January 2010
Newsletter Number 124
Happy New Year! It’s 2010, and we’re looking forward to whatever the new year will bring with it. Many people are glad 2009 is over while others will treasure fond memories from it forever.
As expected, the MaltaMedia Online Network returns with the most comprehensive online review of the past year from a Maltese perspective. I would like to thank my colleagues for making this special feature available every year. This year the people I worked with on the annual round-up feature are (in alphabetical order): Mario Axiaq, Antoine Busuttil, Glen Calleja, Alexia Conti, Lorraine Duca, Martin Debattista, Albert Marshall, Joe Mejlak, Robert Micallef, Mark Vella, Frederick Zammit, and Saviour Zammit. These people worked within the MaltaMedia Online Network team throughout 2009, as did AboutMalta.com’s new managing editor Giselle Borg Olivier. A number of other people collaborated with us over the past year, and we thank them too, especially our colleagues at Favourite Channel TV, and Simon Willans from Castle Made. We also thank our various sponsors and advertisers.
On a more personal note, some of the significant moments I experienced in 2009 are gathered on my blog, which continues to bring me close to people who care about me, and I for them. I’m sure this will continue during 2010, which will undoubtedly bring some exciting new things with it. More about that starting in next month’s newsletter.
Is-Sena t-Tajba!
Toni Sant
Consulting Editor
1. MaltaMedia.com Daily News from December 2009
01 Video: 855 million euros for Malta from the EU
02 Business prospects for 2010 lowest in a decade
03 Video: Ex-policeman jailed for 16 years and fined €40,000
04 Video: Swine flu causes panic at Siggiewi primary school
05 Video: Government launches reform in primary health care
06 Video: Man succumbs to injuries in fireworks explosion
07 Video: St George’s Square given a new lease of life
08 Video: River of sewage at Msida
09 February deadline for exchanging Maltese coins
10 Video: Largest number of thefts in Valletta
11 Video: Driver’s alcohol level high in cyclist’s death
12 Video: Report warns of rise in racism in Malta
13 Video: Three die in traffic accidents
14 Former Labour Minister Daniel Piscopo dies
15 Video: Malta tops motorcyclist deaths list in EU
16 15 year-old boy arraigned over 1200 euro theft
17 Video: Toronto Maltese worried about their safety
18 Video: President to remain in hospital overnight
19 Video: Controversial deal in climate change conference
20 Police chief reveals near death experience
21 New Chairman at Malta Tourism Authority
22 Video: Man critically injured in parcel-bomb explosion
23 John Dalli’s pro-industry line may face opposition in EP
24 Video: Niche of the Virgin Mary vandalised
25 Video: Three dead on Christmas Eve/Day
26 Video: Joseph Calleja attributes success to voice tutor
27 Video: L-Istrina raises more than €2.3 million
28 32-year-old man dies of swine flu
29 Video: Swine flu vaccine now in Malta
30 Video: Van crashes into aircraft
31 Vodafone customers suffer service disruption
2. Top Web Picks
Interesting documentation of the ins and outs from a year full of intrigue and anticipation. Take a look at the main aspects of life in 2009 through a Maltese perspective with insights on news, sports, music, weather, technology, people who passed away, and more.
One of the most popular features on AboutMalta.com over the years was always the Visitors Book section. In recent months this has been overwhelmed with all sorts of junk messages by people who are only interested in selling little blue pills, enticing you to augment various body parts, and other such nonsense. We have therefore decided to replace the old Visitors Book section with a new way to leave comments on the AboutMalta.com website, enabling us to use better technology to filter out the clutter and publish only pertinent messages on our site. This can be done by simply visiting the newsletter from the main page at AboutMalta.com. All comments and messages will appear at the bottom of the newsletter archived on the website after they’ve been reviewed by a moderator.
3. This Month in Maltese History
50 YEARS AGO ( 1 January 1960 )
Chief Justice Anthony J. Mamo is invested as Knight of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
25 YEARS AGO ( 6 January 1985 )
Hearing of evidence begins in the case of Lebanese-born Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq, one of the alleged hijackers of the Egyptian Boeing 737 in November 1985, amid strict security measures at Fort St Elmo in Valletta
10 YEARS AGO ( 22 January 2000 )
The new Gozo Channel ferry Ta’ Pinu is officially launched during a ceremony at the Malta Shipbuilding where the vessel was built.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
2 January 1948: Louis Galea, Politician
3 January 1935: Lino Cassar, Film Critic & Journalist
23 January 1930: Abraham Galea, Psychiatrist
27 January 1944: Lino Briguglio, Economist
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
1 January 1975: Mary Mejlak, Writer/Poet, dies at 70
3 January 2009: Charles Camilleri, Composer, dies at 77
13 January 1973: Effie Ciantar, Broadcaster, dies at 54
22 January 1984: Sir Mikiel Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop, 99
Today in Maltese History is produced exclusively for aboutmalta.com by Mario Axiaq.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.
Current temperature:
24.9°C
Toni Sant
We’re looking forward to your comments!
Joyce McMahon (nee Spiteri)
Thank you for a great site.
I am searching on information on our ancestory, quite interested to find information on Philippes Spiteri who relocated to Gozo in 1500’s. Who knows we might be related. My mother & father both from Xewkija, Gozo.