2006: News
Top Headlines:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
Top Stories:
Arsonists target illegal immigrants’ supporters
Illegal immigrants’ benefactors and supporters were in for a tough year, after finding themselves to be at the centre of a spate of arson attacks on their residences and cars. Among the several residences targeted were those of journalists Daphne Caruana Galizia and Saviour Balzan. Numerous cars were also set alight throughout the year. Fortunately, no casualties were ever reported, despite the rather hefty number of attacks. In turn, illegal immigrants continued to land in boatloads on Maltese shores, especially throughout the months of summer. Between January and August this year 1,268 illegal immigrants reached Malta. The island hit international headlines when 51 illegal immigrants aboard a vessel called Francisco Y Catalina ended up stranded in Maltese waters due to a standoff between Malta, Spain and Libya regarding who should take responsibility for the migrants. Eventually, the Spanish government agreed to take in most of them.
Residence facade set alight
By Giselle Borg Olivier - May 3, 2006, 12:40 CET
IGM condemns arson attack on journalist’s residence
By MaltaMedia News - May 13, 2006, 10:27 CET
Illegal immigrants disembark in Marsaxlokk
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 16, 2006, 10:04 CET
Illegal immigrants in Malta for treatment
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 19, 2006, 10:23 CET
Spain to take in illegal immigrants
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 20, 2006, 09:57 CET
See also MaltaMedia's special feature on this issue for full coverage.
Archbishop Mercieca makes way for Mons. Pawl Cremona
The appointment of Archbishop Joseph Mercieca’s successor was anticipated for almost three years, after Malta’s Catholic leader submitted his resignation briefly after turning 75 in 2003. Fr. Pawl Cremona OP was nominated as the new Maltese Archbishop on the 2nd December, 2006 and is expected to take over the Archdiocese’s duties on the 26th January, 2007. Speculation over who would take up the post of Archbishop of Malta was high. Among those who were believed to become leader of the Catholic Church in Malta, was Mgr. Lawrence Gatt.
Archbishop Mercieca says his days are numbered
By MaltaMedia News - Nov 22, 2006, 10:01 CET
Mons Paul Cremona is Malta's new Archbishop
By MaltaMedia News - Dec 2, 2006, 12:22 CET
New Archbishop to be ordained in January 2007
By MaltaMedia News- Dec 6, 2006, 14:42 CET
Pilot loses life in Aero GP accident
Marsamxett Harbour, packed with thousands of Aero GP fans, stood still on the 10th September when two aircraft collided leaving Swedish pilot Gabor Varga dead. The other pilot who survived the accident, Irish Eddie Goggins, was arraigned in court, however it was ruled that there was not enough evidence to charge him with the involuntary murder of his fellow pilot. An autopsy revealed that Gabor Varga died drowned. The tail of his Yak-55 aircraft was retrieved later during the month for further investigations.
Experts say aero show crash ‘could have been avoided’
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 17, 2006
Pilot will not be charged with involuntary murder
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 13, 2006
Pilot involved in Aero GP crash died drowned
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 11, 2006
Malta obtains worst ever Eurovision result
After Chiara placed second in 2005’s Eurovision Song Contest, Maltese fans were disappointed to discover that her successor’s performance was not as well received. Garnering just one point for Fabrizio Faniello’s catchy pop-song “I Do”, Malta’s 2006 song obtained the worst result in the history of its participation in the Eurovision and finished last. The contest was won by Finland’s Lordi, who stole the show with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
Fabrizio Faniello to represent Malta in Eurovision Song Contest 2006
By Ruth Davies - Feb 5, 2006, 00:51 CET
Controversy the day after Malta Song for Europe final
By Alexia Conti - Feb 5, 2006, 19:40 CET
Worst ever result for Malta in Eurovision
By MaltaMedia News - May 21, 2006, 00:01 CET
See also EurovisionMalta.com's special feature on this issue for full coverage.
Gozo-based priest named in sex scandal by former U.S. Congressman
It was a bombshell, a thunderbolt in clear skies. One fine day former U.S. congressman Mark Foley claimed a Gozitan priest, Anthony Mercieca, had molested him as a teenager while the priest served in a Florida parish in the 1960s. The news was immediately carried by the news agencies around the world and an army of journalist camped in front of Fr Mercieca’s home in Gozo for several days. The story is not yet over as American investigators are still looking into Foley’s claims and past sexual behaviour.
Criminal investigation into Foley e-mails opened
by MaltaMedia News – Nov 17, 2006
Pope comments on church sexual abuse scandals
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 28, 2006
Gozitan Priest denies second molestation claim
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 27, 2006
International media say Maltese back accused priest
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 22, 2006
Gozo Diocese probing alleged sexual abuse
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 20, 2006
Priest admits to relationship with Congressman
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 19, 2006
Several seasoned politicians pass away
The year 2006 witnessed the demise of several seasoned politicians who served the country in the second half of the 20th century. Malta lost three of its former Speakers of the House of Representatives, namely Kalcidon Agius (MLP), Joseph Baldacchino (MLP) and Jimmy Farrugia (PN). The latter also served as acting president.
