Focus on other matches…

January 22, 2016, 3:01 pm

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Birkirkara go into their clash with Sliema Wanderers in an upbeat mood after ousting rivals Valletta from the FA Trophy. Coach Drazen Besek is unlikely to make drastic changes from the team that started Wednesday’s 1-0 win but Vito Plut is in line for a recall after the Slovenian striker was left out of the squad in midweek. Left-back Joseph Zerafa was yesterday handed a three-match ban following his red card in the dying stages of Birkirkara’s win over Valletta. As the Stripes have advanced in the KO, Zerafa, dismissed after lashing out at Romeu Romao, is available for today’s league match as he must serve his ban in the FA Trophy. Goalkeeper Justin Haber, wing-back Edward Herrera and midfielder Ryan Scicluna are still sidelined with injuries. Sliema Wanderers, who have also qualified for the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy after a 2-1 win over Division Two side Għargħur, will be without young goalkeeper Timothy Aquilina, suspended, while Italian defender Stefano Bianciardi is doubtful. First round: Birkirkara vs Sliema 3-1. Nisevic missing four key players Champions Hibs will be without four first-choice players as they look to bounce back from their FA Trophy upset in their...

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Zammit, Oliveira strike upbeat note ahead of derby

January 22, 2016, 3:01 pm

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The FA Trophy defeat to Birkirkara was a setback for Valletta but the BOV Premier League pacesetters had no time to ponder on their cup exit as they take on arch-rivals Floriana this afternoon. Now firmly entrenched as one of the toughest outfits in the Premier League, Floriana will be hoping that the loss to Birkirkara has dampened Valletta’s morale as they look to end their long, excruciating wait for a win in the derby, but Paul Zammit, the City coach, believes that his team can derive a lot of positives from their midweek showing. “Without detracting from the merits of Birkirkara, who had a good game, our performance was very heartening,” Zammit said of Wednesday’s FA Trophy match which was decided by a 62nd-minute goal from Ryan Camenzuli. “We were very disciplined tactically but we paid the price for not punishing our opponents in the final third. “There were a number of instances when we could hurt Birkirkara but we came up against a strong goalkeeper and a well-drilled defence. “Although we are disappointed about our elimination from the FA Trophy, we are comforted by the knowledge that the team’s performance was very good. “The players gave everything. “I believe that...

Muscat meets lecturers, New University Act in the pipeline

January 22, 2016, 10:21 pm

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The government is to introduce a new University Act separate from the current bill under which the University of Malta currently falls, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told a meeting of lecturers last night. Dr Muscat met with lecturers for a discussion as the term of the University Rector Juanito Camilleri draws to an end. In a statement, University of Malta Academic Staff Association said it welcomes the dialogue initiated by the Prime Minister and the Education Minister with regards to the future direction of the University. "UMASA is a major stakeholder and its members will be directly affected by any future ‘University Act’. We were thus reassured to hear the Minister of Education state that UMASA will be directly involved in pre-­consultation discussions in respect of the drafting of the proposed legislation." In an email sent earlier to its members, the had association said it has not yet been consulted on the new University Act.  The meeting was requested by Dr Muscat, to listen to what the academics had to say on the future of the University of Malta and the direction that academic staff would like the University to take in the future. The Office of the Prime Minister said...

Fourteen finalists chosen for this evening's Malta Eurovision

January 22, 2016, 10:35 pm

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Fourteen songs were selected last night during the semi-final of the Malta Eurovision contest. Malta's selection for the Eurovision contest in Stockholm, Sweden will be known after this evening's final.  During a show last night described as "too long" by several critics, 20 acts vied for a place in this evening's final last night. Last year’s winner Amber opened the semifinal with a reprise of Warrior. The following are the 14 finalists and their songs: Raquel – Flashing lightsDominic – Fire burnKim – LighthouseChristabelle – KingdomDeborah C – All around the worldFranklin – Little loveDaniel Testa – Under the sunCorazon – Falling glassIra Losco – ChameleonJessika – The FlameLawrence Gray – You’re beautifulBrooke – GoldenJasmine – AliveMaxine – Young love A seven-part panel — six international juries plus Maltese televoters — decided the list of finalists. The show will be screened live on TVM this evening. It appears that it was not just the songs which were under scrutiny last night. Many couldn't help but notice the similarity of the dresses worn by some performers.  

Four dead in worst Canada school shooting in decade, suspect caught

January 22, 2016, 10:40 pm

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The gunman suspected of killing four people and injuring several others in Canada's worst school violence in a decade first shot his two brothers at home before opening fire at the remote community high school, a family friend and the town's acting mayor said. Police said a suspect was arrested after the shooting in La Loche, Saskatchewan, an impoverished community about 600 km (375 miles) north of the city of Saskatoon. The town's acting mayor, Kevin Janvier, told the Associated Press that his 23-year-old daughter Marie, a teacher, was shot to death. He also said police told him that the gunman first shot two of his siblings at home and then made his way to the school. Officials have not given a motivation for the shooting or named the suspect or victims. Mass shootings are rare in Canada, which has stricter gun laws than the United States. In the country's worst school shooting, 14 college students were killed at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique in 1989. A shooting in 1992 at Concordia University in Montreal killed four. A family friend said the teenaged suspect shot his two younger brothers before going to the school and shooting a teacher and an assistant. "After he shot his...

