Parent liable for subsidiary

A parent company will be held liable and fined for the anti-competitive conduct of its subsidiary whenever it is defined either by law or contract that the commercial conduct of the subsidiary must be determined by its parent company. It is up to the parent company to bring forth strong evidence in order to rebut such a presumption. In terms of EU competition law, a parent company is deemed responsible for the behaviour of its subsidiaries and it can be fined directly for a breach by its subsidiary of EU competition laws. This is the case because of a rebuttable presumption that a parent... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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US Army ordered to allow construction of final section of Dakota pipeline

The US Army has been ordered to allow the construction of the final section of a controversial oil pipeline

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Austria to ban full-face veil in public places

Austria's ruling coalition has agreed to prohibit full-face veils in public spaces such as courts and schools

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Pictures of the day: 01 February 2017

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End of rip-off rail fares as ticket pricing system gets overhaul

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Dream win coming closer, says Egypt boss Cuper

Egypt made a slow start on their return to the African Nations Cup after a seven-year absence, but have reached the semi-finals without conceding and are getting stronger as the tournament progresses. The seven-times champions meet Burkina Faso today and their Argentine coach Hector Cuper says they are chasing a "dream that is getting closer". Egypt won three successive titles between 2006 and 2010 but then did not qualify for the next three editions of the tournament. "History is very important and I know all of Egypt expects but my job has been to prepare this side for the Nations Cup without looking back at what happened in the past," the Argentine coach said. "We wanted to come here and just do well but now that we have got this far our ambition is now to go on and win the cup." Egypt drew their opening game with Mali and then snatched a last-minute winner against Uganda before beating Ghana to top Group D. They then edged past edged Morocco 1-0 in the quarter-final. "I've never seen a group of players who love their country so much. They, have high ambitions to win an eighth title for Egypt. That dream is coming true," said Cuper. Semi-finalsToday: 20.00 Burkina Faso vs Egypt.

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Mystery over Chinese tycoon Xiao Jianhua's disappearance from Hong Kong

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Trump picks conservative judge Neil Gorsuch for US Supreme Court

President Donald Trump has nominated circuit court judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the US supreme court

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Joseph Muscat agrees with Donald Tusk’s concerns over Donald Trump threat

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday he agreed with European Council President Donald Tusk's concerns over US President Donald Trump, China, Russia and radical Islam. In a letter to national leaders before a summit he will chair in Malta on Friday, the conservative former Polish prime minister said Mr Trump had joined Russia, China and radical Islam among threats to Europe. The summit, which forms part of Malta's EU presidency, will be focusing on Brexit, migration and the situation in Libya. Saying the EU today faced the greatest challenges in its 60-year history, Mr Tusk said an "assertive China", "Russia's aggressive policy" toward its neighbours and "radical Islam" fuelling anarchy in the Middle East and Africa were key external threats. These, he said, "as well as worrying declarations by the new American administration, all make our future highly unpredictable". He called on Europeans to stick together to avoid domination by three other continental powers. Asked for his reaction, a spokesman for Dr Muscat told the Times of Malta he too saw the need for a united European front to tackle the challenges listed. "The Prime Minister agrees with President Tusk that the...

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Split outpaces A Dog’s Purpose at the box office

Despite the TMZ videos and boycott threats, A Dog's Purpose still managed to pull in family audiences, who apparently were not convinced of the significance of footage of a cowering German Shepherd being forced into rushing water. The story of a dog who gets reincarnated, living through and playing "man's best friend" to multiple masters, brought in $18.4 million in its opening weekend. "It opened right in the sweet spot, if not on the higher end of expectations," said Nick Carpou, Universal's domestic distribution chief. "The fact that the film has worked so well speaks directly to its resonating message. The controversy surrounding the protests generated by a highly edited video is hard to ignore. However, the box office shows that this film rises above that." On another note, Blumhouse and Univeral's Split managed to hold on to the top spot for the second straight weekend, earning $26.3 million. The low-budget thriller film has made $78 million domestically, and marks a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan. "Typically movies like this open big and then have a huge drop," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at ComScore. "This was such a smart movie. It's well acted...

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Peanuts, home of Snoopyand Charlie Brown, up for sale

US brand management company Iconix Brand Group Inc is exploring a sale of its majority stake in Peanuts Worldwide LLC, which owns the rights to cartoon strip characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown, according to people familiar with the matter. The move comes three months after US insurance company MetLife Inc dropped the Peanuts characters it had been using as mascots for more than 30 years – a blow to debt-burdened Iconix. The characters, which include Lucy, Peppermint Patty and Pigpen, attracted the interest of Chinese companies as well as other investors keen to snap up US media and licensing assets, the people said this week. Created by Charles Schulz and licensed in over 100 countries, the characters generate about $30 million in 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, the people added. They declined to comment on the expected deal valuation. Besides Peanuts, Iconix is also looking to sell its Strawberry Shortcake brand, which is based on a character that rose to fame in the 1980s as a doll for young girls, the people said. They asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. The New York-based company is working with investment...

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Wanted drug dealer mocked in police Facebook appeal mugshot for his long neck

A convicted drug dealer who is wanted by police has become the butt of jokes after his mugshot was released showing his long neck. Sussex Police posted a Facebook appeal offering a £500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Kyle Gilmore, 23, who is wanted for recall to prison. But online jokers mocked the size of his neck, with one wag advising police to check tree tops while another warned that 6ft-tall Gilmore could be "looking at a long stretch". One commentator wrote: "Get the chopper out. He's bound to be grazing off some tree tops somewhere #neckgate." Another wrote: "6ft tall! 1ft of that is his neck! Let's hope he is picked up soon. Shouldn't be too hard." Some compared Gilmore's neck size to that of Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's alien character ET, with one joker writing: "He's probably phoning home." Labourer Gilmore, of Malvern Way, Hastings, East Sussex, was jailed for two years, eight months at Lewes Crown Court in April 2015 for possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was released on licence in July last year but has since breached its terms, and is now wanted for return to prison, a Sussex Police spokesman said. He is white, of skinny...

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Lazio end Inter’s run to reach semi-finals

Inter's run of nine successive wins in all competitions ended when they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio in their Italian Cup quarter-final last night. Both teams finished with 10 men after a bad-tempered game littered with angry exchanges. Lazio lost 3-0 to the same opponents in Serie A little more than a month ago and had an early let-off when Inter, who controlled the early exchanges, hit the post with a long-range shot from Geoffrey Kondogbia. But the visitors went ahead in the 20th minute when Felipe Anderson beat two defenders to a cross and scored with a glancing header. Lucas Biglia added Lazio's second from a penalty in the 56th minute after Inter defender Miranda fouled Ciro Immobile and was sent off. Stefan Radu followed for Lazio for a second bookable offence in the 76th minute and Marcelo Brozovic pulled one back for Inter with a looping header with six minutes left. Despite intense pressure, the hosts were unable to force an equaliser, leaving Lazio to face either neighbours Roma or second-tier Cesena in the two-leg semi-final. Coppa Italia QFs Inter 1Brozovic 84;Lazio 2Anderson 20; Biglia 56; Red cards: Miranda (I) 55; Radu (L) 76. Playing todayRoma vs Cesena -...

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Football news

Former Crystal Palace striker Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir on an 18-month deal. The 32-year-old has been without a club since leaving Palace in the summer but did feature for Togo in the African Nations Cup this month. Adebayor, who also took in spells with Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham during a ten-year stint in England, was unable to prevent Togo from making a group-stage exit in Gabon. Istanbul Basaksehir are currently second in the Turkish Super Lig, two points behind Besiktas. Arsenal tie akin to WCup final – Doswell Sutton manager Paul Doswell has described drawing Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round as the club's equivalent of the World Cup final. The Vanarama National League side are celebrating after being rewarded for their shock victory over Championship Leeds on Sunday with a glamorous home draw in the last 16. The tie will see Arsene Wenger's men play on the 3G pitch at Sutton's 5,000-capacity Gander Green Lane home. Doswell said: "We talked about the Wimbledon game being our cup final, then the Leeds game being like the European Cup final, so this is going to be like the World Cup final. It is as big as that for us." La Liga...

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Sporting briefs

Jese: Paris St Germain forward Jese Rodriguez has taken a substantial pay cut to join his home club Las Palmas on loan for the rest of the season. The 23-year-old, wanted by Premier League Middlesbrough and other clubs in Europe, decided his immediate future was back in La Liga, just six months after joining PSG from Real Madrid for €25m. Ely: Rodrigo Ely has left Milan to join Deportivo Alaves, the Serie A club said yesterday. The 23-year-old defender joined Milan from Gremio in 2010 but spent most of his time in Italy on loan spells at Reggina, Varese and Avellino, failing to make a single appearance for Milan. "He is a complete defender with a bright future," Alaves said on their website. Costa: Wolves have completed the permanent signing of winger Helder Costa from Benfica, the Championship club said. It is reported that Wolves have smashed their transfer record by paying £13 million for the 23-year-old, who has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux. Gabbiadini: Italy striker Manolo Gabbiadini has joined Southampton from Serie A side Napoli after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. No fee was given for the transfer but media reports indicated that the Saints...

