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Investigators searching for dead teen’s backpack - Girlfriend's appeal

July 27, 2016, 10:08 pm
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Investigators returned to Dingli Cliffs yesterday in a bid to recover the blue backpack German teenager Mike Mansholt was carrying when he was last seen at the Sliema hotel he was staying in. A drone was used in the search but the backpack was not found. Sources close to the investigations said that although foul play has been ruled out, the police were looking desperately for the teenager’s mobile phone, which could shed more light on his final moments. In a Facebook post the German's girlfriend thanked the police and volunteers involved in the search and appealed for information about the haversack . "This is important to us because: Mike and I (Antonia) took many pictures and videos together that are documenting his last week and also our last week we could have together. It was a wonderful time. We, his family, see a way to experience his last days with him together, if we could just have these pictures and videos. We only care about his mobile phone and GoPro, not even about the camera, just the memory cards inside," she said. "Please, if you happened to have found this haversack, just contact us. If you have the feeling that the manner or style wasn’t absolutely legal, we...
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Watch: Angry bus driver and pedestrian face off in St Julians

July 27, 2016, 7:27 am
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What happens when a short-tempered bus driver and similarly agitated pedestrian bump heads?  Tourists on a number 13 bus going to Baħar ic-Cagħaq yesterday morning got to find out, and the results weren't pretty.  The ruckus kicked off after the bus driver was forced to turn the corner of Ross Street, St Julian's, at a sharp angle, frightening a group of pedestrians in the process and prompting one of them to bang on the side of the bus in alarm.  "Then the bus driver stopped the bus and went out to 'talk'," said a passenger who spoke to Times of Malta. "The men started hitting each other almost immediately."  Photos show the driver and a group of pedestrians locked in a messy scuffle. A video uploaded to YouTube shows the moments right after the initial fisticuffs. In the video, the bus driver strides up to a pedestrian and angrily confronts him, as a woman repeatedly shrieks "stop!" Other pedestrians intervene, pointing at the kerb by their feet in exasperation. A man in a Malta Public Transport uniform then steps in to pull the driver away from the huddle. All the while, a young passenger watching the drama from the safety of the bus clasps his hands to his ears in evident...
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The dangers of GPS-based treasure hunts

July 27, 2016, 9:25 am
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Avid climbers yesterday expressed concern about the dangers of looking for geocaches in places too difficult to reach. The climbers were speaking after the body of 17-year-old German Mike Mansholt was found only a few metres away from the location of one such geocache yesterday morning. A geocache is a box hidden in remote locations and found using a device with GPS. The area, known as Għar Mirdum, holds one such geocache and is regarded as one of the toughest to locate, one climber, who previously managed to find the spot, told this newspaper yesterday. The coordinates for the cache guides climbers to the entrance of a cave, where they then abseil down to reach the box hidden inside. Geocaching is an app-based treasure hunt game developed about 16 years ago, when GPS devices became readily available to anyone with a mobile. Those geocaching must follow a set of guidelines, including hiding the box in scenic places and ensuring the correct coordinates are shared online. While the users are responsible for making sure the box is in its place and that it contains a logbook for others to record their achievements in, there is little monitoring of where geocaches are placed, and...
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Preparations for Joseph Calleja concert in full swing

July 27, 2016, 11:18 am
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Preparations for tomorrow’s concert by Joseph Calleja are in full swing. The world-renowned tenor's concert, at the Granaries in Floriana, will this year include the participation of legendary Italian singer Antonello Venditti and American singer songwriter Suzanne Vega. The entire standing area will be free of charge and open to the public. Seated tickets will be in front of the stage. Joseph Calleja and Antonello Venditti will be accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Steven Mercurio and the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir under the direction of Gillian Zammit.
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Cyclist injured in skid on fuel

July 28, 2016, 12:04 am
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A 62-year-old cyclist from Attard was hospitalised this morning after he injured himself when he fell off the bike. The cylist skidded on some fuel while cycling in Dingli at about 7.45am. The police said he is in a serious condition. Members of the Civil Protection Department were deployed to remove the danger in the street. 
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Malta's Muslim community condemns terror acts

