The UK's Labour Party has gained in at least three polls just weeks before the general election, but Theresa May's Conservatives remained between 11 and 17 points ahead
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Sunday, April 30, 2017
UK election | Labour gains in polls, but Tory keeps strong lead
Egrant Magisterial inquiry: why there are no terms of reference
Speculation has been rife on why no terms of reference have been made known for the magisterial inquiry into allegations made by journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia on the true beneficiary of Egrant Inc, a company named in the Panama Papers scandal. It is up to the Attorney General, on receiving a request, whether to decide on the publication of the inquiry or not.
In a magisterial inquiry, unlike investigations launched under the Inquiries Act, a duty magistrate receives a request put forward by the police or a private citizen, following a report, information or complaints received.
When asked by The Malta Independent on Sunday¸ the police confirmed that, "This is a magisterial inquiry 'in genere' under Article 546, Chapter 9 [the Criminal Code] of the laws of Malta, and [the inquiry] was launched through a report sent to the magistrate by the executive police, which report forms part of the magisterial inquiry itself.
"I would like to inform you that this inquiry does not fall under the Inquiries Act."
Investigations launched through the Inquiries Act limit the scope of a public official's activities, and have specific terms of reference. A magisterial inquiry however has a far broader scope due to not being tied down by terms of reference or tied to investigating a public official. It must investigate anything related to the 'fact' that is being described in a report sent to the magistrate, allowing for a much broader and more comprehensive investigation.
This is why the Nationalist Party, through its leader Simon Busuttil, was allowed to bring fresh allegations, this time involving Pilatus Bank, the Prime Minister's chief of staff Keith Schembri and Nexia BT managing director Brian Tonna, rather than the Muscats and Egrant, to Magistrate Aaron Bugeja, who is leading the inquiry.
Last week, Malta was rocked by allegations that the Prime Minister's wife, Michelle Muscat, is the ultimate beneficial owner of Egrant Inc. Egrant is the third company acquired by the managing director of Nexia BT, Brian Tonna, alongside the Panama companies of Minister without Portfolio Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri.
For a full year speculation as to who Egrant was intended for has been rife. Mrs Caruana Galizia also alleged that a daughter of the Azerbaijani President, Leyla Aliyeva, through a Dubai company with a bank account at Pilatus Bank, Ta Xbiex, paid US$1.017 million to Egrant. Following this allegation, the Prime Minister called an urgent press conference to deny any links with Egrant. Straight after the press conference, the chairman of Pilatus Bank and a risk manager named Antoniella Gauci were filmed by Net TV crew (the PN media) leaving the bank through an emergency exit holding two pieces of luggage. The Prime Minister then issued a press statement saying that after consulting with his lawyers, they asked the Police Commissioner to submit a report to the duty magistrate.
Later on in the week, Dr Busuttil announced that following an appeal for people to come forward with any information on corruption taking place at Castille, the PN was made aware that Mr Schembri had received kickbacks worth €100,000 from Mr Tonna. He said that Mr Tonna had received €166,831.90 – in an account he owns under the name of Willerby Trading Inc. – in fees for the sale of passports to three Russian individuals, and then made two transfers of €50,000 each to a bank account held by Mr Schembri through their respective bank accounts at Pilatus Bank. Mr Schembri is rejecting the allegations.
Dr Busuttil was allowed to testify before Magistrate Bugeja regarding the allegations because of the nature of the inquiry.
Once the inquiry is concluded, the magistrate will draw a report, which is made up of all testimony and is known as the 'proces verbal'. This report is then sent to the Attorney General, together with recommendations. Should the proces verbal, which contains all expert evidence as well as testimony, include a recommendation that action be taken against somebody, a copy is sent to the police.
If there is no such recommendation and the Attorney General believes that further investigation should be carried out, he may ask the Magistrate to continue with his inquiry.
There is no procedure or obligation for a Magistrate to inform the public that an inquiry has been concluded. It is also up to the discretion of the Attorney General whether to publish the report or not, after a formal request is made. Such a request can be made by any ordinary citizen.
In addition to this, throughout the course of a Magisterial Inquiry, the magistrate and the police work together, with the magistrate overseeing the whole process, and the police carrying out the investigations. Police involved in a magisterial inquiry may at least hold the rank of inspector, and are essential because the role of the police is clearly defined by law as the authority responsible to investigate any possible crimes and keep the public peace.
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Erdogan seeks to send Trump stern message with attack on Syrian Kurds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes to bring about a major U-turn in US Syria policy with its airstrikes on Kurdish fighters
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Watch: Mum pulls gun on Cleveland barber when son's haircut takes too long
The mother of a 7-year-old boy getting his haircut pulled a gun on the barber because she thought it was taking too long, according to a police report.
Media report investigators still trying to identify the woman involved in the April 14 incident at the Allstate Barber College on Lorain Avenue near West 26th Street in Ohio City.
The woman complained several times before a manager came over to talk to the barber. The woman walked up and asked if he had something to say to her, according to a police report.
The woman pulled a handgun from her purse and pointed it at the barber, the report says.
"I got two clips. I'll pop you," she said, according to the report.
Another employee came over to calm the woman. The woman put the gun back into her purse, the report says.
The barber finished the haircut and the woman left with her two children.
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Italy's Renzi regains party leadership with big primary win
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has regained the leadership of the governing Democratic Party
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878 vehicle fires between 2011 and 2016
A total of 878 vehicles caught fire between 2011 and 2016, information provided by the police has revealed.
Of this amount, 247 vehicle fires were found to be caused by arson, while 631 were non-crime related fires.
The police were asked for more details regarding the causes of non-crime related vehicle-fires; however, the only answer received was: "The main causes of the non-crime vehicle fires are only established when all investigations and examinations are concluded."
The number of arson-related vehicle fires per year remains steady between 32 in 2014 (the lowest of the years) and 47 in 2011 (the highest between those years).
As for non-crime related fires, the number of reports vary from 80 in 2016 (the lowest) to 117 in 2011 (the highest).
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US Congress agrees $1 trillion budget deal, likely averting government shutdown
Congressional negotiators have reached an agreement on a spending bill to keep the US government running until 30 September
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The five pillars of Europe's most important Corporate Governance Conference in Malta for first time
The 20th European Corporate Governance Conference – Special Interview with Edwin Ward, Director at the Institute of Directors Malta.
Standard Publications is the Media Partner for the 20th European Corporate Governance Conference being held in Malta at Le Méridien on 4 May. The event is sponsored by EY EAME, EY Malta and Paragon Europe and co-organised by the Institute of Directors Malta (IoD) in conjunction with the Malta Institute of Management (MIM) and the European Confederation of Directors' Associations (ecoDa) together with BusinessEurope and EuropeanIssuers. This interview is about corporate governance and the upcoming conference.
What is the IoD and why is it relevant in Malta?
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a business organisation for company directors, senior business leaders and entrepreneurs. It will celebrate its 60th anniversary in Malta this year under the leadership of James J. Satariano who has been its chairman for two decades. Under Mr Satariano the IoD has become the foremost business organisation in Malta working on corporate governance education, events, workshops, training and has become the trusted partner of all key institutions on Corporate Governance issues – Ministry of Finance, MFSA, MSE, Central Bank, FinanceMalta, Chamber of Advocates, Malta Institute of Accountants, and many others. The IoD's mission is free enterprise, entrepreneurialism, wealth creation and good corporate governance, and represents the views of businesses and IoD members in the media and with government. Members of the IoD come from companies of all sizes and from all industries in Malta. IoD gives them a voice on director issues and supported Malta's EU membership bid by hosting several key conferences as well as by becoming directly involved with ecoDa in more recent times. ecoDa represents around 55,000 board directors from across the EU. ecoDa's member organisations represent board directors from the largest public companies to the smallest private firms, both listed and unlisted, with a mission to promote the role of directors, to develop professionalism and European governance standards. With the current political governance issues in Malta, and financial services having become a cornerstone of our economy with their contribution to Malta's GDP now over 20 per cent, the Islands' financial services are in the spotlight like never before. A commitment to outstanding private sector corporate governance might help Malta to retain its place in the financial services world even with difficulties in other areas.
What is Corporate Governance and how did you come to be the co-organisers of the 20th European Corporate Governance Conference?
Corporate governance is doing business the right way to be a better business and to focus on long-term value creation.
