Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Small fire at ElectroGas controlled in minutes
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fFiq9U
via IFTTT
MPs urged to use good sense in hospitals’ contract debate agreement
Speaker Anglu Farrugia urges government and opposition members of the public accounts committee to use their good sense on decision as to whether to discuss government contract with Vitals Global Healthcare
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2fShayR
via IFTTT
Spiteri puts Sliema in fourth round
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fSbwfS
via IFTTT
Justyne Caruana highlights shortcomings found in homes for the elderly following investigations
Parliamentary secretary for active ageing Justyne Caruana revealed this evening that a total of 63 inspections of private or government-contracted old peoples' homes found a number of shortcomings.
Her comments were made this evening during a parliamentary debate on the introduction of the Homes for Older Persons (Care Quality Standards) Authority Bill. In relation to the shortcomings found in various old peoples' homes, Dr Caruana said that without a regulatory authority, such as the one that was debated this evening, it is not possible to take action on those homes for the elderly.
She added that it would act as a watchdog and oversee that elderly persons are living in dignified conditions in line with quality standards.
Dr Caruana explained that the Authority would provide a legal framework for the day-to-day operations and management of care and nursing homes for the elderly.
"Today, we are walking the talk," she said.
Nationalist Party speaker for social police Paula Mifsud Bonnici cautioned against a clause that would allow MPs, who are not parliamentary secretaries or ministries, to be members of the Authority.
She said that this would open up room for abuse and could create conflicts of interest.
Dr Caruana asked her to substantiate her claim by naming an MP that has the intention of joining the Authority and how that could be an issue. She also said that it is not the relevant Ministry that gives instruction to the Authority, but the other way round.
Mrs Mifsud Bonnici said that she does not need to substantiate her claim because the law allows for this situation to occur.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2g7KleY
via IFTTT
Shortcomings uncovered during inspections at old people’s homes
A series of shortcomings uncovered during 63 inspections at old people's homes could not be tackled as there currently is no regulatory authority
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2fEOvi2
via IFTTT
Nearly half of cases of fraud investigated found in breach of the law
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2glKWMO
via IFTTT
Helena Dalli wins Hero of the Year Award
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gGSMkR
via IFTTT
Debate on changes to Maltese Language Council composition postponed
Parliamentary committee debating proposed changes to Maltese Language Act agrees to postpone to next week discussion on changes proposed by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo on the composition of the Maltese Language Council
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2g7CNsM
via IFTTT
Various shortcomings brought up during inspections of old peoples' homes
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2glAxB6
via IFTTT
Football FA Trophy: Lija beat Pieta Hotspurs to progress
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2glELbO
via IFTTT
Cases of benefit fraud at 292 between January and June of 2016, estimated €1,611,461 saved
In the first half of 2016, 613 cases of benefit fraud were investigated, 292 of which were found to have broken social security laws. This has led to savings of €1,611,461.
The information came to light in the form of a parliamentary question put forward by Labour Party MP Anthony Agius Decelis. Family Minister Michael Farrugia revealed that the benefits fraud investigation department had received 357 reports of alleged benefits fraud.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gyx9jS
via IFTTT
Lino Farrugia Sacco withdraws candidature for ASA president
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gyuerm
via IFTTT
Joe Caruana Curran remains ASA president as Farrugia Sacco withdraws candidature
Joe Caruana Curran (left) will remain president of the Aquatic Sports Association for another three years after Lino Farrugia Sacco (right) withdrew his nomination.
The nomination was withdrawn via a letter former judge Farrugia Sacco presented this evening at the start of the association's general meeting.
The reasons for the withdrawal were not made public, but it was clear that Mr Caruana Curran enjoyed more support from the clubs.
Under his guidance, the Maltese waterpolo team earned its first ever participation at the European championships, which were held in Serbia earlier this year.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2glpsQe
via IFTTT
Average annual wage for 2015 at €20,460
The average wage in Malta as of 2015 stood at €20,460, an increase of €2,483 from 2010. This information came to light in the form of a parliamentary question put forward by Nationalist Party (PN) MP Claudio Grech.
The average wage between for the five year period in question is as follows: 2010 – €7,976.92, 2011 – €18,609.51, 2012 – €19,273.96, 2013 – €19,686.52, 2014 – €19896.31 and 2015 – €20,460.12
Finance Minister Edward Scicluna tabled the information this evening in parliament.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2g7Ahm0
via IFTTT
Speaker appeals for MPs' good sense to agree on hospitals' contract debate
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gVSHuk
via IFTTT
Speaker sends Vitals contract investigation decision back to PAC
Speaker of the House Anglue Farrugia ruled that it is up to the Public Accounts Committee members to decide whether to agree to the request put forward by the Medical Association of Malta and UHM Voice of the Workers.
The unions in question had put forward a request before the PAC for the Auditor General and the committee itself to investigate the hospitals privatisation contract with Vitals Global Healthcare. Members of PAC could not agree, with Justice Minister Owen Bonnici insisting that the issue be discussed before the health parliamentary committee. In addition to this, Shadow Minister for Health Claudette Buttigieg had withdrew her request for the Vitals contract to be discussed before the health committee.
