79th Grand master of Knights of Malta, 

11th March 2008 - Fra' Matthew Festing, 58, an Englishman, becomes the 79th Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. (see more)

Fra Andrew Bertie, dies at 78

Andrew Willoughby Ninian Bertie (May 15, 1929 - February 7, 2008) was the 78th (and first British) Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, serving for nearly 20 years from 1988 until his death.

His full title was His Most Eminent Highness Fra Andrew Willoughby Ninian Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, Most Humble Guardian of the Poor of Jesus Christ. He was never married and had a younger brother. He was distantly related to Queen Elizabeth II. see more here

Conferment of Insignia - 2006

The insignia of Knight of Honour and Devotion was conferred on the Most Noble Count Bugeja Fontani in a short ceremony at La Chiesa di Santa Maria del Priorato nell'Aventino.

The Spiritual Director, Mgr John Dimech, Conventual Chaplain Grand Cross ad Honorem, blessed the insignia, and the President read the brevet in the presence of Frà Filippo Ferretti di Castel Ferretto.

The President then Conferred the insignia of Knight of Honour and Devotion on Count Joseph Bugeja Fontani with the assistance of Major Raymond P Miller.

1. Man charged with Baron Sant Cassia murder received Lm6,000 for the deed

VALLETTA, Malta (di-ve news)--April 11 2006 -- 1300CEST--A man charged in court with the murder of Baron Frank Sant Cassia, admitted that he received Lm6,000 for the deed.

Carmelo Camilleri, 51 of Mosta was charged in court last Saturday with the 1988 murder of Baron Frank Sant Cassia, who was shot outside his home at Castello Zamitello in Mgarr.

Mr Camilleri was also accused of firing a single shot in the direction of Baron Sant Cassia at around six in the evening on 27 October 1988, placing his life in clear danger and provoking his death.

Police inspector Chris Pullicino told a court that the accused admitted to the police that he was promised Lm11,000 for the deed but received just Lm6,000.

Mr.Pullicino said that following a tip-off, the police first brought Mr.Camilleri in for questioning in September 2004. He explained that the police received information from the late Mikiel Vella known as Il-Fixx about the involvement of the accused. When arrested, the accused had denied any involvement.

Confronted with Vella's statement, he admitted it was he who had shot Baron Sant Cassia. Mr. Camileri told the police that a carpenter working with Vassallo Group approached him to carry out the murder.

The police search for the man proved futile. The accused was re-arrested again and changed his version, saying that the man who commissioned the murder was Angelo Muscat. Having done their verifications, the police found that Mr.Muscat was questioned at the time of the murder but was released soon after, Mr. Pullicino said. This time, Muscat again denied his involvement.

The Police Inspector said that the accused's description of the scene matched exactly what the police found at the scene of the crime.

The accused said on that day, he went in front of Sant Cassia's residence with Angelo Muscat. Mr.Camilleri added that he fired a single gunshot with a firearm which was passed to him by Muscat. He added that they hid behind a rubble wall and covered the firearm in a sack.

The defence team, composed of Dr. Anglu Farrugia and Dr.Edward Gatt asked about the accused's state of mental health shortly after his arrest. Mr.Pullicino said that he was agitated which was a normal reaction given the circumstances.

He added that the accused is being kept under police custody in St.Michael's Ward at the Corradino Correctional facility.

Asked on the accused's Intelligence quotient (IQ), the police Inspector said that Mr.Camilleri's IQ was low but he is able to reason things out.

Police inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted and Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for the defence. The case was presided over by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti.

2. Charged with murder after eighteen years

by Chris Galea, di-ve news

3. GOSSIP 

Helen Seeney, from the European Desk, Deutsche Welle Radio, Bonn Germany; interviews various members of Nobility from the Maltese and Foreign Title Holders, some include Marquis Nicholas De Piro, Marquis Anthony Buttigieg De Piro, Marquis Marcus Marshall, Steve Sant Fournier and Baron Carmel Apap Bologna amongst others. The programme reflected Europe's minority but important groups as a discussion point on Heritage. She visited Malta in December 2004, and was aired in January 2005, focusing on the Website, she found so interesting. 

The Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility appoints His Most Eminent Highness Fra Andrew Willoughby Ninian Bertie in 2004. 78th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, Most Humble Guardian of the Poor of Jesus Christ (to give him his full style) at a Council Complete of State held in Rome on 8th April 1988.

Malta joins the E.U. from 1st May 2004.