Improving Corporate Governance education among CEOs, chairmen and directors, as well as senior management, gives companies a competitive advantage in seeking investment and helps the company to work more effectively. I believe in the concept put forward by Professor Bob Garratt who is now Chairman of the University of Stellenbosh Centre for Corporate Governance for Africa. Bob created the concept of the "learning Board", and Bob's teachings were my departure point in the world of Corporate Governance. I also learned a great deal from Peter Barrett, who was a board member of leading Hong Kong companies Hutchison Whampoa and Hong Kong Telephone for 15 years. He is a founding council member and honorary council life member of Hong Kong IoD, and has helped us and mentored us in Malta for more than a decade. Corporate Governance is a dynamic phenomenon, in two important ways: First, the interaction among the parties is dynamic – the board, management, shareholders and stakeholders. Second, the rights and responsibilities of each of the parties have a time component: Policy creation, Strategy, Management Supervision and Reporting all take place during different periods of the year and many of them are set by regulators and stock exchanges.
Given our track-record as IoD Malta in introducing Corporate Governance to the Maltese Islands and being its champion since Mr Satariano took the Chairman's office in 1998, we were the natural partners for ecoDa to put together the 20th European Corporate Governance Conference as part of the official Maltese EU Presidency programme. In fact, I presented Malta to the delegates at the 19th European Corporate Governance Conference in Bratislava last October and was given a very encouraging response. It was a fantastic conference, incredible for networking and building very important business contacts, as well as being a very enriching education due to because of so many knowledgeable speakers.
What will the 20th European Corporate Governance Conference focus on?
We have created five pillars for this conference with our 30 speakers. After long consultation periods with both ecoDa and EY, we are very fortunate to have had the support of ecoDa Secretary General Béatrice Richez-Baum and Elizabeth Krahulecz at EY who heads Regulatory and Public Policy for EY EMEIA, both of whom have been deeply involved in putting this conference together. The 20th European Corporate Governance Conference will be a full day event on Thursday May 4 at Le Meridien in Balluta Bay. The conference format is a series of five panels that explore long-term value creation; rebuilding trust with corporate governance; corporate governance and CSR; digitalization and innovation. A final panel – "The 20th European Corporate Governance Conference: A milestone for Corporate Governance history" – will feature contributions from Patrick Zurstrassen, Honorary Chair of ecoDa, Founding Member and Former Chairman of ILA, the Luxembourg Institute of Directors, David Devlin, Chairman, European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) and Stephen Martin, Director General, IoD UK.
You are Conference Host and will be moderating the first panel on value creation, what kind of things will you be covering?
Well my panel is full of the best minds in corporate governance today with the exception of my old friend Dr Roger Barker who could not attend this year's conference. We have panellists from all over the world, including an incredible lady from Japan, Kiyomi Saito, the President of JBond Totan Securities, which has almost 90% market share of the eTrading securities platform in Japan and was Executive Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Bank, Toshiba Corporation and Kajima Corporation. We have often talked about corporate governance not being the same thing in Europe and Japan, where the system is more about a stakeholder model rather than the shareholder model in the States and some European countries which maintains that ownership is key and therefore the shareholder is the primary focus of governance. We also have Mark Goydor in the panel from Tomorrow's Company, and during our last meeting in London earlier this year Mark had just finished some seminal work on Stewardship. Mark has served in advisory capacities for British Airways, BT, Co-operative Financial Services and Novo Nordisk, and currently with Alliance Boots, and Camelot. A broadcaster, writer and winner of the Institute of Management Studies Tillers Millennium Trophy for best speaker, Mark was Director Magazine Director of the Month and in recent years he has concentrated on the issue of board and investor responsibilities for stewardship, co-authoring a report with the Institute for Family Business on Family Business Stewardship. Apart from discussing value creation and corporate governance, the panel will look at issues around long-term value creation stars, the Shareholder's Rights Directive role in helping European value creation; the relationship between the Capital Markets Union and value creation, and how it will create value for the European economy. Other excellent speakers in that first panel include Florence Bindelle, Secretary General, EuropeanIssuers, Marcello Bianchi, Member of the Bureau of the OECD Corporate Governance Committee and Deputy Director General, Assonime and Peter Swabey, Policy & Research Director, ICSA Governance Institute. Each of them is an expert in corporate governance, so it will be a very strong opening to the conference.
What else is notable about the 20th European Corporate Governance Conference?
Everything! This is by far the most significant business conference held in Malta on this subject.
The conference is supported by the Ministry of Finance and will be opened by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna featuring the single most talented corpus of corporate governance experts ever to visit Malta. We have two very inspiring speakers in Panel 3 that I would like to highlight in particular. Dr Elona Prroj, Director of No Blood Feud, Yes to Life Foundation and Madi Sharma, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Employers Group. With their interventions we believe that CSR and corporate governance will widen its scope to include human rights and social justice, which will be a very significant moment in the conference. Dr Prroj is the lead pastor of Word of Christ Church in Albania. After the terrible murder of her husband because of a vendetta, she forgave the killer and founded "No Blood Feud – Yes to Life" Foundation, a foundation that is very active in the fight against blood feud and active to provide holistic care for the families that suffer from this phenomenon in the north of Albania. She is also a board member in the leadership of World Vision Albania and Kosovo. Formerly she was the vice general secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Albania. She is a remarkable woman and a true inspiration, nobody can fail to be moved by Dr. Prroj and she has tremendous stage presence. Just like Madi Sharma, who has visited Malta many times, I have seen and heard Madi speak several times and she is a very articulate communicator. She is a public speaker internationally, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship, female entrepreneurship, diversity; gender balance and her passion for CSR. Her presentations, spoken from the heart, motivate and inspire, and seek to make others consider their ability to affect change.
What do you expect the outcome of the conference to be?
Good corporate governance should help companies function more effectively in the long term for the benefit of all stakeholders, managing risks, pursuing opportunities, and improving triple bottom line performance; planet, people and profit. The goal is to improve future performance. We want to get this message out to Malta's companies through this conference and grow the level of engagement in pursuing corporate governance education. If we see more local people registering for the conference that will be a sure sign that some of the ideas discussed with you today about improving business conduct have gotten through. For local delegates, talking with their peers and networking with other business people from all around the world will open up new opportunities for them. I sincerely hope that we will see a full complement from the local business scene next Thursday. It will also be a place where the local business community can do business with over 200 other delegates seeking collaboration, services or business development.
Twenty years ago, when Mr Satariano started to outline why this area of business practice was important, there was little data, research or statistics providing proof that corporate governance was an effective business tool. Today, a growing number of research studies document the relationship between corporate governance and triple bottom-line performance.
We are out of time so I will only mention two. One that finds a positive relationship between CSR and access to capital, 'CSR and Access to Finance' which comes from the Harvard Business School, and a second study describing how corporate responsibility reporting enhances financial value, which came from EY. As I said at the beginning, we can work on the reputation of the Maltese financial centre and market its products and services by using private sector led initiatives on corporate governance education and standards to substitute for failing confidence in other areas.
For the programme and to register visit: http://ift.tt/2oZEddd or call 9920 7677. A limited number of conference-only places are left at the special offer price of €199+VAT on a first-come first-served basis. IoD and MIM members benefit from a special members-only rate, conference-only €99+VAT.
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Chelsea keep Tottenham four points behind in title pursuit
Chelsea passed the toughest test of the title run-in to keep Tottenham at arm's length.
Antonio Conte's side took 66 minutes to break through Everton's resistance on Sunday before winning 3-0 to remain four points ahead of Tottenham.
Even if Tottenham cannot overhaul Chelsea in the final four games to win the title for the first time since 1961, it will still be a landmark season for the north London club.
Beating Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday's derby ensures Tottenham will finish above its neighbor for the first time in 22 years. And if Spurs hold on to second place, it will be their highest finish in 54 years.
For Arsenal, the challenge is now extending the team's 20-year run in the Champions League. But Arsene Wenger's side is six points behind Manchester City, which occupies the fourth qualification place.
City was held 2-2 by relegation-threatened Middlesbrough, but fifth-place Manchester United could also only draw with Swansea so remains a point behind its neighbor.
___
TOTTENHAM 2, ARSENAL 0
It was the penultimate game at White Hart Lane before the stadium is demolished and Tottenham moves into a new adjacent venue after a season at Wembley.
Arsenal imploded at the start of the second half.
Harry Kane ran onto a long throw-in and held up the ball under pressure from Gabriel Paulista. Dele Alli seized possession and passed to Christian Eriksen, who weaved past Laurent Koscielny before striking at goalkeeper Petr Cech. The shot was parried, but Alli stuck out his left boot into a crowded area to clip the loose ball into the net in the 55th minute.
Arsenal never recovered. It took 77 seconds for the penalty to be conceded, with Kane going down lightly under Gabriel's challenge and winning the spotkick. Kane netted his fifth in five league games against Arsenal.
"I felt that we lacked a little bit freedom to play and desire to hurt them more than what we did," Wenger said.
Arsenal's season could still end with the FA Cup if it beats Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Tottenham is now virtually assured of making the top four, given its superior goal difference over fifth-place Manchester United, but manager Mauricio Pochettino still craves the title.