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Cutajar makes the difference

Kavallieri 28Falcons 22 This thrilling match was the final fixture from the round robin stage of the Mediterranean Bank Cup, determining which of the teams would oppose Stompers in the semi-finals. The encounter was a good example of the raising standards of rugby in Malta with so many young players coming through. Falcons led the charge from the kick-off with penetrating individual charges and accurate kicks, putting the Kavallieri line in danger. Their drive and offload style was paying off but then a dropped pass was pounced on by Kavallieri's Bugeja and he outran Kawara for a good 60 metres to score rather against the run of play. The try was converted by Cutajar. The speed of backs Dalton, Imbroll and Bugeja made Kavallieri a constant threat now. They broke well from a series of loose mauls, then passed well to stretch Falcons' cover and Bugeja had the speed to score again – Cutajar converted from wide. Chretien, of Falcons, earned a yellow card and ten minutes in the sinbin for a deliberate knock on and Kavallieri took full advantage of the extra man. Sam Zammit barged forward and put Cutajar in for another try, which he again converted and Kavallieri were running away. A...

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NPS off to muddy start

Miżieb was a challenging and muddy playground for the 39 riders taking part in the BDO Malta Cross Country National Point Series (NPS), last weekend. Organised by the Malta Mountain Bike Association, this was the first cross country event of the year and, despite the inclement weather, the turnout was much better than expected. Elite cyclist Mark Bonnici (Agones SFC) shot to the front right from the start, registering the fastest time over the 4.5km lap. Veteran Patrick Scicluna (Mosta CC) and Ramon Grech (Agones SFC) followed just slightly ahead of Team Greens duo Jeffrey Borg and Etienne Bonello. Bonnici, however, suffered technical problems in the second lap and he was forced to withdraw. Scicluna led the group but with each lap it became evident that his first position was going to be seriously challenged by Bonello who caught up with the leader at the end of the fourth lap. Bonello kept pushing the pace and he crossed the line first, 61 seconds ahead of Scicluna. Borg produced a final burst of speed to claim third place. "The first race of the season is always a good indicator of pre-season training," Bonello said. "I had to deal with a chain problem but lap after lap I...

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Russia’s bobsleigh champion banned

Russian Olympic bobsleigh champion Dmitriy Trunenkov has been banned from his sport for four years after violating anti-doping rules, Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA) said. "The Bobsleigh Federation of Russia, following the materials provided by RUSADA Disciplinary anti-doping committee, rendered a decision that made Trunenkov Dmitriy ineligible for four years," RUSADA said. It did not say what specific violation Trunenkov, who won the gold medal as part of the four-man team at the Sochi 2014 winter Olympics, had committed. Russia sent a small team to last year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics following a doping scandal which caused hundreds of its athletes to be banned from competing there. Russia's athletics federation remains suspended and sports events have been moved away from Russia.

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Kyrgios hopes team spirit can help him overcome loss to Seppi

Nick Kyrgios struggled to deal with the furore over his shock second round meltdown at the Australian Open but said the return to a team environment with Davis Cup had helped him through it. The local hope was jeered off the court by sections of the crowd at Melbourne Park after squandering a two-set lead and throwing a tantrum in the 1-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 10-8 loss to Italian Andreas Seppi on January 18. Former world number one John McEnroe then questioned his commitment to the sport, while local media pilloried him the following day with one headline telling him to "Nick Off" – an Australian slang term meaning to leave. "I was obviously struggling, mentally it was tough," the world number 15 said yesterday, ahead of Australia's Davis Cup tie with the Czech Republic at Kooyong this weekend. "But I've had a lot of support and captain Lleyton Hewitt has been helping me through it. "I think this week is crucial for me to bounce back and go out to try to enjoy it again and I feel good." Several former players have suggested that Kyrgios needed to employ a coach full-time to help him mentally, something the 21-year-old said he was considering after the Seppi defeat. He now had some...

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European samples to be stored for a decade

Blood and urine samples from athletes who set European records will be stored for a minimum of 10 years in the sport's latest attempt to stamp out drug cheats, the head of European athletics said. "We don't want cheats to ever feel that they got away with something and that they are safe because they were not caught immediately," Norwegian Svein Arne Hansen said. Hansen, who last week set up a task force to examine the credibility of records set in European athletics, said high on his list of priorities now was "cleaning up the mess" and preventing "these types of problems" in the future. Russian athletes are banned from competing because of state-sponsored doping. The International Olympic Committee stores samples it takes during Games for 10 years, but Europe's governing body had not operated such a policy. Last week, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt learnt that he would lose one of his nine gold medals because relay team-mate Nesta Carter tested positive for a banned substance. Situation hurts Hansen told delegates at a forum staged by the Sport Integrity Global Alliance in London that the cases of doping in his sport in recent years had wounded him personally. "I sometimes find...

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Back farm roads and military jets: How Donald Trump kept identity of Supreme Court nominee a secret: Wednesday morning briefing

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Today's newspapers in review

Times of Malta, The Malta Independent and MaltaToday have taken a joint stand to call on the government to review Malta's arbitrary system of Temporary Humanitarian Protection, which has effectively put the lives of hundreds of migrants in limbo. In other stories, Times of Malta says official figures show that more than 10,000 court cases were instituted against parents for repeatedly failing to send their children to school in the past six years. The Malta Independent says that Mater Dei Hospital is owed more than €3 million by third country nationals. Malta Today says Minister Chis Cardona will be taking legal action against blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia's brothel allegations. In-Nazzjon leads with a story about the allegations. L-Orizzont says that migrant families seeking asylum are making €3,000 less a year than their Maltese counterparts at risk of poverty.

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Michel Rizzo appointed managing director of Allied Newspapers Ltd

Allied Newspapers Limited announces that at its annual general meeting held yesterday, Michel Rizzo was appointed managing director of the company. Mr Rizzo has occupied the post of acting managing director since March 2016. Mr Rizzo joined the Allied Group in 2005 as chief executive officer, and later managing director, of MediaMaker Limited. In 2013, he was appointed managing director of Progress Press Company Limited. The company further announces that Helga Ellul was appointed to the board of directors of Allied Newspapers Limited and the board is now composed of Michel Rizzo (managing), Ronald Agius, Austin Bencini, Helga Ellul, Louis Farrugia, Victor Galea, Laurence Grech, Count Henry Hornyold Strickland and Clinton Calleja (company secretary). Furthermore, Helga Ellul and Paul Mercieca were appointed directors to the board of Progress Press Company Limited which is now composed of Michel Rizzo (managing), Helga Ellul, Victor Galea, Count Henry Hornyold Strickland, Paul Mercieca and Clinton Calleja (company secretary).

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Malta's rocketing rental prices demand 'a cure' - Caritas director

The pressure from rocketing rent prices is not only felt by low-income earners and lone parent families; however their vulnerability exposes them more to the struggle

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Trump’s comments knock dollar to 2017 lows and clip stocks

The dollar headed for its worst start to a year in over a decade yesterday, while stocks cemented their biggest losses in six weeks as US President Donald Trump added uncertainty to the market following stringent curbs on travel to the United States. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154.9 points, or 0.78 per cent, to 19,816.23, the S&P 500 lost 11.27 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 2,269.63 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 28.34 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 5,585.38. Nine of the 11 major S&P indexes were lower, with technology and consumer discretionary stocks weighing the broader index the most. The S&P 500 healthcare sector, however, was last up 0.8 per cent. MSCI's gauge of the world's top 46 stock markets slipped 0.15 per cent Tuesday, after suffering its largest loss in a month and a half on Monday. European bourses also fell, dropping 0.3 per cent, after big losses on Monday. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.6 per cent while Japan's Nikkei dropped 1.7 per cent, its biggest fall in almost three months. Supported by signs of accelerating momentum in the global economy, most stock markets remained up on the month overall. MSCI's ex-Japan...

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Company briefs

US President Donald Trump's administration posed a grave risk to international trade and Europe would have to stand up to him to prevent the collapse of global economic institutions, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said yesterday. "Our American partner appears to want to take unilaterally protectionist decisions which could destabilise the whole world economy," Sapin said in a speech to an audience of international economists gathered at the French finance ministry. "Decisions by the new US administration are posing a grave risk to the world trade order," he said. "Neither France nor Europe ... can watch helplessly as our economic institutions risk being dislocated," he added. Sony takes $1bn writedown on its movie business Sony Corp will write down the value of its movie business by nearly 112.1 billion yen (€909 million) in the third quarter, blaming weaker film profits as online streaming services sap demand for movie DVDs. In a statement, the Japanese TV-to-gaming group said it had cut its outlook for earnings from DVD, Blu-ray discs and other home entertainment in line with a market decline. Sony, under chief executive Kazuo Hirai, has been slashing costs to end years...

