Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/429113
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2014 36 THIS WEEK Especially when compared to their flashy, extrovert cousins the butterfies, most moths are decidedly drab. Their palette is generally a subdued array of browns, greys and blacks, but it makes sense: considering that moths fly mostly by night, what's the point of being colourful if it's going to be dark anyway. So it's better to have earthy colours so that they are well camouflaged by day, when they're asleep on a branch or dead leaf. But there are exceptions to every rule. Some moths are active by day, and today's beauty is one of these. The Crimson-speckled Moth (M: Sbejha) is one of my personal favourites of the insect world. Petite and delicately flecked in red and black on a white background, it looks almost like a Photoshop job. But happily the moth really looks like that, and you can maybe spot her out there right now flitting from shrub to flower making the best of the balmy autumn weather. One of the main foodplants of the Crimson- speckled's caterpillar is Borage, a plant often regarded as a weed and sprayed into oblivion by zealous verge 'cleaners'. Robbed of their sustenance, the caterpillars starve and what is already a rare species becomes even rarer. 433. CRIMSON-SPECKLED MOTH GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 335: READ MORE – Download the full report from https://www.foeeurope.org/hidden-cost-eu-trade-deals New research reveals that European governments have already paid at least €3.5 billion to private investors due to a clause in international trade deals. The mechanism – known as 'investor-state dispute settlement' – is set to become more widely used if EU trade deals with Canada and the US go ahead as planned. The new analysis by Friends of the Earth Europe shows the extent to which the inclusion of these special rights for investors in previous trade treaties has allowed corporations to sue European governments in secret courts. This phenomenon risks dramatic expansion given the unprecedented scale of the EU-Canada and EU-US trade agreements. The investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism provides a way for corporations to seek compensation from governments if new laws get in the way of their returns on investment. According to the research, Eastern European member states have been hit hardest by claims for compensation. Poland tops the table, having reached a settlement for €2 billion with Eureko, a Dutch insurance company. Environment-related laws are the most often challenged legislation, accounting for two thirds of cases recorded. The research encompasses 127 investor-state dispute cases from bilateral investment treaties and other international treaties. Given the secretive nature of the arbitration process, some information on the amounts claimed for and awarded to companies is not available. There is widespread public opposition to privileged rights for investors. In acknowledgment of the controversy surrounding ISDS, the European Commission was forced to hold a public consultation earlier this year to which some 140,000 of the 150,000 responses expressed a clear "no to ISDS". The final consultation results have not yet been published by the European Commission. A petition opposing the EU-US and EU- Canada trade deals today exceeded one million signatures. The petition was launched by the Stop TTIP Coalition after their application for an official European Citizens' Initiative was rejected by the European Commission in early September. It passed the million-signature mark in less than two months – faster than any official European Citizens' Initiative. New report: 'The hidden cost of EU trade deals' Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). Text and photo Victor Falzon FLIMKIEN ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) is opening the Christmas season with an evening of festive food and music at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat. The Priory is not usually open to the public, but on December 12 the friars of the Augustinian Priory will be opening their doors exclusively to guests of FAA, who will enjoy a candlelit carols concert and Christmas dinner. The VOCA Choir will open the evening with a celebra- tion of Christmas music at St Mark's Church, built in 1588 by Girolamo Cassar. Follow- ing the concert, guests will be invited to continue the evening in the cloister sur- rounding the central court- yard of the Priory built by Andrea Belli in 1740. Wel- come drinks will be served on arrival and four-course Christmas meal inclusive of coffee, wine and water pre- pared by Belgian caterer Bart Saive will then be served in the cloister. Proceeds from the evening will go towards the restora- tion of a magnificent medi- eval four-panel altarpiece which is owned by the Priory. This 15th century piece of art is being restored by an expert restorer sponsored by FAA. |The Priory – home of the Augustinian friars – is situ- ated at Triq Santu Wistin, Rabat (round the corner from the Saqqajja BOV). For more information log on to www.faa.org.mt The call for applications for the Christmas Crib Com- petition organised by Arts Council Malta is now open. The competition has five categories: large mechanical crib, static small crib, static medium crib, static large crib and original crib. Regulations and applica- tions may be collected from Arts Council Malta, 16 MA Vassalli Street, Valletta dur- ing office hours. More infor- mation is also available on the website www.maltacul- ture.com or by email on noel. damato@maltaculture.com. For queries please contact Noel D'Amato on 2339 7040. The deadline for applica- tions is December 11 at 11:00 Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar celebrate Christmas at the Priory National Christmas Crib Competition 2014 Proceeds will be in aid of the restoration of a medieval four-panel altarpiece Mechanical Cribs by Giovan Muscat, photo by Alan Carville