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Maltese photographer shoots dramatic migrant rescue

April 14, 2017, 2:31 am
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Updated 9.30 pm with migrant rescue details Pictures shot by a Maltese photographer show the drama as 134 sub-Saharan migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast.  The pictures shot by Reuters and former Times of Malta photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi show the migrants trying to stay afloat after falling off their rubber dinghy during a rescue operation by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship. One picture shows a migrant trying to reach out to help a man submerged underwater as he holds his hand out, amid a sea of lifejackets. The rescue was carried out in international waters some 15 nautical miles off the coast of Zawiya in Libya. When contacted, Mr Zammit Lupi said it was thanks to the quick reactions and professionalism of the MOAS rescuers that there were no victims. "Two migrants had gone completely under, but the rescue swimmer managed to get to them before they drowned." More than 2,000 rescued in one day It was a dramatic day for marine rescuers, with more than 2,000 migrants trying to reach Europe plucked from the Mediterranean in a series of dramatic rescue missions. An Italian coast guard spokesman said 19 rescue operations by the coast guard or...
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PA stops applications during Holy Week

April 13, 2017, 11:01 am
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The Planning Authority said that the period from April 10 to 16 is one of “inactivity”. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Architects are calling on the Planning Authority to reverse the decision to halt the application process during Holy Week, insisting this disregards their commitments. The Kamra tal-Periti said the Authority notified the public through a notice on its website that it would not be accepting any applications between April 10 and 16. Quoting legal notice LN 162 of 2016, the Authority said that this period was one of “inactivity” and no new applications may be submitted during this period. The legal notice in question however makes no mention of such a period, prompting the Kamra tal-Periti – the chamber made up of architects and civil engineers – to question the validity of such a move.  In a letter sent to Planning Parliamentary Secretary Dr Deborah Schembri, the chamber said that the move came without any prior notice. “This is completely unacceptable, more so because it does not arise out of any regulation that applications may not be submitted during the Authority’s inactive period. “Article 16 of LN 162 of 2016 states clearly that the only impact of the Authority’s shut down periods is to suspend ongoing time frames and extend them accordingly,” the architects wrote. This,...
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Two cyclists, pedestrian grievously injured in three accidents

April 13, 2017, 10:01 pm
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Two cyclists and a pedestrian sustained grievous injuries after traffic incidents in Paola, Mellieħa and Mosta early this morning.  In the first incident, a 39-year-old resident of Birkirkara was hit by a quadbike, driven by a 57-year-old who resides in Paola. The incident happened in Triq Ġorġ Borġ Olivier, Mellieħa around 1.30am.  In the second incident, the 28-year-old victim was cycling through Triq Kordin when he was hit by a van driven by a 27-year-old. Both reside in Senglea. The incident happened around 2.50am. The man was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. And at 6am, the police were called to provide assistance to a 57-year-old woman from St Julian's who was hit by a vehicle in Mosta. The incident happened in Triq il-Missjunarji Maltin, after the woman was hit by a Honda Civic driven by a 28-year-old who resides in Mdina.  All three were found to be suffering from grievous injuries.  Police are investigating.   
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Malta airshow likely to go ahead

April 15, 2017, 6:17 am
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Planes from the Polish Air Force Iskry team in action during last year’s Malta International Airshow. Photo: DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI

The Malta International Airshow is likely to go ahead as planned after the government settled pending sponsorship on last year’s edition and is due to meet organisers next week to discuss funding for this year’s show, the Times of Malta has learnt. Both the Malta Aviation Society and the Tourism Ministry confirmed their commitment to this year’s airshow. Wrangles about sponsorship had threatened to cancel the 2017 airshow in January when organisers said that they had put preparations on hold while they awaited settlement of last year’s government sponsorship. The ministry had said that the airshow was an important contributor to the country’s attractiveness as a tourism destination and that the government was committed to backing it. Last September, the aerial display was held over Smart City in Kalkara, on the basis of the sponsorship promised by the Tourism Ministry, which wanted the show moved to the seaside, where it was free for all spectators, causing a drop in revenue for organisers. An MAS spokesman confirmed when contacted that the ministry had settled the payment agreed as a result of the move away from the airport last year. He explained that a meeting will be held...
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Palumbo ranks third worldwide for cruise liner refitting