"Of course I am disappointed, because it was a great opportunity to reduce the gap, but we are four (points behind Chelsea)," he said. "But now it's a moment to feel proud, happy."
___
EVERTON 0, CHELSEA 3
It was worth the 66-minute wait for a goal. Pedro Rodriguez collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before striking under the crossbar from 25 yards (meters).
Gary Cahill gave Chelsea breathing space in the 79th by bundling the ball into the net after Eden Hazard's low free kick was saved. Substitute Willian completed the victory seven minutes later.
"We have to have great enthusiasm and great patience because I think we are having a great season but to become a fantastic season we must win," Conte said of the title.
___
MANCHESTER UNITED 1, SWANSEA 1
Jose Mourinho's side made it a club record 25 matches unbeaten but the celebrations were muted after this 14th draw of the campaign.
United captain Wayne Rooney converted a penalty won by Marcus Rashford but Gylfi Sigurdsson equalized directly from a free kick in the 79th minute.
To compound Mourinho's misery, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly joined a lengthy injury list.
Swansea is two points from safety with three games to go.
___
MIDDLESBROUGH 2, MANCHESTER CITY 2
Gabriel Jesus made a quick impact on his first start following 10 weeks out with a foot injury, salvaging the draw in the 85th by heading in Sergio Aguero's cross.
Former City striker Alvaro Negredo put Middlesbrough in front before Aguero leveled from the spot. Gabriel Jesus canceled out Calum Chambers' strike.
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Hibernians seal 12th title in club history
HIBERNIANS- 3
ST ANDREWS - 1
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, J. Bezzina, R. Gomes, J. Lima, M. Dias (M. Moore), C. Failla, B. Kristensen, Jorginho (D. Vella), G. Ribeiro (J. Degabriele), A. Agius
St Andrews: J. Galea, N. Belacevic, K. Kesinovic, E. Beltre', M. Johnson, D. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, I. Paz (J. Walker), K. Nwoko, F. Udoh (R. Darmanin), A. Friggieri
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: P. Abela, M. Borg
Additional asst.refs: F. Zammit, E. Grech
4th official: E. Spiteri
Scorers: B. Kristensen 14, N. Belacevic 18, J. Lima 28, Jorginho 69
Yellow cards: N. Belacevic, Jorginho
Player of the match: Jorginho (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. J. Lima 2. Jorginho 3. I. Paz
Hibernians secured a 12th league title after beating St Andrews 3-1 yesterday, encouraged by a good number of supporters at Ta' Qali National Stadium.
Balzan, who drew with Hamrun Spartans on Saturday, left the door ajar and the Paolites made sure to open up an unassailable four-point lead with one match remaining.
Hibernians needed this after defeat against Birkirkara. There had still been periods when the Saints' players, fresh from a Valletta win the previous weekend, had threatened to wrest the initiative but the more clinical team would prevail.
Hibernians emphatically checked the recent hint of a stagger and rediscovered the relentless, ruthless form that earned them this season's BoV Premeir League title.
Hibernians gave away an early lead, through Bjoirn Kristensen, too quickly, when caught unawares by Nenad Belacevic's bombshell from a distance.
Any doubts that Hibernians would wilt were ruled out. This time they refocused quickly and energetically. Jackosn Lima's long range drive restored their lead before the half was over and shook them awake once again.
The ensuring goal was scored by Jorginho 20 minutes from time and that was enough for the Paolites to seal the title in a hard fought season, with plenty of ups and downs.
Jackson Lima was outstanding for the newly crowned champions, striking delicious passes from deep when he was not trading challenges with Joseph Farrugia in midfield.
Hibernians had Rui Gomes back in their three-man defence for the first time this season after a long injury. Dias and Failla were the wing backs with Johann Bezzina starting in midfield.
That meant there was no place for Boljevic and Degabriele in their starting line-up.
St Andrews' coach Danilo Doncic also tweaked his side. Forward Ziga Kastrevec was suspended and Che dropped. Michael Johnson and Kyrian Nwoko started instead.
Hibernians took less than a quarter hour to open the scoring. Bezzina had his effort blocked by the Saints' defence, the ball rolled to Bjorn Kristensen who beat keeper Galea with a low drive from outside the area.
But Hibernians' celebrations lasted only four minutes. Nenad Belacevic drilled a left-foot shot from 25 metres out that rendered keeper Hogg helpless.
Hibernians were not to be demoralised though. Midway through the half, Dias had his shot turned into a corner by the Saints' keeper in a raid down the right.
(Photos Domenic Aquilina)
The Paolites' resolve in responding stood them in good stead as they regained the lead on 28 minutes. Keeper Galea was partially at fault when he failed to hold out Jackson Lima's drive from outside the area and the ball ended over the line.
Ribeiro tried to emulate him two minutes later but his shot missed the target.
St Andrews threatened an equaliser on 36 minutes. On Farrugia's long sailing free kick inside the Hibernians area, the ball was headed out by Kristensen and fell to Paz who shot over.
Hibernians remained the better team even in the second half and could have added further goals before the hour. Jorginho reached for the ball, on a Failla free kick from the left, before keeper Galea but his header went inches wide. Ribeiro headed another Failla free kick straight on the goalkeeper before being replaced by Degabriele.
Jorginho's contribution, running the channels and unsettling defenders, needed a proper reward. That came on 69 minutes when he made progress through the middle and , with two St Andrews players chasing, he went inside the area
From that point there was an inevitability about the final result. Hibernians kept playing for time as the Saints looked resigned to defeat, reserving the afternoon for their opponents' celebrations in front of an euphoric support.
GZIRA UNITED - 1
BIRKIRKARA - 1
Gzira U: J. Borg, J. Bondin, C. Gatt Baldacchino, A. Machedo Neto, I. Azzopardi (K. Pulo), I. Adeshina (A. White), J. Corbolan, M. Avila Perez, Z. Scerri, A. Cohen,G. Conti
Birkirkara: H. Bonello, E. Herrera (J. Brincat), C. Bubalovic, G. Sciberras (M. Desira Buttigieg), M. Andelkovic, R. Scicluna, J. Zerafa, V. Plut, P. Jovic, E. Agius (M. Guillaumier), G. Muir
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst.refs: P. Apap, R. Aquilina
Additional asst.refs: M. Spiteri, E. Mangion
4th official: D. Petrovic
Scorers: I. Adeshina 67, V. Plut 85
Yellow cards: P. Jovic, A. Cohen, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Andelkovic, K. Pulo
Player of the match: A. Cohen (Gzira U)
TMI top 3: 1. Z. Scerri 2. V. Plut 3. A. Cohen
Attendance: 1,940
Gzira disrupt Stripes' momentum
SILVIO VELLA
Vito Plut saved Birkirkara from severe embarrassment with a late equalsier, earning his side a scarcely deserved point against gallant Gzira United who had taken a surprsie lead shortly after the hour..
This might not have represented the most difficult assignment remaining for Birkirkara in their pursuit for a place in European competition but it was a result underpinned by Gzira's relentless energy and organisation.
Closing the Stripes down industriously, concentrating assiduously and winning their fair share of tackles, Darren Abdilla's side ensured they finish a positive season with a bang.
For long stretches, Birkirkara carried their customary, incisive threat but their final delivery often undermined the quality of their approach work.
Gzira offered Birkirkara the space to dominate central midfield. Thanks largely to the prodigious work-rate of Zachary Scerri and Moises Avila Perez , however, the Stripes were unable to control the contest but still, as so often this season, Nikola Jaros' team found a way with Plut's equaliser.
They remain unbeaten in their last ten matches as they tie up with Valletta in third place.
Birkirkara had two key players suspended in the likes of Migiel Alba and Srdan Dimitrov. Gary Muir was given a rare start as right back, with Predrag Jovic replacing Vukanac at the back. Edmond Agius started in midfield instead of Matthew Guillaumier as Ryan Scicluna was also given the nod.
Gzira rested several players, following their draw against Floriana the previous week. Andre White, Souleyman Diamoutene, Karl Pulo and Carlos Reyna were all relegated to the bench as Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ian Azzopardi and Antonio Neto returned in defence and Zachary Scerri and Andrew Cohen regained their places in midfield. Juan Corbolan was injured midway through the first half and had to be substituted.
As expected, Birkirkara made the more assertive start. Scicluna was the first to test the Gzira keeper Jurgenn Borg after four minutes. Jovic struck the post on the quarter hour.
A bright start suggested a captivating contest ahead. We were misled.
As Gzira disrupted their rhythm, the Stripes failed to be incisive enough in their build-ups, with Vito Plut very much starved of service for the opening 45 minutes.
Birkirkara threatened again three minutes before the break with an Agius fierce inswinging free kick from the left that keeper Borg did well to fist out.
