Weekly News Highlights

Studies conducted by the Environment Protection Department and the University's chemistry department show that the quality of air in places we deem pristine, such as Ghajn Tuffieha and Xlendi, is worse than that of urban areas in Sweden. Levels of benzene air pollution are among the worst in Europe. High levels were found in urban areas, levels in indoor places of entertainment found to be 145 times higher than WHO and EU recommended levels.

Charged with drug trafficking

Claudio Porsenna, a 28-year-old Neapolitan, Aaron Pavia, 22, of Qawra, and a 25-year-old from St Julian's whose name cannot be published by court order, were charged in court on Sunday with drug trafficking and conspiring to sell drugs on May 2 and before. The 25-year-old was charged separately and granted bail as he had co-operated with police.

Porsenna, who was arrested when he was already on the ferry bound for home, was granted bail against a Lm3,000 deposit and he is not allowed to leave his Maltese girlfriend's Birzebbuga house without permission from the court.

Crashed into 13 cars

Joseph compagno, 20, of no fixed address, was charged in court on Monday with stealing a van, crashing into 13 cars and slightly injuring a woman while he was under the influence of alcohol on Saturday. He pleaded guilty and was denied bail.

Shooting of Troy in Malta

Troy, the first UK-Malta film production, started shooting on Monday. Starring Brad Pitt, who arrived last Friday week, it is being directed by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm). Also in the cast of this Warner Bros-Latina Pictures $180 million co-production are Peter O'Toole and Julie Christie, while Helen of Troy is being played by German actress Daine Kruger.

Over $20 million were spent in Malta on labour, set construction, accommodation and transport expenses over a 10-month period. For the first time ever, Malta (through Latina Pictures) is to feature as a co-producing country on the credits of an epic movie, further consolidating its position on the movie-making map.

This is thanks to Malta's signing of the co-production treaty - the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production Treaty - in 2001, the Malta Film Commission said. The convention allows Maltese producers to enter into bilateral and multilateral co-productions with 35 European countries.

Jailed, fined on drug charges

Two dutch women, Edlyn Josephine Jennifer Blasse, 28, and Charette Maria Ferdinand, 29, were each jailed for two years and three months on Monday and fined Lm2,000 for importing 200 grammes of cocaine and conspiring to deal in it. The court ordered their deportation after they serve time.

Author gets deserved honour

On tuesday Professor Quentin Hughes, author of The Building of Malta and several other books on the island's architectural history, received the National Order of Merit in the grade of honorary officer from President Guido de Marco.

SARS committee set up

An inter-ministerial committee was set up as a preventive measure against the SARS virus. It met on Wednesday for the first time. Its aim is to provide Malta with a quick response team ready in the eventuality of the SARS virus being contracted in Malta, even though this possibility is very remote.

Lawyer granted bail

Dr patrick spiteri, 38, of Wardija, has been granted bail by an appeal court after he was jailed for two years in January for forging a contract to show that he no longer owed money on the purchase of land. He has also been found guilty of trying to obtain money or property by false pretences. Dr Spiteri was granted bail against a Lm12,000 deposit pending the outcome of the appeal.

Works director responsible for house damage

A Kercem couple whose house was damaged after asphalting works carried out by the Works Department in 1993 had their writ for damages upheld in the Gozo courts. A water pipe in the road was broken, resulting in water seeping into Mario and Rose Fenech's house and its underlying structures, leading to staining of tiles and cracks in the tiles.

The Fenechs added that their house's façade was ruined and the pavement outside their house was damaged. The director of Works was ordered to carry out the necessary repair works.

Bus ticketing machines

Bus ticketing machines will start being installed on the 508 route buses as from next week, a process expected to be concluded within a month, Transport Minister Censu Galea said on Wednesday. Old buses are also being replaced by new ones.

Asylum seekers call off hunger strike

Twenty-one asylum seekers who have been in Malta for several months went on a hunger strike in protest over being detained while their application for refugee status is being processed. They wrote to Justice Minister Tonio Borg, asking him to intervene in their case. They called off the hunger strike on Friday after a meeting with Emigrants' Commission director Mgr Philip Calleja.

Murder suspect under house arrest

On thursday, John Attard, 56, of Xaghra, charged with the murder of Gozitan warden Fortunata Spiteri in August 2001, was granted bail on condition he does not leave his house except under escort for court sittings. He was bound by a Lm10,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm10,000. Attard and Giuseppe Farrugia, 31, of Fontana, are pleading not guilty to Spiteri's wilful homicide. The case continues.

New MP elected

Casual elections were held on Thursday to fill seven seats vacated by MPs elected from two districts. Those elected, except one, had already been MPs before. They are Joseph Abela, Joe Debono Grech and Joseph Cuschieri for the Labour Party and Helen D'Amato, Michael Frendo and Josef Bonnici for the Nationalist Party. The exception is Architect Joseph Falzon, who at 30 is the youngest Nationalist MP.

Drug courier jailed

Mohammed Salem Shaibub, a 26-year-old Libyan, on Thursday was jailed for six years and fined Lm3,500 for importing 493 grammes of cannabis resin into Malta two years ago. He will be deported after serving time.

Yo balls danger

The customs Department is not releasing yo balls that are imported into Malta, a spokesman said on Friday. These new toys have been banned in Britain because they pose a threat to children because of possible strangulation.

Euro Parliament observers

Government and Opposition have nominated Malta's five observers to the European Parliament They are Josef Bonnici, Michael Frendo and Tonio Fenech for the government and George Vella and John Attard Montalto for the Opposition.