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Independent media houses unite for migrants’ appeal

Three independent media houses have taken a joint stand to call on the government to review Malta's arbitrary system of Temporary Humanitarian Protection, which has effectively put the lives of hundreds of migrants in limbo. Read the editorial In a joint editorial, addressed to the Maltese government and copied in to the European Commission, the Times of Malta, Malta Today and The Malta Independent said that the government's order appears to be guided by opportunistic politics rather than reasoned policy. In November, the Home Affairs Ministry suspended the renewal of those holding Temporary Humanitarian Protection – New (THPn) status, a move which incensed human rights organisations. The migrants who fall into this category have been given until October 31 to start making arrangements to procure all the required documentation from their country of origin. But rights organisations say the scheme will require hundreds to comply with requirements the ministry knows they are unable to meet, including procurement of identification documentation and the labour market test. Until last year, there were just under 1,000 people with THPn status. While all had their asylum claims rejected...

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Announcements

BLACKMAN. On January 31, at St Vincent de Paul Residence, AGNESE (Ines), née Bartolo, of Fgura, aged 89, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church, joining her beloved daughter Grace Debono. She leaves to mourn her sad loss her husband Francis Xavier, her children Anthony and his wife Doris and Elizabeth and her husband Denis Micallef, her grandchildren Ilona, wife of Carl James Debono, Jeanne Michèle, wife of Adrian Cordina, Nicole, Alan Micallef and his wife Luisa, Ivan-Mark Debono and his wife Sandra, Lara and her husband Iamon Sammut, her great-grandchildren Cedric, Liam, Sabine, James, Andrew, Nicola, Emily, Matthias and Juan, her brother Lino Bartolo and his wife Jessie, other relatives and friends. The funeral cortège leaves St Vincent de Paul Residence tomorrow, Thursday, February 2 at 1.15pm for Fgura parish church where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 2pm, followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Special thanks to the staff of St Joseph Ward 5 for the ongoing care and dedication shown. Lord, grant her eternal rest. BORG TESTAFERRATA. On January 31, JOHN, aged 89, widower of Josephine née Attard, passed away peacefully...

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Photographic exhibition

Photographer Danilo Arata is hosting his latest exhibition this week in Valletta. A world of human shadows represents a significant milestone in Arata's career. For the past 10 years, he has flown around the world in a business jet, collecting thousands of photos with the aim of framing intimate and everyday moments in the life of people belonging to their land. For Arata, every human is a shadow, leaving a print of colours during his or her passage on the earth. Born in Rome in 1976, Arata has been passionate about visual art and photography since his adolescent years. He acted on this aged 20 when he attended specialised courses at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. In the early stages, he was fascinated by natural and landscape photography. His passion has now morphed into a love of the street and reportage, seeking to make fleeting moments tell a story. ■ The exhibition is on display at Palazzo de la Salle in Valletta until February 13. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Entrance is free of charge.

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The role of Wikipedia in heritage documentation

Spazju Kreattiv is holding a discussion that will focus on thinking about how organisations and interested citizens can bring more attention to Maltese heritage, culture and art through its documentation on Wikipedia. Those present will discuss how best to incorporate such practices into ongoing work and into the national digital cultural strategies. The debate will bring together highly-experienced international Wikimedians and local policymakers and cultural professionals. The team behind the event includes John Cummings, Wikimedian-in-residence at UNESCO, Rebecca O'Neill from the Irish Wikimedia Community, Xabier Cañas from Donostiapedia, Donostia-San Sebastian European Capital of Culture 2016, Birte Christensen-Dalsgaard from the Digital Humanities Lab in Denmark, and Sandro Debono from MUŻA. The discussion addresses a real gap in the cultural sector for guidance on institutional strategies related to engagement with citizens and will discuss how to effectively direct limited resources towards engagement of communities in the digital space. ■ The public discussion is taking place tomorrow at St James Cavalier in Valletta at 6pm. It will be held in English. For more...

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Original play from Unifaun

Unifaun Theatre Productions hits the boards this weekend with Unintended, a play penned by founder and artistic director Adrian Buckle. The piece is an original, no-holds-barred play which revolves around four characters. Jamie, who is in love with Lily-Anne, has arrived at her house in preparation to take her to the prom. Lily-Anne, a confident and cocky girl, teases him but then proceeds to reassure him of her interest in him. Meanwhile, Lily-Anne's parents, Martin and Diana, arrive and Lily-Anne goes to change. What follows is Jamie's or any prospective boyfriend's worst nightmare. Taboos are broken and harsh brutality ensues. The play is directed by Stephen Oliver and features longtime Unifaun collaborator Mikhail Basmadjian together with Stephen Mintoff, Mariele Zammit and Joyia Fitch. The production is designed by Romualdo Moretti and Anthony Catania. "This is a return to form for Unifaun," Buckle comments. "We are producing a drama that pushes the envelope and that will create discussion." This is standard fare for the company which has been leading the way in revolutionising local theatre since its inception in 2005. Through Unifaun, local audiences have been introduced...

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Carmen meets the world of contemporary and flamenco

The tale of Carmen, famously brought to life by Georges Bizet, is being told this weekend through the medium of flamenco and contemporary dance. When Prosper Merimee wrote his short story in 1845, it was considered shocking and scandalous. There was no Micaela to temper José's wild nature and Carmen had other lovers apart from Escamillo. From the original version to this flamenco-contemporary fusion, content has been adapted, but the main thrust has been retained, with the anti-heroine at the centre of a mix of emotive characters. A joint production from the Moveo and Alegria Dance Companies, in collaboration with the Manoel Theatre, the choreographers have created a performance with a constant changing mixture of true love, smuggling, sex, and murder, all interpreted by a set of characters in very particular Spanish settings: the bullfighting arena, the tavern and the gypsies in the factories, among others. The production also features live musicians, as it aims to interpret the original intentions of the opera by focusing on the contrasts in characters of the protagonists, namely Carmen, Micaela, Don José and Escamillo, through contemporary dance, whilst highlighting and...

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Amadeus – on screen

From the magical pen of Peter Shaffer comes Amadeus, the latest National Theatre production to be screened live in Valletta as part of Spazju Kreattiv's programme. Set in Vienna, the music capital of the world, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a rowdy young prodigy, arrives in the city determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, court composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy his name. Seized by obsessive jealousy, he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God. The National Theatre's production of Amadeus is directed by Michael Longhurst and stars Lucian Msamati (Luther, Game of Thrones, NT Live: The Comedy of Errors) as Salieri. It will be broadcast live from the Olivier Theatre in London, with live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia. ■ The live screening is taking place tomorrow at St James Cavalier in Valletta at 8pm. An encore screening will take place on April 16. The production is certified suitable for those aged 12 and over. For more information, visit htt[://kreattivita.org . Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus will be broadcast live from London tomorrow. Photo: Marc Brenner.

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Book sale

Din l-Art Ħelwa, Malta's national trust, is sharing its vast collection of printed material with collectors, students and Malta's aficionados at bargain prices. A wealth of information is available within the pages of these books on Malta's cultural, historic, architectural, artistic and environmental patrimony. ■ The sale is taking place at the corner of Old Bakery Street with Melita Street in Valletta this weekend. Opening hours are from 9.30am to 4pm on Friday and Saturday and from 9.30am to 1pm on Sunday.

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NHS should charge health tourists 'upfront' instead of chaotic debt chase

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UK weather: Britain set to be hit by 70mph winds as forecasters warn Storm Doris may be on the way

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Arnold Schwarzenegger on Trump's travel ban: 'It's crazy and makes us look stupid'

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Disintegrating the integrated

The Times of Malta, The Malta Independent and MaltaToday have joined forces to call on the Maltese government to review Malta's arbitrary system of 'temporary humanitarian protection' and to regularise the position of detained migrants whose looming ejection from the island appears to be guided by opportunistic politics rather than reasoned policy. Malta has to accept a reality of 'non-returnable' migrants who have been subject to return procedures but who cannot be returned for legal or logistical reasons, due to no fault of their own. The status known as THPN (temporary humanitarian protection new) was first introduced in 2010 by means of a policy decision of the then Home Affairs Ministry. This regularisation is granted in cases where people cannot be removed from the country but are allowed a one-year, renewable residence permit subject to documented evidence of "their integration efforts and employment history in Malta". Until last year, there were just under 1,000 such people with THPN. While all had their asylum claims rejected at appeal stage, they remain here because the authorities have not been able to return them, through no fault of their own. In many cases, this is...

