre on 40 high-definition LCD screens across 20 different city centre locations in the Manchester Screens Network

This advertising campaign promoting Malta as a travel destination continued until April 9 and is estimated to have reached one million pedestrians

Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo said that being the official destination partner of Manchester United is leading to Malta obtaining visibility and marketing coordination on an unprecedented level, not just in Europe but in other markets such as America, Asia and the Middle East.

It is also helping establish Malta as a hub of excellence for sports tourism, a niche that, in 2023, is expected to continue revitalising the tourism sector

Malta Tourism Authority CEO Mr Carlo Micallef said they were thrilled with the success of the 'Malta Day' promotional campaign He said: "It has been a fantastic collaboration between Manchester United and VisitMalta Our partnership has proven to be a winning combination, and we are proud of the work we have done together to promote Malta as a travel destination to Manchester United's fanbase of over one billion supporters worldwide "

The campaign celebrated Malta and showcased the island as a top travel destination

The ‘United Trinity ’ statue of Manchester United's George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton facing the VisitMalta poster prominently displayed on the front of the Old Trafford Stadium

How would you feel about using your heartbeat instead of your passport? Having your buffet breakfast 3D printed? This is travel in the year 2070 Staying in underwater hotels, having your own personal holographic concierge, and even using your heartbeat instead of a passport – travel is predicted to look extremely different in 2070

European budget airline easyJet has commissioned a panel of experts to make predictions on what travel will look like in 50 years’ time – and their findings are mind-blowing. Take airports for example, paperwork will be a thing of the past where instead an individual’s biometric data will be stored in the cloud and available globally – replacing physical passports

But it won’t just be the type of biometric technology we are familiar with today –fingerprints or face/retina scans – but your heartbeat, as everyone’s “cardiac signature” is unique, the experts say There will be no check in or security – something Emirates president Sir Tim Clark previously told news com au would happen much sooner than in 50 years’ time

Facial recognition software is instead expected to be able to identify you, match you with your booked flight and send messages to your phone as you walk through the airport without stopping. Going ‘through security’ or ‘passport control’ will be meaningless terms,” said Dr Patrick Dixon, the chairman of Global Change Ltd and an expert on the 2070: The future travel report.

“You will not be aware of any sort of checks, but you too will be scanned and tracked as you move through the airport ”Your baggage, with an embedded smart data tag, would be automatically unloaded from a train or taxi and sent directly to the right aircraft And that taxi is not the one we know today

“People are expected to travel to the airport – and around their holiday destinations – in e-VTOLs, which refers to electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxis “At least 250 companies are already developing these short-hop vehicles,” Dr Dixon said

If you’re one of those people who hate packing or even more so, unpacking, Professor Graham Braithwaite says eventually the need to pack clothes could disappear completely with 3D printers.

“Simply provide your destination with your measurements via a body scan before you fly and, upon arrival, find a wardrobe filled with outfits in your exact size,” he said

“When you leave, clothes can be recycled and reprinted for the next tourist Not only will this reduce the stress of packing,

holiday fashion becomes more sustainable ”

‘Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight’

Overall planes are expected to get more advanced and more comfortable. Specifically, the experts predict the seats will no long be “one size fits all” and you’ll actually be able to book a seat suited to your body type They might even be able to cool or warm you to your preferred temperature and be more hygienic

“Currently, seats are standardised partly for safety reasons, but innovation in materials science will see the creation of lighter yet stronger materials, for a tailored comfort experience at the same time as maintaining safety,” futurist Dr Melissa Sterry said

It is likely there will also be no more screens on the back of your seats A more futuristic kind of device could beam movies straight before your eyes

What about the common experience of eagerly waiting for the flight attendant to tell you the two or three meal options you can choose from only to be disappointed? This will also be a thing of the past. The experts predict you will be able to choose whatever you want to eat

‘Expect hotels like never before’

Imagine a digital holographic personal concierge waiting to greet you in your hotel lobby to tend to your every need In 50 years it could be a reality. You could also be choosing your room’s decor to suit your taste, change the lighting, the music, the scent and the softness of your bed

“A digital virtual room assistant (think Super-Alexa) will greet you and help you with anything from ordering a new towel to suggesting a place to eat and making a reservation for you,” futurist Shivvy Jervis said The buffet breakfasts of the future involve a digital menu where you can type

in what you want to have 3D printed. And if you are not sure what holiday to go on or what to get up to one day, artificial intelligence is expected to be able to match you with the right destination, activity and even travelling companion. For those who like to visit historical sites augmented reality will change the game “Forms of MR – mixed reality – will overlay images on the landscape to visually reconstruct what happened there: a famous battle, the troops surging around you, being sat among the cheering crowd at the very first Olympic Games,” Dr Sterry said

It might be in the form of a projected hologram or by wearing a lightweight headset or glasses Haptic suits could intensify the experience even further ‘Look back 50 years’

While the predictions might seem farfetched now, lead expert Professor Birgitte Andersen said you only have to look back 50 years to realise it’s all possible.