April 14, 2017, 1:11 am
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Palumbo Malta Shipyard has just placed third worldwide for cruise ship refitting, beating stiff competition from Marseille and Barcelona, according to an international trade magazine. The Maltese shipyard's team of workers, operating from Cottonera, last year won contracts to refit and maintain four cruise liners — Costa NeoRiviera, Thomson Spirit, Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 3,  Seatrade Cruise News said. "Placing third worldwide in just six years since we took over the Malta Drydocks gives us immense satisfaction. This ranking would never have been achieved without everyone’s dedication and hard work," Palumbo Group CEO Antonio Palumbo said. "It positions us as one of the top shipyards worldwide in this growing industry and we are working very hard to attract more business to the island — we have set our sights on securing second place in 2017," he added. Palumbo Malta's shipyard fell just one ship short of second place in the international ranking, secured by the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo that refitted five liners. The undisputed leader was the Grand Bahama Shipyard, which is strategically located on the Caribbean Cruises route, and last year renovated 21...
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Watch: Faithful flock to Good Friday processions

April 14, 2017, 11:04 am
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Local Catholics flocked to towns and villages across Malta and Gozo today to attend one of the several Good Friday processions held across the Maltese Islands. Some snapped photos, some prayed and others simply watched as procession participants dressed in Biblical costumes, uniformed brass bands and others bearing statues representing the various stages of the passion of Christ made their way past the crowds.  Times of Malta videographer Jonathan Borg captured some of the Good Friday procession spirit in Żejtun.
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Proposal to shift Comino tuna pens off St Paul's Bay stirs concern

April 15, 2017, 12:10 am
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An application has been filed to move four tuna pens from Comino to an area off St Paul's Bay, a move which would pollute beaches were it to go ahead, activists have warned. A planning application filed on behalf of AJD Tuna and attached to the railings opposite the Xemxija kiosk proposes the relocation of four tuna cages from Comino to a new site offshore at Sikka l-Bajda. The fact these tuna pens are slightly further offshore will make no positive impact where it comes to potential slime, oil slicks and pollution come summer, St Paul's Bay resident Nicolai Abela said.  "In fact, we estimate this will result in a larger footprint of affected coastline. The present pens are 10km away from Sliema but the residents have been suffering the effects nonetheless," he told Times of Malta. He added that such a relocation was in breach of the law, which stipulated that such fish farms were to be located in the south of the island. The new pens will be located three kilometres further out than their current position off St Paul's Bay but will be in shallower seas. Mr Abela said the new pens will be located just 1.6 nautical miles from one of Malta's most important dive sites, the World...
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First-ever black winged kite spotted in Malta

April 15, 2017, 3:06 am
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Two rare birds have been spotted in Malta - one by an activists' group and the other, ironically, reported by a hunters' organisation. The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) said it had recorded the first-ever official record of a black-winged kite for the Maltese islands.  The rare bird was sighted by a CABS team yesterday afternoon close to the Verdala Palace in Buskett just six hours after the end of the spring hunting season.  The German activists followed the bird for half an hour but then lost visual contact after the kite flew off in the direction of Siggiewi. Before it disappeared the birdwatchers managed to film the bird for a few seconds.  CABS said that the observation has been reported to the Maltese Rarities Committee for birds. The black-winged kite, the size of a small falcon, is a species primarily of open land and semi-deserts in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. In Europe, the bird breeds only in Spain, Portugal and South-west France. Meanwhile, the Kaccaturi San Ubertu said a member had sighted and photographed a rare bird - the pale-throated black-eared wheatear. Although it is a common migrant in spring and autumn, the pale-throated race is a scarce...
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St Paul's Bay caves still in danger of collapse

