L-Istrina raises record €7 million

Locals dug deep into their pockets to donate just over €7.13 million to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation on Boxing Day, in a record-breaking edition of L-Istrina. The annual charity telethon beat last year’s €6.04 million total – itself a record – shortly after 11pm, and the donation counter continued to tick over as the clock neared midnight when the show ended.  President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca thanked the Maltese for the “record-breaking manifestation of generosity”.

What made the headlines

Mum abandoned child to give him a better future: A mother who abandoned her new-born child on a doorstep in Buġibba last September had done so in the child’s best interests, court experts concluded. After having told no one that she was pregnant, not even her partner, the 22-year-old did what she thought was best for the baby, the experts believe. As a result of this conclusion, Magistrate Joe Mifsud ruled that no criminal action ought to be taken against her. The newborn, who Magistrate Mifsud named Cristiano after international football star Cristiano Ronaldo, is living with the Ursuline Sisters’ crèche in Sliema, along with his one-year-old brother.

Young bike rider dies in collision with truck: Maritime engineering student Nolan Farrugia, 21, was killed when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a truck at about 10am on Qormi Road, Luqa. He died on site. The police said the truck was driven by a 56-year-old man from Għaxaq. Those who knew the victim rushed to Facebook to express their condolences, many describing him as a “happy and cheerful” young man. Vecchia Napoli trattoria and pizzeria at Skyparks, in Luqa, where the victim worked as a part-time waiter, closed its doors in mourning. Mr Farrugia is the sixth motorcyclist to die in a traffic accident this year.

Corinthia defends St George’s plans: Corinthia’s parent company, International Hotel Investments, said its proposal for St George’s Bay was not about a sale of land but solely the proposed extension of potential uses. In a company announcement on the Stock Exchange it said its overriding plan was to deliver “a luxury holistic six-star environment for its new Corinthia hotel”, matching the brand’s standards worldwide. Real estate development, it said, would be complementary and supportive of that main focus. The Sunday Times of Malta had reported that the group would be paying the government just €17 million to build up to 100,000 square metres of residential and office property in St George’s Bay, when according to real estate agents the land is worth €700 million.

Two Saudi billionaire families buy 62 Maltese passports: Sixty-two members of two of the richest families in Saudi Arabia became ‘Maltese and EU citizens’ last year after paying millions of euros to buy Malta passports, the Times of Malta revealed. According to the 2017 list of new Maltese citizens, published in The Malta Government Gazette, the Al-Muhaidibs and Al-Agils became fully-fletched Maltese citizens last year, even though most of them are minors and might have never set foot on Maltese soil. The Al-Muhaidibs and the Al-Agils are not only two of the wealthiest business clans in the Saudi kingdom, they are also mentioned by Forbes as among the wealthiest families on the planet.

Employers face difficulties to meet salary demands: Half of Maltese employers face difficulties in meeting workers’ salary demands as the economy continues to boom, according to Misco’s annual survey on human resources. Around 60 per cent, meanwhile, mentioned a lack of experience or qualifications as a recruitment challenge. Employers have routinely complained of not finding enough workers to meet their needs. The survey, conducted between August and September of this year, found that the vast majority of employers in Malta were employing foreigners, both EU and third country nationals.

Dead inmate ‘had chest pains’: The inmate who died in prison early Wednesday morning had complained of chest pains prior to losing consciousness, the Times of Malta reported. Sources said Steven Farrugia, 34, was already dead by the time an ambulance arrived at Corradino Correctional Facility. Mr Farrugia was found unconscious soon after he said he was feeling unwell and asked for pain medication. An internal investigation is under way by the prison administration, and a magisterial inquiry is being conducted. The police are also investigating.

Għarb to have new fireworks factory: The Planning Authority gave its go-ahead for the development of a new fireworks factory in Għarb, close to another one approved last year, just 300 metres from the iconic San Dimitri chapel. In 2010 residents had voted in a referendum against the development of fireworks factories in ODZ land in their locality. The fireworks factory application was first submitted in 2009, and rejected in 2012. It resurrected recently following the approval of a new policy regulating fireworks factories that allows new plants on dry agricultural land.

What trended

A Maltese passport – the equivalent of a cheesecake?

Money makes the world go round, it is often said. Nowadays though, money can also make you go around the world, courtesy of a brand spanking new EU passport.

Two billionaire Saudi families milking this new economic order began discovering the joys of Schengen area travel this year, forking out millions to buy an eye-watering 62 Maltese passports between themselves. The news did not go down too well with our readers.

“An artist usually produces a limited edition of his work,” wrote the culturally-minded M. “That’s what keeps up its value. It seems that being Maltese is no longer valuable. We can bake as many passports as we like.... just like selling hot cakes”.

Outraged Robin also cooked up a baking metaphor.

“What a disgrace,” he fulminated.” What happens when the US or China blacklist the Maltese passport because it’s been reduced to the equivalent of a cheesecake???”

An artist usually produces a limited edition of his work

Paul was doubtful that would ever happen.

“There are thousands of Saudi nationals living in the USA including several relatives of Bin Laden,” he replied. “The USA won’t blink an eyelid if you are a Saudi with cash. They’d only bother if you’re a poor Mexican”.

Joe posed a rhetorical question about a hypothetical future.

“If these new Maltese citizens (and those who came before them) were ever called to arms by the Maltese government, would they be willing to lay down their lives for their country, Malta?”

We all know the answer, Joe.

‘Boycott these cowboys’

Owners of a new ice cream parlour in Sliema seem to like the town’s seafront so much, they have extended its outdoor area to reach across most of the pavement.

The establishment’s owners insisted that they had all the necessary permits and were breaking no laws. Those assurances, however, did not placate readers.

“The pavement is ours, the citizens, not theirs,” wrote K. “We should all boycott these cowboys and all similar outlets who are encroaching the pavement to unreasonable extents”.

Alexandros echoed those boycott calls. “Stop relying on ‘control’ when there is none,” he suggested.

Astrid did not hold out much hope for people voting with their feet, though.

“Sadly they will thrive, patronised by tourists,” she sighed.

What they said

“When we open the papers, we see a lot of negativity, but it would be good to stop and thank God for all the good that happens in society.”

Archbishop Charles Scicluna speaking while he exchanged Christmas greetings with members of the public at the Curia.

“It looks bad, but it’s not.” 

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna speaking on the CBS news programme 60 Minutes about corruption allegations in Malta.

“For anyone suffering, Christmas can make their suffering twice as hard. We want to relieve some of the pain someone suffering from loneliness may feel seeing others celebrating Christmas with their families and friends.”  

Caritas director Anthony Gatt speaking about the meal offered by his organisation for the homeless and those who would otherwise not be able to afford to celebrate the festive season.

“China will not waver in its commitment to opening up. Openness brings progress while seclusion leads to backwardness, and China will only open its door wider to the world.”

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Jiang writing in the Times of Malta.

“This was a political death and politics should be a mechanism for improving people’s lives. However, there existed circumstances where politics brought about hatred, as happened in this case.”

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne speaking on the 41st anniversary of the killing of Karen Grech.