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Qawra traffic diversion from Monday

February 20, 2015, 11:21 pm
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Traffic leaving Qawra will be diverted as from Monday because of sewage works, Transport Malta said. It said works at Triq il-Wileġ junction with Kennedy Drive have reached a stage where the sewer main in Triq il-Wileġ needs to be connected to the new sewer already laid in trenches which formed part of the new network along Kennedy Drive, as part of the Coast Road project. Part of Triq il-Wileġ will need to be closed for traffic coming from Qawra towards Triq il-Korp tal-Pijunieri. Thus, Triq il-Wileġ will be temporarily turned into a one-way road. Traffic from Qawra will be diverted through Triq J.F. Kennedy in order to reach Kennedy Drive and Ta’ Erba’ Mwiezeb roundabout. Traffic flows from Ta’ Erba’ Mwiezeb roundabout to Triq il-Wileġ and/or to Triq il-Korp tal-Pijunieri will not be affected by these works.  
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Maltese company chosen as one of top 10 businesses in Europe

February 20, 2015, 3:49 am
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Maltese company, BMIT Ltd has been chosen as one of the top 10 businesses in Europe. The data centre and cloud services provider received the Ruban d’Honneur award as part of the 2014/15 European Business Awards dedicated to European companies with a turnover of up to €25 million. BMIT is the only Maltese company across all categories to receive this award. All recipients of the Ruban d’Honneur were chosen from 709 national champions by a panel of judges made up of European business and political leaders, academics and entrepreneurs. Now in its eight year, the European Business Awards has engaged with over 24,000 businesses from 33 European countries this year, a further proof of the standing and prestige this awards carry.
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'No' campaigners urge young people to vote for sustainability in referendum

February 21, 2015, 1:14 am
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Young activists of the Shout campaign against Spring hunting are campaigning in City Gate this morning, urging young people to vote in the April 11 referendum, and to vote No. They urged young people not to be indifferent and to use the opportunity to ‘make Malta greener’. “Other countries in the EU are making great efforts in conservation, including protection of Turtle Doves. Meanwhile, in Malta we are doing nothing to protect them. Even worse, we are delivering the final blow and soon there will be no chance to make up for these mistakes,” activist Bernice Saliba said. On a similar vein, Steve Zammit Lupi expressed concern that the next generation might come to a stage where they had nothing to protect any more. He showed a picture of the last ‘passenger pigeon’ which died in captivity in 1914, saying there were millions of these pigeons in the 19th century but they were hunted for sport and food, just like quail and turtle dove in today’s Malta.
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Truck overturns on the Coast Road

February 20, 2015, 1:06 am
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A man was hospitalised this morning after the truck he was operating while working on the Coast Road overturned on the rocks. His condition is not yet known but he got out of the truck without assistance.
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Government owned garages being put up for sale

February 20, 2015, 1:24 am
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Some 2,200 government owned garages are being put up for sale in a new scheme starting next week, Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon said today. Addressing a press conference at the Lands Department in Valletta, Dr Falzon said the scheme was aimed at those families who lived in public housing and wanted to leave something behind to their children by purchasing the adjoining garage. That said, the scheme would also include garages that are nearby or not connected to homes, he added. The garages will cost around €15,000 if they were built by the government and €10,000 if they were built by the user. The scheme, announced in the last Budget, will only be applicable to garages being rented or leased and will not include the air space. Only garages owned by the Lands Department would be included in the scheme. Dr Falzon said another scheme would also see government owned shops in Valletta being put up for sale by around April.
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Islamic State gives warring factions in Libya impetus to come together - Philip Hammond

February 20, 2015, 3:51 am
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The rising threat of Islamic State gives warring factions in Libya a “strong impetus to come together” and form a unified government, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said today. Such a government, he said, would be supported by the international community and could help find a solution to tensions in the North African State. Mr Hammond was speaking to the press after a meeting with European Affairs Minister Louis Grech during which they discussed the newly proposed diplomatic approach to dealing with the threat of IS in Libya before action is stepped up through some form of UN intervention. Asked why the UK was in favour of a diplomatic approach but had supported air strikes in Libya during the anti Gaddafi uprising back in 2011, Mr Hammond said the Gaddafi regime had posed a “real and present humanitarian danger”. “We wanted to avoid a massacre and chose that option because that was what the situation warranted,” he said. UK UNDERSTANDS MALTA'S MIGRATION PROBLEM Mr Hammond also referred to the Libyan faucet of the Mediterranean migration flow, and said the UK “understands Malta’s problem and stands in solidarity”. Asked, however, if the UK’s stand of solidarity was...
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Għadira’s Blue Flag in doubt after kiosk ‘upgrade’

