• Something must have gone terribly wrong at PBS last Wednesday. The daily programme L-Ghodwa t-Tajba was not in its usual form. There was only the news report – which was lifted from the previous night’s news-in-brief – and the sports news. No newspaper analysis or weather forecast were included in the programme, as they are usually. Even the daily almanac was left out. Can anybody explain?

• Playing the violin well and having a good voice does not make people good presenters. Joseph Chetcuti and Chiara are like fish out of water in the programme Fortissimo, shown on NET TV every Saturday. Chetcuti’s attempts at humour fail every time and Chiara seems unable to ask questions the way they should be asked. Both should stick to their original roles, where they show talent, and leave presenting programmes to people who are more competent.

• People selling property have to pick up a site plan indicating the location from the Lands Registry. The problem is that house numbers are not indicated on the registry’s computer and unless the exact location of the property is known, it is hard to find. People have had to go back more than once because the initial site plan they obtained was not the correct one. Maybe it’s time that the registry updated its computer programme.

• Why is it that when the traffic-light system on the Regional Road – the one near the fancy roundabout – is not working, the flow of traffic is much smoother? The government’s financial possibilities are very limited these days, but a flyover would solve the problem of traffic jams at this very important link. At least, fuming drivers can admire the fountain while waiting for the lights to change.

• Cars are parked on the road leading from Hamrun to Marsa/Qormi – the one where the Maltapost offices are situated – every time there are horse-races. This restricts the traffic flow and could be dangerous. Apparently, although cars should not be parked there, police and wardens turn a blind eye.

• Sghajtar Street – which lies between Mosta and Naxxar – is in dire need of surfacing. Residents were told that this would be carried out some six or eight months ago, but apparently water and electricity services still have to be supplied to some parts, which is delaying progress.

• The European Village in St George’s Square in Valletta, in front of the Presidential Palace, was well worth visiting over the past week. The various stands put up, as well as the activities that took place, were informative and entertaining. Unfortunately, the rubbish truck that passed through Republic Street every day at about 1pm did not help much.

• The Tritons Fountain is a pleasant sight as one is entering Valletta. But the fountain should never be switched on when it is windy. People entering Valletta risk having a shower – and not a clean one either – if the fountain is on when the wind is blowing.

• While speaking of City Gate, do we have to have that ugly structure right at the entrance informing us that the European Parliament election will be held on 12 June? Doesn’t everyone know? But if the powers-that-be want to promote the event anyway, do we have to have such a promotion at the entrance to our capital city?

g It is sad that in a Christian country like ours there should ever be a shortage of blood. The Blood Bank at St Luke’s Hospital last week made an urgent call for people to donate blood as there was a risk that operations could be postponed if it was found that there was an insufficient supply. All healthy people should give blood so there is always enough to cope with demand. Who knows, blood donors might end up needing blood some day.

g Malta’s accession to the European Union has brought about a strong fluctuation in prices. The price of some objects has gone up, while that of others has gone down. What seems a never-ending climb are prices in a number of entertainment establishments, which keep on rising almost week in week out. It seems that the prices change very frequently in places where control is limited.

g A Maltese man who bought cream shorts during a visit to Australia was surprised, upon his return, to find out that the label inside said: “Cold water wash, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean, do not tumble dry.” The next thing he expected to read was “Do not wear”. This is the perfect example for anyone wanting to buy clothes – always read the label before purchase.

g Last December the Malta College for Arts Science and Technology issued a call for applications for a position to be funded by the European Union. Applications had to be submitted in January, however up to this day no applicants have been called for an interview let alone been selected. Can someone please explain what happened?

g Some things seem to happen only in Malta. Saturday week, eight people were employed to remove a bus-stop sign in Spinola Bay, St Julian’s. Did we need to have so many people to do such a trivial job? Worse still, were these people being paid at overtime rate for something that could have been easily done during the week, and certainly with fewer people involved?

g The road leading up to Wardija was tarmacked some time ago. Yet the last stretch up the hill and the remaining part of the road is still full of holes and needs to be, at least, patched up. One also wonders why, in Malta, things are only half done. If a road is to be tarmacked, why is it that half of it is left in its original, bad state?

g Valley Road in Birkirkara is flooded even when there is no rain. Over the past days there has been an overflow of drainage from the manholes, leaving the area as dirty as it could be, not to mention the bad smell. This road is a main arterial junction used by many motorists, and it is also a area where there are several business establishments. It should never be allowed to be in such a mess.

g Last Saturday’s excellent result by the Maltese national rugby team – a 30-27 win over Hungary – was yet another proof of success for this squad. There had once been a promise that the government would push sports where good results were being obtained. Rugby is a case in point. All efforts should be made to help the Malta Rugby Association to reach the high targets it has set itself.

g One would thought that the Maghtab landfill would be off the news after its closure following Malta’s EU accession. But it seems that this is not the case as there have been statements and counter-statements about whether the site has really been closed. One hopes the truth about the matter will emerge, and that the issue will be closed – as Maghtab should be – once and for all.

Last Saturday week, both Super One and Net TV failed to give their viewers the results of the waterpolo matches that had been played at the Tal-Qroqq pool. The matches finished at about 7.30pm, and one wonders, in this day and age of mobile phones and other forms of fast communication, how come the news did not arrive in time to be transmitted at 8 or 8.15pm.

Speaking of Net TV, one must however congratulate the producers of a programme which deals with the history of the Olympic Games, being held as a preview to the forthcoming Games in Athens. The programme is well researched, offering viewers a solid background of previews Maltese participation in such an import sport event. It is an example that should be followed.

