Snor-kel (Malta)

Hosni Mubarak resigns - Hands over to military

2011-02-11T20:19:00.000+01:00

Hosni Mubarak stood down as president of Egypt, today February 11 2011 circa 1920 GMT, after 30 years in power. The military has taken over control of the country amidst wild celebrations from protesters who have been stationed in Cairo's Tahrir Square for the past 18 days.

Global stocks rose and oil dropped after the announcement.

The crisis was sparked off by a revolt in Tunis which saw Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flee to Saudi Arabia on Jan14, with the revolutionary spirit rippling further through a region that holds more than 50 percent of the world’s oil reserves.

Captain Morgan schooner hits reef - AFM rescuing passengers

2010-09-13T21:36:00.000+02:00

The Captain Morgan schooner Fernandes, has just hit a reef off Bahar ic-Caghaq, this evening Sept 13 2010 at 20.45.
AFM patrol boats are already on the scene giving assistance and ferrying rescued passengers to shore.

Massive explosion in Mosta fireworks factory .

2010-08-13T15:17:00.011+02:00

A massive explosion was felt throughout Malta this afternoon August 13, 2010 at circa 14.55. Reports of smoke in the vicinities of the Mosta outskirts and up to four further blasts were immediately reported . It has since been confirmed that the Mosta 15th August fireworks factory blew up, but it is as yet unknown whether there are any casualties.

The 15th August fireworks factory is located in Dwejra, above and behind the Hardrocks site, across the main road to Mgarr from the San Anton and San Andrea private schools.

Update 16:00
The Times of Malta reports one man believed to be dead, and others still missing. A video has also been posted online.

Maltatoday reports a man, Mario Dimech, should have been at the factory at the time it blew up. Calls to his mobile phone are proving futile.

Update 17:45

Maltatoday reports Zaren Vassallo, President of the Mosta 15 August Band Club has confirmed Mario Dimech, 41, is still believed to be within the firework factory's debris. Mr Vassallo also dispelled rumours that more people were trapped inside.

Meanwhile Mosta's external feasts in celebration of Santa Marija this August 15th, have been cancelled.

Update August 14 10:00

Mario Dimech's corpse was recovered from the fireworks factory earlier this morning.

GO subscribers lose internet connectivity

2010-07-08T11:26:00.005+02:00

GO internet servers were offline this morning July 8, 2010 at 10.55am leaving internet subscribers without connectivity. The www.di-ve.com news portal owned and run by GO plc was also unreachable, citing a server error. Service was resumed at 11.30am

Enemalta powercut - Two men seriously injured while tampering with substation cables

2010-07-01T13:37:00.003+02:00

A power cut at 19.20 yesterday June 30th effecting the Southern area including Marsaxlokk and Birzebbugia, has been connected to the serious injury of two young men hospitalised yesterday for burns.

The connection was made when Enemalta technicians reported cables at the Corradino substation had been tampered with and that a tripped feeder had resulted in the power cut. At that point a further report that two men admitted to Mater Dei Hospital were being treated for electrical injuries resulting in burns, immediately aroused suspicion. The two men are currently being investigated by the police.

Isle of MTV Malta Special kicks off tonight

2010-06-30T20:12:00.004+02:00

The 2010 Isle of MTV Malta Special is about to kick off tonight Wednesday June 30.

The free open-air concert will take place in Granaries Square (il-Fosos), Floriana.
This will be the 4th consecutive year for Isle of MTV Malta Special, and the concert is estimated to attract 50,000 revelers.

The line-up will include David Guetta, Kid Rock, Kelis, and Scissor Sisters all of which have arrived in Malta earlier this afternoon.

Kelis instantly made the headlines with her Twitter post "Malta is beautiful! Food so far is not amazing but its so glorious here I will just drink good wine and eat bread :)".

Meanwhile Scissor Sisters revealed at a press conference earlier today, that they immensely enjoyed the afternoon here sunbathing and swimming.

Comino - Works start on new Blue Lagoon pier

2010-06-30T13:20:00.003+02:00

Works have finally commenced on a new pier at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The works, delayed due to pending permits from MEPA, are now expected to last around two weeks Transport Malta said. The previous pontoon collapsed in July '09, injuring two people.

Fingerprints required for new biometric passports in Malta

2010-06-28T15:02:00.005+02:00

As from today June 28th, people applying for the new biometric passports in Malta, are required to provide two fingerprints as per EU regulations.
Old passports can continue to be used till expiry. The fingerprints used with the new biometric passports will be deleted six months after the legal documents' expiry, and cannot be used in police investigations.

Biometric passports, also known as E-passports, contain information stored both on paper and electronically on a chip thus creating an unrivaled level of security and protection against counterfeit and fraudulent identification papers.

Melita Sports prepared to relinquish first pick on World Cup quarter final matches

2010-06-28T13:23:00.005+02:00

Melita is prepared to relinquish its first pick on World Cup quarter final matches so that all four matches could be broadcast on PBS.

The announcement was made earlier this morning in front of the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee.

Melita Sports had an exclusivity agreement with PBS, giving it the right to reserve one match from the World Cup quarter finals for exclusive broadcast on Melita Sports.

This morning's developments means that PBS will now be screening all the quarter final matches.

President Napolitano on Malta State Visit end of June

2010-06-28T12:40:00.005+02:00

The President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Mr. Giorgio Napolitano and Mrs. Napolitano, will be arriving on a State Visit to Malta, Wednesday 30th June on the invitation of The President of Malta, H.E. Dr. George Abela.
They will be staying overnight, departing 1st July.

Malta Property Auctions

2010-06-27T22:55:00.005+02:00

Villa Madama sold by auction

Villa Madama in Attard has been sold at auction to Lombard Bank for €990,000.
The auction was ordered by the Civil Court after a case instituted against the owners, Venues Company Ltd, which used the centuries-old house near San Anton gardens as a weddings hall.
The sale was conducted yesterday by Pierre Grech Pillow.....

Direct link to the full article plus readers' comments on The Times of Malta.

Direct link to "The Villa Madama Property Auction - A personal perspective"

More flight cancellations at Malta International Airport

2010-04-17T02:57:00.008+02:00

Friday 16th April saw further extensive flight cancellations at MIA.

The airport havoc commenced on April 14th, following the eruption of a volcano beneath the Eyjafjallajokull Icelandic glacier on March 20th, with the subsequent plumes of volcanic ash ejected high into the atmosphere. Wind conditions prevalent at the time of eruption and up until now still consistent, spread the invisible cloud along most of Northern Europe forcing airline companies to ground aircraft due to the elevated risk of jet engine malfunction on exposure to the ash.

Grounded airplanes across Europe have now pushed flight cancellations up to the 16,000 mark.

All flight cancellations to and from Malta can be verified on www.maltairport.com

The current prediction is that the current weather pattern will prevail throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, the volcanic eruptions shows no signs of abating, with continuous activity throughout Friday.

Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, earlier today raised concerns that the ash cloud is now spreading further south, effectively meaning a wider range of air- traffic disruption.

Update 17 th.April - 12.10 pm

UK's National Air Traffic Service (Nats) reports "the situation is worsening throughout Saturday".

Malta International Airport flight cancellations

2010-04-15T21:05:00.004+02:00

MIA, today April 15 2010, cancelled a number of flights to and from the UK, Sweden & Belgium, due to the volcanic ash drift from Iceland.

The cancelled flights, as notified by MIA are listed hereunder. These are subject to changes, and any decisions should be based upon the updates at www.maltairport.com

EZY1997 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 11:00 from Manchester - Cancelled
EZY1998 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 11:40 to Manchester - Cancelled

EZY8823 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 10:40 from London Gatwick - Cancelled
EZY8824 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 11:15 to London Gatwick - Cancelled

FR7242 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 12:10 from Dublin - Cancelled
FR7243 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 12:35 to Dublin - Cancelled

KM146 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 16:00 to Manchester - Cancelled
KM147 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 23:50 from Manchester - Cancelled

KM102 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 16:55 to London Heathrow - Cancelled
KM103 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 00:45 from London Heathrow - Cancelled

FR1684 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 18:20 from Stockholm - Cancelled
FR1685 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 18:45 to Stockholm - Cancelled

KM118 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 19:35 to London Gatwick - Cancelled
KM119 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 02:45 from London Gatwick - Cancelled

FR2448 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 19:50 from Leeds Bradford - Cancelled
FR2449 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 20:15 to Leeds Bradford - Cancelled

KM172 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 19:50 to Birmingham - Cancelled
KM173 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 03:15 from Birmingham - Cancelled

FR3882 Schedule Time of Arrival MLA at 21:00 from Luton - Cancelled
FR3883 Schedule Time of Departure MLA at 21:25 to Luton - Cancelled

KM420 to Brussels at 1605 - Cancelled
KM421 from Brussls at 2300 - Cancelled

Gharghur firework factory explodes

2010-04-15T15:40:00.006+02:00

The firework factory in the vicinity of Gharghur parish, blew up today Wednesday April 15, at circa 15.15 CET. The CPD rushed to the scene immediately.

Although the blast is reported to have been felt in Naxxar and San Pawl tat-Targa, there was no shockwave reported in San Gwann and Iklin.

Update 16:00

The only people in the factory at the time of the incident were two men aged 47 and 44, both from Gharghur. It is reported that they both managed to make a timely exit and escape injury.

Young driver gets 3-year jail sentence for involuntary death of 5 Qrendi youths in 2005

2009-09-22T13:41:00.008+02:00

Antoine Cassar has been convicted of involuntarily causing the death of David Sacco, 13, Fabio Magro, 16, and 17 year olds Marco Abdilla, Oswaldo Emanuel Vella and Christian Camilleri, in a horrific traffic accident back in October 1, 2005, when the van he was driving slammed into a wall on the Zebbug by-pass. His driving license has also been suspended for 5 years.

Mr. Cassar was giving the youths a lift back to Qrendi, following a BBQ at Olive Gardens, Rabat. The van he was driving was a commercial vehicle, and was not licensed to carry passengers at the back. All 5 youths died on impact.

The Appeals Court confirmed the conviction this morning Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Young chess players all set for tomorrow's Malta Chess Junior Championship

2009-09-06T21:41:00.009+02:00

The Chess Junior Championship 2009 kicks off tomorrow Monday September 07 at St.Benedict College, Kirkop. The event ends Friday September 11. Play starts at 6 pm, and there are seven national titles for contention.

Further information is available on the Malta Chess Federation website, or from Ray Azzopardi on 79706859 or Stephen Farrugia on farrugia.stephen@gmail.com.

Diesel up by 2c, kerosene by 10c from tomorrow

2009-08-31T18:20:00.002+02:00

Unleaded, leaded petrol price remains unchanged.

The price of diesel goes up 2c as from tomorrow, that of kerosene 10c. The price of leaded and unleaded petrol remains unchanged, Enemalta Corporation said.

The revisions, it said, reflect the cost of product paid by Enemalta for the latest shipments of imported fuel.

Follow the article link and price table on Times of Malta.

Maltese actor Edward Mercieca, detained in Syria on espionage charges

2009-08-23T10:13:00.002+02:00

The Lifecycle challenge took yet another twist last Tuesday August 19. As participants covered the final kilometres towards destination Damascus, the cycling group was detained by military personnel at one of the checkpoints and asked to turn in their cameras for inspection. It was at this point that one of the cyclists, well known maltese actor Edward Mercieca, was singled out over one of the photos he had snapped, showing a red pick-up truck in the background.

Mr. Mercieca was then detained, so fellow cyclist Mario Scerri and their interpreter stayed on with him while a commanding officer inspected the photo. The rest of the group were allowed to proceed to Damascus.

