Friday, August 31, 2018

AC Milan win 'US derby' over Roma with last-gasp Cutrone goal

What was hyped as the first "American derby" in Serie A was won by the Italian league's newest U.S.-owned team with a last-gasp goal.

Patrick Cutrone came off the bench to score five minutes into stoppage time for AC Milan to beat Roma 2-1 on Friday.

It was the first meeting between the clubs since U.S.-based hedge fund Elliott Management took over control of Milan last month after the club's former Chinese owner, Li Yonghong, missed a deadline to repay part of a loan.

Roma has been in American hands since 2011, when a group of four Boston executives bought the club.

Gordon Singer, the son of Elliott founder Paul Singer and director of the company's London office, attended his first Serie A match at the San Siro since the ownership change.

Roma president James Pallotta was a no show.

Milan went ahead in the 40th when Ricardo Rodriguez got by fullback Federico Fazio to send in a cross that Franck Kessie redirected by the far post.

Near the hour mark, a poor Milan clearance following a corner ended up right at Fazio, who fired in for an equalizer.

Two minutes later, Gonzalo Higuain thought he scored his first goal for Milan since transferring from Juventus but his score on a counterattack was waved off by the VAR for offside.

Likewise, newly signed Roma midfielder Steven Nzonzi had a goal disallowed for a handball in the 79th.

Nzonzi was then to blame for the decisive goal for giving up possession, allowing Higuain to set up Cutrone's winner from the center of the area.

The 20-year-old Cutrone scored 18 goals in all competitions for Milan last season but has become second choice to Higuain. He came on in the 83rd as an extra striker, replacing midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.

"Higuain is a great striker — as the coach said, one of the best in the world. It's an honor to play with him and to learn from him," Cutrone said. "I never like being on the bench, obviously. I know there's a champion in front of me, but I'll do everything I can to make life difficult for the coach and to help the team any way I can."

Milan earned its first points following a 3-2 loss at Napoli last weekend, while Roma remained with four points from its opening three matches.

On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo looks for his first Serie A goal when Juventus visits Parma.



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At Aretha Franklin's funeral, a call for respect for black America

As Aretha Franklin was remembered at her funeral Friday as a proud black woman who also used her magnificent voice to stand up for the black community she loved, several speakers used the moment to continue to demand respect for black America.

Amid the gospel, personal reflections and grief were calls to register and turnout to vote in November and condemnation of President Donald Trump, who, upon her death, referred to Franklin as "someone who worked for me" — a comment that rankled many African-Americans.

"No — she used to perform for you," the Rev. Al Sharpton said to cheers and applause from the crowd. "She worked for us. Aretha never took orders from nobody but God."

Franklin's civil rights legacy was mentioned often during the eight-hour service, and was tied to her faith and roots in the black church. Many also mentioned her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, and his civil rights leadership, which influenced his daughter from a young age.

Late Friday, Franklin was laid to rest in a mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery, the final resting place of her father.

None of the politicians present — including former President Bill Clinton and former Attorney General Eric Holder — took the opportunity to turn the event partisan. Michigan Democratic House Rep. Brenda Lawrence took a moment to recognize Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, whose funeral is Saturday.

But others seized on Trump's comments and Franklin's message of dignity to speak to the present social and political climate. In pointing out the long lines to pay tribute to Franklin this week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson lamented that the lines to vote often aren't nearly as long.

"Aretha was on the battleground for 60 years," Jackson told the audience. "We have long lines to celebrate death, and short lines for voting. Something is missing. If you leave here today and don't register to vote, you're dishonoring Aretha."

Judge Greg Mathis, one of Franklin's many friends who often talked politics with her, said that his last conversation with Franklin earlier this summer was about the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where government negligence has left residents living with lead-tainted water since 2014.

"Her last words to me ... were "'Go back up there and sock it to 'em!,'" Mathis told the crowd before vowing that he would in her memory.

Some made a statement without saying a word. When she was shouted out from the stage, California Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters — who has called frequently for Trump's impeachment and is a campaign rally punching bag for the president — acknowledged the crowd with the "Wakanda salute," from the movie "Black Panther," closing her fists and crossing her arms over her chest to applause.

Many in the audience, including President Clinton, stood and cheered.

"Everybody just point over there and tell her, 'We got your back!'" said Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, pastor of Greater Grace Temple, which the audience shouted in Waters' direction.

Georgetown University sociologist Michael Eric Dyson took several shots at Trump in his remarks, assigning the president several nicknames: "orange apparition," ''lugubrious leech," ''doppleganger of deceit and deceit," ''lethal liar," ''dimwitted dictator," ''foolish facist."

"She ain't work for you," Dyson shouted over applause. "She worked above you. She worked beyond you. Get your preposition right."



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AP Exclusive: Bishop apologizes to Ariana Grande for touching her breast in Aretha Frankling funeral

The bishop who officiated Aretha Franklin's funeral apologized Friday to Ariana Grande for how he touched her onstage and a joke he made about her name.

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III led Franklin's funeral and awkwardly greeted Grande on stage after she performed "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Images of the moment showed Ellis' hand holding Grande well above her waist, with his fingers pressing against one side of her chest.

The preacher apologized in an interview with The Associated Press at the cemetery where Franklin was interred late Friday.

"It would never be my intention to touch any woman's breast. ... I don't know I guess I put my arm around her," Ellis said. "Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize."

He said he hugged all the performers during Friday's eight-hour service.

"I hug all the female artists and the male artists," Ellis said. "Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That's what we are all about in the church. We are all about love."

He added: "The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin."

Many people posted close-up images of the moment on Twitter, tagging it #RespectAriana.

Ellis also apologized to Grande, her fans and Hispanic community for making a joke about seeing her name on the program and thinking it was a new item on the Taco Bell menu.

"I personally and sincerely apologize to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community," Ellis said. "When you're doing a program for nine hours you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there."

Ellis' touching of Grande overshadowed some criticism earlier in the ceremony the short dress Grande wore for her performance. Numerous people posted criticisms online that the dress was too short for church.

"#ArianaGrande don't know the below the knee rule for the pulpit in the black church. Somebody hand her a lap hanky and a choir robe. Bless her heart," tweeted one, Tenisha Taylor Bell.

Grande's representative did not return an email message seeking comment Friday.



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PN MEPs harm Malta’s interests at European Parliament – Alfred Sant

Former Prime Minister and Maltese MEP Alfred Sant said that PN MEPs harm Malta's interests at the European Parliament.

Maltese MEPs should represent their political party and political groups in the European Parliament, but above all they should represent Malta and defend our country's interests, he said.

Sant, who was participating in a SMASH TV Programme chaired by Emmy Bezzina, emphasised that parliamenary delegations from all EU member states defend their countries.

"All delegations do this in the European Parliament. When there is a debate on Ireland, all Irish MEPs – irrespective of their political allegiances  – are cautious when they speak about their country. They do not damage the interests of their country. I am very sorry to state that the PN delegation at the European Parliament do not imitate these Irish MEPs. They do the opposite."



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Maghtab fire: Wash your fruit and vegetables, consumers warned

The Superintendence of Public Health is urging consumers to wash fruit and vegetables they buy before processing or cooking.

This information is being highlighted in view of the possible deposits of burnt material on crops in the affected areas following the fire at the Wasteserv facility in Maghtab.

Samples are being taken for the necessary analysis, the health authority said.

For any queries, one may call the Environmental Health Directorate on 21337333.



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Why online dating and divorce are putting a strain on sexual health clinics 



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Scottish parents pay £73,000 premium for home near top state schools



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Tax avoiders 'being blocked from honours list'



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Brazilian court disqualifies Lula from presidential election



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Aretha Franklin funeral: How pastor's bleak view of 'abortion after birth' in black America provoked fury



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Manafort associate admits paying Trump inauguration $50,000 in Ukrainian cash



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Neil Armstrong's sons defend moon landing film against flag critics



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Double stabbing at Amsterdam station in possible terror attack



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Reformed GCSE grading system has helped state schools close the gap on private schools, figures show



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Donald Trump disapproval ratings hit record high after week of legal woes



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Journalists arrested over alleged theft of documents on Northern Ireland killings



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Janbaz Tarin charged with Solihull murders of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem



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UAE used Israeli spyware to hack Saudi, Qatari and Lebanese rivals



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Trapped: homeowners face six-figure bills over Grenfell-style cladding 



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Donald Trump to visit Ireland in November to 'renew deep historic ties'



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Mexican historians prove authenticity of looted ancient Mayan text 



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Social media is the new pillow talk, MoD warns as it tells troops to be careful with chatter online



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Emergency vehicles used in Novichok poisonings to be dumped in landfill on edge of the Cotswolds



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Boris Yeltsin suggested having a secret meeting on a submarine with Bill Clinton, transcripts reveal



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US politician says decision not to have American flag in new moon landing film is 'total lunacy'



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Police should carry 'overdose kits' to treat addicts, crime commissioner suggests



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US will 'cut all funds to UN agency for Palestinian refugees'



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AI can predict how cancers will progress, scientists find 



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Latvian authorities gave Malta requested information about 17 Black, MEP claims

The Maltese Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) was handed information about 17 Black, including the name of its ultimate beneficial owner, in February of this year, Portuguese socialist MEP Ana Gomes has claimed.