Football followers, in particular Milan supporters, were annoyed, not to say angry, that the press conference to launch the new season, being transmitted live last Thursday on the Milan Channel, was abruptly interrupted at 5pm when it was in full swing. Instead, Melita Cable chose to screen a wrestling programme that had been previously recorded. One understands that that programmes are timed to change via computer, but in this case Melita Cable should have been more considerate to its Sports Channel subscribers.

Speaking of the Sports Channel, subscribers have complained that the Channel 48 news update service has been ignored this summer. For long hours the service is not available for Melita to transmit the Milan and Manchester United TV channels. The subscribers think that these could have been transmitted on other channels while leaving the news update service running as it does during the winter months.

The columns that will support statues during the feast in Victoria have been placed where they should not have been – on pavements. If the pavements were wide enough to allow people to pass then nobody would have complained. But the columns block the whole pavement so much so that pedestrians have to move onto the road to continue walking. This creates more difficulty to mothers with push-chairs and persons on wheelchairs.

In Gozo, it seems that prices are higher than they are in Malta. A lady who bought an item from the Vittoriosa open market found an identical item marked Lm1 more at the Victoria open market. A man who prefers a brand of cigars buys them cheaper in Malta too. It is also apparent that, in some places, Gozitans are given “special reductions” when compared to the Maltese.

Zabbar Road in Fgura is a nightmare for motorists. At whatever time of day, traffic moves at a snail’s pace, and this is exacerbated by the fact that there are several traffic light stoppages. While understanding the need for a safe crossing for pedestrians, should one have so many lights slowing down the traffic flow? After all, it would not do one any harm to walk a bit more.

Swings and other equipment in parks are earmarked for children. Yet young people over 16 years of age are seen using them regularly, at the expense of the younger ones who should be doing so. A case in point is the Sliema park near the De Rohan Tower. In the past, there used to be a sign saying that the swings are “reserved” for children aged up to 15. Maybe a similar sign should be installed.

The modern fashion wear for women are hipsters. Many shops today do not sell trousers other than these. The problem is that not all women are “designed” to wear them. While, on some, they give that sexy look that was intended by the people who created them, on others they look ugly. Yes, ugly, or should we say funny?

Page 6 – OPINION

More sperm bank daddies?

Marisa Micallef Leyson

There was a time when, in Malta at least, most women and men married, had a child or two or more, and despite many hurdles stayed that way till death.

Today things are very different and while this is still the norm the numbers who are not part of that picture are not so small that they can appear insignificant.

First of all there are huge fertility problems. Many couples cannot conceive or need help to do so. Then many men do not want to settle down and marry, or they will do so when they are much older, which leaves women their age at a disadvantage.

Some others do get married and split up before babies have even turned up.

And – and it is not an insignificant “and” – gay men are increasingly coming out and living as such and not marrying anyway to keep up appearances.

...Which is an entirely good thing by the way.

You can look at all this and shrug your shoulders and somehow believe in maintaining the status quo.

People however will not accept that. The drive to have children is very strong, in women probably more so, and an increasing number will no longer wait for Mr Right to have children. And if they did meet Mr Right and cannot conceive they are not accepting the Church’s doctrines against many of the fertility treatments around.

Recently Dr Michael Asciak brought all this up. I get the impression Dr Asciak is a lot more conservative than I am but we do agree on one thing.

There are areas that need to be very strictly controlled as currently there is a bit of a free-for-all.

The first area is sperm donation. Dr Asciak thinks it is unethical if students are paid for it. I probably agree and also wonder about the rights of the child in these situations. Do children have the right to know later on that their mother or father are not their mother or father as much as adopted children, in the UK at least, have the right to know?

Of course women who want a child need not go to a sperm bank at all. They can just have unprotected sex, with anyone they fancy as a potential father. However many women do not want to potentially share the upbringing of their child with these kind of sperm donation daddies and go ahead using this form of artificial insemination.

This is still not usual in Malta where sperm donation is used more in cases of infertile dads (not the rarity most men think it is!) but it is becoming ever more so elsewhere; so it is a trend we had better prepare ourselves for.

In the UK there are – for the reasons I outlined earlier – a shortage of available men.

Every age group over 20 has a majority of women. There are more than 100,000 more women than men in the 30-34 age range, the kind of age where if you’re serious about babies you really do start planning to have them.

Figures out lately in Malta show almost a fifth of children were born out of marriage but very few to ‘young children mums’, as I call them. And, important too, the vast majority said they actually did have support so there is a partner around, even if there hasn’t been the formal Maltese wedding.

So we cannot go back to the way we were. But we do have to deal with the way things are.

Firstly, as far as infertile couples are concerned there must be all the help on offer possible as I don’t think anyone with kids can remotely fathom how infertility kills your mind and your morale. However there must be clear and enforceable guidance on, among other issues, the number of embryos implanted each time. There also should be clear rules on who can carry out this kind of treatment in the first place.

In Malta we put our blind faith in medics and that faith is not usually misplaced but we cannot be too casual about this growing area of medicine and how easily things can go wrong.

Of course the state needs us to have more children, not least to fund tomorrow’s pensioners! So people’s drive to have children at all costs, and often out of marriage, is not totally incompatible with the needs of the state for our birth rate to remain a healthy one.

It was encouraging to hear that at least so far we are among the youngest in Europe thanks to a birth rate which is still relatively healthy although declining sharply too.

The problems of growing infertility, the problems of the many who do not even want to settle down and have kids are not inconsiderable challenges.

