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Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Almost 100 doctors and dentists get their licences
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Vodafone pushes into home internet market
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Xagħra square gets a facelift, with war shelters on the side
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Gzira Local Council takes MIDI to court, demands public access to Manoel Island foreshore
The Gzira Local Council has filed a judicial protest against the MIDI consortium demanding public access to the foreshore on Manoel Island.
MIDI plc had been granted a concession to develop a number of projects on Manoel Island, including a 'Mediterranean-style' marina village, a yacht marina and a waterfront casino.
In exchange, the consortium, which is also behind the Tigne Point project, was bound to restore the 18th century fort.
In its judicial protest the council said MIDI plc had blocked off access to the foreshore in the course of works. Mayor Conrad Borg Manche and Executive Secretary Michael Portelli argued that the foreshore was excluded from the June 2000 concession. They demanded that residents be given access to the foreshore within three days of filing the protest.
The protest was signed by lawyers Edward Woods and Keith Borg.
The MIDI consortium was quoted by a section of the media as saying that turning the foreshore into a free-for-all swimming zone was out of the question as it could "open the area up to vandalism and drug abuse."
In the meantime, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Arnold Cassola lauded the Gzira council and insisted that the foreshore is "Taghna Lkoll."
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€1.5 million water conservation project in Rabat to be completed by April 2017
Parliamentary Secretary for the 2017 EU Presidency and EU funds this morning visited a water conservation project in Rabat, which is now gaining momentum.
This project will begin a total regeneration process for the Nigret area of Rabat, a press release issued this morning said.
The project also includes the transformation of an enormous roundabout into a recreational area. In addition to this, the project is expected to include a children's playing area, increased parking and a water conservation information centre.
Dr Borg said that visitors will be given an interactive experience on the challenges Malta is facing with regard the water table, and will also be periodically displaying informative exhibits and public meetings to educate the public about issues related to water.
This regeneration project is being financed by Norwegian Funds and the Economic European Area, better known as n-Norway/EEA Grants. The project is expected to cost around €1.5 million and should be completed by April 2017.
The project is being led by the Agency of Energy and Water, under the Office of the Prime Minister.
During the visit, Dr Borg also spoke of how Malta has the highest EU fund absorption rate amongst all member states for the 2004-2009 programme, at 98.7 per cent out of €4.5 million available under the same fund programme.
More information can be found at http://ift.tt/2bBNljO Funds Programmes/Bi-lateral Programmes/Pages/EEA-and-Norway-Grants-2004-2009.aspx
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Earthquake: Italian embassy thanks Maltese people for solidarity
The Embassy of Italy in Malta today expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Malta, to the Curia, as well as to the many representatives of civil society and the business world for the solidarity shown to the victims of the earthquake that hit central Italy last week.
The many spontaneous initiatives in favour of the suffering population confirm the deep friendship existing between Malta and Italy and represent concrete and effective gestures of affinity which are very much appreciated in these difficult circumstances, the embassy said.
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Dictator Ferdinand Marcos unfit for hero's burial, say victims' lawyers
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Four students arrested after pregnant classmate attacked
Police say four Alabama high school students have been arrested after attacking a pregnant classmate in a classroom.
Selma police Lt. Natasha Fowlkes tells news outlets that three girls and one boy went into the victim's class at Selma High School and attacked her Tuesday morning.
All four suspects were taken into custody and charged with disorderly conducted.
Officials say the victim, who is pregnant, was taken to the hospital. Her condition remains unclear.
Police say two teachers who tried to break up the fight were also hit.
Fowlkes says the attack was connected to a dispute from the night before.
Selma School Superintendent Angela Mangum tells WAKA-TV that she's devastated by what happened.
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Fgura man gets suspended sentence and €2,500 fine for drink driving, causing crash
A 32-year-old man from Fgura was handed a suspended sentence and a fined more than €2,500.
Emanuel Grech was charged with having driven recklessly and crashed his car into a government vehicle in Triq Ghar Dalam, Birzebbuga, on 6 September 2015. He was also charged with driving without a licence and insurance cover, being in possession of hunting ammunition after season closing hours and keeping the said ammo in an unsafe place.
Mr Grech was further charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and disobeying police orders. He admitted all charges.
Magistrate Saviour Demicoli handed down a three-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. He also fined the accused a total of €2,526 and disqualified him from driving for a year.
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British Prime Minister Theresa May chairs Cabinet session to discuss Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May has firmly rejected the notion of a second referendum on the country's membership in the European Union, insisting Wednesday that the U.K. wouldn't attempt a back-handed effort to remain in the bloc.
May underscored her position before chairing a Cabinet meeting at her country retreat, Chequers. She seemed intent before the session —her first since returning from summer vacation — to squelch rumors that the government might be seeking a retreat from the results of the June 23 referendum.
"We must continue to be very clear that 'Brexit means Brexit,' that we're going to make a success of it," she said. "That means there's no second referendum; no attempts to sort of stay in the EU by the back door; that we're actually going to deliver on this."
The meeting at the Chequers retreat comes amid reports of feuding among the three ministers tasked with making the break from the EU a reality.
"This really is a very significant moment for the country, as we look ahead to the next steps that we need to take," May said before the meeting. "We have the opportunity to forge a new positive role for the U.K. in the world."
The session also comes after her office sidestepped questions on whether Parliament will be given a formal vote on triggering Article 50, the EU treaty clause that sets up Britain's departure from the 28-nation bloc.
Downing Street has said lawmakers will be given "a say," but adds there's "no legal obligation" to consult Parliament.
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91 doctors, six dentists get their licence
Ninety-one doctors and six dentists yesterday obtained their licence to operate in their profession after completing two years of foundation training, the Health Ministry said.