At 16.30 the military officer ordered Mr. Mercieca's companions to be released at the original checkpoint, while the actor, still under shock, was driven a 100 km away to another military building and allowed the liberty to move under surveillance till 18.30 at which point he was allowed use of his mobile phone.

The saga continued as Mr Mercieca was then driven to another heavily guarded military compound and his ID card and passport were confiscated.

The Maltese Consul finally arrived at the compound at 22.30 and it was established that the Syrian army had informed the interior ministry that Mr Mercieca had rode into the mountains snapping photos of military installations, allegations which Mr Mercieca found absurd, more so since the photos he snapped were taken from the main road.
He was released and made it home to Malta with the rest of the team on the following day.

Upcoming: Chess Rapid Grand Prix - September 6 - Malta Chess Federation

2009-08-22T22:43:00.001+02:00

Rapid Grand Prix - September Tournament
Sunday, 6th September 2009
Dates: 5 rounds played on Sunday, 6th September 2009
Time: Registration starts at 9:15am. Play Starts at 9:30am.
Venue: Chess Club, 87, St.Vincent Street, Sliema.
Time limit: 15 mins / player / game
Format: Five-round swiss system.
Entrance Fee: 2.5 euros for members, 5 euros for non-members.
Prize fund: 20% of entrance fees are taken by MCF to cover administration, whilst the remaining 80% of the entrance fees is used as prize funds. This is divided in the ratio of 10:6:4 between the top three places.

Multiple car collision in St. Andrews/Pembroke - Traffic rerouted

2009-08-22T13:08:00.004+02:00

A car crash involving 4 vehicles in the vicinity of the Luxol ground resulted in both Pembroke traffic lanes being temporarily shut-off, police reported.

No one was seriously injured in the accident which occurred late this Saturday morning 11.45 am August 22.

GO telephone service down temporarily in Gzira/Msida area

2009-08-20T10:25:00.003+02:00

GO temporarily suspended its fixed line telephone services, Thursday August 20, due to network maintenance works. Customers affected reside in the Gzira/Msida area.

In a press release on di-ve.com, a subsidiary of GO plc, the company expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by these works, and stated it will do its utmost to restore the service to normal in the shortest time possible.

First water taxi license for Malta

2009-08-19T15:40:00.002+02:00

The water taxi service came into operation earlier today August 19, and passengers seeking to cross the Senglea - Valletta span within the harbour, now have a choice between the traditional barklori and the new water taxi.

While touring the new spill-over cruise liner berth at Boiler Wharf in Senglea, earlier today, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt also disclosed an interest by a UK company which builds and operates water taxis, in moving its operations to Malta.

No Maltese operators had submitted bids to operate a harbour scheduled ferry service, he said, so MMA (Malta Maritime Authority) would operate the service itself. A call for tenders will be issued next year.

St. Paul's Bay - Car overturns, smashes parked cars - Drunk driver's licence suspended for 3 months (Update - more details)

2009-08-17T15:46:00.011+02:00

Nicholas Mervin Britton, 39 of St Paul's Bay was today handed a six month jail term suspended for a year, and fined €200 after pleading guilty to assaulting policemen yesterday. Mr. Britton's rented car overturned in Parades Street St. Paul's Bay, at 4.15 am, smashing two other vehicles in the process.
He admitted slightly injuring two officers, threatening another two, driving dangerously under the influence of alcohol and breaching the peace. His driving license was suspended for three months.

Update

The accident occurred in the upper section of Parades Street. The long one-way stretch of road, leads from the local council office to Palazzo Pescatore, and runs parallel to the opposite one-way road where the St. Paul's Bay police station is located. Both roads where previously main thoroughfares, before the St. Paul's Bay bypass was constructed.

Bay Radio shark-woman swims in Valletta Tritons fountain

2009-08-17T12:29:00.004+02:00

"The sharks in Malta are found on land and not in the sea" or so most locals say.

Yet this morning August 17, saw a twist in the "fin" when 31-year old Katya Mifsud, winner of the Bay Radio Crazy Dare Challenge, donned flippers, goggles and a shark-fin, and swam five times around the Triton fountain clinching the €1,000 first prize and winning applause from her onlooking husband and several bus drivers.

Mrs Mifsud had submitted the best proposal for a dare in the Bay Radio competition.

The fountain was given a thorough clean-up and a change of water late last week, however the Times of Malta online reported a considerable number of bottles, cups and waste floating around the bottom by this morning, and Katya Mifsud doused herself with water-diluted antiseptic upon emerging.

Widespread temporary power cut hits Malta and Gozo

2009-08-16T14:18:00.002+02:00

The majority of localities in Malta and Gozo were left without electricity at approximately 13. 50 on Sunday, August 16. Initial reports indicated the Valletta area, Mater Dei Hospital and St. Paul's Bay were unaffected. Power was restored in some areas by 14.15

Enemalta stated later in the day, that engineers had resolved the problem originating from a faulty boiler in the Delimara power station, within the hour so that all localities had their electric power restored by 15.00

Lifecycle set off on 2,000 km ride

2009-08-08T11:14:00.002+02:00

Lifecycle cyclists have commenced this morning, Saturday August 08 on their 2,000 km ride from Istanbul, Turkey to Damascus in Syria.

The significance of the fund raising journey has been heightened this year following Cliff Micallef's untimely death a few days ago, after he was run over by a drunk motorist, early morning on the Bahar ic-Caghaq Coast road, while cycling in preparation for the event.

Cliff Micallef was the technical expert on the Lifecycle team, and a linch-pin within the maltese cycling commmunity.

10 Year max for €10 million VAT fraud

2009-08-08T10:03:00.000+02:00

The masterminds behind the €10 million scam at the VAT department, are to be arraigned in court Tuesday or Wednesday, on charges of bribery, fraud and organised crime, facing a maximum 10 year prison sentence, The Times of Malta reported front page August 08.

The racket evolved from a no-brainer swindle involving four people, to a fully fledged racket, headed by a VAT employee, and involving thirty people, including six department officials. At one point, the department ended owing more then €370,000 to one company, over just two years.

The mastermind VAT employee behind the organised scam, admitted while under interrogation, to pocketing more then €180,000.

The police raided the VAT department April 03 2009 following three months of investigations triggered by a businessman who tipped off Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

Although the six department officials were arrested on the day and suspended, no top officials have so far assumed responsibility.

88m. Superyacht Maltese Falcon close to changing hands

2009-08-07T21:31:00.006+02:00

Tom Perkins, the American venture capitalist, is close to completing the sale of his privately owned 88m Maltese Falcon superyacht for about £60m after being on the market for more than a year, The Sunday Times said earlier this month.

The Maltese Falcon is a regular visitor to Malta, and is currently on charter in the Balearic islands.

Truck accident on St Paul's Bay Bypass

2009-08-07T17:21:00.006+02:00

A truck overturned on the St Paul's Bay bypass, mid-afternoon August 07 at 15.15. The driver, an employee with ELC (Environment Landscapes Consortium) Ltd. and driving a company truck, was lucky and escaped uninjured.

The accident caused a major congestion, with motorists reporting a traffic jam due to the bottleneck created.

Van freewheels forward crushing boy at tal-Balal petrol station - Update

2009-08-06T23:07:00.008+02:00

A 13 year old boy was crushed between a van and a wall at VF Service Station, tal-Balal l/o Gharghur on Thursday August 06 at 15.00 police said.

The van, freewheeled forward, engine running and no one behind the wheel, crushing the boy against a wall.

The boy, a Mosta resident, suffered a number of fractures and was immediately recovered to Mater Dei Hospital. He is reported to be in danger of dying.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani is leading an inquiry.

VF Service Station is located past Liquid Club, tal-Balal, en-route to Naxxar. The station has a run-through area for re-fuelling, two self-service carwash units at one end, and an automated car wash at the other end. There is also a pressurised air pump off to one side against one of the other walls.

Update August 07 13.00

The condition of the 13-year-old boy has now improved, the police said.

Bastion line continuity essential for fortified cities - FAA

2009-08-06T19:40:00.005+02:00

A bare gap in the bastions is unsuitable as the main entrance to a fortified city, non-governmental organisation FAA (Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar) stated earlier today Aug 06, "especially since continuity of the bastion line was essential for its function and ethos."

FAA said the plans as submitted did not reflect the particular character of the fortified capital.

“Some might feel that it is time to move on from this image of Valletta, but has the change in citadel status and image been studied and accepted in view of Valletta's history, its status as a World Heritage site and the importance it has in respect of the thousands of tourists who visit the capital city or is it an individual interpretation?".
“This action contradicts the measures being planned to restore the continuity of the fortifications by re-closing the breaches by the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta and at St John’s Cavalier, Vittoriosa.”

The full FAA statement is included below.

Whilst recognising the difficulty of redesigning City Gate following the rather insensitive construction of the present gate in 1964, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) suggests that something more than a bare gap in the bastions might be more suited as the main entrance to a fortified city, especially since continuity of the bastion line was essential for its function and ethos. The plans as submitted do not reflect the particular character of our fortified capital. Some might feel that it is time to move on from this image of Valletta, but has the change in citadel status and image been studied and accepted in view of Valletta's history, its status as a World Heritage site and the importance it has in respect of the thousands of tourists who visit the capital city or is it an individual interpretation? This action contradicts the measures being planned to restore the continuity of the fortifications by re-closing the breaches by the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta and at St John’s Cavalier, Birgu.

The conversion of the ditch and Yellow Garage into a garden area and access point is a creative integration of this space into the rest of the project. Piano's proposal to hold open-air performances in this garden should be pursued and implemented since it might prove to be more protected from noise and wind than the theatre without a roof.

The opening of City Gate will sever the main artery into Valletta with the result that access from one side to the other will necessitate that drivers exit and re-enter Valletta, therefore it is pertinent to ask if alternative plans have been studied carefully. Adequate access for residents, the business community and its suppliers needs to be provided. Plans shown briefly in ADT's advertising indicate that all of Valletta from City Gate to St Dominic Street and from Old Bakery Street to St Paul's Street will become a pedestrian area. Although this is a positive measure which will reduce pollution in the city, these changes have to be formally integrated in the Local Plan which will need to study the rerouting of heavy traffic through narrow St Mark Street, and also the change of direction of traffic through Old Bakery Street. Traffic which presently drives down Old Bakery street will now have to turn upwards towards St John's Cavalier at the road's steepest point. Because of this sharp corner, cars will have to accelerate powerfully, emitting toxic exhaust fumes, blackening recently restored buildings and increasing the rate of asthma among city dwellers. This runs counter to the intention of reducing pollution in the city by enlarging the pedestrian zone.

Similarly, before eliminating a considerable number of parking spaces, alternative arrangements should have been studied, proposed and presented to the public for consultation. It might be worth looking into the possibility of linking an expanded Park and Ride, to Valletta using a regular electric shuttle in the former railway tunnel. Another multi-storey car park could also be created under the Floriana football ground, with access from Sa Maison. The MCP car park should be roofed-over, fulfilling the terms of its contract with Government and replacing the current eyesore with a garden.

The social impact on Valletta's elderly residents is of particular concern and therefore in the interest of the residents, the business community, Valletta commuters and visitors, a Social Impact Assessment and a Traffic Impact Assessment need to be carried out along with the processing of the Piano project so that any inconveniences resulting from the changes can be eliminated or at least mitigated.

www.faa.org.mt

Court blocks police raids on gaming arcades

2009-08-06T18:54:00.007+02:00

A police enforcement operation, commenced this morning August 06 and targetting illegal gaming arcades, has been stopped dead in its tracks by a Court decision early this afternoon when a prohibitory injunction by a gaming hall owner was upheld.