Dr Farrugia urged for consensus in coming to an agreement on whether to investigate the contract. He said that "In light of a lack of direction, the House is tied to observe the practices of the House of Commons (UK), as a general rule, only those members nominated in the committee may take part in the deliberations of the committee.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gycMDx
via IFTTT
Privileges Committee to consider breach of privilege complaint against Nationalist MP
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2g7h2t7
via IFTTT
AFM officer cleared of tampering with evidence relating to migrant's death
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fM1J7V
via IFTTT
Speaker finds Jason Azzopardi prima facie in breach of privilege over comments on Owen Bonnici
Speaker Anglu Farrugia has found PN MP Jason Azzopardi to be prima facie in breach of parliamentary privilege over comments he made on Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, in which he accused him of lying to Parliament. Soon after the ruling was read out, PN Leader Simon Busuttil said he backed Dr Azzopardi's comments completely and asked that the same ruling be applied to him.
At the start of this evening's sitting, Dr Farrugia asked Dr Azzopardi whether he would be taking back the comment, or at least change it. Dr Azzopardi said he wished he was in a position to do so but could not.
The Speaker said that in light of Jason Azzopardi's refusal to retract his comments he was finding the PN MP prima facie in breach of privilege.
At this point the Opposition Leader stood up in defence of Dr Azzopardi.
This irked the Justice Minister, who said that if the PN Leader was echoing Azzopardi's comments he would file for breach of privilege against the Opposition Leader as well.
Dr Farrugia cautioned all parties, telling them that, while they had a right to criticize they should not resort to insults.
Dr Busuttil took the floor again, reiterating his full backing for Dr Azzopardi's comments. "I am doing this because I believe in freedom of expression. Today, 30 years from the Tal-Barrani events, we have the Justice Minister trying to muzzle us. I want you (the Speaker) to apply the same ruling to me as well."
Dr Bonnici said he was disappointed by the Opposition Leader's attitude. "We come here to work not to be insulted. I will heed the Speaker's advice because I believe that we should rise above petty insults." The Justice Minister said he was not trying to muzzle anyone and said he was only using a procedure Azzopardi himself had used against journalists back in 2010.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2fRuOCo
via IFTTT
Andrews celebrate St Andrew's Day with Ceilidh in St Andrews
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gGpfrH
via IFTTT
Tour operators concerned as Air Malta axes Frankfurt
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gVGohq
via IFTTT
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Stripes dumped out of FA trophy
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gGGHtK
via IFTTT
Claudette Buttigieg displeased with perception that being pro-life is out of fashion
Shadow minister for health Claudette Buttigieg believes that being 'pro-life' has gone "out of fashion", and said that NGOs representing these views should not be simply written off as being old fashioned.
Government whip Godfrey Farrugia cautioned his fellow MPs that allowing embryo freezing was tantamount to being "an accomplice to murder".
The above comments were made this evening in parliament during a debate on the budget estimates of the Embryo Protection Authority.
Mrs Buttigieg asserted that when the issue of embryo freezing was ignited by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat earlier this year, the intention was to deviate from the number of political scandals. She said that parliament was discussing the issue this evening "serenely" due to a report issued on the matter, allowing for calm discussion.
Health Minister Chris Fearne said that currently, there are two frozen embryos at Mater Dei hospital. This is because the mother of the embryos fell seriously unwell after the eggs were extracted and fertilised through an IVF process. Currently, the law allows for embryo freezing in exceptional circumstances such as the one just described.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gh7Bdh
via IFTTT
Do not be an accomplice to murder, Godfrey Farrugia warns MPs
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gGikL9
via IFTTT
Report on public accounts for 2015 shows lack of control in free childcare scheme
The annual audit report on the 2015 Public Accounts was tabled in parliament this evening, with the government praising the transparency being displayed. An audit on the Free Childcare scheme, however, found a somewhat troubling situation with regards the verification of attendance.
A fully automated attendance recording system was implemented and introduced at the start of 2016. The audit showed that the new system only translated into a new set of risks, which still resulted in significant undue payments.
The Foundation for Educational Services was found to be unreliable due to the lack of evidence obtained to confirm that payroll was adequately verified, the audit revealed. It also shows that overtime was approved for payment before it was actually performed.
The report comprises 21 reports on the operations of various ministries, departments and other government entities, including an analysis of the Financial Report 2015.
The National Audit Office (NAO) noted that letters of comfort and bank guarantees, being potential dues by government, reached almost €1.5 billion in 2015 and that substantial excess of expenditure over budgeted figures was reported.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2fIRa5s
via IFTTT
Government issues €921 million in guarantees
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fzw0Mh
via IFTTT
Government issues €921 million in guarantees
The Labour government has issued €921 million in guarantees, including €75.25 million to the Malta Freeport Corpporation and €360 million to Electrogas since coming to power in March 2013, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna told Chris Said (PN) the following guarantees were issued: Enemalta (€179.9 million); Malta Freeport Corporation: ($80 millio); Malta Transport Malta: (€8 million); Enemed: (€8 million); Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools: (€133.2 million); Grand Harbour Regeneration Corportation: (€4.5 million); Malta Enterprise: (€5.5 million); Malta Government Investments: (€8 million); Malta Industrial Parks Ltd: (€46.15 million); Malta Investment Management: (€8 million); Petromal: (€85 million); Public Broadcasting: (€0.33 million) and Electrogas: (€360 million). Two guarantees to Enemalta, amounting to €93.9 million, and those to the Malta Freeport Corporation have since been cancelled. The minister said the guarantees to Malta Transport were needed to secure a loan facility to finance its capital expenditure and secure banking facilities to cover working capital requirements. Guarantees of €66 million was given to Enemalta to finance the interconnector project. A...
