2009: Top News Stories
Top Headlines:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Oct | Nov | Dec
Top Stories:
A new President of the Republic
The most important political news in the beginning of the year was the appointment of Dr George Abela as the new President of the Republic, succeeding Dr Eddie Fenech Adami in April. His choice was groundbreaking as he was the first president to be appointed from a party which is not in government at the time of the appointment and get support from all parties. Dr Abela, a lawyer by profession, was deputy leader of the Malta Labour Party in the 1990s and a candidate for the party’s leadership a year before. Widely respected for his charisma and negotiating skills, he immediately struck a chord with the Maltese with his down-to-earth approach to his presidency, always near the people. Proof of this was the many well-wishing messages he received after he felt unwell and was hospitalised for a couple of days in December, a result of his untiring work for fund-raising in Christmas time.
Humility dominates George Abela’s first address as president
The President of Malta and Mrs Abela: the official biography
Video: President to remain in hospital overnight
Video: President’s daughter gets married
European Parliament Elections
The elections for the Maltese Members of the European Parliament in June, held concurrently with the Local Council Elections in a third of the localities, was the first major electoral test since the general elections held in 2008. Fought on a platform evaluating the government’s performance, it was the first real test for the new leader of Partit Laburista Dr Joseph Muscat, who was elected exactly a year before. It was good victory for PL, winning three seats. The other two went to the Nationalist Party. The sixth seat, of first runner up, was also garnered by the PL.
Check the special coverage provided by MaltaMedia.com in partnership with Favourite Channel TV News.
Swine Flu hits Malta, but not hard
The A1N1 or swine flu virus pandemic that hit several countries around the world also hit Malta in late June, leaving a few hundred ill and leading to a few indirect deaths. The Archbishop of Malta Pawlu Cremona was one of the casualties, hit by mild symptoms. However by the end of summer the story fizzled out, together with concerns of a local pandemic.
H1N1 virus pandemic declared – no cases in Malta so far
Four cases of swine flu in Malta (videos)
First Swine Flu death in Malta
Archbishop Cremona hit by mild swine flu
Tragic accidents
The year 2009 witnessed several accidents that led to death. The roads left their regular tally, while fireworks explosions claimed their victims. Perhaps the most dramatic accidents involved the death of cyclist Clifford Micallef, who died after being hit by a car, a young family of three who perished in a traffic accident in Zejtun, and the death of Jenny Psaila, wife of former national football coach Pippo Psaila, in a horse accident. There were also some murders.
Video: Driver charged with being drunk and killing cyclist
Video: Condolences pour in for Jennie Psaila
Video: Three die in Zejtun road accident
Video: Man critically injured in parcel-bomb explosion
Video: Three dead on Christmas Eve/Day
Bribery and fraud in major court cases
The law courts in 2009 had to contend with the trial of former prominent member of the judiciary. Former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo in November was found guilty of bribery and given a prison sentence. This was the major court case of the year, followed by the conviction of several employees of the Value Added Tax Department and businessman caught defrauding government of VAT revenues.
Video: Former Chief Justice sentenced to two years, nine months in prison
Video: Jail term for ex-Chief Justice “justified”
Video: Businessmen admit paying bribes to evade VAT
Traditional village feasts under scrutiny
The atmosphere of the Maltese traditional village feasts, most of the them celebrated in summer, got even hotter in 2009 as the Catholic Church urged a reform of the celebrations on the grounds that they have been transformed into profane celebrations, sometimes excessive in nature, with little religious value. This created a wave of reactions, both in favour and some against. In the meantime, fireworks enthusiasts continued to lament against discriminate behavior against them by the authorities. Unfortunately fireworks explosions left a number of victims throughout the year.
Video: Church against excessive profane festa celebrations
Parish Priests insist on dialogue over feasts document
Association ’shocked’ at feast decorations regulations
Video: “Someone wants to stop the fireworks”
Lockerbie tragedy remembered, controversy re-ignited
The controversy over the Lockerbie bombing, when a bomb on board a Pan Am flight exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 killing 270 people, was re-kindled when Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the Libyan who was jailed in 2001 after being found guilty of bombing, was allowed to return to Libya as a result of his failing health. Megrahi allegedly manufactured the bomb in Malta and put it in a suitcase with clothes bought from a shop in Sliema.