Local press review

January 22, 2016, 10:42 pm

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These are the main stories from today's four main daily newspapers: Times of Malta reports that there will be no major reshuffle if any at all as Joseph Muscat considers who will fill in the post of European Court of Auditors. It also reports Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg saying that the case of a controversial building permit given to him was now "dead and buried". The Malta Independent reports that the Muslim community had gathered at Ospizio in Floriana to pray following their controversial decision to pray in public for the past three weeks.  L-Orizzont says that nine organisations had expressed an interest to build a race circuit in Malta. It also reports the story of an Eritrean and her daughter who left Malta for the US. Showing a picture of the Muslim community praying, In-Nazzjon says the public will continue paying hefty prices for fuel until April, despite the cut in international oil prices. 

Goal-line technology for Euro 2016 and Champions League approved

January 22, 2016, 10:53 pm

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Goal-line technology will be used at Euro 2016 this summer and in the Champions League from next season. UEFA's executive committee gave the green light to introducing the system, but will also retain an extra official behind each goal. The success of goal-line technology in the Premier League and World Cup proved crucial, especially after high-profile incidents in major competitions. Ukraine were denied a goal against England at Euro 2012, while two years earlier Frank Lampard was denied a World Cup goal for England against Germany. UEFA's referees chief Pierluigi Collina said: "This is not a decision we have taken quickly - we have been looking at it for the last year and a half. We are convinced implementing goal-line technology will be a further step in better control of the match. "We are happy with the additional assistant referees even if we know that from the outside their contribution is not always appreciated. Meanwhile, UEFA will not hold an election to replace Michel Platini as its president until the appeals process against the Frenchman's eight-year ban has been exhausted. Platini was banned along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter last month over a £1.3million...

Muscat 'not too keen' to rejig Cabinet

January 22, 2016, 10:59 pm

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There will be no major reshuffle if at all as Joseph Muscat considers his options to fill a vacancy at the European Court of Auditors. The Prime Minister is not too keen to rejig his Cabinet past the midway juncture, according to sources close to the government. “This is a time when ministers would want to see projects and initiatives come to fruition, and upheaval at this stage will not give newcomers enough time to settle down,” the sources said. When contacted, Environment Minister Leo Brincat yesterday denied having been offered the post at the European Court of Auditors. Strong rumours had linked him to the vacancy. “I have not been offered the post and neither been approached. I know as much as you do, probably less,” Mr Brincat said. Government sources said the Prime Minister was considering names from outside the Cabinet for the EU post but could not rule out that the nominee would eventually be a Cabinet member. If a vacancy arises in Cabinet, the change is likely to be minimal and could include a redistribution of portfolios but no new names, according to the sources. Moving Mr Brincat out could compound the Labour Party’s electoral problems on the ninth district,...

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Ian Borg says permit case is ‘dead and buried’

January 22, 2016, 11:01 pm

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A month after the corruption watchdog published its findings on a controversial development permit granted to Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, the young lawyer dismissed calls to resign saying that the case was “dead and buried”. The Permanent Commission Against Corruption found no evidence of corruption in terms of criminal law in connection with an application for two dwellings in Santa Katarina, limits of Rabat. However, the commission en-dorsed the conclusions of a probe by the Ombudsman, who had chastised the junior minister for choosing “a somewhat devious method” to file the application. This prompted calls by the Opposition for Dr Borg to resign. The Ombudsman also called on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to review the issued permit and reassess the application. The Ombudsman had concluded that Mepa had “removed the one possible reason (and a very strong one) for refusing the proposal (of a similar permit), thereby facilitating the process”. Dr Borg’s case came to the fore again earlier this week when planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon resigned in the wake of an investigation by the Auditor General into a controversial expropriation deal...

Marlene Mizzi appointed as observer to Haiti election

January 22, 2016, 11:12 pm

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Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has been appointed as an EU election observer on behalf of the European Parliament to monitor the elections in Haiti tomorrow. The EU has already fielded a large electoral Observation Mission in the last few months to actively monitoring the election process in Haiti and a small group of selected MEPs will join the EU mission during the elections. Haiti is undergoing important process with long overdue local, legislative and also Presidential elections, which are taking place simultaneously. The first round of legislative elections took place last August. While the overall process was considered acceptable, significant irregularities and violence were to be regretted. "Election observation missions are vital in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law worldwide. We will observe the various phases of the electoral process on the basis of which we will analyse whether democracy and fairness were preserved during the elections." Ms Mizzi said from Haiti. She added: "I am honoured to be appointed to represent the European Parliament at such an important mission. The stakes for Haiti's elections are high. Democratic change is essential in...

