10 years ago - The Times
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mater Dei Hospital labs deemed below standard
Four specialised laboratories at Mater Dei Hospital costing millions of euros are being dismantled after they were found not to be up to required standards, just a year after the hospital opened its doors, The Times has learned.
The four containment labs are being torn apart and having everything, from ventilation systems and air-conditioning to doors, floors and even drains, removed.
Teenage pregnancy steady despite falling birth rate
Despite a drop in the birth rate, the number of children born to teenage mothers has remained steadily above 220 a year for the past eight years.
Last year, 247 children were born to mothers under the age of 20. But 26 teenage mothers were already giving birth for the second time while two were having their third child. Four mothers were younger than 15.
Family planning doctor Mario Rizzo Naudi says the figures are shocking because they show Maltese teenagers are experimenting with sex at increasingly younger ages and are not taking the necessary precautions.
25 years ago - The Times
Friday, December 3, 1993
Sant dismisses proposed constitutional changes
Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday described the White Paper on constitutional changes as insolent and full of hypocrisy and said he was not prepared to discuss it with the Prime Minister.
Dr Sant said the Prime Minister wanted to discuss what he called the insults contained in the White Paper but the MLP’s proposals were never given a second thought.
The MLP’s proposals included a system on how the police force could be investigated and suggestions on select committees. Dr Sant said he refused to participate in matters which the government had a duty to make public but which were being kept secret.
First national youth policy
Malta is a young country striving to grow and change through its young people, the Youth and the Arts Minister said yesterday at the launch of the government’s first national youth policy.
Dr Michael Frendo said young people were a positive force towards change in Malta, “and this change is aiding our country to grow internationally, become socially mature,” he said.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Tuesday, December 3, 1968
First stage performance by Malta Talent Artistes
Malta Talent Artistes will present its first play The Cliff Hangers, a new play in English by Francis Ebejer at the Manoel Theatre next March.
Anthony Zammit Cordina, director of Malta Talent Artistes, said it was the agency’s intention to produce more plays in the future. Actors will include Carmen Azzopardi, Paul Xuereb, Joe Zammit Cordina, Madeleine Attard Montalto, Marian Scerri, Connie Izzo, Lino Farrugia and Carmel Gruppetta.
Malta Talent Artistes has been operating since 1965 but it was not until November 27, 1968, that it was officially set up.
First Malta-built cabin cruiser for Earl’s Court show
The cabin cruiser Melita, designed and constructed at the Manoel Island Yacht Yard, will leave this morning for the United Kingdom to be exhibited at the forthcoming 1969 Boat Show at Earl’s Court. The cabin cruiser contains two berths, toilet and kitchen facilities.
C.E. Morley, general manager of Malta Drydocks, said yesterday this is the first time the Manoel Island Yacht Yard had designed and constructed this type of craft for the Boat Show.