Gzira also had their half chances in the first half, all coming from their pivot Cohen. On 23 minutes he picked Avila Perez's pass but shot wide. The Gzira midfielder also placed his low free kick narrowly wide past the half hour and then his grounder from outside the area made light work for the Birkirkara custodian Bonello.
After receiving a hard knock, defender Azzopardi did not make it for the second half and was replaced by Pulo.
Only Birkirkara posed a genuine threat until the hour. On 54 minutes, a Muir low powerful free kick was ably turned into a corner by keeper Borg. On the hour, Plut advanced down the right flank, sent a cross towards the middle but Herrera was far from composed as he ran to connect to it.
But as their frustrations were growing, Gzira produced the sucker punch on 67 minutes, even if there was an element of fortune about it. Scerri played the ball wide on the left to Reyna who crossed low for Inge Adeshina to squeeze the ball over the line with his outstrteched leg when challenged by Jovic.
With the side continuing to malfunction Birkirkara introduced James Brincat and Matthew Guillaumier as they probed for an equaliser. But Gzira looked menacing again on 73 minutes with a Reyna powerful shot that forced keeper Bonello into a difficut save, turning into a corner.
Gzira's renewed optimism was cruelly punctured five minutes from time when Vito Plut unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area that beat keeper Borg for the only time in the match.
Birkirkara pressed further upfield, with Jovic joining in attack, in the final frentic minutes and keeper Borg again denied them with a good stop on a Bubalovic effort.
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Man seriously injured after car overturns
A man was seriously hurt this evening when the car he was driving crashed into a crash barrier and overturned, the police said.
The accident happened at 7.30pm in Qormi.
The 61-year-old of Zebbug was taken to hospital for treatment.
Magistrate Doreen Clarke is conducting an inquiry.
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Man seriously injured after falling off bastion
A man was seriously injured this afternoon after falling four storeys down a bastion in Vittoriosa, the police said.
The 23-year-old Irishman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Magistrate Doreen Clarke is conducting an inquiry.
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Waterpolo: San Giljan edge Sliema to win winter league for third time
San Giljan Tum Invest 8
Sliema Betsson 6
(3-1), (1-1), (0-2), (4-2)
San Giljan Tum Invest are the champions of the Bank of Valletta Winter League for the second consecutive year after they defeated Sliema Betsson 8-6 in a tight affair.
Credit goes to both sets of teams who fought for every ball and sometimes the arguments characterised what really the players were fighting for.
Sliema adopted more of a press approach towards their opponents and in some instances they really put San Giljan in difficulty, but the compact and gelled team of San Giljan restored their lead in the final minutes to settle the game.
Three goals in the first session looked to have paved the way for San Giljan for an easy win, but Sliema held on in the second session, held their opponents and finished it with a two-goal disadvantage. In this session, Sliema lost Kai Dowling while San Giljan had to do without Ben Plumpton.
Sliema took the initiative after the break and dictated play. They deservedly equalised with two goals by Gabarretta and Spiteri Staines, in the beginning and end of the session.
San Giljan took again the lead in the last session by Peter Borg, but Mark Meli equalised instantly. It was down to Paul Fava as he scored a brace and put his team in the driving seat. Gabarretta kept his team hoping, but Matthew Zammit sealed the deal with a shot from the right side.
After the game, Anthony Scicluna from BOV and President of the ASA Joe Caruana presented the trophy to their captain Matthew Zammit.
San Giljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg (1), A. Galea, B. Grech, D. Zammit, M. Zammit (3), B. Plumpton (1), J. Galea, T. Said, A. Cousin, P. Fava (2), D. Zammit (1), T. Micallef
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (3), E. Aquilina, C. Cluett, M. Meli (1), K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines (2), M. Mifsud, A. Mifsud, A. Attard, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, Z. Sciberras
Referees: Mario Dalli, Peter Balzan
Neptunes 9
Valletta McDonalds 7
(2-1), (3-3), (1-1), (3-2)
A hard fought win for Neptunes as they squeezed past Valletta 9-7 to confirm third place. Neptunes had the upper hand in most of the game, but found a resilient Valletta side that always had a reaction after conceding a goal.
Valletta were at par with their opponents up until almost the end of the third session but after Niki Lanzon's splendid goal, Valletta lost their goalkeeper and their heads and permitted Neptunes to control the final minutes of the game.
Stephen Rizzo adopted an aggressive approach to the game as Valletta pressed Neptunes heavily, committing a number of fouls resulting in exclusions that led James Spiteri Staines, Michael Rizzo and Andrea Agius, all to be excluded in separate sessions.
On the other hand, Neptunes kept playing the same game with their usual starting line-up almost playing the full game.
Neptunes had only a goal advantage at the end of the second session as Valletta managed to react after the goals by Neptunes. They equalised with a long range shot by Keith Galea and shared the game with their opponents.
But Neptunes needed a spark by their captain as he beat Sciortino with a backhand in the left corner that also sparked the frustration of the Valletta goalkeeper, being given marching orders by referee Massimo Angileri.
Having James Spiteri Staines, Michael Rizzo and Ryan Sciortino all out of the game, Valletta looked powerless to react, losing also their concentration, and Neptunes were brave enough to take advantage by securing the game.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), K. Erdogan, J. Culic, T. Agius (2), M. Tabone, S. Gravina (1), J. Camilleri (2), J. Abela (2), M. Zammit (1), M. Martellacci, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja
Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius (1), M. Rizzo, M. Fenech, R. Mock, D. Paolella (2), M. Cordina (2), D. Fenech, K. Galea (2), O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Alex De Raffaele
Sirens 12
Exiles Jetfreight 2
(0-1), (6-0), (3-1), (3-0)
Sirens emerged as clear winners from the play-off for fifth and sixth place by dominating Exiles Jetfreight. During the league, they were slightly better than their opponents, but it was a disappointing ending for Exiles who closed the gap with their opponents this year.
Exiles started the better team, winning the first session 1-0 with a goal by Michele Stellini, but Sirens woke up in the second session and scored four consecutive goals in similar fashion thanks to youngster Jacob Sciberras.
This led to Sirens controlling the game with no difficulty, as Exiles looked stunned. In fact it was only in the third session that they scored their second goal through Julian Rizzo Naudi, but until then Sirens had opened up a seven goal margin.
Sergio Afric's team controlled also the last session scoring another three goals to close an easy win.
Sirens: N. Grixti, M. Sciberras, J. Sciberras (5), M. Grech (1), J. Zerafa Gregory (1), J. Cutajar, D. Cutajar (2), J. Napier (1), J. Brownrigg (1), L. Caruana (1), O. Gauci, C. Mercieca
Exiles: M. Castillo, J. Rizzo Naudi (1), J. Bajada, M. Stellini (1), T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro, D. Borg Millo, K. Griscti, N. Paris, A. Bianchi, A. Magri, L. Felice, S. Galea Pace
Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Stefan Licari
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France on high alert: May Day protesters to march against Le Pen
Protesters to use 1 May marches to oppose far-right presidential candidate as Front National holds annual gathering
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Government says PN leader should stop undermining AG’s office
The government said today the Opposition Leader should stop undermining the Attorney General's Office.
It was reacting to statements made by Simon Busuttil after it was reported that the AG, Dr Peter Grech, knew about kickbacks that had been made to the OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri from the sale of Maltese passports.
In a statement, the government said the AG's office was protected by special laws that guaranteed autonomy and independence.
It said that Dr Grech has been serving the country impeccably for 33 years, and had been appointed to the post by the previous administration. It is unjust, the government said, that his integrity was attacked to score political points.
The Opposition was maliciously saying things about which the Attorney General is not free to talk about, the government said.
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People in authority should use power to serve others, not themselves – Archbishop Scicluna
Archbishop Charles Scicluna said that persons in authority should not fall for the temptation to use their power to serve themselves, instead of serving others.
Addressing the faithful during the homily in the occasion of the feast of St Publius, the Archbishop said that the seven temptations which religious people and members of the clergy have to face apply to every individual. He referred to the homily made by Pope Francis during his visit in Cairo, Egypt.
Addressing persons in authority, the Archsbishop said that now is the time for everyone to shoulder their responsability and act without looking at anyone's face.
He called on poeple with power to fight the venom which introduces the temptation to use that power to serve oneself, instead of serving the people. "He who wants to be the first, must first stand behind everyone else and serve them," he said while quoting fromt he gospel.
Mons Scicluna said that another common temptation is individualism, by which a person, instead of thinking about the good of others, thinks of him/herself with no shame.
"The individualist is the reason for scandal and quarrel. These words are addressed to all of society, because the sufferign of one, is the suffering of all. In the same manner, the interest of one, should be the interest of the public."
"Where is the destination of our country? Is it profit at all costs? Do we destroy our natural habitat for the enjoyment of the few? Is this our desination?"