Health Minister Chris Fearne, who presented them with their warrants, told the doctors and nurses that they should keep themselves up-to-date with medical developments.
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SOS Malta team returns home after mission to find earthquake survivors
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Good boy! Dogs really do know what owners are saying, study suggests
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Stage and Proms on the Sea returns
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Turbulence forces emergency landing in Ireland; 16 injured
A United Airlines flight bound for London has made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport in Ireland after severe turbulence that left 16 passengers needing hospital treatment.
Airport officials said Wednesday 14 passengers and two members of the flight crew were transferred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
Officials say United Flight 880 arrived at Shannon Airport early Wednesday morning. The flight originated in Houston and was supposed to land at London's Heathrow Airport.
United says "severe and unexpected turbulence" caused the flight diversion. The extent of injuries wasn't immediately known.
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Romanian man arrested at Pozzallo on his way to Malta with 10kg of marijuana
A Romanian man has been arrested in Pozzallo before embarking on the catamaran to Malta with 10 kilogrammes of marijuana, Sicilian media report.
The 29-year-old was acting suspiciously as he was embarking on the vessel, prompting customs department officers to conduct a search on his luggage, where the drug was found.
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French Coca-Cola workers find smuggled cocaine in shipment
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Weak eurozone inflation bolsters case for more stimulus
Consumer price inflation in the eurozone was stuck at 0.2 percent in August, a low rate that could encourage the European Central Bank to offer more stimulus sooner rather than later.
The figure reported Wednesday by statistics agency Eurostat was the same as in July and below economists' expectations for an uptick to 0.3 percent. It also remains far short of the European Central Bank's target of 2 percent.
The main culprit was a 5.7 percent annual drop in energy prices. But inflation for other goods and services was also relatively weak. Not including energy and other volatile items like food, alcohol and tobacco, overall consumer price inflation was 0.8 percent, a rate the ECB consider too low for a healthy economy.
The central bank has launched a series of stimulus measures to help the economy of the 19-nation eurozone and bring inflation to a healthier level. It has cut its key rate to zero and is pumping 80 billion euros ($90 billion) of new money into the economy every month by buying bonds from banks and companies. That aims to lower borrowing rates and encourage business activity.
Analysts are divided over whether the ECB will launch more stimulus at its next policy meeting Sept. 8. Some say it's only a matter of time, particularly if inflation doesn't pick up this year.
In such an event, the central bank could extend the duration of its bond-buying program, which is currently set to end in March 2017.
Economists note that the drop in oil prices should get phased out of the inflation data in coming months, helping inflation edge up. But the eurozone economy is still weak overall and recovering only slowly from years of financial crises and recessions.
That was evident in separate data from Eurostat that showed the currency union's unemployment rate was stuck at 10.1 percent in July, the same as in June.
"There is a large amount of slack in the economy," said Stephen Brow, European economist at Capital Economics in London. "There is a strong case for the ECB to announce further policy easing. This could come as soon as the bank's meeting next week."
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Dry spell hits indigenous grape vines
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Malta target WCup tonic
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IHI Group sees increase in revenue in first six months of the year
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35% of indigenous grape vines in Malta lost due to lack of rainfall – winery CEO
35% of the indigenous grape vines used for wines in Malta are dead, Marsovin CEO Jeremy Cassar is informed.
The Girgentina and the Gellewza are indigenous to the Maltese islands, and he attributed the loss to the lack of rainfall.
This year, 265 mm of rainfall fell on Malta, whereas last year, 550 mm had fallen. The amount, he said, is calculated each year ending September 1. "The amount of rainfall results in a desert classification".
He spoke of the need to replant these indigenous varieties, stressing that foreign grapes can be bought, but these varieties cannot.
"There are years where a vineyard would produce more, others where a vineyard would produce less, but this is extreme, as the vines themselves are suffering.
He said that even with drip irrigation, vines still require rainwater. "Most Gellewza and Girgentina vines are not drip irrigated, he added, explaining that in certain parts of the island where they grow, there is not enough access to water.
The replantation of these species is urgent, he went on to say, adding that the EU Funds from the Rural Development Fund have not yet been made available. "There is a window between January and March where farmers and vineyards can replant, but if farmers do not have access to EU funds, it could be problematic".
In total, Marsovine has seen a 20-25% less volume production due to the excessive heat and lack of rainfall.
The lack of rainfall Mr Cassar said, has hurt the quantity of grapes produced around the island. "White grapes require more water, whereas red grapes require less. While the quantity of grape production has declined because of the situation this year, the quality of red wine grapes is actually better".
"Most vignerons managed to control the amount of damage dealt thanks to vineyard practices and a special emphasis on precise irrigation and fertiliser management. Unfortunately, good irrigation water is not readily available across the island. In fact, vineyards located in Mġarr, a stronghold of the traditional indigenous Girgentina and Ġellewża, are expected to yield as much as 70% below the norm. Furthermore, the damage is not limited to this year's harvest, as the drought resulted in the loss of a large percentage of vines in the area, along with other non-irrigated vineyards across Malta," he said.
Photos by Jonathan Borg
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Malta retains lowest unemployment in EU, euro area unemployment at 10.1%
The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.1% in July 2016, stable compared to June 2016 and down from 10.8% in July 2015, Eurostat figures show. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2011. The EU28 unemployment rate was 8.6% in July 2016, stable compared to June 2016 and down from 9.4% in July 2015. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since March 2009. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Eurostat estimates that 21.063 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 16.307 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in July 2016. Compared with June 2016, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 29 000 in the EU28 and by 43 000 in the euro area. Compared with July 2015, unemployment fell by 1.688 million in the EU28 and by 1.034 million in the euro area.