Video: Lockerbie bomber released on compassionate grounds
Video: Lockerbie bomber release sends mixed messages
Government denies it intends to investigate main Lockerbie witness
Lockerbie bomber slams Maltese witness to prove his innocence
'Friend's and 'foes' over illegal immigration
Malta and Italy, neighbours, friends and members of the European Union, clashed over the responsibility for the thousands of illegal immigrants crossing from North Africa into Europe. All through summer both countries quarreled over the designated search and rescue zones to help these illegal immigrants. This happened while Malta insisted with the other EU member states on the importance of the principle of burden sharing, ie illegal immigrants and refugees arriving in Malta should be supported by all EU countries and not just Malta which happens to be an EU border country.
Prime Minister appeals to UN to address illegal immigration
Video: Italian media demonise Malta on illegal immigration
Malta again asks for EU help on illegal immigration
Prime Minister appeals to UN to address illegal immigration
We haven’t got the power
Two important failings of the Maltese electricity-producing power stations highlighting once again the fragility of the Maltese generators. The Maltese Islands suffered two major blackouts, one in June and another in November, for different reasons, and prompted the government to accelerate the effort to get Malta connected to the European energy grid.
Electricity blackout due to high temperatures
Video: Explosion at Marsa power station causes blackout
The mysterious hijack of a Malta-flagged ship
The hijack of the Malta-flagged ship MV Arctic in the Baltic Sea attracted international attention and inspired countless conspiracy theories. Why was it hijacked in the Baltic Sea, which had not seen such an act for hundreds of years? What was the real cargo? Who were the hijackers? Until all the truth comes out the incident will continue raise questions and interest.
Video: Hijack of Maltese-registered ship gets international coverage
Video: Missing Maltese-registered ship found
MV Arctic Sea leaves Malta
Russia thanks Malta for Arctic Sea vessel cooperation
Other noteworthy news
Video: Maltese fishermen could lose their livelihood with tuna ban
Video: Australian PM apologises for abused Maltese children
Video: Mixed reaction to ban on spring hunting
PL files court case on car registration VAT issue
John Dalli given Health and Consumer Policy portfolio
Challenge8000 team make it to the top
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAVOURITE CHANNEL TV:
Government and Politics
Law and Order
Top Headlines:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Oct | Nov | Dec
Top Stories:
A new President of the Republic
The most important political news in the beginning of the year was the appointment of Dr George Abela as the new President of the Republic, succeeding Dr Eddie Fenech Adami in April. His choice was groundbreaking as he was the first president to be appointed from a party which is not in government at the time of the appointment and get support from all parties. Dr Abela, a lawyer by profession, was deputy leader of the Malta Labour Party in the 1990s and a candidate for the party’s leadership a year before. Widely respected for his charisma and negotiating skills, he immediately struck a chord with the Maltese with his down-to-earth approach to his presidency, always near the people. Proof of this was the many well-wishing messages he received after he felt unwell and was hospitalised for a couple of days in December, a result of his untiring work for fund-raising in Christmas time.Humility dominates George Abela’s first address as president
The President of Malta and Mrs Abela: the official biography
Video: President to remain in hospital overnight
Video: President’s daughter gets married
European Parliament Elections
The elections for the Maltese Members of the European Parliament in June, held concurrently with the Local Council Elections in a third of the localities, was the first major electoral test since the general elections held in 2008. Fought on a platform evaluating the government’s performance, it was the first real test for the new leader of Partit Laburista Dr Joseph Muscat, who was elected exactly a year before. It was good victory for PL, winning three seats. The other two went to the Nationalist Party. The sixth seat, of first runner up, was also garnered by the PL.
Check the special coverage provided by MaltaMedia.com in partnership with Favourite Channel TV News.
Swine Flu hits Malta, but not hard
The A1N1 or swine flu virus pandemic that hit several countries around the world also hit Malta in late June, leaving a few hundred ill and leading to a few indirect deaths. The Archbishop of Malta Pawlu Cremona was one of the casualties, hit by mild symptoms. However by the end of summer the story fizzled out, together with concerns of a local pandemic.
