Quantcast
Channel: Times Of Malta
Viewing all 77260 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

One in three households ‘suffer from deprivation’

January 7, 2014, 5:22 am
$
0
0

Holidays are out of reach for half of all households in Malta. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Half of households in Malta last year could not afford to pay for a one-week holiday away from home, while more than a fifth could not warm up their houses in winter, according to national data. Every year the National Statistics Office carries out the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey among people in private households. According to the latest survey, 22 per cent – 33,547 homes – were unable to keep their property adequately warm for winter, up from 17.7 per cent recorded for 2011. Meanwhile, the results issued yesterday for 2012 show that nearly 20 per cent of the population was materially deprived – up from 16.5 per cent in 2011 – while more than nine per cent were severely deprived. The NSO calculated material deprivation by asking households whether they can handle unexpected financial expenses, afford a week away from home, a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day, keep their home warm, own a washing machine, a colour TV, a telephone or a car, or have arrears to pay. Those who cannot afford at least three of these are considered as materially deprived, while people who cannot afford four are severely materially deprived. According to the same...
↧
Search

Maltese-owned company was biggest to be registered in Latvia last year

January 7, 2014, 4:39 am
$
0
0

Mariner, a Maltese-owned business which operates and invests in ports, set up the largest company to be registered in Latvia last year, according to the country’s main news agency Leta News. The company, Mariner Finance Baltic, has a share capital of €40 million and is fully owned by Maltese company Mariner Capital Limited, whose shareholders are Marin Hili, Edward Hili and Michela Borg. Mariner Finance Baltic (MFB) was registered as a new subsidiary to hold Mariner’s investment in Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), which was set up in 1996, in February last year. MFB is now the sole owner of BCT. The Maltese acquired fully shareholding interest in BCT in 1999 following its minority acquisition in 1996. Since then BCT has grown to become the largest and fastest-growing container handling facility in the Baltic States. The terminal is located within the Latvian city of Riga which is the largest city in the Baltic region and is central to trade into and out of the Baltic States, the Russian hinterland and northern Europe.
↧
↧

Malta among the best countries to retire to

January 6, 2014, 10:06 pm
$
0
0

Forbes has listed Malta among the top 15 countries to retire to this year, particularly for Americans. The survey comes hot on the heels of another survey, the 2013 edition of the World Risk Report, which placed Malta as the second safest country. Forbes said it had teamed up with InternationalLiving.com’s newly-released Annual Global Retirement Index 2014—now in its 23nd year—which ranked the best international retirement destinations on the basis of data  from its team of experts on the ground in the most popular countries among US and Canadian expat retirees. Editors assessed factors ranging from the price of groceries and average temperature, to utility costs and the friendliness of locals. The survey also considered real estate, benefits for retired people, healthcare, entertainment and amenities and ease of integration.  Panama ranked No. 1 this year because it offers a “great combination of variety and value,” she says. Ecuador was second and Malaysia third. Malta is eighth, behind Spain but ahead of Ireland, Italy and Portugal, the  other European countries at the top.
↧

Average gross salary estimated at €15,772.

January 7, 2014, 2:18 am
$
0
0

The average gross salary in the third quarter last year, excluding overtime, bonuses and other payments, stood at €15,772, the NSO said today In a report on the latest Labour Force Survey, it said employment grew by 3% in the third quarter of last year compared to the same period in 2012. Total employment stood at 179,476, (174,126 in the third quarter of 2012) accounting for almost half the population aged 15 and over. Unemployed persons stood at 12,827 (4 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 168,429 (47 per cent). The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 66 per cent. When compared to the previous year, the activity rate among women increased by 3 percentage points, while the male activity rate rose by 1 percentage point. The highest activity rate was recorded among persons aged 25-54 (78 per cent). The Employed PopulationOut of every 100 persons aged 15 to 64, 61 were employed. The rate increased by 2 percentage points compared to the corresponding quarter in 2012. The highest employment rate was recorded among persons aged between 25 and 54, at 74 per cent. The majority of the employed worked on a full-time basis and totalled 151,526. An estimated...
↧

Big-bang reform of bus service was 'a mistake'

January 7, 2014, 2:51 am
$
0
0

Two former transport ministers in the Nationalist government have argued that the big-bang approach to bus reform in 2010 was a mistake. Jesmond Mugliett and Ċensu Galea, who between them spent 10 years in charge of transport, both feel the changes made when Arriva took over were too drastic, pointing especially to the way the route network was overhauled, making journeys longer. Before the ill-fated reform in July 2011, the criticism had actually been that successive administrations were treading too carefully and lacked the political courage to grab the bull by the horns. Mr Mugliett said the introduction of Arriva brought about a radical change, particularly in the routes, which was never explained or justified. He also said a long-term vision was needed for the gradual introduction of modern modes of mass transport such as monorail systems. Mr Galea said the PN government had paid the price for trying to change too much at one go through a “big-bang” approach. Full story in the Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com
↧
↧

