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Island of plastic in Pacific 16 times bigger than estimates, study says

March 22, 2018, 11:22 pm
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A giant island of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean holds as much as 16 times more debris than was previously thought, posing a significant threat to the food chain, scientists said on Thursday. The so-called garbage patch in waters between California and Hawaii consists of fishing nets, plastic containers, packaging and ropes, said the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, which headed up a study published in Scientific Reports, an online journal. The research using aerial images revealed the mass of trash is much denser - as much as 16 times more dense - than had previously been estimated, the study said. "It's shocking," said Joost Dubois, a spokesman for the Netherlands-based Ocean Cleanup Foundation, which led the team of researchers from seven countries. Nearly 200 nations late last year signed a United Nations resolution to eliminate plastic pollution in the sea, a move some hope will pave the way to a legally binding treaty. The new research estimates the accumulation is 79,000 metric tons - 1.8 trillion pieces - of plastic. Most of those pieces are tiny microplastics, it said. In another way of describing its size, Joost said it is made up of enough trash to fill 500 jumbo...
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As more ultra-long-haul flights lift off, prices for other routes sink

March 22, 2018, 11:32 pm
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Ultra-long flights like the 17-hour non-stop service Australia’s Qantas is tomorrow launching from Perth to London are doing more than stretching aircraft ranges – they are lowering ticket prices for more conventional routes, data shows. The latest round of global direct flights cost about 20 per cent more than those with one or more stops, making them most popular with business travellers, agents say. But the premium is deceptive. The difference in prices is mostly because the cost of tickets on conventional routes has been falling. After United Airlines started non-stop Singapore-Los Angeles flights last October, average ticket prices on one-stop rivals fell by 15 per cent relative to 2016, according to Expedia Inc. data provided to Reuters. That meant customers willing to pay 20 per cent extra to fly United and save a few hours were only paying two per cent more than they would have paid for one-stop flights a year earlier. “There is a lot of competitive pressure and those ultra-long-haul flights are adding to it,” said James Marshall, Expedia’s vice president for transport partner services. “The overall demand seems to be there but the pressure is on the price.” The number...
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Malta under fire for low levels of climate change ambition in shipping

March 22, 2018, 11:45 pm
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Malta has been criticised for showing low levels of climate change ambition in the shipping sector despite boasting the largest ship register in the EU. The country was ranked 14 out of 23 EU maritime nations in a new report by campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E) assessing ambition for climate action in negotiations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UN’s specialised agency regulating international shipping. The report found that countries with the largest shipping registers – with a deadweight tonnage of around 99 million, Malta’s shipping register is the largest in the EU by some distance – generally showed the least ambition in negotiations. “This suggests that nations with large registries – large shipping industry flying their flag – by and large support industry’s lobbying position, which is to oppose an ambitious greenhouse gas target compatible with the Paris Agreement, as well as short-term reduction measures,” T&E said. The group said the lack of ambition by countries such as Malta, Greece and Cyprus was troubling as tonnage represents a source of formal and informal power at the IMO – such countries can use their tonnage to drive action...
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Ħamrun exhibition on Passion of the Christ set to impress visitors once again

March 22, 2018, 11:48 pm
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Joe Cordina, 74, spends long months in his workshop, poring over and changing details of his large crib at Christmas and which he transforms into the Way of the Cross at Easter. The structure is entirely made of free-standing natural rocks. Even the caves are built without any support for the ceiling. Mr Cordina, who first set up the exhibition 32 years ago, explained that the method he used to build the structure was similar to that used by professionals to erect rubble walls in the countryside. The model is complete with valleys, hills, caves, trees, pathways strewn with sawdust and streams of running water – all depicting the Palestinian scene at the time of the Passion of Christ. Mr Cordina explained that some of the figurines are unique as they were made by statuarian Carmelo Agius, of Pietà, specifically for use in this exhibition. When he passed away, other figurines usually on display in the Christmas crib and made by Mr Agius were arranged by Mr Cordina to represent characters involved in the story of the Passion. Others were totally made by Mr Cordina himself. At Christmas, Mr Cordina builds an artistic crib built using the same method. Six years ago, he started to...
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Hundreds protest in Sacramento over video of police shooting