17 Black was named as one of the target companies for Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi's offshore companies.

A leaked FIAU report showed how $1.6 million was transferred to 17 Black in 2015.

This was around the time Schembri and Mizzi were trying to open bank accounts for the Panama companies.

According to the FIAU report, $1.4 million was transferred to 17 Black through ABLV – a Latvian bank.

In May 2018 it was reported that Maltese investigators had requested the help of the Latvian anti-money laundering office to trace the payments made via ABLV.

Gomes said the head of the Latvian FIU has now told her that the reply on 17 Black was sent to the Maltese authorities three days after the request was made. This included "all details on UBOs, accounts and transfers via ABLV," Gomes said in a tweet.

The MEP said this "must be the source of info" in the FIAU report Maltese MEP David Casa had published, yet no money laundering charges have been brought forward by the Malta police. 



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Judge orders US couple to hand crowdfunding money over to homeless veteran



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One in seven students pay people to write their essays, study finds



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Italy’s Foreign Minister apologises for Italian police officer’s ’unspeakable’ insult to Maltese ambassador in Rome

An Italian police officer, writing on Facebook, had called Malta's ambassador to Italy a "night whore"

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Russia-backed leader of separatist east Ukraine region reportedly killed in blast



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Traditional phoneboxes have been taken over by drug dealers, police warn after discovery of BT "drug" phone



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Instagram photography awards dominated by dog entries, in pictures



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France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees 



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Ugandan pop star MP Bobi Wine arrested after alleged tortured by authorities



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Mourners gather for Aretha Franklin's funeral



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Theresa May assassination plotter jailed for life over bid to bomb Downing Street



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China to crack down on children's video gaming time amid fears over addiction



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FIAU has known owner of 17 Black since February, MEP claims

Latvian authorities had provided Malta's FIAU with details about the company's ownership and transfers via Latvian Bank ABLV in February 2018, the Latvian FIU has told MEP Ana Gomes

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China battles spread of African swine fever as fifth case found



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Theresa May’s Focus on UK–Africa Ties Is Long Overdue



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Australia unveils starfish-killing robot to protect Barrier Reef



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From scallop rows to an obesity crisis: Our readers react to this week's top stories 



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UN calls on China to free Uighurs from alleged re-education camps



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Man denies stealing car, granted bail

The man pleaded not guilty to stealing a car and other objects, handling stolen goods and relapsing 

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Worker gets suspended sentence after charges of theft, stripping naked in public

A 20-year-old casino worker has pleaded guilty to misappropriation and stealing money from his place of work.

Swieqi resident Manolo Fulvio Trevison from Venice sobbed inconsolably before and throughout the sitting before magistrate Monica Vella, as he was charged with misappropriation, aggravated theft, violently resisting arrest, threatening and slightly injuring a police officer, escaping from custody, offending public morals and stripping naked in public.

Trevison tearfully pleaded guilty, confirming his guilt when asked to by the court.

But the man's tears of regret were soon replaced by tears of relief after the court handed him a 2 year prison sentence, suspended for 4 years. He was also ordered to pay a €4,500 fine and repay the €3,615 he had stolen. He was allowed to pay in instalments.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted. Lawyer Noel Cutajar was legal aid.



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Man admits to carrying out hold-up, remanded in custody

A man has admitted to carrying out a hold up at a Cospicua phone shop earlier this month.

Inspector Christabelle Chetcuti arraigned Pier Buttigieg, 44, on charges of committing theft at knifepoint, possession of a knife in public without a licence, threatening an employee and causing her to fear her life was in danger and relapsing when he robbed the mobile phone store on 17 August.

Buttigieg, who is a patient at Mount Carmel Hospital and has no fixed address pleaded guilty to the charges. A pre-sentencing report was requested.

Buttigieg was remanded in custody. Defence counsel asked that he be held at Mount Carmel Hospital pending proceedings. The prosecution did not object. The court, having seen the man's problems and habits, upheld the request.

The case will continue in September.



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ERA to commission soil studies following Magħtab fire

The authority said it would be engaging 'international experts' to analyse soil from different locations affected by the fire's smoke plume

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Man admits to holding up shopkeeper at knifepoint

The man was remanded in custody after admitting to carrying out a holdup at knifepoint 

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Tears in the dock as casino worker admits to misappropriating €3,600

The young casino worker pleaded guilty to misappropriation and stealing money from his workplace 

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Social media comments lead to serious injuries and charges

Three people were charged in court after a social media argument turned into a street fight, causing grievous injuries 

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Social media argument spills onto the streets: three men charged

An argument which began on social media spilled onto the street, a court has been told, as two youths were accused of grievously injuring a man and the victim's friend was accused of attempting to run over the attackers' mother.

Inspector Bernardette Valletta charged the three men in two separate arraignments before magistrate Monica Vella today.

In the first, Dylan Magro 21, and Kenneth Magro, 24, were accused of attempting to cause permanent grievous injuries to Aosaa Elnaib, who ended up slightly injured, with arms improper. They were also charged with breaching the peace and slightly injuring the man. Dylan Magro alone was additionally charged with misusing electronic telecommunications equipment. The accused, who live in Msida, stood side by side in the dock, heads bowed. Both pleaded not guilty.

Lawyer Lucio Sciriha requested bail. Sciriha explained that the alleged victim's friend was going out with the Magros' sister. After an exchange of comments on social media, the victim had gone to the accused's house and ran over their mother, he said.

Inspector Valletta confirmed that after being challenged, the victim had gone to the scene but said that he had been attacked by the accused. "It's through the grace of God that this case wasn't more serious," she said.

The events were documented on CCTV, argued Sciriha, adding that if necessary, witnesses can be protected.

The pair were released on bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €4,000 each. They were ordered to sign a bail book twice a week and prohibited from approaching the victim, who is under a protection order.

In a separate arraignment, 21 year-old Neil Agius of Naxxar was accused of attempting to run over Tracy Magro, mother of the two men accused earlier. He was also charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and actual slight bodily harm, as well as dangerous driving, fleeing the scene of an accident and speeding.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili entered a not guilty plea on the man's behalf and requested bail. This was opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that there were witnesses who had yet to testify. Inspector Valletta pointed out that after knocking down the woman he hadn't stopped or gone to the police.

But Dalli convinced the court otherwise, pointing out that it was his first brush with the law and that he had ended up mixed up in this because he was a friend of a man who had argued with the Magros about the girl. He simply gave his friend a lift to go and confront them and did not leave the car, said the lawyers. "He is not a danger to society, had he thought things through he wouldn't be here today, but it is a stupid incident."

The court granted Agius bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €4,000. A protection order was issued in favour of the victim.



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54% of Maltese want to abolish bi-annual clock change

The European Commission has today published the preliminary results of a public Summertime consulation, revealing that 84% of participants want to stop changing the clock

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ERA to commission soil studies and to investigate fire at Magħtab

The Environment and Resources Authority will be commissioning a study on the dioxin and furan levels in the soil, following the incident at Magħtab this morning.

These persistent organic pollutants will be tested for because they are usually present when plastic burns at a low temperature, ERA said in a statement

International experts will be engaged by ERA to sample and analyse the soil from different locations affected by the fallout from the plume.

ERA officers will try to inspect the site once it is safe to do so. Furthermore, ERA will be issuing additional information in the coming days when the analysis and investigations have been concluded, the statement said.



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Lucy McHugh murder suspect jailed for refusing to reveal Facebook password to police



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Victim Support Malta will soon launch suicide prevention service

Victim Support Malta (VSM), a local NGO that attends to the emotional support and provision of legal information of all victims of all crime, will soon be launching a service dealing with suicide prevention and the provision of support to persons who are bereaved by suicide. 