President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca also addressed the public on the ocassion of St Publius feast in Floriana. She said that the Maltese should rise above the mudslinging of local politics regardless of when an election is held. She urged the public to remain united during this time of political tension.
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Labour presses Busuttil to have OLAF investigate PN MEPs’ accounts
Ian Borg says this was the third time the Nationalist Party had been discovered to be adopting illegal means to finance its operations, following the cedoli loan scheme and the scandal involving the DB Group paying PN officials' wages
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PL challenges Simon Busuttil to take MEPs offices case before OLAF
The Labour Party has challenged PN Leader Simon Busuttil to take the case regarding the offices held by party MEPs at the PN headquarters before OLAF, the European anti-fraud office.
Addressing a press conference, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, Ian Borg said that the parliamentary regulations are clear in stating that MEP funds cannot, directly or indirectly, end up in the party's pocket. The Labour Party is dubbing this new development as the third scheme created by the Nationalist Party to raise funds while bypassing party financing law.
Labour Party CEO Gino Cauchi, said that silence is in itself a reply. He said that this was not the first time that the PN tried to bypass party financing law. He mentioned the cedoli scheme and the salaries allegedly paid by donations handed by db Group.
"Was this the reason why in 25 years, the Nationalist Party never wanted to introduce the party financing law? Is there another scheme by which the PN is making money through such tricks?" he asked.
Mr Cauchi said that some MEPs are not ashamed of showing their office's address at the PN headquarters and at Media.Link communications. He said that the statement made by the Nationalist Party does not deny the claims made by the Labour Party media. This practice goes against the funding regulations of the European Parliament, they insisted.
PL also promised it has more documentation in hand proving this illegality. "The PN leader has been, for days, asking the public to come forward with information. Simon Busuttil should be careful that the public does not come forward with information against him."
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Number of patients on waiting list for 18 months drops by 90%
In 2013, there were 28,000 patients awaiting an operation at Mater Dei Hospital, half of whom had been waiting for 18 months.
The number has dropped by 90% to just 1,000, Health Minister Chris Fearne said today.Speaking during a visit to the hospital, Fearne said that the number of surgical interventions on Sunday has increased drastically. Some 2,500 operations were held since a decision was taken to open operating theatres on Sunday.
He said that in the past month 4,938 interventions were carried out, 545 more than the same month last year, for an average of 160 operations per day.
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Mercedes' Bottas beats Ferrari's Vettel for first ever F1 win in Russia
Valtteri Bottas claimed his first Formula One win on Sunday after holding off a late charge from Sebastian Vettel in the Russian Grand Prix.
Mercedes driver Bottas, who started third but snatched the lead on the first lap, finished 0.6 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen took third in the second Ferrari, 10.3 seconds further back.
"Took quite a while, more than 80 races," said Bottas, who had his debut with Williams in 2013. "Worth the wait."
Vettel was left fuming after his hopes of passing Bottas on the last lap were dashed by having to lap the Williams of Felipe Massa. "What was that?" Vettel asked over the team radio in apparent frustration that Massa hadn't moved out of his way swiftly enough.
Vettel's second place meant the German extended his standings lead to 13 points over Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who trailed in fourth after suffering overheating trouble.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claimed fifth, ahead of the Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. Eighth went to Renault's Nico Hulkenberg, with Massa and Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz claiming the final points.
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Stability in Libya crucial for its neighbours’ security - Carmelo Abela
Together with its Mediterranean and European partners, Malta stands ready to engage in doing whatever it takes, in consultation and cooperation with Libyan authorities, to help re-build the fundamental components of the Libyan State, said Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela.
"Unfortunately there remains a great level of instability in Libya, since the Government of National Accord is still not completely exercising its effective authority. Aside from being an essential pre-condition for the welfare of the Libyan population and the resurgence of the Libyan economy, stability in Libya is also fundamental for its neighbours' security", he told an interparliamentary conference on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), organised in Malta by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Minister Abela said that the EU has acted with determination to counter the instability in its proximity by engaging with affected countries by means of CSDP missions. At the same time the EU's mechanism for peacekeeping also includes a raft of measures whereby it analyses its crisis response tools, and constantly refines and updates them. In fact, new or improved concepts of operation are developed by the EU, based on lessons learnt from exercises that enable the bloc to fine-tune the relevance and impact of its activities.
With respect to Libya, CSDP action is conducted by an EU Border Assistance Mission to Libya (EUBAM Libya), in which Malta has participated. Currently, much effort is also being invested in the EU's military intervention in international waters off the coast of Libya aimed at breaking the business model of human trafficking by smugglers, known as EUNAVFOR MED - Operation Sophia, in which Malta actively participates.
"The CSDP can act to provide direct benefits to crisis areas as well as visibility for the EU at the external level, especially in its immediate neighbourhood," Minister Abela said. "The CSDP provisions enable the Union to take a leading role in peacekeeping operations, in conflict prevention and in the strengthening of international security."
The Minister also referred to the EU Global Strategy set out in 2016, aimed at further stimulating the CSDP process and exploiting innovative approaches to countering crises and threats. Work is still ongoing in terms of re-assessing internal mechanisms to ensure these are improved and strengthened, while also trying to deepen relations with existing partners such as the UN and NATO to act together with more effect in crisis areas where they are present.
"I am confident that, if the EU continues its good work internally and with others it will consolidate its strengths and manage to go far towards more stability and peace", said Minister Abela.
The list of speakers at the conference included the EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
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Italian Democrats picking party chief; Renzi expected to win
Italians are voting for a new leader of the Democratic Party in a primary expected to give ex-head Matteo Renzi a new mandate.
Citizens lined up at makeshift gazebos set up around the country Sunday. It was unclear when results will be announced.
Renzi quit as leader of the fractured party after a national referendum defeat on reforms he championed while premier also forced him to resign the premiership in December.
Challenging him in the primary are Justice Minister Andrea Orlando and Michele Emiliano, governor of the southern Puglia region.
The Democrats face a stiff challenge from the populist 5-Star Movement in a national election due in early 2018 at the latest.
Left-wing hardliners split from the Democrats and formed a new party, resenting Renzi's authoritarian style and centrist leanings.
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Lazio win Rome derby 3-1 ahead of Inter clash with Napoli
Lazio won 3-1 at Roma in a controversial derby in Serie A on Sunday to leave its neighbors in the capital looking nervously over their shoulders.
Roma remained second, nine points behind Juventus with four rounds left, but third-placed Napoli can move to within one point of Roma with a win at Inter Milan later.
Fourth-placed Lazio moved four points behind Napoli after two goals from Keita Balde Diao and another from Dusan Basta handed it a first derby win in the league in nearly five years.
Roma had leveled through Daniele De Rossi's penalty after Wallace was harshly judged to have tripped Kevin Strootman.
Roma defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in stoppage time for a dangerous challenge on Filip Djordjevic.
Lazio made a late change before kickoff when Ciro Immobile pulled out ill during the warmup and was replaced by Jordan Lukaku.
Roma was out for revenge after losing the Italian Cup semifinal to its bitter rival and Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha was forced into early saves to deny Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah.
However, it was Lazio which took the lead with its first sight of goal in the 12th minute as Keita got away from Federico Fazio just inside the area and his shot went through Emerson Palmieri's legs and into the near bottom corner.
Keita almost turned provider in the 36th but Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny did well to tip Marco Parolo's effort around his post.
Lazio felt it should have had a penalty earlier when Fazio appeared to foul Lukaku but it was Roma which was awarded a spot kick just before halftime.
Televsion replays showed Wallace did not touch Strootman's ankle when the Netherlands midfielder went down in the area.
De Rossi stepped up and calmly sent the penalty into the bottom right corner.
Roma almost took the lead shortly after the break when Salah found Dzeko but Strakosha pulled off another great save.
And it was Lazio which restored its advantage three minutes later as Basta's strike from just outside the area was deflected past Szczesny by Fazio.
Basta hadn't scored in 79 Serie A games, since another goal against Roma for Udinese in March 2014.
Lazio looked the likelier to score again and did so five minutes from time. Senad Lulic sprinted down the left and into the area before rolling across for an unmarked Keita to sidefoot home from close range.
