I grew up watching Norman Hamilton and his wife Josette on prime-time TV. They were among the best local TV presenters for much of the last five decades. At my parents' house, Saturdays were unfailingly dedicated to watching Norman and Josette's Sibtijiet Flimkien, the popular TV programme on TVM. They also hosted the popular programme Bla Agenda on ONE TV for many years.

Warmth

There was warmth in the way Norman spoke that immediately made viewers, and all those who knew him - I had that privilege too- feel comfortable and welcomed. His voice had a distinctive quality - reassuring and elegant - which made him a pleasure to listen to.

Distinction

Norman began his illustrious broadcasting career in 1961 with the British Forces Broadcasting Service. He later worked with Rediffusion, Radio Malta, and TVM, where he held important positions, including Director General and Head of Television Programmes. In recognition of his contribution to Maltese society and broadcasting, he was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika in 2021.

Honour

Norman was also a successful businessman, having founded Hamilton Travel, one of Malta's leading travel agencies. He contributed to public service too, serving as Malta's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and as an Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

He had helped me convince the then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to launch Festivals Malta - a dedicated Agency for events and I had appointed him as its her first Chairperson.

I think the decision to invest in a dedicated agency for events was a game changer in many ways and we have all to thank Norman for that.  Alone I would have certainly not managed to achieve that goal.

Under the leadership of the current Prime Minister Robert Abela I had also appointed Norman on the board of Public Broadcasting Services Ltd.

He served both roles with impeccable integrity and dedication.

He was a lifelong Labour Party supporter, and a socialist by conviction, but he never let partisan politics get in the way of friendships. He was Maltese, above everything else, and a proud one too.

Farewell

Sadly, Norman passed away earlier this week. As Malta mourns the death of a TV icon, his wife Josette and their children are grieving the loss of a devoted husband and father - a true family man who cherished his loved ones deeply. My deepest condolences to the Hamiltons - Josette, Davinia, and Yasmin. Farewell, Norman. You shall be missed. 

Infantino

After a largely successful World Cup, in which the best team, Spain, won and smaller nations did remarkably well, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under fire for proposing to sell a minority stake in FIFA's commercial rights to private investors.

He has since abandoned the proposal and apologized. Infantino's plan faced widespread opposition and fierce resistance from several national football associations, particularly in Europe. The FIFA President was accused of failing to consult his members, and UEFA even threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeded.

Selling the game

While Infantino retains the backing of the organization's leadership, the bruising criticism he received might have seriously damaged his standing, especially among European football associations. As a football fan, I found the criticism justified because selling a stake in FIFA's commercial rights raises serious concerns that FIFA was prioritizing private investor interests over good governance and the long-term integrity of the sport.

Iceland's EU gamble

Iceland is on track to join the EU in 2028 if it votes to relaunch membership talks at the end of this month. If voters approve the resumption of EU accession talks and Iceland eventually joins the EU, it will become the EU's smallest member state, replacing Malta. Iceland has a population of 400,000.

Fishing for a deal

As a member of the EEA and the Schengen Area, Iceland is rich in natural resources and, in negotiations with Brussels, would protect its agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources. But first, it must approve the resumption of EU accession talks, and its people are largely divided on this issue.

Crosscurrent

Domestic economic concerns will play an important role in reconsidering EU membership. On the other hand, given Iceland's location in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Greenland and Norway, and hundreds of kilometres from mainland Russia, it occupies an important strategic position in the North Atlantic and Arctic. The pro-EU membership campaign argues that, as a small nation, Iceland benefits from stronger international alliances. Opponents argue that Iceland already has a high standard of living, a good quality of life, and a mature democracy outside the EU, and that national sovereignty is more important than EU membership.

Knife-edge

Icelanders are largely divided on this matter. The latest polls, published by the Icelandic outfit DV, found that 53% would vote Yes to resume EU accession talks, and 47% would vote No. The August 29 referendum is limited to deciding whether Iceland should resume EU accession talks. Even if voters approve, any final accession treaty would still need to be endorsed in a separate referendum, making this a closely watched vote.

Lost pages

Dr Alfred Sant recently said he spent two years translating his 700-page novel, Snow on Comino, but believed no one would read it. He might have said it as a joke, but sadly, he's right. I am an avid reader, yet it is increasingly rare to engage with fellow readers. In the age of doomscrolling, we are becoming a dying breed. Sant has published widely and has long been one of Malta's foremost novelists. Snow on Comino, the first full English translation of the seminal 1982 Maltese novel Silġ fuq Kemmuna, explores a generation caught between modernity and tradition as a group of young Maltese adults navigates relationships and uncertainty through dialogue and psychological depth.

Finding belonging

Minaret, a novel by Leila Aboulela, follows Najwa, a Sudanese woman who lives a privileged life until a political coup in Sudan drastically alters it. Her family is forced to leave their country; her father is murdered; and the family settles in London, where Najwa works as a domestic cleaner for wealthy families. Feeling displaced, Najwa finds solace in Islam and a new sense of purpose at her local mosque. Minaret explores the themes of exile, displacement, class, conflict, and religion as Najwa discovers a new sense of identity. It is an excellent novel that I recommend.

Ithaca

The Odyssey is one of the latest blockbusters; parts of it were filmed in Gozo. It is a story about courage and perseverance. The king of Ithaca, Odysseus, embarks on a journey back home after fighting in the Trojan War, but along the way, he finds extraordinary difficulties. Poseidon, the god of the sea, creates major obstacles for him; the witch Circe turns his men into animals, he encounters Scylla, a sea monster, and is eventually stranded alone on the island of Calypso.

It follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he struggles to return home after fighting in the Trojan War. Although the war has ended, his journey takes many years because he faces dangerous creatures, powerful gods, and difficult choices. When he does arrive home, he remains under disguise to see who remained loyal to him during his long absence. It is a fascinating film that shows Odysseus ' strong character and his ability to persevere. Like Najwa in Minaret, Odysseus faces repeated setbacks but refuses to give up.