Member States
Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in July 2016 were recorded in Malta (3.9%) as well as in the Czech Republic and Germany (both 4.2%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (23.5% in May 2016) and Spain (19.6%).
Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in July 2016 fell in twenty-four Member States, remained stable in Denmark, while it increased in Estonia (from 6.1% to 7.0% between June 2015 and June 2016), Austria (from 5.7% to 6.0%) and Belgium (from 8.1% to 8.3%). The largest decreases were registered in Cyprus (from 15.0% to 11.6%), Croatia (from 16.5% to 13.2%) and Spain (from 21.9% to 19.6%).
In July 2016, the unemployment rate in the United States was 4.9%, stable compared to June 2016 and down from 5.3% in July 2015.
Youth unemployment
In July 2016, 4.276 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU28, of whom 2.969 million were in the euro area. Compared with July 2015, youth unemployment decreased by 310 000 in the EU28 and by 136 000 in the euro area. In July 2016, the youth unemployment rate was 18.8% in the EU28 and 21.1% in the euro area, compared with 20.2% and 22.1% respectively in July 2015. In July 2016, the lowest rates were observed in Malta (7.1%) and Germany (7.2%), and the highest in Greece (50.3% in May 2016), Spain (43.9%) and Italy (39.2%).
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Maltese cinema productions attract 3% of admissions
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Cinemas project 375 films, register 704,243 admissions - NSO
In 2015, cinemas in Malta and Gozo projected 375 different film titles and registered a total of 704,243 admissions, the NSO said.
In 2015, there were eight cinema establishments with a total of 35 screens and a seating capacity of 6,748. Of these eight cinemas, two were located in Gozo.
Last year, cinemas registered a total of 704,243 admissions. Almost four out of five cinemagoers have watched films originating from the United States. On their part, Maltese productions attracted 2.9 per cent of the total number of admissions.
Maltese productions had 20,331 admissions and generated a total gross box office of €100,000 in 1,252 screenings. On the other hand, foreign productions had 683,912 admissions with a total gross box office of € 4,094 million in 47,635 screenings.
Admissions to 3D movies accounted for 9.4 per cent of the total, while non-3D films enjoyed a share of 73.3 per cent of total admissions.
The total number of film titles exhibited in 2015 stood at 375. Total screenings amounted to 48,887, with an average 130 screenings per film. A total of 906 film shows were projected in 2015, of which 80.4 per cent were first-time releases.
Last year, 230 fiction films were screened in cinemas across Malta and Gozo. These types of films attracted 78.7 per cent of total admissions. On their part, animation films totalled to 25 and attracted 19.2 per cent of total admissions.
In 2015, the most popular movies were 'Spectre', 'Minions' and 'Fast & Furious 7'. These three films attracted 5.9, 5.3, and 5.2 per cent of total admissions respectively.
Total employment in cinemas registered last year stood at 189 persons, of which 82.5 per
cent were engaged on a part-time basis.
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IHI reports increased profits in first half of 2016
The IHI Group has reported a 23 per cent increase in adjusted half-yearly EBITDA for the period up to June rising to €22 million, a company statement said.
In its half yearly report, the IHI Group stated that revenue for the first six months of 2016 also increased by €15.4 million over the 2015 comparative figure.
IHI Chairman Alfred Pisani said: "I am extremely pleased with our performance so far this year despite the challenging situation we continue to face in Libya. We are doing well and I am convinced we will do even better in future as we continue to position Corinthia as a global brand."
The IHI Group's flagship Corinthia Hotel London performed well despite a slow start to the year for the luxury London hotel market, and is on course to achieve positive results by the end of the year, although the devaluation of sterling following the Brexit referendum vote could impact income and profitability in euro terms.
The Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, affected by a devaluation of the rouble, has also performed strongly – reporting an increase in occupancy and revenue following a concerted effort to focus on the domestic market and a strengthening of the local currency year-on-year. IHI's property in Tripoli, however, remains affected by the situation in Libya.
The improved results are also partly attributable to IHI's acquisition of the Island Hotels Group, which registered positive results at the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian's and its highly successful hotel and timeshare operation at the Golden Sands Resort.
The overall outlook for IHI's hotels remains positive with year-on-year growth forecast in both turnover and operating profits.
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Travellers panic as 'Zorro' appears at airport
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Tuesday, August 30, 2016
FIMBank retreats to 11-week low
During this morning's session, the share index moved back into positive territory with a 0.3 per cent increase to 4,421.202 points as BOV, HSBC, GO, MIA and Medserv rebounded. After reaching a seven-week high during yesterday's session, trading activity slowed down by 20.9 per cent to €0.27 million across local equities. In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta rebounded by 1.4 per cent to recapture the €2.25 level across two deals totalling 4,400 shares. Similarly, HSBC partially reversed some of the recent declines with a 0.7 per cent uplift to recapture the €1.56 level albeit on a single trade of 1,500 shares. The bank is scheduled to pay the recently declared gross interim dividend of 7c1 per share (net: 4c62) on September 9. The equity of Malta International Airport edged 0.2 per cent higher to €4.24 on shallow volumes of 3,670 shares. Likewise, Medserv rebounded by three per cent to regain the €1.54,5 level on a single trade of 7,000 shares. Last Friday, Medserv published its 2016 interim results revealing a substantial drop in pre-tax profits to €0.28 million on the back of a slowdown in Cyprus and a delay in works in Portugal among other factors. GO trended higher for the...
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WWII pillbox is not worth preserving, cultural watchdog says
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Boats ordered to stay away from Azure Window
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Santa Venera junction closes for asphalting works
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Mermaids and toilet seats compete in bog snorkelling championships
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Woman stabbed in 4am attack no longer in critical condition
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Kitchen assistant jailed for a year after threatening former boss with meat cleaver
A 29-year-old Chinese kitchen assistant today was jailed for a year after being found guilty of threatening two men with a meat cleaver last October.