Donations dry up as home takes in migrant young men

January 6, 2014, 10:35 pm
$
0
0

A Church home which offers shelter to homeless young men has suffered a major fall in donations ever since it started offering refuge to young asylum seekers. Fr Savio Vella, director of Dar Osanna Pia, said that the home started taking in unaccompanied minors seeking asylum 10 years ago and donations have since fallen flat. Over the years he says that he has been approached by people who specifically informed him they had stopped donating because “Osanna Pia is housing foreigners”.  “I am proud to be Maltese because we are so generous – but our fear when it comes to immigrants is hindering our kindness." Full story in the Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.
↧

Update 3: x-rays showed 'cloud of pellets' inside Pembroke murder victim's chest - expert

January 7, 2014, 12:28 am
$
0
0

Pembroke murder victim Louis Ellul died from a lack of blood in his circulatory system, caused by gunshot wounds, forensic experts Marie Therese Camilleri Poesta and Ali Salfraz said in court this afternoon. Testifying in the trial by jury of Martino Gatt, who stands charged with the murder of Mr Ellul, his wife's former partner in December 2007, the two experts said Mr Ellul had seven pellets in the chest wall that could be felt under the skin. There were also several pellet wounds on the heart and its vessels. This alone was enough to kill a man, they said. They said there were pellets in the stomach wall and the spleen and part of his lungs disintegrated and his pelvis bone was shattered. Mr Ellul had fractured ribs on the left hand side and some parts of the ribs were missing. But the most fatal wound was the one in his back as it led to injuries in the lungs and heart. Forensic expert Mario Scerri, who was appointed to examine the body, described in detail the way it was positioned on the ground in Pembroke when he arrived on the scene. A white towel had been placed under the head that was soaked in blood from a neck wound and another blue towel was near the body. A cloth...
↧

Flamingo killing inquiry completed

January 8, 2014, 12:58 am
$
0
0

A flamingo similar to the one shot at Salina Bay. Photo: Natalino Fenech

The magisterial inquiry into the highly publicised killing of a flamingo last June has now been completed, timesofmalta.com is informed. The police had told Times of Malta that it would not be prudent to comment on the case as the inquiry was ongoing. But sources clarified this morning that, following the receipt of expert reports, the inquiry was concluded late last year and forwarded to the competent authorities. A request for further information on the progress of the investigation sent to the police media office yesterday has yet to be answered. It is not yet known whether the police intend to arraign a suspect following the conclusions of the inquiry. The flamingo was killed at Salina Bay on the night of June 3-4. It had been under watch from police officers and conservationists due to concerns that it would be targeted by poachers, but they abandoned the watch that evening because they thought it had flown away. Later, local residents reported hearing a gunshot and seeing a young man wading through the water with the shot bird before placing the body in an SUV and speeding off. The shooting was headline news for several days and prompted widespread condemnation from...
↧
Search

Updated: MUT says no agreement yet on use of tablets in classrooms

January 8, 2014, 12:56 am
$
0
0

A call for interest for suppliers to provide tablets as well as software for use by teachers  was announced this morning by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo. The provision of the tablets will be part of a pilot project to be carried between next March and March next year Addressing a news conference, the minister said the call, for which €80,000 had been budgeted, would close in four weeks. In a reaction, the union said said the project should have a long term vision and noted that an agreement on it had not yet been reached although talks had started The government, Mr Bartolo said, needed to roll out the service on a nationwide basis as from the following scholastic year beginning in September 2015. The programme would be launched for Year 4 students and would gradually be extended up to Year 6. The introduction of tablets at secondary level would be dealt with at a later stage, the minister said. The minister emphasised that no preference would be given to a particular brand. The call, he said, was technologically neutral so as not to give any advantage to a particular supplier. He stressed that feedback from teachers was crucial for the project to succeed and the aim of...
↧
↧

Commission approves Zammit Dimech, Norman Vella candidatures for EP elections

January 8, 2014, 6:59 am
$
0
0

Former minister Francis Zammit Dimech and former broadcaster Norman Vella have been approved as Nationalist candidates for the forthcoming European Parliament elections. The two were approved by a commission set up by PN leader Simon Busuttil to consider candidates wishing to stand on the party list. Formal approval by the PN executive committee is expected on Friday. Dr Zammit Dimech has been active in the PN for most of his adult life and over the years was minister responsible for tourism, foreign affairs, culture, infrastructure and communications. He unsuccessfully contested the PN leadership election last year. Norman Vella is best known as presented of TVHemm and for his recent arrest and interrogation for allegedly taking pictures of senior government officials in a restricted area of the airport, claims which were thrown out by a court. The other candidates on the PN list so far are Therese Commodini Cachia, Kevin Cutajar, Helga Ellul, Jonathan Shaw, Stefano Mallia and Kevin Plumpton. Also contesting the election are serving MEPs Roberta Metsola and David Casa.
↧