February 21, 2015, 2:02 am
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Għadira Bay’s Blue Flag status is being assessed after a concrete platform in the sand to serve as the base for a kiosk raised questions on whether adequate impact assessments were made. The International Blue Flag programme yesterday morning contacted their local representative, Nature Trust, demanding a report on the impact of the concrete base on the coast, the sand dunes and surrounding ecology after Times of Malta exposed the development in the Natura 2000 site. The planning authority said the concrete platform had its blessing in line with a permit issued last year. In a statement yesterday evening, it pointed out that the kiosk was in fact only one of seven to be “upgraded” in the area. Nature Trust said the international programme would consider whether the legislation regulating the development was satisfactory. The prestigious Blue Flag status is given for the sustainable management of beaches, and regular evaluations are held to ensure the certificate is still deserved   Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Ramblers Association in a statement today said that the  granting of this permit for a kiosk on a Natura 2000 site and Special Protected Area was publicized at the same...
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Abela: No Maltese boots on the ground in Libya

February 21, 2015, 12:14 am
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National Security Minister Carmelo Abela has confirmed that the government does not intend deploying Maltese soldiers in a UN-mandated mission in Libya even if it is a peacekeeping operation. In any case, Mr Abela added, such a mission does not seem to be on the cards at the moment. “The Prime Minister has already said we will participate in a UN-mandated mission but that this does not necessarily mean through the presence of Maltese soldiers on the ground,” he said. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Malta was not in a position to send soldiers because it does not have the capability and assets to contribute troops. This view was not shared by senior army officers, including two retired commanders, who insisted that Malta’s army is fully capable and has the capacity to contribute troops in such a military operation. 
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Busuttil: Anyone in PN featuring on Swissleaks can consider himself suspended from the party

February 21, 2015, 7:10 am
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Those involved in the ‘Swissleaks’ scandal must come clean and carry responsibility, whoever they are, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this evening. 'Swissleaks' refers to a list of HSBC Geneva account holders leaked to a group of journalists earlier this month. Many used Swiss accounts for tax avoidance purposes In a reaction to the press statement issued by Michael Falzon earlier today, Dr Busuttil said said he did not consider it acceptable for people in public office or in political positions to be among those involved 'in this scandal'. "People in public office or in political positions caught up in this scandal - whoever they may be - must come clean and carry their responsibility at law. "Furthermore, if any person on these lists has any official connection with the Nationalist Party he or she should consider himself or herself suspended immediately from the Party." Dr Busuttil said that while it was obvious that any person involved should immediately get his or her tax position 100% in line with the law and pay whatever is due, if at any stage these persons breached other laws, they must come clean and carry responsibility for their behaviour. "If any of their...
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Updated:Justyne Caruana denies union claim that she threatened workers

February 20, 2015, 8:31 am
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The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin has accused the Parliamentary Secretary for the Care of the Elderly of threatening day centre managers they would be reported to the Police Commissioner if they obeyed a legal directive issued by the union. Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana denied the allegations The union said that it had been requesting a grade structure for day centre employees for the past years because workers in the same grade had different duties ranging from management to assistance. But the secretariat appointed a number of supervisors to start managing the centres. The UHM said that although the government was bound to issue a call for supervisors, their role was not to manage the centres. Moreover, the union was insisting that the workers who had been managing the centres for years should not be replaced by new staff. So it asked for an immediate meeting with the director of the department and ordered workers to continue carrying out their usual duties and not to move from the centres. But instead of meeting the union to solve the problem, Dr Caruana on Wednesday gathered workers and threatened them not to obey the directive, the union said. It condemned Dr Caruana’s...
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Former minister Michael Falzon suspends himself from oil committee, political activity, over Swiss account