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gGgxG8
via IFTTT
Hibernians elimated from FA Trophy
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fNLYkd
via IFTTT
Childcare providers lack adequate oversight, audit report reveals
Auditor General's 2015 public accounts report says that a lack of control over service providers was uncovered during an audit on the Free Childcare Scheme
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2g2UKbz
via IFTTT
Two embryos currently frozen at Mater Dei
Embryo Protection Authority orders freezing of two embryos after the mother fell seriously ill before she could finish IVF treatment cycle
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2fz5Nx6
via IFTTT
Letters of comfort and bank guarantees reach almost €1.5 billion
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2g2KIav
via IFTTT
Simon Busuttil accuses Evarist Bartolo of creating 'obscene precarious jobs'
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gSqyUG
via IFTTT
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets Angela Merkel ahead of Presidency
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has met with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to discuss, among other things, the EU Council Presidency.
This meeting took place after Dr Muscat's visit to meet with the French and Irish leaders. Merkel said she looks forward to the Maltese presidency and said that Malta's geographical position will help with discussing certain agendas, namely immigration.
Joseph Muscat said that the Maltese Presidency will be a pragmatic one. On migration, the two leaders agreed that this is an evolving problem as political instability still reins in Libya.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gSsY5N
via IFTTT
Malta's will be a pragmatic Presidency - Prime Minister
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gSpy39
via IFTTT
Employment Minister requests ruling on claim that he misled parliament over jobs scheme
Education and employment minister Evarist Bartolo has requested a ruling on claims made in parliament this evening by opposition leader Simon Busuttil.
Dr Busuttil said that Mr Bartolo "misled" parliament when he compared the community work scheme introduced by the previous administration with the current scheme that is to be administered by the General Workers' Union.
The opposition leader's claims stem from the fact that under the previous scheme, those who were benefitting from the programme remained on the unemployment registry, therefore they still received state benefits because they were considered to be unemployed.
The difference with the current scheme, Dr Busuttil said, was that those making use of the programme were struck off the unemployment registry, and were therefore considered to be in employment.
When asked if he would consider retracting his claim that the employment minister had misled parliament, Dr Busuttil refused, and said that Mr Bartolo would not respond to his statement because he was unable to.
"The minister wants to avoid answering questions about this obscene scheme he has introduced," he said.
This prompted Mr Bartolo to request a ruling by the Speaker, while transport minister Joe Mizzi requested an additional ruling to ascertain whether the opposition leader could make such statements and whether he could interject and put forward supplementary questions during question time.
The government work scheme being referred to, that is to be administered by the GWU, is a scheme that aims to assist the unemployed. GWU won the government tender for €980 per participant, with the total number of participants estimated to be roughly 600 people. It was found that the GWU would have a surplus of €115 per worker at the end of each month, but would have to incur administrative costs of €110 per worker at the end of each month.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gFQFvc
via IFTTT
Busuttil accuses Bartolo of misleading parliament, avoiding questions on 'obscene' jobless scheme
Evarist Bartolo calls for a Speaker's ruling in parliament after opposition leader Simon Busuttil accused him of misleading the House and trying to hide in bid to avoid answering questions on new scheme administered by the General Worker's Union
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2gttO5E
via IFTTT
Monday, November 28, 2016
Existing Paceville master plan is a "no-go" - Planning parliamentary secretary
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gzBu9k
via IFTTT
Maltese language organisations plead with minister to scrap council amendments
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gpuGby
via IFTTT
Speaker asked to rule as government insists Vitals deal is a health committee issue
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fY53Oj
via IFTTT
Speaker to decide whether investigations into Vitals Healthcare will be by PAC or Health Committee
The Public Accounts Committee was dominated by heated discussions as to whether or not the investigation into the contracts made between the government and Vitals Global Healthcare should be put forward to the aforementioned committee or to the health committee; where it had already been approved for discussion.
The request was put forward by Union Haddiem Maghqudin and the Medical Association of Malta, who both raised concerns regarding Vitals Global Healthcare's ability to raise the necessary financing to make good on its promise to invest about €220 million in the running of the Gozo, Karin Grech and St Luke's hospitals.
It was for this reason that the unions felt that the issue would be better served in front of the PAC rather than the MC; since it is their belief that the issue requires the financial know-how of the committee and the auditor general.
Minister for Justice Owen Bonnici did not believe that the issue should be put before the PAC once the request had already been approved by a separate committee. The medical committee is headed by Labour Whip, Dr Godfrey Farrugia.