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Wrong technical argument

It is pretty clear the Greens in Malta are acting on some instructions, or directives(?), communicated to them by their overseas controlling body (head office!) to propagate the incorrectness that "an overseas company in Malta only pays five per cent in income tax while a Maltese company or SME pays 35 per cent". The Greens local leader, Arnold Cassola, even tried to sell this notion off to the floor at the recent excellent Mcast conference on vocational and professional education and training. He and his Greens badly need to become much more familiar with the practical functioning... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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Bishops’ wise words

I refer to the excellent editorial on the bishops' guidelines following the Pope's exhortation Amoris Laetitia. The current issue somehow evokes the doctrinal controversy that occasioned the first council of the Church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15): a dramatic follow-up to Paul's 'unorthodox' visionary foresight. As if this were not enough, we then have Paul's own momentously defiant witness, virtually cast in stone: "...a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee.... as to legal righteousness without blame" (Phil 3:4-6). Furthermore, in his letter to the Galatians,... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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Daily nuisance

I refer to the photograph that appeared on January 27 showing vegetable boxes and other rubbish in Dingli Street, Sliema. Residents in Creche Street face this 365 days a year. Apart from creating such a dump, the fruit and vegetable seller mentioned in the caption accompanying the picture occupies more than eight metres of the narrow pavement to the detriment of pedestrians. I thank the Times of Malta for reporting on this long-standing problem because neither the police nor the local council are interested in resolving it. This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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Memories of school days

Surrounded by fabulous greenery at St Edward's College and in splendid isolation in its quiet earlier days, we were subjected to the reality that the English language had a universal dimension and was the accepted medium of communication of many nations, fostered by the intellectual aristocracy in the world of literature. To this level we were seriously made to aspire, in style and in diction, far beyond what was commonly held to be necessary. But these were days of Empire. The language was modelled on the Etonian dream, which the college then personified as "the greatest possession we have". This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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A no-drama Obama

As the new President of the United States takes office seeking to eradicate all that Barack Obama stood for, we have been forcefully reminded that Donald Trump's inauguration has not expunged the new President's flaws. His xenophobia, sexism, crudeness, petulance, impulsiveness and contempt for decent values are still there. After the grace, intelligence and eloquence of "no-drama" Obama, what America swallowed hook, line and sinker about Trump, the world must now digest. It has been a popular misconception – fostered by Trump and the alt-right – that the US under Obama has been a country... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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Renewable energy ambitions

Enemalta plc is leading the way in the development of a diversified electricity generation mix, including the increased penetration of grid-connected renewable energy installations. As Malta's principal electricity services provider, we have been working towards this diversification long before local businesses eyed renewable energy as a lucrative business opportunity. The national consensus on Malta's aspirations for a diversified electricity generation mix based on sources that are gentle on our environment is indeed a breath of fresh air. We welcome the enthusiasm to renewable energy... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.

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Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee faces challenge from Democrats

President Donald Trump has nominated Neil Gorsuch, a fast-rising conservative judge, to the Supreme Court, setting up a clash with Democrats. At 49, he is the youngest nominee in 25 years and could help shape America's legal landscape for decades to come. He is known on the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals for advocacy for court review of government regulations, defence of religious freedom and scepticism toward law enforcement. "Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support," Mr Trump declared, announcing the nomination in his first televised prime-time address from the White House. The nomination was praised by conservatives wary of Mr Trump's own fluid ideology. If confirmed by the Senate, he will fill the seat left vacant by the death last year of Antonin Scalia, long the right's most powerful voice on the high court. Judge Gorsuch thanked Mr Trump for entrusting him with "a most solemn assignment". Outlining his legal philosophy, he said: "It is the rule of judges to apply, not alter, the work of the people's representatives. A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad...

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Editorial: Disintegrating the integrated

Times of Malta, The Malta Independent and MaltaToday have joined forces to call on the Maltese government to review Malta's arbitrary system of 'temporary humanitarian protection' and to regularise the position of detained migrants whose looming ejection from the island appears to be guided by opportunistic politics rather than reasoned policy.

Malta has to accept a reality of 'non-returnable' migrants who have been subject to return procedures, but who cannot be returned for legal or logistical reasons, due to no fault of their own.

The status known as THPN (Temporary Humanitarian Protection New) was first introduced in 2010, by means of a policy decision of the then Home Affairs Ministry.

This regularisation is granted in cases where these people cannot be removed from the country, but are allowed a one-year, renewable residence permit subject to documented evidence of "their integration efforts and employment history in Malta".

Until last year, there were just under 1,000 such people with THPN. While all had their asylum claims rejected at appeal stage, they remain in Malta because the authorities have not been able to return them, through no fault of their own. In many cases, this is due to the lack of diplomatic relations between Malta and the state of origin and lack of cooperation from national authorities in the migrants' state of origin.

Now that the status has been inexplicably suspended and THPN withdrawn, we are flagging a very worrying development in the policy of a government that currently holds the presidency of the European Council.

The government has removed the ability of these people to renew their residence and work permits, without prior notice or timelines as to when they could expect information or decisions on their statuses.

The people directly impacted have all lived and worked in Malta for years – some for as long as 18 years and all for at least nine (since they arrived before 2007). Most are from West African countries, and among them many children born in Malta.

The withdrawal of THPN has plunged these families into difficulties that include obtaining medication and inability to cash cheques. Concern has also been expressed by Maltese employers, wondering how this decision will impact their ability to retain migrant workers.

The current system was far from perfect, but THPN brought a significant improvement in the lives of beneficiaries, giving them a measure of security and access to a number of basic rights and services, protecting them from exploitation.

Today, our news organisations join other human rights organisations in Malta to demand the regularisation of non-returnable migrants. A glance at the lives of THPN beneficiaries reveals an impressive level of social integration.

The government needs to move from a system of concessions to real rights, and beyond that, address post-2008 migrants who have not been granted THPN and who live in limbo with limited access to rights, services and benefits. They are known to the authorities and granted 'tolerated stay', extended by 'checking-in' at the police headquarters. This is a wholly precarious existence placing these people at risk of poverty, vulnerable to exploitation.

Such lack of regulation and wilful disenfranchisement is unacceptable.

We understand the State has a right to return those who have no legal right to stay, but it also has a duty to ensure returns are carried out in a timely manner and with respect for human rights.

We join a call for a policy that strikes a balance between respect for individual rights and the State's right to return those with no legal right to stay.

A government policy designed to break people into submission or destitution, pushing people to live in a state of limbo, is nothing short of inhuman and degrading treatment, a serious human rights breach.

We are asking the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister to clearly define the THP criteria.

We also ask for legal pathways for regularisation for non-returnable migrants known to the authorities and have not obstructed the authorities' legitimate attempts to enforce return: this is clearly in line with wishes expressed by the Maltese prime minister as Council president.

Surely now is the time to do unto others, as you would have them do unto you: by answering a call for policies that are built on judicious reasoning, human rights, and inspired by a true spirit of solidarity. 

Times, Independent, MaltaToday unite on human rights breaches for non-returnable migrants

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Chelsea held by Liverpool but rivals fail to profit

Diego Costa's missed second-half penalty cost Premier League leaders Chelsea a victory at Liverpool last night, but a 1-1 draw did little damage to their title prospects as closest rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur dropped points. Spain striker Costa was denied by Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet, who made amends for being caught off guard by a superb David Luiz free kick midway through the first half. Georginio Wijnaldum's close-range header levelled the scores in the 57th minute as Liverpool avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat in all competitions, although Juergen Klopp's side remain 10 points adrift in fourth place. "It's important to draw against a really good team and now we must focus on playing Arsenal next week," Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said ahead of Saturday's game at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal, who began the day second, must recover quickly from a shock 2-1 home loss to Watford who managed a first league win in eight games and celebrated their first top-flight victory over the Gunners since 1988. Watford scored twice inside the first 13 minutes through Younes Kaboul and Troy Deeney and hung on for the victory after Alex Iwobi pulled one back near the hour...

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Times, Malta Independent, MaltaToday unite against human rights breaches for non-returnable migrants

Times of Malta, The Malta Independent and Malta Today have united to give a voice to all those people who have had their Temporary Humanitarian Protection-New (THP-n) status removed, many of which will be unable, through no fault of their own, to get proper documentation for a residence permit. These individuals have been forced to live in complete uncertainty, despite the roots they have developed and the contribution they have made to Malta over the years.

Malta's independent media calls on the government to refrain from senselessly deporting all those detained migrants from Mali who have been living in Malta for years, and employ a well-reasoned, practical policy.

THP-n was initiated in 2010 and was granted to all those migrants whose application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been rejected. It has since been under review. Until recently THP-n was granted to asylum seekers who are unaccompanied minors, who genuinely could not be returned through no fault of their own – either because of unfavourable relations with the country of origin, legal problems, for medical reasons or humanitarian grounds.

The Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister are called upon to end the crippling uncertainty that these humans, just like you and me, have been forced to endure. 

 

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Israel government approves 3,000 new settler homes in West Bank

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Good sleep leads to better sex - new research

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Donald Trump 'refuses to send White House officials on CNN' after calling broadcaster 'fake news'

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Leaders Chelsea stay in control after title rivals stumble

Chelsea could afford to miss a late penalty in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Tuesday, as Antonio Conte's side extended its lead at the top of the Premier League and its rivals sabotaged their own title bids.

Fourth-place Liverpool started well at Anfield, only for Chelsea to take the lead through center half David Luiz's free kick in the first half.

Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum equalized in the second half for Liverpool, which then had goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to thank for saving Chelsea striker Diego Costa's spot-kick.

The draw set the stage perfectly for Arsenal to keep the pressure up in the title race with a routine home win against a Watford side well out of form.

The opposite happened, with the visitors scoring early goals and holding on for a 2-1 win that severely dents Arsenal's hopes of catching the leaders. Arsenal is now nine points behind Chelsea and surely has no choice but to beat the leaders at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Worse still for Arsenal, it dropped to third place on goal difference behind bitter north London rival Tottenham, which drew 0-0 away to relegation struggler Sunderland.

___

CHELSEA 1, LIVERPOOL 1

Having dropped goalkeeper Simon Mignolet earlier this season, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp watched him save Diego Costa's late penalty to earn his side a draw.

The result spared Klopp the ignominy of a fourth straight defeat for the first time since 1923, but that will feel anecdotal when Klopp looks at the current situation.

The bleak reality is that his side — having started the season so brightly when it was scoring goals galore — remains 10 points adrift in the title race and is out of both domestic cup competitions.

Against the run of play, Mignolet was caught unawares by an opportunistic free kick from Luiz.

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum equalized for Liverpool in the 57th before Mignolet tipped Costa's spot kick around the post in the 76th.

Costa's miss did little to dampen Antonio Conte's mood.

The Chelsea manager was punching the air at the final whistle. No wonder, given that his rivals are failing to mount a proper challenge.

___

ARSENAL 1, WATFORD 2

There was no late escape for Arsene Wenger's side this time.

Arsenal has ridden its luck this season, scraping a 2-1 home win against Burnley in the previous league game with a penalty seven minutes into injury time. Then there was the last-gasp 3-3 draw away to Bournemouth after trailing 3-0, or the 86th minute winner against West Bromwich Albion.

Those were teams Arsenal was supposed to beat comfortably.

So was Watford, especially given its poor recent form and the fact Arsenal entered the match full of confidence after a 5-0 away win at Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.

But it all went wrong.

Early strikes from center half Younes Kaboul and striker Troy Deeney gave Watford a deserved 2-0 halftime lead before winger Alex Iwobi pulled a goal back for Arsenal after the break.

Substitute Lucas Perez hit the crossbar late on for Arsenal as Watford held on for its first victory in eight Premier League games.

___

SUNDERLAND 0, TOTTENHAM 0

Tottenham leapfrogged Arsenal to move into second place but missed the opportunity to put some pressure on league leader Chelsea.

On a frustrating night for Tottenham, forward Son Heung-min struck an effort just clear of the crossbar in the second half.

The result was somewhat better for Sunderland, which managed to move off the bottom. Hull is now last on goal difference.

___

BURNLEY 1, LEICESTER 0

Defending champion Leicester is just two points above the relegation zone after a third straight Premier League defeat.

Center forward Sam Vokes scored from close range in the 87th minute to secure Burnley's seventh successive win at Turf Moor in all competitions.

While Leicester is in freefall, Burnely is collecting valuable points to stave off the threat of relegation and rose to ninth.

___

SWANSEA 2, SOUTHAMPTON 1

Gylfi Sigurdsson underlined his importance to Swansea with another winner as the Welsh side moved two points away from the relegation zone.

Swansea led through center half Alfie Mawson's header shortly before the break, but Ireland striker Shane Long equalized in the 57th.

With 20 minutes left, Sigurdsson sealed victory for the second straight game after netting the winner in a 3-2 win away to Liverpool 10 days ago.

Swansea, which is in 17th place, has a good chance to staying up if Sigurdsson keeps finding the net. The Iceland midfielder scored 11 league goals last season and already has seven.

___

BOURNEMOUTH 0, CRYSTAL PALACE 2

Sam Allardyce got his first Premier League win since taking charge of Crystal Palace.

Center back Scott Dann, now in his fourth season with Palace, has scored his share of goals and he put the visitors ahead from close range just after the break.

In injury time, Belgium forward Christian Benteke headed home his ninth league goal of the season.

Palace is in 18th place, two points behind Swansea, Leicester and Middlesbrough.

___

MIDDLESBROUGH 1, WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1

West Brom went ahead when former Middlesbrough midfielder James Morrison lashed home from 20 yards in the sixth minute.

Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo equalized from the penalty spot in the 17th.

Middlesbrough is in 15th place, while West Brom is eighth.

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Who is Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch?

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'Was that a surprise?' Donald Trump brings Apprentice-style drama to Supreme Court announcement

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Johnny Depp's $2 million monthly spending - including $30,000 a month on wine - to blame for money woes, his former business managers claim

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Live: President Donald Trump names his choice of Supreme Court justice

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Criminal investigation launched after battery found inside chocolate Easter bunny

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Period dramas should not be criticised for a lack of black actors, Julian Fellowes suggests

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Glenda Jackson: Acting roles for women have not improved because writers still find them 'boring'

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Lord Janner's family to 'undermine' sex abuse inquiry 'from within' after being given formal role in investigation

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Indonesia prepares to to issue a fatwa against fake news

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EU migrants could be barred from coming to Britain unless they have a job after Brexit

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Warning of cuts to family doctors in NHS overhaul

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Health watchdog spent £250,000 on lawyers to hide information from bereaved father

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Bangladeshi girl thought to be first female with 'tree man syndrome'

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New foreigners for Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans reached an agreement to sign three new overseas players in the final hours of Deadline Day. The Reds have offered a contract to Congo U-21 goalkeeper Batusila Kambala, Nigerian defender Christian Emeeka Anigbobu and French striker Mathieu Manset. Anigbobu is a 26-year-old defender who played the majority of his career in Turkey with Konya Eregli and Kastamonu. The towering six-foot-two striker Manset had spells in England with Reading and Coventry City before moving to Switzerland with FC Sion and then joined Bulgarian side Slavia Sofia. The Spartans yesterday parted ways with striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who joined Mosta while goalkeeper Frederick Tabone moved to Pembroke Athleta.

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Online dating for primates? Zoo to have orangutan choose mate on tablet

A zoo in Holland is to show orangutan Samboja a selection of males on a touchscreen in an experiment aimed at learning more about mating choices

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Molten iron creates dazzling scenes

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MP questions Vitals Global Healthcare Gozo payout – in light of Neville Gafa’s posting

Members of parliament continue debating proposed amendments to the Police Act

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Bus company breaks even, sees increase in passengers carried

Malta Public Transport, the Spanish subsidiary which operates the bus service, said today that more passengers are using the buses and it broke even in its last financial year. The company took over the bus service two years ago and enjoys a government subsidy of some €26 million. It made a loss of €8.2 million in its first year. Company chairman Felipe Cosman said at a press conference that the buses carried 43 million passengers last year, three million more than the previous year. Confidence in the service was increasing and complaints had declined, he said. 95 per cent of services are running on time. The company over the past two years augmented the former Arriva bus fleet with 176 buses purpose-built for Malta's needs in Turkey. The company is also planning to import specialised buses for its routes from the airport. They will have more luggage racks and USB ports.  

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Mother cleared of encouraging boyfriend to shoot crying toddler in head to keep him quiet

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Moroccan businessman accused of defrauding British investors claims he was 'set up' by corrupt officials who 'hired prison guard to stab him'

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Phil Shiner's legal firm 'made £1.6m with improper fee deal over Iraq troop abuse claims'

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Specialised airport buses in the pipeline

Airport buses will have suitcase racks on and USB sockets to charge phones

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Specialised airport buses in the pipeline

Airport buses will have suitcase racks on and USB sockets to charge phones

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Cohen signs for Gżira

Andrew Cohen will continue the 2016-17 season with Gżira United after he agreed to join the Premier League strugglers on a two-and-a-half year contract. Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers were also both interested in signing the Hibernians striker who, however, opted to join the Maroons.  Cohen is expected to make his debut for Gżira against Birkirkara on Sunday at the National Stadium. Meanwhile, Hibernians moved quickly to fill the void left by Cohen when they re-signed Brazilian Gilmar. The robust attacking midfielder arrives on loan from Naxxar Lions after his spell with Saudi Arabia club Al Raed came to an end last month. Hibernians have also parted ways with Renan Telles who joined Għajnsielem on loan until the end of the season.

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Police Commissioner a puppet who serves Muscat’s government instead of the people – Simon Busuttil

"The police are meant to serve the public, but who do they protect? The people or the government of Joseph Muscat" Leader of the Opposition Simon Busutill told parliament during his intervention on the proposed legislation which will reform the Police Force.

Dr Busuttil went on to say that the current Police Commissioner Laurie Cutajar is a government puppet who refuses to investigate the numerous scandals plaguing the current administration.

When addressing the proposed legislation, which will see reform to the Police Force, the leader of the opposition began by saying that this was meant to be a good and proud occasion for the police force and parliament.

Instead the legislation will only make the current situation worse since it will only give more power to the government in order for the police force to serve their interests.

"It goes completely against our beliefs that the police needs to be autonomous and serve the interests of the people."