"Local statistics indicate that 289 suicides have occurred on our island between 2007 and 2017 (Bonnici, 2017). Thus, on average 25 families per year have lost a loved one to suicide. The world health organization reports that an estimated 804,000 individuals commit suicide per year, and that statistic is continuously increasing (WHO, 2014). Due to the sensitive nature of suicide and the work it entails including different departments there is a tendency for the act to go under reported (WHO, 2014)," the NGO said in a statement.

"We at VSM feel that something needs to be done about this problem. To date, we have no holistic local service which provides for the needs of persons who have come in touch with suicide, and we are striving to fill that gap."

 Board members on Victim Support Malta include Dr. Anthony Zahra (Psychiatrist), Dr. Janice Formosa Pace (Criminologist), Julianne Grima (Psychotherapist and Chairperson of VSM) and Krista Tabone (Trainee Counsellor and Director of VSM), who have been working tirelessly on building the proposal, are excited and determined to now set the ball in motion. "We're delighted to announce that the Marigold Foundation share our vision and will therefore be supporting us in this venture. A team has been identified to receive specialized training within the coming weeks. By December 2018, we will be opening up the service to the general public. We will be providing group, individual, and family based therapy options. Interventions will take place on a case-by-case basis in order to cater to the particular needs of persons who reach out for support."

Members of the general public are invited to get in touch with VSM via telephone, email or social media should they wish to access this service. We will be building up our database over the coming weeks in order to begin provision of services ASAP.




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Milan to play Luxembourg newcomer in Europa League group

Seven-time European champion AC Milan will play Luxembourg newcomer Dudelange in the group stage of the Europa League.

Milan, which won a Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal to overturn expulsion for breaking financial rules, will also face Olympiakos and Real Betis.

Also, Arsenal was drawn into a group with Sporting Lisbon, Qarabag and Vorskla Poltava, while Chelsea will play PAOK Thessaloniki, BATE Borisov and Vidi, and Sevilla got Krasnodar, Standard Liege and Akhisar Belediyespor.

Salzburg and Leipzig, which share close ties with energy drink Red Bull, were drawn together in a group with Celtic and Rosenborg.

Marseille, last season's runner-up, will face Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Apollon Limassol.

The final will be played on May 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Draw for the group stage of the Europa League:

Group A: Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria), Zurich (Switzerland), AEK Larnaca (Cyprus)

Group B: Salzburg (Austria), Celtic (Scotland), Leipzig (Germany), Rosenborg (Norway)

Group C: Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia), Copenhagen (Denmark), Bordeaux (France), Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)

Group D: Anderlecht (Belgium), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Spartak Trnava (Slovakia)

Group E: Arsenal (England), Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Qarabag (Azerbaijan), Vorskla Poltava (Ukraine)

Group F: Olympiakos (Greece), AC Milan (Italy), Real Betis (Spain), Dudelange (Luxembourg)

Group G: Villarreal (Spain), Rapid Vienna (Austria), Spartak Moscow (Russia), Rangers (Scotland)

Group H: Lazio (Italy), Marseille (France), Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany), Apollon Limassol (Cyprus)

Group I: Besiktas (Turkey), Genk (Belgium), Malmo (Sweden), Sarpsborg (Norway)

Group J: Sevilla (Spain), Krasnodar (Russia), Standard Liege (Belgium), Akhisar Belediyespor (Turkey)

Group K: Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), Astana (Kazakhstan), Rennes (France), Jablonec (Czech Republic)

Group L: Chelsea (England), PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece), BATE Borisov (Belarus), Vidi (Hungary)



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Pictures of the Day: 31 August 2018



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Central government debt down by almost €200 million

Debt in absolute terms has dropped by 3.5% to €5.4 billion in July

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Colombian tribe apologises after British backpacker's death in hallucinogenic ritual



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London Crossrail opening delayed until autumn 2019



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Shigella: Everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms and treatment



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[WATCH] Magħtab fire: Waste went up in flames 'spontaneously'

Wasteserv CEO Tonio Montebello said the fire broke out this morning as the material started to be uncovered in preparation for it to be exported • Environment Minister Jose Herrera said the necssary precautions had been taken and that the fire was quickly brought under control

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Man accused of burglary, being part of ‘circle of criminality’

The prosecution said the man was part of a 'circle of criminality' specialising in house burglary 

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Trio charged following Telegraph's 'Football for Sale' investigation



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Georgian man charged with being part of gang of thieves

A man from Georgia has been remanded in custody after he was accused of being part of a gang of burglars who targeted residences.

Inspectors Lydon Zammit and Christina Delia arraigned Georgian Elguja Bzikadze, 30, before magistrate Monica Vella and accused him of conspiracy, stealing jewellery from houses in Balzan, St. Paul's Bay and Mosta.

The prosecution described the man as forming part of a "circle of criminality." Bzikadze is suspected of being part of a foreign gang which specialises in house burglary.

The man, who has no fixed address, pleaded not guilty

Magistrate Vella denied bail as the man had no address.

As the accused said that he suffered from infectious disease, the court ordered that he be medically examined in order for the proper precautions to be taken at CCF.

 



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Man charged with Bormla hold up is sent to Mount Carmel hospital

Charged with theft at knifepoint, the man will be held at Mount Carmel hospital pending the outcome of proceedings

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Maghtab fire under control; likely caused by self-combustible waste

The fire that broke out at the Wasteserv complex in Maghtab on Friday morning is now completely under control, Chairman of Wasteserv Board David Borg said in a press conference.

He said that there were no injuries in the incident and that no part of the complex itself had been damaged.

The fire started from an area where around 30,000 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is stored, explained Wasteserv CEO Tonio Montebello. RDF is essentially waste that cannot be recycled, such as dirty cardboard or plastic wrappers. It is not clear yet as to how much of the waste stored caught fire on Friday morning.

This waste used to be processed at and exported from the Wasteserv Complex in Marsascala. When the complex went ablaze in 2017, Wasteserv had to re-apply for the international permit to export the waste. This process took eight months, Montebello said.

Till then, the RDF had to be stored. With this material there is always a risk of self-combustion, Montebello said, and as a result it was stored and buried over with fine construction waste to remove all the air.

Wasteserv received the permit to continue exporting RDF last month, and since then has started doing so by exporting the material that was stored in this cell. Given the self-combustable nature of this material, Montebello said that there was always a risk of such a fire occuring.

However, he said, they were prepared for such a risk and with the help of both the civil protection department and the fire extinguishing system that Wasteserv had in place, and also with the decision to isolate this material, the fire was extinguished and a fire that could have been much more damaging was avered.

Minister for the Environment Jose Herrera also praised Wasteserv's decision to isolate the RDF, saying that it had averted a possible tragedy.

He said that an inquiry, led by Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia, had already been called. This joins an internal inquiry carried out by Wasteserv itself.

Asked whether the inquiry into the fire which broke out at the Sant Antnin complex was concluded, Herrera said that the magistrate's inquiry was still ongoing but that the internal Wasteserv inquiry had been concluded. The latter has not yet been published so not to impinge on or affect the conclusions of the former, Herrera said.

Herrera said that the incinerator announced some months ago would be fuelled by this RDF, which would effectively stop Malta having to export this waste, a process which costs around €140 per ton. The incinerator he said, would deal with 40% of Malta's waste.

Asked if there was a timeline available for this project, Herrera confirmed that the tender for the project will be issued in the coming months.

Asked about the toxicity of the smoke that came out of the fire on Friday morning, Herrera said that this was within the remit of the Environmental Resources Authority (ERA) to establish and that they would issue a statement shortly.

In the meantime, Herrera said that it was business as usual and that by the end of the weekend all would be back to normal.



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CMA to take Viagogo to court over ticket rip-offs



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Man charged after Tarxien brawl involving two Syrian groups

A 26-year-old man charged with grievously injuring a fellow national is granted bail

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Syrian man charged with injuring fellow national in Tarxien

A man was arraigned after a large-scale brawl broke out between two groups of Syrians in Tarxien.

A 23-year-old man was seriously injured in the fight, in which knives and hard objects were used.

Saleh Zedan, 26, from Homs in Syria was charged with grievously injuring Naser Abdullah, attacking him and breaching the peace in a fight which occurred on 29 August.

The accused, who told the Magistrate Monica Vella that he was a plasterer and lived in Hamrun, pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Jason Grima, requested bail.

Bail was granted and a protection order issued in favour of the man's alleged victim. The man was told to sign a bail book three times a week, observe a curfew and deposit €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. 

Inspector Shawn Pawney prosecuted.

 



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EU's Juncker wants to move from winter/summer time change

It could be summer time all year long for countries in the European Union.