March 22, 2018, 11:52 pm
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Newly released video footage of police killing an unarmed black man in a barrage of gunfire in Sacramento, California, left the mayor "horrified" and sparked street protests on Thursday that gridlocked traffic in the state capital for hours. More than 200 demonstrators gathered on Thursday to denounce the shooting in a protest organised by the Black Lives Matter movement. The protests were orderly and police allowed a group of demonstrators to march onto Interstate 5 at the height of the commuter rush hour as they blocked all southbound lanes. Police said the video, captured by body cameras worn by officers involved in Sunday night's confrontation, showed the victim, Stephon Clark, 22, holding an object that later turned out to be a cell phone as he was shot 20 times. The video was released by police late on Wednesday and it soon went viral on the internet. Sunday's shooting was the latest in a series of killings of unarmed black men by police across the United Stated since 2014 that has sparked a national debate about racial bias in the criminal justice system and the use of lethal force.
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Watch: France lose composure in 3-2 defeat to Colombia

March 23, 2018, 3:16 pm
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France threw away a two-goal lead as they slumped to a 3-2 home defeat to Colombia in a friendly at the Stade de France on Friday, less than three months before the World Cup. Les Bleus were 2-0 up midway through the first half thanks to goals by Olivier Giroud and Thomas Lemar, but Luis Muriel halved the deficit before the break with Radamel Falcao and Juan Quintero scoring in the second half. Before kickoff, there was a minute's silence in memory of the three people who were killed in southwestern France by a gunman who held up a car, fired on police and seized hostages in a supermarket earlier on Friday. France started with N'Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi as holding midfielders, Paul Pogba being left on the bench because of a muscle problem and a lack of playing time at Manchester United, according to assistant coach Guy Stephan. Pogba, however, came on as a second half substitute but had little impact. Les Bleus enjoyed most of the possession and they were rewarded in the 11th minute when Giroud scored his 30th international goal as he knocked the ball in after David Ospina mishandled Lucas Digne's cross from the left. It was Giroud's ninth goal in the last nine games he...
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Two men with PL links questioned over Caruana Galizia memorial ‘theft’

March 23, 2018, 5:01 pm
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An employee at the Prime Minister’s Office and the son of a contractor with close links to the Labour Party were questioned by the police in connection with ‘theft’ from Daphne Caruana Galizia's makeshift memorial in Valletta, Times of Malta has learnt. Asked whether the employee in question had been suspended, an OPM spokesman insisted the suspect was denying “any connection with the removal of flowers and candles”. Read: Daphne memorial 'thieves' are 'very close to the OPM', PN MP alleges Candles, flowers and other mementos placed at the foot of the Great Siege Monument by followers of the slain journalist were removed during Wednesday night. This was at least the third time the memorial had been cleared over the past few weeks. Opposition MP Karol Aquilina filed a formal request to Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar asking him to launch an investigation into the matter. He noted he had bought some of the items himself barely 24 hours earlier after all the flowers and candles placed there had mysteriously disappeared during the previous night. In a Facebook post uploaded on Friday, Dr Aquilina said the police had traced those who were behind the ‘theft’. He did not mention...
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Vittoriosa pedestrianisation

March 23, 2018, 10:01 pm
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The square in front of St Lawrence church, in Vittoriosa should be given back to the people as happened with Castille Square, in Valletta. It should be declared a pedestrian area with no traffic at all and the four figures forming part of Freedom Monument should be placed in the middle on a low granite pedestal as they did with the monument of Manuel Dimech. At present, this square is lost and the big rubble stones do not match the façade of this historic church. Once turned into a pedestrian area, it will be possible to appreciate the beauty of the baroque façade of this church from all angles and the steps leading to the main door could be extended out, similar to that of the Auberge de Castille.
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Pharmacies open tomorrow