July 27, 2016, 12:42 pm
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The Muslim Community in Malta this evening expressed “shock, sorrow and grave concern” at the recent series of terroristic acts in several countries including France, Germany and the United States. It said it was also shocked at the “heinous coward crime” of killing the French priest Fr Jacques Hamel. “Those horrible acts were falsely proclaimed in the name of Islam and Muslims, while Islam prohibits and condemns the killing of innocent people irrespective of their faith or alleged justifications for such criminal acts. “The aggression against the European people is an aggression against all Muslims who live in Europe and a serious threat to their harmonious peaceful existence in different European countries,” the community said. In a statement signed by Imam Mohammed Elsadi, the community said terror had no religion and no borders. “It has no justification and it doesn’t serve any just cause… Terrorists are, first and foremost, the enemy of Islam and Muslims because they abuse the Muslim faith, tarnish the true image of Islam, destruct the reputation of Muslims all over the world and endanger Muslim existence everywhere.” It said that through their savage evil crimes,...
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Malta denies visa extensions to N. Korean workers - report

July 27, 2016, 9:55 pm
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Malta has denied visa extensions for North Korean workers, effectively expelling them, due to a diplomatic campaign by South Korea and human rights groups, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. South Korea has been pressing the few countries that have ties with North Korea to push for changes in the isolated state, which has been criticised for its human rights record and for channelling wages earned by its workers abroad back to the North. Malta has denied visa extensions for about 20 North Korean workers who had been employed at a construction firm and a clothing maker there, Yonhap reported, quoting unidentified sources in the Malta government and the companies. All of the workers had since left Malta and returned to North Korea, Yonhap reported. A diplomatic source in Valletta told the agency that Malta had taken the move after a push by South Korea and human rights groups that raised concerns about the conditions faced by the North Korean workers, according to Yonhap. Officials at Malta's consulate in Seoul could not be reached for comment. In March, Times of Malta reported that the number of North Korean workers in Malta had more than tripled since 2013 with the...
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Alfred Sant backs euthanasia

July 28, 2016, 5:28 am
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Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant has declared himself in favour of the introduction of euthanasia. Writing in his blog, the Labour MEP said that if value was to be given to life, he could not see how one could argue that nothing changed when life was degraded so much that it became a vegetative state, shorn of dignity. “Anyone who wishes to continue to live in this state right up to the end should be given every means to do so. But, in the same way, those who decide otherwise should be given every opportunity to achieve their wish, Dr Sant said. The biggest problem in the euthanasia debate was how to ensure that the individual’s wishes, whatever they were, were truly known, Dr Sant said. http://www.inewsmalta.com/blogarticle.php?ID1=33291
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Bank’s no to certain lending bids

July 28, 2016, 12:35 am
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Bank of Valletta is not considering some lending proposals “in order not to further increase the concentration in certain sectors of our economy”, its chairman, John Cassar White says. In a Talking Point published today (see back page), he notes that banking regulators “expect banks to adopt tighter criteria when approving certain types of speculative lending”. Mr Cassar White points out that Maltese businesses are among the most reliant on bank financing in the EU, because they invest too little of their own money in the business. “If local businesses were to invest more equity in their businesses, they would find local banks more inclined to lend them money,” he adds. He says that when lending depositors’ funds to businesses and individuals, the bank has to manage the risks. “This is not about being risk averse but about being prudent in managing depositors’ money,” Mr Cassar White says, in reference to a news item that appeared yesterday in which bank industry observers were quoted as describing him as “a risk-averse banker”. Over the past few days, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has complained about the rigidity of loan polices and accused banks of not helping in economic growth.
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Van flips over in Attard, nobody injured

July 28, 2016, 10:11 pm
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An accident this morning in Attard led to a van flipping over onto its side on Mdina Road, as these photos sent to Times of Malta show.  Luckily, nobody was injured in the crash, police said. 
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Majority of private GO shareholders refuse offer

July 28, 2016, 9:38 pm
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An overwhelming majority of the 8,000 individual private shareholders in GO plc have turned down an offer from Tunisia’s major telecoms company to buy their shares. According to an official company announcement, issued by GO’s company secretary Francis Galea Salomone, by the end of the acceptance period, last Friday, the collecting and paying agent of the bid “received acceptances in respect of 66,281,050 shares in the company, amounting to 65.5 per cent of the entire issued share capital of the company”. This means that apart from Dubai’s Emirates International Communications (EIT), which has sold all its shareholding (60,786,292 shares), only an additional 5.4 million shares have been sold to TT from the over 40 million available. If the deal goes through, as it still needs to satisfy a number of regulatory conditions, TT will only acquire 65 per cent of the company while the rest will remain under the ownership of private shareholders. Since TT had made an offer of €2.87 per share, it means that TT is now expected to pay some €190 million to acquire its majority shareholding in the company. While TT CEO, Nizar Bouguila said that he was “delighted with the results of the...
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Socks missing in the laundry lead to domestic incident

