MaltaMedia

Over 500,000 emergency calls made in one year

Mark — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:39:36 +0000

Speaking at a press conference, Police Commissioner John Rizzo said that the police control room last year received a 564,188 calls on the emergency 112 service.

First National Film Industry Convention in Malta

Mark — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:37:36 +0000

The Malta Film Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment, is organising the very first cross-industry convention ‘FilmSpeak’. The convention will open up dialogue between the industry service providers and the various government agencies in order to streamline the current processes and lead to an overall better film production. In addition, the Film Commission is seeking to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the initiatives the rules and regulations relating to servicing the film industry. The first edition of ‘FilmSpeak’ will take place on February 23rd, 2012 at the Palace Hotel, Sliema.

The primary objectives and outcomes of this national convention will be to determine, together with stakeholders, how Malta as a film location can be improved to provide a quality service. Specialised workshops will discuss the rules and regulations within the film industry (permits, financial aspects, local fees, etc) that are necessary to allow all the stakeholders involved to provide a quality and timely service. Participants at the convention will also discuss and explore new marketing strategies and synergies between the various and varied stakeholders. The film industry is constantly evolving – artistically, technologically and financially. Consequently. It is therefore vital for the local industry to continuously keep abreast of such changes and adapt to the new orders. This will raise the bar in the industry and uncover issues that are of real concern across the industry.

‘FilmSpeak2012’ is expected to shed light on various emerging opportunities in servicing the local film industry. The interactive sessions will highlight how participants can play a more interactive role in the burgeoning film servicing industry. ‘FilmSpeak2012’ is open to local film crew; facility and service providers; and professionals and individuals wishing to have a more active role in this field. Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required in view of seating restrictions.

Guest speakers will include Barry Ryan, Head of Production at WARP (UK), and Christian McWilliams, an international freelance Location Manager. Barry Ryan, is responsible for the production of films across the Warp Films and Warp X slates. He produced Grow Your Own, written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Carl Hunter and directed by Richard Laxton for Warp Films, and line produced Warp’s first short My Wrongs 8245-8249 &117, which won the BAFTA in 2003, and Dead Man’s Shoes, Warp’s first feature which was nominated for the Best British Film Award at the BAFTAs 2005 and which won the Hitchcock D’Or at Dinard in 2004. Dead Man’s Shoes, Hush and Bunny & The Bull have all been nominated for “best achievement in production” at the BIFAs. Whereas, Christian McWilliams has been working in locations since 1991 and has worked on a series of well-known box office hits including, to mention a few, ‘Braveheart’, ‘Entrapment’, ‘Alexander’, ‘Mission Impossible 4’ and most recent ‘World War Z’. He is currently producing commercials for Canal Plus. Information and relevant application form for ‘FilmSpeak2012’ can be found at the MFC website www.mfc.com.mt or by sending an email to info@mfc.com.mt.

Man jailed 25 years for murder

Mark — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:42:46 +0000

49-year-old Mariano Grixti from Żurrieq has been jailed for 25 years after he was found guilty of an attempted double murder in October 2005. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Joseph Mifsud and his 15-year-old son Redeemer.

Substantial number of prisoners apply for parole

Mark — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:22 +0000

The Ministry for Home and Parliamentary Affairs considers that the entry into force of the Restorative Justice Act is a major step in the right direction for the prisoners within the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF), as well as society in general. It is noted with satisfaction that Mid-dlam għad-dawl, a key Non-Governmental Organisation promoting the introduction of parole in Malta, is recognising that this is now in place.

The entry into force of the Restorative Justice Act means that those inmates eligible to apply for parole may now do so. In fact, a substantial number have already lodged their application. The Offender Assessment Board and the Parole Board are in the process of being formally set up. In this regard, legal notices regulating the respective boards will be published in the Government Gazzette tomorrow. All parole applications received so far are already being referred for assessment by the Care and Reintegration Unit within CCF.

The background work leading to such an assessment by the Board is, as a matter of fact, already being conducted, given that the Care and Reintegration Unit has already been making the necessary preparations for the introduction of parole a few months back. The documentation being prepared by the Care and Reintegration Unit will form the basis for the assessment by the Offender Assessment Board, just as foreseen by the Act.