In all this medicine can provide some solutions. We just need to ensure these solutions are thought through ethically (and not just according to Church ethics) and that they do not create more challenges than they in fact temporarily may appear to solve.

n A ‘Stop’ sign or at least a slow down sign should be installed on the road in front of Muddy Water's Bar in St Julian’s as cars coming from Sliema, and wanting to turn left onto Main Street simply cross over keeping the same speed. The street camera installed on the adjacent wall must have captured many near misses. Is this camera only used to catch parking offenders?

n It is the season of foreign students coming over to Malta to learn English. Most of them stay with Maltese families, who do their best to make them feel at home. The problem Maltese hosts are finding is that the school payments for accommodation and food have remained the same in most cases in spite of the rise in the cost of living. The fact that schools make a lot of money from their foreign students makes it all worse.

n Another factor that worries host families is that they rarely get support from the school when their students have difficulties not related to their studies. If students lose their passport, if they get lost or somebody harasses them while outside the school premises, it is solely up the families to tackle the situation. Host families believe that the schools should shoulder more responsibility in such matters.

n In spite of signs requesting that drivers should not start their car engines before being told, some still do so when waiting to disembark from Gozo ferries. In this sense, Gozo Channel employees should exercise more discipline on their passengers and, if need be, should also be empowered to inform policemen or wardens stationed on the quays about the matter. The practice is dangerous just as much as it is unhealthy for people who have to inhale exhaust fumes in an enclosed space.

n The zebra crossing opposite the HSBC branch in Xaghra is wrongly-placed. It is right at the corner, creating a potential hazard for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers coming up from Ramla Bay wanting to turn left to leave the village cannot see the whole zebra crossing before actually coming face to face with it. One believes that it should be moved several metres up the road.

n Unions have done sterling work to protect the rights of workers. But it is extremely frustration for bank customers to see cashiers going off for their break, closing down their cashpoint without being replaced by others. This is more so when there are some 20 to 30 people waiting to be served. There have been many cases where in spite of having, say, four counters, only two are manned at a given time.

n Bank customers wonder why, for example, a cashier goes on break at 9am, barely an hour after the bank opens. Considering that bank opening hours are extremely limited in Malta – abroad banks remain open for a longer time – one questions whether bank employees should have breaks. If it is not possible to change this situation, then we suggest that cashiers who go for their break are immediately replaced.

n People walking along the Sliema and St Julian’s front have noticed that several stalls are being put up every evening with persons selling all kinds of wares. The situation could quickly degenerate to having another open market. Do the owners of such stalls have the necessary permits – from the police or local councils – to do such a thing? Is a permit needed, or can one simply turn up with his or her wares to sell them?

n The Corinthia Jerma Hotel animation staff deserve a pat on the back for the good work they do. They are always helpful, and especially give parents time to relax while their children are well taken care of. The entertainment and games they provide – not only for children – is added value. What’s more, they do their job with a smile.

n This is another perfect example of inequality and injustice in our income tax regulations. A teacher in a state school or at the Institute of Tourism Studies, who undertakes part-time employment at the University, Junior College, MCAST or evening classes, is charged 35 per cent income tax on his earnings. A teacher in a church or independent school who carries out the same part-time employment is taxed at 15 per cent. Why is there such an anomaly?

n The water supply to Mtarfa was cut for at least 48 hours last week, residents reported. Should something like this happen in this day and age? The residents said that if something was so terribly wrong, why did it take so long for the work to be carried out? Water is a commodity that one cannot live without.

n The bus shelter near the San Giljan waterpolo club was being installed last week. This should have formed part of the St Julian’s embellishment project that was “completed” and “inaugurated” several months ago. But at least, the shelter has been constructed. Better late than never. One now hopes that another bus shelter, at Spinola Bay, is also built for the convenience of would-be passengers.

n Last Thursday, heaps of dead grass which had just been cut were left on the side of the road and the pavements on the Salina coast road. The good work that was carried out was countered by the fact that the wind could have scattered the debris all over the place, and in fact some of it did dirty the road in question. Wouldn’t it have been better to remove it and dispose of it accordingly?

n Wardens seem to be extremely keen on booking motorists caught using their mobile phone while driving. Fair enough. But they should also keep an eye on other dangerous behaviour on the roads. For example, one day last week a mother was seen driving a soft-top jeep in the Bugibba area with her toddler standing in-between the two front seats. A sudden brake could have had tragic consequences.

n The potholes at the end of the Santa Venera tunnels on the way to the university are growing bigger every day. Drivers risk losing control if they drive over them or an accident if they turn suddenly towards the left to avoid them. They should be repaired as soon as possible – obviously some time when the traffic flow is low so as not to cause any inconvenience than necessary.

n One cannot help but notice the foul smell as one is driving through the Marsascala by-pass. It is not the waste recycling plant that is causing such a bad odour, because one is hit by nauseous whiffs before one reaches the plant. The probability is that the smell is of manure that is used in fields adjacent to the road. Considering that Marsascala is a place frequented by thousands in the summer, one hopes that alternative solutions are found.

n Television stations tend to repeat their news in brief in the morning. To save time and probably expense, the items as read the day before are repeated the following day. This means that there are some confusing moments as to whether something happened on the day it is being broadcast or whether it was the day before.

n This “misunderstanding” was perfectly exemplified on Super One TV one day last week. At 7.10am, the station repeated the previous evening’s news bulletin, preceded by the screening of the time as is customary before the news. The time shown was 7.30, that is 20 minutes “ahead” of the real time. Some people must have rushed out of bed thinking they were going to be late for work.

g Wied Blandun Street in Fgura has been turned into a one-way street. But one believes that the new traffic arrangements are the opposite of what they should be. What should have been prohibited is the flow of cars coming up onto the main intersection, not that of cars going into the street. It is extremely dangerous for cars coming up this road to make their way onto the main street, and yet this continues to be allowed.