Opposition MP Claudio Grech claimed that the minister's opposition to the unions' proposal proved that the government did not want the issue put forward in front of the PAC, chaired by former PN minister Tonio Fenech.
Shadow Health Minister Claudette Buttigieg said that she would be retracting her request for the issue to be discussed by the Parliamentary Health Committee in order for the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the deal on the privatisation of three hospitals
The ruling on the discussion will be decided by the Speaker at a later date.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gc2mf4
via IFTTT
Paceville master plan turns into heated arguments between government and opposition
The Paceville master plan debate in the Environment and Planning Development Committee in Parliament saw heated arguments between government and the opposition, with PN MP Marthese Portelli saying government will be expropriating private land, yet at the same time have developers build on public land.
PN MP Marthese Portelli asked if accurate maps by the lands department representing what is public and private land has been submitted, as well as whether a list of government property and private property and where the master plan intends to change things has been presented. "This exercise was meant to occur between the Lands Department and the Planning Authority".
Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri said that Lands Commissioner Peter Mamo told her this information was already passed to the committee.
Marthese Portelli said she already highlighted that the map is not correct, saying some land is public when it is in fact private. The Lands Department gave wrong information" she said.
Dr Schembri said that Peter Mamo told her that the plans are small and thus there could be overlapping, and for what Dr Portelli wants, a survey that takes a lot of time would need to be conducted. "He said that all the GPD could pass over, given their resources, has already been passed onto this Committee".
Dr Portelli said: "So we are saying the GPD can't do it, and neither do they have the funds for it, yet government has funds for a €300,000 payment to Mott Macdonald. If the Lands Department is not ready to do it, then who will? We are either here to help people, or lump many documents and shut people up".
Dr Schembri said that at the end of the day "we must do things that are possible". She said that the master plan is not about looking at who owns what, but its rather about a concept.
Dr Portelli stressed the importance of a list showing what is private and public land, as the plan indicated there will be a lot of private land that will be taken for open spaces.
MP Mercieca said that he drafted a number of questions for the Committee to help them see where they agree, for the report they need to draft.
Dr Portelli stressed that the master plan must go back to the drawing board. She said that through the plan, government would need to pay for expropriated land. "It will take up a large amount of private property to make open space, yet at the same time there is public property being given to the private sector. So the government is paying private citizens for land, yet throwing away land giving it to private developers. I asked for this list in order to see this more clearly".
Arguments over the questions posed
Both sides agreed that there is need for a holistic plan without any conflict of interest favouring one developer over another, one resident over another etc.
Asked whether the Committee agreed that the infrastructure needs to be improved, both sides agreed, but Dr Portelli added that the same must be done to the surrounding localities, and PL MP Charles Buhagiar argued that the infrastructure projects must be done prior to development occurring.
Asked whether the committee agrees in principle that tall buildings can be built in the area while making open space, the committee hearing quickly deteriorated into a heated argument. The PL members agreed, however PN MP Ryan Callus said that these questions should have been sent to Committee members beforehand. I don't think these questions should be imposed on us as though we are having an exam, like a show. This is not how mature politics is done. I expected that these questions be given to us beforehand, not handed to us here and now.
Chairman Mercieca said that these are simple questions. "Do you agree with tall buildings or not?"
PN MP Callus said that his problem is not with the substance of the questions, but with the way things have been done. "Everyone knows this masterplan is a disaster from top to bottom. We are ready to find a common position, but this is not how things are done".
Dr Portelli said that if the PN does not agree with tall buildings, government will come out saying the PN does not agree. "If the PN says yes, when the new master plan comes out, and if we have objections to some of those tall buildings, government will say we are contradicting each other. This is the crucial point. The crucial question was whether we agree with the concept of a master plan, and yes we do with conditions. You can't ask me about tall buildings as it depends which one, who would pay for the open space etc".
Asked whether there are any sites which are not ideal for tall buildings, Dr Portelli quoted from the Chamber of Architects, that the quantity of development proposed is accommodated without any analysis. PN MP Ryan Callus said this answer can be found, in black and white in the objections put forward by the people.
Parliamentary Deborah Schembri said that government will listen to the people and read their complaints. She said she will take decisions that are needed after hearing and reading all that the public are saying.
Dr Schembri argued that the opposition was not giving a response, however time and time again, PN MPs said that the plan needs to go back to the drawing board, and a more holistic plan that does not prefer one developer over another, one resident over another, be drafted.
In a clear attempt to anger the opposition, Chairman Mercieca said "then to be clear, you agree with all of them but Mercury Tower", to which all the PN MPs objected arguing that this is not what they said.
Dr Portelli argued: "If we want a holistic plan, then we should not choose one site or another, but all of Paceville". She stressed that this is a plan of tall buildings not a holistic plan. "This is even shown in the questions you are asking us, which regard tall buildings".
Dr Schembri argued that it is a holistic plan.
Dr Portelli then asked how the Ground Floor Area worked, given that it benefited Mercury House. She said that all developers must be treated justly when it comes to this ration, and alleged that there is no level playing-field in the current plan.
Both sides agreed that there should be open spaces in Paceville, but PN Portelli said that the Mott MacDonald plan takes away land from private businesses for such space and does not take the small businesses into consideration.