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Stability in Libya crucial for neighbours’ security
Much effort is being invested in the EU's military intervention in international waters off the coast of Libya aimed at breaking the business model of human trafficking by smugglers
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Labour accuses PN of 'fraud' • MEPs publish certification statements
Joseph Muscat challenges Simon Busuttil to take allegations to the European Union's anti-fraud office
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Muscat to announce early June election, Illum claims
Newspaper says that Muscat had decided to go to the polls because he was worried that the current political uncertainty could cause irreparable harm to the country
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Trump invites Philippinines’ Duterte to White House
US president 'enjoyed' phone call with Philippines president, who is accused of overseeing the deaths of 7,000 people as part of his war on drugs
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Hints of a snap election: 'I won’t allow anyone to jeopardise Malta’s economic stability' - PM
'Businesses say that sales have started to slow down and investors who want to wait: I won't allow the coalition of confusion to threaten this country's stability'
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PN government would set up permanent anti-corruption magistrate post
Busuttil also said the Nationalist Party would hold prime minister Joseph Muscat personally if any harm were to befall the Russian whistleblower at the heart of allegations tying the prime minister's wife to secret Panama company Egrant
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Whistleblower denies fraud allegations, recounts Egrant shares discovery
The woman accused the police of confiscating her passport, making it impossible for her to travel to Russia when her mother passed away
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Editorial: Serenity – the misnomer of the year
'Serene' is how the Prime Minister describes his state of mind of late, but the body language and the events sweeping across the country, the statement tells another story altogether.
The hysterical reactions of government acolytes and pundits, who have gone to extraordinary lengths to discredit a woman who blew the whistle on the financial machinations underway at Pilatus Bank, which she divulged freely and voluntarily to the ongoing magisterial inquiry, belie this 'serene' disposition being so falsely projected.
The general sentiment reigning over the populace, over the Prime Minister's supporters and opponents alike, a feeling that is virtually palatable anywhere you go, also belies the fact that no leader of a country can possibly be of a serene mind when those he is leading are in such a tumultuous state.
The allegations that have captured the national attention over the last year and over the last 10 days in particular, are no ordinary allegations.
The Prime Minister is facing very serious charges of being personally linked to corruption and money laundering. Now whether those allegations are true or not is irrelevant in this context. Either which way, no Prime Minister can be in any sort of serene state of mind under such circumstances.
At the very least, one would think that he would say something to the effect that 'I am concerned about these preposterous lies being told in my regard. I am worried that the country will suffer from the state of affairs it has found itself in. I am troubled that all the hard work we have put into the economy over the last years is being placed in jeopardy.'
But at a stage in which many of the country's institutions are suffering a credibility crisis – its investigative authorities and, not least, the police force, the Prime Minister has apparently remained serene. This simply cannot be the truth of the matter, whether the accusations, allegations and insinuations hold any water or not.
And in the face of what is beyond any questionable or reasonable doubt, according to the Prime Minister all is apparently serene and the government will continue to work 'with serenity'.
This attitude simply beggars belief.
Also giving lie to the serenity the Prime Minister and the government at large appear to be enjoying is not only yesterday's shock resignation of government whip Godfrey Farrugia, nor his harsh words accompanying that resignation – what shows that not all is serene are the underlying messages in Dr Farrugia's public open letter to the Prime Minister.
As the government whip, Dr Farrugia held an extremely important position and as such he was privy to much of what has been going on behind the scenes within the Labour Party and its parliamentary group – he has seen what has been transpiring from the inside and as such what can be inferred from his words, which were no doubt carefully chosen, speak volumes.
In his public resignation letter, he says he "smelt a hidden agenda of people who were close to you, persons in whom you have trust", that the political games being played behind the scenes were a "Machiavellian game" comprised of "post-truth politics, hypocrisy and anti-truth". Worse still, he says, "Wrongful behaviour that was not curbed, left repercussions that put us with our backs against the wall. We lost our moral fibre."
Given all that has been going on in public view coupled with what has been going on behind the scenes, serenity, it appears, is the misnomer of the year.
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Ancelotti becomes first coach to win league in four major football nations
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich ensured a record fifth straight Bundesliga title with a 6-0 rout of Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Lewandowski took his season tally to a league-leading 28 goals for Bayern to seal its 27th German title overall with three games to spare.
"Winning the championship is never a given," Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said.
No German side had won more than three titles in a row before Bayern made it four last year. This fifth title will go some way in helping Carlo Ancelotti's side get over its recent Champions League and German Cup exits to Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
Ancelotti also became the first coach to win league titles in four of five major football leagues in Europe - Italy with Milan, England with Chelsea, France with PSG and Germany with Bayern. In Spain, he did not win the domestic league with Real Madrid, but won the Champions League.
"Of course we have a few regrets about the last 15, 20 days," Ancelotti said. "But now is the time to celebrate and we have time to prepare for the new season."
Bayern leads second-placed Leipzig by 10 points and can no longer be overtaken.
"The championship is the most prestigious title. We're champions for the fifth time in a row. It's outstanding and incredible," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.
"We don't have the arrogant demand to win the treble every year. We played a good season," Rummenigge added.
Wolfsburg, languishing one point above the relegation zone in its worst ever Bundesliga season, offered little resistance.
Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller both went close before David Alaba broke the deadlock just inside the 20-minute mark with a finely struck free kick.
Some 15 minutes later, Kingsley Coman ran onto Thiago Alcantara's pass and crossed for Mueller, who teed the ball up for Lewandowski to pick his spot inside the right post.
There was still time before the break for the Poland striker to claim his second, thanks to another run from Coman and some lackluster Wolfsburg defending.
Alaba hit the crossbar after the break, but Arjen Robben claimed the fourth goal midway through the half with a low shot inside the right post.
Lahm made way with 20 minutes remaining as Rummenigge and other club officials were celebrating with beer in the stands. Both Wolfsburg coach Andries Jonker, who coached Lahm when he was interim Bayern coach, and Ancelotti congratulated the former Germany captain on what was to be his eighth Bundesliga title.
Wolfsburg's misery was compounded when Luiz Gustavo earned his second yellow card - the furious Brazilian had to be wrestled away from the referee by his teammates - and then Mueller made it 5-0 on the rebound after Lewandowski hit the post.
Joshua Kimmich completed the rout late on.
"In the end it felt like men's football against kids' football," Wolfsburg striker Mario Gomez said of facing his former side.
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Warring knights, a moral crisis, and hidden monies
The internal clash of the Order of Malta and the rivalries between Festing loyalists and the Holy See is reaching boiling point
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Saturday, April 29, 2017
Trust Barometer | Muscat’s trust dips to Panama levels as PL leads by 4 points
At 3.5 points, the trust gap between the two leaders is the narrowest registered in MaltaToday's surveys since the 2013 general election
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Will he or won’t he call an election?
There's no doubt that the country has moved into election mode and the big question on everyone's mind is whether the Prime Minister will be calling an early election tomorrow in his 1st May address in Valletta.
Three Sundays ago, The Malta Independent on Sunday quoted government sources as saying that a snap election before the end of summer could be on the cards. The Egrant allegations had not yet fully surfaced back then but it was clear that the Prime Minister was building up the momentum that we are so used to before an election is called.
The revelations that followed in the Pilatus Bank leaks and the magisterial inquiry in which the Prime Minister himself is under investigation continued to push the country into early election mode, with many thinking that a snap election will end this crisis.
Dr Gonzi, who was far more willing to speak his mind than Dr Sant, said, "These are not normal circumstances." He said that under normal circumstances there would be no reason to call an early election. However, he cautioned that these are not normal circumstances and "something, therefore, needs to be done, but this does not necessarily mean an early election".
On his part, Dr Sant said that as he does "not have all the information, perspectives and assessments that the Prime Minister would possess about the current situation, I cannot have a meaningful opinion regarding what the Prime Minister should do about calling an election ASAP".
Other personalities from different fields gave The Malta Independent on Sunday their assessments of what they believe the Prime Minister should or should not do.
So what will the Prime Minister do? Will he call it or will he not?
He will
One of the main reasons why Dr Muscat might call an early election tomorrow is the uncertainty that has gripped the country with the risk that economic activity grinds to a halt. Business is suffering with major investors holding their breath to see if the wait will last until November or, even worse, March 2018 as announced by the Prime Minister earlier this year. Families are holding back on significant retail purchases until it is clear when the election will take place. The country is in a state of suspended animation awaiting the next revelation to emerge from the Egrant/Pilatus crisis which has the Prime Minister and his wife at the centre of it all.
He won't
The Prime Minster might not call an early election tomorrow because if he does he would be the first Prime Minister to go for an election while he is under investigation. The Prime Minster may opt to wait for the magisterial inquiry to be concluded and, depending on its outcome, call an election with a clean bill of health. Should the inquiry determine that Egrant is effectively his and his spouse's, he would resign and give time to his successor to call the election in due course.
He will
The Prime Minister might call an early election tomorrow irrespective of the magisterial inquiry in which he is under investigation because he has played all his trump cards. He has a budgetary surplus, something of a novelty given our recent economic performance. He closed the Marsa Power Station and opened the new ElectroGas facility, albeit two years later than promised. Unemployment is at a record low and he has just presided over an agreement on a minimum wage rise. Should he wait to call an election, these deliverables might very well have fizzled out by November.