Since then, another 5 companies have filed a warrant of prohibitory injuction against the Police Commissioner and the Gaming Authority to halt the police raids.

The companies are making the case that the Gaming Authority had advised them to invest in the equipment currently being confiscated, and that the authority had stated that the regulations meant to be made public in 2007, would have legalised this equipment.

Twitter succumbs to distributed denial of service attack

2009-08-06T17:59:00.017+02:00

The Twitter website was unreachable for over two hours this morning 9.30 ET. August 06.

A message currently posted on the Twitter Status Blog states "Twitter service suffered from a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack".

Meanwhile co-founder Biz Stone further specified, in an email to CNN, that this was not related to a previous incident in which a hacker stole internal documents from the site.

A denial of service attack comprises the intentional information overload of a targetted website, so that the site has to shut down.

Maltese filmmaker short listed for Best Film Award flEXiff 2009 Film Festival in Australia

2009-08-06T14:20:00.013+02:00

A Long Way, a short produced by Maltese film-maker Malcolm Zammit in 2008, has been shortlisted for the Best Short Film Award of the flEXiff 2009 Experimental Film Festival in Australia. It will be screened at Sydney Olympic Park's Newington Armory Theatre on September 26. A Long Way was also screened at BFI London Southbank Studio and received extremely positive feedback.

Mr. Zammit's interest in documentary-making started around 2004 while reading for a Communications degree at the University of Malta. He has just completed an MA in Documentary Practice at Brunel University, West London.

In 2006/7 he produced Blind Vote, a 40-minute socio-political documentary in Maltese. In November 2007, he produced a short titled Lee’s England, which was featured on Channel 4’s FourDocs homepage, getting a great editor’s review. It was screened at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s May 2008 Late event.

Malcolm Zammit's latest project, One Foot Off The Ground, was conceived and created in collaboration with composer/performer David Plans. This experimental piece, commissioned by London's Sound and Music, was originally conceived as a semi-improvised live performance, but also exists as a “traditional” AV document and can also be looped for installations. It was performed live in May 2009 at Kings Place, London and was screened at Kinemastik Short Film Festival in Valletta, Malta in August 2009.

A Long Way and One Foot Off The Ground have been selected by the Mediterranean Producer's Association (APIMED) for inclusion in the latest MEDIMED catalogue. This year's is the 10th edition of this Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Market, and will take place at Sitges, Spain on October 9-11, 2009.

Malcolm’s professional interests range from media education, the use of technology within an educational setting, and in exploring ways of integrating the documentary medium into the education process. He is also very much intrigued by the exploration of alternative documentary practices, particularly the use of the documentary form as a vehicle for idiosyncratic self-expression, and the possibility of creating audio-visual documents – partly through a process of improvisation – that can live simultaneously as a 'traditional' AV piece, a live performance, or an installation.

To find out more about Malcolm's work, visit http://malcolmzammit.com and http://www.onefoot.info

Discovery and crew preparing for launch

2009-08-06T00:27:00.005+02:00

Discovery is at the launch pad for the STS-128 mission later this month. Commander Rick Sturckow and crew are set to launch no earlier than August 25 on a logistics flight to the space station.

Electricity Interconnector between Malta and Sicily

2009-08-05T19:11:00.005+02:00

A call for offers by public tender(CT2445/2009)has been issued by Enemalta Corporation, to connect Malta to the Sicilian electricity grid.

The first phase will see one of two 225 MW cables laid between Malta and the city of Ragusa. This phase of the project will amount to an investment of €150 million, including the laying of land cables, a 95 km long submarine cable at a depth of 160 m, and other work necessary to link the interconnector with both the Italian and Maltese systems.

The submarine cable landing point in Malta is planned to be on the Pembroke side of Bahar ic-Caghaq. Underwater reconaissance, determining the exact route the submarine cable will take along the seabed, is expected to be undertaken and terminated by December.

Each 225 MW cable will envelop a number of optic fibre cables, and the advanced technology will greatly facilitate the implementation of new communication lines between Malta and mainland Europe. The target date is 2012.

The tender document can be viewed here. Tenders should be sent to info.contracts@gov.mt

Britain's largest carp, Benson, dead of food poisoning: Anglers in shock

2009-08-05T16:10:00.005+02:00

Anglers are mourning the death of Britain's biggest common carp, after the iconic fish, the King of Common Carps, was found poisoned and floating on Kingfisher Lake.
Benson was 25 years old, and weighed in at 29kg (640 lb). It was estimated he was worth around £20,000.

Benson was voted Britain's Favourite Carp by the readers of Angler's Mail in 2005, and was caught and released by more then 60 anglers in the past, who vied with each other to net the prestigous catch.

Kingfisher Lake, is one of the Bluebell Lakes in the Peterborough area. A quantity of uncooked nuts, toxic to fish, were found on the shoreline and empty bags were found in skips nearby.

The largest recorded carp caught by an angler, was registered in 2007 on the Rainbow lake near Bordeaux, France, and weighed in at 40.1 kilograms (88.6 pounds). The oldest recorded age for a common carp, is of 65 years.

Gennie Psaila dies falling off bolting horse in Maghtab - Update (3) - Funeral

2009-08-04T13:06:00.022+02:00

Gennie Psaila (nee' Swain, also known as Jennie Psaila), age 50, and wife of former football coach Pippo Psaila, died this morning at around 8.30 am while horse-riding in Maghtab. It is reported the horse bolted, and Mrs Psaila died on the spot. She leaves behind two children. This was the third equestrian incident this year, but the first horse-related fatal one.

Update

Mrs Psaila, a keen horse-rider, had lately been practicing dressage and show jumping. It is as yet unclear whether she was on a routine ride this morning, or practicing a more challenging drill.

Update (2) 14.00

The location were Gennie Psaila lost her life, is used for show jumping practice and competitions.

The MEF website lists Tal-Maghatab Riding Club as one of the official ranking events venue. There are 6 clubs in all within MEF, each organising approximately 26 events annually. Such a venue would be equipped with an obstacle course, necessary for the show jumping routine, as required by the Federation Equestre Internationale. The obstacles would include verticals, spreads, double and triple combinations (two or more fences placed within one-to-three strides of eachother), and the routine would have many turns and changes in direction.

The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) is the international governing body of equestrian sports, and Mrs Gennie Psaila had in fact been instrumental in affiliating Malta within FEI. She was also an official in the Malta Equestrian Federation.

Cruel fate would have it, that the horse Mrs. Psaila was riding early this morning, was a gift from her husband, Pippo Psaila, on her 50th birthday. They had just returned from a yachting holiday Monday evening.

The Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and the Malta Sports Council were among organisations which expressed their condolences.

Update August 07 13.30

Gennie Psaila was laid to rest this morning August 07. Mass was held at the church of the Divine Mercy in San Pawl tat-Tarġa, after which she was buried at the Santa Maria Addolorata.

The autopsy conducted yesterday established that Ms Psaila suffered from head injuries, among others.

Major terror attack foiled in Australia - Defence establishment targetted

2009-08-04T01:58:00.003+02:00

More than 400 anti-terror police officers swooped down on 19 properties in Melbourne, in a mass raid code-named Operation Neath.

Four people were arrested. The suspects were allegedly planning a suicide attack involving automatic weapons.
Australia Federal Police Acting Commissioner Tony Negus told a news conference in Melbourne, their alleged target was a "defence establishment".
"The men's intention was to actually go into the Army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed."

St. Dominic's Feast may be over: But the hard work isn't

2009-08-04T00:24:00.014+02:00

Photo: Feast organisers carefully hoist down statues from the street pedestals in front of Casino Maltese Republic Street, Valletta. St. Dominic's feast celebrations were held on Sunday August 02.

The heat and humidity on the following day, didn't wilt the zest in this group of festa organisers as they busied themselves transferring the statues and street decorations onto their trailer, and towing them off in a red Land Rover.

Car overturns on Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road

2009-08-04T00:09:00.005+02:00

A car flipped over on the Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road, today August 03, around 3.45pm.

Although it is reported elsewhere there were no injuries, Snor-kel has received unconfirmed reports stating eye-witnesses saw at least one person on the scene of the accident, with a badly gashed limb.

The car was eventually towed away, relieving a severe traffic tail-back.

Further updates soon.

Businessmen, port officials and stevedore, handed down suspended sentences in 1992 bribery case

2009-08-03T14:29:00.005+02:00

Two businessmen, two port officials and a stevedore were today given suspended jail terms and a perpetual general interdiction for their involvement in a bribery case which saw businessmen Alfred Vassallo,70 and Mario Magri,52 avoid paying close to €120,000 in customs duties between August and September 1992.

The businessmen had imported 600 cordless phones, six Panasonic video cameras and 24 gambling machines on three separate occasions. They had also colluded with stevedore Marco Vella, 44, to have him falsify customs papers and the true contents of the containers and to release the merchandise from customs.
Mr Vella in turn, solicited Customs official, Pierre Cauchi, 59, and Sea Malta Bonded Stores Operator Raymond Farrugia, 53, and informed them that the two businessmen were offering a tip, in return for the release of the imports in question. It is unclear as to how much the tip actually amounted to since this information was not divulged during the court proceedings. However, the two officials did accept the bribe, and soon after police got wind of the malfeasance, successfully intervening after the third shipment. They carried out a search of the officials' homes, and in the process recovered some of the items which had circumvented customs duty.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, took into consideration the fact that court procedures had started in 1994, at no fault of the accused, and the time to conclude the case was excessive.
Before handing down the two year jail term suspended for four years, and a perpetual general interdiction, Magistrate Demicoli duly considered that Mr Vella had a clean police record while the others had relatively clean criminal records.

Air Force One Manhattan fly-over propoganda disaster: Documents and photo download

2009-08-02T23:35:00.007+02:00

Responding to requests from the American public, the Defense Department has released 146 more photos from the infamous Air Force One flyover, April 27, that struck fear in thousands of unsuspecting New Yorkers in April.

The photos are available here, from Pentagon, in pdf format.

The photo-op caused widespread panic in Lower Manhattan and New Jersey, as many people had experienced the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and thought the city was again under siege.

Workers abandoned office buildings as the planes flew past the Financial District.

Local officials had not been informed of the photo-op, which cost some $328,000, and the embarassing incident led to the resignation of Louis Caldera, the Obama official behind the stunt.

The Pentagon has also released a document-dump of its internal emails as it struggled to resolve the Manhattan mayhem following the fly-over. The panic in the correspondence is evident.

These documents, released July 31, are available here in pdf format.

Bloodbath in Tel Aviv gay club as black clad gunman opens fire

2009-08-01T23:08:00.004+02:00

Israeli Emergency services report a black clad gunman has killed two and injured twelve others in the Cafe Noir gay club, Tel Aviv this Saturday evening, August 01.

Although Tel Aviv has been the target of terror related bombings and suicide attacks, the police are considering this incident as a criminal attack.

Israel Channel 10 TV described the scene inside Cafe Noir as a "bloodbath". The murderer is still at large.

Gas prices skyrocket - Average sized LPG cylinder up by 42% - Update (Added GRTU reaction)

2009-08-01T22:47:00.007+02:00

The Infrastructure Ministry, this evening August 01, announced steep increases in LPG and propane products. Fuel prices decreased.

"The subsidy on LPG products has been gradually removed over the last year, a move that is required in anticipation of the opening of the internal market where more than one operator is expected to operate and consequently the removal of subsidies was also necessary in order to ensue fair competition," Enemalta said.
Subsidies to LPG products in the last four months cost Government €600,000.