Xiao Guan was charged with threatening the men after he only received €752 for all working hours between April and October 8. He claimed his boss threatened and assaulted him.
The prosecution said that Xiao allegedly attacked his former colleagues on 18 October, before the kitchen implement was snatched from his hands by two Ghanaian men passing by the Marsa apartment.
Kevin Penghcheng Zhang, one of the alleged victims, said that Xiao was not good at his job, and had previously threatened staff at the Valletta restaurant when they pointed out that prawns he was cooking were overcooked.
He was told not to come back to work and was sent a contract termination letter. He was given 10 days to leave the apartment which his employer provided in Marsa. The accused refused to leave before his full wage was paid.
The two men, Mr Zhang and the accused, argued, and Mr Zhang claimed the accused became more aggressive, chasing him out of the bedroom. The accused allegedly cornered Mr Zhang and threatened him with the meat cleaver.
He testified that he was so scared that he ran upstairs and jumped out of a balcony, landing on the adjoining roof. He said that Xiao went downstairs and threatened the general manager of the restaurant.
Xiao denied chasing the men, and said that Mr Zhang threatened him with a frying pan. He later, however, admitted to the charges.
The accused was sentenced to one year in prison, and ordered to pay €116.47. He was also ordered to pay the costs of the case.
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Boats banned from sailing close to Azure Window in Gozo, but people can still walk on it
Transport Malta today issued a notice to mariners to ban boats from getting close to the Azure Window in Gozo.
The authority issued the notice following recent reports that parts of the structure are crumbling.
Transport Malta is requesting boat drivers to heed the notice for their safety and the safety of persons or passengers on board.
Photos Joe Demanuele
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Malta squad finally makes it to Estonia following flight cancellation
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Good boy! Dogs know what you're saying, study suggests
Scientists have found evidence to support what many dog owners have long believed: man's best friend really does understand some of what we're saying.
Researchers in Hungary scanned the brains of dogs as they were listening to their trainer speaking to determine which parts of the brain they were using.
They found that dogs processed words with the left hemisphere, while intonation was processed with the right hemisphere — just like humans.
What's more, the dogs only registered that they were being praised if the words and intonation were positive; meaningless words spoken in an encouraging voice, or meaningful words in a neutral tone, didn't have the same effect.
"Dog brains care about both what we say and how we say it," said lead researcher Attila Andics, a neuroscientist at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest. "Praise can work as a reward only if both word meaning and intonation match."
Andics said the findings suggest that the mental ability to process language evolved earlier than previously believed and that what sets humans apart from other species is the invention of words.
"The neural capacities to process words that were thought by many to be uniquely human are actually shared with other species," he said. "This suggests that the big change that made humans able to start using words was not a big change in neural capacity."
While other species probably also have the mental ability to understand language like dogs do, their lack of interest in human speech makes it difficult to test, said Andics.
Dogs, on the other hand, have socialized with humans for thousands of years, meaning they are more attentive to what people say to them and how.
The study was published in the journal Science.
Andics also noted that all of the dogs were awake, unrestrained and happy during the tests. "They participated voluntarily," he said.
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Permanent closure of Siġġiewi sub post office
MaltaPost said in a statement that the Sub Post Office at 'Louis Stationery', 49, Pjazza San Nikola, Siġġiewi will no longer operate as a Sub Post Office as from 1 September 2016.
Residents may wish to make use of postal services provided from the following postal outlets:
· Żebbuġ Post Office situated in Triq Sciortino, Żebbuġ;
· Mqabba Sub Post Office situated at Alessio Old Cottage, 12, Triq il-Parroċċa, Mqabba;
· Qrendi Sub Post Office situated at Papel Stationery, 1, Triq is-Salvatur, Qrendi.
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Woman accused of killing husband in hospital bed
Authorities say a retired Florida nurse suffocated her husband in his hospital bed as he was recovering from elective back surgery.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood tells news outlets that 61-year-old Jan Sochalski of Palm Coast was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the May 19 death of 64-year-old Henry Sochalski.
An arrest report says a nurse found the suspect on top of her husband in his bed moments before his death at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
A Volusia County medical examiner ruled earlier this month that Henry Sochalski's death was a homicide caused by suffocation. His nose was purple and there were signs of bleeding inside his upper lip.
Investigators say Jan Sochalski denies killing her husband.
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EU orders Apple to pay up to 13 billion euros tax to Ireland
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Counter-protest over Gudja land filed, number of ‘inaccuracies’ highlighted in original protest
A counter protest has been filed in court this morning in the case of a plot of land in Gudja, where the original protestor, farmer Dennis Catania, has claimed that a number of societies, the Lands Department, a priest and other are attempting to prevent him from working the land in question.
The counter protest, filed by the La Stella Philharmonic Society, the Gudja Maria Assunta 1919 Muscial Group, Chaplain Martin Cardona and Shadow Minister for Lands Jason Azzopardi, against Charles Catania on a special mandate, in view of the fact that his son, Dennis Catania is currently absent from Malta.
The group is claiming that Mr Catania listed a number of "inaccuracies" for the basis of his protest.
Dennis Catania is a full-time partner who worked the field for many years. When the landowner passed away, the La Stella Philharmonic Society inherited the four tumoli, and particular assets were left to others.
Mr Catania claims that after the landowner died, illegal and abusive attempts to transfer the emphyteusis to the Philharmonic Society were made. The protest also states that attempts were made to transfer the field to the local priest by encroachment, behind the priest's back.
It continued to read that the Lands Department also issued a call for tenders to work the field, and that this was won by Mr Catania. Despite winning the tender, the protest read, he claims attempts were made for him not to be considered and he went to the Ombudsman.
