Villa Rosa: Why political leaders should disclose their meetings with developers
James Debono
Meetings discussing changes to local plans, determining what can and cannot be approved on a particular site with the site’s owner, should be recorded and minuted in an...
Surprise me if you can
Saviour Balzan
Paying Albania or Rwanda hundreds of thousands to export migrants there to solve our so-called problems at home, reminds me of Hitler’s idea of transporting all the Jews to...
All I want for Christmas is (yet another) Asylum and Migration Pact…
Raphael Vassallo

But while one would provide actual ‘relief’, for any crisis-stricken territory… where would the other leave tiny islands like Lampedusa - or...

But while one would provide actual ‘relief’,...

Striking the right note for Christmas Eve 
Josanne Cassar

One could say that it is this blind optimism that “everything will be...

One could say that it is this blind optimism that...

Two friends, two destinies, one life
Saviour Balzan

They lived worlds apart; the only thing they shared was that they lived in Malta. It was great to have been your friend. Saħħiet Sandro Mallia; adieu...

They lived worlds apart; the only thing they shared was...

Social cohesion is paramount
Alex Agius Saliba

The uplifting mood of the festive season stimulates us to be more compassionate with others, not least by donating to those in need

The uplifting mood of the festive season stimulates us to...

‘Balancing’ is the job of a circus acrobat, not a cabinet minister
Raphael Vassallo

Two small issues immediately arise, even at a glance. (On top of the third I already mentioned: i.e., that Aaron Farrugia evidently got his job description all...

Two small issues immediately arise, even at a glance. (On...

What’s the point of a ‘Planning Authority’… without ‘Planning’?
Raphael Vassallo

What’s the point of even having an ‘ERA’, to begin with: when all its objections are consistently ‘overruled’ by the Planning...

What’s the point of even having an ‘ERA’,...

Did the world cop it?
Michael Falzon

Ultimately, the success of COP28 will be determined by the changes the world puts into practice in the years ahead

Ultimately, the success of COP28 will be determined by the...

Leaving our gadgets behind
Josanne Cassar

When the world doesn’t make sense any more, I wonder whether we will seek comfort and solace from our own families and fellow human beings, or whether we...

When the world doesn’t make sense any more, I wonder...

Angry notes
Saviour Balzan

To believe the Israeli government has the right to kill hundreds in retaliation for every murdered Israeli, reminds me of the way the Nazi SS would round up...

To believe the Israeli government has the right to kill...

The never-ending story | Carmelo Abela

A conflict next door is very worrying and that is why I hold this firm belief that the EU should play a major role

A conflict next door is very worrying and that is why I...

Time is now | Charmaine Mangion

I want to see more direct collaboration between the various entities which ultimately are all working towards one common goal. This will lead to better and...

I want to see more direct collaboration between the various...

A voice for island communities | Josianne Cutajar

As a member of the Socialist and Democrats Group, I actively worked towards...

As a member of the Socialist and Democrats Group, I...

A force to be reckoned with
Cyrus Engerer

I am glad to see that our work was approved by all democratic parties in the European Parliament, from left to right, and now look forward to the...

I am glad to see that our work was approved by all...

If the PN reinvented itself in the 1970s… why can’t it do the same today?
Raphael Vassallo

… the likeliest outcome of this ‘tug-of-war’, by far, is that the rope itself will very simply ‘snap, somewhere in the...

… the likeliest outcome of this...

An air of despondency
Michael Falzon

The air of despondency continues to increase

The air of despondency continues to increase

The connection between a sense of entitlement and trouble finding a job
Josanne Cassar

There are plenty of jobs out there (unless all these vacancies I see are bogus) - but one cannot expect to find the right job immediately or without slogging...

There are plenty of jobs out there (unless all these...

Writing memories
Saviour Balzan

Our children have been brought up with a digital screen on their mobile or laptop. They do not read. They are overwhelmed by the immediacy and voyeurism of the...

Our children have been brought up with a digital screen on...

The misfit of one-size-fits-all policies | Steve Ellul

The path to a sustainable and equitable future may have its hurdles, but it is...

The path to a sustainable and equitable future may have its...