The discussion is still ongoingfrom The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gCHv2H
via IFTTT
Speaker's ruling requested as government insists health committee, not PAC, should investigate VGH deal
Healthcare professionals asked the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the hospitals privatisation deal: but because a request had already been made to the health committee, the government side argued that the matter should be handled by parliament's health committee
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2gpaGWv
via IFTTT
At least 25 Maltese locked up abroad
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gbHkNq
via IFTTT
Council: Amendments to law will take Maltese back 40 years
Maltese Language council accuses Education minister of refusing to consult with those most knowledgeable about Maltese language
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2fFkRVc
via IFTTT
United manager Mourinho charged again by FA
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fXUXwM
via IFTTT
PM meets Hollande in first leg of European tour
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday visited the French President Francois Hollande in the first leg of his tour of European capitals.
In a tweet, Dr Muscat said he had a very focused and productive meeting with President Hollande.
A DOI statement later said that the two discussed the situation in the Mediterranean, the situations in Syria and Libya, and the future of Turkey. The two countries agreed these topics must be given priority during the Maltese presidency.
From Paris, Dr Muscat flew to Dublin where he was to meet the Irish PM Enda Kenny.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gbGCQq
via IFTTT
Jason Azzopardi told to retract claim that Owen Bonnici lied
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2ftGvAB
via IFTTT
Denmark picks eurosceptic as foreign minister
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gbGoJ2
via IFTTT
A Maltese passport is the ninth 'most powerful' in the world
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fXJspg
via IFTTT
Jason Azzopardi ‘in breach of privilege’ over acusations against Owen Bonnici
The speaker of the House of Representatives has ruled that opposition spokesman Jason Azzopardi was in breach of parliamentary privilege when he accused the justice minister of 'lying in parliament' over commissions paid to Henley and Partners
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2gCwYVe
via IFTTT
Speaker says Jason Azzopardi must retract ‘minister lied’ comments made against Justice Minister
Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia declared today that PN MP Jason Azzopardi must retract his statements, that Justice Minister Owen Bonnici lied in Parliament regarding the Henley and Partners Commissions.
Minister for Justice Owen Bonnici had asked the Speaker of the House to investigate what he claimed to be the breach of parliamentary privilege by Shadow Minister Jason Azzopardi.
On more than one occasion, the minister said through his letter to the Speaker, Dr Azzopardi claimed that the Minister lied in Parliament about the commissions handed to Henley and Partners in the citizenship scheme, after it was revealed that Henley and Partners - the concessionaries of Malta's cash for passports scheme - earn 4% commission on the sale of government bonds to those who purchase passports
Speaker Anglu Farrugia read out the request by Dr bonnici. In his letter, the minister also said that Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil had retweeted a number of tweets by Jason Azzopardi, which alleged that the minister was a liar, and as a result of MP Azzopardi's tweet, it was repeated on programmes in the media.
PN MP Azzopardi also asked Speaker Anglu Farrugia to investigate whether, during the PAC meeting in 2015, the minister had lied.
The Speaker quoted from the Committee meetings that took place, as well as the Annual IIP report and other documents. He said that the minister had made clear that there were certain clauses in the contract that could not be published due to commercial sensitivity and competitivity. He also said that PAC Chairman Tonio Fenech had realised, when the minister was being asked about some of these clauses, that they would receive funds from more than the €650,000.
The Speaker ordered that Jason Azzopardi retract the statements at the first chance he has in Parliament when he returns from abroad.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gAgjAp
via IFTTT
Language Council warns that ‘those proposing amendment do not have basic knowledge of Maltese'
The Maltese Language Council is calling on the Minister of Education Evarist Bartolo and the Prime Minister not to go on with the proposed amendments in the Council. In a press conference organised by the Council, Bernard Micallef, the Head of the Maltese Language Department at the University of Malta, said that the proposed changes will weaken the council because the majority of the members will not be qualified. Echoing what Olvin Vella told The Malta Independent in an interview, the number of academics in the Council will not be at a minority.
Dr Micallef explained that the people who suggested these amendments do not have the basic orthographic knowledge to write in Maltese. Holding a press release which announced these changes, Dr Micallef said that the document was filled with spelling mistakes.
The council is calling on the Ministry not to cause useless controversy and not to hinder the harmony and success achieved by the Council throughout its years. Dr Micallef said that this does not only affect academics, but all those who are somehow linked with the Maltese language, including journalists, writers, publishers, translators and teachers. "We are willing to take this issue before the Prime Minister because we believe this is very serios," he explained.
The press conference, attended by Maltese literature giants like Trevor Zahra, Achille Mizzi and Victor Fenech, was also addressed by Olvin Vella from the Akkademja tal-Malti. Dr Vella said that he fears that there are those few ambitious people who want "their language fantasies to materialize," who are drawing the attention and being supported by the Ministry for Education.
When asked by this newspaper to explain who these people really are, Dr Vella said that these are "language Talibans, who want us to go back in time and those detached from reality."