In the counter protest, it was said that Mr Dennis Catania is not in fact a full-time worker of the land, but he is actually employed full-time as an electrician with the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
It was also said that it is false to say that Mr Catania has been working the land till today, as he has been away from Malta since January 2016.
In addition to this, the counter protest took issue with the premise that when the Gabriel Farrugia, the man renting the land from the government, died without children, he could have passed on the rental ownership to who he pleases. The law stipulates that when a person renting land from the government dies with no children, ownership is transferred back to the government.
Issue was also taken with the assertion that the groups who filed the counter-protest had employed abuse and illegal practices in order to stop the rental agreement between the government and Mr Catania.
Dr Azzopardi objected to being included as the list of defendants in the original protest signed by Mr Catania, where he stated that this amounts to undue pressure in the course of his duties as an MP.
The counter-protest concluded by requesting Mr Catania to stop making false claims, based on inaccuracies. It also requested for Mr Catania to be held personally responsible for the damages caused as a result of the false claims.
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Winger ‘focusing on national team’ despite transfer speculation
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Government issues new rules for autumn hunting season
As was the case also in previous years, according to Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42) the hunting of birds on land is permitted between 1 September and 31 January, between two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset on any day between Monday and Saturday, and between two hours before sunrise and 1pm on Sundays and public holidays. However the hunting of birds on land between 15 September and 7 October (inclusive of both dates) shall not be permitted from Monday to Saturday between 7pm and two hours before sunrise of the following day.
The same time restrictions also apply to the hunting of wild rabbit, which is permitted until 31 December, the government said in a statement.
The hunting of birds at sea is permitted between 1 October and 31 January during the same times as those applicable to hunting on land, provided that between 1 October and 7 October, inclusive of both dates, hunting at sea shall not be permitted from Monday to Saturday between 7 pm and two hours before sunrise of the following day.
Hunters can only hunt the species for which their licensed according to their license category.
According to new regulations enacted earlier this year (Legal Notice 69 of 2016), licensed hunters are required to report the birds caught via telephone reporting system prior to leaving the hunting area in accordance with instructions as stipulated in information booklet distributed together with hunting licenses. This requirement replaced the previous obligation to report through Carnet de Chasse, which was phased out earlier this year.
In addition to this new reporting requirement, there have also been changes concerning the species that can be hunted. Due to re-classification of the legal status of Red Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) the hunting of this species shall no longer be allowed. Moreover, according to Legal Notice 77 of 2016, hunting of Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) shall be permitted only between 1st and 30th September only, subject to maximum national quota of 7,000 birds. Targeting of the Turtle Dove outside of this period shall not be permitted and any offenders shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Wild Birds Regulation Unit notes with satisfaction that exemplary improvements in compliance achieved over the past three years produced extremely visible positive change that was hardly conceivable in the past. However this progress, which is a result of cooperation between the government, members of the hunting community, and bird protection NGOs, needs to be further maintained and consolidated.
Whilst calling upon all hunters and hunting organizations to continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to illegalities, the Unit and other law enforcement entities shall continue to rigorously monitor and enforce compliance with applicable regulations through field surveillance, spot checks and inspections.
Anyone caught shooting or trapping protected species listed in Schedules I and IX of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations will automatically incur penalty comprising of €5,000 fine, and / or imprisonment for one year, as well as permanent revocation or ban on obtaining a hunting or trapping license, and confiscation of corpus delicti. In case of second or subsequent offence, the applicable penalty will go up to €10,000, confiscation, and / or imprisonment for two years. Penalties for all other irregularities, including for non-declaration of bagged birds through telephone shall also apply.
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Wanted woman asks police to use a better mugshot of her on Facebook
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Serie A: Sassuolo field ineligible player, Pescara awarded victory
Sassuolo's 2-1 win over Pescara on Sunday night at the Mapei Stadium has been overturned and been recorded as a 3-0 away victory.
Eusebio Di Francesco's men picked up the points thanks to goals from Gregoire Defrel and Domenico Berardi, with Rey Manaj's goal not enough for the Delfini on the night.
However, that result has now been deemed invalid by the Lega Serie A due to Sassuolo's use of a player who was not properly registered, namely Antonino Ragusa.
Ragusa played the final 25 minutes or so of the contest, replacing Matteo Politano.
The signing of the 26-year-old midfielder was completed on August 26, a day after Sassuolo had submitted their 25-man squad for the opening game to the Lega.
To include a new signing in an updated squad list, the club has to replace a player who has previously been registered in the list, notifying the Lega Serie A of the change.
Sassuolo claim that they have properly followed that procedure but the Lega have alleged that no follow-up squad list was received by them.
Despite the fact that Pescara made no complaint themselves about the result, the sporting justice system have forfeited Sunday night's result and overturned it to a 3-0 win for the Delfini.
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Customers say goodbye to Sliema florist with flowers
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State funeral set for Amatrice after Italy earthquake survivors rebel
Construction crews worked through the night to build a tent complex to host an Italian state funeral Tuesday in quake-devastated Amatrice after outraged residents rejected the government's plan to hold the service in a distant airport hangar.
The evening Mass for more than 200 of the 292 people killed in the Aug. 24 earthquake is the second state funeral for victims of the temblor that flattened three towns in central Italy. The first, held Saturday, honored victims from the Le Marche region. Tuesday's funeral is for the victims of neighboring Lazio, including hard-hit Amatrice.
The service will take place on the edge of Amatrice's obliterated medieval center on the grounds of a Catholic retreat for the elderly. It comes as Italy is observing a second day of national mourning, with flags on public buildings flying at half-staff.