The proposal will see the commissioner appointed for a period of five years instead of the permanent post the role currently provides.

Dr Busuttil claims that will remove any autonomy the commissioner held and will become a puppet of the government. It will also significantly diminish his ability to create a coherent long term vision for the Police Force.

"The Police Force is made of dedicated officers, who work hard and risk their lives every day, and the law should respect the good work they do".

He did stress that the current situation is not perfect and certainly requires reform , but the PN would have wanted to see the commissioner's autonomy increase.

Rather, the PN proposes, that the Police Commissioner be appointed for a permanent period and be selected only through a two thirds parliamentary majority.

The fact that there have been five police commissioners within the last four years shows the serious issues the police force has faced under the current administration, he said.

The previous commissioner, John Rizzo, was respected by the officers and held no partisan belief, he said.

On the other hand, he explained, the current commissioner Laurie Cutajar's claim to fame is a facebook post were he expresses his admiration for Prime Minister Muscat.

It was of little surprise that the public has lost faith with the police given that the current commissioner is a government puppet and a majority of crimes are going on unnoticed.

"Four people had to resign until you found your puppet" he said

Dr Busuttil pointed to the recent spike in thefts and car-bombs, saying that nothing is being done and no concrete investigations are taking place.

The situation has become too politicized with none of the recent scandals ever being investigated by the police.

"This does not reflect a democratic nation that forms part of the EU" he said.

In France, Presidential nominee is under investigation involving the employment of his wife, he said, whereas in Malta the numerous scandals  involving a number of ministers namely that of the Panama Papers, Edward Caruana, Gaffarena, the medical visas scandal go unnoticed by the Police Force.

"These allegations are destroying the integrity of the country...the police are meant to serve the public, but who do they protect? The people or the government of Joseph Muscat" he said


He then pointed towards the Panama Papers scandal again saying it was "an open and shut case of money laundering".

The FIAU, he said, has done nothing inspite of the fact that it is a public organization paid by taxpayers money.

The report of their investigation has yet to see the light of the day, and when it ended up at the Police Force, the commissioner and the FIAU head both resigned.

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Cardona allegations have left public “shocked and disgusted” – Simon Busuttil

The Maltese Public is shocked and disgusted by the allegations surround Minister for the Economy and Labour Party Deputy Leader Chris Cardona.

The allegations, which were revealed by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, claim that Mr Cardona visited the FKK Acapulco in Dusseldorf.

Cardona has since said that he will be suing Caruana Galizia for libel.

Dr Busuttil went on to say that normally one would expect for a Prime Minister to take action, but unfortunately, Joseph Muscat has not taken the relevant action in a majority of the scandals that have plagued this administration namely the ones involving, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, Minister without Portfolio Konrad Mizzi, his Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, and Minister Cardona's indiscretions in Dubai.

"How can this government have no shame? No decency?" Dr Busutill told parliament.

He then called on the population to begin to demand that the government be held to higher standard.

PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami had earlier said that Economy Minister Chris Cardona has turned the whole country into a brothel.

"It is a serious allegation that is totally unacceptable, regardless of whether or not he was on an official trip," Dr Fenech Adami said.

The PN Deputy Leader then said it was not the first time the minister's behaviour on official trips has been called in question as he made reference to the Dubai scandal when it was revealed that the minister, along with his chief of staff, had racked up a 700e alcohol bill whilst on an official visit to the country.

"I expect Chris Cardona to come clean and say whether he visited a brothel during any time on his trip to Germany" Dr Fenech Adami went on to say.

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Court awards victim of land grab in 1981 €50,000 in compensation, says he fell victim to corruption

The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of a man who had significant plots of land snatched from him by a group of businessmen with connections to then Labour Minister Lorry Sant, awarding him €50,000 in 'moral compensation'.

In addition to this, the courts have also allowed for the possibility that the man in question, Joseph Borg, could get a further compensatory sum of €1 million following a separate court judgment.

Mr Borg had his Fgura land snatched from him back in 1981, just days before the general election. It was said that before a public notary, Mr Borg was made to transfer his property due to threats and violence levelled against him. The quantity of land was half of 23 plots, and the transfer was made to Piju Camilleri who was employed as a works manager within Mr Sant's ministry.

Madame Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland, presiding over the case, commented that the move was a "smokescreen for the late Labour minister".

Back in 1989, Mr Borg initiated court proceedings with the aim of regaining the property he had lost. At the time, the court ruled in his favour and remarked that he was victim to the institutionalised corruption characterised by the Labour government at the time. It was said that apart from Piju Camilleri, Joe Pace and Victor Balzan were also involved in the snatching of land from Mr Borg.

A second court case was then filed by Mr Borg, with the aim of getting the 'businessmen' to pay up for what they did to him. The late Judge Raymond Pace ruled against Mr Borg, observing that he was not entitled to compensation because he was also involved in the corruption. This was confirmed by a court of appeal, leading Mr Borg to file a constitutional case to challenge the verdict.

Madame Justice Schembri Orland ultimately ruled in favour of Mr Borg, concluding that his constitutional right to a fair hearing and compensation was infringed by the 1989 court judgment.

 The possibility of being compensated a further €1 million stems from the Constitutional Court declaration that Mr Borg fell victim to corruption, meaning that he should be compensated further.

 "Mr Borg can now go to the Constitutional Court to annul the sentence in which he was deemed not to have a right to compensation for his plots of land," it said.

The sum of €1 million was decided because the courts declared that the plots were worth €1.1 million. 

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Busuttil in scathing attack on ‘puppet’ police commissioner

Opposition leader criticises selection of Lawrence Cutajar as police commissioner, claiming the government had gone through four other commissioners before finding 'the perfect puppet to control'

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Lech Walesa's handwriting is on secret police documents, Polish institute claims

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Ruth Davidson accuses Nicola Sturgeon of trying to bully Scots into 'fratricidal conflict'

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SNP to examine reversing burden of proof for Scottish foxhunting cases

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White House defends detaining five year old boy

The White House is defending the actions that led to a 5-year-old boy being detained at a US airport for hours following President Donald Trump's immigration ban. In a White House news briefing, spokesman Sean Spicer said, "to assume that just because of someone's age and gender that they don't pose a threat would be misguided and wrong." The boy was detained at Washington D.C.'s Dulles airport on Saturday following Trump's order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

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Madeleine McCann's parents lose legal appeal over claims they covered up daughter's death

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How to make the most from selling your home: Study reveals ideal length of time for property to be on market

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'I still have your money': JK Rowling replies to Trump supporter

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Opposition leader says Malta ‘in state of shock and disgust’ over brothel allegations

Simon Busuttil insists that Chris Cardona was at the FKK Acapulco of Velbert: 'You have turned this country into a brothel, and our country is not a brothel'

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Hunter photographs rare visitor

Eman Portelli, a hunter and member of Kaċċaturi San Ubertu hunters' association sighted and photographed this rare Olive Backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) in Malta, the association said. The bird is rare, even in Europe, that there is no Maltese name for it. According to Wikipedia it spends the summer in Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Korea Japan, Central Asia and Russia. Occasionally a rare vagrant is found in western Europe.  

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Tourist falls from cliff onto rocks, CPD carrying out rescue mission

A tourist has fallen off a cliff at Qammieh, close to Mellieha, while workers from the Civil Protection Department (CPD) are undertaking the difficult rescue mission in the dark.

It has been reported that the incident took place at around 5.30pm as the female tourist was leaning over to get a better view, leading her to fall onto rocks that are difficult to access.

It is likely that the woman will be lifted to safety by helicopter.

 

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25,000 contraband cigarettes seized

Some 25,000 contraband cigarettes were seized this afternoon in a raid in Fgura by Customs officers and the police.   The Customs Department said it seized 125 cartons of contraband cigarettes containing a total of 25,000 cigarettes bearing no excise tags. They were stored in a garage. 

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Libyan PM meeting Donald Tusk ahead of Malta Summit

'At Malta Summit, we must agree concrete operational measures to stem irregular migration from Libya to Europe' – European Council President

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Roman amphitheatre in Verona to be protected by a giant retractable cover

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Country 'shocked and disgusted' by Chris Cardona allegations - Busuttil

The country is shocked and disgusted by claims that Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona was seen in a brothel in Germany, where he is on official business, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said in parliament this evening. Reacting to the allegations, made in Daphne Caruana Galizia's blog, Dr Busuttil noted that it was being alleged that the minister was accompanied by somebody else, believed to be a ministry employee. "If all this is true, this amounts  to disgusting behaviour and the Opposition is expressing the people's disgust and shock," Dr Busuttil said. "Such disgusting behaviour needs to be condemned and, if true, then the prime minister needs to act."  He added, however, that not much was being expected from Dr Muscat, who had retained his chief of staff and minister Konrad Mizzi despite them having opened secret companies in Panama. The prime minister had also retained minister Evarist Bartolo despite alleged corruption by his canvasser, and Dr Cardona himself was retained despite the stories about how a hotel minibar was emptied by a ministerial delegation. The country was being ridiculed and being made to look like a brothel, Dr Busuttil said. "Our country is not...