European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is backing calls to ditch the twice yearly changes to the time following a citizens' consultation.

Juncker told the German ZDF network on Friday that "the people want that, and we will make it happen."

Media reports over the past days indicated that an EU-wide poll had shown that EU citizens were in favor of abandoning the cumbersome changeovers in spring and fall.

Juncker confirmed the outcome of the poll without giving specifics and said that it would make no sense to disregard people's wishes.

The European Parliament and the EU Council of ministers would still need to approve the changes.



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Surgeon punched doctor in head in row over 'whether Laura Kuenssberg is attractive enough to be on BBC' 



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Geert Wilders cancels Muhammad cartoon contest after Pakistan protests



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TMID Editorial: Genoa bridge collapse - The lessons to be learnt by Malta

The collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa, which caused the death of 43 people, made reverberations all over the world, not only in Italy.

The blame game quickly began, with the Italian government pointing fingers at the European Union and the private sector for lack of funds and maintenance, while residents mourned the victims and called for better upkeep of the infrastructure.

The debate spilled over to Malta too, and questions started being raised about our own bridges and flyovers, built over many years under different administrations to improve the traffic flow and ease access from one point to another.

The first bridge that made it to the news was that one that forms part of the Hamrun by-pass, with photos showing that the structure has not been well-maintained while the Transport Ministry assured one and all that there is no danger and that repairs are planned.

More recently, the promenade in Balluta Bay was partly closed off to the public after The Malta Independent alerted the ministry to potential problems to the columns supporting the stretch of road where thousands of people take a stroll each and every day, apart from the thousands of cars that make use of this popular road linking St Julian's with Sliema.

There is no doubt that the Labour government is giving great attention to the road network in Malta. After the completion of the Coast Road and Kappara flyover, work is underway to widen the Hamrun by-pass while the project to make the intersections near the Addolorata Cemetery is in its initial phases. There are other pockets that need to be seen to in what is known as the north-south connection, including the stretch in St Andrew's which is always a bottleneck area for traffic.

But, apart from the building of new roads as well as the widening of others, the authorities – the ministry and Transport Malta – must not ignore the maintenance of existing structures. We are not only referring to the already-mentioned bridges and flyovers which need constant attention, but also to the regular upkeep of roads, such as surfacing needs.

Too many roads are left neglected with the result that potholes emerge while, in other areas, the irregular surface makes driving a rather bumpy experience which could also be dangerous, if drivers are caught unawares or are driving at speed.

Going back to bridges and flyovers, the Genoa bridge collapse makes it imperative on the government and Transport Malta to carry out assessments on the current structures and, where needed, come up with a list of priorities of when any repairs/maintenance work will be carried out. This list should then be made public to put people's minds at rest that the authorities are doing all they could to prevent any accidents from happening.

It would be a sad day if Malta were to go through the same tragedy as Italy did a few weeks ago, simply because there is neglect.



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Government registers €117.2 million deficit in first seven months of 2017

In the period January-July 2018, Government's Consolidated Fund registered a deficit of €117.2 million, the NSO said today.

Compared to the same period last year, total recurrent revenue registered an increase of €97.5 million whereas total expenditure went up by €109.7 million. This resulted in a negative change in the Government's Consolidated Fund of €12.2 million.

In the period January-July 2018, total recurrent revenue was recorded at €2,258.1 million, up from €2,160.6 million recorded last year. The comparative increase of 4.5 per cent was primarily the result of higher Income Tax and Value Added Tax, which increased by €96.1 million and €34.7 million respectively. Moreover, increases were also recorded under Social Security (€25.4 million), Licences, Taxes and Fines (€18.1 million), Customs and Excise Duties (€7.0 million), Reimbursements (€4.6 million) and Dividends on Investment (€1.5 million).

On the other hand, decreases were mainly recorded in Grants (€64.8 million), Fees of Office (€11.0 million), Central Bank of Malta (€8.0 million), Rents and Miscellaneous Receipts (both €3.1 million). Compared to January-July 2017, total expenditure stood at €2,375.3 million up from €2,265.6 million due to added outlays on recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure which outweighed lower spending on interest payments. Recurrent expenditure stood at €2,067.5 million, up from €1,976.1 million in 2017. The main contributors to this increase were Personal Emoluments (€34.0 million) and Contributions to Government Entities (€30.8 million).

A rise in outlay was also registered by Programmes and Initiatives (€19.5 million) and Operational and Maintenance Expenses (€7.2 million). The main developments in the Programmes and Initiatives category involved added outlays due to health concession agreements (€19.3 million), feed-in-tariff (€10.0 million), social security benefits (€8.5 million), Church schools (€5.2 million), landscaping (€5.0 million), residential care in private homes (€5.0 million) and medicines and surgical materials (€4.2 million).

Conversely, a decline in expenditure was reported under EU presidency 2017 (€20.0 million), EU own resources (€10.3 million), electoral commission activities (€5.2 million) and state contribution (€2.3 million which also features as revenue). The interest component of the public debt servicing costs stood at €120.8 million, a drop from €125.0 million reported last year. Government's capital expenditure witnessed an increase of €22.6 million from the same period last year, and was recorded at €187.1 million.

This was mainly the result of higher spending on road construction and improvements (€15.3 million), investment incentives (€10.8million) and EU agricultural fund rural development 2014-2020 (€4.4 million). Conversely, a lower outlay was recorded under EU internal security borders and visa (€10.1 million)

By the end of July 2018, Central Government Debt stood at €5,355.5 million, down by €192.5 million over the corresponding month last year. This was the result of lower Malta Government Stocks and Foreign Loans, which decreased by €588.0 million and €10.4 million respectively.

Higher holdings by government funds in Malta Government Stocks also resulted in a decrease in debt of €1.8 million. On the other hand, Treasury Bills added €209.6 million, the 62+ Malta Government Savings Bond added g€192.9 million, and Euro coins issued in the name of the Treasury increased by €5.2 million.



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Traffic arrangements: Marsa Junction Project works at Triq il-Marsa

Infrastructure Malta said it is concluding the second phase of the Marsa Junction Project with several works in Triq il-Marsa, the road linking Qormi to Triq Aldo Moro in Marsa. 

The southern end of Triq il-Marsa, at the junction with Triq Aldo Moro next to the Turkish Cemetery, will be closed to road users between Saturday 1st and Sunday 16th September. This road closure will allow Infrastructure Malta's contractors to safely complete the connections of the new lanes and underlying distribution systems of the northbound carriageway of Triq Aldo Moro with Triq il-Marsa and with Triq il-Gvern Lokali, which was also rebuilt earlier this year as part of this project.

Road users travelling from Qormi through Triq il-Marsa will be directed to the alternative route through the Marsa Industrial Estate, towards Triq Garibaldi. Access from Triq il-Marsa to and from Luqa and to all areas of the Marsa Industrial Estate will not be affected.

In the opposite direction, since the Triq Aldo Moro exit to Triq il-Marsa will be inaccessible, road users travelling to Qormi can use the same alternative route by taking the Triq Garibaldi exit towards the Marsa Industrial Estate. One can also continue along Triq Aldo Moro and reach Qormi through the Marsa-Hamrun Bypass.

Roadside direction signs at Triq Garibaldi, Triq Aldo Moro, the Marsa Industrial Estate and other nearby roads and junctions are in place to guide road users through the alternative routes.    

The €70 million Marsa Junction Project includes the construction of new roads, a seven-flyover multilevel intersection, pedestrian pathways, bicycle lanes, park and ride facilities, landscaped areas and other developments to upgrade the busiest node of the Maltese road network. The project aims to drastically reduce travelling times and congestion emissions in this area by replacing Triq Aldo Moro's complex traffic lights system next to the Addolorata Cemetery with 12 kilometres of new uninterrupted lanes connecting the different routes converging at this junction.

The project is being implemented in several phases to minimise difficulties to road users. Alternative routes and other temporary measures are being made available when the existing ones need to be temporarily closed for road works. New lanes are being opened as soon as they are constructed to facilitate existing traffic flows even before the project's flyover structures are developed.  

The first phase of the Marsa Junction Project, including the demolition of two old factories to make way for the new infrastructure, was completed earlier this year. In February, other contractors moved in to start the second phase of the project. During the last few months, works on site included the development of the new lanes, pavements and cycle lanes in Triq Aldo Moro, the rebuilding of the service road next to its southbound carriageway and the re-alignment and reconstruction of an adjacent road, Triq il-Gvern Lokali.