"These are the same people who pretend that the public calls a portions of chips as 'bicciet tal-patata," he added.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2ftydIS
via IFTTT
Two new PN MPs join parliamentary ranks
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gAd1x3
via IFTTT
Murder suspect appears in court with no lawyer
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gyTbGb
via IFTTT
Edwin Vassallo, Peter Micallef attend their first sitting of this legislature
House of Representatives welcomes newly-elected opposition MPs Edwin Vassallo and Peter Micallef
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2fEY1gl
via IFTTT
Lawyers can now sit in on police interrogations
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fJ3ohY
via IFTTT
New PN MPs Edwin Vassallo and Peter Micallef take Parliamentary oath
Edwin Vassallo and Peter Micallef took their oaths in Parliament this evening, following the announcement that they were elected after a Constitional Court ruling on Friday giving the Nationalist Party two extra seats.
The Electoral Commission had met to determine which two candidates who contested on behalf of the PN were to take a seat in the House of Representatives after the court judgment.
Mr Vassallo, who is the Mosta mayor, and Peter Micallef were the two PN candidates who obtained the highest number of votes without being elected.
Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia welcomed the two new MPs to Parliament.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2ftkvG7
via IFTTT
Right to legal aid throughout interrogations or arrest comes into effect
The right to legal aid throughout interrogations or when placed under arrest has come into effect as of today, a press release issued by the justice ministry said this evening.
In addition to this, a number of other rights have also come into effect for persons who are under investigation.
In the press release, it said that such rights have been the norm for a number of years in other advanced countries.
"In this way, we will have a criminal justice system that is trustworthy and that ensures no person will be found guilty in dubious circumstances where there could be reason to doubt whether justice was served or not."
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gozDkK
via IFTTT
Updated | Ohio campus gunman reported killed
At least 8 people have been injured, one of them critically, in the university shooting
from MaltaToday News http://ift.tt/2gA576L
via IFTTT
Seven people sent to hospital after report of Ohio State active shooter
Seven people were sent to the hospital Monday morning after an active shooter was reported on campus, the Columbus Fire Department said shortly after the school sent a series of tweets telling students to shelter in place and to "Run Hide Fight."
Two of those people are in stable condition, the department said. It had no information on the other five people.
Around 10 a.m., the university's emergency management department tweeted "Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College." Watts Hall is a materials science and engineering building.
"Run, hide, fight" is standard protocol for active shooter situations. It means: Run, evacuate if possible; hide, get silently out of view; or fight, as a last resort, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger.
The university followed up with another tweet: "Continue to shelter in place in north campus area. Follow directions of Police on scene." The university asked for anyone with information to call police.
Many police vehicles were at the scene. No other information was immediately available.
With nearly 60,000 students at its main Columbus campus, Ohio State is one of the nation's largest universities.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2ftalFq
via IFTTT
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Music ‘food’ for the brain
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fqE69A
via IFTTT
Organ masterclasses with German musician
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fqE7uf
via IFTTT
Maltese descent
I am looking for the family of Francis John Cutaiar, (or Cutajar), who was born in 1799 or 1800 in Malta. He was my fourth great-grandfather. I have no information on who his parents may have been or where exactly he was born in Malta. He married Amelia Luzenberg, of Alsace, France. I do not have a marriage location or the exact date. He was listed as living in New York City in 1828 with his wife and one daughter, Amelia Cutaiar. From there he moved to Philadelphia, PA and had several more children, including my third great-grandfather, and remained there until he died in 1861. I would love... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gxhO22
via IFTTT
Art exhibition
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gxggVM
via IFTTT
Road plates hazard
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gxlEZc
via IFTTT
Cervantes’s masterpiece under the microscope
On the 400th anniversary of the death of Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, a seminar looking at the impact of his seminal work, Don Quixote, on foreign writers is taking place over the next three evenings. Today's speakers include Hilaire Kallendorf from the Texas A&M University who will be delivering a keynote speech entitled 'Don Quixote in Los Angeles: The First Chicano Novel and Its Cervantine Model'. This will be followed by Peter Vassallo from the University of Malta with theologizing Cervantes's 'Don Quijote: Graham Greene's Monsignor Quixote'. Closing the evening is Pedro Javier Pardo from the Universidad de Salamanca talking on The Pierre Menard Syndrome: Don Quixote, from Book to Myth. Tomorrow's session sees speakers from the University of Malta Adrian Grima, Richard Spiteri and Vincent Vella talking respectively on 'Don Quixote, Madness and the Protagonists of Maltese Reformist Fiction', 'Denis Tillinac: The Don Quixote Myth at the Turn of the 21st Century' and 'Ernesto Panza: The Tale of An Artless Revolutionary'. Independent researcher Marceliano Acevedo will then talk about 'Madame Bovary and Don Quixote: A Personal Relationship'. The seminar draws to a...