H1N1 virus pandemic declared – no cases in Malta so far
Four cases of swine flu in Malta (videos)
First Swine Flu death in Malta
Archbishop Cremona hit by mild swine flu
Tragic accidents
The year 2009 witnessed several accidents that led to death. The roads left their regular tally, while fireworks explosions claimed their victims. Perhaps the most dramatic accidents involved the death of cyclist Clifford Micallef, who died after being hit by a car, a young family of three who perished in a traffic accident in Zejtun, and the death of Jenny Psaila, wife of former national football coach Pippo Psaila, in a horse accident. There were also some murders.Video: Driver charged with being drunk and killing cyclist
Video: Condolences pour in for Jennie Psaila
Video: Three die in Zejtun road accident
Video: Man critically injured in parcel-bomb explosion
Video: Three dead on Christmas Eve/Day
Bribery and fraud in major court cases
The law courts in 2009 had to contend with the trial of former prominent member of the judiciary. Former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo in November was found guilty of bribery and given a prison sentence. This was the major court case of the year, followed by the conviction of several employees of the Value Added Tax Department and businessman caught defrauding government of VAT revenues.Video: Former Chief Justice sentenced to two years, nine months in prison
Video: Jail term for ex-Chief Justice “justified”
Video: Businessmen admit paying bribes to evade VAT
Traditional village feasts under scrutiny
The atmosphere of the Maltese traditional village feasts, most of the them celebrated in summer, got even hotter in 2009 as the Catholic Church urged a reform of the celebrations on the grounds that they have been transformed into profane celebrations, sometimes excessive in nature, with little religious value. This created a wave of reactions, both in favour and some against. In the meantime, fireworks enthusiasts continued to lament against discriminate behavior against them by the authorities. Unfortunately fireworks explosions left a number of victims throughout the year.
Video: Church against excessive profane festa celebrations
Parish Priests insist on dialogue over feasts document
Association ’shocked’ at feast decorations regulations
Video: “Someone wants to stop the fireworks”
Lockerbie tragedy remembered, controversy re-ignited
The controversy over the Lockerbie bombing, when a bomb on board a Pan Am flight exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 killing 270 people, was re-kindled when Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the Libyan who was jailed in 2001 after being found guilty of bombing, was allowed to return to Libya as a result of his failing health. Megrahi allegedly manufactured the bomb in Malta and put it in a suitcase with clothes bought from a shop in Sliema.Video: Lockerbie bomber released on compassionate grounds
Video: Lockerbie bomber release sends mixed messages
Government denies it intends to investigate main Lockerbie witness
Lockerbie bomber slams Maltese witness to prove his innocence
'Friend's and 'foes' over illegal immigration
Malta and Italy, neighbours, friends and members of the European Union, clashed over the responsibility for the thousands of illegal immigrants crossing from North Africa into Europe. All through summer both countries quarreled over the designated search and rescue zones to help these illegal immigrants. This happened while Malta insisted with the other EU member states on the importance of the principle of burden sharing, ie illegal immigrants and refugees arriving in Malta should be supported by all EU countries and not just Malta which happens to be an EU border country.
Prime Minister appeals to UN to address illegal immigration
Video: Italian media demonise Malta on illegal immigration
Malta again asks for EU help on illegal immigration
Prime Minister appeals to UN to address illegal immigration
We haven’t got the power
Two important failings of the Maltese electricity-producing power stations highlighting once again the fragility of the Maltese generators. The Maltese Islands suffered two major blackouts, one in June and another in November, for different reasons, and prompted the government to accelerate the effort to get Malta connected to the European energy grid.
Electricity blackout due to high temperatures
Video: Explosion at Marsa power station causes blackout
The mysterious hijack of a Malta-flagged ship
The hijack of the Malta-flagged ship MV Arctic in the Baltic Sea attracted international attention and inspired countless conspiracy theories. Why was it hijacked in the Baltic Sea, which had not seen such an act for hundreds of years? What was the real cargo? Who were the hijackers? Until all the truth comes out the incident will continue raise questions and interest.Video: Hijack of Maltese-registered ship gets international coverage
Video: Missing Maltese-registered ship found
MV Arctic Sea leaves Malta
Russia thanks Malta for Arctic Sea vessel cooperation
Other noteworthy news
Video: Maltese fishermen could lose their livelihood with tuna banVideo: Australian PM apologises for abused Maltese children
Video: Mixed reaction to ban on spring hunting
PL files court case on car registration VAT issue
John Dalli given Health and Consumer Policy portfolio
Challenge8000 team make it to the top
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAVOURITE CHANNEL TV:
Government and Politics
Law and Order