g While speaking about Fgura, one again questions the number of pedestrian crossings that disrupt the traffic flow so much. Traffic moves at a snail’s pace in this area, mostly because of the lights system. What is even more annoying for drivers is that, in spite of these frequent stoppages because of the lights, many people ignore them and cross the road in other areas.

g More and more illegal immigrants have made their way into Malta over the past week, bringing the Safi barracks, where most are held, to maximum capacity. The government needs all the help it can get, particularly from the European Union, to deal with a problem that is fast becoming untenable. One hopes that the EU will not turn its back on us at this time of need.

g The problems experienced at the Malta International Airport by travellers last Tuesday – as reported by TMID – should make the powers that be react to improve the situation. Other travellers who phoned this newspaper said that they can’t see why there are four conveyer belts that carry luggage in the arrivals area but only one is used. One of them said that there was an occasion in which the luggage of three incoming flights were put on this one conveyor belt at the same time.

g Fikus Street in Attard needs to be seen to. Apart from the fact that the road needs to be surfaced, an abandoned field is being used as a rubbish dump. Both issues are causing unnecessary inconvenience to residents. They call on the authorities, including the local council, to arrange their road and ask the owner of the field in question to erect a wall so as to prevent people from disposing of their waste there.

Notwithstanding very clear signs indicating “No Entry”, drivers coming down Republic Street in Valletta keep breaking the law by driving into St Nicholas Street and double yellow lines in the street are consistently being ignored. People living in the area are begging for enforcement. Policemen or wardens are never to be seen and despite various complaints to Valletta local council, the situation has remained unchanged.

Well done to the bright spark who decided that work should be carried out at Pembroke slap bang in the middle of the Olympic Games. For two consecutive Saturdays, residents have been without Melita Cable television service for most of the day. Going after cable theft is ok, and should be praised, but one could at least treat the paying subscribers with a little more respect. Residents are sure this work could have waited a couple of weeks.

While on the subject of Melita Cable TV, subscribers to the Sports Channel welcome the idea of having all English Premier League Games screened every weekend. Some have suggested that, rather than broadcasting matches as a film (not live), Melita should consider screening them all live and letting subscribers decide. Italian football followers also expect that all Italian league games will be shown too.

The new road leading from the Telgha t’Alla u Ommu to the Naxxar-San Gwann road was a good idea. But the problem is, a traffic jam builds up when drivers arrive at the end of the road. This is because there is only one lane, rather than two – one for drivers wanting to turn left to San Gwann and one for others wanting to turn right towards Naxxar. There was enough space to divide the traffic into two lanes, but it was not done.

The pavements leading from Paceville to the centre of St Julian’s are not pushchair-friendly at all. There are steps and gaps, apart from the occasional pothole. This makes walking up or down this road rather difficult for mothers with prams. The authorities responsible for this area should make sure that these problems are addressed, if and when they decide to upgrade this stretch of road.

When is the work in Manwel Dimech Street in Sliema – the part leading from Sliema police station to Balluta – going to be completed? This important artery between Sliema and St Julian’s has been undergoing repair work for months and the end does not seem to be any nearer. Sometimes one wonders why it takes so long to do things in Malta.

A family wanting to have a relaxing afternoon on a private beach in Marsascala last Saturday could not do so because of a larger family who took up sunbeds nearby, and who made too much noise for hours on end. Apart from shouting (or shall we say talking loudly), this family even played the radio at full blast. They would have been perfect candidates for a fine because of noise pollution.

Policemen did the right thing in asking people to move away from the railings overlooking the area in Spinola Bay, St Julian’s, where a fireworks display was being held last Saturday. But then it was not good to see young children very close to the adults who were lighting the fireworks. The lighting of fireworks is always a dangerous exercise, and all necessary precautions must be taken.

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g What about planting some fir trees in the new Salini-Naxxar road? The dividing lane could also accommodate more of our green friends, which are most welcome especially in summer. And, drivers ask, when are the roundabouts going to be done? One suggests that rather than having expensive flowers that last a few weeks, trees like yuccas and firs should be planted. They require no looking after except the occasional wise pruning.

g Drivers on their way to the Three Cities last Saturday morning were stopped by panicky people shouting at the top of their voices near the school opposite the mosque. Many thought that someone needed urgent assistance and slowed down or stopped, only to find out that the shouting youngsters were promoting a car wash. One understands it was all for charity, but these people should have advertised their noble cause with more care. They risked causing accidents.

g It is extremely sad that, once again, the Maltese national football side was humiliated. This time it was Sweden’s turn to bring the worst out of our lads, hammering seven goals. It was the worst result of the weekend in all European international matches and, worse still, it was obtained on home soil. When is the Malta Football Association’s investment going to start reaping some fruit?

g In sharp contrast, the national waterpolo team is doing well in the European B championships being held in Turkey. The three victories achieved so far show continuity as the Maltese national side had done similarly well two years ago when it had finished in third place in Sweden. One hopes that Pierre Borg’s team will once again make Malta proud. It has all the credentials to do so.

g It is good to note that works are currently in hand to clean up the Salina area to reduce, possibly eliminate, the bad odours that emanate because of the waste that has accumulated over the years. Once the work is completed, it is hoped that it will not take decades before the area is seen to again. The channel surrounding the saltpans should be cleaned regularly.

g The second Air Malta emergency landing in three weeks is not something that the national airline needed. The airline should do all that is possible to make sure that such incidents are not repeated as they could dent its otherwise excellent reputation. Two accidents in a row are not good for the airline’s credibility.

g The number of cases involving child abuse are, unfortunately, on the rise. An appeal is lodged to all those who know of such cases to inform the competent authorities about them. Children should get all the necessary protection, and often are helpless and keep silent when they are abused for fear that it could get worse. Responsible adults could and should do their best to help them out.

g The uprooting of trees in Mellieha early last week is an act that must be condemned. But it also brings to the fore our lack of discipline. Many might suggest that wardens or rangers should patrol similar areas as a deterrent but, one asks, why should we do this to ourselves in the first place? Why should our loveliest areas have to be patrolled in order to remain untouched?

g The setting up of a committee to coordinate the administration of local and regional libraries is welcome news indeed. Its terms of reference include an emphasis on marketing the libraries’ facilities to attract as many readers as possible. Needless to say, it is important that reading should play an important part in everyone’s life. The earlier one starts reading, the better, and therefore children should always be encouraged to spend some time reading a book.