Beneath these new and rebuilt roads, the contractors also developed extensive networks of new underground distribution systems for water, electricity, sewage and telecommunications services. Over seven kilometres of trenches and walk-through service culverts were required to reposition the utilities and telecommunications networks going through the junction and to develop additional infrastructure for future requirements. A new 1.7 kilometre underground storm water system was also built beneath the new road surface.

As this second stage nears completion, Infrastructure Malta will soon start the project's final and longest phase, including the construction of the flyovers and other related structures. The Marsa Junction Project is co-financed through the EU's Connecting Europe Facility.



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Suspended sentence for Libyan who stabbed Facebook friend

A Libyan man who stabbed a Facebook friend of his as well as another person has been handed a suspended sentence.

26-year-old unemployed Swieqi resident Mohammed Misrati from Libya had been arraigned on August 17 and accused of attacking and slightly injuring two men with a knife and breaching the peace.

The incident had occurred during the early hours of that morning on Dragonara Street, St Julian's, when Misrati stabbed the two men. Police were informed of the stabbing when one of the victims, a 38-year-old man from the Ivory Coast, residing in Valletta, alerted them to the situation. The second victim was a 32-year-old Libyan man, residing in Gzira.

Misrati had been in Malta illegally for just over a week at the time of the incident, a fact which was pointed out to the court as a matter of concern by prosecuting inspector Leeroy Balzan Engerer. One victim was a Facebook friend of the accused, the court had been told.

When the case resumed earlier this week, lawyers Franco Debono and Yanika Vidal informed the court that their client wished to admit the charges.

In view of the man's guilty plea, magistrate Simone Grech handed the man a 2 year prison sentence, suspended for 3 years.



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Partit Demokratiku wants SVPR contract to be made public

Partit Demokratiku today noted that works on the new kitchen at St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly were started before the contract was signed, and the kitchen was inaugurated by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Elderly before all works were finalized.

Partit Demokratiku's Opposition MPs have written emails to Minister Edward Scicluna and Minister Michael Falzon asking them to table the contract in Parliament thus making it public. A reply stating the email has been "duly acknowledged and noted" has been received.

PD said it is deeply concerned that this contract – particularly its additional 'gift' clause – has failed to observe procurement procedures. Moreover, the contract authority has negotiated with the winning tenderer following the award of CT 2009/2015 and varied the Public Contract by more than 50%. No matter how hard one tries to give the benefit of the doubt to the Directorate, the sequence of events mirror irrationality, possibly influenced by third parties.

The principle of equal treatment in the award of contracts necessitates transparency. This has not been upheld in favour of public interest and the common good. Good sense seeks accountability.



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Cannabis pressure group questions need for medicinal cannabis users to give up driving license

ReLeaf warned that the practice would only result in patients no longer seeking medical advice and reverting back to the black market for their medication

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Enemalta to test Delimara power station’s emergency sirens on Tuesday

Enemalta plc will be testing the emergency alarms at the Delimara Power Station on Tuesday, 4 September.

The alarms will be sounded at 9am and will last for less than a minute, as part of an annual procedure to ascertain the Company's preparedness for emergencies at the power plants and related installations located at Delimara.

Enemalta plc said it regularly provides residents and businesses in areas close to the Delimara Power Station with information on the actions they would need to take in case of major accidents. The sounding of emergency alarms is one of the safety measures used to alert these communities in such situations.

Enemalta's emergency response plans are constantly reviewed and updated in collaboration with several national entities and authorities, and in line with applicable policies and regulations. The Company invests in this ongoing process to safeguard the health and safety of neighbouring residents and workers, to minimise the risk of environmental impacts and to ensure the security of the country's electricity generation and distribution infrastructure.     

 




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Grieving relative snatches mother-in-law's body after undertaker goes bust



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Man admits to double stabbing, handed suspended sentence

The man had stabbed a Facebook friend of his and another person

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Hello September! Taste&Flair out on 2 September with The Malta Independent on Sunday

Have a look at some stunning previews from this Sunday's September issue of Taste&Flair. 

In this issue > Notes from Sardinia - Michael Diacono and Ryan Vella bring you the best of the Mediterranean's second largest island; Tantalising tarts with Claire Borg; Samira Jamil traces the history of 'red gold' - Saffron and prepares some cool saffron sweets; and Rodney Pisani and Zdravko Mitev serve gin with a particular twist. 

Also in this issue at home in Paris - a contemporary family home in Montparnasse; South African weekend getaway - a stunning holiday retreat; Valletta balconies; monstera - bring home a trendy rainforest favourite. 

 

Get your copy this Sunday 2nd September with the Malta Independent and make sure to reserve your copy if you're sleeping in! For advertising opportunities in upcoming issues contact Sean Ellul on 2134 5888 ext 123 or email him on sellul@independent.com.mt



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Maltese Player Wins €97,000 On The EuroMillions With Jackpot.com

Maria from St. Julians is walking on air after discovering that she has won €97,000 on the EuroMillions from Malta! She had taken out a subscription on the EuroMillions with lottery betting site, Jackpot.com, when 5 of her numbers came up, landing her a small fortune.

She'd had her subscription for less than 6 months and had already won €9.00 and €21.00, but did not think for a minute she would win such a huge amount.

So, how did she respond when she received the phone call telling her she had won?

"I said 'You must be joking, are you sure it's €97,000 and not €9,700?' I still didn't believe it. After the call, I made my husband check my account to see if it was true.'

When asked what she is going to spend it on, she replied:

"Well, it's not just for me. I've got my husband to look after, I've got my son and my granddaughter, so it's a family affair. If it was only me, I'd spend it all tomorrow! I'm lucky I suppose, God helped me to win all that. But I think if everything is alright health-wise, we'll go abroad for a bit."

Does she have any advice to Maltese lottery fans?

"Make sure that you play, and that you get your numbers in. I've got 2 lines going with Jackpot.comand I'm going to put another 2 lines, so I'll have 4 lines going. I'm trying my luck!

Read the full story here.

How does lotto betting work?

Instead of buying a physical ticket, which is restricted to residents of participating countries, Jackpot.com offers players the opportunity to bet on the outcome of the lottery instead, with the same jackpot paid out if you win.

Jackpot.com is fully regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and they have a knowledgeable Customer Experience Team on hand to answer your questions, so you're in good hands.

And it's not only the EuroMillions that is available in Malta online. From the US Powerball to the Irish Lotto, Jackpot.com deliver the biggest lotteries to Malta from all over the world.

If, like Maria, you'd like to take out a subscription, you'll save over 50% on the EuroMillions 

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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Australian Catholics refuse to report child abuse disclosed in confession as church responds to royal commission



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Massive fire at Magħtab waste complex

A big fire broke out at Wasteserv's Magħtab waste complex this morning, producing a large plume of black smoke that was visible from various localities around Malta

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Seven dead in New Mexico after Greyhound bus collides with truck



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Major fire at Wasteserv's Maghtab facility results in huge black smoke cloud

A large fire broke out at Wasteserv's Maghtab facility at 6 am this morning, the police confirmed with The Malta Independent.

Nobody was injured, and the police were unsure as to whether the fire was at the plastic sorting facility, or where the rubbish is sorted generally.

The fire resulted in a massive cloud of black smoke.

This is the second major fire in a Wasteserv facility in as many years.



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Malta airport grounds could see major transformation

Malta airport masterplan to cater for growth in aviation sector

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Number of over-65s needing 24-hour care 'to rise by third over next 20 years'



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Scandal-hit NHS Trust faces calls for wider investigation into deaths on maternity unit



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Solihull double murder: Man, 21, arrested over deaths of mother and daughter



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First Yellowstone-area grizzly hunt in 40 years blocked by federal judge



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Venezuela arrests 131 accused of economic sabotage 



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Women more likely to quit social media during 'scroll-free September', says Royal Society 



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Kirsty Young steps back from Desert Island Discs due to illness



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[WATCH] Maltese opera on refugees to put up a mirror to society

Xtra Sajf goes artistic as it discusses the upcoming original Maltese opera on refugees and the musical journey of Gozitan band, The Travellers

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Farmer woos bride-to-be by scrawling 'will you marry me' on her favourite cow



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Hispanic Americans 'being denied passports despite having US birth certificates'



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Trump administration ‘considering sending alleged Isil Beatles fighters to Guantanamo Bay'



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Cambridge college attacked by RSPCA for using lasers to scare off nuisance geese 



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'Bexhill birdman' paraglider accused of abusing beachgoers claims he is victim of defamation



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Mother warns against sleeping next to babies after finding her six week old son dead



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Man charged with threatening to kill Boston Globe staff he called 'enemy of the people'



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Syrian migrant in Germany beaten with iron chain as police brace for more far‑Right violence



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British fisherman plan 40-strong flotilla back into French waters after 'gentlemen's agreement' falls apart



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Trump administration sides against Harvard in Asian-American affirmative action case



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Detective attacked lover in row over salty meal



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Hunters forced to guard friend's body for three days while polar bears circle camp



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Man seriously injured by his own van in Zabbar accident

A 73-year-old man suffered serious injuries on Strickland Street, Zabbar this afternoon at around 4pm when his van, a Toyota Townace, began moving on its own for an unknown reason and pinned the man between the van and a Toyota Tercel that was parked on the same street.