Pembroke murder: Accused says victim had destroyed his family

January 8, 2014, 12:58 am
$
0
0

A man who stands accused of murdering his former wife’s partner six years ago in Pembroke said this morning that the victim had destroyed his family. Martino Gatt also said that he had never denied killing Louis Ellul. 'I never said I did not kill him,' he said as he was questioning a 14-year-old girl who had been hit by pellets during the shooting. Gatt is accused of fatally shooting Ellul as he came out of church. When Mr Justice Mallia drew his attention to what he was saying, Mr Gatt replied: "I am not scared of saying the truth. I never said I did not shoot the man. I am contesting the intention to kill." Another witness, Walter Busuttil, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, said he was at Mass that day and had stopped at a bazaar close to the church when he saw a family being followed by a man who was carrying something he thought was an umbrella. He said he saw the man calling the other man and as soon as he turned he shot him twice in quick succession. The witness said he crossed the road with his children and saw the man firing the third shot when the victim was already on the ground. One shot hit him in the neck and another in the back. The third shot hit him in his lower...
↧

Petition against Spring hunting now has over 40,000 signatures

January 7, 2014, 10:12 am
$
0
0

The number of people who have signed the petition calling for a referendum to ban Spring hunting has risen to over 40,000, Rudolph Ragonesi, a representative of the organising coalition of NGOs, said this evening. Speaking on TimesTalk on TVM, Dr Ragonesi said the collection of signatures had proceeded faster than expected, due to circumstances such as a number of cases of illegal hunting and the decision by the FKNK to try to 'move the goalposts' by starting a petition for amendments to the Referenda Act. Joe Perici Calascione, representing the FKNK hunters' federation, said he could not at this stage say how many signatures had been collected by by the federation in support of its petition. He was not surprised that 40,000 signatures had been collected by the coalition after a number of months, saying many people may have been tricked. During the debate, Dr Ragonesi said the petition would be restricted solely to banning Spring hunting, and not all hunting outright.The aim was to protect birds during breeding. During the discussion, Charlo Bonnici, representing the PN, said the party was in favour of limited spring hunting. Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said the...
↧

Singer from Gozitan choir snaps ‘selfie’ with the Pope

January 8, 2014, 2:01 am
$
0
0

Gozitan choir singer Maureen Saguna thought she was going to have a heart attack when Pope Francis agreed to pose for a selfie with her. “It was all a blur – I don’t even remember asking him to take the photo with me but apparently I asked him in Italian, ‘Your Holiness, could I take a selfie with you?’” Ms Saguna, 37, said. Still under shock after her own daring request, Ms Saguna said she grasped the moment when she met the much loved Pontiff in a private audience together with other singers from the Gozitan choir Laudate Pueri. They had the honour of being the first female choir in history to sing with the Vatican’s own Sistine Chapel Choir. The selfie – a self-portrait that is usually taken with a hand-held camera or phone – was taken the day before, last Sunday, when the choir, from the parish basilica of St George in Victoria, were in the courtyard of the Pope’s private residence. “We just expected to see him drive past and bless us but he stopped and came out. We were in a line and, as he walked past us, everyone kissed his hand,” Ms Saguna, of Xagħra, said. Feeling “giddy”, Ms Saguna and the other singers broke into a hymn, T’Adoriam Ostia Divina, also known as Nadurawk...
↧
↧

Updated: Hand of worker in conveyer belt incident may be saved

January 8, 2014, 5:00 am
$
0
0

The hand of a 58-year-old man from Qrendi which was almost severed after it got caught in a conveyor belt this afternoon may be saved. There had been initial fears it would be lost. The incident happened at a construction plant in Hal Far. The man is currently being operated upon. The procedure will establish whether his hand can be saved. The man was assisted by rescuers of the Civil Protection Department.
↧

Update 3 - Two rescued after roof collapse

January 8, 2014, 4:54 am
$
0
0

Two men - a father and son both from Mellieha - were rescued this afternoon following the partial collapse of a restaurant's roof in Mellieha. The incident happened at about 1.30 p.m. at the Half Way Inn on the road between Mellieha and Ghadira Bay. The two, aged 52 and 19, were engaged on construction work and were standing on the third floor roof when it collapsed. . They were pulled out of the rubble by rescuers of the Civil Protection Department and taken to hospital in ambulances. The younger man's condition was described as serious by the police soon after the incident. Later, the older man's condition was also upgraded to serious. A magisterial inquiry is under way.
↧
Search