• To make matters worse for this resident, on Saturday 4 September he received somebody else’s mail – which happened to be a medical report – only because it had the same house name. The resident said he expects a better service from the postal authorities. More importantly, extreme care should be taken when handling important documents such as medical reports.

• Anyone who wants to sell a car brought into Malta duty free cannot do so until the duty has been paid on it. Fair enough. But one person has been trying to pay the duty due for several months now, but he is always sent from one department to another without anyone seemingly knowing what needs to be done. Several letters have been sent, but he is no closer to being able to pay.

• What is even more ridiculous is that the insurance and road licence of this car expired some weeks ago and therefore it can no longer be driven around. The owner leaves it near his house without using it, but the problem is that local wardens who do not know about his plight threaten to issue a ticket because the licence has not been paid. The man does not want to pay his insurance and licence. All he wants to do is pay the duty and sell the car.

• A lot of work has been carried out to clean water channels in expectation of the September storms. Yet why has the empty reservoir at Msida not been swept clean? It is full of caked mud and assorted rubbish. A good day’s work would see to the problem – and the sooner the better. We have already had one storm last Wednesday.

• Can anyone explain why if a book is ordered from Amazon UK, Malta is not considered to be part of Europe and a whopping charge has to be paid, while if one orders from Amazon USA, Malta is considered part of Europe, and the charges are far more sensible? It may take longer to arrive but the savings are huge!

• The daily PBS programme L-Ghodwa t-Tajba invariably starts a few minutes late. Every day. Sometimes it starts at 7.05am (instead of 7am), at other times it starts at 7.15am. Can PBS not do something about this unfortunate practice? It put the national television station in a bad light. Punctuality on TV is an important ingredient.

• While talking about L-Ghodwa t-Tajba, it would be a good idea if PBS updated its footage. Over recent weeks, the footage that accompanied reports about waterpolo was filmed some years ago. In fact, some of the players who are seen in the water have either changed club or even retired. It is about time that more recent clips are shown.

• Keeping our public areas clean should be the responsibility of each and every citizen. A couple who were eating take-away food in Ta’ Xbiex last week apparently have other ideas. They were sitting on a bench that was within a few metres of a rubbish bin. Yet, when they finished their food, they dumped the cartons on the rocks nearby.

xyz The fight that broke out during the Zabbar feast is a shameful episode that once again brought to the fore the enormous pique that exists in some localities, if not all. Feasts are supposed to be religious manifestations but unfortunately over the years they have been turned into activities that have nothing to do with religion. Getting drunk and making a fool of oneself is the order of the day in all the feasts. So sad.

xyz Pretty soon the scholastic year will start. At Msida the huge numbers of Junior College students will make it almost impossible to board buses at the bus-stop close to the traffic lights. This happens regularly in the afternoon. Would it not be possible for the transport authority to organise just three or four buses leaving from the college area and directed respectively to Valletta. Sliema, Paola and Mosta? These would take a good number of students and the buses could still pick up other passengers on the way.

xyz In recent years, the huge numbers of students leaving the Junior College from 2pm onwards have been creating huge traffic jams. This is because it takes quite a while for these students to board their respective bus and pay for their ticket. If the suggestion made above cannot be implemented, cannot buses be made to use the bus lane in front of the Bank of Valletta building? This would ensure a better flow of traffic.

xyz The Health Department and the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises are again at loggerheads over the smoking ban in places of entertainment. What seems to be the difference now is that the department is adamant not to go back on its word. The regulations will come into force on 5 October. As was said during the department’s press conference, there should be no compromise on health matters.

xyz The announcement that some 30,000 gas cylinders will be removed from the market by Enemalta Corporation, after they were found to be of inferior quality to what had been agreed with the supplier, was given without creating any panic. In other circumstances, there would have been widespread rumours that would have created confusion, misunderstanding and alarm.

xyz Car Free Day will be held on Wednesday. One wonders what one day without cars in a limited number of roads will do to make us breathe better air. For many, the closure of major roads will be of inconvenience, and a longer route will possibly mean that more fuel will be utilised and therefore the whole purpose of such an activity will be defeated.

xyz The idea to utilise the gases emanating from the Maghtab landfill to generate energy and the subsequent conversion of the site into a recreational area is commendable. One hopes that the project will start as soon as possible so that one of the worst eyesores on the Maltese islands – probably the worst – will be eliminated as quickly as possible. At least we would be obtaining something positive from something so negative.

xyz Why is it that Italian Serie A football matches transmitted on the Sports Channel sometimes have commentaries in English? Although the commentators know the game well, hearing them talk in English about Italian football is rather funny. Their pronunciation of the players’ names is hilarious too.

• One day during the past week the Nickelodeon channel on Melita Cable TV (Channel 40) transmitted programmes in a language that was not English. It could have been Dutch. Children watching this channel at the time were asking their parents what was going wrong. Luckily, it did not take long for someone to realise the error.

• Many motorists who could not drive through St Anne Street in Floriana last Wednesday, Car Free Day, made use of the bus lane leading from Portes des Bombes towards the Sarria area. One wonders how much money could have been made in fines on that day. Or did the police and the wardens turn a blind eye so as not to frustrate the already irritated drivers?