The man was taken to the hospital and was later certified as having been seriously injured.

The police are investigating.




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Italian seriously injured in construction site accident

An Italian national was injured this afternoon at a construction site where he was working on Sliema Road, Gzira.  According to the police he suffered an injury from the chaser he was using at the time.

The man was hospitalised for treatment.




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Belgian star football commentator charged with armed robbery 



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Theresa may breaks out her dance moves again as she wraps up Africa trip



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'Sick sadist' used high-profile tragedies to target grieving families, court hears



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Champions League: Juventus, Manchester United in same group

The draws for the Champions League group stage were held in Montecarlo this evening.

The final will be played in Madrid on 1 June.

The two most followed teams in Malta, Juventus and Manchester United, have been drawn in the same group.

Matches will be played in a new schedule as from this season, with four to be played on the Tuesday at 6.55pm, four on the same day at 9pm, four on Wednesday at 6.55pm and the last four on Wednesday at 9pm.

The draws are as follows:

 

Group A

Atletico Madrid

Borussia Dortmund

Monaco

Bruges

 

Group B

Barcelona

Tottenham

PSV Eindhoven

Inter

 

Group C

Paris SG

Napoli

Liverpool

Red Star Belgrade

 

Group D

Lokomotiv Moscow

Porto

Schalke 04

Galatasaray

 

Group E

Bayern Munich

Benfica

Ajax Amsterdam

AEK Athens

 

Group F

Manchester City

Shakthar Donestk

Olympique Lyon

Hoffenheim

 

Group G

Real Madrid

Roma

CSKA Moscow

Vitoria Plzen

 

Group H

Juventus

Manchester United

Valencia

Young Boys



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Gerard Depardieu faces investigation over alleged rapes, sex assaults



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Emmanuel Macron faces flak at home for branding the French 'Gauls resistant to change'



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Xlendi Bay fit for bathing again

Xlendi Bay in Gozo has been declared to be fit for bathing once again by the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health.

The Directorate had advised against swimming in the bay last Saturday.

For further information on the quality of bathing water, the public is kindly requested to contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 8.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on telephone number 2133 7333, or by calling personally at its offices at Continental Business Centre, Old Railway Track, Santa Venera or via e-mail at mhi@gov.mt. Outside office hours, the public is cordially requested to call the automated system on 2182 7146 or on mobile number for Malta +356 7950 9918 or Gozo number +356 7950 9919.

 




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Jamie Oliver made staff sign gagging agreements as his restaurant empire crumbled, it emerges



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MEP Roberta Metsola welcomes new funds to support investigative journalism

The Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs agreed to allocate funding in support of independent investigative journalism

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Facebook 'founder' claims social media site has caused 'countless deaths' by failing to protect users



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'Hero' Syrian swimmer arrested by Greek police for helping migrants reach Lesbos



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'A diva to the end': Hundreds queue to pay their final respects to Aretha Franklin



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Russia to hold major drills in Mediterranean off Syria as UN warns of 'perfect storm'



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Elderly man remanded in custody on charges of complicity in burglary

An elderly man with an apparent drug problem has been remanded in custody after he was charged with complicity in a burglary.

Anthony Balzan, 63, from Qormi, pleaded not guilty to charges of complicity in burglary, handling stolen goods, committing an offence during the operative period of a suspended sentence and recidivism.

Inspectors Roderick Agius and Shaun Friggieri told magistrate Marseanne Farrugia that the man had been arrested in connection with the burglary of a house in Qormi which occurred last week.

Lawyer Lennox Vella requested bail.

Inspector Agius objected. The police were still investigating the crime and had identified a person who is yet to be arrested, the inspector said. There are other persons who had been spoken to by the police and who are yet to testify, he added. He also objected to bail for the man's well being. "He's in a bad state and would benefit from a supervision order whilst under arrest to help him find his feet. He denies being on drugs but we have reason to believe that he is using, both due to his appearance and the company he's keeping. He's living in a garage in Qormi. The owner is under arrest and the owner's mother changed the lock. Everything indicates that he has a problem," the inspector said.

During today's sitting, Balzan was perplexed at why he was in the dock and insisted that all he did was give someone a lift.

Vella pointed out that the accused was advanced in his years and a family man. "Prison is not his place", said the lawyer.

The Court denied bail in view of the fear of the accused interfering with witnesses, but in view of the circumstances of the case, the magistrate issued a provisional supervision order, under which the man was to be given all the assistance and treatment he needed to get better.

 



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Qormi man denies theft charges, remanded in custody

A 35 year-old man from Qormi has denied theft charges.

Tristan Falzon was arraigned before magistrate Marseanne Farrugia by Inspectors Shaun Friggieri and Roderick Agius this afternoon, accused of stealing objects from a property in Qormi on the night of August 23rd.

Falzon was further charged with complicity in the aggravated theft of a vehicle from Qormi on August 26th, handling stolen goods and breaching bail conditions.

Lawyer Raisa Colombo entered a not guilty plea. The accused needed help and treatment for drug addiction, she said.

Falzon's probation officer told the court that the accused was not keeping his appointments. 

The court referred the matter to the director of Corradino Correctional Facility.

He was remanded in custody.



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Grieving father lost son to DNP diet pills that kill five men in six months



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Russia masses warships off Syria ahead of regime's final assault on Idlib



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Man denies theft charges

The man was accused of stealing objects from a property in Qormi 

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Guests at Egypt resort where couple died 'have bacterial infection shigella' 



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EU's costly new tourist 'attraction' shut on weekends and bank holidays



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Watch as a huge fire burns at a  Melbourne warehouse 



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Italy wants EU to rotate ports that take in migrants rescue ships to share burden



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India 'black' currency purge that led to riots and dozens of deaths was pointless, bank study finds



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Man accused of being burglar's accomplice insists he was 'just giving someone a lift'

The police inspector objected to the man's bail because the investigation was still ongoing and due to the police's belief that the man had a drug problem 

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Aung San Suu Kyi should have resigned over Rohingya crisis, says UN human rights chief



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Princess Diana considered wearing a burka in Saudi Arabia, sketches reveal



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PN laments lack of school transport agreement; calls process one of ‘confusion’ and ‘concealment’

With just three weeks left for the beginning of the new scholastic, the government has not yet put the measures in place to fulfil their promise of free school transport, the Nationalist Party said in a statement on Thursday.

They said that was a system that had been promised both by the PN and the Labour Party in their most recent electoral manifestos, and that Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna had also promised it during his Budget speech on 9 October last year. 

However, despite the fact that almost a year has passed since then, the Government is still dragging its feet on the matter to the point that now Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, instead of promising free transport, had promised that whatever parents pay for school transport will be refunded by the government, the PN said.

On Thursday The Malta Independent revealed that parents will be refunded for the fees that they pay school transport operators, but that there was no clear indication given as to when this refund will take place.

Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo also told this newsroom that negotiations on this measure were in their 'final stages', whilst stressing the complexity in efficiently implementing the service to non-state schools.

The main Opposition party said that parents, school administrators and transport operators have all said in the open that they have been left in the dark by the government.  The PN said that this lack of consultation and lack of planning so close to the new scholastic year means that operators cannot make their own plans.  This is because, the party said, the government is offering only confusion and concealment instead of transparency.

 



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Classical music on video games prompts huge rise in millennial listeners, Classic FM says



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Pictures of the Day: 30 August 2018



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Speedboat owner convicted of killing date launches appeal despite being on the run



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Historic Italian atelier that pleated dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch fights closure



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Unemployment inches up between June and July

There were 1,828 people registering for work in July, an increase of 50 over the previous month but a significant 27% drop on the previous year

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PN accuses government of ‘trying to run away from housing crisis’

The Opposition said that Malta was going through a housing crisis brought about by the government's immigration policy

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Autumn hunting season to start on 1 September, end 31 January

The government today announced that the autumn hunting season from land will start on 1 September and end on 31 January. The hunting season on the sea starts on 1 October and ends on the same date.