July 28, 2016, 5:47 am
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When 85 pairs of socks went missing in the laundry, a Syrian-born man cohabiting with a Maltese woman could no longer withstand his partner’s negligence, a court heard today. The testimony was heard before Magistrate Josette Demicoli, who presided over the arraignment of the Syrian in connection with a domestic violence incident that happened two days ago. The accused, whose name cannot be published by court order to safeguard the identity of his children, aged 10 and 11, admitted to causing the children and his partner fear that violence would be used against them. The man who also pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner was put on probation for one year. However, he insisted in court that he never harmed his daughters. The court ordered the man not to approach his partner as he would lose his personal guarantee, which amounted to €1,000. Lawyer Jonathan Spiteri was defence counsel while police inspector Joseph Busuttil prosecuted. 
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Watch: MP asks who can define rape

July 28, 2016, 10:13 am
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Labour MP Deo Debattista has provoked outrage on social media after appearing to suggest that women “define” whether or not they’ve been raped. Dr Debattista, a medical doctor and member of the Parliamentary health committee, said during a committee hearing on the morning after pill yesterday: “Who can define rape? Isn’t it the woman who decides if it was rape? What if she says: ‘it was psychological rape’?” He was responding to comments from Lorraine Spiteri, chairperson of the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations, which supports the introduction of the MAP. Ms Spiteri had said that it would be discriminatory to introduce the pill only for victims of rape, as has been suggested by some opponents. Dr Debattista’s comments seemed to be intended to indicate agreement with this position. Ms Spiteri responded to Dr Debattista’s remarks by stressing that it is the law that defines rape. Video of the exchange circulated widely on social media today, with many expressing their disgust at the comments. Several commenters also noted that Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, seated next to Dr Debattista, appears to place her head in her hands in exasperation as he makes the...
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Busuttil reacts as PA says in court it was not involved in Mrieħel high-rise policy

July 28, 2016, 2:38 am
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The Planning Authority “was not involved in any way” in the controversial inclusion of Mrieħel in the high-rise buildings policy, which took place after the close of public consultation, the authority has claimed. A court this week rejected an injunction filed by environmental groups against the PA hearing an application by Tumas and Gasan for the development of four new towers in Mrieħel, which cited among the issues the manner in which the locality had been designated for high-rise buildings. Mrieħel was not listed as such an area when the Floor Area Ratio policy was issued but was later included in the final version, which environmentalists say could represent a breach of EU and national law, as the public was not given the opportunity to object. In its decision on the injunction, the court quoted the PA as stating that “with regards the widening of the policy to include high-rise buildings in the Mrieħel industrial area, the authority was not involved in any way, as the document was drawn up and approved by the minister concerned as provided for by [the Development Planning Act].” The PA is set up to be an autonomous body making decisions independently of the...
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Skid-resistant tarmac in Pieta' warps into clumps

July 29, 2016, 12:00 am
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The road markings soon started to fade and stretch. Photo: Steve Zammit Lupi

Skid-resistant tarmac laid on two tight bends in Marina Road, Pietà appears to have warped and ‘melted’. The tarmac was laid on two bends which normally see a large amount of crashes due to the slippery surface, particularly in winter. The road surface started to warp soon after the tarmac was laid, reducing traction on the bends and proving a danger to motorcycles in particular as the worst of the damage was in the middle of the bend where riders are at full lean. The problem was worse on the Valletta-bound lane, where the tarmac warped into clumps, severely reducing grip and stability. The road markings fared no better, as they soon started to fade and stretch. The markings in the Valletta-bound lane are no longer visible, while those in the Msida-bound lane are on their last legs. Temporary remedial action was taken to even out the surface in the Valletta-bound lane, yet until yesterday no fresh tarmac had been laid. Contacted by the Times of Malta, a spokesperson for Transport Malta said that the road was resurfaced using a relatively new technology called micro-surfacing. This is meant to create a layer which protects the underlying structure and reduces maintenance...
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Smart City hit by foul smell from Laguna fountain