• A popular Italia Uno programme, broadcast at 1pm on a Sunday, includes the participation of an actor who imitates, mimics and practically ridicules the Italian President, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, with particular reference to his love for the Livorno team. One wonders what would happen in Malta if someone came up with such an idea about our President – or about any politician for that matter. When are we going to learn to laugh at ourselves?

• The billboard for Blood Brothers near the Millennia Building on 13 December Road in Marsa, advertises a play which apparently took place in May. While on the subject of billboards, it must be pointed out that the people who replace the posters near the traffic lights where the Shoe Mark shop is (opposite the Addolorata Cemetery) merely dump the old posters in the rubbish dump which has developed behind these billboards.

• The new Salina-Naxxar road has a dangerous spot where the road from Burmarrad joins it. Cars are supposed to go down towards St Paul’s Bay and then round a roundabout to go up to Naxxar. Many wise guys are cutting across, thus entering into the stream of cars over a solid white line. If the kerb dividing the road is lengthened by just three metres, this would not be possible. A warden placed there would also earn his pay in less than an hour.

• Thousands of children return to school today or later this week after the summer holidays. The number of coaches, buses and cars in the streets in the mornings and in the afternoons will increase considerably. One can never appeal too much for careful driving, particularly in the vicinity of schools. It is better to arrive late than never, as the saying goes.

• Dispensing machines – those from which chocolates, drinks and cigarettes are available – should be kept in good working order and with sufficient coins for them to be able to give change. It has happened too many times that the machine will take in the money and then either not give the item requested, or have no change available.

g Apart from noticing these infringements committed by bus drivers, well-placed wardens would also be able to fine

those many drivers who

turn down to Msida from Guardamangia Hill. This small stretch is very dangerous considering that cars would be going in the reverse direction.

g A driver of a minibus (number supplied) seemed to be quite happy to put his life and that of his passengers at risk by overtaking on the “accident black spot” at Ghallis, on the Salina coast road last Wednesday. Was it some sort of poetic justice that on Friday morning he was spotted being towed along the coast road by another minibus?

g If the authorities think that the above-mentioned corner is a danger then why do they not take extra efforts to protect those careful drivers from the maniacs who drive along it as though they were Formula One drivers? Perhaps some flexible posts

to separate the two

carriageways – the present chevrons are regarded as

artwork rather than warning.

g Enemalta rightly complains that the price of fuel keeps rising and, as a consequence, its expenses to produce electricity are on the rise too. Then why, one asks, were the street-lights on the Sliema front, near the Tower Road swings, on at 6pm last Saturday, when the sun was still shining brightly. Is it a case that the timer is already set to standard time?

g While talking about electricity, one must point out that the lighting system at the Tower Road swings is rather poor. The number of lamp-posts is not enough to cover the whole area. If no more are to be placed, then shouldn’t the brightness of the existing ones be increased so as to enable the children playing and the parents watching them to do so without having to look downwards so as not to stumble into anything?

g It is a good idea that there is the intention of issuing licences for pets. It must be said that several animals, in particular dogs, are kept in flats without the consent of the neighbours. Barking at odd hours, including late at night or during siesta time in the afternoon, is a real nuisance. The issuing of a licence might perhaps be a deterrent against such abuse.

g The smoking regulations in places of entertainment will come into force tomorrow. In spite of the tough stand taken by the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, the government has stood firm on a matter that is extremely important. Health should always come before everything else, and the government is right in taking the bull by the horns.

g Taxi drivers have been seen washing their vehicles in the middle of Paceville – yes, right in the main square – one night last week. One wonders whether they should be doing this,

especially when at the time there will be thousands of young

people and tourists in the area. What happens if, while they are washing the car, someone turns up for a trip? Will they

finish their job before giving the

service?

g The abandoned car that was highlighted in this column last week – the one that was left under the Regional Road Bridge in St Julian’s right through

summer – was towed away. Well done to the authorities who heeded our complaint.

• Several new bus routes have begun operating to the university, following the agreement reached between the government and the Public Transport Association. Marsascala has, unfortunately, been singled out in this regard, as there is no trip from there to Tal-Qroqq. This means that students from Marsascala have to find their way to Zabbar before catching a direct bus to the university. Or else they have to go there the traditional way, via Valletta…

• Last Friday, Xarabank aired features related to cosmetic surgery, all starting with a close up of the Saint James Hospital and or Transforma Logo. This, as far as we know, is direct advertising. Moreover, the girl interviewing the patients kept mentioning the names, too. If this was done by any other programme, the producers would have been fined. Is the same going to happen to Xarabank? In fact, this matter was even mentioned on the Xarabank forum site... one person asked: “how come all this ‘blatant’ advertising”?

• Is there some kind of medical board that monitors the people who perform cosmetic surgery in the private sector? Does this medical board, if it exists, insist that doctors carrying out such operations are fully qualified to do so, as is the

custom in the public health sector?

• Well done to both the national football team and the under 21 team who obtained positive results in their matches over the weekend with their Icelandic counterparts. It has been a long time since both teams managed to avoid defeat. Not conceding a goal in either of the matches was also another feat. Let’s hope that this is not a one-off thing. The games against Bulgaria this week are important tests, but approaching them after such good results could give the Maltese teams more confidence.

• There can be no words of praise for the PBS cameraman filming the Malta-Iceland Under 21 match. More often than not he completely “lost” the ball, meaning that he could not keep up with the flow of the game. The match was not one of the fastest, and yet there were many times when the ball was not in the screen.