“Humanity has grown so accustomed to frequent beneficial advances in tech and engineering, that it can become easy to take for granted how far we’ve come in the last 50 years,” she wrote in the report’s summary “Think back to 1973 – smartphones were a thing of wildest dreams, ‘Google’ would have seemed like a made-up word, and laptops were still almost a decade away from being invented.

“It’s unfathomable to us now to have lived in a world without these core technologies that are so fundamental to our being. So, when looking forward to the next 50 years, the potential possibilities for growth and development in innovation and technology for travel are endless ”

Time-travelling holiday experiences with haptic suits could allow us to witness ancient wonders such as Colossus of Rhodes

It’s a fact!

The Cosmati pavement at Westminster Abbey

London’s Westminster Abbey has announced that following the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort, Camilla next month, the church’s famous Cosmati pavement will be opened up to the public However, the abbey is imposing an unusual condition on visitors, that is, that people will have to remove their shoes to step on it

So what is so special about is pavement? It intricate mosaic was completed in 1268. While the pavement has helped to stage events of national significance throughout its long history, its design and manufacture reflect international connections, especially with Rome

Standing on Holy Ground in the Middle Ages, floor surfaces such as this took on considerable significance in the medieval period for the staging of ceremonies and to signal identity and connect people across time

The Cosmati pavement lies in the sanctuary in front of the high altar. It has been part of the ceremonial life of the abbey since it was laid in the 13th century, during the reign of King Henry III.

Even then, coronations had long been held at Westminster and the mosaic was in place for that of Henry’s son, Edward I, in 1274 Physical contact with the pavement during the coronation ritual may have taken several forms. At one point, the king-to-be would lie on the ground in prayer, with precious textiles spread beneath him By the mid-19th century, the pavement was in poor condition and it was covered over with linoleum for protection

Extensive conservation work was undertaken between 2008 and 2010 to clean and repair it, before restoring it to its place in royal ritual and representation.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were married on the Cosmati floor in 2011 The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Londonbased Australian painter, Ralph Heimans, painted to mark her Diamond jubilee, depicts the late monarch standing on the mosaic, close to its central roundel of veined alabaster.

Maltese Sen io r s Social Welfar e Da y Gr oups

Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, 257 Seventh Avenue, Llandilo 11am to 1 00 pm Group holds regular Information Sessions/Workshops & Bus Trips

Group Leader: Helen Azzopardi

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors

Meets every second Friday of the month Miller Room, Memorial Avenue

Merrylands from 10 30am to 12 30 pm

Group Leader: Salvina Falzon

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors

Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month Group meets in St Theresa’s Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights from10 am to 12 noon

Group Leader: Dorothy Gatt

Maltese of Bankstown

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month in

the Bankstown CBD area. Every other 3rd Thursday an outing Enquiries call: Sam Galea 0410 269 519 (Sponsored by Bankstown Community Resource Group)

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Meets the last Wednesday of the month in Meeting Room One, No 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Join us and make new friends Connie Degabriel 0434 093 446

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group

Meets every first Wednesday of the month in July, September, November & December and in February, April & June 2023 From 10:00am to 12noon at the Miranda Community Centre 93 Karimbla Rd cnr Kiora Rd Miranda Meetings are interesting & informative. Membership is free, so is Morning Tea/Coffee/Cake

*(All Groups are supported by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Contact the MCC Welfare

Outings every other month. Come & make new friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud JP Phone (mb 0421 662 298)

Greystanes Maltese Seniors

Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Parish Centre Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon.

Group holds regular Information Sessions/Workshops & Bus Trips Gro-up

Leader: Frances Montesin

Men’s Group

Meets every last Tuesday of the month at the MCC Centre at 59b Franklin Street Parramatta West (next to the Primary School), from 10 to 12 noon Discussion, information and renew friendship Pastizzi, Kinnie etc available Contact Fred on 9863 2550

Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC head office is at 59b Franklin Street (Cnr Young St) Parramatta West NSW.

Conservators work on restoring the mosaic in 2009

C o m m u n i t y N e w s C o m m u n i t y N e w s

A division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc Established in 1999 Learn about the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and the amazing history of the magnificent Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo Classes available for beginners and those who already have a confident grasp of the Maltese language Adult and Children’s classes available All classes are online

We offer legal services in Melbourne (Lt Collins Street) and Werribee

Family law is our specialty

• wills, powers of attorney,

• manage deceased estates, and provide

• purchase and sell property

• purchase and sell businesses

MALTESE COMUNITY COUNCIL OF VICTORIA INC.

