Castille quietly hangs Joseph Muscat portrait

Sep 10 2021

Despite having had no ceremony upon installation, the official portrait of Joseph Muscat was hung quietly at Auberge de Castille several months ago. The painting is the work of artist Patrick Dalli, but the Office of the Prime Minister never released it. It was discovered after journalists visited the cabinet on Friday for a meeting between Prime Minister Robert Abela and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbiebah.

Following the reveal, the artist himself published images of the oil on canvas portrait of Malta’s former PM on his Facebook page. Dalli described him as ‘the Father of Modern Malta’ as the portrait hangs facing that of former Labour leader Dom Mintoff.

In a very recent interview with Times of Malta, Muscat stated that he does not rule out a return to politics, saying that he has much more to do in the Maltese political landscape.

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Photo Source: Patrick Dalli FB

Iklin shooter allegedly defrauded of thousands by his victim

Sep 10 2021

After news hit that a man had shot at another individual on Thursday, it was revealed that the assailant was defrauded of around €7,000 by the victim. Times of Malta newsroom was informed that Ryan Sultana, 24, had been on the hunt for the 55-year-old victim named Vincent, a well-known suspect for a long fraud case list. The fraudster, who goes by L-Orangjo, had defrauded Sultana of the money, which he gave him several months ago following a promise to get him a government apartment.

The police were aware of L-Orangjo’s tactics to defraud people being as such, according to sources close to the aforementioned newsroom. Sultana allegedly saw the victim driving by in Triq il-Wied, Iklin, prompting him to unveil his weapon and attack. Sultana crashed his Toyota Tercel into Vincent’s Peugeot. Following a verbal altercation, Sultana grabbed a shotgun from inside his car and aimed at L-Orangjo whilst chasing him down the road.

Only one of the three shots fired hit the victim, wounding him in the right shoulder. He was found several meters down the road from the crash with blood splatters seen on a wall close to the crash site. Rapid Intervention Unit officers allegedly arrived on the scene within seconds and arrested the aggressor. Despite offering an explanation to police, Sultana later refused to speak during an official interrogation.

Sultana is expected to be charged with attempted murder lat on Friday or Saturday. Magistrate Nadine Lia is holding an inquiry.

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Photo Source: Times of Malta, Malta Police Force Communications

Students for Choice vouch for abortion decriminalisation in Malta

Sep 10 2021

The Students for Choice (S4C) initiative have issued their view on abortion being legal in Malta, showing support to all those who wish to make such a choice. Writing an opinion piece to MaltaToday, the group pointed out how hundreds of women and girls have abortions in Malta every year. They do so by ordering pills online upon the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth expressed how it is crucial for students to have a voice in this discussion, especially following the many efforts of the Voice for Choice Coalition who made the conversation open for discussion.

The S4C highlights how their initiative is a long overdue representation of students within the Maltese pro-choice movement. With a focus on Sexual health and Reproductive Health, their aim is to offer an opportunity for students who take up the pro-choice position to step up and make a difference. They highlight the unfortunate reality of fewer students openly supporting abortion decriminalisation in fear of retribution.

Their plea calls for more than just ‘raising awareness’ about such issues, but for systemic changes in the educational system so youth are ‘better equipped and well informed not only about their own bodies, but also on how to engage in safe and healthy relationships.’ They offer up the statistic of around 52% of Maltese youth not using contraception and not being aware of the repercussions of unprotected sexual intercourse. ‘The social stigma surrounding sexual health and abortion does not justify abandoning such an important aspect of our education’ they say.

The issue also goes beyond this, with the organisation stating that medical students should know how abortion procedures are performed. Given the amount of abortions occurring, it makes no sense for these students to not know how to conduct them, according to S4C. ‘As Students for Choice, we acknowledge the thirst for students to voice their opinions regarding the decriminalisation of abortion in Malta.’ Criminalising abortions, they say, affords lesser rights to women than their male counterparts, rendering them as second-class citizens.

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Peppi Azzopardi asks Archbishop to have Pope visit Corradino prisoners

Sep 10 2021

Xarabank host Peppi Azzopardi has issued a statement directed at Archbishop Scicluna, asking him to have Pope Francis visit the Corradino prisoners. Azzopardi says that he knows the Pope’s visit isn’t meant for him to pose for photos and shake the hands of government officials and figures. He also acknowledges that there probably are already plans for him to visit the immigrant centres. However, says Azzopardi, the Pope should, given Malta’s current situation, visit the prisoners at Corradino.

Peppi quotes the Pope’s several sayings in regards to those incarcerated in prisons, expressing how the Church leader has often told prison officials all around the world to be compassionate towards their prisoner brothers and sisters. Azzopardi quotes other sayings such as; ‘It is easier to oppress than to educate in prison’ and ‘Many among us believe that in order to find security we need to lock up prisoners and cell and isolate them.’

Azzopardi remains convinced that the Pope will accept the invitation to visit the prison. He also urged everyone who thinks this should happen to share his post to raise more awareness about it coming to fruition. Citing the Pope in quoting Jesus again; ‘I was in prison and you visited me.’

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Photo Source: Peppi Azzopardi FB, Wikipedia