March 23, 2018, 10:02 pm
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Chemimart City Gate Pharmacy, City Gate, Valletta (2123 8355);Chemimart International Pharmacy, 650, St Joseph High Road, Ħamrun (2123 6477);Lantern Pharmacy, 46, Regional Road, Santa Venera (2144 4648);Mackie’s Pharmacy, L. Casolani Street, Ta’ Paris, Birkirkara (2149 6089);Charing Pharmacy, Mimosa Street, Pietà (2123 2954);Pembroke Pharmacy, 87, Giuseppe Malfeggiani Street, Pembroke (2137 2784);Chemimart Pharmacy, 4,5,6, Il-Piazzetta, Tower Road, Sliema (2133 8369);Iklin Pharmacy, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin (2141 5499);Mġarr Pharmacy, Main Street, c/w Vitale Street, Mġarr (2157 7784);El Medina Chemist, Fliegu Street, Qawra (2157 6308);De Paola Pharmacy, 36, Antoine De Paule Square, Paola (2182 6408);Milia’s Pharmacy, 73, Cottonera Road, Vittoriosa (2760 0126);Hompesch Pharmacy, 207/2011, Triq Hompesch, Fgura (2180 7503);Beta Pharmacy, 50/52, St Mary Street, Għaxaq, (2166 3311);Bronja Pharmacy, Sonata, Bronja Street, Żurrieq (2168 2251);Spiżerija Ħal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Żebbuġ (2146 1693);Nova Pharmacy, 142, College Street, Rabat (2145 4247);Castle Pharmacy, 2, Independence Square, Victoria (2155 6970);Għajnsielem Pharmacy, Independence Square, Għajnsielem...
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Trade war fears roil equity markets

March 23, 2018, 10:05 pm
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The threat of a trade war sent many world stock markets broadly lower in choppy trading yesterday and boosted safer assets like the yen and government bonds, a day after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese goods. Mr Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Thursday that could impose tariffs on up to $60 billion of imports from China, although the measures have a 30-day consultation period before they take effect. After another bruising week, a key gauge of world equity markets was broadly headed for their first quarterly loss since early 2016 as a spike in volatility, rising inflation and the spectre of a trade war spooked investors who had enjoyed a multi-year bull run. MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.53 per cent. The index has lost around 3.4 per cent since Monday and was set for its worst week since early February when a spike in volatility had sent markets into a tailspin. “The equity markets are getting clobbered, which is not that surprising with fears of a trade war breaking out,” said Paul Fage, a TD Securities emerging markets strategist. On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 stock index and the Dow were buoyed by...
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HSBC fears challenge

March 23, 2018, 10:16 pm
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What on earth is going on at HSBC? How can it possibly afford to ignore the public challenges I made, to try and “prove itself right and me wrong”? Has its public relations department and top management gone blind to eight prominently-displayed letters in the local papers, four of which were headed ‘Does HSBC really care?’ and another four titled ‘HSBC challenged to show CCTV footage’ or variations thereof, requesting the bank to afford sight of the CCTV recording, evidencing the serious injury its deposit machine caused me? Contrary to what the bank claims, I have repeatedly declared that I had neither used its automated teller machine and deposit machine simultaneously nor its deposit machine incorrectly. HSBC’s mute response strategy, designed to avoid facing up to my challenge, has left readers wondering why the bank has refused to release this CCTV footage. Aren’t readers therefore entitled to reasonably suspect that the bank is not playing fair by its suppressing evidence that can incontrovertibly prove whether HSBC is being truthful or not? There lies the answer and HSBC should be blushing crimson red.
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Ħarsa ta’ Kristu

