Good evening
Malta’s Independence Day celebrations and messages dominate today’s news headlines. In other news we read about a fresh controversy which involves former GWU secretary and consultant to Government Tony Zarb. We also read about a traffic accident which saw a 21 year old who was grievously injured and the effect of this morning’s rainfall on the recently replenished Balluta beach.
Today, 21 September, marks 58 years since Malta became an independent country. The path to Maltese statehood, however, is one which warrants further study; it was a path that was long in the making, and the end result in 1964 was actually not what much of Malta’s political class initially intended. The Malta Independent – CD
The need for the prophetic voice of solidarity particularly today when many “seem to ascribe more value to the individual and national interest over the common interest of the family of nations” was the theme of the homily of Archbishop Scicluna this morning. The Archbishop was celebrating Mass at St. John’s Co-cathedral on the occasion of Independence Day which was attended by the President Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition leader Adrian Delia as well as various ministers and parliamentary representatives from government and the opposition. Newsbook
Also speaking about db Group’s recent approval for the development of the ITS buildings area, Mons Scicluna said ‘Solidarity must not overlook the future… among these decisions are those that have an impact on the environmental heritage of our country, on the cultural, historical, architectural, and archaeological legacy of this gracious land to which we owe our name’.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Independence Day monument in Floriana. One News
During the closing ceremony of the PN’s celebrations to commemorate the Independence day anniversary. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia has called for Independence Day to be made Malta’s only national day. The Malta Independent
We must ‘protect our territory and our Maltese identity,’ Dr. Delia said, maintaining his nationalistic rhetoric where we prioritize our interests as a nation rather than putting the interests of migrants ahead of ours.
As a European frontier, we need to safeguard Maltese people’s interests first,” he added. He questioned the government for insisting that the country needed foreign workers for the economy to grow.
Delia also spoke about fighting for the common good, as he dismissed criticism that he was all talk and no action – “we went to court to get our hospitals back- because they belong to you by right”. The Times
A 21-year-old man from Qrendi was grievously injured as a result of a traffic accident in Triq it-Tempesta in Qrendi in the early hours of this morning. TVM
NetNews report that a 21-year-old Qrendi resident was injured after crashing at 4.30AM this morning.
Net News confirmed that he was promptly taken to Mater Dei Hospital as he suffered serious injuries.
Police investigations are still underway.
Former PN secretary general Paul Borg Olivier has formally asked the President to strip Tony Zarb of his Ġieħ ir-Repubblika honour after he publicly expressed delight at Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death. Zarb, a consultant to the Tourism Ministry and former secretary-general of the General Workers’ Union, caused controversy yesterday when he said that it is a good thing for Malta that Caruana Galizia is no longer alive. In a video blog directed to activists seeking justice for the assassinated journalist, Zarb said: “You can carry on with your stupid antics (bużulotti), you can carry on placing flowers for her and you can carry on adoring her, but the most important thing for our Malta is that she never returns. Let’s keep creating wealth for Malta, let’s keep on defending Malta and let’s keep on saying ‘Viva Malta’ because our Malta is truly going through the best of times”. – Lovin Malta
The President replied that it is the Parliament which would revoke such an honour.
Only half of 27,765 woman who was invited to do a breast cancer test actually went to be tested. From those tested, 69 found out to have the disease. iNews
The heavy rain that lashed the Maltese Islands on Friday morning ravaged Balluta Bay, where most of the recently replenished sand was carried out to sea. The Independent