Initially, authorities planned to hold the funeral in the provincial capital of Rieti, 65 kilometers away, citing safety concerns. The area has seen more than 2,500 aftershocks and faces logistical problems in bringing relatives and government officials to a town that only has one serviceable access road.
But grieving residents rebelled at plans to let them watch it on TV or be bussed to Rieti. Sensing a public relations disaster, Premier Matteo Renzi reversed course late Monday and announced the funeral would be held in Amatrice.
Early Tuesday, bulldozers and steamrollers were preparing the grounds for the service while temporary tents were erected to shelter the altar and seating stands. It wasn't clear how many caskets would be on hand, given that most had already been transferred to the makeshift morgue in Rieti's airport.
So far, 231 victims have been found in Amatrice and 11 more in nearby Accumoli. The bodies of as many as 10 people, including Amatrice's baker, are believed to be still buried under the rubble of the hundreds of buildings that collapsed. Fifty people were killed in Le Marche.
For those who survived, Tuesday's funeral is only one step in tackling a long-term trauma.
"They're living through a blackout," said Letizia Bellabarba, a social worker with the Group for Humane Solidarity who is tending to survivors. "I mean, in 20 seconds — that's how long the earthquake lasted — in 20 seconds their life changed. So they are disoriented, because they feel they were left without a future."
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Hotels and guesthouses see slight decline in guest numbers in June
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Malta is (almost) the best place in the world for foreigners
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Slight drop in total guests, nights spent in June – National Statistics Office
Total guests and nights spent in collective accommodation establishments during June 2016 declined by 2.6 and 2.8 per cent respectively when compared to the corresponding month in 2015, the NSO said today.
Collective Accommodation Establishments: June 2016
In June, total guests in collective accommodation establishments numbered 152,434, while total nights spent amounted to 873,671. Collective accommodation categories registered decreases in total nights spent, with the exception of 4-star hotels and the 'other' category.
The largest share of guest nights was reported in 4-star hotels, accounting for 429,343 nights, or 49.1 per cent of the total.
The average length of stay in collective accommodation establishments stood at 5.7 nights during the month under review, at par with June 2015. The net use of bed-places stood at 72.9 per cent, down by 1.9 percentage points when compared to the corresponding month last year.
On a national level, there were 175 active collective accommodation establishments during June, with a net capacity of 17,980 bedrooms and 40,014 bed-places.
January-June
Total guests during the first six months of 2016 amounted to 741,905, an increase of 1.6 per cent over the same period in 2015. Total nights spent went up by 2.2 per cent, reaching nearly 4.0 million. The net use of bed-places declined by 0.2 percentage points to 58.6 per cent.
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Hunting season opens on Thursday
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Monday, August 29, 2016
Libyans take heavy casualties in final push on Islamic State bastion
At least 38 Libyan forces were killed as the Islamic State group dispatched a dozen suicide bombers to stop their final push to drive the extremists out of their last major bastion in the country, officials said Monday.
Akram Gliwan, a spokesman for the Misrata hospital, told The Associated Press that the dead and wounded from fighting in the nearby city of Sirte had flooded in over the last 24 hours. He says at least 185 people were wounded, with 20 in critical condition.
Reda Issa, a media official with the anti-IS operation, says the extremist group set off 12 suicide car bombs on Sunday, with three hitting their targets. Five of the bombs were destroyed by airstrikes, and the other attacks were foiled by ground forces. He said the militants are cornered in two neighborhoods.
"It was fierce yesterday. After nearly 100 days of the battles, IS is now fighting its last battle," said Issa. "Full control over Sirte is hours from now," he added.
The Libyan forces — mostly from the adjacent city of Misrata— support a United Nations-brokered government based in Tripoli. They have driven IS out of most of Sirte over the last two months with help from U.S. airstrikes.
Over the past week, pictures posted on the Facebook page of the anti-IS operation showed sacks of cash, jewelry, mobile phones, and other personal belongings of IS members who either fled or were killed in the fighting.
IS and other extremist groups gained a foothold in Libya during the chaos that followed the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
The country has been split between rival parliaments and governments, each backed by a loose array of militias and tribes. Western nations view the newly-formed U.N.-brokered government as the best hope for uniting the country, but Libya's parliament, which meets in the far east, has refused to accept it.
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Lightning strike kills more than 300 reindeer in Norway
More than 300 wild reindeer have been killed by lighting in central Norway.
The Norwegian Environment Agency has released eerie images showing a jumble of reindeer carcasses scattered across a small area on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. The agency says 323 animals were killed, including 70 calves, in the lightning storm Friday.
Agency spokesman Kjartan Knutsen told The Associated Press it's not uncommon for reindeer or other wildlife to be killed by lightning strikes but this was an unusually deadly event.
"We have not heard about such numbers before," he said Monday.
He said reindeer tend to stay very close to each other in bad weather, which could explain how so many were killed at once.
"I don't know if there were several lighting strikes," he said. "But it happened in one moment."
Knutsen said the agency is now discussing what to do with the dead animals. Normally, they are just left where they are to let nature take its course, he said.
Thousands of reindeer migrate across the barren Hardanangervidda plateau as the seasons change.
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Teatru Malta initiative launched with call for artistic director
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Gzira man charged with punching policeman during St Julian’s feast denied bail
Darren Grech, a 27 year-old from Gzira, today was denied bail by a court after he was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, including assaulting a police officer who tried to get his attention after overhearing Grech's rampant swearing during the St Julian's feast yesterday.
Inspector Elton Taliana said that the accused was overheard swearing and seen with his shirt off walking the streets clearly inebriated. Once the police tried to tell him to quiet down, the accused turned his vulgarities towards them, insulting their families and eventually punching an officer in the face.