April 15, 2017, 8:01 am
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The area known as Il-Veċċja in St Paul’s Bay where last September, a girl suffered multiple skull fractures after a cave collapsed. Photo: chris sant fournier

Several caves in St Paul’s Bay are still in danger of collapsing as cracks on the rock face continue to emerge months after a girl was seriously injured when rocks toppled on her while she was swimming. Mayor Graziella Galea took to social media to express concern about what she called a “precarious situation” along various parts of the coastline. “The local council has, over the past months, brought this to the attention of higher authorities,” she said. Complaints about unstable rocks at the seaside locality have long been brought to the attention of the authorities, with the issue making headlines in September when a girl was crushed under rocks at the area known as Il-Veċċja. The nine-year-old girl was swimming inside a cave there when rocks the cave collapsed with the girl suffering multiple skull fractures and having to undergo lengthy surgery. Others swimming in the area narrowly missed getting hit by the rocks and the area was cordoned off for days. Meanwhile, the mayor said that another site, close to the primary school had finally started being repaired in the past few days. The area, which is heavily frequented by the hundreds of students who attend the school was...
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Malta awarded the George Cross 75 years ago today

April 15, 2017, 1:51 am
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It was the darkest moment in Malta's history. In 1942, the island was potholed with bombs dropped by German and Italian aircraft in an attempt to neutralise the British bases in Malta.  By then Malta was believed to be the most bombed place in the world per square mile during what was known as the darkest period for the Allies in the fight against the Nazis. Food rations in Malta were practically finished, and the population was on the brink of starvation. Fuel was restricted to military action and even ammunition was running out, so much that anti-aircraft guns could only fire a few rounds per day. While people suffered, a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. No fewer than 1,728 tons of bombs were dropped on Malta during that period, almost 6,000 houses and other buildings were destroyed, 300 people, including 70 children, were killed and another 329 seriously wounded. In April 1942, more bombs were dropped on Malta and Gozo than on the whole of the UK during the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940. However, despite the destruction, the people's heroism withstood every attack.  On April 15, 1942 King...
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Coffee found in most heroin seized in Malta

April 15, 2017, 2:43 am
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Drug users are unaware of the substances being added to heroin before being sold. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Coffee was found in almost all seized heroin in recent years as traffickers and dealers look for ways to boost profits, according to a drug expert.  Godwin Sammut, a chemist at the University of Malta’s Chemistry Department, told Times of Malta that coffee was the most common extra ingredient found in heroin seized in Malta and was done mostly to add bulk. “Caffeine is the most common adulterant in heroin. All the samples I test contain it,” Mr Sammut, who has been conducting drug tests for the police for the past 17 years, said. Weight, however, may not be the only reason coffee is added to the drug. According to the EU’s drug monitoring agency, when caffeine is added to heroin it can facilitate the burning process, making it easier for drug users to get their fix. “When heroin vaporises easier, it is seen as a practical benefit to those who smoke it rather than inject it,” Mr Sammut said. A lower burning temperature can also be misconstrued by users as a sign of higher quality or purity of the drugs. The EU agency insists this is not the case. Apart from coffee, Mr Sammut said traffickers also regularly added paracetamol – the active ingredient in popular painkiller Panadol.
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Rave party at protected zone near Red Tower today