Babies go down with contagious lung virus

January 7, 2014, 10:54 pm
$
0
0

Several babies have fallen victim to a highly contagious virus which causes infection of the lungs and the paediatric wards at Mater Dei Hospital have been completely taken up. In adults, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus only produces symptoms of a common cold but in babies it can lead to more serious illnesses, according to leading paediatrician Victor Grech. “My recommendation is for parents who have babies and pre-school children to stay away from crowds,” he said. Full story in the Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.  
↧

Ira expresses concern about naked ‘selfies’

January 8, 2014, 7:07 am
$
0
0

Singer Ira Losco has publicly expressed concern about the online sharing of naked ‘selfie’ photos of several young Maltese women in recent days. The popular singer took to Facebook to condemn the “very irresponsible men” who were sharing the photos of young women who were ‘friends’ with her on the social network. “This is cyber bullying and I hope it is being dealt with, because I do not want to be that parent opening a mail and finding my daughter's photo staring back at me,” she wrote. A Tumblr blog dedicated to “Maltese girls caught on camera” published photos of five young women in recent days. These photos have since been removed but they are believed to have been widely shared through social networks and mobile phones. One of the women posted a comment on the blog in question claiming to have uploaded two lewd ‘selfies’ to her Instagram account by accident. She threatened to report the Tumblr blog to the police. The Tumblr blog in question asks viewers to submit photos of “Maltese girls only”. There are fears that the blog could introduce the phenomenon of ‘revenge porn’ to Malta, whereby jilted lovers submit lewd photos of their former partners out of spite. Ms Losco also...
↧
↧

Updated: 'Victim used me as a suicide weapon' - accused

January 9, 2014, 1:30 am
$
0
0

A man who is facing a trial by jury accused of killing his estranged wife's lover, Martino Gatt, told jurors this morning that the victim, Louis Ellul, had used him as a suicide weapon. "Just like someone who wants to commit suicide turns the gun onto himself, he (the victim) turned me, as the weapon, onto himself," Mr Gatt said this morning as he added that he was "at peace" and felt no remorse for what he had done. Mr Gatt was addressing jurors in his defence, in his attempt to convince them that he is not guilty of murder. The jurors are expected to embark on their deliberations tomorrow, once the judge concludes his address explaining the law. The accused said he never looked for Mr Ellul to, in any way, pay him back for destroying his family. Had he wanted to kill him, he would have gone to his garage where he would have been alone rather than endanger his own children. "I went to Pembroke to see my children, for whom I always did everything. It was he who intruded in my family life. It was he who impeded me from seeing my own children," he said. He explained that he had filed several police reports against Mr Ellul because of the provocation he was suffering and because of...
↧

European Parliament citizenship debate will include a vote

January 9, 2014, 4:36 am
$
0
0

The presidents of the political groups within the European Parliament decided today that the debate on 'EU citizenship for sale' that is to take place in the European Parliament on Wednesday afternoon will also include a vote on a cross-party resolution on the following day at noon, Nationalist MEPs David Casa and Roberta Metsola said. "The decision for there to be a resolution following the debate serves the purpose of sending a stronger message of opposition to the concept of the outright sale of citizenship and opposition to the Maltese scheme in particular", the MEPs said. "We have been calling on the Government to amend this scheme ever since it was announced in October. Simply raising the price tag just does not cut it. The key point here is the complete lack of any tie or bond to Malta through the exclusion of any residency requirement. In fact, third-country nationals can now obtain Maltese and therefore EU citizenship without having to set foot on the island. "The behaviour of this Government has and continues to undermine the trust and goodwill that Malta has worked so hard to build up with other Member States and European Institutions. Once again we call on the...
↧

New scrappage scheme details announced

January 9, 2014, 2:29 am
$
0
0

Transport Malta has announced details of the new scrappage scheme in line with the Budget speech.  Its purpose is to encourage people to de-register old polluting vehicles and replace them by new ones with cleaner engines. Subject to various conditions, the grant varies between €500 and €900. The Government has allocated €300,000 over the next 12 months for the scheme. Applications will be handled on a first come first served basis. Applications are available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit, Hornsworks Ditch, Floriana or downloaded from www.transport.gov.mt. In the coming days, Transport Malta will also launch the other schemes announced during the Budget 2014 speech, namely the Conversion to Autogas and Electric Cars Schemes. See details of the scrappage scheme on pdf below.
↧
Viewing all 77260 articles
Browse latest View live
Search
<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>