March 23, 2018, 10:32 pm
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For the past four years, Carlos Farrugia and Joseph Galea have joined forces to stage an alternative to the traditional Passion play, the first being Kristu fi Strada Stretta. This year’s play is Ħarsa ta’ Kristu. This time, the setting is Seville, Spain, where two Maltese couples meet on an excursion to the city famous for its Holy Week processions. Each of them wears their own mask, carries their own past and has their own secrets, hidden even from those closest to them. Ħarsa ta’ Kristu will be performed at St James Cavalier, Valletta, today and tomorrow and on March 27, 28 and 31 at 8pm and on March 30 at 10.30am. For tickets, visit www.kreattivita.org.
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The darker side

March 23, 2018, 10:32 pm
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In his letter ‘Anti-Churchill spin’ (March 17), Kevin Hodkin, who charges me with attending spin doctors, missed the point of my writings entirely and conveniently failed to address any points I raised, quoting Winston Churchill himself extensively, and other reliable primary sources. He resorts to the standard riposte “none of you would be free if it were not for Churchill”. My main point was that leaders should not be put on pedestals in some blind allegiance that makes humans excuse horrific deeds. It is good for people to also know or be reminded of the darker side of a person like Churchill, not just one side portrayed by the establishment that elevates him to heroic status. Churchill’s attitude to India, Gandhi, carpet-bombing and the destruction of entire cities, and his cavalier and shocking attitude to the native Americans and Aborigines who were exterminated, should not be swept under some rug and forgotten. These points remain valid, regardless of other widely-publicised aspects of the man related to WWII. Regarding Dunkirk, I was showing the French perspective and how they felt betrayed. One might disagree but one cannot just publicise the standard British...
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Question time: Global warming

March 23, 2018, 10:42 pm
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Mark Causon, Labour councillor and environmentalist Global warming is the cause of climate change which will negatively impact the vital resources for human life, including natural ecosystems, agriculture and food supplies, human health, water resources and availability, a factor which is a consequence of human activities on climate. While trying to put aside the alarmist sounding title, I prefer to address the situation of why we should act together to provide a better standard of living free from environmental toxins. As a government the way ahead is to aspire and work for Malta’s social and economic development to occur in a low-carbon and climate-resilient manner. With a fast-growing economy and with massive development taking place in our country the need for a holistic outward-looking policy is needed. Energy performance in building regulations is also a contributor to this reduction and together with water catchment facilities in all development, proposals need to be implemented. Our challenge is towards a more circular economy country, with policies addressing our needs to be supported and implemented in Malta’s economic realities, through the reduction of bureaucratic...
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Facebook apology does little to satisfy lawmakers

March 23, 2018, 10:42 pm
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Facebook Inc came under further pressure from lawmakers, investors, advertisers and users after chief executive Mark Zuckerberg admitted the social media network made mistakes in letting 50 million users’ data get into the hands of political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. US lawmakers demanded Zuckerberg personally testify in Washington to explain his company’s actions.  Meanwhile, advertisers Mozilla and Commerzbank suspended ads on the service and the hashtag #DeleteFacebook remained popular online, although it was hard to tell how many users are abandoning Facebook. In light of those concerns, investors continued to sell off Facebook shares, although not at the pace of earlier in the week. They closed on Thursday at $164.89, down 2.7 per cent. The S&P 500 Index was down 2.5 per cent on the day. Facebook shares closed at $185.09 yesterday. The company has lost more than $50 billion in market value since allegations this week that Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed data to build profiles on American voters and influence the 2016 presidential election. Five days after the scandal broke, Zuckerberg apologised on Wednesday for mistakes his company made and promised to...
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Announcements - March 24, 2018

March 23, 2018, 10:48 pm
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BALDACCHINO. On March 18, GIULIO from Sliema, residing in Mellieħa, passed away peacefully at the aged of 44. He leaves to mourn his irreparable loss his mother Marlene, his son Liam and Maria, his sister Alexia and Julian, Irene, relatives and numerous friends. The funeral arrangements have been postponed indefinitely and will be announced later on. Lord, grant him eternal rest. GALEA. On March 22, at Mater Dei Hospital, BENVENUTA (Vivi), née Lewis, wife of Anthony Galea, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Marstel and her husband Charles Cuschieri, Joseph and his wife Pauline, her beloved grandchildren Paul and his wife Nadine, Joseph and his fiancée Victoria, John, Clara, Katrina and her great-grandchild Beppe, her sister Rosy and her husband Salvinu Preca, who lives in Australia, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today, Saturday, March 24, at 1.30pm for the new parish church St Venera, where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 2pm, followed by interment at St Ġorġ Cemetery, Naxxar. No flowers by request but donations to id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi,...
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Today's front pages