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gxnSYl
via IFTTT
Shipping movements
These ships are expected in Malta: The CMA CGM Platon from Mersin to Valencia, the AS Cypria from Tanger Med to Rijeka, the EM Corfu from Aliaga (all CMA CGM Malta Agency Ltd), the MV Euroferry Malta from Salerno to Salerno, the MV Eurocargo Venezia from Genoa to Genoa (both Sullivan Maritime), the Merito from Algiers to Algiers (Thomas Smith Shipping Ltd) and the La Suprema from Genoa to Genoa (Gollcher Co. Ltd) today. The Santa Regula from Koper to Livorno, the Stjerneborg from Tripoli to Tunis, the AHS St Georg from Misurata (all CMA CGM Malta Agency Ltd) and the Antwerp from Bejaia to Skikda (Thomas Smith Shipping Ltd) tomorrow. The Seago Piraeus from Antwerp to Piraeus (Thomas Smith Shipping Ltd), the MSC Katie from Singapore to Barcelona (John Ripard & Son Ltd) and the MV Eurocargo Malta from Genoa to Livorno (Sullivan Maritime) on Thursday.
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fqEepC
via IFTTT
Unbecoming behaviour
It was reported (November 23) that Finance Minister Edward Scicluna is concerned that false rumours would be detrimental to the financial sector and to the Maltese economy. May I remind the minister that what is causing considerable damage to both the financial sector and the Maltese economy is the cavalier attitude to good governance of the Muscat government, which he forms part of, and to the glut of scandals that have become the hallmark of the Muscat administration. The opening of secret companies in Panama by those closest to Joseph Muscat, which behaviour has gone unpunished, together... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fqGAFf
via IFTTT
Vivienne Gatt
Victoria Blackman writes: In November, I lost the best part of my youth. My best friend, Vivienne Gatt, went to meet our Lord. I first met Vivienne and her brother, Mario, when we were circa five years old. Vivienne and I became inseparable during our youth. She was the calm, organised one while I was the impetuous one. We were total opposites in every other way. Like me, she was a great reader and her tastes were eclectic. Vivienne was one of the founders of the Early Teens Centre in San Ġwann. In fact, she was the first secretary and took her job very seriously. This centre was started in our early teens and, together with all our friends, we – well, mainly she and the rest of the committee – organised pageants during Christmas and Easter and held fund-raising activities. Most of our old friends will surely remember the long hikes, the discoes we used to organise and, most of all, the sense of well-being during the evenings that we all spent together when we all gathered at the church hall to hang out and play table tennis. All this happened under the eagle eyes of both Fr Noel Barbara [now Bishop of Kenya] and Fr Publius Mair, who took care of us all. She was loyal to her...
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gxnRUw
via IFTTT
Fillon wins French conservative presidential primary
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2g7CuRp
via IFTTT
Mourinho sent off on bad day for United as Arsenal win again
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fTOlzL
via IFTTT
France: Fillon declares victory in presidential primary
Former Prime Minister Francois Fillon has declared victory in France's first-ever conservative presidential primary, beating a more moderate rival who had warned of encroaching populism.
Fillon enjoyed a surprise surge in popularity in recent weeks over longtime favorite Alain Juppe, also a former prime minister.
Fillon campaigned on promises of drastic free-market reforms, a hard line on immigration and Islam, support for traditional family values and friendlier ties with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
In a victory speech following the primary's runoff election Sunday, Fillon called for unity to defeat the far right and the discredited left.
Polls suggest the 62-year-old Fillon would have a high chance of winning the French presidency in the April-May election, and that his toughest challenge may come from far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2g7FnBM
via IFTTT
Father of Chitty dies
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2gvulHc
via IFTTT
Allegri says Juve needed to commit more fouls
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fBNDWH
via IFTTT
A new side to Spanish
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2fBS83L
via IFTTT
Valletta fire blanks; Kaljevic puts Balzan again at the top
VALLETTA- 0
MOSTA- 0
Mosta: Y. Cini, A. Caruana, T. Grant, K. Magro, E. Vella, D. Xuereb, K. Jackson (K. Frendo), C. McLaren, V. Oseghale (M. Vlcek), N. Priso (B. Meludse), Z. Brincat
Valletta: D. Barktus, J. Caruana, L. Aguirre, V. Alhino, Jhonnattann, U. Uchenna R. Camilleri (R. Romao), S. Borg, L. Cremona (J. Borg), M. Mifsud, S. Malano (R. Fenech)
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst.refs: D. Sultana, W. Debattista
4th official: S. Pace
Yellow cards: N. Priso, C. McLaren, A. Caruana, S. Borg
Player of the match: K. Magro (Mosta)
TMI top 3: 1. K. Magro 2. S. Malano 3. Z. Brincat
Attendance: 711
Valletta's push to keep themselves close to the leading duo were punctured as they were held to a goalless draw by Mosta. They now trail leaders Balzan by five points.
After an evenly balanced first half of few openings, Valletta had so much dominance in the second but failed to create any strong chances.
The Citizens produced a spate of individual skill but did not gel as a team yesterday.
Mosta defended in numbers but never lost their composure although they were found wanting in the final third. They had a lot of positives but in football you have to score.
The teams went into this match in contrasting fortunes. Valletta were unbeaten in six matches while Mosta were winless also in six.
Statistics suggested that Valletta might be a test too far for Ivan Zammit's boys.
