Malta repatriated 361 irregular migrants since 2021’s start

Nov 24 2021

Malta has repatriated 361 irregular migrants since the start of this year, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri revealed.

The Minister was responding to a parliamentary question by MP Joseph Ellis, with Camilleri saying that 36 of the 361 returned home voluntarily. 234 migrants were relocated but no details were given on the nationality of the migrants.

The entire repatriation operation cost the government €359,899.49, with 75% of this amount being co-financed by the European Union. Camilleri revealed that there were instances in which the EU provided assistance to Maltese authorities through its liaison officers present in the country of origin, particularly in those countries where Malta had no diplomatic representation.

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Photo Source: DOI – Omar Camilleri (Newsbook), Byron Camilleri FB

Here are the semi finalists for Mużika Mużika 2022

Nov 24 2021

In a matter of just one year, Mużika Mużika has cemented itself as one of Malta’s favourite song competitions, particularly for its celebration of the Maltese language in musical form. Next year’s edition looks to be another blockbuster celebration of Maltese music, welcoming a number of new musical acts to the fold along with some familiar local artists. On Sunday, the 2022 semifinalists were announced after passing from an elimination phase during the live auditions.

Seven jury members judged a whopping 170 submissions, with each judge evaluating the tracks in detail and boiling it down to just 35 entries. Those entries were then performed live together with a backing track at the Valletta Campus Theatre, where 20 semifinalists were chosen.

Mużika Mużika chairman Raymond Bugeja expressed how difficult it was for the judges to choose just 20 semifinalists, going on to highlight the diversity of each and every track. The semifinalist songs are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Aħjar Hekk Inkella Agħar – Artists: MARA, Composer: Philip Vella, Author: Emil Calleja Bayliss

Bla Tarf – Artist: Kurt Calleja, Composers: Kurt Calleja, Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Peter Borg, Author: Kurt Calleja

Dak Kien Żmien – Artists: Mykill ft. Lyndsay and Kalakku, Composer: Michael Cini, Authors: Matthew Attard

Fittixni – Artist: Victoria Sciberras, Composer: Gilbert ‘Bibi’ Camilleri, Author: Lon Kirkop

Għal Dejjem – Artist: Norbert Bondin, Composer: Peter Borg, Author: Norbert Bondin

Ġmielek – Artist: Claudia Faniello, Composer: Philip Vella, Author: Joe Julian Farrugia

Ħlomt Li – Artists: Bernie & Pod and Fiona Cauchi, Composers: Bernard Bonnici and Matteo Depares, Author: Ivan Farrugia

Idek F’Idi – Artist: Kelly Marie Cassar Hili, Composer: Kelly Marie Cassar Hili, Authors: Janice Debattista

Il-Mużika u Jien – Artist: Nicole Frendo, Composer: George Curmi, Author: Hilda Curmi

Jien l-Artist – Artist: Cherylis, Composer: Pamela Bezzina, Author: Pamela Bezzina

Kenn – Artist: Cheryl Camilleri, Composer: Joseph Axiak, Author: Joseph Axiak

Kewkba Feġġejja– Artist: Gaia Cauchi, Composer: Elton Zarb, Awtur: Stephen Baldacchino

Mewġ– Artists: Bloodline, Composers: Glen Vella and Elton Zarb, Awturi: Edwin Balzan, Julia Balzan and Samira Cauchi

Mil-Lenti Tiegħi – Artist: Joseph Refalo, Composer: Pamela Bezzina, Author: Pamela Bezzina

Minn Taħt l-Ilsien – Artists: Avenue Sky, Composer: Pamela Bezzina, Author: Pamela Bezzina

Ossiġnu – Artists: Danica Muscat and Kapitlu Tlettax, Composer: Cyprian Cassar, Joseph Mario Calleja Authors: Joseph Mario Calleja and Emil Calleja Bayliss

Purgatorju – Artists: Oxygyn, Composers: Zack Camilleri, Janelle Borg and Luke Camilleri, Author: Kurt Abela

Tgħidlix Għalfejn – Artist: Kyle George, Composer: Cyprian Cassar, Author: Clifton Casha

Tkun ‘L Hawn Għaddi – Artists: Kantera, Composer: Elton Zarb, Author: Joe Julian Farrugia

Wennisni – Artist: Franklin Calleja, Composer: Cyprian Cassar, Author: Emil Calleja Bayliss

…but wait there’s more. The winner of Mużika Mużika l-Vjaġġ ikompli will be announced and they will join the other participants during the festival which will be held between the 24th and 26th March 2022.

Who will you be supporting?

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Too Hot To Handle & Love Island stars spotted in Malta over past few days

Nov 24 2021

A number of stars from recent hit series have been spotted spending their time in sunny Malta, most recently Too Hot To Handle 2021 winner and Parisian model Marvin Anthony, together with co-contestant Tabitha Clifft.

Anthony has been posting a number of Instagram stories which give a first-hand look into his Maltese experience so far, including some time at the Hilton and Blue Elephant restaurant, visiting the Triton Fountain in Valletta and a cheeky mirror shot with Clifft. During his time on Too Hot To Handle, Anthony had developed a close bond with other contestant Melissa Melrose, who is nowhere to be seen in Anthony’s stories at the moment.

Marvin Anthony took home an enormous $55,000 after winning Too Hot To Handle, a reality TV show which brings together a group of sexually-active young people from around the world who, without warning, are encouraged to engage in meaningful, intimate connections rather than sexual activity. If they engage in any form of sexual activity, they begin to lose from the prize money.

Love Island star Jessica Rose Lever has also been spotted travelling around sunny Malta, posting a couple of snaps and videos of Maltese cultural landmarks on her social media pages, going on to state that she misses her child in the caption of another post.

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Which celebrity will we see next in Malta?

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WATCH: Youth gang with knives terrorise Qawra residents

Nov 24 2021

A gang of youth armed with knives and donning hoods have been caught on footage terrorising Qawra residents. CCTV footage caught the incident and prompted more calls for more active policing and patrols in the Qawra area, including Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay.

The Calleja family was allegedly alerted to an intrusion on Friday at around 19:30 by a loud banging noise they mistook for a car crash. Footage shows up to eight youth gathered outside the home in Cassarino Street jumping on the property wall and approaching the door.

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The rest of the 15 strong gang gathered in the vandalised playing field near the house. The police arrived after about an hour, following three attempts to call for assistance. The aggressors were chased away but returned armed with knives.

Miguel Calleja revealed that an hour later, a random man who turned out to be PN MP David Thake called the police. The authorities turned up after 20 minutes and picked up two of the youth. Some still returned, only to be confronted by a neighbour. A gang came back on Monday and threw an old fan at the front door of the house. Despite police intervening, they stated that no action could be taken against the minors despite them carrying knives. Citizens were prompted to ask how to handle the situation due to there being a lack of police presence.

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