Product	Previous Price	Revised Price	Change
Unleaded	€1.140	€1.130	(-€0.010)
LRP	€1.210	€1.200	(-€0.010)
Diesel	€0.960	€0.950	(-€0.010)
Kerosene	€0.870	No change	No change
Gasoil for heating	€0. 61	No change	No change
TFO 200	€429.00	€411.00	(-€18.00)
TFO 450	€419.00	€400.00	(-€19.00)
TFO 900	€403.00	€381.00	(-€22.00)

	Cylinder Size (kg)	Current price (€) (incl of VAT)	Approved price by MRA (€) (incl of VAT)	Change
LPG	10	6.4	9	(+€2.60)
	12	7.4	10.5	(+€3. 10)
	15	9.25	13	(+€3.75)
	25	16.2	20.5	(+€4.30)
	Bulk per kg	0.63	0.82	(+€0.19)
Propane	10	7.8	10	(+€2.20)
	15	11.72	14.5	(+€2.78)
	25	19.45	23	(+€3.55)
	Bulk per kg	0.79	0.92	(+€0.13)

Update August 04

Source: Times of Malta

GRTU criticises increase in price of gas

The increase in the price of gas has been deplored by the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU.
It said in a statement that for the second time in less than six months, at a time when the economic situation was weak, the Malta Resources Authority again failed in its obligation to defend consumers of this essential service by approving the increase requested by gas producers.
This has burdened the consumer with another increase of more than 30 percent on the increase annouced only a few months ago.
The GRTU said that many small and medium businesses had switched to gas from electricity in the past two years and these would be suffering, especially since they could not increase prices to recover the increase in the current circumstances.
The price of gas since April, the GRTU said, had increased by more than 90 percent. Yet again, this was another privatisation exercise which put consumers at a disadvantage.

Anthony Taliana charged in court with manslaughter of Cliff Micallef - Update (Email campaign & defence lawyer's comments)

2009-08-01T18:55:00.009+02:00

Anthony Taliana, was yesterday Friday 31 July, charged with the manslaughter of Cliff Micallef on the Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road, Thursday 30 July. The 21-year-old Ħamrun motorist (known as Toni Taliana) involved in the fatal hit-and-run accident was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Anthony Tagliana, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to involuntary homicide, driving in a dangerous manner when drunk, and failing to stop at an accident. He also pleaded not guilty to driving without insurance and relapsing after being convicted for dangerous driving.

Mr Taliana's defence lawyer, Michael Sciriha said his client wanted to express his deepest sympathy to the victim's family.

Magistrate Anthony Vella denied a request for bail and remanded Mr Taliana in custody.
Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted. Lawyer Ian Farrugia also appeared for Mr Taliana.
Lawyer Alexander Schembri appeared parte civile.

Update August 06 - includes comments by Taliana's defence lawyer Michael Sciriha

Anthony Taliana, the 21-year-old, convicted and dangerous driver who is now charged with involuntarily killing a cyclist in a hit-and-run incident while driving drunk and without insurance, is facing a maximum of six years in prison, reported the Times of Malta today August 06.

Meanwhile, an email campaign calling for "trash like this" not to be allowed to "run around, showing off and killing people" has been doing the rounds. Personal photos of Mr Taliana, lifted from his Facebook and Hi5 profile (which have since been removed) are included in a power point presentation within the forewarded email. He is shown smoking, drinking and even sitting next to a cocaine-like mountain of white powder. Other photos show him fooling around in a toilet, sprawling on the bonnet of his car and waving a political party's flag while standing in a car window.

"Send this presentation to everyone you know so that we make our message heard and help clean up our streets," the e-mail says. It also claims that Mr Taliana was well-known by the police as being a dangerous driver and says the authorities were partly to blame for the fact that, three months after his first conviction, he was freely roaming the streets again.
"He should be ashamed of himself, and so should the person who gave him a licence," the e-mail concludes.

Anthony Taliana's defence lawyer Michael Sciriha, told the Times of Malta such e-mails could be prejudicial to the case, amounting to "pre-trial publicity" which he disagreed with.
He did not confirm whether or not he would be using this as a defence angle, saying only that he first had to see what evidence was brought against his client.
"Naturally, submissions have to be made at the right place," he said.
He pointed out, however, that there had been various judgments that suggested such activities could jeopardise a person's right to a fair trial.
Dr Sciriha emphasised his sympathy for the victim and his family and said that he respected everyone's opinion, even those who were criticising his client.

The blue Opel Astra involved in the hit and run suffered extensive damage to its front, and has since been impounded by the police. Anthony Taliana is currently being held in Corradino prison.

Woman rescued in St Paul's Bay - Airlifted to hospital - Update (Police Report)

2009-07-31T19:49:00.003+02:00

A 23 year old maltese woman was rescued today 31 July 5pm from Qawra Point, St. Paul's. She was spotted by other bathers who initially mistook her for a floating corpse. The woman was conscious, and responsive when plucked out of the water. Further updates soon.

Update

Report Date Info Category
31 July 2009

Illum tard wara nofsinhar, il-Pulizija giet infurmata mill-AFM li kien intlemah katavru fil-bahar fil-Qawra. Meta l-ghajnuna waslet fuq il-post, irrizulta li fil-bahar kien hemm persuna hajja u mhux katavru. Il-persuna koncernata hija tfajla ta' 23 sena minn San Pawl il-Bahar. Hija ittiehdet l-Isptar Mater Dei permezz ta' helicopter fejn giet iccertifikata li ma kelliex feriti esterni u fl-ebda hin ma kienet fil-periklu tal-mewt. Hija nzammet l-Isptar ghall-osservazzjoni.
Health-Related: Recreation

Pembroke reverse-osmosis powercut leads to a third of Malta's water supply to fail

2009-07-31T12:00:00.003+02:00

An electricity failure at the Pembroke reverse-osmosis plant lead to one third of the island's loss of water supply yesterday 30 July at 11.10 pm. The problem is still being resolved, and a WSC (Water Services Corporation) spokesman said the service should be back by 6pm this evening, at the latest. Currently affected areas are mostly the localities around Swieqi and Birkirkara.

Cyclist Clifford Micallef killed on Bahar ic-Caghaq Coast road - Update (6) - Video Tribute added

2009-07-30T09:56:00.025+02:00

Update (3) - Mr Micallef's funeral will be held tomorrow at Ta' L-Ibraġ church at 2 p.m. Cyclists from various clubs, including the Lifecycle athletes, will pedal their way to the church in honour of their friend.

Clifford Micallef, 45, from Swieqi, died on the spot this morning 5 am, when he was hit by a car while training for the LifeCycle marathon.

The fatal accident occurred on the Bahar ic-Caghaq Coast road, and it is reported the driver, Anthony Taliana from Hamrun, had sped on in his car but was later tracked down and a man is helping the police in their investigations.

Cliff Micallef was an experienced cyclist and besides being the Cycling Federation's secretary, was also responsible for resolving any mechanical problems encountered by the LifeCycle team. He also ran the Lets Go Cycling.org website. He is married with three kids.

The LifeCycle marathon is scheduled for August 6 this year, between Istanbul and Damascus. The money raised will go towards funding the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital.

Update

Mr Micallef's wife Shirley confirmed that a cornea belonging to Cliff Micallef, is to be donated. The other cornea cannot be donated because of the trauma suffered when Mr Micallef was hit by the car. Although Mr Micallef had an donor card, the organs from his body couldn't be donated due to his death on impact on the road, resulting in organ deterioration due to lack of oxygen. In contrast, the cornea is a tissue, not an organ, and therefore is unaffected by any short delays in its recovery to storage.

Update (2) 31 July

The driver who allegedly killed Cliff Micallef has been remanded in custody.
Anthony Taliana, 21, of Bugibba and Hamrun, (known as Toni Taliana) pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Mr Micallef. He was also charged with careless and dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and without insurance, failing to stop after causing an accident and relapsing.

Update (4) Video Link

Hundreds attend Cliff Micallef's funeral, today August 01, and over 400 cyclists give him a fitting farewell, escorting his funeral cortege from Ibrag Church to Addolorata Cemetry. Cyclists attend funeral mass in full cycling gear.

Video Link from Timesofmalta online.

Update (5) - Police Report

Report Date

Info

Category

30 July 2009

Kmieni dalghodu ghall-habta tal-hamsa u ghoxrin (0520hrs) il-Pulizija giet infurmata li fi Triq il-Kosta, Bahar ic-Caghaq kien hemm persuna ma’ l-art.

Minn investigazzjonijiet preliminari li ghamlet il-Pulizija rrizulta li waqt li ragel ta’ 45 sena mis-Swieqi kien qed issuq ir-rota fi Triq il-Kosta, ghal xi raguni dan intlaqat minn karozza. Is-sewwieq ta’ din il-vettura telaq minn fuq il-post ta’ l-incident.

Sfortunatament ir-ragel gie ccertifikat mejjet fuq il-post.

Il-vettura li laqtet lill-vittma nstabet aktar tard, u persuna qeghda tghin lill-Pulizija fl-investigazzjoni.

Bil-kaz giet infurmata l-Magistrat ta’ L-Ghassa Dr. M Hayman LLD fejn hatret diversi esperti sabiex jassituha fl-inkjesta. Il-Pulizija ghadha ghaddeja bl-investigazzjoni taghha.

Traffic-Related: Fatal

Update 6 - Video link added

This is the video by Ray Pace that was posted on the Betfair Lifecycle Challenge 2009 blog on the Times of Malta website.

Click here for the Cliff Micallef Video Tribute by Ray Pace, on Lifecycle.

iPhone is hacker prone - No Apple security patch in sight yet

2009-07-30T01:22:00.002+02:00

Hackers have discovered a flaw in the iPhone's text messaging system, allowing complete control of the device by hackers.

iPhone owners could be at risk on recieving a burst of SMS's containing a square character. The flaw would allow hackers to dial the phone, visit websites, use the camera and send messages to other iPhones, infecting them too.

Security experts Charlie Miller and Collin Mulliner were scheduled to reveal the technique at a Black Hat cybersecurity conference July 29. They claim Apple was informed about the bug a month ago, but no patch has been forthcoming yet.

Maltese-Australian teenage girls develop super-lilo in Gnejna Bay

2009-07-30T00:47:00.003+02:00

Two Maltese-Australian teenage girls triggered an AFM search operation when they went missing, Wednesday 29 July 11am while on a lilo in Gnejna Bay. The operation was called off at 5.25pm when family members reported the girls had been found several kilometres away in Ghadira Bay Mellieha.

The Maritime Squadron's Melita rescue launch, a dinghy from patrol boat P-61 and an Air Wing Alouette helicopter were dispatched during the search.

Dennis Vella dies

2009-07-29T17:07:00.006+02:00

Dennis Vella, the art critic, has passed away, age 56.

Mr Vella was the museum curator at the National Museum of Fine Arts, a member of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and a university lecturer.

The Culture Ministry said that his death would leave a vacuum, and that his advice on art was sought by many and his publications showed the level of commitment he gave to every project.

"Every one who ever worked with him will testify to the fact that he was a gentleman who was always ready to share his knowledge and to help." The Ministry also expressed solidarity with Mr. Vella's family, in their great loss.

KONDOLJANZI GĦALL-MEWT TA’ DENNIS VELLA

Il-mewt ta’ Dennis Vella tħalli vojt kbir fil-qasam tal-arti f’pajjiżna. Dennis kien bniedem li dejjem qeda dmiru b’dinjità u b’passjoni kbira lejn l-arti. Fid-diversi karigi pubbliċi li okkupa kemm bħala Kuratur tal-Mużew tal-Arti, bħala membru tal-Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti kif ukoll bħala lecturer fl-Universita dejjem wera’ abbiltà u impenn.

Il-pariri tiegħu dwar l-arti kienu mfittxija minn bosta u l-pubblikazzjonijiet tiegħu huma xhieda tal-impenn li kien jinvesti f’dak kollu li jidħol għalih.