Two notable absentees for Valletta were the suspended duo Claudio Pani and Federico Falcone
Mosta stayed composed and defended in numbers, closing spaces at the back. Valletta were only restricted to shoot from a distance. Aguirre's pile drfiver was deflected into a corner and Jhonnattann hit the side netting. Malano's try towards the end of the first half, failed to find the target.
Midway through the half, Mosta's Oseghale failed to capitalise on a Camilleri erratic clearance and he shot wastefully wide.
But otherwise the half did not offer much excitement and the opening 45 minutes were best forgotten by both sides.
Valletta needed to show more urgency in the second half but did not want to be exposed at the back by the mobilty of Jackson, Mc Laren, Oseghale or Priso in the Mosta attack.
Keeping a semblance of self-control was imperative and they started by exerting important authority in midfield,wher Malano was highly involved, pegging Mosta back and keeping confident possession.
On a Jhonnattann cross, Malano headed slightly over.
Past the hour, Valletta effected a double substitution, withdrawing Camilleri and Cremona and putting in Jean Borg and Romeu Romao.
Oseghale limped off for Mosta and was replaced by Martin Vlcek.
On 66 minutes a Caruana short back pass put some pressure on his goalkeeper who rushed off his line to smother the danger before Vlcek could capitalise.
Valletta held to their territorial dominance as the minutes ticked away but could not create enough chances to breach Mosta's solid defence.
Alihno and Grant went close with last ditch efforts for Valletta and Mosta respectively but the match remained goalless and the stalemate prevailed at the end.
BALZAN FC- 4
PEMBROKE ATHLETA- 0
Balzan: I. Janjusevic, C. Brincat, S. Arab, B. Kaljevic, E. Serrano, S. Bezzina, A. De Barros, A. Nafti, M. Piciollo (L. Micallef), D. Grima (T. Agius), A. Souza (A. Effiong)
Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, B. Muscat, S. Eboh (A. Scozzese), A. Djeljilj, M. Micallef, U. Akuto, S. Arab, S. Shodija, O. Maksimov, O. Bugeja, A. Borg
Referee: J. Barcelo (Gibraltar)
Asst.refs: H. Warwick, J. Villada
4th official: Y. Borg
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 13,45, 88 pen, S. Arab 34
Yellow cards: A. Djeljilj, U. Akuto, M. Micallef, M. Calleja Cremona
Player of the match: B. Kaljevic (Balzan)
TMI top 3: 1. B. Kaljevic 2. A. Nafti 3. O. Maksymovic
With Hibernians winning on Saturday and going top of the standings, the spotlight and pressure turned on Balzan who could not afford to slip against Pembroke Athleta to regain the primacy yesterday.
Balzan quickly reaffirmed the order of things. They began to outfight their opponents all over the pitch and topped that off with some flashes of class from Souza nad Nafti and the lethal finishing of Bojan Kaljevic in particular, who notched a hat-trick yetserday and took his tally to 13 goals this season.
Pembroke did sporadically threaten but no team can defend this generously and expect to get away with it.
Pembroke coach Artim Shakiri must have been flabbergasted with the way that his fragile defence imploded yet again. They have kept only one clean sheet in 13 league games so far this season.
And their predatory touch in front of goal has been so badly lacking up.
Both teams had key players missing with Pembroke's suspended duo of Zoran Levnaic and Paltemio Barbetti. Pembroke coach also dropped Manewski and Mariano and handed starts to Sunday Eboh, Ugochukwo Akuto, Oleksander Maksymov and Adrian Borg.
Balzan also had centre back Bruno de Oliveira suspended. The returning Alfred Effiong and Lydon Micallef both started on the bench while Paul Fenech did not feature in their squad.
An early goal put Balzan in the driving seat when short of the quarter hour Bojan Kaljevic chested a high ball inside the Pembroke area on the left and beat keeper Calleja Cremona with a low strike at the far post.
Pembroke could have gone in front themselves six minutes earlier but Makymov's shot from the right rebounded off the foot of the post.
Balzan increased their lead on 34 minutes when Souza played a short pass from the right to Samir Arab who scored with a curling shot from the edge of the area.
Soon after Souza ran in well for a Bezzina cross from the left but the Pembroke keeper was alert and saved into a corner.
Still the more dominant force, Balzan made them three on the stroke of halftime. Bojan Kaljevic again made the better of Calleja Cremona's erratic sortie and drove the ball low beyond him.
Photos Domenic Aquilina
The quality then dipped in the second half.
Pembroke had a goal disallowed soon after the restart when Akuto, who had tapped the ball in to finish off Siraj Arab's effort, was ruled offside.
Balzan effected a double substitution on the hour, putting in Lydon Micallef and Alfred Effiong for Piciollo and Souza.
Pembroke soon spurned a good chance when Borg failed to put the ball in from a promising position off Micallef's cross.
On the other end, Micallef presented Kaljevic with an open score but keeper Calleja Cremona somehow deflected into a corner.
Akuto missed the target when put through by Arab and the same player was denied by keeper Janjusevic some minutes later.
There was still time for Balzan to score their fourth and for Kaljevic to complete his hat-trick. The Balzan striker won a penalty, which he himself tucked in, after being felled by keeper Calleja Cremona two minutes before the end.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gvFuE6
via IFTTT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)