Prime Minister Meets Ramires Sciberras

Nov 26 2024

awarded Malta’s Junior Eurovision Song winner Ramires Sciberras after his immensely impressive performance in Madrid.

Twelve year old Ramires ended up in fifth place during the contest, with Georgia winning the top spot.

Portugal, Ukraine and France took second, third and fourth place respectively.

The contest was a milestone for Malta, as it marked the first time the country competed with a song entirely in the Maltese language. Written by Ion Kirkop, Stilla Ċkejkna tells the story of Ramires’ adoption from Cambodia as a baby by his Maltese parents.

Ramires, inspired by Destiny Chukunyere’s 2015 Junior Eurovision win for Malta, said performing at the event was a dream come true. His performance proved popular with audiences, earning him 79 points from online voting, placing him third in this category.

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New And Improved Independence Garden Inaugurated

Nov 26 2024

Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli has inaugurated the new and improved Independece Garden in Birżebbuġa.

All the imperative work done to the vital green space was all through Project Green.

Independence Garden is an important recreational space for the village, and the project was carried out in close collaboration with the local council to ensure it meets community needs.

Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli, along with the leadership of Project Green and the Birżebbuġa Local Council, visited the newly renovated garden.

“This project is part of a broader initiative to create open spaces across all communities, enhancing the quality of life. Birżebbuġa deserves a space like this — a functional, community-focused garden with visual appeal,” said Minister Dalli.

Spanning 1,700 square meters, the garden had suffered from years of neglect. The regeneration included new walls, 20 newly planted trees, leveled terrain, new equipment, shaded areas, and ramps for better accessibility. Sustainable materials and an efficient irrigation system were also incorporated.

Beverley Costa, Project Green’s Chief Operations Officer, emphasized the goal of blending functionality with sustainability, while Birżebbuġa Mayor Scott Camilleri highlighted the project’s role in enhancing the community’s well-being.

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Foundation For Social Welfare Services Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary

Nov 26 2024

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) celebrated 30 years of specialised services for domestic violence victims, emphasising the importance of protecting individuals, especially children, from harmful environments.

The event, held under the patronage of President Myriam Spiteri Debono, focused on the theme “Stand Up for Victims of Domestic Violence.”

FSWS employs a dedicated team of social workers who provide long-term support to clients, often with nowhere else to turn. A key investment in this field is the Santa Lucia Hub, which began operations in February.

This facility enhanced the presence of “risk assessment teams” that collaborate directly with police in serious cases of domestic violence.

President Spiteri Debono stressed that these services are vital for protecting and empowering victims, encouraging women experiencing domestic violence to use available support services, including counseling and legal assistance.

Lydia Abela, wife of the Prime Minister, discussed ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence and highlighted the importance of education in addressing this issue from a young age.

Minister Michael Falzon spoke about the government’s investment in shelters and safe spaces for victims, while emphasizing the need for innovative solutions like “tech safety tools.”

Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg underscored the importance of collective efforts to combat domestic violence, with FSWS leading the way in providing protection for victims.

Also present at the event was the Leader of Opposition’s wife, Anne Marie Grech, who had the opportunity to say a few years and congratulating 30 years of standing up for victims of domestic violence.

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Clayton Bartolo Resigns As Tourism Minister

Nov 26 2024

According to multiple reports, Clayton Bartolo resigned from Tourism Minister following a meeting with Prime Minister Robert Abela.

TVM News and Times of Malta in particular, reported that this news is official.

A recent Standards Commissioner report found an abuse of power relating to a high-paying consultancy role for his wife. This report was later adopted by Parliament. Bartolo has since faced multiple calls for resignations, as well as a PN protest outside of Parliament last week.

The 37-year-old 12th & 8th District MP discussed his decision with Prime Minister Robert Abela before formally stepping down. He will continue serving as a Labour backbencher.

Bartolo, a former Mellieħa councillor and deputy mayor, entered parliament in 2017. He was appointed junior minister for financial services in 2020 and later promoted to Tourism Minister in November of the same year.

During his tenure, Bartolo oversaw a record rebound in tourist numbers following the pandemic. Bartolo’s political future now lies in his role as a backbench MP.

Opposition Leader Reacts

Reacting to the news, Opposition leader Bernard Grech said that ‘after weeks of defending fraud and dragging their feet, today we witnessed another U-turn as Clayton Bartolo gave in to pressure and resigned as Minister.’

‘A late and half-hearted action taken only because the public united against the fraud of Robert Abela and his government.’

‘However, Clayton Bartolo’s resignation is not enough. Beyond returning the full €70,000, Robert Abela has an obligation to immediately remove Clint Camilleri, who is guilty of fraud and a cover-up.’

‘Today’s events happened only because the people united against the government’s wrongdoing. Therefore, I urge everyone to continue coming together as one people to ensure the establishment of a new government that will put an end to such frequent fraud.’

ADPD Reacts

A statement was also issued by ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci, who welcomed the resignation of Minister Clayton Bartolo, who, “following scandals and doubts about how he managed his ministry, has taken this step—one we at ADPD were among the first to call for.”

“Ministers should be exemplary in how they conduct themselves, and if they fail, they should step down or be removed. Public funds must always be managed transparently because, ultimately, these are the people’s taxes. Every cent spent should be accounted for, detailing where and how it was used. That is true accountability.”

“Leadership that allows favouritism, even when undeserved, harms citizens and the nation. There must be accountability for actions and capable individuals entrusted with roles they are qualified for,” Gauci added.

“Now, we await the resignation of another minister, Clint Camilleri, who enabled Clayton Bartolo’s abuse. We also expect Amanda Muscat to return the money she took for work she never performed,” Gauci concluded.

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