March 23, 2018, 11:00 pm
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These are the main stories featured in Saturday's newspapers: Times of Malta reports that agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigationare expected in Malta as part of an ongoing investigation into the former chairman of Pilatus Bank. It also reports that lawyers of an NGO whose vessel was impounded in Sicily after a rescue operation said Malta did not offer to take the 218rescued migrants despite being the “closest safe port”. L-orizzont quotes the National Statistics Office saying Malta was now registering a surplus of €18.7 million. It also reports the story of an elderly couple rendered almost hostage in their home after the lift broke down. The Malta Independent reports that Pilatus Bank has remained silent despite the news of its chairman's arrest. It also quotes Justice Minister Owen Bonnici citing the right to freedom of expression when defending Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef.  In-Nazzjon quotes PN deputy leader Robert Arrigo rallying support ahead of Sunday's fund-raising campaign for the party. It also reports that a man had been accused of beating up a policeman. 
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21st century public services - Aaron Farrugia

March 23, 2018, 11:04 pm
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I was recently delighted to launch 16 new EU-funded projects with the aim of improving public services for every one of our citizens. Quality of public services impacts a country’s level of productivity, which in turn is linked to prosperity. Within this context, and acknowledging that public services which help rather than hinder business and job creation are needed across the EU, the European Social Fund provides financial support in areas of employability, education and inclusion while supporting the implementation of national policy reforms and capacity building in the area of public administration. Another priority area supported through the European social fund is social dialogue. The government believes that further investment is essential for social partners and civil society bodies to develop the necessary socio-economic technical expertise and capacity. The programme for Malta earmarked an overall allocation of €11 million for these priority areas. Investment will aim at strengthening the role and capacity of the public administration with a view to improve the efficiency of public service delivery through improved leadership and better utilisation of public resources,...
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Hibs beat Stripes to go one-point clear

March 23, 2018, 11:07 pm
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The top-of-the-table clash between Hibernians and Birkirkara lived up to its billing as it had to be a solitary goal by Ylenia Carabott that handed the Paolites a 1-0 win to take sole leadership of the BOV Women’s League. Both teams were looking forward to this game and some of their respective members even went to local schools to promote the game, on a campaign supported by the Malta FA. Moreover, the teams agreed to play in different socks in occasion of the Down Syndrome’s Day, underlining the harmony shared between the two clubs.  The match was played infront of a sizeable crowd that also included the Hibernians men’s team. The Paolites enjoyed the lions’ share of possession in the first half but never really threatened Birkirkara goalkeeper Janice Xuereb. On the other hand, Birkirkara upped their ante late in the first half and they even found their opponents’ net through captain Stephania Farrugia, but her ‘goal’ was disallowed for a foul inside the area.  After the change of ends, Xuereb had to replaced by Tonina Dimech after suffering a knock. The Stripes started to pile up the pressure on their opponents but it was Hibs who forged ahead when Carabott was first to react...
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Gendarme who traded places with hostage is dead

March 23, 2018, 11:08 pm
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The French gendarme who voluntarily took the place of a hostage during a deadly supermarket siege in southwestern France on Friday has died, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said. The gendarme, or policeman, had been left fighting for his life after being hit by gunfire inside the Super U supermarket in the town of Trebes before elite police raided the premises and killed the attacker, who had burst into the store yelling "Allahu Akbar". "Dead for his country. France will never forget his heroism, bravery and sacrifice," Collomb said in a Twitter message in which he gave the gendarme's name, Arnaud Beltrame.
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