10 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, January 4, 2009
No charges over attempts to buy rape girl’s silence
No charges will be brought against the lawyers or any other intermediary involved in attempts to buy the silence of the family of a 14-year-old Nadur girl at the centre of rape allegations. In a letter sent to The Sunday Times responding to an article published last November, police said they had investigated the case and found no “breaches of the law”. However, the family insist that neither they, nor other key witnesses, have ever been interviewed by police over claims that at least two attempts were made to persuade them not to pursue the case. Labour MP Evarist Bartolo, who has put forward parliamentary questions about the case in recent months, was scathing about the police’s decision. “The law is being used to protect those who are strong and powerful rather than those who are weak and vulnerable. It continues to protect the culture of omertá we have in our country.”
Malta loses a great composer
Charles Camilleri, one of Malta’s most talented composers, died yesterday aged 77. Mro Camilleri, whose popularity extended beyond Malta, conducted, wrote operas, orchestral works, chamber ensembles, concertos, operas, a ballet, and the famous Malta Suite, among others.
25 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, January 4, 1994
Appeal to US to send naturalisation mission
Time may soon begin to run out for nearly 500 asylum seekers in Malta who are trying to resettle in the US where they have relatives. The Emigrants’ Commission, which is looking after the needs of over 1,000 refugees, appealed to the US authorities to send a mission from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. The INS mission, should it come, would look into these cases and the case of 400 others, mainly Iraqis – who likewise have relatives in the US.
Sexual ads in phone booths
Some users of public phone boxes have come across cards in the booths advertising sexual favours. The cards, carrying messages like ‘Sexy blonde Louise’ and giving phone numbers, have turned up in boxes in the Msida and Sliema area. But Telemalta yesterday said that the booths are checked once every 48 hours and the illegal adverts are removed by their personnel.
Toddler critical after fall
A toddler from Paola is fighting for her life after she fell the height of a storey on Sunday. The 30-month-old girl was playing in their house in St Monica Street when the accident happened.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Saturday, January 4, 1969
New Zealand company wants to open factory in Malta
Paul Micallef, formerly of Sliema, who emigrated to New Zealand with his family 18 years ago, is back in Malta for discussions with the government on the possibility of setting up a factory. Mr Micallef is the marketing director of Torro International, a subsidiary of Consolidated Plastic Industry in Auckland. The company manufactures a wide range of plastic products, including toys and educational aids.
Malta boats at Earl’s Court
Melita, the first cabin cruiser designed and constructed at the Manoel Island shipyard, is being exhibited at the International Boat Show which opened at Earl’s Court in London on Wednesday. A spokesman for the shipyard said their aim was to prove that locally-built boats were of the same standard as other cabin cruisers.
Prefers jail instead of fine
The Magistrates Court of Judicial Police yesterday converted a fine of £20 into 40 days imprisonment on the specific request of the accused. Abraham Grima, 24, of Cospicua, had been found guilty of driving a car without a licence and without an insurance policy.