timesofmalta.com

EU slips up with olive oil ban, reverses course

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:10:00 +0200

The European Commission has torn up new rules on how restaurants should serve olive oil less than a week after unveiling them, following widespread ridicule and accusations of unwanted interference. Last week, the Commission said restaurants would be banned from serving oil to diners in refillable glass jugs or dipping bowls from next year. Instead, to protect consumers from fraud, restaurants would have to use sealed, non-refillable bottles that must be disposed of when empty. Today's u-turn shows how sensitive the EU executive is to accusations of unnecessary meddling in people's lives, at a time when surveys show voters are losing faith in the European Union over its perceived mishandling of the bloc's debt crisis. At a summit yesterday, the new olive oil rules were firmly criticised by Britain and the Netherlands. "This is exactly the sort of area that the European Union needs to get right out of, in my view," said British Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to claw back powers from Brussels ahead of a potential referendum on Britain's EU membership in 2017. "It shouldn't even be on the table, to make a false pun." Announcing the climb-down, EU farm commissioner Dacian...

Sa Maison Nissen hut on fire for second time in four days

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:23:00 +0200

A Nissen hut at Sa Maison Hill was ablaze for the second time in four days this afternoon, emitting thick dark toxic smoke which reached nearby offices. The fire was put out by Civil Protection Department fire fighters. (Photo: Joe Morana, mynews@timesofmalta.com)

'I walk proud and with my head held high up'

Fr Joe Borg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:21:00 +0200

On Tuesday afternoon the French far right historian, Dominique Venner, committed suicide on the altar of the Notre Dame cathedral in in the centre of Paris. The 78-year-old man walked up to the altar, placed a sealed envelope and then shot himself in full view of many people who were visiting. The envelope contained the “Declaration of Dominique Venner: reasons for a voluntary death.” Venner paid the ultimate price in defence of his conservative beliefs. His tragic death seem to have been a final protest against the introduction of gay marriage in France and what he considered to be the Islamisation of his country. The reaction of the Femen activist group and other far right protestors is despicable and condemnable in the extreme. Whatever views one holds, the moment of one’s death is a moment that should be respected. This is not the first time that a suicide was committed publicly as an act of protest. On 6 May 1998 Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad shot himself publicly at the court. His death was an act of protest against the execution of a Christian man who was falsely charge of blasphemy by Muslims in Pakistan. Bishop Joseph had spent all his life fighting for the rights of...

The first prime minister who hates politics

Victor Calleja — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:00 +0200

Nothing bores people more than politics. That’s what Joseph Muscat realised and that is why he won by an amazing landslide. Lawrence Gonzi and his clique were not just passé, they were obsessed with politics. They spoke and lectured us ad nauseam about the economy, job creation and the way forward. They quoted figures, they digested facts, they explained their policy. And they were thrown out—with a thud. With no if you please: just scram and go hide in the opposition wilderness. Dr Muscat did not use his youth or vigour as his new way. His new way was to be positive, smile and talk about facts and figures as little as possible. He did to politics what true politicians usually hate: he said let’s not talk about politics and policy but just smile and say nice, positive things. Let’s talk in platitudes—let’s leave politics aside and move on to a new era of enlightened no-politicking. He even went so far as to decree—let there be no party, let it all be a free, glorious movement. He asked the party diehards to do away with the party and its old symbols. No need for policy, no need for old ideology. Thanks to this anti-politics stand he won a great following, a great victory. And...

Driver slightly injured in Kappara accident

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:31:00 +0200

A young woman was slightly injured when this Daewoo Matiz flipped onto one of its sides in Kappara this afternoon. The car is believed to have clipped the pavement before crashing.

Cow handbag design offal-y daring

Hugh Boag, PA — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:29:00 +0200

As fashion designs go, some might say it is just offal. An Edinburgh-based student is certain to divide opinions after creating a handbag line using the stomach lining of a Highland cow. Jocelyn Mather, a fourth-year design student at Edinburgh Napier University, said: "My lecturer kept saying they would look great on Lady Gaga." Her four statement bags, which will go on display at the university's Creative Degree Show from tomorrow, were all hand-stitched. The collection ranges from a formal clutch to a dainty handbag, with tripe either used as a lining or outer material. The fastenings are also made using the animal's horns and bull-ring. But the 23-year-old student hit a hiccup along the way when her flat was raided by wildlife officers. "My letting agent had been carrying out an inspection in my flat and had obviously come across a pair of cow horns", she said. "He had thought they were ivory tusks and called the police. I was terrified but they just laughed when they saw the horns." Ian Lambert, art design and communication subject group leader, said: "Jocelyn's designs are thought-provoking and like much of the work set to go on show, executed to a high standard." The show...