The Offender Assessment Board therefore already has the necessary tools with which to work, on the basis of which it can assess whether the inmate in question has actively worked towards change for his eventual reintegration into society. The Parole Board, which is the body taking the decision on whether parole should be granted or not, would therefore be in a position to take an informed decision on each individual inmate who applies for parole consideration.

Further to the abovementioned developments, other initiatives have been undertaken, including the appointment of three managers, respectively responsible for Security, Operations and Care and Reintegration, as well as the recruitment of an Education Coordinator. In this regard, it is to be noted that additional educational and vocational opportunities are now available at CCF, and that inmates are showing an increased interest in these courses. These facts also attest to the preparedness of CCF for the introduction of parole, given that participation in educational programmes is a very important component for parole consideration.

Presently inmates from CCF are also taking part in a project being undertaken in partnership with the London Shakespeare Workout, which involves participation in a play being performed at St James Cavalier Theatre. Another drama project in partnership with St James Cavalier is also underway. These initiatives amply demonstrate that CCF is not only prepared for the introduction of parole, but is also undertaking additional projects to what is strictly and minimally required.

With regard to the information aspect, it can hardly be argued that no information has been disseminated. It is to be recalled that the publication of the Restorative Justice Act was preceded by a White Paper back in February 2009 and a public consultation process, which involved the participation and contribution by key NGOs and other stakeholders. Members of the public and certain inmates themselves took part in the consultation process.

Moreover, an information session about parole as part of the consultation process was delivered to a group of inmates prior to the publication of the Act. During this information session it was explained that parole would be subject to the condition that the inmate would have actively worked towards it, including by means of participation in educational and vocational training, as well as in rehabilitative programmes where necessary. The Act itself makes it amply clear that parole is subject to such conditions, and that the Boards responsible would assess whether such conditions have in fact been met by the individual inmates. Moreover, the information session in question also spelled out that release on parole is subject to conditions that would be imposed by the Board in each individual case. Serious failure to comply with such conditions may lead to readmission to CCF. Parole is therefore clearly not an amnesty, nor is the new remission procedure introduced by the Act. Furthermore, remission will no longer be awarded exclusively for ‘good behaviour’, as the inmate would also have to follow his care plan to earn remitted days.

Pursuant to information sessions already held, further detailed information sessions for inmates would be held in order to set out the workings of the Restorative Justice Act, in particular parole.

Aircraft fly-bys to celebrate Malta Airport Terminal 20th Anniversary

Mark — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:52:09 +0000

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the inauguration of Malta Airport’s Air Terminal – which is being celebrated today, 8th February – a number of aircraft today made fly-bys over the airport. The first aircraft was a P3-Orion from the VP-47 Squadron of the US Navy, followed by a Hercules from the US Marine Corps and later on in the afternoon, four Tornados from the Italian Air Force also passed twice over the runway. These fly-bys were made possible following coordination with the respective Squadrons and with the collaboration of Malta Air Traffic Services.

Chamber opposes shops opening on public holidays

Mark — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:49:06 +0000

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry is not in favour of a concession, as suggested by others, for shop owners to open on February 10, the feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck. Neither is it in favour of shops opening during public holidays and Sundays.

This is consistent with the Malta Chamber’s stand on the matter. In fact, it reacted in exactly the same manner in April last year when another call was made for shops to open on May 1st.

The Malta Chamber’s stand is derived from the fact that opening on Sundays and Public Holidays will increase costs for shop owners and operators but the long-term effect on turnover is bound to be negligible. The position is therefore being taken in the interest of the shop-owners community – most of whom are SMEs and microenterprises – and their employees. As far as the Malta Chamber is concerned, public holidays and national feasts are a day of rest for both employers and their employees and this should be respected.

Industrial production down by almost 10%

Kristabell Catania — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:02:54 +0000

Provisional data published on Wednesday by the National Statistics Office (NSO) show that industrial production decreased by 9.7 per cent in December over the corresponding month in 2010.

In December, industrial production decreased by 9.7 per cent from 94.7 points in December
2010. This was mainly influenced by a decline of 14.2 and 10.0 per cent in the intermediate and consumer goods respectively.

On the other hand, the production of energy and capital goods increased by 2.2 and 3.1 per cent respectively.

At the NACE division level, the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products
(NACE 26) decreased by 22.1 per cent. Further declines were registered in the manufacture of wearing apparel (NACE 14), manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (NACE 21) and repair and installation of machinery and equipment (NACE 33).