In a statement, parliamentary secretary Clint Camilleri hoped that hunters will sustain their hobby by following the law to the letter.

No irresponsible action will be tolerated and enforcement will be rigorous, the statement said.

Hunting can take place from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset between Monday and Saturday, and until 1pm on Sundays and public holidays. Hunting from land will not be allowed from 7pm onwards between 15 September and 7 October.



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‘Government running away from the housing crisis’ – PN

The government is ignoring the housing crisis caused by its own lack of planning and pro-immigration policies, the Nationalist Party said in a statement today.

Recent reports have shown individuals sleeping in farms, garages, public gardens and on the beach, with the PN saying that half of these individuals are migrants. This has led to people voicing their displeasure by commenting and posting on social media.

The PN said that estate agents have made it clear that rental prices have long exceeded the €200 and €300 threshold, and are now only available at a minimum of €500 per month.

Organisations have not even been able to keep up with the number migrants staying in Malta, pointing out that the Executive Chairman of the Housing Authority admitted that the government has not done enough on this issue.

The PN stated that the presence of 10,000 migrants per year between 2014 and 2016, and 15,000 throughout the last year have led to the economy "growing through population but not through production". It believed the government has not thought of the long-term effects mass immigration has had on the "wages of Maltese workers, traffic, infrastructure, prices, rent, and the environment".




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Transport Minister becomes a father

Baby Eve was delivered early on Thursday

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How popular is Donald Trump? Latest polls, approval ratings and impeachment odds



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Unmarried mother wins access to widowed parent's allowance in Supreme Court ruling 



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Winery CEO calls for more incentives for in farmers as annual grape harvest goes into full swing

Malta needs to invest more in local farmers, otherwise it runs the risk of losing the independence and self-sufficiency of the Maltese product, warned Marsovin CEO Jeremy Cassar during a press conference at the company's Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk on Thursday.

Cassar said that the average age of farmers in Malta was rising to worrying levels, and in fact currently sits around the mid-fifties mark.  He cautioned that Malta risks finding itself in a very desperate situation unless the right incentives are given to local farmers in both the vine growing sector and in other agricultural sectors.

If no investment is made in these sectors, Cassar said, then Malta could face a very serious situation in its agricultural sectors within the next five to ten years.

Photos Alenka Falzon

First organic grapes to be harvested

Cassar also announced that as part of the current harvest season, Marsovin will be harvesting its first batch of organic grapes to turn into wine.  The harvesting season has already begun, with chardonnay grapes being harvested from the Cassar de Malta estates in Wardija in mid-July already. However, this is the first time that Marsovin will be producing an organic wine, and it is the culmination of a process which started in 2013.

It took three years to convert the land being used and a further two years to arrive to the point today where the grapes can be harvested.  Cassar explained that organic viticulture, which is strictly governed by the European Union and the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, is a process fraught with challenges.

The main one is in terms of maintaining the health of the grapes.  In organic viticulture, the use of products that prevent disease cannot be used; instead treatment can be carried out with natural products only after the first signs of disease are detected, a point which may be too late for the product.

Disease prevention is also partially obtaining by limiting the vegetative growth in order to allow enough air circulation around the grape bunches to reduce excessive humidity. These operations involve, shoot selection in spring as well as defoliation during grape ripening.   Therefore there is much more manual labour involved in this growth process than in conventional viticulture processes.

Organic farming also limits the use of commercial fertilisers, were only natural manure, or fertilisers obtained from natural manure is allowed. Such products are obviously less effective than commercial mineral fertilisers and this limits yield output. However Marsovin was never interested in pushing for yields from its Estates, and therefore this does not actually impact much on our yields, Cassar explained.

Average yield of grapes for 2018

Cassar said that a wetter than usual February, which saw 181mm of rain, saved the harvest.  At the same time however unexpected rains in July and August were less than positive for most of the products.

As a result of these climactic factors, the yield on most of the international varieties was average.  Due to the heavy rains in February however, the local non-irrigated varieties are expected to give higher yields than the past two years.

The mild summer temperature meanwhile has resulted in a very slow gradual grape maturity, which should result in complex well balanced aromatic wines, Cassar explained.

On a negative note however, the southern winds and high humidity characterising most of July and the beginning of August, as well as the summer rainfall resulted in some grape rot on the most susceptible varieties.

 

 

 

 



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Proposed lateral extension at Mriehel towers approved; PA board members calls for master plan

A proposed lateral extension of one of the Quad Business highrise towers in Mriehel was approved by the Planning Authority Board today, while members highlighted the need for some sort of master plan for the area given the effects on the skyline of development in the area.

In August 2016, The Planning Authority approved a controversial application by Tumas and Gasan holdings, who intended to invest €70 million in the construction of four towers in Mrieħel. The towers will be centred around a piazza. The original application's total floorspace to be developed stood at 41,715sqm. The total proposed developable gross floorspace above street level of the whole proposed development as per this recent application is now 50,977sqm excluding terraces and bridges, according to the case officer's report.

The applicant's architect stressed that through this latest application, the heights have not changed and that the lateral extension is below the top floors of the building. He also said that some of the changes are architectural.

"The proposal involves relatively minor changes to the configuration of the North, West and South towers and mainly affects the plan volume of the East Tower. Whilst all four towers remain with similar building heights as previously approved, the proposal involves an additional site area of circa 1,200sqm to be developed into a terraced extension of the East Tower with buffer zones and landscaping along the adjacent third parties," the case officer's report reads.

The case officer notes that the extension of the East Tower is located behind the mass of the same tower when viewed from Mdina or Valletta. Thus, since the increase in area is located in the line of view from Mdina to Valletta, the proposed increase in mass will be hidden by the previously approved mass of the East Tower, the report read. "All edges are rounded in plan to assist in minimising the impact of the mass of the building and the concept of permeability of the original project is maintained. The report concludes that the proposal does not change the introduced and established urban qualities and character appraisal of the previously approved development."

The architect noted that the Quad Towers are aiming for Platinum certification which would rank it among the top one percent of all LEED certified projects. "LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts," the case officer's report explains.

The architect said that the number of parking spaces to be provided are above what is required by policy. Increased traffic generation through the project is considered to be low, the board heard.

ERA Chairman Victor Asciak highlighted the need for a master plan for the Mriehel area, similar to what was previously proposed for Paceville, to see how projects effect the skyline. He said that this should be part of the Planning Authority's responsibility. He complimented the design of the project, however highlighted the need for everything to be seen holistically. PA Board Chairperson Vince Cassar noted that the difference between Paceville and Mriehel was that there were many more applications in Paceville, to which Asciak said that at the very least there should be one to take the skyline in Mriehel into consideration. PN MP Marthese Portelli who sits on the board agreed with Asciak that the PA should be proactive, as this would even help developers know what is and what is not possible. She voted in favour of the extension but stressed the need for a plan for the area. The NGO's representative also backed the need for a master plan. The PL representative Clayton Bartolo also said that the master plan was a good point.

The planning Directorate proposed that the planning gain for this application be €231,550, thus the total Planning Gain for the whole project (including the previously approved application) would amount to €425,941.

The applicant's architect however argued that in the previously original approved application, the applicant could have built up to 46,586sqm but opted to apply for less (41,715sqm) for visual consideration, and for the planning gain to be reduced. The architect asked that the new amount up to the 46,586sqm (aka 4,871 sqm) which was not built be considered under the old planning gain mechanism which was in place at the time of the first application, which was far less than the current calculation. The current mechanism is calculated as €25 multiplied by floor area, whereas the old mechanism was €4.66 multiplied by floor area. His proposal was that the rest of the amount, between 46,586sqm  up to 50,977sqm remains being considered under the new mechanism. This would mean that the planning gait for today's application would be €132, 473, not €231,550.

The applicant's request was not accepted and the €231,550 planning gain for this application was imposed.



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Minister Ian Borg becomes a father for the first time

Transport Minister Ian Borg today became a father to a girl.

His wife Rachelle gave birth this morning.

The girl has been named eve, the minister wrote on social media.



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Man charged with aggravated drug possession denied bail

The police have charged a man after drugs were found in a chicken coop on a Siġġiewi farm 

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Princess Eugenie to marry Jack Brooksbank: Date, details and latest news about 2018's second Royal wedding



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President Trump blames China for North Korea's lack of denuclearisation progress

Trump lashes out at China for obstructing progress with North Korea

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Heroin in chicken coop: Siggiewi man charged, denied bail

A Siggiewi man has denied aggravated drug possession charges after heroin and cannabis were discovered in a chicken coop on his farm.