He won't
The feel good factor potential of calling an election just after new budget measures are announced cannot be discarded. The government cannot be seen calling an election too soon before it's time up to go to the polls. Now that it has a surplus, the government can put forward a budget for 2018 that will stun people to the point that it gives them good reason to retain the present administration for another five years.
He will
While he may have dented his trust ratings in the polls due to the current crisis, the Prime Minister still enjoys a lead over Simon Busuttil. He will surely want to strengthen that lead before the PN leader takes the lead himself. An election campaign will give him the best platform to consolidate his achievements and use his power of incumbency.
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Election: Should he or shouldn’t he?
Lawrence Gonzi: The decision to call an early election is obviously the Prime Minister's prerogative. Under normal circumstances, I would have argued that there are no reasons whatsoever for an early election to be called. I would also have argued that the overriding consideration should always be tied to the national interest – as opposed to the personal interests of the PM himself and his party. But these are not normal circumstances. Recent events (factual or alleged) have shaken the very core of the country's moral fibre, placing at risk the "serenity" of a stable and mature democracy that should be able to boast strong democratic institutions. Something therefore needs to be done, but this does not necessarily mean an early election.
Alfred Sant: As I do not have all the information, perspectives and assessments that the PM would possess about the current situation, I cannot have a meaningful opinion regarding what the PM should do about calling an election as soon as possible; even less can I second-guess him – nor would I wish to do so. Calling an election is his prerogative.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna: Now it is time to leave politicians to deliver their arguments to the public. When the temptation to comment is big, I take a step back. This decision is a deliberate one and I feel that the Church should not interfere in any political argument during the election campaign. But it needs to remind people of the principles we all embrace to ensure the common good.
Mario Mallia – Alternattiva Demokratika
The claim that the Prime Minister will be calling for an election when he feels it is in the national interest to do so is nothing short of a farce; the Prime Minister had actually thrown the national interest to the dogs long ago when he chose to keep his chief of staff and minister in his circle.
Things have been exacerbated by the latest which implicate practically the prime minister himself in huge secretive money transfers in personal bank accounts. A magisterial inquiry is currently under way. People deserve to know the truth before casting their vote so that the their judgement is based on the truth or as close to it as can be given the fact that this mess is shrouded in so much secrecy and with lame institutions reluctant to catch up.
Perceptions should not be the ultimate yardstick in politics. The truth should.
Fr Joe Borg: An election determines who governs but does not necessarily guarantee that the corrupt get what is coming to them. Neither does it guarantee that he who runs the institutions like Pilate loses his power. An election can bring about absolution or indictment and not necessarily clarity and certainty. As Cardinal Barbarin said about the French presidential election, the political winners are not necessarily the most competent or rational.
Tony Zarb: It is the Prime Minister's prerogative to decide when to call an election. I believe that he will call one when he deems fit in the interests of the country. Whoever is creating this instability is simple doing it to destabilise our county. Dr Muscat made it clear that he will not allow anyone to undermine our country and I agree with his call for people to remain calm.
Bernard Grech: Since the situation is very dynamic, and new facts are constantly hitting the media, one must specify that this reply is being drafted as soon as we learnt that the whistleblower has testified. For me, the situation was always very clear. Nobody should hold any public office while being investigated. Although the allegation of the ownership of Egrant has been tied to the Prime Minister's wife, the Prime Minister could also be the owner due to his half share in the community of acquests (unless they have a prior dated separation of assets). Nobody is, or should be considered to be or appear to be above the law. The position of Prime Minister, which is the highest constitutional position in the Executive, should never be shadowed and the only correct decision for Dr Joseph Muscat should have been for him to step down to avoid further damage to the position itself, the country and his party."
Gejtu Vella: Unequivocally "No", the Prime Minister should not call an early general election: firstly, because the government won the last general election with an overwhelming majority. The Prime Minister, who is now also embroiled in the alleged Panama Papers scandal, should at minimum step aside until his name and that of his spouse are cleared by the competent authorities. Since Malta is currently holding the EU presidency, an early general election will further tarnish Malta's credibility with the rest of the EU member states. This will impinge negatively on the well-being of our society. The result of an early general election, whatever that may be, should not be used to sweep under the carpet any alleged cases of corruption in which politicians, their spouses and high-ranking officers are allegedly involved. It is time for the Prime Minister to lead by example and deliver on the promises of accountability and transparency.
Robert Musumeci: It is undisputed that this government has, over the past four years, registered an unprecedented success on several fronts. At the same time, one cannot ignore the fact that the country has been hit by an election fever which one should under no circumstance prolong indefinitely. This is particularly so when our economic performance depends heavily on the summer months. I would therefore not dampen the rate of our economic performance during these crucial months. In the given circumstances, I do not discount the benefits the country would reap from calling an election at this juncture, but it is ultimately up to the Prime Minister to be so convinced. Either way, I am confident that he will take the right decisions at the most appropriate time.
Andrew Azzopardi: It seems that this issue of whether or not an election is called seems to excite us and take precedence over a number of other fundamental issues, namely that the perception of people is that some or many of our institutions are tainted and this in itself is incredibly serious. I believe that calling an election is not enough to clear the air, however the result goes. This in a way vindicates, for example, the need to have a number of key institutional positions in our country appointed through consensual agreement in the House and the much-awaited reform of the Constitution that has been thrown on the back burner (not even simmering). So if this situation will in any way be cleared by an election, I hope it happens tomorrow. However, in all this hullabaloo, what we really need to focus on is reassuring the citizens that justice will prevail and that the institutions are operating autonomously and thus any sludge or grubbiness is filtered.
Charles Flores: An early election would always be on the cards for a government that has generated a dynamic economy, reduced taxes, got rid of cancer-causing energy sources, improved social benefits and students' stipends, given long-overdue rights, broken all employment records in employment and foreign investment among other notable achievements while retaining its healthy majority. Circumstances do occur when the process is triggered at an earlier stage than anticipated. I'd say 'yes', but the timing cannot be dictated by anyone other than the Prime Minister. Ask Theresa May!
NGOs and organisations
SDM/Pulse – Both university political groups, SDM and Pulse, think that the Prime Minister should call an election. According to SDM, the political climate in Malta at the moment is charged. Without going into the legitimacy of the claims being made at the moment by both camps, we believe that the Maltese electorate deserves the opportunity to make its judgement on the governance of our country. Notwithstanding this, we also believe that youth participation in the election is fundamental for the future of the country and, as such, calling an election in June would result in a huge blow for young people to be active on a national level, with their exams clashing with the election. Our eagerness to involve as many students in political participation has been proved year after year by contesting the KSU elections and presenting ideas aimed at changing not only the university, but society. Considering everything, we think that the Prime Minister should assume responsibility for the climate that is currently pervading the country and move forward with an election on a date that will benefit the general public – which, at the end of the day, is the whole point of entering politics. Creating stability in the country and putting it back on track should be the main aim of the decision that the Prime Minister has to make, at this crucial stage.
According to Pulse, in the light of the recent allegations and overall political situation in which Malta currently finds itself, calling an early general election would, in our view, be a wise choice. From the government's perspective, the ongoing milestones achieved in relation to the country's economy, employment percentage and social poverty serve as a positive certificate, and calling an early election will ensure continuity in this aspect, also inadvertently waving away the mentioned allegations during the process itself. From the Opposition's point of view, this would be beneficial considering the possibility that if the allegations brought against the government are proved to be true, the electorate is susceptible to substantially swinging in favour of the Nationalist Party, especially when referring to the 'switchers' and neutrals found in the 36,000 cleavage from the last general election four years ago.
MHRA, Tony Zahra: Our electoral system calls for elections to be held every five years, or when the Prime Minister asks the President to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election, or at certain other times such as when a government loses a vote of confidence. Therefore the Constitution is quite clear on this point and I believe it would be presumptuous of the MHRA to suggest to the PM what he should or should not do, even given the present circumstances. The MHRA has so often remarked – and repeated only last week at the presentation of its quarterly results – that we cannot take our economic success as a given, but have to work hard and continuously to ensure that the success that has been achieved to date is maintained.
Moviment Graffiti, Andre Callus: Moviment Graffitti believes that the Prime Minister should resign because there are strong indications of very serious misconduct and possibly corruption. It should also be borne in mind that two people very close to the Prime Minister – Minister Konrad Mizzi and Mr Keith Schembri – had hidden offshore companies. However, we are also of the opinion that holding an early election is no solution since it would further reduce this issue to partisan rivalry. Moreover, it is important that those claiming that they have hard proof of the Prime Minister's misconduct release this proof immediately. This should not be a political game played for partisan advantage; if hard proof beyond circumstantial evidence exists, we fail to see any valid reason for postponing its release.
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Pope Francis warns of broad destruction if Korean tensions escalate
Pope Francis is warning that "a good part of humanity" will be destroyed if tensions with North Korea escalate, and he is calling for diplomacy and a revived United Nations to take the lead in negotiating a resolution.