Għalkemm kien jaf li hu marid baqa’ jaqdi dmiru sal-aħħar b’impenn kbir. Kulmin ħadem miegħu iqisu bħala ġentlom li dejjem lest biex jgħin u jaqsam ma’ sħabu dak kollu li kien jaf. Kemm bħala Kuratur ta’ bosta wirjiet kif ukoll bħala kritiku tal-Arti, dejjem fittex li jkun bilanċjat u ġust, għalkemm qatt ma żamm lura milli jikkritika fejn ħass il-bżonn u jew wera apprezzament fejn kien mistħoqq.

Il-Ministeru tal-Edukazzjoni, Kultura, Żgħażagħ u Sport jixtieq juri solidarjetà mal-familja Vella għal din it-telfa kbira.

DOI – 30.07.2009

Yahoo teams up with Microsoft to win over Google's search engine audience

2009-07-29T16:46:00.005+02:00

Yahoo is teaming up with Microsoft, following years of financial turmoil. The move which was long in the pipeline, and the centre of several rounds of negotiations, is set to position Microsoft for an assault on Google's search engine market.

Microsoft needs to process more search enquiries to satisfy current internet advert quotas. The move is also expected to facilitate Microsofts relaunch of its recently revamped "Bing" search engine.

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said: "Microsoft and Yahoo know there's so much more that search could be. "This agreement gives us the scale and resources to create the future of search."

BMW to quit Formula One end of this season

2009-07-29T13:48:00.004+02:00

In a landmark decision to restructure the group's motorsport activities, BMW Sauber has announced it's withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of the current season. The decision was taken during the company's board meeting yesterday 28 July, prompted by the fact that the Formula 1 campaign is no longer a key promoter for BMW.

The Chairman of the BMW board of management said: "Of course, this was a very difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment."

Honda withdrew from Formula 1 just before the 2009 season commenced, making BMW's decision yesterday a second major blow to the motorsport.

Today Public Policy Institute calls for reform of Malta's social security system

2009-07-29T13:39:00.004+02:00

A report by the Today Public Policy Institute, and authored by Joseph X Zahra, calls for a reformed maltese social security system which gives assistance to the needy, as opposed to the current situation which creates unnecessary dependence.

The report has its cross-hairs on a welfare system as a temporary solution until people can get back on their feet. To this end, it recommends a regulator who would determine a means testing formula assessing people objectively and on a regular basis, and a greater interaction between the public, NGOs and the private sector. It also ecourages public debate on the matter, warning that failure to take heed would jeopardize sustainability and constitute a generational injustice with future generations bearing the brunt of the consequences. “This is a subject which we can no longer escape confronting,” director-general Martin Scicluna said.

Presenting the report, Mr Zahra said that there was no “magic wand” solution, and that the institute aimed to look into the values which should guide the reform.
Currently social security expenses already exceed contributions, however the shortfall is bridged by a government contribution amounting to fifty per cent of its total revenue.

Issue of €100,000,000 Government Stocks

2009-07-28T19:20:00.003+02:00

The Accountant General announces the issue of €100,000,000 Government Stocks subject to an over-allotment option of an additional sum of €20,000,000 on Wednesday, 5th August, 2009 as follows:

(i) 3.6% Malta Government Stock 2013 (IV) Fungibility Issue, and

(ii) 5% Malta Government Stock 2021 (I) Fungibility Issue, or of

(iii) Any combination of the above two Stocks shall in the aggregate be €100,000,000

The price for each Stock shall be established on Friday 31st July 2009. Such price shall be announced to the Malta Stock Exchange, published in the daily local newspapers and through a Press Release by the Department of Information.

The issue closes on the time and dates as hereunder, or earlier at the discretion of the Accountant General:

(i) at 12.00 noon on Saturday 8th August, 2009 for applications by any single and/or joint applications which in the aggregate do not exceed €100,000 per person, and

(ii) at 12:00 noon on Tuesday 11th August, 2009 for applications in the form of sealed bids (auction). The allotment results of each stock to applicants whose applicants are in the form of sealed bids (auction) will be determined and announced within two hours immediately after the closing time of applications by auction.

Application forms may be obtained from and lodged at, all members of the Malta Stock Exchange and other authorised Investment Service Providers. Application forms may also be downloaded from the Treasury website.

More information on these stocks is found in their respective prospectus and on the Treasury website at www.treasury.gov.mt.

DOI – 28.07.2009

St.Paul's Bay bypass inner lane reopens after 9 years

2009-07-28T15:20:00.005+02:00

The St. Paul's Bay bypass southbound inner lane, closed following the road's collapse due to illegal excavations by Polidano Brothers - has been reopened after 9 years.

After the site had collapsed, MEPA Auditor Joe Falzon had issued a scathing 45 page report condemning MEPA for its inaction against Polidano Brothers. Residents also insisted the site was ODZ (outside development zone) and threatened legal action.

More recently in February 2006, KTP's (Chamber of Architects) president, David Pace, had lambasted MEPA for its lack of enforcement on the issue, and also with regards to another mudslide across the bay in Xemxija, also caused by Polidano Brothers. Follow the full story by clicking here.

Internet access disruption hits Melita subscribers (Update 4)

2009-07-28T14:56:00.004+02:00

Many internet users all over the island have been left high and dry since early Tues 28 July, following problems incurred by Melita Cable in accessing international bandwidth. The internet service is still down at 11.00am and there is no indication as to when access will be regained.

Update 11.15
Users from Mosta reported their internet connectivity was down as early as 1am this morning.

Update 15.00

Many subscribers are gradually regaining internet access. Meanwhile The Times of Malta is reporting some users have also had telephony problems, and that Melita is working closely with Cisco and Wind to resolve a software bug.

Update 16.00

A Melita spokesman revealed Melita are about to offer compensation to subscibers following today's widespread inaccess to internet and telephony offered by Melita. The company should be issueing a statement shortly.

Update 18.20

Melita are compensating their subscribers with unlimited internet downloads, free of charge for one month.

“This is the first time that a local communications provider is offering compensation for a technical outage, Stephen Wright, Melita’s CEO said.

Siggiewi Local Council urges Labour Party to return club premises - Update (2)

2009-07-27T15:16:00.006+02:00

A motion presented by Siġġiewi’s Nationalist deputy mayor, Dr. Karol Aquilina, and seconded by councillor Mark Vasallo (PN), proposes the council take over the leased Labour Party club in the main square, which has been government property since the 1960's.

The property in question, "Villa Siggiewi", belonged to Mabel Strickland, and was previously used as the locality's primary school, before being sold to government and becoming a civic centre.

Back in the early 80's, Labour party had proposed leasing out three rooms within the property as its club premises in the locality, and in fact concluded the lease contract with government on the eve of the 1981 general elections. Consequently, and within just a few years, the club expanded to occupy all of "Villa Siggiewi" as the various parts of the building became vacant.

Dr. Aquilina is now appealing the PL to act in the interests of the locality, and to return the property to government for its subsequent use as a day care centre for the elderly, and as the Local Council's premises.

Update 20:40

The Siggiewi Local Council has just approved the motion, requesting government to transfer the property to the council as soon as the lease expires within a year.

Update (2) August 02

The government has agreed not to renew the lease of the locality's PL club when it expires in June 2010. The premises will instead be transferred to the local council for use as a day centre for the elderly and offices for the council.
Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi, who is responsible for public property, said the decision was motivated by the public interest. The Labour Party has been informed of the decision.

Sarkozy leaves hospital - Clean bill of health

2009-07-27T12:24:00.006+02:00

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy walked out of hospital this morning following a brief health scare yesterday 26 July when he collapsed while out jogging with his bodyguards.

It is now confirmed that doctors found no signs of heart or neurological problems after they ran blood tests, brain scans, and an electrocardiogram on th president. Earlier on, French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said he had suffered a small vasovagal episode.

All Mr Sarkozy's official meetings today 27 July have been cancelled, but he is expected to chair the final council of ministers meeting, Wednesday, and then set out for his summer break.

Sarkozy rushed to hospital after collapsing while jogging

2009-07-26T18:29:00.005+02:00

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy was speeded to a Paris hospital earlier today 26 July, after collapsing on a routine jog with his bodyguards.
It is reported the 54 year old president was rushed to hospital after sudden severe breathing difficulties while jogging, and the initial diagnosis from the Val de Grace military hospital, is that Mr Sarkozy suffered a vagus nerve attack. The vagus nerve is a major nerve running between the abdomen and the brain. His wife, Carla Bruni is by his side.

Update 27 July

Sarkozy leaves hospital. Full update here.

Lucky escape in Mellieha by-pass accident.

2009-07-26T18:19:00.003+02:00

A young woman was lucky to survive a potentially fatal accident, with relatively minor injuries.
The accident happened on the Mellieha by-pass, after she lost control of her white Fiat Punto, crossed into the opposite lane, and broke through the low boundary wall to fall one and a half storeys onto the garigue below.
A doctor in the area stopped to deliver first aid. The woman was recovered to hospital in an ambulance, and it is reported she may have suffered some fractures.

FAA on Qormi Armoury - Right site, fraudulent applications

2009-07-25T17:15:00.011+02:00

"Contrary to what has been said, the demolished structures have been shown to be an integral part of the Armoury complex by the existence of doors leading from the demolished rooms into the main building."

"Four applications were made on this site between 2004 and 2007, some running concurrently and confusing the issue. Most of these fail to declare the site to be in the Urban Conservation Area (UCA). Even more seriously, in each application the architects failed to fill the section declaring the site to be a scheduled building Grade 3 adjacent to a Grade 1 structure, as they are obliged to do by Circular to Architects 8/02."

Above: Excerpts from FAA's Press Release today 25 July.
Read the full PR below:

QORMI ARMOURY – Right Site, Fraudulent Applications
The case of the demolition of part of the Qormi Knights’ period armoury has registered new developments. Contrary to what has been said, the demolished structures have been shown to be an integral part of the Armoury complex by the existence of doors leading from the demolished rooms into the main building. In keeping with the dating of the main building by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the style of these doorways conforms to that of the late 1500s.

On the other hand, examination of the files at MEPA have shown very grave shortcomings in the processing of the permits, from beginning to end. Four applications were made on this site between 2004 and 2007, some running concurrently and confusing the issue. Most of these fail to declare the site to be in the Urban Conservation Area (UCA). Even more seriously, in each application the architects failed to fill the section declaring the site to be a scheduled building Grade 3 adjacent to a Grade 1 structure, as they are obliged to do by Circular to Architects 8/02.

Further infringements include non-submission of plans of the existing structures and street elevations which are obligatory within the UCA, but most seriously, there is no mention of essential architectural features such as existing arches, kileb, xorok and alkovi which have since been destroyed. Although it is obligatory to show these on the plans and sections, these have been completely omitted. This, FAA maintains, is serious enough to warrant the revocation of the permit on the grounds of fraud as interpreted in Article 39A: “fraud” means the submission to the Authority of any information, declaration or plan on the basis of which the Authority has approved a development permission, where such information, declaration or plan is false, misleading or incorrect, irrespective of whether such deceit is the result of a wilful or negligent act.

Other shortcomings in this case include an application showing the wrong site and the applicants repeatedly declaring themselves to be owners of the site and subsequently producing evidence of the real owners after three years of processing. The regulations which have been violated with the granting of these permits include UCA Policies 2, 6, 8, 10, BEN 1, 2, 19, TRA 4, guidelines on the development of gardens and backyards in UCAs as well as provisions to protect existing trees, and rubble walls in the Armoury garden which were protected by LN 160/97.