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Horse carriage driver denied bail after being charged with string of armed robberies

The driver of a horse drawn carriage (karozzin) was denied bail this morning, following a number of charges filed against him in relation to aggravated theft committed in just two weeks.

Kersten Catania, 25, from Marsa pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

The accused had been arrested following an alleged string of armed robberies, culminating in an incident which took place on 22 January at around 9.30. Mr Catania is said to have returned to a confectionary in Qormi, which he had allegedly already robbed some days ago, armed with a firearm and hoody, demanding cash from a teenage salesgirl. Like something out of an action-movie, the show owner swiftly got hold of the accused, with the assistance of an off-duty constable and prison warden who were luckily on the scene, and managed to hold onto him until the police arrived.

The first theft is said to have taken place in the very same Qormi confectionary, on Guze Muscat Street, where he is reported to have threatened female sales girls with a pointed object and made off with an unspecified amount of cash.

He was then said to have robbed a Pharmacy in Qormi and a Water Polo Club in Marsa.

The courts also charged Mr Catania with having committed these crimes while under a probation order, taking into consideration that he had relapsed.

Lawyer Martin Fenech, defending the accused, asked the courts to take into consideration the fact that Mr Catania's girlfriend was due to give birth and asked that he may be granted bail to witness the occasion. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit denied bail on the grounds that the accused could influence the witnesses involved. Inspectors Saviour Baldacchino and Kylie Borg prosecuted.

 

 

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Rescue under way after tourist falls off cliff

A difficult rescue operation is under way in darkness at Qammieħ, near Mellieha, after a tourist fell off a cliff. The incident happened at about 5.30pm as the woman was leaning to get a better view of the area.  She fell onto rocks which are difficult to access. Rescuers of the Civil Protection Department are on the scene. The woman is expected to be lifted from the site by helicopter.

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Customs seize 25,000 cigarettes from Fgura garage

The contraband cigarettes were seized during a joint operation between the Customs and the Police

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Angela Merkel fights to maintain lead amid swing towards rival Martin Schulz

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Ex-Olympian Ron Hill finally takes day off after going for run every day for 52 years

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Radio 2 invites Brian Matthew to record a 'goodbye' Sounds of the 60s for his avid listeners

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Father rescues baby on sinking car by throwing her to onlookers

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Environment Minister found not guilty of libel from 2004 article

An appeals court has confirmed that a newspaper article penned by current Environment Minister Jose Herrera in 2004 was not defamatory.

The article was published on 15 June 2004 on The Times of Malta, and stated that former vice chairman of the Maritime Authority and chairman of the Capital Projects Committee Marc Bonello was unfairly granting work to his former colleague, Professor Alex Torpiano.

Libel proceedings were filed by Dr Bonello, Prof Torpiano and Dion Buhagiar against Dr Herrera over the article, entitled 'Deep Water Quay'.

Dr Bonello took issue with certain commentary in relation to his alleged role in removing Carmel Chirchop, a Maritime Authority legal advisor at the time the article was published. Reference was also made to the way architects had been appointed to the Cirkewwa Mgarr Terminal Project.

Mr Justice Anthony Ellul, presiding over the case, noted that Dr Bonello was occupying a fairly high public post when the article was published, meaning that he was subject to public scrutiny.

He continued to say that the comments made by Dr Herrera in relation to transparency and any conflicts of interest were 'legitimate and permissible'. It was also observed that Dr Bonello, while in public office, had been a registered partner at TBA Periti, along with Prof Torpiano and Dr Buhagiar. The fact that latter two had not been mentioned directly, and that the criticism had only been levelled against Dr Bonello was also taken into consideration.

Lawyer David Camilleri was counsel to the defendant.

 

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Dramatic footage: Man shoots guests at wedding Mass in Brazil

A man calmly walked into a church during a wedding in Brazil, fired at several guests and then walked out again, disturbing footage shows. The incident took place in Limoeiro de Anadia, Agreste state, on Saturday afternoon.  His targets were a father and son who were to serve as witnesses in the ceremony, according to reports. Both were injured.  The shooter is still at large. The wedding has since gone ahead.  

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Famous Scottish boarding schools named in child abuse inquiry

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Court gives suspended sentence to pensioner for attempted grevious bodily harm of former partner

The court handed a suspended sentence to a pensioner who was charged with the attempted grievous bodily harm of his former partner and her son.

The incident took place incident last Sunday at around 1.30pm in a private residence in Santa Venera.

Joseph Debono, 65, from Sliema was also accused of harassing his victims and being in possession of a knife at the time of the incident.

The court, which was presided over by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, was informed how Mr Debono and his former partner had ended their relationship a couple of months prior to the incident, which took place inside the woman's residence in Santa Venera.

The court also heard how an argument which erupted between Mr Debono and his former partner at her residence lead to the accused attempting to stab the woman and her son.

Mr Debono pleaded guilty to the offences and cooperated with the police, which lead the court to sentence him to a two-year jail term suspended for four years and also charged him a fine of €120 for the unlawful possession of the knife. 

The accused will also have to undergo a rehabilitation programme.

The court also imposed a protection order effective for three years and subject to a penalty of €800 in case of breach.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted.Lawyers Clint Tabone and Paul Borg were defense counsel. 

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More than 10,000 court cases over student absenteeism since 2009

A staggering 10,072 lawsuits have been instituted by the education authorities since 2009 against parents who did not send their children to school, figures given in parliament show. The data, given by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo in reply to a question by Labour MP Etienne Grech, highlights the discrepancy between state, private and independent schools. Just 18 cases were instituted against parents of children in state schools and 106 against those having children in church schools. The rest were against parents who send their children to government schools. The biggest number of arraignments, 1,760, was in 2010/2011. Court action against parents has also been hitting the headlines abroad. In the UK today, a court was told that taking a child to Florida for seven consecutive days during term time without a school's permission cannot be viewed as lawful. The submission was made as Isle of Wight Council, backed by the Education Secretary, launched a landmark legal battle over term-time holidays in the highest court in the land. In a case being watched by schools and parents all over the country, the local education authority is seeking to overturn a High Court ruling in May...

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Allied Newspapers reaches agreement with former managing director Adrian Hillman

Allied Newspapers Limited have reached a private agreement with former managing director Adrian Hillman concerning "any claims they have or may have had against each other. As a result, all litigation is being withdrawn.",

Mr Hillman left his post after an inquiry was launched into alleged editorial interference.

The inquiry, which begun in March 2016, involved allegations made by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia that Mr Hillman may have received bribes from Keith Schembri after it was ascertained that he held a secret company on the British Virgin Islands.

Mr Hillman demanded compensation in front of the Industrial Tribunal after he offered his resignation on May 25, claiming constructive dismissal.

In September, Allied Newspapers Ltd filed a judicial letter asking Mr Hillman to refund company money he used without authorisation.

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Wartime observation post survives the ravages of peace

A wartime Observation Post in San Ġwann has been saved from demolition thanks to a decision by the Planning Authority and pressure by Fondażżjoni Wirt Artna and the local council. The structure stands within an area earmarked for modern housing. It will now be retained and restored by the developer as part of the planning conditions. The federation said the post in question is an early war example consisting of a small observation turret built into an existing traditional Maltese rural building which in itself constitutes a fine example of late 17 or early 18th century traditional rural architecture making it very hard to spot from a distance. It forms part of a line of similar defensive structures running from Ta' Qali all the way up to Tal-Ballal, located at the back of the Victoria Lines built along the great fault which represented one of the main stop lines against invasion from the North-east during the war.   The foundation congratulated the Planning Authority and said it is offering its help for the restoration of the post.

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Cambridge lecturer defeats ex-husband after he tried to halt maintenance payments as she now works full-time

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Karozzin driver pinned down by confectioner denies theft charges

A karozzin driver and soon-to-become father was today denied bail after pleading not guilty to multiple charges related to five different instances of aggravated theft committed within the span of two weeks. Kersten Catania, 25, from Marsa was charged with having on January 15 at around 4.40pm, committed an armed robbery from St Philip's Confectionery in Guze Muscat Street, Qormi. In the course of the robbery the accused, wearing a hoodie, had allegedly threatened the female sales assistant with a knife before making off with the cash. READ: Confectioner holds thief until police arrive on the scene Prosecutors said that four days later the accused, wearing a balaclava and a hoodie, had run into Brown's Pharmacy in Victory Street, Qormi, and snatched the handbag of a female customer, slightly injuring her and robbing her of cash and other personal possessions. The accused was also charged with having committed two other aggravated thefts from Chukkas Water Polo Club in Marsa at around 3.20am on January 21 and again, just a week later, in the early hours of the morning on January 28. The following day, at around 9.30pm, the accused allegedly returned to the same confectionery in...