April 14, 2017, 10:17 pm
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A rave party forming part of the four-day Lost and Found festival will today be held outside the protected zone of the Red Tower, in Mellieħa, Times of Malta is informed. Originally, the rave party, being organised in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority, was planned to be held at Selmun, however, complaints by residents in the area prompted organisers to seek an alternative location. Mellieħa mayor John Buttigieg confirmed the change in location, saying the sudden decision was taken earlier this week. He said that, despite the council not having time to discuss the issue in an official meeting, it consulted Din l-Art Ħelwa, which green-lighted the move. The Red Tower – officially known as St Agatha's Tower – is one of the heritage sites managed by Din l-Art Ħelwa and underwent extensive restoration in recent years. The area surrounding it is listed in the nationally-designated areas inventory (CDDA), a European register of protected areas. The structure is a stone's throw away from a number of Natura 2000 sites. When contacted, a spokeswoman for DLĦ said the move was discussed with the council and the MTA, pointing out that the event would not be hosted inside the...
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Two London apartments for Puttinu Cares through €1.3m record Xarabank fundraiser

April 14, 2017, 3:00 pm
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A charity telethon organised by Friday night show Xarabank raised more than €1.32 million in three hours yesterday evening, with donations still coming in. The funds will go to the Puttinu Cares Foundation, which helps local families cover costs related to receiving vital medical treatment in the UK. The foundation hopes to add a block of apartments close to central London hospitals to the 12 it already has in Sutton, which it makes available to the families of local children in the care of Royal Marsden Hospital doctors.  WATCH: Henry, 4, sees the bright side of life Donations kept coming in throughout the evening and into early Saturday morning, with anyone pledging €300 or more given the chance to have their name engraved on one of the apartments the foundation will buy using donated funds.  To donate €15 - call 51702006To donate €25 - call 51802008To donate €300 or more - call 79809778To donate €6.99 - send an SMS to 50618939
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€38.9m in Malta lira could go to waste unless exchanged

April 14, 2017, 10:01 pm
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A staggering €38.9 million in old Maltese lira banknotes, stashed years ago in case of a rainy day, could go down the drain if they are not exchanged by January. Replaced by the euro nine years ago, the Maltese lira ceased to be legal tender as from the end of January 31, 2008. However, it may still be redeemed without charge at the Central Bank in Valletta at a rate of €2.33 for every lira by January 31, 2018. Figures on the collection and disposal of the Maltese lira banknotes were issued last month in the Central Bank’s 2016 annual report. It transpired that, by the end of last December, a total of 3.09 million old banknotes with a combined value of €38,897,310 remained in circulation. The figure was marginally below that of the previous year. In 2016, a total of 36,138 demonetised Maltese lira bank notes were redeemed for the combined sum of €840,067. In contrast, in 2015, the value of the Maltese lira banknotes exchanged had stood at €1,352,428. Though the Central Bank’s annual report did not include a detailed breakdown of the banknote denominations still in circulation, it is thought that the bulk consists of old Lm20 notes.
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Schembri, Mizzi to sue Daphne Caruana Galizia amid war of words

April 15, 2017, 3:29 am
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Updated 1.20pm with Mizzi, Caruana Galizia statement Keith Schembri, the prime minister's chief of staff, and Minister Konrad Mizzi said they will be instituting libel proceedings against Daphne Caruana Galizia, minutes after she implicated them in claims of bank transfers from Azerbaijan. In a blog post this morning, Ms Caruana Galizia said that very large sums of money had been transferred from the bank account of a company owned by politically exposed persons in Azerbaijan. The money, she said, had been transferred to "bank accounts held by Egrant Inc, Hearnville Inc (ultimate beneficial owner: Konrad Mizzi, the Minister Within The Office of the Prime Minister) and Tillgate Inc (UBO: Keith Schembri, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff)." A year after the Panama Papers scandal broke out, the blogger also said she would reveal in the coming days the identity of the person who owns the third company in Panama, Egrant Inc, which she said was put into dissolution a few days ago, indicating that another company may have been set up to replace it. A Maltese bank, set up after 2013, was used to move the money, she added. But in a statement through the Department of Information, Mr...
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Spring hunting season ends amid call for revision in derogation