July 28, 2016, 10:03 am
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Diners at restaurants situated along the Laguna Walk at Smart City were in for a shock recently when they were met with a foul smell coming from the fountains all along the lagoon, this newspaper has learnt. Although promoted as having vast open areas where diners can enjoy meals al fresco, it soon became clear to those at the Kalkara complex that the unbearable smell was emanating from the water in the fountain at the Laguna. “The smell was horrendous and at times unbearable. Needless to add that this also poses serious health perils to visitors – especially on windy days, because of the water spray hitting passers-by during the hourly fountain shows,” one visitor told this newspaper, adding that the water had a green hue. Photos taken by this newspaper a few days later showed the water was not only green in colour but was also stagnant at some places, with a slick consisting of an oily substance on the surface. “The stench of the water was so strong that we could smell it from one of the restaurants,” claimed the visitor. In a column in this newspaper recently, other visitors also expressed concern that the area could be a breeding ground for mosquitos and other...
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DNA tests ordered on teen's body found at Dingli cliffs

July 29, 2016, 1:55 am
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One of the last photographs of Mike and Antonia during their holiday in Malta. Antonia left Malta a few days before Mike went missing. Photo: Facebook

Investigators have ordered DNA tests on the body found at the foot of Dingli Cliffs on Tuesday to establish, scientifically, that it was really that of German teen Mike Mansholt, the Times of Malta has learnt. The tests have been ordered in the absence of anything belonging to Mr Mansholt which could confirm his identity, according to sources close to the investigation. The forensic examinations will be carried out while investigators continue searching for Mr Mansholt’s belongings, particularly his backpack where they are expecting to find his mobile phone and camera. These could shed more light on his final moments. The investigators are baffled on what could have happened to the backpack the German teenager was carrying when he was last seen at the Sliema hotel he was staying in. They are suspecting the teenager must have left it somewhere before he died or else – although this possibility is still remote – that the backpack was stolen either before or after Mr Mansholt had died. Sources close to the investigation said that although foul play has been all but ruled out, the police were looking at all the possibilities. In a Facebook post yesterday, the German’s girlfriend,...
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Gridlock in Sa Maison following traffic accident

July 30, 2016, 3:40 am
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Marina Road, Pieta' has been temporarily closed to traffic in one direction following a traffic accident.  The accident happened at 11.50am, police said, with a Citroen C2 driven by a 64-year-old Pieta' woman and Toyota Vitz driven by a Żejtun man, 25, involved. A 22-year-old Fgura resident who was seated in the Vitz's passenger seat has been taken to hospital for treatment. The extent of her injuries is not yet know.  The Sa Maison accident has caused gridlock for traffic heading towards Ta' Xbiex, with long rows of public buses stuck and traffic diverted away from the area by police officers at the scene.  
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Elderly Gozitans give their muscles a sports day workout

July 29, 2016, 11:41 pm
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Gozitans over the age of 60 reached for their running shoes this morning and prepared to give their muscles a workout as a sports day for the elderly got underway today. The active ageing pilot project, now in its second edition, is part of a collaboration between Kercem Ajax FC and the parliamentary secretariat for the rights of the elderly. Participants can take part in physical activities, learn about nutrition and take tailor-made memory sessions led by qualified coaches.  Parliamentary Secretary for the rights of the elderly Justyne Caruana praised participants for their willingness to get active, saying it showed that interest in staying healthy later in life was on the rise.  She thanked Kercem Ajac FC staff and coaches for their hard work in preparing for the event. 
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PBS should have aired Alfred Sant's comments on Konrad Mizzi, BA rules

July 29, 2016, 3:06 am
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The Broadcasting Authority this morning ruled on three complaints about PBS filed by the Nationalist Party, finding that the complaint was justified in one case while dismissing the other two.  The authority found that PBS was wrong to not air news that former Prime Minister Alfred Sant had called on Konrad Mizzi to resign in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal. It noted that Dr Sant's comments merited reporting, given that he was a former prime minister and that the Panama Papers scandal was in the national interest. The fact that Dr Sant had posted the comments on Facebook did not detract from their news value, the authority found.  In a Facebook post published last April, Dr Sant had called on Dr Mizzi to "take the honourable decision" and resign.  The PN welcomed the authority's decision and said it showed that PBS' agenda was set by the Prime Minister's office in Castille.  The Broadcasting Authority also ruled on two other complaints filed by the PN, although it found that both these were unjustified.  One case related to a PBS news report about PN MP Toni Bezzina on June 20. Mr Bezzina had just lost two libel cases against newspapers which reported that he had used...
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