The PN also mourned two former Members of Parliament, Hermann Farrugia and Manuel Bonnici, the latter also serving as a minister in the late 1980s.
Paul Carachi, a veteran politician and pioneering journalist also died in 2006.
Guze' Chetcuti, Charles Arrigo and Lewis Portelli (pictured clockwise with Kalcidon Agius, top left) are also on the list of household names who passed away.
See the obituaries section of this feature for details.
MLP wins Local Council Elections
The Local Council Elections held in March confirmed the Malta Labour Party’s rise at the expense of the Nationalist Party in Government, still suffering from a mid-term crisis. It was the third win in a row for the MLP in the Local Elections, fuelling speculation that the PN government is not in a position to win the next general elections due sometime in 2007 or early 2008.
Local councillors sworn in during ceremony
by Sylvana Zammit – Mar 27, 2006
MLP councillors call for elections within the Association
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 14, 2006
Lawrence Gonzi won't call early general election, defends Tony Abela
by Ruth Davies – Mar 12, 2006
"Vote confirms call for change in leadership" - Sant
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
MLP wins Local Council Elections
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
MLP wins 52-53% of votes and 3 localities from PN
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
Local Council Elections final turnout is 66%
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 11, 2006
Nearly 9,000 voting documents not collected
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 10, 2006
Tourism industry sees one of its worst years
In 2006 the Maltese tourism industry suffered one of its worst years in terms of numbers and the outlook was gloomy right to the fourth quarter when the ‘low-cost airlines’ miracle, ignited by Ryanair, and a sharp rise in the number of cruise liner passengers coming over seemed to start having a healthy effect on the industry. Perhaps the bottom was touched when Spanish company Helisureste one day packed-up and left the country without as Malta-Gozo helicopter link, a result of the low use of the service.
Malta ranks as one of safest locations in world
by MaltaMedia News Dec 15, 2006
Record number of cruise liner tourists in Malta
by MaltaMedia News Dec 7, 2006
20,000 low-cost airline passengers expected soon
by MaltaMedia News – Nov 9, 2006
Proposals call for low-cost airlines
by MaltaMedia News – Jul 20, 2006
See also
2006: Financial News
2006: Obituaries
Top Headlines:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
Top Stories:
Arsonists target illegal immigrants’ supporters
Illegal immigrants’ benefactors and supporters were in for a tough year, after finding themselves to be at the centre of a spate of arson attacks on their residences and cars. Among the several residences targeted were those of journalists Daphne Caruana Galizia and Saviour Balzan. Numerous cars were also set alight throughout the year. Fortunately, no casualties were ever reported, despite the rather hefty number of attacks. In turn, illegal immigrants continued to land in boatloads on Maltese shores, especially throughout the months of summer. Between January and August this year 1,268 illegal immigrants reached Malta. The island hit international headlines when 51 illegal immigrants aboard a vessel called Francisco Y Catalina ended up stranded in Maltese waters due to a standoff between Malta, Spain and Libya regarding who should take responsibility for the migrants. Eventually, the Spanish government agreed to take in most of them.
Residence facade set alight
By Giselle Borg Olivier - May 3, 2006, 12:40 CET
IGM condemns arson attack on journalist’s residence
By MaltaMedia News - May 13, 2006, 10:27 CET
Illegal immigrants disembark in Marsaxlokk
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 16, 2006, 10:04 CET
Illegal immigrants in Malta for treatment
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 19, 2006, 10:23 CET
Spain to take in illegal immigrants
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 20, 2006, 09:57 CET
Archbishop Mercieca makes way for Mons. Pawl Cremona
The appointment of Archbishop Joseph Mercieca’s successor was anticipated for almost three years, after Malta’s Catholic leader submitted his resignation briefly after turning 75 in 2003. Fr. Pawl Cremona OP was nominated as the new Maltese Archbishop on the 2nd December, 2006 and is expected to take over the Archdiocese’s duties on the 26th January, 2007. Speculation over who would take up the post of Archbishop of Malta was high. Among those who were believed to become leader of the Catholic Church in Malta, was Mgr. Lawrence Gatt.
Archbishop Mercieca says his days are numbered
By MaltaMedia News - Nov 22, 2006, 10:01 CET
Mons Paul Cremona is Malta's new Archbishop
By MaltaMedia News - Dec 2, 2006, 12:22 CET
New Archbishop to be ordained in January 2007
By MaltaMedia News- Dec 6, 2006, 14:42 CET
Pilot loses life in Aero GP accident
Marsamxett Harbour, packed with thousands of Aero GP fans, stood still on the 10th September when two aircraft collided leaving Swedish pilot Gabor Varga dead. The other pilot who survived the accident, Irish Eddie Goggins, was arraigned in court, however it was ruled that there was not enough evidence to charge him with the involuntary murder of his fellow pilot. An autopsy revealed that Gabor Varga died drowned. The tail of his Yak-55 aircraft was retrieved later during the month for further investigations.
