10 years ago - The Times
Monday, January 12, 2009
Abela welcomed as next President
Former Labour deputy Leader George Abela has been welcomed as Malta’s next President by most commentators who pondered the significance of his historic nomination.
The 60-year-old lawyer, who only last June lost the race for Labour leader to Joseph Muscat, will not only become the first President to enjoy the backing of both sides of the House since Anthony Mamo in 1974, but is also the country’s first nominee to come from the opposing political camp.
“He’s an ideal choice since he can rise above party politics very easily in this country where it has been difficult to go beyond it,” author Oliver Friggieri said. One of his greatest friends Lino Spiteri, who was also said to be on the list of candidates, shared similar thoughts. “It’s a good decision that shows a measure of agreement between the two sides in circumstances where there is a deep division, especially because of the closeness of the election results.”
He ruled out having mixed feelings as a result of a personal ambition to take up the post himself. “I don’t have mixed feelings as in my mind I was never in the running and never wanted to be.” Alternattiva Demokratika also welcomed the news on the same lines with a statement (the only issued by an official body), congratulating both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader.
25 years ago - The Times
Sunday, January 12, 1994
Maltese businesses express ‘higher optimism’
The recession sweeping across Europe does not seem to have hit Malta to the same extent as other places on the continent. In fact, 85 per cent of Maltese companies expect their profits to rise or stay the same in 1994, according to a business trends survey. And while most of their European counterparts are expecting a slump in employment and investment, small- and medium-sized businesses are highly optimistic.
Trial re murder of Bertu Vella
Murder victim Bertu Vella was a solitary man of few words who missed meals to make sure his mule did not go hungry, a witness told the court yesterday. According to Police Inspector Tarcisio Pulis, Vella, 45, was a shy and retiring man. Pulis had been stationed in Żebbuġ for 18 months and got to know Vella after the victim was pointed out to him as a possible suspect in two burglaries. Police searched his house after each theft but did not find anything suspicious.
Reno Mercieca (l-Għawdxi), 20, and Gaetano Scerri (Il-Uomo), 25, are accused of Vella’s wilful homicide and of hiding his body. Vella’s head and arms were sawn off and thrown into the sea after he followed the two alleged murderers and demanded sex, the court has heard.
Half a century ago - Sunday Times of Malta
Sunday, January 12, 1969
Car Assembly employees discharged
The managements of the Car Assembly Limited, Industrial Motor Co, and Mizzi Bros Garage told employees who left their workplace two hours before time yesterday that their services will no longer be required as from tomorrow.
The employees were following directives by the Union, which claimed that a promised change in working hours had not been implemented by the managements.
A spokesman for Car Assembly Limited, Industrial Motor Co. Ltd and Mizzi Bros Garage said that they had not been informed of the Union’s directive which, he said, was an imposition on the managements.
Cardinal Rossi leaves Malta after two-day stay
Cardinal Rossi, Archbishop of Sao Paolo, left yesterday, after two days in Malta to recruit Maltese priests for work in Brazil.
The Cardinal said, before leaving, that the enthusiasm of engaged and married couples at the annual conference of the Cana Movement, at the Catholic Institute on Friday, showed that family life in Malta was based on Christian principles.