447 Royal Parade Parkville, Victoria Australia

Pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a part-time tal-lingwa Maltija

MCCV Maltese Language Classes qed jilqa’ applikazzjonijiet għall-pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a part-time tal-lingwa Maltija, (darba fil-gimgħa, ONLINE filgħaxija).

Applikanti għandhom ikollhom għarfien sewwa tal-Malti kemm miktub u mitkellem Taħriġ għall-għalliem/a u riżorsi sabiex tkun tista’ tgħallem jiġu pprovduti Dan huwa xogħol imħallas Ibgħat l-applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lil: edwidgeborgatt@gmail.com. Għal aktar tagħrif ċempel: 0466 079 814, ħalli n-numru tat-telefon u nċemplulek lura.

• divorce, children, property,

• child support, intervention orders

• Maltese Wills, Powers of Attorney

• Maltese Property matters

Marlene Ebejer (speaks Maltese)is an accredited family law specialist

Phone: 03 9741 1722

www ebejerlawyers com au)

email reception@ebejerlawyers com au

We get to the point, provide the right advice and get the work done at a reasonable price.

St Nicholas Festa Committee St Nicholas Festa Committee Dates for 2023 Dates for 2023

The Legends Showcase! Mark Andrew Tabone performing as Dean Martin, Buddy, Tom Jones, Austin Powers & Elvis

T u n e i n t o T u n e i n t o R a d i o a n d R a d i o a n d T e l e v i s i o n T e l e v i s i o n

SBS RADIO: 97 7 FM Tuesdays 12:00pm; Friday 12:00pm Listen on Digital Radio or Live Streaming on www sbs com au/radio/ or on TV Channel 38.

On Demand and podcasts on www sbs com au/maltese

Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847

Presley. Saturday 20 May. For tickets, either get them from lavalette.com.au or call 0405 233 144.

Positions available for people who can assist with teaching the Maltese Language Call Lisa for an information package on 0419 418 547 or email mls@mccnsw org au Listen live on www.northwestfm.org/ ethnic-radio/ 97 9 FM Melton: Tuesday 6 00pm to 8 00pm Maltese Program Presenter: Miriam Vella Live streaming on www.979fm.com.au

SBS TV: SBS TV news from Malta every day at 4 30 pm on Channel 35 also on demand

VICTORIA

3ZZZ 92 3FM: Mondays 5-6pm, Fridays 5-6pm and Saturdays 10-11am

Presenters: Paul Vella, Mario Sammut, Liz Phillips Listen live on www 3zzz com au

98.9 North West FM: Mondays 78pm and Fridays 6-7pm Maltese Program. Presenter: Emmanuel Brincat.

NSW

2GLF FM 89.3 Maltese Voices with Marthese Caruana: Sundays 10:00 am to 11:00am One hour of Maltese talent, songs from Maltese artists

2GLF FM 89.3 Maltese Community Council programme: Sundays 11 00am to 12:00pm News from Malta, music, information, culture, interviews, community notices and topics of interest. Listen live on

Saturday 29 April – Variety Night

Sunday 2 July – Imnarja

Sunday 15 October – Fete

Saturday 11 November - Dinner Dance

Sunday 2 December - Festa

www 893fm com au or On Demand on www 893fm com au/on-demand/ WOW-FM 100.7: Tuesdays 6pm to 9pm Maltese program with Joe Borg and Michael Mallia. Listen live on www wowfm1007 com au

VOX FM 106.9: Mondays 5pm to 6pm Voice of Valletta – Illawarra Maltese program presented by Louis Parnis Live streaming on www voxfm org au

QUEENSLAND

4EB FM 98.1: Tuesdays 6:00am to 8:00am; Presenter: Lucy Stewart Music, news from Malta, topics of interest, song requests, community announcements Live streaming on www 4eb org au or On Demand on www 4eb org au/shows/program-billmalti-global-maltese/

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

5EBI FM 103.1: Maltese Community

Radio Program from Adelaide Sunday: 7 00am; Monday: 8 00am; Monday: 6 00pm Presenters: Bernadette Buhagiar and Ron Borg. Listen live or On Demand on www 5ebi com au

Remaining issues involve third spot and the relegation struggle

LATEST RESULTS Day 25

Hamrun S v Sta Lucia

Birkirkara v Pieta H

Gzira Uv Balzan

Mosta v Zebbug R

RESULTS Day 24

Hamrun S v Zebbug R Birkirkara v Gzira U Balzan v Mosta

The most important outcomes from the penultimate round of Malta's Football Premier League were Birkirkara's hard-fought victory over Pieta Hotspur, which helped them to claim the runner-up position in the league a game from the end, and Champions Hamrun Spartans' unexpected draw against Sta Lucia Pieta have been relgated.

