316 – The Voice of the Maltese

Feb

26

2024

The end of the line?

Editorials316

It is with regret to announce the resignation of Ivan Cauchi as the Co-Editor of the Voice of the Maltese with immediate effect. Mr Cauchi has not always seen eye-to-eye with Mr Dimech on the new direction of The Voice of the Maltese, resulting in disagreements. Because of this situation, The Voice of the Maltese will cease publication immediately both online and as a Print Edition until a way forward is found. Thank you for your support of The Voice of the Maltese and trust we can meet again sometime in the future. Ivan Cauchi, Co-Editor Lawrence Dimech, Co-Editor and Director/Owner…

Feb

24

2024

By Brian Decelis

Maltese reaction to Navalny’s death

Roundup of Maltese news316

It is not usual that we report here news of an international nature but the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny sent shockwaves around the world. Photo: The Critical Angle project via Facebook In Malta, a commemoration to pay tribute to Navalny was held outside the Russian Embassy in Kappara where flowers, candles and photos were laid. But in scenes reminiscent of what used to happen to the impromptu memorial to Daphne Caruana Galizia in Valletta, these were cleared shortly soon after the protest led by civil society group Repubblika had ended. In a Facebook post, Repubblika president Robert…

Feb

24

2024

By TVOTM Community Desk

Vale John Attard

In Memoriam316

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of John Attard 1936-2024 of Greystanes NSW. John was born in Ħal Balzan and emigrated to Australia in 1956. He married Doris Turner at Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Wentworthville in December 1966 and had three children. John’s family has a long association with the Maltese community, especially the Phoenician Club and the Melita Eagles FC. John and his father Ġużeppi served as directors of Melita Eagles for many years. He was a gentle man and well-respected by all. Rest in Peace John. John Attard - 1936-2024. Photo: supplied

Feb

24

2024

By TVOTM Community Desk

The generosity of the Maltese towards the Catholic Church

NSW Happenings316

The Maltese community established a very good connection and were the main financial contributors to the Catholic parishes of Wentworthville and Pendle Hill, as the early Maltese made these suburbs their home. Wentworthville and Pendle Hill (later known as Greystanes) are adjoining suburbs in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia located about 27 kilometres from Sydney CBD and are part of the Greater Western Sydney Region. The Voice of the Maltese through our good friend John Cassar, a past pupil of Don Bosco from Wentworthville, came into possession of an original letter written on the 14th April 1996 by the…

Feb

24

2024

By Brian Decelis

Migrants dead after boat capsizes at sea

Roundup of Maltese news316

At least five people died and many were injured when a boat carrying over 30 migrants crossing to Europe capsized at sea during a rescue operation on Friday 23 February 2024. It was reported that the vessel capsized during the operation run jointly by the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta. Photo of the operation conducted on Friday. Photo: AFM The incident happened just a few days after 25 local organisations meeting for the annual Baħar Ċimiterju remembered the thousands of people who die crossing the Mediterranean Sea every year. They called on the Maltese authorities to…

Feb

24

2024

By Brian Decelis

NGO calls to address parental alienation

Roundup of Maltese news316

As part of a week focusing on social justice, a conference organized in parliament considered a number of issues such as homelessness and the widening social gap, among others. A key topic was that of judicial injustice, which was also the subject of a protest organized by NGO Happy Parenting Malta to raise awareness and call for urgent amendments in the law and improvements to the family court procedures to address parental alienation. Photo: Maryrose Attard via Facebook The NGO has proposed that there should be a special agency/board made up of experts in the subject and deal with the…

Feb

23

2024

By Marie Louise Muscat

Q&A February 2024

Money Talks316

Q. We are in our late 70s and own our own home. We have three adult children. Two of our children are financially comfortable and own their own home. My youngest son however is single and lives with us. He would like to own his own home but property prices keep going up and he keeps missing out. He has found a place at quite a reasonable price but unfortunately, he does not have a big enough deposit. Would we be silly to offer to gift him the amount that he lacks because of our other two children, who by…

Feb

23

2024

By Charles Spiteri

Telfiet u tiġrib marbuta ma’ esperjenzi ta’ drogi

Mill-Gżira Għawdxija316

Id-Dipartiment tal-psikoloġija fl-isptar Ġenerali ta’ Għawdex qed jorganizza sensiela ta’ taħdidiet informattivi fuq is-saħħa mentali u telfiet f’ħajjitna. Filwaqt li telfiet f’ħajjitna jistgħu ikunu diversi u jikkaġunaw uġiegħ, il-proċess ta’ kif wieħed jikkowpja hu differenti, jiġifieri mhux kulħadd jikkowpja bl-istess mod. Dr Pamela Portelli, psikologa li taħdem fi ħdan id-Dipartiment, tkellmet fuq telfiet assoċjati ma’ l-użu tad-droga u sustanzi. Hija spjeġat xi tfisser dipendenza u tkellmet fuq il-prevalenza ta’ l-użu ta’ droga fil-kuntest lokali. Semmiet numru ta’ fatturi li jistgħu jipproteġu lil individwu milli jiżviluppa dawn it-tipi ta’ problemi. Dawn jinkludu is-sapport, l-involviment f’attivitajiet ekstra-kurrikulari u li wieħed jgħix f’ambjent…

Feb

22

2024

By Brian Decelis

Strategy to tackle the increasing incidence of dementia in Malta

Roundup of Maltese news316

Different studies have indicated that the number of people with dementia in Malta was expected to double to more than 3% of the population by 2050. The increase is due to a significant increase in the number of people who are over 75 years old and in particular those over 85 years old, which is expected to triple by 2050. This has led to the launch of the National Strategy for Dementia 2024-2031 with the theme 'Reaching New Heights’. This strategy aims to continue to improve the quality of services and the quality of life of people living with this…

Feb

22

2024

By Joseph Cutajar

Gozo recommended for 2026 European Region of Gastronomy award

Roundup of Maltese news316

The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism (IGCAT) has nominated the Maltese neighbourly island of Gozo for the prestigious Award of European Region of Gastronomy for 2026, marking a significant milestone in Gozo's culinary journey. It also reaffirms Gozo's status as a vibrant island destination at the heart of the Mediterranean. Gozo's successful bid for the European Region of Gastronomy Award is a testament to the island's rich, eclectic gastronomic heritage, innovative culinary scene, and unwavering commitment to sustainability. It follows a diligent effort and collaboration between several important stakeholders spearheaded by the Gozo Regional Council. After reviewing…