FAA cannot understand how these regulations were repeatedly ignored by both the DCC as well as the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC), in spite of the MEPA Directorate’s repeated recommendations to refuse the permit. The MEPA Heritage Management Unit went so far as to urge a revision of the HAC report saying “HAC may wish to comment whether their recommendation is still valid especially when considering that the property can significantly influence the contextual integrity of the adjacent Grade 1 property.”

The heritage official also noted that the “Arched hall to be protected has already suffered damage – destruction of the carved lintel above main door. One of the stone arches has been replaced by iron beam internally. Plans indicate that existing doors are to be moved. Forfeiture of guarantee is recommended.”

In view of the fact that the building was “of vernacular, architectural, cultural and historical relevance” the Heritage officer called for it to be protected by an Emergency Conservation Order. Instead the DCC proceeded to approve its demolition.

FAA cannot comprehend how the HAC and DCC did not even question why the most valuable structure in the area was removed from UCA protection in the 2006 revision of the Local Plans and approved such a destruction of our architectural heritage. Did the fact that the architect applying for the demolition sat on both the DCC and the HAC at the time of submission of the applications have anything to do with this? In view of the facts revealed in the MEPA files an immediate investigation by the Mepa Auditor is called for.

http://www.faa.org.mt/

Foundation to raise €300,000 for Valletta dome.

2009-07-25T13:48:00.002+02:00

A foundation has been set up to restore the St. Dominic's Church dome in Valletta.
The Fondazzjoni Porto Salvo u San Duminku will be collecting funds in the region of €300,000 needed for the restoration to commence.
The ambitious project has been split into two phases, with the initial 6-month phase costing close to €150,000 and to include the restoration of the dome and insulation of the external roof thus safeguarding the already water-damaged Cali paintings within. The last 2-year phase will then concentrate on the restoration of the paintings.

Background Information:

"The Dominican church in Valletta was declared “the principal parish and matrix of the whole of the new city” by Pope Pius V through his Apostolic Bull Ex Debito Pastoralis. On the 25th May 1816 it was elevated to the dignity of a Minor Basilica. The original church, constructed by Girolamo Cassar, had to be pulled down some two hundred years later on account of the 1693 earthquake which damaged the church extensively. The new church was consecrated on the 15th October 1889." - www.maltadiocese.org

Giuseppe Calì (August 14, 1846 – March 1, 1930) was a Maltese painter, born in Valletta of Neapolitan parents and educated at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Naples under Giuseppe Mancinelli. He was a prolific artist, and in fact almost every church of any consequence in Malta boasts a work of his. He died in Vallette and was commemorated by the Republic of Malta with a series of four postage stamps in 1996, and a coin in 2004.

Definition of "Foundation" - an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts. - www.dictionary.com

Wied tal-Madonna Mellieha permit refused

2009-07-24T14:56:00.013+02:00

Construction of a block of flats at the Wied tal-Madonna in Mellieha has been refused permit by the MEPA (Malta Environment and Planning Authority). The decision was a confirmation of the DCC Board's recommendation, ending a 6 year saga.

The controversial construction would have cut across the valley, and the water course, infringing several national and European regulations. The residents had also held a press conference on the bridge overlooking the valley, in conjunction with the Coalition of Environmental NGOs, including FAA (Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar) and Ramblers, 9 September 2006.

The Wied tal-Madonna is located right in the heart of Mellieha, parallel to the main thoroughfare of Triq Borg Olivier, running down hill towards Ghadira. It constitutes an important watercourse habitat, and acts as a green lung for the village itself. The watercourse runs right down to a spring which was renovated by the Mellieha Local Council way back in 1994.

The refused application sought to demolish an existing building and reconstruct 18 flats cutting right across the valley, ignoring the present building line.

The DCC Board's decision today upheld two important policies protecting natural valleys. POLICY RCO 28 stipulates that "valleys will continue to be protected as important water catchment areas", while POLICY RCO 29 stipulates "No new physical development will normally be allowed on the sides of valleys and especially on valley watercourses except for construction aimed at preventing soil erosion and the conservation management of water resources."

Volleyball Marathon set for 41 degree Celsius play

2009-07-24T13:34:00.006+02:00

This evening 24 July 19.00 the ex-Kerygma volleyball marathon kicks-off, run for the first time ever by Dar tal-Providenza.

The 52 hour marathon will be drawing a number of VIP's, starting with the inauguration by President George Abela, the Armed Forces of Malta Band, and Archbishop Emeritus Guzeppi Mercieca later in the evening. Saturday will see visits from Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Education Minister Dolores Cristina. Archbishop Paul Cremona will attend the closure on Sunday evening.

The 52-hour volleyball marathon is held in aid of Dar tal-Providenza, with the 35 players set to bear the scorching heat forecasted for this weekend.

The marathon ends at 23.00 Sunday.
Donations can be made by dialling the following numbers:

5504 9553 €7
5504 9555 €12
5004 9550 €23

Update 21.00

The marathon kicked off with President George Abela, blowing the whistle.
A minute of silence was observed in remembrance of Tamara Psaila, the young lady who lost her life during a dive organised in Qawra, to collect funds for Dar tal-Providenza.View report here.

Roman ship "graveyard" found by Maltese led team

2009-07-23T19:03:00.004+02:00

Maltese achaeologist, Timmy Gambin, led a team from Aurora Trust, on a discovery of five pristine ancient Roman shipwrecks off the small Italian island of Ventotene.

The archaeologists used sonar technology to scan the seabed.

The Aurora Trust was formed by Craig Mullen and Ian Koblick to advance the world’s understanding of the ocean environment, most particularly its marine cultural heritage hidden for thousands of years on the seafloor and to educate the public concerning the historic role the oceans have played in connecting different cultures; its commerce and conflicts.

In its mission to help disseminate its discoveries and publicize those of other similar groups exploring the words oceans, Aurora has established the Aurora Institute for Marine Studies (AIMS) to serve its educational objectives. AIMS provides educational forums; sponsors academic research and related publications to broaden the spread of knowledge.

Hubble Astronauts Twitter

2009-07-23T14:40:00.004+02:00

With the Smithsonian (@ReliveApollo11) tweeting the 40th anniversary of the Apollo11 mission and current space shuttle mission commander Mark Polansky (@Astro_127) tweeting the crew's work on the International Space Station, no space nut these days can operate without a twitter account.

NASA took the experiment one step further, 21 July 2009, and held a tweetup. Part of the growing twitter lexicon this term refers to a real-life meetup for tweople (people on twitter, I'm led to believe). Usually this means a dozen or so people in a bar, but in the case of NASA followers, which broke 100,000 today, the auditorium at NASA headquarters did the trick today.

A lucky 150 or so people flew in from as far away as Arizona, Vancouver, and even (wow!) Spain, crowded in, turned on their iPhones and laptops, and were treated to a good two hours with the crew of the STS-125 shuttle mission to make repairs to rejuvenate the Hubble space telescope.

cont/d here.

The Truth about bottled water

2009-07-23T13:57:00.003+02:00

Men'sHealth analyses what goes into bottled water. You may be surprised, you may actually be drinking tap water.

"Dasani, you see, is a Coca-Cola product, and the source isn't anything as exotic as an iceberg or even an underground spring: It's Philadelphia tap water. Or at least the Dasani I drink is made from Philly tap water -- yours may come from somewhere else. To make Dasani, Coke bottlers in a dozen cities around the country take their local water, purify it, and add back various minerals. It may sound as if Dasani comes from the Italian Alps, but it's more likely to have come from Detroit. (I had hoped to see exactly how this process happens, but Dasani's amiable spokesman, Scott Williamson, told me over the phone that it wasn't possible. "Bottling plants tend to be Fort Knox-type facilities," he said.)

It should be noted that Dasani isn't the only brand of water that springs from something besides a spring. About 25 percent of all bottled water is taken from municipal water sources -- tap water, in other words. Despite the drawing of a mountain on its label, for instance, Pepsi's Aquafina is essentially purified tap water. (Unlike Dasani, Aquafina just purifies the water -- it doesn't add back any minerals.)

As for the remaining 75 percent of bottled water, it does, in fact, come from "natural" sources like underground springs or artesian wells."

Read the full article here.

Gas Explosion in Marsaxlokk

2009-07-23T12:52:00.009+02:00

Three firemen were fighting a blaze in a garage in Dun Salv Gatt Street, very early this morning 23 July, when a gas cylinder exploded seriously injuring one of the firemen in his face and hands. The fireman, 40, from Valletta, was immediatley hospitalized at Mater Dei.

Update 13:15

On arrival, CPD were informed that the garage only contained straw. The firemen were therefore unaware of the gas cylinders.

Update 22:00

Times of Malta post a video interview with Chris Aquilina, the 40 year old injured fireman, and with Patrick Murgo, Deputy Director CPD. View the video by clicking here.

Bahrija Permit Report - Victor Scerri's response

2009-07-23T11:18:00.006+02:00

The long awaited Bahrija permit report was made public yesterday 22 July, and is now available for download from the DOI (Department of Information) here.

In the document, MEPA auditor Joe Falzon slammed the DCC (Development Control Commission) for approving four permits for development in the pristine Bahrija valley, against all policies.

"The assessment of this application by the DCC should read: How to damage the natural environment with the blessing of the authorities responsible to safeguard it," the auditor lamented in the report.

The investigative document also reveals that it was the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) that halted the onsite works at Bahrija, and not Victor Scerri, contrary to his public statement while still Nationalist Party president, on June 19. Back then Dr Scerri informed the public that he had given instructions for works to stop and for an investigation by MEPA and the police to be initiated to clear his name from all charges. In fact it was MEPA who had asked Dr. Scerri's wife (the applicant) to stop works until the topography of the site and the exact location of a water cistern were clarified by the applicant. This data had been ommitted.

File Misplaced

The investigation also revealed that the file containing the first application for an outline development permit, back in 2002, couldn't be located. The permit was issued "illegally" given the site was located in a protected area.

Ambiguity; and collusion?

MEPA auditor, Joe Falzon, conceded that the DCC Board "went out of its way" to ensure "ambiguous information" was being relayed to the appplicant. However, in seeking to justify such action from the DCC Board, the auditor listed some "plausible" reasons that might have had bearing, based solely on his experience from other investigative cases. The most serious plausible reason was the allegation of "collusion" by the applicant, directly or through a third party, with one or more members of the DCC Board. The members of the DCC Board A in question have since resigned, in relation to another controversial permit, and therefore no corrective action can be taken .

Invalid 2007 Permit

The permit issued in 2007, for an extension the the farmhouse, was invalid and the DCC Board A acted "ultra vires" when it by-passed the EPD (Environment Protection Department), thus avoiding the environmentla screening required by law. More so, during the application process, the area had been accorded special conservation status, which required even further screening then originally, and yet the DCC Board ignored this further change in sensitivity.

Dr. Scerri's reaction

In reaction, Victor Scerri, who has already stepped down as Nationalist party president, on 21 July, welcomed the publication of the report, but said he had not received a copy yet. Dr. Scerrisaid the report found no fault with him, but had included a number of unfounded "insinuations" and "assumptions" giving the impression that wrong doings drawn upon in other cases, applied to this case too. "This speculation can reflect badly on my integrity and I am reserving the right to resort to court proceedings" he said.

MEPA Chairman's reponse

Chairman Austin Walker stated that the applicant has already been notified of the authority's intention to apply article 39A for the withdrawal of thepermit because it was issued erroneously.

The Police investigation

The Police investigation requested by Dr. Scerri, has not been concluded yet.

Man shot, critically injured, on Birkirkara Bypass

2009-07-22T09:53:00.003+02:00

A man was shot and critically injured early this morning 22 July at 12.30 am, on the Birkirkara Bypass. The 53 year old is in danger of losing his life, and the police are investigating. It is understood some people have already been called in for questioning.