February 21, 2015, 5:57 am
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Former Minister Michael Falzon said today he was suspending himself from all political activities within the PN and withdrawing from his position as observer on the Oil Procurement Committee because of questions over a former Swiss account. He said however that his position has been regularised. In a statement he said: "Last Wednesday I received a telephone call from a journalist in which I was asked to confirm that I used to have account at HSBC Genève. I had no problem in confirming that this information was correct. I have reason to believe that this information is going to be published in a Sunday paper tomorrow. In the circumstances I would like to give some background about this account. Between 1975 and 1985, I was involved with other Maltese professionals in an Architectural and Civil Engineering consultancy providing services abroad. These services were provided under the aegis of a Maltese registered company of which I was shareholder and director. The first big job that this company worked on had been entrusted to it in partnership with a Swiss architectural firm. This necessitated frequent visits to Switzerland and the opening of bank accounts to which funds were...
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Hunters in l-ahrax clean-up

February 22, 2015, 6:09 am
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Members of the Mellieha section of the FKNK this morning carried out a clean-up at l-Aħrax. In a statement the section said its members hold such clean-ups on several Sundays to remove garbage and rebuild stone walls and other structures.  They also pant trees supplied from its nursery. The section complained that the young trees are often vandalised by offroad vehicles. It said it has installed a number of bins and is organising country walks for schoolchildren.  It said the area is open 'all year round' including during the spring hunting season. The area, it said, should continue to be enjoyed by all, picnickers, campers, and hunters, among others.  
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Active Age workshops make growing old fun

February 21, 2015, 3:01 am
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A group of elderly people stare intently at a cup plunger placed on a small table before them at the Ħamrun day care centre. “This is generally used for unclogging sinks or bathtubs,” theatre practitioner Charlotte Stafrace tells the group. “But I would like each of you to re-imagine another use for the object and act it out. The rest of us will try and guess what you’re fashioning out the object to be.” An elderly woman walks to the table and picks up the plunger. “This is an excellent tool for unblocking Karmenu’s ears,” she quips, drawing a roar of laughter from the room. Ms Stafrace, 50, set up Active Age, a drama-based project aimed at the physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing of senior citizens. Funded by the Premju tal-President (Community), the workshops provide the opportunity for fun, learning and gentle exercise within a comfortable, supportive and creative environment. “Change is difficult at every age  very much so at this third age. But I feel that every week I try to challenge them to move out of their comfort zones. Of course they still bring what they feel they are good at, but I try to channel that into a different ‘space’ for them to...
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Filipino: I did 1,000 hours unpaid overtime as nanny

February 21, 2015, 3:01 pm
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This Filipino woman claims she was exploited by her former employers.

A Filipino woman on minimum wage is claiming to have racked up close to 1,000 hours in unpaid overtime during the 13-month period she worked as a nanny. The woman told The Sunday Times of Malta she accumulated €6,200 in unpaid overtime when working for a family between May 2013 and July 2014 as a full-time, live-in nanny. She claims that despite an agreement saying she was meant to be a “live-in” nanny, she had to live elsewhere, thereby incurring additional food and accommodation costs. “I was paid a gross salary of €718 per month. Some €300 of that went towards living expenses. I was left... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.
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Property scheme ‘is not an amnesty’

February 21, 2015, 12:23 am
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Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon insists a proposal to regularise illegally-built and altered properties is “definitely not an amnesty”. “For this to be an amnesty, the offenders would have to be let off the hook. But I can assure you that those who have sinned will have to repent and pay a penalty that fits their crime,” he said. Earlier this month, Times of Malta revealed that the planning authority was in the final stages of drafting a scheme to drop pending enforcement procedures against about 10,000 properties. The scheme is expected to rake in more than €20 million in fines and will apply to all infringements that took place before 2013 and those outside development zones that date back to before 1994 – the year the planning authority was set up. Asked whether the amnesty scheme would also apply to large villas built without the necessary permits, Dr Falzon took issue with the term ‘amnesty’ and did not specify which planning infractions would be covered. He would not give details either on what the regularisation fines would consist of and what terms and conditions would apply, saying only they would be “effective” but “attractive”. “Let me be clear: those...
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PN to field 185 candidates for local elections

