10 years ago - The Times
Friday, January 9, 2009
Church leaves door ajar to IVF
Artificial fertilisation should only be allowed if it does not involve harming, destroying, freezing or experimenting on the human embryo at any stage – and if such a method is possible, it should only be used by married couples who do not require third-party donations, the Curia said yesterday.
In a press statement by the Theological Commission, the Church declared that the human embryo should at no stage be used as a piece of biological material”.
Utility tariffs: Gonzi all but rules out meeting unions
The Prime Minister was non-committal on the possibility of a meeting with unions to discuss the new energy bills, even though the prospect of a meeting is bleak.
Eleven unions, contesting the way the tariffs have been worked out, had given Dr Gonzi till today to meet them to discuss their queries and even called on consumers not to rush to pay their bills.
As their ultimatum expires today, with a vague threat of further action, the OPM did not give a direct reply when asked whether Lawrence Gonzi would rule out the meeting but reiterated that the unions should consult the regulator about their queries.
25 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, January 9, 1994
Court decision excludes two Lija candidates
Annibale Preca Street is to be listed under Attard and not Lija, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Chief Justice Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici, decided on Friday.
The appeal had been made against a court decision, following an application by PN general secretary Austin Gatt and PN candidate Salvu Demicoli, ordering the Electoral Commission to undo a mistake published in the electoral register for local councils in August which had listed Annibale Preca Street with Attard and not with Lija.
As a result, Nationalist candidate Salvu Demicoli will not be able to contest the local election in Lija which is due on January 22.
AD protests against higher business licences
Alternattiva Demokratika saw the rise in police licence fees for business premises as contributing to the cost of living.
The rise, it said, would not be justified if the government did not improve its services to the commercial sector. AD also commented on the rises announced after the financial estimates had been approved, when it would have been more apt to announce them in the Budget speech.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Thursday, January 9, 1969
Borg Olivier on seabed exploration at London conference
Prime Minister Dr George Borg Olivier told the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference in London today that internationally acceptable arrangements should govern operations for the exploration and exploitation of the seabed.
Speaking during the conference discussion of general world affairs, Dr Borg Olivier said it was in the interest of mankind that the part of the seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction should be used exclusively for the benefit of all countries.
Estimates of offshore reserves of petroleum, natural gas and sulphur were rising, and modern technology enabled these resources to be exploited at ever greater depths.
Dr Borg Olivier said the seabed had become one of the major questions of international concern which called for the right decisions to be taken before it was too late.
There was need for a precise definition of the area of the seabed beyond present national jurisdiction.
Once defined, this area should have a special juridical status as a common heritage of mankind, to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and administered by an appropriate international agency,” Dr Borg Olivier said.