Horace Fenech, 42, from Siggiewi was arraigned before magistrate Marseann Farrugia and charged with possession of heroin in circumstances which denoted it was not for his personal use, as well as possession of cannabis and cannabis resin. Fenech was also charged with recidivism.

Inspectors Frank Anthony Tabone and Joseph Xerri said that Fenech was arrested after a police investigation led to the dicovery of a kilo of heroin which was hidden in a chicken coop on Fenech's farm in Siggiewi. The police said the drugs were found with the help of police dogs. Police also found suspected cocaine in a car belonging to a 33-year-old man from Qormi. Investigations into the latter are ongoing.

In court today, Fenech denied the charges.

Inspector Tabone requested a freezing order over the man's assets, as this is a potential drug trafficking case. The court upheld the request.

Lawyer Raisa Colombo requested bail but this was denied by the court.  

 



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Number of people registering for work falls by nearly 27% in July – NSO

In July, the number of persons registering for work stood at 1,828 decreasing by 26.9 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2017, the National Statistics Office said.

Data provided by Jobsplus for July 2018 indicate a decline of 573 persons registering under Part I and of 98 persons among those registering under Part II of the unemployment register, when compared to the same month last year.

Registered unemployed dropped among all age groups. Registrants for work decreased when compared to July 2017, irrespective of how long they had been registering for work. The largest decrease in registrants was recorded among persons who had been registering for less than 21 weeks.

The number of persons with a disability who were registering for work decreased by 13 persons when compared to the previous year, reaching 271. Men accounted for 73.8 per cent of total registrants with a disability. The largest share of men and women on the unemployment register sought occupations as clerical support workers with 19.5 per cent and 41.2 per cent respectively. The registered unemployment rate in February 2018 stood at 1.0 per cent of the labour supply (excluding part-time employment); 1.1 per cent for men and 0.7 per cent for women.



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South Korea bans coffee in all schools - teachers included - in bid to promote healthy living



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Donald Trump blames China for stalled talks with North Korea



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TMID Editorial: Accountability - The French, again, show us the way

Time and time again, French politicians are showing not only us in Europe but the world in general what political accountability is all about.  It is not as though France is corruption free, far from it, but when push comes to shove they have had the gumption to take the right decisions at the right times.

That more likely because the French people demand more and better of their politicians.

On Tuesday star French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot quit the Cabinet in disgust, saying he could lie to himself any longer, citing an 'accumulation of disappointments' and saying that felt 'all alone' in trying to advance green policies in the government.

The man could clearly no longer put his own reputation on the line for an administration that, he felt, was not in line with the environmental policies he wanted to forward.

One must ask how many times over recent years were Maltese politicians in government forced into such a corner, yet did not take the noble route and instead chose to merely play along and dance to the wider government's tune?

There are certain names that spring to mind, people who in previous incarnations would have given no quarter to some of the shenanigans they were perhaps not only forced to accept but that they actually had to promote?

Some of those Maltese politicians may argue that while they do not necessarily agree with all the government and its functionaries have been up to since taking the country's helm in 2013, they feel their presence within government is more valuable than their presence without.

That, however, is arguable.  There have been chances galore for government politicians to stand up and be counted.  The Farrugias had done so when they moved over Labour to the fledgling Partit Demokratiku, a move that had caused two albeit temporary shockwaves.

But just imagine if a government minister were to just throw his or her arms up in disgust and quit.

It is hard to imagine indeed, but falling on one's sword in politics is sometimes a political necessity.

While Hulot apparently quit in a fury of angst, other French politicians have left for other reasons, reasons that Maltese politicians should take note of if they are to be wirth their salt.

There are two primary examples.  When an anti-corruption association a few months back filed a complaint about a potential conflict of interest between the president's chief of staff's current role and his family links to Mediterranean Shipping Company, where he had worked as chief financial officer, he resigned on the spot.  The chief of staff had been appointed right after Macron's election in 2017.

But on the slightest hint of possible corruption, French financial prosecutors had opened an investigation into whether the rules related to conflicts of interests while in a public position have been respected.

This was a mere whiff compared to the overbearing stench that has been hanging over Malta since our own Prime Minister's chief of staffed and his lead minister were both exposed, in tandem, in the Panama Papers.

But where Macron would suffer no such stench, our Prime Minister appears to bask in it.  And while Macron knows full well that the French electorate would give no quarter to a whiff of corruption, Joseph Muscat's political strength has actually increased without having taken any such action. 

Just imagine Muscat's electoral popularity had he taken action against the offending pair.

Earlier, during Macron's 2017 election campaign four ministers all stepped down days after news broke that they could be facing investigations – not that they are being investigated, but that they could possibly be investigated.

The backdrop was French President Emmanuel Macron's leading campaign pledge to put more ethics into politics, as was Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's lead campaign pledge back in 2013.

What a far cry all this is from the situation in Malta, where even ministers and top aides caught with the proverbial smoking gun in their hands cling fast to their positions, and where a Prime Minister defends them to the quick and even reappoints them after election.

We in Malta evidently have a long, long way to go if we are to ever reach France's standards of political accountability.  But that does not mean we cannot get there, it's just that enough of us citizens need to be seen demanding it.



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Iconic British telephone kiosks to be restored

Eleven red telephone boxes dispersed around Valletta will be restored to safeguard their protection status. The Planning Commission granted permission for works to be carried out on these structures, which owing to the spread of mobile phones have fallen into decline.

The kiosks which will be restored are a mix of Mk1 and Mk2 Type 6B and are mostly found in Republic and Merchants Street.

These structures which are as iconically British as London's black cabs were designed by Sir Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V in 1935. The design of these telephone kiosks was part of a Special Concession scheme to celebrate the Silver Jubilee through which each village or city in the Empire that had a Post Office would receive a subsidised telephone kiosk. Although the King died in January 1936 the scheme went ahead and the 'Jubilee Concession' allowed many towns and villages in the UK and the Empire to apply for the telephone kiosk.

The Mark 1, which is a pre WW2 design, was manufactured between 1936 and 1952. These are identified from the Imperial Tudor State Crown on the roof section. When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, she chose a new rendition of the crown and therefore the MK2 was introduced with the new crown rendition. The Mk 2 was in production from 1952 up to 1968.

The type 6B kiosks are those that have the door fitted opposite the back panel and hinged on the right. The kiosk frame is constructed from a cast with glass panes and solid teak door frame with a cast iron grid insert. The use of red for telephone booths was intended to help users find out the facility with more ease.

The eleven structures will be transported to a manufacturing workshop so that all restoration works are carried out in a protected environment. The works will be carried out in accordance to an approved restoration method statement and monitored by the Planning Authority's conservation officers. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has endorsed the restoration method statement.

Back in 2001, the Planning Authority had granted Grade 2 protection status to these structures.



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First group of migrants from MV Aquarius departs for France

This morning, the first group of immigrants who disembarked in Malta from aboard the MV Aquarius on August 15 have departed Malta to be relocated in France.

The immigrants were assisted by the International Office of Migration Authorities, local authorities, officials from the French Home Affairs Ministry as well authorities from the Embassy of France in Malta.

Deputy Ambassador Vanessa Salas Pouget - who was present at the airport this morning - said that this relocation effort represents a prime example of how European solidarity can achieve results to rapidly resolve cases requiring timely solutions to address humanitarian urgencies. She emphasised that this group of immigrants can now look forward to a safe life in France.

All 141 immigrants who arrived in Malta aboard the MV Aquarius on August 15 will be relocated to France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain.

The relocation arrangement was part of an ad hoc solidarity agreement in response to the humanitarian crisis aboard the MV Aquarius which emerged following discussions between France and Malta and a number of European member states with the support of the European Commission.

On August 15 Malta made a concession allowing the vessel to enter its ports despite having no legal obligation to do so. Furthermore, Malta served as a logistical base in the MV Aquarius humanitarian crisis.

On August 13 Malta had also rescued a further 114 persons at sea. 60 persons from this rescue operation will also be distributed among other member states as part of the joint EU cooperation.

This is the second time such a voluntary solidarity mechanism was put into place, following that relating to the humanitarian crisis which concerned the MV Lifeline.

All countries except one (Italy), honoured the pledges committed in the ad hoc solidarity mechanism created to address the situation of the MV Lifeline.

 



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