• The same goes for the commentator of the same match. Apart from mixing up the names of the Icelandic players several times – here we do not really blame him, considering that they were all were difficult to pronounce – his expressions left much to be desired. At one point he said “advance forward” – can anyone advance backwards? – and on another occasion he said “a duel among three” – have you ever seen one?

• Melita Cable TV does not seem to like Italian football followers. In fact, it prefers to screen more English football games than Italian Serie A matches. The weekend before last, seven live English Premiership matches were shown as opposed to only three from the Italian championship. Are Italian football followers not entitled to the same service as their “English” counterparts?

• Last Saturday, Melita Cable also “lost” the Rai Uno signal for some time after 9pm, which meant that the first 13 minutes of the Slovenia-Italy football match were not shown. It is not the first time that this has happened when there is a football game. If there is a change in the signal, it should not take 13 minutes to switch from one to the other.

• If there is a place where traffic lights are needed to control the flow better than at present, this place is near the old football stadium in Gzira. If traffic lights cannot be installed for some reason, then one should think of having a roundabout – perhaps one of the modern “flat” ones.

• Did you see Dejjem Tieghek Becky on Sunday, 17 October? The first scene, which lasted about five minutes, was shot inside a car driven by Eileen Montesin. Her passenger (Lino Mintoff) all throughout was not wearing a safety-belt. This was a traffic contravention broadcast on the national public television station. Was anyone booked? Shouldn’t teleserials be used to give good examples? Does the Broadcasting Authority come into this?

• Tista’ Tkun Int is back on the airwaves. Unfortunately, one may add. The way the producers take advantage of people’s weaknesses, difficulties and heartbreaking stories for their benefit is not something that can be commended. Of course, all this is hidden behind prizes and gifts, and the producers will say that they are doing a lot of good. Point taken. But should these persons’ vulnerability be exposed just for the sake of having a show?

• Step forward anybody who has seen an improvement in the bus service following the latest agreement. Certainly it will not be the hundreds who every hour are clogging the bus stops when the Junior College lessons finish on the hour. Certainly not those who see buses with new numbers (eg. 59) pass by without any inkling of their destination and which does not even appear on the bus association website. Certainly not those who have to pass through the jungle at City Gate to look for their bus.

• Melita Cable is working on introducing digital television, a concept that will be introduced early next year. The sooner the better, some will argue. Those watching Canale 5 last Wednesday – during the Champions League game being broadcast live – had to endure long minutes of substandard vision. In some instances, the screen went completely blank. Are customers entitled for a refund because of this poor service?

• Several complaints reached The Malta Independent offices about a number of young people who are pestering tourists, particularly in the Bugibba area, in a bid to sell timeshare apartments. This is not the way to attract more visitors to our islands. The Malta Tourism Authority must do everything in its power to control such abuse that is giving Malta a bad name. We want tourists to return for another holiday.

• Malta was this week named among the top five film holiday countries. One believes that more work needs to be done to attract more film producers to our island. The filming of Troy and Gladiator put Malta on the map quite recently, and we are still reaping the results of those successes. Yet, we must keep the momentum going. We cannot simply rest on our laurels, and must work hard to bring over more of such productions.

• The Malta Environment and Planning Authority should not be proud of the fact that, more than a month after it had turned down the proposal for the development of a golf course at Verdala, entrepreneur Angelo Xuereb still had not received its official decision. One expects more efficiency from an organisation that prides itself of being up-to-date.• Last week a number of workmen were seen working at night-time on a Tower Crane at the Strand Sliema, using just a spotlight and some torches. It was the second time that this happened at this particular site. In fact when they were assembling the crane they finished working at about 11pm and then they did not have any lights with them. So much for health and safety practices at the place of work!

• It appears that the slot Almanakk, that was part of the programme L-Ghodwa t-Tajba on Television Malta, has been removed. It has not gone on air for a number of days now. Could it be that the person who was responsible for its production is no longer at PBS? If yes, can’t PBS find someone else to produce a slot that was informative and interesting?

• Residents in Lorenzo Manche Street in Attard have been complaining about a water and/or drainage leakage in their street but nobody seems to have done anything about it. They have informed the local council, the Water Services Corporation and the Health Inspector twice each since August, but until late last week the problem had not been solved. Is someone too dizzy to take notice?

• In yesterday’s Il-Mument, a writer called Stordut took this column to task about the use of the word commodity. He said that the word “commodity” was used wrongly last week in reference to a complaint from Ta’ Xbiex residents about the removal of a telephone box. Well, a quick look at the Oxford Dictionary – the book and on the internet – says that a commodity is “something useful or valuable”. We believe that a telephone box is “something useful”. So Stordut had better look up the meaning of words before passing his remarks.

• Stordut was right about something else though. The Malta Independent did carry a photo of Senglea Point accompanying a letter about Fort St Elmo – our apologies – but Stordut got the date wrong. He wrote “Thursday 29 October” when it should have been “Thursday 28 October”. So, you see, everyone commits mistakes. People in glasshouses should not throw stones.