NSO added that the manufacture of food products (NACE 10), manufacture of beverages (NACE 11), manufacture of textiles (NACE 13), other manufacturing (NACE 32) and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (NACE 35) increased over the corresponding month in 2010.

3 GIMGHAT QABEL- Unique pageant by Face to face drama

Kristabell Catania — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:49:52 +0000

After last year’s success in the Musical Pageant SMS Minghand Gesu’ 2U, this year Face to Face Drama is going to produce another Pageant Musical – 3 (Pageant Musical Quiz) on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March 2012 (Sunday Matinee included) at the Montekristo Arena, Hal-Farrug.

This year Face To Face Drama is going to introduce Rhythmic Gymnasts from Degymnastic Club along with Street Dancing, Hip-Hop and Ballet.

Face to Face Drama was established in 2003 and the first production held by this company was Grease, the well known musical film. During the years, a number of other musicals were produced.

Along with the dancers, 3 Gimghat Qabel will be featuring well-known singers and actors such as Sandra Davis, Charles Falzon, Priscilla Psaila, Louis Andrew Cassar, Ivan Vella, Kevin de Leonardo, Kurt Gatt, Jeffrey Scicluna amongst others.

This pageant is written by Noel Zarb from Face to Face Drama, while its music is composed by Mario Farrugia.

For more information or to book your tickets call on 2148 0055, 7946 7258, 7947 7258 or 9903 2110. Tickets price entrance is ten euros per person (10 euros).

For more information visit also facebook page: Arte Vera Drama.

Elderly man dies in Lija

Mark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:54:36 +0000

The police reported that an 82-year-old man was found dead on Tuesday morning in Triq Merino in Lija after it seemed he fell off a ladder the previous evening. An autopsy is to be carried out.

20 years on… and still growing

Mark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:51:22 +0000

“I am very pleased to have visited Malta International Airport today. The work done by those who planned the airport in 1992 have made it possible for it to be able to cater for the advances Malta made. The high quality service we are witnessing today is not only an achievement for the airport, but for all Malta.” Former President Dr Edward Fenech Adami said this earlier today during a visit to the Terminal at Malta International Airport on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary since its inauguration on Saturday the 8th of February 1992.

Dr Fenech Adami – who had as then Prime Minister inaugurated the Terminal – was welcomed by Malta Airport CEO, Markus Klaushofer for this visit, held on the eve of the actual anniversary day. Other distinguished guests were also in attendance, including Ministers, Opposition Spokespersons, a number of former Ministers who were responsible for the airport, as well as Chairmen, Directors and CEOs who have served on the Board since that time.

During the tour of the Terminal, the guests could see the major developments which occurred during these years as well as having the opportunity to meet employees of various entities present at the airport.

In a short speech at the end of the tour, Mr Klaushofer said that although he has only been in Malta since the beginning of the year, he was aware of the pride all Maltese people felt about their airport. He added that this pride was well-placed considering the reputation the airport has succeeded in building as well as the increasing number of achievements it has garnered over the years.

The CEO acknowledged the importance back then in 1992, of the crucial decision to invest in a new Terminal, which was of paramount importance for a tourism destination like Malta.

“As a company which manages this airport, we have made various advancements through these years, keeping abreast with the developments of an ever changing travel industry. These past 20 years have seen monumental changes, but we always stayed focused on the original basic aim: that of giving Malta a gateway worthy of its people and those who visit us,” added Mr Klaushofer.

He insisted that over the years there has been major investment, important milestones and crucial decisions: from the decision to expand and change the infrastructure, to historical events like visits by dignitaries as well as the Libya crisis last year. There were also operational and commercial decisions, major amongst which was the privatisation in 2002.

“But this is not only about the past, it is also about the present, and more importantly about the future. As a company, we have set out a diversification strategy in order to meet the demands of the discerning passenger. Airports are no longer merely a transit area, but they are an experience in itself. But this is not enough, we need to continue looking at the future; and in our immediate future there is SkyParks Business Centre. So, although we are here today to celebrate the past 20 years, we also want to look ahead and embrace the challenges yet to come,” said the CEO.

Mr Klaushofer concluded by thanking all those present for their involvement in making Malta Airport the success it is today, and promised that he would continue to build on the foundations laid by his predecessors in making Malta Airport our gateway to the world.