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Two migrants captured
Police capture two more migrants who escaped from detention at the Floriana police depot on Friday during a mass breakout. The breakout involved around 90 migrants, who were protesting their lengthy detention. All were captured on Friday save for three migrants.
Monday, 27 March
Sex with a 12-year-old
A 55-year old man from Zabbar is sent to jail by the magistrate’s court after being found guilty of having sexual relations with a 12-year-old girl in 2003. The man is sentenced to two years in prison.
The court decrees that although Carmel Camilleri was encouraged by the girl to have sexual relations with her, he should have known she was a minor and the court was duty bound to protect society’s vulnerable people.
SmartCity agreement
IT Minister Austin Gatt and the chairman of Dubai-based Tecom Investments put pen to paper and sign the heads of agreement over the planned hi-tech city to be developed at the Ricasoli Industrial estate. The signing is conditional and government expects to submit the final agreement before parliament in June.
The details of the agreement are kept secret, with Gatt insisting it contained commercially sensitive information.
Hoteliers to hold EGM
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association pencils in 11 April as the day for the holding of an extraordinary general meeting requested by members a week before during the presentation of industry’s results for the fourth quarter 2005.
The EGM is expected to discuss the state of the tourism industry, which came in for some heavy criticism by leading hoteliers including Winston J. Zahra.
Interest rates
The Central Bank leaves the central intervention rate unchanged at 3.25% for the time being, but hints at an eventual increase in the months to come if interest rates set by the European Central Bank continue to rise.
Tuesday, 28 March
Old woman robbed
Two men break into the Qormi home of an 82-year-old woman and steal a considerable amount of money, estimated to be around Lm2,000.
Police say the woman suffered slight injuries during the robbery.
Suspended jail term
False accusations against her former partner, land a former police officer in trouble, with the court delivering a two year jail term suspended for four years after hearing how the female police officer had falsely accused her boyfriend, also a police officer of participating in several hold-ups.
Nathalie Micallef, 26, of Ta' Xbiex, pleads guilty to filing a false report against PC Jesmond Abdilla and committing a crime she was duty bound to prevent on February 1, 2005.
At the time of filing the false report Micallef was passing through a rough patch with her former partner.
Wednesday, 29 March
Partial eclipse
The eclipse of the sun is partially visible in Malta with around 68 per cent of the sun being blotted out by the moon. The climax is reached at around 12.30pm and is watched by several keen observers around the island.
The total eclipse is visible in Egypt and Libya where for a few minutes the sun is completely blotted out by the moon.
Drug pusher jailed
Jason Zammit, 30, from Pieta is jailed for 12 years and fined Lm12,000 after admitting trafficking in heroin and cocaine. Zammits guilty plea at the beginning of the trial is a result of plea bargaining between the prosecution and the defence.
Mr Justice Galea Debono rules he is satisfied with the sanctions and measures agreed to by the parties and decrees there is no cause to order the trial to proceed.
Gonzi meets GWU
The General Workers' Union finally gets its meeting with the prime minister over the fuel surcharge, with top union officials presenting their proposals during an hour-long meeting at Castille.
After the meeting, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb says it was a positive encounter. Zarb says the union presented an amended version of its proposals to mitigate the impact of the fuel surcharge but refrains from commenting further.
The OPM also declines to comment.
Thursday, 30 March
Government seeks VAT cuts
Malta formally requests an authorisation from the European Commission to be able to apply a reduced VAT rate on certain sectors of the economy, according to The Times. Taking advantage of an agreement reached by EU member states earlier on this year, government seeks authorisation for applying a lower VAT rate of five per cent on various home help services to the elderly, sick and disabled persons as well as baby sitting and child minding services.
Cabinet discusses tourism
The cabinet committee detailed to discuss tourism draws up a list of what are purported to be concrete proposals, which are going to be presented to the MHRA on 10 April, a day before the organisation holds an extraordinary general meeting.
The proposals are said to be intended to boost tourism. It is unclear whether the proposals also include measures to attract major low cost airlines to Malta.
New British High Commissioner installed
The new British High Commissioner, Nick Archer presents his credentials to President Eddie Fenech Adami. He takes over from previous high commissioner Vincent Fean.
Friday, 31 March
Freedom Day
Malta celebrates the 27 anniversary of the departure of Britain’s military forces from the island. Marsamxett emerge victorious in the traditional regatta races held in Grand Harbour to commemorate the event. At the official wreath-laying ceremony in Valletta, Graffitti activists stage a peaceful anti-war protest taking government to task over the relocation of the US embassy to Ta’ Qali and the landing of CIA planes in Malta.
Crucifix toppled
The 200-year-old crucifix at the Ta’ Giezu church is smashed to the ground by an unidentified assailant, who topples the historic relic during mass at the Valletta church. The assailant, said to be a 33-year-old foreigner, is restrained by the congregation until the police are called in to arrest the man.
Saturday, 1 April
PN general conference
The Nationalist Party general conference kicks off in Gozo, in what is the ruling party’s first rallying call in the run up to the next general election. The party meets at the San Lawrenz Kempinski resort.
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