The defence, led by legal aid Dr Chris Chircop, argued that there were no grounds not to grant the man the fundamental right to bail as there was no chance of the accused tampering with evidence or influencing the witnesses, as they were all police officers.
The prosecution however argued that the man was a relapse and, as such, could not be trusted. In fact, one of the charges brought against him was the fact that the altercation breached his conditional discharge from a prior similar case seven months ago.
Inspector Taliana argued that, not only were the previous charges similar, but they have seemingly become worse. The defence still insisted that "the accused is a Maltese man living in Malta with no risk of leaving the country." Dr Chircop also asked the court to consider bail conditions which would serve as a strong deterrent against further condition breaches.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella agreed with the prosecution saying that considering the man's past and his conduct, he was clearly not one to be trusted and therefore rejected bail.
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Renewable energy scheme will provide business boost - Chamber
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Renzo Piano gives helping hand as Italy recovers from devastating earthquake
With thousands left homeless after Italy's earthquake, authorities are debating how to provide warmer, sturdier housing for them besides the rows of emergency blue tents set up in the Apennine Mountains, where even summer nights can get chilly.
Nearly 2,700 people needing shelter following the Aug. 24 temblor are staying in 58 tent camps or other shelters arranged by Italy's Civil Protection agency. Others are staying in a gym in the hardest-hit town, Amatrice, while others, fearful of looting, are often sleeping in cars near their damaged homes.
Italy's lobbying group for farmers, Coldiretti, said Monday that farm animals, most of them sheep and cows, also need warm shelters at night, since 90 percent of the stalls or barns have been damaged in the Amatrice area.
Italian architect Renzo Piano met Premier Matteo Renzi on Sunday. Speaking in an interview Sunday in Corriere della Sera newspaper, Piano proposed building temporary wooden homes near the three devastated towns in central Italy so that traumatized people could stay near their roots.
No housing decisions have been announced, and details of Renzi's meeting with Piano weren't immediately known.
The death toll Monday stood at 290. Authorities are using bulldozers with high crane-style arms to tear down some of the most dangerous building overhangs in Amatrice.
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Teatru Malta aims to bring theatrical productions closer to the community
Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici this morning launched Teatru Malta, an initiative by the Malta Arts Council that had been pledged in this year's budget.
Speaking at the Teatru Pandora in Zejtun, Dr Bonnici said that the project will foster greater professionalism in Maltese theatre. "This is one of a chain of projects aimed at increasing professionalism in the Maltese arts sector," he said. "It has a vision of creative innovation and artistic excellence which also includes the experimentation of styles, dramaturgy, technology and writing."
A call for the post of artistic director has been issued. The call can also be found online on http://ift.tt/1PJqKQ9
The first productions are expected to take place in 2018.
Dr Bonnici said this project would maximise the use of theatrical spaces around Malta and Gozo, with the aim of bringing the culture of the theatre closer to the communities. In fact, productions that fall under this initiative will be held in theatres across the island, away from Valletta.
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Police investigating Msida rape claim
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Woman claims she was raped in Gzira apartment
A woman has claimed that she was raped while she was in an apartment in Gzira early this morning, the police said.
At 1.15am, the police received a call for assistance from the woman, an Irish 45-year-old who was in an apartment in Rue d'Argens.
She claimed that she had been raped by a man whose identity is still to be established.
Magistrate Doreen Clarke ordered an inquiry.
The police are investigating.
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Two injured after car crashes into tree
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Conditional discharge to restaurant dishwasher after argument with chef over tips
Alfred Mouldi, a 36 year-old restaurant dishwasher from Valletta, today was conditionally discharged after admitting in court to threatening and slightly injuring the chef of the restaurant he worked at when a heated argument over tips escalated dangerously.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided over the case of Mouldi, who threw a chair at the chef, as well as threatening him with a meat cleaver in his hand at 6.30pm on Sunday. Mouldi's charges included breaching the peace and relapsing.
Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee told the court that the argument started when the chef accused the dishwasher of taking tips from the tip jar.
The defence, led by lawyer Dr Chris Chircop, argued that the man fully cooperated with the police. Also considering that he had owned up to his guilt as well as his previous court cases never having been over serious charges, the defence asked the court to consider minimum sentencing.
Inspector Caruana agreed with Dr Chircop on minor offences; however she also mentioned that, had nobody intervened, the incident could have taken a turn more serious.
Magistrate Vella found the man guilty and handed the man a conditional discharge for one year saying that the case did not merit a suspended sentence. A restraining order in favour of the chef was also ordered by the court.
Mouldi was warned by the court that if he had to commit any other crime in the following one year, that this case would be reopened and the penalties would be harsh.
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€140 million for renewable energy will give businesses a needed boost - Chamber
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said it welcomed news that the European Commission has approved plans drawn up by Malta, to support power generation from renewable sources. The total budget of approximately €140 million, allocated between 2016 and 2020, will provide a necessary boost for Malta's businesses for a number of reasons.
The schemes will certainly provide Malta's businesses with another option to increase their energy-efficiency in an ever competitive environment. Aiding businesses to take a further step towards renewable and therefore more cost-effective energy, is in line with the Malta Chamber's position in favour of improving the country's competitiveness in this area. In the Chamber's view this will encourage investment and economic growth.
Apart from the obvious benefits that these schemes will allow Malta to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and therefore improve air quality, the scheme will also encourage investment in green energy, providing a boost in a growing economic sector, the chamber said.
Moreover, the schemes will also be instrumental for Malta to reach the 10% target of gross electricity consumed by 2020, set out by the Renewable Energy Directive. By the end of 2014, in fact Malta had only achieved 4% renewables share. Achieving the remaining 6%, in a timely fashion will avoid Malta incurring unnecessary penalties or resorting to costly last minute solutions.