Magistrate Antonio Vella is heading the enquiry.

Update 23 July

Nazzareno Briffa, 46 of Birkirkara, was today accused of the attempted murder of Peter Borg of Birkirkara.

Mr Briffa was also charged with the illegal possession of a weapon, firing a gun at a billboard on the Birkirkara Bypass and damaging it, firing in an inhabited area and relapsing.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Victor Scerri resigns from PN President post.

2009-07-21T22:40:00.018+02:00

Victor Scerri has announced his resignation from president of the Nationalist Party, following a debacle over the granting of a controversial permit for the reconstruction of a farmhouse on land he owned in Baħrija.

On July 17, the Times of Malta carried a front page news article, citing Mepa auditor Joe Falzon's conclusion, in the as yet unpublished investigative report, that the Bahrija permit was "null".

Last Sunday, the Prime Minister said it was up to Victor Scerri, in his capacity as president of the Nationalist Party, to decide whether his political position was untenable, following the debacle over the controversial permit.

Today's Times of Malta however carried a report by Kurt Sansone, wherein the ex-Nationalist Party president insisted he was "legally and morally right", and that the auditor had only faulted MEPA. Dr Scerri then attempted to throw the ball back in the Prime Minister's court, an attempt which obviously failed.

Following his resignation, Dr Scerri said he would continue to fight his case as a private citizen.

Laura Pausini arrives in Malta

2009-07-21T20:31:00.003+02:00

Italian singer Laura Pausini, arrived in Malta this afternoon, a few hours prior to her concert tonight at Luxol Grounds. The event is organised by NnG Promotions.

The concert is part of a promotional tour, pushing her latest album 'Primavera in Anticipo' currently at no.10 in the Italian Album Charts. She arrives in Malta from her Palermo concert, and leaves for the last show in Cagliari (Italy) July 25.

Radio stations lose transmission twice today

2009-07-21T18:30:00.019+02:00

Private radio stations lost transmisson again, this evening 21 July.

The first interruption occurred earlier between 07.15 and 08.15, after a contractor hit power cables in Gharghur close to the transmission tower, resulting in a power cut affecting Gharghur, Naxxar and Lija.

The second interruption occurred this evening 18.15, when all stations, with the exception of PBS which transmits from different locations, were knocked off-air again.

In a statement early afternoon, Enemalta said it was considering taking legal action against the contractor in question.

Update 19.10

Transmission was regained at 19.10

Unknown object hits Jupiter - Amateur observes black spot impact

2009-07-21T17:22:00.009+02:00

An amateur astronomer, Anthony Wesley in Murrumbateman, Australia, was twice lucky last Sunday 1330 GMT, when he focussed his telescope on Jupiter.

Wesley observed our solar system's giant for some time, and was about to quit when......he noticed a black spot in Jupiter's south polar region.

"By 1am I was ready to quit ... then changed my mind and decided to carry on for another half hour or so," he wrote in his observation report. Initially he suspected he was seeing one of Jupiter's moons or a moon's shadow on the planet, but the location, size and speed of the spot ruled out that possibility.

Something had smashed into Jupiter. Wesley was also lucky to be in the right spot, at the right time, with an impact occuring on the nearest side of Jupiter.

His thoughts were confirmed the next day by JPL scientists. "This has all the hallmarks of an impact event, very similar to Shoemaker-Levy 9," said Leigh Fletcher, an astronomer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California. "We're all extremely excited." Exactly 15 years ago, more than 20 fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with the gas giant.

Scientist reckon last week's impact, wich left an earth-sized blot, could have been a block of ice from somewhere in Jupiter's neighborhood, or a wandering comet that was too faint for astronomers to detect before the impact.

Iklin Accident - Mayor discloses past accident prevention measures

2009-07-21T13:59:00.008+02:00

Iklin Mayor, Anthony Dalli, today 21 July, listed a number of traffic calming measures which he said the Iklin Local Council had taken, or had proposed in the past. His disclosure was necessary, following the public reaction to yesterday's Iklin accident which saw a supply truck lose control and career downhill, smashing straight into the heavily frequented Maypole Bakery/Confectionery. (Full report here.)

Mr Dalli said that that the Iklin council had taken several precautionary measures in the immediate vicinity of Maypole and Giormina, two popular confectioneries constantly frequented by customers and suppliers. These measures included a parking scheme in accordance with ADT standards, and a CCTV camera on the roundabout to reduce double and triple parking.

Furthermore, heavy traffic had been banned at Valley Road (Iklin), Geronimo Abos Street, and St Michael Street. Attempts by the Local council to install ‘sleeping-policeman' in Valley Road and St Michael Street were unapproved by the authorities, as was an application back in 2004 to introduce a mobile speed camera in Geronimo Abos Street. In 2008, the Local Council re-applied to introduce a ‘Zebra-Crossing' in upper Geronimo Abos, close to the Maypole outlet, but no feedback was forthcoming from the authorities.

"This goes to show that the Local Council had done everything possible to find a solution to these problems. And more than that was aware of these problems and that is why it took certain measures to eliminate them," Mr Dalli said.

Nonetheless, several Iklin residents in the area, are angry and quick to point out that the speed signs are being completely ignored by the often overspeeding and reckless commercial vehicles rushing around on their daily routines during the day, and irresponsible individuals using Iklin Valley and Geronimo Abos Street as a speed track, by night.

Most significantly, the very bottom of Geronimo Abos Street, that is driving past Maypole down to the last corner overlooking the Birkirkara by-pass, sees a high frequency of families and children crossing the road due to the presence of The Model Shop, a very popular outlet for children's toys, games and remotely operated gadgets. This makes the reckless driving and speeding down this road even more of a concern.

For further updates on yesterday's truck accident, follow this highlighted link.

WHO considering closing schools worldwide (Update)

2009-07-21T12:24:00.003+02:00

The World Health Organisation is considering closing schools worldwide to contain swine-flu. Further updates soon.

Update 16:00

"School closure is one of the mitigation measures that could be considered by countries," WHO spokeswoman Alphaluck Bhatiasevi told a news briefing. As WHO has been saying, different countries would be facing the pandemic at different levels and at different times. So it is really up to countries to consider what mitigation measures suit them in regard to the situation in individual countries."

The agency, declared a H1N1 influenza pandemic on June 11, and last week said it was the fastest-moving pandemic ever, and now pointless to count every case.

British researchers, writing in the journal "Lancet Infectious Diseases", said governments needed to draft plans for when and how to close schools, if the pandemic worsens.

Apollo Moon Landing - 40th Anniversary

2009-07-20T22:56:00.004+02:00

Congress passed a bill, today July 20, 2009 granting the three astronauts on the Apollo 11 Mission a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States.

On July 16, 1969, the ambitious mission was launched from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida USA, for a moon landing on July 20 1969.

The detached Eagle lunar module touched down on "Mare Tranquillitatis" (Sea of Tranquillity) with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin becoming the first humans to land on the moon, while third crew member, Michael Collins, orbited above in the Columbia module.

They splashed down back on earth, in the Pacific Ocean 2660km East of Wake Island, on July 24, after a mission duration of 08d 03h 18m 35s.

Car overturns in Salina Road, Maghtab

2009-07-20T17:49:00.001+02:00

A grey metallic car lost control and overturned late afternoon July 20 at around 17.00 in Maghtab.
The vehicle appeared to be travelling towards Salina when the accident happened, ending on it's side by the gutter.
Police were on site within minutes.

Truck crashes into Maypole Confectionery in Iklin (Update3)

2009-07-20T11:49:00.019+02:00

A truck driving down Iklin Road, July 20, at 10.45am, lost control after the unsecured cabin keeled forwards as the vehicle approached the roundabout.
The foreign driver, age 32, lost complete control of his vehicle, clipped the central-strip and smashed head-on into Maypole Confectionery.

Police were quickly on location blocking access roads, while members of the CPD laboured to free the driver from the twisted wreckage, flattened against the shop entrance. Miraculously no customers were entering or leaving the premises when the accident happened.

Shop assistants were treated for shock, and one of them suffered minor leg injuries. The security shutter was partially destroyed on impact. Eye witnesses reported a couple of pedestrians were slightly injured when masonry flew off the truck as it clipped the triangular strip before the roundabout.

The driver, survived the impact, but was still being cut out from the mangled wreckage at 11.45am. His condition, although still conscious when the CPD arrived, is as yet unknown.

Update 11.50am

The driver has just been rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

Update (2) 15:00

The Times of Malta online carries a reaction by an authorised officer from the Birkirkara Joint Committee.

Raphael Carabott (13.30pm)

With reference to this traffic accident, no heavy vehicles are allowed to drive down Iklin Valley Road and Geronimo Abos Street. Therefore apart from the unfortunate accident, the driver may have been driving in contravention as traffic signs installed up the hill, prohibit heavy vehicles to pass through. Furthermore the Joint Committee has a CCTV camera installed in the area and the footage of the accident including the impact with the confectionery’s main door is being processed for further Police investigations. Regarding the installation of a Speed camera, it was turn downed by the Joint Committee way back in 2005.

Raphael Carabott

Authorised Officer

The Birkirkara Joint Committee

for the Regional Law Enforcement,

Public Order and Local Tribunal.

http://www.bkr-jointcommittee.com

Update (3) 21 July 13:00

The truck driver, Libyan national Jamal Elossi, is still in a serious condition. It is reported his injuries include seven broken ribs, seriously damaged lungs, a broken pelvis and broken limbs. Mr Elossi is a step-tile joiner with Bathroom Design.

Meanwhile, within 24 hours of the accident, the Maypole Confectionery facade has already been partially rebuilt, plastered and painted, while the security shuttering has been temporarily removed and replaced with wooden shutters.

China acknowledges security forces killed 12

2009-07-19T23:10:00.003+02:00

Chinese police shot and killed 12 rioters in Urumqi, western China,July 5th. In the rare disclosure from Chinese government, an official admitted security officers opened fire on rioters, following the worst ethnic clashes to hit the region in decades.

The tragic turn in events occurred July 3rd, when a peaceful protest by a Muslim ethnic minority, the Uighurs, was halted by police. The enraged protestors went on a wild rampage through the capital city of the provence, smashing windows, burning cars and beating Han Chinese, the nation's dominant ethnic group.
Two days later, groups of ethnic Han took to the streets and attacked the Uighurs in retaliation.
The Xinjiang provence governor, Nur Bekri, disclosed to the official news agency, Xinhua, late Saturday evening, that police shot the "mobsters" on July 5th after first firing warning shots. He apparently stopped short of specifying which ethnic group was targetted by security forces.

Lija powercut

2009-07-19T18:44:00.002+02:00

Hundreds of families were left without electrical power late Sunday morning 19th July.
Enemalta employees immediately set out to replace a transformer in the locality's substation, which seems to be the cause. Such operations usually takes several hours.

To check scheduled power cuts by Enemalta, in all localities, click here.

"Copernicum" - Element 112

2009-07-19T12:43:00.002+02:00

The Periodic Table is one element longer. Discovered in 1996 by scientists from the Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, element 112 was temporarily named "Ununbium" which is an IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) systematic element name.

However just a few weeks ago, the discovery team settled on "Copernicium", with the symbol Cp, in honour of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who deduced planets revolved around the Sun, and refuted the belief that the Earth was the centre of the Universe.

"After IUPAC officially recognised our discovery, we agreed on proposing the name (because) we would like to honour an outstanding scientist," said Professor Hofmann, who led the discovery.

The name is expected to be officially endorsed by IUPAC in January 2010, after six months for discussion

Marsa Golf Club locker room gutted by fire.