Antibiotics linked to longer life

David Wilcock, PA — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:23:00 +0200

Antibiotics could be the key to a longer and more energetic life, scientists have claimed. A team of researchers found that if the drugs are given to worms at certain points in their development, they could increase their lifespan by 60 per cent and gave them superior endurance and energy. They believe the results can be replicated in mice in the lab and theoretically in other mammals including humans. Johan Auwerx, from the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, who carried out the study, said: “This research gives us hope not only for increasing longevity, but also for lengthening the period of adult vitality, and doing this with simple drugs such as antibiotics.” The research, published in the Journal Nature, analysed decoded mice genomes and identified a group of three genes which were “suppressed” – producing less of a particular protein – in mice that had lived significantly longer than others. The scientists then replicated this in nematode worms at an early stage in their development, resulting in the average life span leaping from 19 days to more than 30 days. The treated worms were also more energetic, with better muscle tone, the study showed. When they reached...

Gianluca returns to work - Eurovision 'perfect ice-breaker' with patients

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:14:00 +0200

Gianluca Bezzina, also dubbed as 'Doctor Feelgood', has returned to work in the surgical wards of Mater Dei Hospital after an exhilarating two weeks in Malmö representing Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest. He told Kim Dalli that his Eurovision experience has provided him with the perfect ice-breaker when treating patients. He now looked forward to seeing his singing and medical careers develop and mature although he would focus especially on the latter. Gianluca placed eighth in last Saturday's festival, Malta's best result since 2005.

F1 - Mercedes stay ahead in second free practice session

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:59:00 +0200

Mercedes stayed in front in the second free practice session today ahead of Sunday's Monaco grand prix. As in the first session, Nico Rosberg set the pace, and he was joined in second place by team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Romain Grosjean crashed out in a Lotus during the session. 1. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:14.759 2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:15.077 3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1:15.196 4. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:15.278 5. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull - Renault 1:15.404 6. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus - Renault 1:15.511 7. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus - Renault 1:15.718 8. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1:15.959 9. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull - Renault 1:16.014 10. Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India - Mercedes 1:16.046 11. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India - Mercedes 1:16.349 12. Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 1:16.434 13. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber - Ferrari 1:16.823 14. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams - Renault 1:16.857 15. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber - Ferrari 1:16.935 16. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:17.145 17. Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:17.184 18. Valtteri Bottas...

Joseph Calleja on coordinating board for culture

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:58:00 +0200

Phyllis Muscat has been appointed chairwoman of a coordinating board for culture projects. The board is being set up to take stock of the current cultural situation, foster and facilitate coordination between entities working in the field and serve as an incubator for new major cultural initiatives and capital projects. The board, whose other members are tenor Joseph Calleja, Ruth Bianco, Brian Schembri and Giorgina Portelli, will work towards fully utilising the potential of culture as a catalyst of economic and social restructuring. It will advice and submit proposals to the Government on all aspects related to this industry, while strengthening existing collaboration and establishing new cooperation with local and international stakeholders. It will create and manage a cultural roadmap containing strategic milestones for the country in the area. The roadmap will integrate various cultural initiatives while addressing gaps in the cultural scene for an increased valorisation of Malta’s cultural assets as a source of identity and economic growth. The government said the appointments and the board itself reiterated its commitment to put artists at the heart of the primary decisions...

RS2 equity gains for third time this week

Edward Rizzo — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:33:00 +0200

The share price of RS2 Software plc extended its recent positive trend with the third increase during the last four sessions of this week. The IT equity gained a further 1.4 per cent to yet another all-time high of €1.13 across two trades totalling 26,600 shares. The licence sales concluded last year and the commencement of the first managed services contract earlier this year coupled with the prospects of other potential licence sales as well as the interest by a new investor to acquire at least 10 per cent of the company helped the equity climb by 62.4 per cent since the start of 2013. Shallow trading activity was evident elsewhere in the local market with Bank of Valletta plc rebounding by 1.1 per cent to regain the €2.23,5 level on volumes of almost 6,300 shares. Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc eased 0.8 per cent to the €2.63 level across two deals totalling 4,900 shares. This afternoon, the Bank announced that it will publish its half-year results on August 5. In the hotel sector, International Hotel Investments plc maintained the 87c5 level on a small deal of 500 shares. IHI held its annual general meeting this morning and the Chairman reiterated the commitment to dispose of...

Austrian Airlines flight diverts to Malta after boy falls sick

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:28:00 +0200

An Austrian Airlines flight from Tripoli to Vienna was diverted to Malta this afternoon after a boy on board the plane was taken ill. Sources said the boy was being taken to the Austrian capital for treatment after a traffic accident in Libya. His condition suddenly deteriorated on the flight. The boy was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to Mater Dei Hospital. Another Austrian flight was diverted to Malta yesterday because of a sand storm in Tripoli.

Din l-Art Ħelwa says relocation of market to Ordnance Street 'lacks vision'

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:18:00 +0200

Heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa insisted today that Ordnance Street and the entrance to Valletta are unsuitable for the Monti open market, particularly because of the potential spill over across the new Parliament building up to Victory Square. "This idea lacks vision for the area and may be the result of a hurried decision taken without sufficient reflection on the devaluation it is going to bring to the investment made to upgrade City Gate. It is ironic that while the Government plans to relocate and tidy up the unsightly kiosks and stalls just outside the entrance to Valletta, on the other hand it may now be proposing to place market stalls just within the city walls thus restoring dignity to one side and taking it away from the other," the NGO said. "While acknowledging that the current market site at Merchants Street may have its drawbacks and that other solutions may be considered, the entrance to Valletta is wholly unsuitable for this open-air market," the society said.