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GWU wants workers to get all their public holidays back, special leave for cancer patients
The General Workers Union this morning presented its proposals for next year's budget, which include giving workers back all their public holidays, giving out the COLA increase twice a year and extending sick leave for cancer patients.
"The government should give workers back all public holidays which fell on a weekend. This was a measure introduced in 2005, when economic growth was slow, but it should be reverted back seeing that the economy is now doing well," Mr Bugeja said.
The General Workers Union is proposing that minimum wage earners receive an additional bonus, which would help ease their situation without resorting to the ripple effect that would result from a wage increase. "We are aware that an increase of the minimum wage would have an upwards ripple effect and all wages would have to be revised. Therefore we are urging the government to give an additional contribution to struggling minimum wage earners. This would be a short-term solution and the discussion on the revision of the minimum wage still needs to be held," Mr Bugeja said.
The union said it was against the abuse of the welfare state but put forward a number of proposals to strengthen the social services. This included the revision of pensions and means testing.
Mr Bugeja said the Cost of Living Adjustment increase should be equal for everyone and the revision of pensions should be calculated on the current salary rather than the difference between the current salary and the highest salary earned. For those born before 1961 the calculations should be based on the previous 20 years. The COLA should be given twice a year, he said.
Other proposals include giving special paid leave to cancer patients, while suspending their mortgage payments. Urgent family leave should also be extended for single parents and carers.
The GWU also believes that the state should do more to provide open recreational areas. "The government should also ensure that beach concession rules are being adhered to at all times," it said, pointing out that the problem of a lack of beach space due to private concessions was spread across the entire country.
The government should also invest more in the manufacturing sector and provide training to workers, giving them the opportunity to improve their situation.
It was also high time for the government and the social partners to study the impact of the introduction of the living wage.
Mr Bugeja said another important proposal would ensure that contract workers have the same pay and conditions as the place of work they are engaged at. Equal pay (and conditions) for equal work.
The union is also saying that, workers who do not have their contracts renewed but have a clean record should be the first ones to be called back by their employers if their services are needed.
The GWU Secretary General said police officers still work six unpaid hours every week, on top of their forty hours. The union is urging the government to rectify this injustice.
The union is also proposing that tertiary education students who decide to chance their course after completing their first year should still receive a stipend. Those who opt for vocational courses should receive the same treatment. The government is also being urged to continue incentivising apprenticeships.
Another proposal is to create a second time buyer's scheme for those who missed out on the first time buyer's scheme. The latter should also be continued. There should also be monitoring of the rent market to fight abuse and the government should increase rent subsidies for low income families.
There are many empty properties that cannot be put on the rent market because the owners do not have the capital to finish them to acceptable standards. The government should consider launching a scheme to rent these properties, improve their standards and use them as social housing.
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Gżira sign former Birkirkara striker Liliu
Gżira United have secured the signing of Brazilian striker Liliu. With the August transfer window closing at midnight on Wednesday, Gżira moved to strengthen their forward line with the acquisition of Liliu who played for Birkirkara last season. The Maroons, promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season after winning the Division One championship, have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market, recruiting a host of new players, especially foreigners, in a bid to boost their chances of maintaining their top-flight status. They have made a low-key start to their league campaign, gaining two points after successive 1-1 draws against Tarxien Rainbows and Ħamrun Spartans. Their two goals have been scored by Brazilian defender Tony as Gżira, led by coach Branko Nisevic, have looked short of punch in attack, a weakness that prompted the club to move for Liliu who is expected to fly to Malta in the coming days.
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Man accused of smuggling cocaine has bail revoked after Attorney General’s appeal
Joseph Rodney Grima, a 23 year-old Gozitan man from Ghajnsielem, had his bail revoked by a court earlier today after he was charged of smuggling 15kg of cocaine in a car which arrived in Malta from Sicily via the ferry last week.
Grima was arraigned in court on Wednesday, charged with importation and possession of the drug which was found in a Mercedes car on the ferry. The prosecution said that the accused had requested for the car to be towed due to mechanical problems. The cause of the mechanical fault was believed to be the drugs stored in the fuel tank.
The Police had said in a statement before the case was heard in court on Wednesday that a 66 year-old Qormi man was also being investigated in relation to the case.
Last Friday Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona granted Grima bail against a deposit of €20,000 and a personal guarantee of €50,000 as well as grounding him in Malta. In reaction, the Attorney General filed an immediate appeal arguing that the accused could very well tamper with the evidence, as well as other things.
Madame Justice Edwina Grima agreed with the AG this morning ordering the man to be arrested anew.
Grima is represented Dr Mario Mifsud, Dr Joe Giglio, Dr William Cuschieri and Dr Alfred Abela.
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Busuttil convenes PN parliamentary group meeting to discuss medical visas scandal
Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil has called a Nationalist Party parliamentary group meeting for tomorrow to discuss the medical visas scandal which has exposed a prime minister "who is getting mixed up in his own lies".
In a statement, the PN said that The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday revealed that Joseph Muscat knew about allegations of corruption linked with this scandal. Dr Busuttil himself on Sunday said that Dr Muscat knew about this as Dr Busuttil had told him about it during a National Security Committee meeting last year.
However, in his statement to defend himself, "Muscat mixed up lies twice," the PN said. First he said that he did not know anything about the scandal, and then he said that he had passed on information to the police. This however contradicted The Malta Independent on Sunday report in which Health Minister Chris Fearne said that he was the one to pass on the matter to the police – and not the prime minister.
This is a major scandal, the PN said, which was concocted by a person who is close to the PM's chief of staff Keith Schembri and No Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi, who had been caught secretly opening companies in Panama.
In the light of this, the Opposition Leader has convened a meeting of the parliamentary group.
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Give workers all their public holidays back - GWU
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