• Drivers turning into St Margaret Street in San Gwann come face to face with a barrier right in the middle of the road. This barrier is unlit and is a major hazard in the dark. It should either be removed completely or else lit up properly to warn drivers.

g For example, on one show this past weekend, it was said that Henry VIII of England had eight wives, when in fact he had six. It was also said that the Bush-Gorbachev summit was held in Malta in 1988 when in fact it took place in 1989. Children hearing this on television might use this information in their school work, and lose marks. What is said on television often sticks in the mind more than what is said at school, and therefore everyone involved must be extremely careful.

g The book fair, that came to an end at the Naxxar Fair grounds yesterday, was a success. Hundreds of books were sold and it was good to see so many parents buying publications for their young ones. In this technological age, books have unfortunately made way for computers, the Internet and television. Parents should, however, make it a point that their children read for at least 30 minutes a day. Nothing replaces a good book.

g The large pot-hole on the way to San Gwann from St Julian’s – that was featured together with a photo in this column last week – was repaired on the same day that the comment was published. Well done to whoever was responsible for the job. When the authorities respond to complaints in the media so quickly, they should be praised. It is hoped that their reaction to other matters is just as fast. It would make life so much easier.

g The Broadcasting Authority has issued guidelines to producers on the way in which certain subjects should be tackled. They made particular reference to the exposure of children on television. The BA should, however, pay more attention to certain programmes in which children share delicate stories with viewers. Sometimes telling one’s story on television can lead to repercussions. Adults find it hard to handle the situation; it is worse for children.

g Wardens are doing a good job in stopping drivers who are not wearing seat-belts or who use their mobile phones while driving. They should, however, be more on the alert about other infringements, such as the transporting of open skips. These are sometimes left uncovered when the law clearly stipulates that they should be.

g The news that part of the fines for littering – that are about to be increased – will be directed into an environmental fund that will be made available for projects submitted by non-governmental organisations is most welcome. It is about time that people who cause so much damage to the environment pay the price for their misbehaviour. One hopes that the money they pay in fines does not take long to make its way to organisations willing to work on projects to enhance the environment.

g It has been reported that the smoking ban that was introduced last month has heavily affected sales in bars, coffee shops and nightclubs. On the other hand, it must be said that the ban has created a healthier environment in these places. There should never be a compromise in health matters.

Throughout the world, traffic deviation signs are placed in such a way so as to warn drivers of an upcoming deviation. Not so in Malta. Here, instead of being placed at least 100 metres away on centre strips or the side of the road they are put bang in the middle of a lane. Isn’t there an authority to monitor these things?

While on traffic deviations, the warden company needs to explain to the warden who accompanies the water truck along the Regional Road that he is not meant to act as a human shield to the truck and that by doing so he is actually breaking the law. Incredible but true! Instead of placing a sign warning drivers well in advance of a deviation he stands in the middle of the lane directing traffic and walks with the truck as it moves forward. Is common sense so lacking in this country?

Work on the pavement leading up to the War Museum in Valletta, along the French Curtain, started in early July. No work was done for six weeks from the beginning of August and workers seem to disappear half way through the morning. It is no surprise that five months later the work is still unfinished. The result? One of the most attractive walks along the bastions was not accessible to tourists and locals alike as the pavement was in shambles for three months during the peak of the tourist season. Is this what is meant by improving our tourist product? Who is responsible for monitoring the works?

Last Saturday, on Super 1’s Bla Agenda, Fr Mark Montebello said that Italian footballer Francesco Totti deserved to be punished for spitting at an opponent during the Euro 2004 competition. A day earlier, he said that Malta should abolish the life sentence policy for murderers. Fr Mark should get his priorities right.

The lower part of Manwel Dimech Street in Sliema – the part leading from the police station to Balluta – has finally been opened after it was resurfaced. The strange thing about it – apart from the long time it took for work on this road to be completed – is that the section from the bridge downwards was not resurfaced, apparently because it falls within the St Julian’s local council boundaries. Shouldn’t there have been more coordination between the two councils on the matter?

It took the St Julian’s local council four days to come up with a statement expressing solidarity with families who needed to be evacuated from a block of apartments in Ta’ Giorni due to a fire. That statement should have been issued on the same day, not four days after the accident.

The help given by the Central Bank of Malta to the police in the form of computers to be used by police in their battle against counterfeit money was welcome news. The police are doing a good job in this regard but need all the assistance they can get. Improved technology makes their work easier and the Central Bank did the right thing in donating the equipment.More than a few months have passed since the promised improvements in the bus service and soon we will have the pleasure of paying 33 per cent extra or the joy of it all. Has any serious monitoring been made about the improvements? Are buses still doing their own things and ailing us when we need them? Why do bus drivers complain about bus lanes when they hardly ever use the bus lane in front of the Bank of Valletta in Msida, creating almighty traffic jams in the afternoons on the hour? And will anybody in this country ever explain the farce of the ticketing machines? Have they really improved anything at all?

A few items about television. At about 3pm yesterday week, a TV personality was being interviewed on Net TV. The lady in question was making use of a swing in a public playground. These swings are reserved exclusively for children, and should not be used by people over 15 years of age. As such, she was contravening the law and, more than this, giving a bad example. Television programmes are there to educate but, in this case, it was an example of what adults should not do.

A programme on foreign football on Smash TV last week showed footage taken from another television station. Does this not break the copyright law? As for the programme itself, the discussion was very poor indeed.

Another one about Net TV. The quality of some of the footage shown last Saturday during the afternoon programme left much to be desired. Does not the producer view the footage before it is screened on TV? If he or she did, it would have been realised that it should have never been broadcast.

The Malta Labour Party last Wednesday emailed a copy of Dr Alfred Sant’s speech in reply to the budget before the MLP leader started delivering it. Well done to the PR department to have made our job easier. It was much better than going to obtain a copy of the budget speech in English – as was usually the case – and finding that this year it was only written in Maltese.

Residents of Mqabba have complained that truckloads of construction waste are being transported to be disposed of in unused quarries without being adequately covered. On a windy day, the areas concerned are covered in dust, which then filters into the houses nearby. The authorities concerned would be doing a good job if they monitor the situation and see that the laws are followed.

A complaint has also been received from a resident who lives close to the Attard church. Apparently someone reserves a parking space by placing stones in front of his or her house and then, on his or her return, the stones are removed for the car to be parked there. Is the Attard local council aware of this situation?