London attackers British, of Nigerian origin

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:06:00 +0200

British authorities believe that two men accused of hacking a soldier to death on a London street in revenge for wars in Muslim countries are British of Nigerian descent, a source close to the investigation said. Local media named one of the two suspects as British-born, 28-year-old Londoner Michael Adebolajo and said police raided homes of relatives in the city and near the town of Lincoln. Both men involved in Wednesday's attack appeared to have converted to Islam from Christian backgrounds, media said. Adebolajo and the other man, who may have been born abroad, are both in custody in hospitals after being shot by police. As security experts highlighted the risk to Western cities of "lone wolf" attacks - similar to last month's Boston Marathon bombing - by local people radicalised over the Internet, Prime Minister David Cameron held an emergency meeting of his intelligence chiefs to assess the response to what he called a "terrorist" attack; it was the first deadly strike in mainland Britain since local Islamists killed dozens in London in 2005. "We will never give in to terror or terrorism in any of its forms," Cameron said outside his Downing Street office. "This was not just...

First cohort to graduate in MCAST photography course

Velislava Hillman — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:00 +0200

Nine students will be the first ones to obtain a Higher National Diploma in photography from MCAST next July. As part of their studies the students have organised an exhibition to showcase some of their work to the general public. The Zone visited the exhibition not only to see the displays but also to speak to some of the students about how they see the future of the profession and their own future as professional photographers. Exhibition opening hours:May 23rd - June 5th 18:00hrs - 20:00hrsMCAST Art & Design Institute, Mosta https://www.facebook.com/F9exhibition

New tile collections at Vella Falzon Bathrooms

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:26:00 +0200

The new tile collections at Vella Falzon Bathrooms provide countless aesthetical options with designs and styles that offer the best solutions for any decor – whether minimalist, traditional or more ornamental. To appreciate the variety of this collection it is necessary to talk about their geometric decorative tiles, which combine extremely well with the wall tiles. Stone is a key element in interior decoration as it gives a tone of warmth and comfort uniting tradition with modernity. It can create a space with a rustic and country feel while, thanks to the evolution in its design, the most vanguard and sophisticated room can be achieved. Lovestone is a new collection inspired by a selection of natural stones with different finishes and sizes which can be adapted to the most modern and cutting-edge designs. The Art Nouveau collection allows designers to let their creativity roam free when creating a modern space with the essence from these artistic movements. Other new collections can be viewed at the Vella Falzon Bathrooms in Regional Road, Msida. For more information call 2144 5165.

Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable after cardiac intervention

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:10:00 +0200

Updated 2.11 p.m. Former President and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, 79, is stable after undergoing a coronary angiogram, Mater Dei Hospital said in a statement. He was admitted to hospital this morning, complaining of chest pains. His condition is stable and he is now recovering in the critical coronary care unit. Dr Fenech Adami has had a history of heart problems in the past and had a pacemaker implanted. Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat in a statement wished the former President a speedy recovery. They said his work reflected the deep civic sense of a person who had given a lot to the country. The Nationalist Party also augured that Dr Fenech Adami would recovery quickly and be reunited with his family. Dr Fenech Adami was elected leader of the Nationalist Party in 1977 and served as prime minister from 1987 to 1996 and 1998 to 2004. He was President for the following five years.

German diver dies in Gozo

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:44:00 +0200

A German diver, 55, has died after finding himself in difficulties while diving at Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo. The police said he was rushed to Gozo hospital, where he died. Magistrate Josette Demicoli is holding an inquiry.

Escaped migrant returns to regularise position

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:33:00 +0200

An Egyptian immigrant who escaped custody from Malta eight years ago but returned a few months ago to regularise his position was this morning given a one year jail term suspended for two. Police Inspector Edel Mary Camilleri told Magistrate Carol Peralta that Gergis Nadi Saad Fadil, 31, had escaped from the Safi detention centre. She said that Mr Fadil was a Coptic Christian asylum seeker who feared for his safety should he be sent back to Egypt. Since his return to Malta, Mr Fadil has been living with a priest in Mosta. The inspector told the magistrate that Mr Fadil was to be kept in custody because according to law he was an irregular migrant and had to spend an amount of time in detention.

Infrastructural Projects Coordinating Committee meets

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:29:00 +0200

The Infrastructural Projects Coordinating Committee has held its first meeting, with the subject being works in connection with the Dock 1 project in Cospicua. The committee is meeting under the chairmanship of Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi. It groups repreentatives of the various departments and utility providers affected by infrastructural works including the Water Services Corporation, Enemalta, Melita, Transport Malta, Arriva, the police, project architects and local councils. In a statement, the Infrastructure Ministry regretted that some road works in Cospicua need to be redone because they were not done well the first time