2009-07-19T11:50:00.002+02:00

A raging fire destroyed a large locker room within the Malta Golf Club in Marsa, late last night 18th July. The fire was extinguished by fire-fighters from the CPD, and its cause is as yet undetermined. According to club officials, the damages are estimated to be close to quarter of a million euros, taking into consideration the club equipment, reconstruction, and loss of revenue.

Big Brother hits Amazon.com Kindle users

2009-07-19T00:13:00.002+02:00

Owners of Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader, discovered purchased downloads of books by George Orwell had been deleted from their gadgets without their knowledge.

The books were downloaded from Amazon.com and remotely deleted by Amazon following a rights issue regarding the publisher MobileReference.com.

Amazon refunded the cost, and informed the American Kindle customers they could no longer read the books as they were "no longer available for purchase".

"It's like having Barnes & Noble sell you a book, charge your Visa and then 3 months later change their mind, credit your card and demand their book be returned," wrote one affected customer on the Amazon website.

"I was in the middle of reading the book on my Kindle," said another.

Ironically, George Orwell's classic novel "1984" was the book that introduced the concept of "Big Brother" and remote surveillance.

For Worse, Not For Better

2009-07-18T16:15:00.006+02:00

The Church yesterday 17th July, made its counter-case against divorce by releasing a report, "For Worse, Not For Better", by PROGETTIMPENN in reaction to Martin Scicluna's report, published by The Today Public Policy Institute and which had advocated the introduction of divorce.

PROGETTIMPENN is an initiative made up of represantitives from the Diocesan Family Commission, Caritas Malta and the Cana Movement. Their report can be downloaded here. The Martin Scicluna report is currently unavailable online, although made public on 15th. May earlier this year.

Significantly, "For Worse, Not For Better" is an undated document, although the downloadable file on the Maltadiocese website was created on 14th July 2009. This seems to reflect the Church's stance on marriage as a timeless institution, as opposed to Martin Scicluna's case which makes recommendations to suit a temporal maltese society.

Tour de France spectator killed in collision with police motorcycle

2009-07-18T15:48:00.006+02:00

On Saturday 18th July, the Tour de France was marred by yet another incident after a woman was killed and two others injured when they were hit by a police motorbike, along the course in northeastern France.

The fatality occurs less then 24 hours after Friday's incident, where two cyclists were injured after being shot at by what was believed to be an air rifle.

US Defense paid millions in wages to invalid accounts

2009-07-18T02:19:00.003+02:00

An investigation into the US Department of Defense expenditures has revealed possible payments in excess of $15 million into invalid civilian employee accounts. The irregular payments were made over a six-year period, from January 2002 through April 2008.

Payments were made into accounts with invalid Social Security numbers, and underage employees. Several wages were funneled into singular accounts.

The investigation was carried out by the Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General. The Defense Civilian Pay System (DCPS), paid out over $148 billion in total to 7.3 million civilian employees, over the six-year period under scrutiny.

Although the erroneous payments amount to a very small percentage of the total wages, questions are raised about oversight and vetting of employee information at the department.

The Defense Department stated it is in the process of implementing payroll software this year to spot and correct the questionable accounts and prevent future occurrences of the error.

White House Twitters

2009-07-18T00:30:00.002+02:00

The White House announced Friday, that President Barack Obama will hold a prime-time news conference Wednesday 9 p.m. EDT.

The initial announcement of the news conference was through the web site Twitter.

World's cheapest car hits the Indian roads

2009-07-17T23:28:00.010+02:00

The world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, hit the streets on Friday as the first customer got the keys to a vehicle conceived to transform travel for millions of Indians.

The price of the tiny Nano starts at just €1,400.

The basic model has no air conditioning, no power steering, no passenger-side mirror and only one windscreen wiper. But the makers claim it can fit four passengers as well as the driver, with a bit of a squeeze.

The snub-nosed Nano measures just over ten feet in length, and five feet in height and width. The car is powered by a 623cc two- cylinder petrol engine in the rear developing just 33 horse-power. It has a top speed of about 65mph and will do about 50 miles to the gallon.

Tata Motors recently bought the former British iconic car brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, from Ford in March 2008, paying $2.3 billion to seal the deal.

Two riders injured in Tour de France shooting incident

2009-07-17T23:17:00.000+02:00

Tour de France organizers say two riders have been slightly injured in a roadside shooting incident along the 13th stage in northeast France.

Riders Julian Dean of New Zealand and Oscar Freire of Spain were hit by projectiles thought to be from an air rifle.

Spokeswoman for Dean's Garmin Slipstream team, Marya Pongrace, says the rider was "hit with what we think was an air rifle" in his right index finger, but still expected to take part in Saturday's stage.

News with regards to Freire is still unconfirmed however tour officials said both men were slightly injured.

Astrid Vella interrogated over alleged libel

2009-07-17T18:29:00.014+02:00

Astrid Vella, Coordinator of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) has been interrogated by the police, today July 17th 3pm at the Sliema Police Station. Ms Vella was questioned over an alleged libel following investigations by environmental NGO's into a permit granted at a protected area in Bahrija.

The investigations were carried out by the Ramblers Association, FAA and NatureTrust.

Immediately following the interrogation, FAA released the following statement:

The fact that civil society volunteers who are taking an interest in the way that authorities operate on the Island are faced with criminal investigations is to be deplored.
Astrid Vella, Coordinator of Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is being interrogated by the police over an alleged libel following investigations carried out by three NGOs into the permit granted by MEPA for a house to be built in the Bahrija protected area. This action is nothing more than bullying meant to intimidate NGOs into silence on such matters which is a clear violation of the Aarhus Convention provisions on harassment of environmental activists to which Malta is a signatory.

We are very disappointed that in this supposedly democratic country which has legislated in favour of free speech, we should come to this over a libel suit. Civil society volunteers should never be hauled up for a police criminal investigation for such a minor matter which has furthermore been vindicated by the MEPA Auditor’s report on the Bahrija case. MEPA Auditor, Joe Falzon, has told The Times that the last permit issued in relation to the project clearly ran against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's policy and should have never been given. He expressed doubts about the previous permits related to the Bahrija development.

This legal action reflects very poorly on the architect-politician who demanded a police investigation. Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar condemns this waste of Police time and taxpayer’s money.

The FAA committee reiterates that it does do not have anything to hide and whatever we have to say will be said in Court.

FAA said it would be filing a complaint regarding harassment in breach of international protocol with the Geneva office of the Aarhus Convention.

Pope breaks wrist in fall (Update)

2009-07-17T14:39:00.005+02:00

Pope Benedict XVI was briefly hospitalized after suffering a minor fracture to his right wrist, due to a fall in his room in Val d'Aosta. The 82 year old pope is currently on holiday in the mountainous region of northwest Italy.

He was taken to the hospital on Friday morning after celebrating his daily private Mass, the Vatican said

Update

Il Santo Padre, cadendo accidentalmente nella Sua residenza, ha riportato una frattura scomposta del polso destro.

Sua Santità è stato perciò sottoposto ad intervento di riduzione e osteosintesi in anestesia loco-regionale, con applicazione di tutore gessato presso l’Ospedale di Aosta.

Le condizioni generali del Santo Padre sono buone.

Il Santo Padre in breve può tornare alla sua residenza.

Dott. Patrizio Polisca

Aosta 17.07.09

Man electrocuted on Super Yacht (Update)

2009-07-17T14:32:00.004+02:00

Dennis Cassar, a 39-year-old electrical engineer from St. Paul's Bay, was this morning electrocuted while at work on a 48m super yacht, the Sans Souci, berthed at the Grand Harbour Marina, Vittoriosa.

Update

Although initially reported as having died instantly, it is now confirmed the man died on his way to hospital.

Bahrija farmhouse permit "is null".

2009-07-17T14:24:00.003+02:00

Planning authority auditor, Joe Falzon, yesterday revealed to The Times of Malta that although not officially released yet, his report on the controversial Bahrija farmhouse redevelopment concluded that the permit should have never been issued and "is null".

The Bahrija farmhouse project in question belongs to Nationalist Party president, Victor Scerri, and the architect who handled the planning application procedures on behalf of Mr Scerri, is Siggiewi Mayor Robert Musumeci. The construction of the farmhouse is in the middle of a valley, a few metres away from a fresh water stream. The permit was granted despite case officers objecting on four separate occasions.

It was Dr. Scerri himself who involved the planning authority auditor, after asking for an investigation to be carried out, after hundreds of protesters descended on the excavation site claiming the planning process had been skewed. The project goes back nine years and an initial application to partially demolish two rooms gradually turned into a permit for full demolition and the construction of a large farmhouse.

Bahrija farmhouse permit 'is null'

2009-07-17T11:43:00.000+02:00

In an interview with The Times, the planning authority auditor, Joe Falzon, yesterday revealed his conclusion on the controversial Bahrija farmhouse redevelopment.

The report has not yet been released, but auditor Joe Falzon said his conclusion was that the permit should have never been issued.

The Bahrija farmhouse belongs to Nationalist Party president, Victor Scerri, and the architect handling the planning application procedures on behalf of Mr Scerri is Siggiewi Mayor, Robert Musumeci.

The construction of the farmhouse is in the middle of a valley, a few metres away from a fresh waterstream. The permit was granted despite case officers objecting on four seperate occassions.

Dr. Scerri himself asked the planning authority auditor to investigate, after hundreds of protestors descended on the excavation site claiming the planning process had been skewed. The project goes back nine years and an initial application to partially demolish two rooms gradually turned into a permit for full demolition, and the construction of a large farmhouse.

CBO director says proposed health reform will weaken US economy

2009-07-16T19:36:00.003+02:00

Health reform measures currently being drafted by congressional Democrats, would worsen an already bleak budget outlook increasing deficit projections and driving the nation more deeply into debt, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf said this morning. The CBO is the official arbiter of the costs of legislation.

The CBO director was under questioning by members of the Senate Budget Committee, when insisting that bills crafted by House leaders and the Senate health committee do not propose "the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a signficant amount."

Instead of saving the US federal government from fiscal catastrophe Elmendorf said, "the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs" and therefore worsens the current outlook.

President Obama and Democratic leaders are seeking to contain the rapid growth in government health spending on programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Elmendorf said the reform measures revealed so far would not "bend the cost curve" downward. On the contrary, he said, "The curve is being raised." He went on to suggest changing the way Medicare reimburses providers, and create incentives for reducing costs.

"Certain reforms of that sort are included in some of the packages," Elmendorf said. "But the changes that we have looked at so far do not represent the sort of fundamental change, the order of magnitude that would be necessary to offset the direct increase in federal health costs that would result from the insurance coverage proposals."

India, Pakistan agree to share intelligence information

2009-07-16T17:04:00.001+02:00

India and Pakistan agreed earlier today, to increase communication and information-sharing in an effort to prevent future terrorist attacks, and said dialogue was the only way forward in the wake of violence such as November's siege in Mumbai.

The agreement was reached in a two hour side-meeting to the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

In a joint statement afterward, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani agreed to "share real-time, credible and actionable" intelligence information about possible terror plots.

This statement represented a break for the bi-lateral bitterness that followed the deadly Mumbai attacks. "Both leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and cooperate with each other to this end," the statement said.

Iceland votes in favour of EU accession

2009-07-16T16:55:00.000+02:00

Iceland's parliament authorised the government to begin accession talks with the European Union.

Members of parliament voted 33 to 28 in favour of an EU application following a final round of marathon debates that have lasted for several days. Two MPs abstained from the vote.

Iceland's bid was unthinkable until the global financial crisis wrecked the island's economy. An application will be sent to Brussels later in July, and if approved a public referendum is expected to follow.