News : Government & Politics
MLP reacts to State Opening of Parliament
May 10, 2008 - 7:30:04 PM CET
The Malta Labour Party (MLP) said in a statement on Saturday afternoon that the government programme announced by Maltese President Dr Edward Fenech Adami at the State Opening of Parliament had a reconciliatory tone at times. However this had to be put in the context of what actually happened in the past few weeks.

In this distancing between nice words and facts, the MLP in Opposition will judge the Government by its actions and not relying on its words, the statement said.

News : Law & Order
Police detain 13 persons in all on drugs
May 10, 2008 - 6:01:34 PM CET
A Somali man was arrested on Saturday at the Malta International Airport after around 10kg Khat drug was found in his luggage. The man was flying to Malta from London, the police said.

Also, 7 men and 3 women were arrested by the Police during the early hours of Saturday while another two men, aged 19 and 30, were arrested on Friday at Pieta also found in drug possession.

News : Government & Politics
Shipyard's contracts being verified
May 10, 2008 - 5:04:05 PM CET
The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications said in a press release on Saturday that the Malta Shipyard's Fairmount contracts are being verified.

The statement comes in reply to the General Worker’s Union claims that the yards were about to lose €46.59 million over two years in a major ship conversion contract.

News : Government & Politics
Parliament reconvenes on Saturday
May 10, 2008 - 12:54:38 PM CET
The 11th parliament reconvened on Saturday. The Cabinet consists of 69 parliamentary seats in all, 35 on the side of the Nationalist Party and 34 in Opposition. The new legislature has a majority of just one seat.

Dr Louis Galea was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives while Labour MP Carmelo Abela was sworn in as Deputy Speaker for another term. President Edward Fenech Adami presented the government’s plan for the five years ahead.

News : Government & Politics
Delegates against change in MLP leadership voting
May 10, 2008 - 10:47:29 AM CET
Malta Labour Party (MLP) delegates have voted against a motion for the new MLP leader to be elected by all paid up party members and not just delegates. The decision was taken during an extraordinary general conference on Friday evening.

The motion, to amend the party statute, was moved by new Labour MP Marlene Pullicino. It was defeated with 165 votes in favour and 620 against, the latter being equivalent to 79 per cent of delegates' votes.There were seven invalid votes and one abstention.