Francis was asked as he traveled back to Rome from Egypt on Saturday about North Korean ballistic missile tests and U.S. warnings of "catastrophic" consequences if the world fails to stop them. He was asked specifically what he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sent a U.S. carrier to conduct drills near the Koreas, and other leaders to try to diffuse the tensions.
Francis says he would urge them to use diplomacy and negotiation "because it's the future of humanity."
"Today, a wider war will destroy not a small part of humanity, but a good part of humanity and culture. Everything. Everything, no? It would be terrible. I don't think humanity today could bear it," he told reporters.
His comments came at a moment of particularly high tension: Hours earlier, a North Korean mid-range ballistic missile apparently failed, the third flop in a month.
On Friday, the U.N. Security Council held a ministerial meeting on Pyongyang's escalating weapons program. North Korean officials boycotted the meeting, which was chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
North Korean ballistic missile tests are banned by the United Nations because they're seen as part of the North's push for a nuclear-tipped missile that can hit the U.S. mainland.
Francis said the U.N. should regain its leadership in conflict resolution, saying it had been "watered down" over time.
Trump has sent a nuclear-powered submarine and the USS Carl Vinson aircraft supercarrier to Korean waters, and North Korea this week conducted large-scale, live-fire exercises on its eastern coast. The U.S. and South Korea also started installing a missile defense system that is supposed to be partially operational within days, and their navies began joint military drills on Saturday.
Tensions with the North presumably would be on the agenda of a Trump-Francis meeting.
The White House has said it would reach out to the Vatican to arrange an audience when Trump travels to Sicily at the end of May for a G7 summit.
Francis said no official request for a meeting with Trump had been received "but I welcome every head of state who requests an audience."
Francis recalled he has frequently lamented the "world war in pieces" that is raging in countries around the world. Now, he says, those pieces are getting bigger and more concentrated.
"This thing about North Korea missiles, it has been a long time that they've been doing this. Now it seems it has gotten too hot," he told reporters on the papal plane.
"I always call for problems to be resolved via the diplomatic path, via negotiations."
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FinanceMalta taking the next quantum leap to sustain the promotion of Malta as a financial centre
7 May will mark the 10th anniversary of FinanceMalta. In fact, Malta had only been a member of the EU for a few years when the industry felt the need to initiate the process to set up a body that would be tasked to communicate Malta's value proposition as a European financial centre.
FinanceMalta was actually set up as a Foundation reflecting a partnership between the Government of Malta and the financial services industry as represented by the various financial services associations each having equal representation on the Board of Governors. Over this decade, together with its members, FinanceMalta has worked incessantly to position Malta from a modest domestic financial centre to a European financial centre that is today underpinned by clusters of financial service providers, the majority of which are international operators, operating across a number of key sectors such as asset management, insurance and family wealth, among others.
Over this period, the industry has experienced a paradigm shift from a domestic led financial centre to one which is driven by international business. These developments have brought about a significant GDP contribution with the financial sector today accounting for 13% of our national GDP where the various operators in the industry collectively employ over 10,000 workers. A quick look at the various financial services sectors from insurance to asset management, pensions and family businesses will reveal that the industry is supported by a growing number of service clusters that are well rooted within the financial services industry and that are actively conducting international financial services business.
Just to cite some examples, today there are over 150 investment services licence holders in the investment services industry and just under 60 operators in the insurance sector Malta which highly contrasts with the relatively small number of operators in the industry 15-20 years ago which primarily just focused on the domestic market.
FM is a member based organisation and is today represented by over 270 members operating in various sectors of the financial services industry. The members view FM as their "support partner" with an aligned interest in not only the organisation of initiatives to promote Malta as a financial centre outside our shores, but also a means of creating networking opportunities for them in their business development thrusts.
At the outset, it was strategically felt that it would be opportune to promote Malta within the European marketplace and the EEA. However, over these last two years, the events that FM organises are now being extended to countries beyond Europe. As a result the strategic focus has been widened in a way so that while we sustain initiatives in the European market with events being organised in a number of EU member states, FM also initiated the process to organise events and initiatives beyond the European borders. In effect, last year FM organised a number of events in the US market which saw initiatives held in New York to promote Malta and its financial services industry. These initiatives focus mainly on the insurance and asset management sectors and will also be extended to family offices/family businesses over the course of this year.
FM has also started to organise events in the Gulf with a number of events held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Last year a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as the national regulatory and promotional body for Abu Dhabi's financial services industry, with the first event planned to be co-organised with ADGM in May. Through this event delegates will be provided with information about Malta as a financial services jurisdiction for European business and at the same time to introduce Malta-based operators to Abu Dhabi as a financial centre for financial services operations in the Gulf.
Over the course of this year, FM is also planning to hold events in Turkey, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. These are two relatively "new" markets where FM has in place plans to organise various initiatives to strengthen the visibility of the industry in these countries.
In parallel, FM has also initiated the process to co-organise events with its members particularly those members that also have a presence in FM's target countries.
Apart from the organisation of its own events and participation in a number of third party events, FM is also very active on the social media channels such as Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter. FM's social media presence is integral to its strategy to ensure that Malta's financial services industry is also visible and present on the key digital channels. Moreover, FM has set up and continuously invested in a dedicated website which is underpinned by the latest technological developments. This portal has a highly rich information content not just at a generic level but also provides technical information at the level of the key financial sectors that FinanceMalta promotes beyond its shores. In fact, the website enables its users to download numerous publications and fact sheets forming part of the marketing toolbox supporting the main industry's sectors. Multilingual versions are also available - in Spanish, Arabic, German, Italian and Chinese to facilitate the dissemination of information in other languages.
Apart from the aforementioned initiatives, FinanceMalta is also active on the educational front. In fact FM has organised numerous Educational Clinics covering regulatory and industry related matters. Incidentally, just a few days ago FM organised a clinic on Blockchain Technology which was very well attended and very engaging. This is one of the new sectors that is being actively followed up by FinanceMalta.
One of the key annual events organised by FinanceMalta is its Financial Services Conference which is the largest domestic financial services conference to be organised in Malta which last year attracted over 400 delegates. This year's 10th annual conference, which features a high number of carefully selected local and international experts, will address delegates on contemporary and current topics affecting the financial services industry. The conference will be addressed by the Hon Dr Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta and will be moderated by Michael Imeson, Senior Content editor, Financial Times Live and Contributing Editor, The Banker, FT Group. This year's programme primarily revolves around the new and emerging sectors which in the view of the Board of Governors of FinanceMalta will sustain the growth of the industry going forward. The themes to be discussed will in fact include international pensions, Blockchain Technology and Malta as a potential international test bed, crowd-funding, crypto currencies, family wealth and securitisations.
Another theme that will take centre stage during this year's conference will be Brexit and the implications this will have on the UK, Malta and the rest of Europe. The conference will also address the opportunities that might potentially arise within the Commonwealth countries as a result of Brexit. It is interesting to note that Malta is one of two Commonwealth member states that are also EU member states and developments that will eventually shape the strategic direction of the UK insofar as initiatives undertaken within the Commonwealth countries might potentially create opportunities for Malta as a conduit to Europe for financial services operators in Commonwealth countries. In order to address this interesting topic, FM has invited the Rt Hon Lord Marland of Odstock to speak about this development.
This year's conference will also feature a women-only panel discussion on crowd-funding as well as a panel of international and domestic speakers that will address Malta's positioning as a centre for international family businesses where among others information on the Family Business Act will be provided during this panel discussion.
Going forward, Malta is very well positioned to sustain the growth it has achieved so far. Clearly the onset of expats that are travelling to Malta to work in the financial sector and other industry sectors is creating a number of infrastructural and service demands. Consequently it was welcoming to note that plans are in hand to turn a former hospital in Mtarfa to a school for children of foreigners that are residing and working in Malta. Equally so the high level of our health sector is also an important criterion that is assessed when foreigners are considering to set up an operation in Malta and relocating workers to Malta in the process. Other factors, where Malta needs to sustain its focus, relates to the accessibility and efficiency of our regulatory authority when processing the applications of new licences and in attending to the ongoing requirements of licence holders, as this creates an important competitive advantage, the ongoing presence of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, ensure that the responsiveness of the industry practitioners to the needs of international investors remains competitive and last but not least the need to ensure that innovation remains a key driver of business growth. These are all highly important pull factors for Malta.
We must all recognise that the face of Malta's economy has changed over this past decade as the country has in the process continued to open up to international business. In the process, we need to ensure that we live up to our value proposition and ensure that we are adapting to this new reality and at the same time adopting strategies to support this industry. Malta's small size is a huge advantage which we sometimes tend to underestimate. Consequently, we must ensure that this reality is being effectively leveraged to the benefit of the financial services industry and the wider national economy.
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