February 21, 2015, 6:35 am
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The PN said today it is fielding 185 candidates for the elections in half of the local councils in Malta and Gozo on April 11. Almost half, 88, are new candidates, a factor which the PN said showed how its renewal process was bearing fruit. 42% of the candidates are under 40 years old and a quarter are women. The PN pointed out that it was thanks to Simon Busuttil's insistence that the elections would be held as scheduled as the prime minister had already decided to postpone them.  The PN said that over the coming weeks its candidates would be calling on people at their homes.  
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New group of police inspectors 'among the most qualified' - minister

February 21, 2015, 2:12 am
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Twenty-nine new police inspectors were sworn in at a ceremony yesterday, the police said. Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and Police Commissioner Michael Cassar attended the ceremony at police headquarters. Mr Abela underlined the importance of a disciplined police force enjoying the best people. He noted that this particular group of newly appointed inspectors was one of the best police recruitment in terms of academic abilities which varies from diplomas, bachelor degrees, and masters degrees. These diverse disciplines include qualifications in psychology, criminology, science, computing, management, marketing and Doctorate of Laws. "This achievement shows that the Police Force is succeeding in attracting high quality individuals whilst motivating its members to continue enhancing their academic skills." He stressed the need for continuous training and said education should be a priority for all members of the police force. In the months the focus would be on a reorganization of the structure of the Police Force which will include the appointment of a chief executive officer, reporting directly to the Police Commissioner. In his regard, Police Commissioner Michael Cassar...
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Update 2 - PN calls on prime minister to act over Justyne Caruana's remarks

February 22, 2015, 5:42 am
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The Nationalist Party has called on the prime minister to take action over comments made by Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana at a meeting with some workers last week.  The PN said one of those present had revealed what was said, 'despite threats'. It said that the prime minister, who had spoken on political responsibility, needed to act over Dr Caruana's remarks. The UHM last week also condemned Dr Caruana's speech. It said she threatening day centre managers that they would be reported to the Police Commissioner if they obeyed a legal directive issued by the union. Dr Caruana denied the allegations.  PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY'S REACTION In a reaction Dr Caruana denied the 'baseless allegations' of the PN and said she would remain firm over abuse against the elderly. She said that during her meeting, she had assured those present that no officer-in-charge was to be transferred. But she said she could not be passive over the way abuse had been committed against the elderly by certain officers-in-charge. Some elderly people had been asked to sign a petition whose contents they did not know, she said. The workers were asked to remedy the situation, as was done.  Dr Caruana...
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Two 'mega alliances' to start calling at Malta Freeport

February 21, 2015, 2:16 am
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The ‘2M’ Alliance made up of Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and the ‘Ocean Three Alliance’ composed of CMA CGM, China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have chosen Malta Freeport Terminals as their main transhipment hub in the Central Mediterranean, Malta Freeport announced this morning. "This is a significant accomplishment for Malta Freeport Terminals which clearly attests that the Freeport’s facilities offer carriers the required infrastructure and equipment to operate the largest vessels," it said. The Freeport is now offering its clients 17 weekly mainline services, which are complemented by an extensive number of weekly feedering services. A total of 128 ports all across the globe can now be reached from Malta Freeport. "The increased regular global network connections available from the port are providing the local importers and exporters remarkable opportunities to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of their business operations," the freeport said. ‘MSC Capella’ was the first vessel to call at Malta Freeport Terminalson the commencement of services by the 2M Alliance yesterday. The first two containerships...
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Stuffed protected birds found in three locations

February 22, 2015, 1:43 am
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Over 20 stuffed protected birds as well as carcasses were found dumped in three locations in the space of two weeks, according to reports filed with the police. The dead protected birds, some of which were mounted, were found in Birkirkara, Ħal Far and Żabbar, and included prized species such as night heron, marsh harriers, honey buzzards and little egret. They were found by members of the public who informed Birdlife Malta. The environmental organisation then filed reports with the police. The first report was filed on February 1, after seven mounted birds were discovered on the side of Triq Il-Kanonku Indri Galea in Birkirkara. There were two marsh harriers, a night heron, a common kestrel, and a honey buzzard. Two smaller birds were also found but they could not be identified. On February 12, at least 12 carcasses were founf in Żabbar. These were all mounted and in a very poor state after being exposed to rainfall. The species included little egret, little bittern, common cuckoo, woodcock, lapwing, sandpiper, golden plover, and a sparrowhawk. More in The Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.
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