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Hospital expenses
Labour leader Alfred Sant puts a figure on what he claims are the running expenses at the new hospital, saying these would shoot up to Lm1.8 million a week.
Sant is speaking at a political meeting in Qormi. He also says that there is no serious plan for the migration from St Luke's Hospital to Mater Dei.
AD on boundaries
Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Harry Vassallo insists that cabinet’s plan to change development boundaries is illegal saying that changes to development boundaries should take place within the framework of the Structure Plan review so as to take account of the impact of the extensions.
Vassallo calls on government to withdraw its proposals and to commit itself, together with all other political parties, not to extend development boundaries any further.
Monday, 12 June
Charged with assaulting surgeon
Two brothers, Carmelo Micallef, 52, of Floriana and Louis Micallef, 58, of Luqa are charged with assaulting and slightly injuring surgeon Alex Manché at St Luke's Hospital on Friday.
The assault occurred after Manche had told one of them to stop smoking. The brothers plead not guilty to the charges saying they were distressed after learning of their mother’s death.
Both are granted conditional bail.
GRTU against dual pricing
The GRTU says its is opposed to obligatory dual pricing irrespective of the date it is introduced, demanding the system be introduced on a voluntary basis to avoid costs spiralling up for shop owners and businesses.
With direct reference to government’s intention to introduce dual pricing at least one year before Euro adoption, the GRTU says that introducing dual pricing long before people can start using the euro is wrong.
Tuesday, 13 June
Family of three sent to jail
Judge Joe Galea Debono sends three family members to prison after being convicted by a jury of allowing an 18-year-old girl to die of an overdose. Galea Debono sentences Jason Decelis to 25 years in prison, his mother Concetta Decelis to 15 years and her estranged husband Carmel to one and a half years behind bars.
The family members are convicted for what is known as murder by omission.
UEFA declines comment
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) declines to comment on the controversy surrounding the way Malta Football Association president Joe Mifsud handled the employment of a convicted paedophile at a football ground frequented by youths when asked to do so by The Times.
The organisation's PRO, William Galliard, says UEFA knew about the controversy but that it had no position on the matter since it was out of their jurisdiction.
Wednesday, 14 June
ADT bribery scandal
An official of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is reported saying that the authority will be hiring temporary examiners to carry out driving tests after a number of its regular staff were suspended in the course of investigations into a bribery scandal.
The scandal is being investigated by the police and involves at least five of the six driving test inspectors, who allegedly accepted bribes for allowing applicants to pass the test. The scandal also involves at least one driving school.
Prize for kindness
Riona Attard, 8 years, from Xaghra, is the first Gozitan to win the Pope John XXIII Prize for Kindness organised annually by the Peace Laboratory of Hal Far.
Riona, who attends the Patri Mattew Sultana Primary School, in Xaghra, earns the prize for the way she has supported a fellow student who needs the assistance of a facilitator.
The winner is presented with her prize at the Palace, in Valletta, by President Eddie Fenech Adami in the presence of Peace Lab Director Fr Dionysius Mintoff.
Thursday, 15 June
Euro delay is negative
The Governor of the Central Bank warns of negative repercussions if the introduction of the Euro is delayed insisting that early adoption made economic sense and the benefits exceeded the costs.
The governor speaks at a conference organised by the National Euro-Changeover Committee, which launches its updated master plan.
A European Commission official present for the proceedings advocates the need for compulsory dual pricing to avoid ambiguity once the European currency comes into force in January 2008.
Friday, 16 June
Sailor dies
A Spanish crew member of the Portuguese container feeder vessel Blue Marlin dies at the Freeport after an accident that occurs during a lifeboat drill on board the ship.
Leo Caamano, 30, dies on the spot when he is hit by a lifeboat when it gives way from its position and crashes into the sea.
Magistrate Dennis Montebello launches an inquiry and appoints a team of court experts to assist.
Man fined
A man found guilty of involuntarily causing the death of an elderly woman when he ran her over is fined Lm500, convertible into a three-month jail term if not paid within a month.
The incident happened 10 years ago when Gozitan Maria Conti, 75, was crossing a main road in Victoria to go to Mass. Saviour Mifsud was driving his Land Rover when he hit Conti who eventually died as a result of her injuries.
Saturday, 17 June
Political stagnation
Labour leader Alfred Sant says the country is suffering from social, economic and political stagnation, during a seminar organised by the sixth district committee.
Sant reiterates that Gonzi committed a mistake in not changing the cabinet of his predecessor.
Birzebbuga development
Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Harry Vassallo says that the extension of development boundaries is not only illegal and unnecessary but also contradictory, when speaking at a press conference in Birzebbuga on the site of a reclaimed quarry being used for agricultural purposes which is earmarked as a potential zone for development by government.
Illegal immigrants
A pleasure boat sights a small boat half a mile east of the Grand Harbour, with 28 male immigrants on board. The Armed Forces dispatches a patrol boat to assist and brings the immigrants to shore.
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