April 14, 2017, 11:38 pm
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A hunters' organisation has called on the authorities to reconsider future derogations for quail as the controversial spring hunting season came to an end yesterday. "Unfortunately", due to the early opening of the season in March, quails were very scarce with very few having been recorded migrating and very few shots were heard, Kaccaturi San Ubertu said this morning. It said members participated in their annual survey recording migrating quail during the hunting season which will be forwarded to the EU Commission shortly. While thanking all their members and other hunters for their exemplary behaviour throughout the limited season under derogation, KSU called on the authorities to reconsider future derogations to fall within the period where quails are scientifically known to migrate. "KSU would like to show its gratitude towards the enforcement authorities and notes an increasing awareness on bird migration with several members and other hunters posting pictures of birds on social media and collaborating with bird watchers. This trend is increasing in popularity and disproves the perception given by certain factions that hunters still shoot at everything that flies and helps...
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Traditional processions celebrate Easter

April 16, 2017, 3:32 am
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Processions with statues of the Risen Lord were held all over Malta and in Gozo this morning as Easter was celebrated in the traditional Maltese way. The first processions are believed to have been held at the end of the 16th century in Valletta and Senglea.  The blessing of Easter gifts, especially Easter eggs and figolli also started at about that time and continues to be popular. Some 25 processions are held in Malta and Gozo. Video above shows this morning's procession in Senglea. Still pictures were taken by Johannes-Georg Wagner in Victoria, Gozo.
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Over 500 complaints to financial arbiter in one year

April 16, 2017, 5:20 am
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Reno Borg: “So far, I have never put off any hearing. And all the sittings start on time!” Photo: Steve Zammit Lupi

The Arbiter for Financial Services has already received 551 complaints in the year since his office was established. Many of them, however, relate to one particular case that has already been heard by the Malta Financial Services Authority. “Some cases have been heard by the MFSA’s Complaints Unit, but I do not necessarily have to recognise its decision,” said the Arbiter, Reno Borg, pointing to a full shelf of lever arch files all relating to the case. “The law says I still have the right to hear it all over again, from the very beginning!” The office of the Arbiter was set up by legislation in April 2016 to mediate, investigate and adjudicate complaints filed by customers against all financial services providers. Dr Borg, a former Bank of Valletta chairman, was appointed in May 2016 by the Finance Minister for a seven-year tenure, and he immediately rolled up his sleeves and got to work. The first complaints were filed in June 2016, and he held his first sitting a few months later. “You have to understand that there is a big difference between the MFSA’s unit and the Arbiter. They can only recommend, whereas our decision is legally binding. The complainant has executive title...
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Fish farm applies for move to sensitive area

April 16, 2017, 2:06 am
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A fish farm in Xemxija. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Fish farm operators have applied to move four tuna pens from Comino to a new site off St Paul’s Bay, despite early studies on the area indicating potential negative environmental impacts. An application by AJD Tuna published by the Planning Authority last week seeks to move the cages to an area around 4.3 kilometres north of Qawra Point and 6.1 kilometres east of Rdum tal-Madonna. AJD, along with three other operators, had been given until the end of May to relocate its pens to a new approved aquaculture zone further offshore, after its permits were revoked by the PA last September due to illegalities and harmful environmental practices. Two of the other operators have since obtained concessions to operate in the only existing approved zone, located off the south coast of Malta, bringing the site up to its full permitted capacity. Efforts by the authorities to identify a similar zone for farms in the north have been going on since 2011 but the necessary studies have not yet been concluded. The site chosen by AJD for its new application is within a large area off St Paul’s Bay identified as a potential site for the north aquaculture zone. But preliminary studies by ADI – an...
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Man grievously injured after balcony fall

April 15, 2017, 9:00 am
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A 41-year-old man was seriously injured after a balcony fall in Mtarfa this afternoon, the police said.  The incident, which happened around 1pm in Triq San David, saw the man falling a height of around a storey.  According to some news reports, the victim tried to jump into the terrace below after he was locked outdoors, but sustained fractures upon impact.  The police are investigating. 
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