10 years ago - The Times
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Migrants’ health ‘deteriorates’ in detention
Just as a doctor from the aid agency Médecins Sans Frontières was talking about the mental health problems caused by detention, a Ghanaian was grievously injured in an argument in the Safi closed centre yesterday.
The two incidents were unrelated but they characterised a day dominated by the issue of illegal immigration, which also saw EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot arriving in Malta for a two-day fact-finding mission.
The day started with MSF explaining why it had suspended its medical services at the detention centres. It described the conditions there as appalling and inhuman.
Elderly bedridden man may have been burnt alive
An elderly bedridden man may have been burnt alive when his house caught fire in Ta’ Majza Alley, in Nadur, yesterday.
Francis Said was a heavy smoker and had gas and electric heaters in his bedroom, sources said. It is likely the fire was started by a discarded cigarette or a heater.
25 years ago - The Times
Monday, March 14, 1994
MLP to propose three-year term for next President
The Opposition is to propose that the next President of Malta be appointed for a three-year term of office, instead of five years, so that the term would expire soon after the next election, Labour leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.
The matter has been under discussion within the Labour Parliamentary group for weeks, Dr Sant said.
The President’s five-year term used to expire soon after the general election, but since President Tabone was appointed two years after the Nationalist Party won the 1987 election, this was no longer case.
The Opposition will therefore be seeking agreement with the government for the term of the next President to last three years so that it would expire soon after the next election due at the latest in mid-1997.
PM sticks to his guns
The Prime Minister yesterday strongly defended the new regulations on hunting and trapping and accused the Labour Party of changing tack, to come out against them after indicating it was in favour. Hunting and trapping are now not allowed in spring from March.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Friday, March 14, 1969
Van crashes into arcades
The driver of a mini-van, Peter Spiteri of Valletta, escaped unhurt yesterday afternoon when his vehicle crashed into the façade of the Arcades in the lower end of St Anne Street, Floriana, after a puncture.
The driver lost control of the van, which was loaded with bricks and floor tiles.
At the time, he was driving on the outer side of the road and swerved to the left when he tried to apply his brakes.
Extra flights for passengers and freight
The Malta Airlines, together with their associates, British European Airways, are operating a number of additional flights on the London-Malta-London route this month.
A Malta Airlines spokesman said the extra flights are providing the required facilities for transport of passengers and freight. The first of the extra “Vanguard” flights was operated on March 8.
Other Vanguard flights are scheduled for tomorrow and March 22.
A Comet flight is also scheduled for March 22.