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[WATCH] Cardona brothel allegations ‘epitome of sleaze’, Fenech Adami says

Unverified allegations that minister was witnessed inside German brothel are 'epitome of sleaze', Nationalist MP says

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Allied reaches agreement with Hillman over inquiry into bribery allegations

Publisher withdraws claims and litigation, internal inquiry into bribery allegations not yet published

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Herrera article written 12 years ago not defamatory, appeals court confirms

A newspaper article written by Environment Minister José Herrera more than 12 years ago was not defamatory, a court of appeal confirmed today.  Marc Bonello, Dion Buhagiar and Alex Torpiano had filed libel proceedings against Dr Herrera following the publication of his article 'Deep Water Quay', which appeared in the Times of Malta on June 15, 2004.   The article that Dr Bonello, at the time the vice chairman of the Maritime Authority and chairman of the Capital Projects Committee, had granted undue advantage to his former work partner, Prof. Torpiano. Dr Bonello had also felt libelled by comments regarding his alleged role in the dismissal of Camel Chircop, a Maritime Authority legal advisor at the time. The article had also referred to Dr Bonello's say in the appointment of the architects involved in the Cirkewwa Mgarr Terminal Project. The appeal court, presided by Mr Justice Anthony Ellul, observed that at the time of the publication of the article Dr Bonello occupied a high public post and was therefore subject to public scrutiny. Criticism such as that carried by the newspaper article, questioning the transparency of his actions and his conflict of interest, was...

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Allied, Hillman reach private agreement

Allied Newspapers Limited and former managing director Adrian Hillman have reached a private agreement concerning any claims they have or may have had against each other. In a statement, Allied Newspapers said that, as a result of the agreement, all litigation was being withdrawn. On his part, it added, Mr Hillman thanked the company for the opportunity that was given to him to serve as managing director and expressed his satisfaction that the matter had come to a positive close. In the wake of allegations by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, Mr Hillman offered his resignation on May 25, claiming constructive dismissal. He eventually demanded compensation in a case filed in front of the Industrial Tribunal. In September, Allied Newspapers Ltd filed a judicial letter asking Mr Hillman to refund company money he used without authorisation. Ms Caruana Galizia had alleged through a blog post that Mr Hillman had received secret payments from the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, who owns Kasco Ltd, a paper supplier, for awarding work contracts at Progress Press to Kasco. Mr Hillman and Mr Schembri had denied the accusations. Their names had appeared in the Panama Papers,...

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Thousands of gay men pardoned as new 'Turing's Law' becomes official

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SkyPixel Picks Best Aerial & Drone Imagery of 2016

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Nanny, 22, donates part of her liver to save the life of the 18-month-old she cares for

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‘Cardona has turned the whole country into a brothel’ – Beppe Fenech Adami

PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami today said that Economy Minister Chris Cardona has turned the whole country into a brother.

He was replying to questions following the publication of a blog on Daphne Caruana Galizia's website, which said that Dr Cardona was in a brother in Germany last night. Dr Cardona, who is also Labour's deputy leader, has denied the claims.

The press conference was called for the PN to unveil the latest billboards which will appear at a majority of PN clubs around the island. The billboards relate to the increase in the price of fuel that was introduced at the start of the month.

"It has been almost a year since the Panama Papers scandal revealed that the two closest people to the Prime Minister held secret accounts, in which they intended to deposit a minimum of one million euros," Dr Fenech Adami said when unveiling the image which displays three hats with the names of the Panamanian companies.

He went on to say that 'the scandal paints the whole picture of the most corrupt government this country has ever seen'.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the latest version.

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French police raid François Fillon parliament office over fake pay affair

French investigators have searched presidential candidate François Fillon's office in parliament as part of an inquiry into allegations on his wife's income

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Mourinho: Rooney is staying

Jose Mourinho has no intention of letting Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney leave this season. The 31-year-old's Old Trafford future has long been under scrutiny and intensified after he became the club's all-time top scorer earlier in the month. Rooney has been widely linked with a move to China, potentially before their transfer window shuts at the end of February. However, Mourinho says Rooney will be staying at United for the rest of the campaign, as will Ashley Young having admitted at the weekend that the winger could leave. "(Young) is staying," he said. "Definitely stays, he is selected for tomorrow. It's finished, he stays with me until the end of the season." Asked if Rooney would see out the season as well, Mourinho said: "Yeah. We don't have players in, we don't have players out." "We lost two players from the squad. You can say Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin did not play a lot, but the reality is they played some matches and when they played, other people didn't. And when they played, others were rested. "When Schneiderlin played against Feyenoord, played against Northampton, played against Fenerbahce, in these days it meant that Paul Pogba or (Michael)...

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Turing's Law: Thousands of convicted gay and bisexual men receive posthumous pardons

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Showjumper rode over retired policewoman after being knocked out of competition

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Jose Herrera libel victory confirmed on appeal

The court of appeal agreed with the first court's reasoning in that the article had barely hinted as to who it was referring to and that it was 'highly improbable' that the average reader would understand the relevance of this to the issue at hand

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Mosquitoes in Africa may be growing resistant to anti-malarial drug

A drug widely used to cure malaria has failed for the first time in patients being treated in Britain, raising questions over whether the parasite is becoming resistant to drugs, researchers said today. Four patients who contracted malaria in Angola, Liberia and Uganda had to seek alternative medicines after the drug they were given to combat the mosquito-borne disease failed, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said in a study. "This is concerning and may indicate that there's a bigger story beginning to emerge in Africa," Colin Sutherland, a medical researcher from the LSHTM, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "It may be an early warning that we need to change a few things," he said, calling for more research into the efficacy of the Artemether-lumefantrine drug. Sutherland said he had heard anecdotes from colleagues in Africa who had also seen resistance by parasites to the drug, saying the cases seem to be developing in different parts of the continent slowly. Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden and in 2015 was home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths. While deaths from...

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British parliament to debate petition for Trump visit to be cancelled

British lawmakers will hold a debate on February 20 on a petition signed by more than 1.6 million people calling for a planned state visit by US President Donald Trump to be cancelled to avoid embarrassing Queen Elizabeth. The debate was called by the Petitions Committee of the lower house of parliament. On the same day, lawmakers will also debate a second petition calling for the state visit to go ahead, which has been signed by more than 100,000 people. The British government responds to all petitions that gain more than 10,000 signatures and topics are considered for parliamentary debate if they reach 100,000.

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Steve Harvey handed glasses before reading out Miss Universe winner

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Donald Trump's voter fraud expert was registered to vote in three states

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'How is this possible?' Frozen pike eating a bass gets cut out of ice

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Driver fined as court finds pedestrian partly responsible for his own death

A driver who caused the death of a Somali pedestrian in a traffic accident in Marsa three years ago today was fined €5,000 and disqualified from driving for six months. 

Warren Chris Frendo, 35, was driving a Fiat Fiorino along Aldo Moro Road at around 2.30pm on 24 March, 2014 when he hit Ismail Yasin Ibrahim. The man died.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja ruled that although there was negligence on the part of the victim, the cause of the fatality lay primarily with the accused. 

Technological evidence showed and eyewitnesses testified that the victim had chosen to cross the four-lane thoroughfare by meandering through the passing traffic, instead of using the pedestrian overhead bridge. 

This was "insensible behaviour" by the victim who had put his own life and that of the drivers at risk, the court ruled. 

But a video-clip of the accident showed that the accused was driving over the legal speed limit. 

The court ruled that it was not "morally convinced " that the accused had been momentarily distracted by the manoeuvre of another driver and had not noticed the victim before the impact. 

The court concluded that the accused had suddenly noticed the pedestrian but was driving too fast to avoid the fatality.

The court declared the accused guilty and imposed a fine of €5,000. The man was disqualified from driving for six months and was ordered to pay court expert expenses amounting to €2,581.28. 

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted.

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Vikings gather for Up Helly Aa festival in Shetland Islands, in pictures

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The minister's not for stopping: David Davis waves off interventions during Brexit Bill

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More than ten killed and dozens injured in surge of violence in east Ukraine

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Morocco rejoins African Union after 33-year absence

Morocco rejoined the club of African states , 33 years after quitting over recognition of Western Sahara, bringing one of Africa's largest economies into the fold and raising hopes of a softening of one of its thorniest territorial disputes. Capping a year-long charm offensive that mirrored a broader investment push into Africa, Morocco's King Mohammed VI was cheered as he took his seat for the first time in the Addis Ababa headquarters of the 55-nation African Union (AU), one of the few international fora to recognise rival Western Sahara. Rabat left the AU's predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in 1984 in anger at its acceptance of the phosphate-rich territory on Africa's north Atlantic coast as a full-blown member. However, African support for Western Sahara - which the United Nations defines as a non-self-governing territory - has ebbed as the importance of Morocco's $110 billion (€102 billion) economy, Africa's fifth largest, as a trade and investment partner has grown. At an AU summit this week, Morocco was re-admitted to the fold, with 39 countries expressing support and only 10, believed to be led by Algeria and South Africa, expressing reservations. "Africa...

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