Experts say aero show crash ‘could have been avoided’
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 17, 2006
Pilot will not be charged with involuntary murder
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 13, 2006
Pilot involved in Aero GP crash died drowned
by MaltaMedia News - Sep 11, 2006
Malta obtains worst ever Eurovision result
After Chiara placed second in 2005’s Eurovision Song Contest, Maltese fans were disappointed to discover that her successor’s performance was not as well received. Garnering just one point for Fabrizio Faniello’s catchy pop-song “I Do”, Malta’s 2006 song obtained the worst result in the history of its participation in the Eurovision and finished last. The contest was won by Finland’s Lordi, who stole the show with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
Fabrizio Faniello to represent Malta in Eurovision Song Contest 2006
By Ruth Davies - Feb 5, 2006, 00:51 CET
Controversy the day after Malta Song for Europe final
By Alexia Conti - Feb 5, 2006, 19:40 CET
Worst ever result for Malta in Eurovision
By MaltaMedia News - May 21, 2006, 00:01 CET
Gozo-based priest named in sex scandal by former U.S. Congressman
It was a bombshell, a thunderbolt in clear skies. One fine day former U.S. congressman Mark Foley claimed a Gozitan priest, Anthony Mercieca, had molested him as a teenager while the priest served in a Florida parish in the 1960s. The news was immediately carried by the news agencies around the world and an army of journalist camped in front of Fr Mercieca’s home in Gozo for several days. The story is not yet over as American investigators are still looking into Foley’s claims and past sexual behaviour.
Criminal investigation into Foley e-mails opened
by MaltaMedia News – Nov 17, 2006
Pope comments on church sexual abuse scandals
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 28, 2006
Gozitan Priest denies second molestation claim
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 27, 2006
International media say Maltese back accused priest
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 22, 2006
Gozo Diocese probing alleged sexual abuse
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 20, 2006
Priest admits to relationship with Congressman
by MaltaMedia News – Oct 19, 2006
Several seasoned politicians pass away
The year 2006 witnessed the demise of several seasoned politicians who served the country in the second half of the 20th century. Malta lost three of its former Speakers of the House of Representatives, namely Kalcidon Agius (MLP), Joseph Baldacchino (MLP) and Jimmy Farrugia (PN). The latter also served as acting president.The PN also mourned two former Members of Parliament, Hermann Farrugia and Manuel Bonnici, the latter also serving as a minister in the late 1980s.
Paul Carachi, a veteran politician and pioneering journalist also died in 2006.
Guze' Chetcuti, Charles Arrigo and Lewis Portelli (pictured clockwise with Kalcidon Agius, top left) are also on the list of household names who passed away.
MLP wins Local Council Elections
The Local Council Elections held in March confirmed the Malta Labour Party’s rise at the expense of the Nationalist Party in Government, still suffering from a mid-term crisis. It was the third win in a row for the MLP in the Local Elections, fuelling speculation that the PN government is not in a position to win the next general elections due sometime in 2007 or early 2008.
Local councillors sworn in during ceremony
by Sylvana Zammit – Mar 27, 2006
MLP councillors call for elections within the Association
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 14, 2006
Lawrence Gonzi won't call early general election, defends Tony Abela
by Ruth Davies – Mar 12, 2006
"Vote confirms call for change in leadership" - Sant
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
MLP wins Local Council Elections
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
MLP wins 52-53% of votes and 3 localities from PN
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 12, 2006
Local Council Elections final turnout is 66%
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 11, 2006
Nearly 9,000 voting documents not collected
by MaltaMedia News – Mar 10, 2006
Tourism industry sees one of its worst years
In 2006 the Maltese tourism industry suffered one of its worst years in terms of numbers and the outlook was gloomy right to the fourth quarter when the ‘low-cost airlines’ miracle, ignited by Ryanair, and a sharp rise in the number of cruise liner passengers coming over seemed to start having a healthy effect on the industry. Perhaps the bottom was touched when Spanish company Helisureste one day packed-up and left the country without as Malta-Gozo helicopter link, a result of the low use of the service.
Malta ranks as one of safest locations in world
by MaltaMedia News Dec 15, 2006
Record number of cruise liner tourists in Malta
by MaltaMedia News Dec 7, 2006
20,000 low-cost airline passengers expected soon
by MaltaMedia News – Nov 9, 2006
Proposals call for low-cost airlines
by MaltaMedia News – Jul 20, 2006
See also
2006: Financial News
2006: Obituaries