In other matches, after four successive defeats, Gzira United defeated Balzan to leapfrog them into third place, giving them an advantage of two points over the following three teams, Mosta, Hibernians and Balzan, battling it out with them for third spot

Birkirkara's victory confirms their participation in a Europe competition next season Chances are

FA Trophy semi-finals draw

With the end of the MFA’s Premier League fast approaching, football enthusiasts in Malta would focus their interest on the second most important competition, the FA Trophy, which not only rewards the victors with the winning club with a prestigious top honour and the trophy to their records but also gives them the chance of European participation.

The competition has reached the semifinal stage, with both matches set over two days next week The four teams still in the contest and vying for the FA Trophy will be playing for a place in the final on April 30th The draw made on Saturday pairs Birkirkara with Mosta with Marsaxlokk and against Gzira United Birkirkara are already assured of a place in Europe with their high position in the League ladder Matches are to be played on

Tennis: Win for Malta girls

After four days of competition in Lisbon, Portugal, the Malta women’s national tennis team competing in Group 2 of the Billie Jean King Cup in its debut year defeated South Africa in the deciding match to retain its place in the prestigious group

Elaine Genovese, the winner in her previous match against Israel, took to the court first against South Africa and beat MarieLouise Van Zyl 6-3, 6-1 Next up was Francesca Curmi, who though struggling with an injury, began well against Suzanne Pretorius to win the first set 6-2

However, having run up a commanding 40 lead in the second set, she had to call time to get the physio’s attention as she seemed to struggle at 4-3. On her return, she found her form again and eventually ran out winner by 6-2, 6-3

Tuesday, April 25th, and Wednesday, 26th

Four Premier League teams would be hoping for a Birkirkara victory as it would increase their chances for UEFA Europa C o n f e r e n c e League competition participation

that Gzira will retain the position and join Birkirkara as they face what is on paper, and as proven so far, a team in Zebbug Rangers facing relegation, sitting bottom but one in the standings

Mosta, fresh from an easy nap-hand win over Zebbug, face another relegation-threatened team in Sta Lucia, while Hibernians, who missed the chance to join Gzira in third place by dropping two points against Sirens, meet mid-table team Floriana At the same time, Balzan have what looks to be the most challenging encounter in Birkirkara

In the earlier round on Day 24, Hamrun avenged their league's only defeat against Zebbug by beating their opponents in the return tie 4-0 Balzan defeated Mosta to leapfrog into third place, if only for just one round, as it turned out

As we approach the final outing for the Premier League teams, it is worth mentioning that Hamrun Spartans were declared champions with four matches remaining, thus ensuring themselves their place in the Champions League to leave the next four battling it out for the two spots in the UEFA Europa Conference League

Other semifinalists, Gzira and Mosta can book their place by winning the competition However, if they fail and victory goes to Birkirkara, their only chance would be high enough placing in the League ladder, but they would have to contest the placing with Balzan and Hibernians.

The other decisions yet to be decided are the two teams to be relegated. The struggle is between three, Santa Lucia (15 points) and Zebbuġ Rangers (14) with 11 points, Pieta Hotspur ’s fate is already sealed. The clubs finishing in 13th and 14th place shall be relegated to the Challenge League, while the team in 12th place shall participate in a Premier League Play-Out to avoid the drop It will have to meet the team placing third in the Challenge League for a place in the following season's Premier League. Sliema Wanderers have made sure of a quick return to the Premier after running away with the Challenge League, to be joined by Naxxar Lions The team placing third, either Tarxien or Zejtun, will play in the Premier League Play-Out and would need to beat the team finishing third from bottom in the Premier to stand a chance for promotion

Under 16s lost in penalty shoot-out

In the UEFA U16 Development Tournament, Malta lost in a dramatic penalty shoot-out 1-3 after a 2-2 draw against Armenia Malta had the upper hand for the entirety of the match, but Armenia surprised them by scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes of the second half

The Maltese boys managed to break the deadlock with a goal by Emerson Piscopo before the interval But Armenia scored twice in 12 minutes (46th and 58th minute) to take the lead

Malta levelled from substitute Ubada Hijazi in the dying minutes of the game to

send the game into a penalty shoot-out Jake Borg and Ubada Hijazi missed in the shoot-out, and Malta lost 1-3 on penalties. The Malta selection will return to action on Tuesday when they host Iceland in their last game from this tournament

Nicolai Bonello set his second national record in pole vault two weeks after managing a 4 40 metres jump at the weekend’s Challenge Meeting at the Matthew Micallef St John Athletics track at Marsa He bettered his own previous national best of .5 metres.