10 years ago - The Times
Friday, January 2, 2009
Bars and nightclubs report ‘drop in business’
Bars and nightclubs around the island reported a drop in business over the festive season, with people cutting down on spending considerably, Philip Fenech, president of the hospitality and leisure section of the GRTU, said.
Although some businesses saw an increase in trade, most experienced a massive slowdown, he added.
“From the feedback we have received, some bars and restaurants reported increased business over the festive season because they would have managed to secure a large group or else a party, but others either saw no change or else said it was disastrous. Overall, outlets have reported a drop in business of between 30 and 70 per cent,” he said.
Police hold 13 over drugs
Thirteen men were arrested for allegedly using or trafficking cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis at a New Year’s Eve party held at Ta’ Qali and other entertainment venues in Paceville.
Those arrested are aged between 17 and 43 and come from Żabbar, Kirkop, Qormi, Luqa, San Ġwann, Mellieħa, Birkirkara, Pietà, Naxxar, Għargħur and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.
25 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, January 2, 1994
Sant dismisses proposed constitutional changes
Labour Party leader Alfred Sant, in a Super One radio interview yesterday, described the government’s proposed changes to the Constitution as merely “much ado about nothing”. The Cabinet was not interested in giving up any of its powers. Even the government’s proposals on electoral reform were nothing new, continued Dr Sant.
UK honours for Maltese man
Major Anthony Achilles Camilleri was made a MBE for his services as Assistant Secretary (Finance) for Greater London, Auxiliary and Voluntary Reserve Association, in the New Year’s Honours List in British Prime Minister John Major’s new-style honours system. These were the first honours in which the public was given the chance to nominate persons thought to merit them.
Couple run over in Xewkija
A Munxar couple were run over by a car driven by George Spiteri of Għajnsielem at around 7.30pm in Xewkija, yesterday. Karmena Mizzi was brought to St Luke’s Hospital by helicopter and is in danger of dying.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Thursday, January 2, 1969
Panto at the Manoel
Plenty of music, singing, dancing, broad comedy with “a liberal spicing of local inoffensive rib-tickling”, colourful costumes and sets, a familiar fairy tale, swift moving entertainment – part revue and part music hall – the principal boy played by a long-legged very attractive girl and the Ugly Sisters by ‘not-so-attractive’ men, who were, however, very brilliant at provoking laughter. That was the offering of the Ariel Players over Yuletide at the Manoel Theatre. This kind of performance is called pantomime. It is rather unusual on our theatre boards.
Accidents and offences
A total of 277 traffic accidents, involving 496 vehicles, were recorded in October. There were two deaths, eight persons were seriously injured and 57 slightly injured.
The police reported 854 traffic offences during the same month. Most occurred in Sliema and Valletta, 23 each; Msida 21; Gżira 12; Paola 14; St Julian’s 12; Birkirkara 12; and Ħamrun 17. Vehicles emitting smoke from the exhaust pipe totalled 20; 12 buses were not kept clean. There were also 10 cases of bus drivers and conductors annoying passengers and three of bus drivers and conductors failing to give enough time for passengers to take their places before the bus moves.