Emmy Bezzina's show is the 'best thing since sliced bread' - Joe Grima

January 22, 2016, 11:35 pm

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Emmy Bezzina's "hilarious show" is the best thing on TV since sliced bread, according to former Labour minister Joe Grima. "Go for it Emy. You're doing just fine in a world drenched in blood, wars, beheadings, displacement of millions of people, wanton bombings of civilians, Imams marrying eight year old brides, a Europe sinking under the weight of two million immigrants and straight-laced hypocrites populating not just the air waves," Mr Grima said in a comment posted to timesofmalta.com's comments board.  The controversial TV presenter's latest insults against his viewers on Smash TV has prompted a probe by the Broadcasting Authority. Asked by a viewer why he did not get into politics, before branding him a "pea brain", Dr Bezzina called him an "idiot" and then urged him to "jump off Dingli Cliffs with a noose attached to his neck... You're an onion marinated in mice droppings." The presenter's insults had the support of many, including Mr Grima, who is now the government's special envoy for the World Tourism Organisation.  "The politically-correct brigade is out in force, shocked to its cotton socks, shielding itself from Emy's inventive and, indeed, original tirades against...

Motorists urged to get off the road as monster blizzard approaches

January 23, 2016, 12:26 am

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A thick layer of snow covered the Washington D.C. area as a potentially record-setting blizzard arrived on the East Coast, paralyzing road, rail and airline travel from North Carolina to New York. The Washington and Baltimore metro areas were expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Two to three feet of snow are likely, accompanied by winds of 30 to 50 miles per hour (48 to 80 km per hour), before the storm winds down on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Steady snow was falling on southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, early on Saturday. The storm is forecast to head north toward New York City later in the day. The National Weather Service said it was too soon to tell whether the snowfall will break records around Washington D.C. and Baltimore. "Either way, we're looking at a significant event," said NWS meteorologist Frank Pereira. The full force of the storm could dump enough snow on Washington to eclipse the 17.8 inches (45.2 cm) of the "Snowmageddon" storm of 2010. Total snowfall might rival the "Knickerbocker" storm of 1922, when a record 28 inches fell. Residents preparing for a weekend indoors laid in stores of food, water and wine.

Two arrested following Ta' Xbiex armed robbery

January 23, 2016, 1:11 am

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Two men have been arrested following an armed robbery at a gaming outlet in Ta' Xbiex late last night. The police received a report shortly after 11pm that two men, one of them carrying a firearm, had entered the outlet on the Ta' Xbiex seafront and ordered a 20-year-old employee to hand over the money. Three clients were in the premises at the time.  The robbers made off with a "substantial" amount of cash but they were identified and arrested a short while later by members of the Rapid Intervention Unit. The police said the men are being held for investigations. No one was hurt. Duty Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ordered an inquiry. The police are investigating.  

Elderly man seriously injured in Sliema traffic accident

January 23, 2016, 1:16 am

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An 84-year-old man from Sliema suffered grievous injuries early this morning after he was hit by a car. The accident in Triq Santa Marija took place at around 6.45am. He was hit by a Seat Ibiza, driven by a 55-year-old man from Vittoriosa. The elderly man was taken to hospital by ambulance where he was certified to have sustained serious injuries, which are not life-threatening. Investigations are ongoing.  

Charlotte Rampling says Oscars controversy comments 'misinterpreted'

January 23, 2016, 1:26 am

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Actress Charlotte Rampling says her comments about the Oscars diversity controversy have been "misinterpreted". Rampling, 69, who is nominated in the best actress category, had said that the uproar over there being no black actors on the Oscars shortlist is unfair to the white actors who were nominated. "We can never know if it was really the case, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to be in the final straight," she said. Rampling, who is nominated for her role in 45 Years, told French radio station Europe 1: "It's racist to white people." In a statement to CBS News's Sunday Morning, she said: "I regret that my comments could have been misinterpreted this week in my interview with Europe 1 Radio. "I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration. I am very honoured to be included in this year's wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses." She continued: "Diversity in our industry is an important issue that needs to be addressed. I am highly encouraged by the changes announced today by the Academy to diversify its membership." On Friday, the Academy pledged to double the number of female and...

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Proposed Munxar development a "caricature" of government’s rural policy

January 23, 2016, 1:35 am

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Front Ħarsien ODZ has urged the Marsascala council to also oppose the Zonqor development the same way it objected to the Munxar area proposal unless the whole issue will resemble a "theatre of the absurd". A proposal has surfaced for an "agro-tourism" development in the Munxar area covering 2,000 square metres on virgin land. In a statement, Front Ħarsien ODZ said it supported NGOs opposition to the development of agro tourism on Level 3 protected land which serves as a buffer zone to an Area of Ecological Importance. The NGO welcomed the position of Marsascala local council against the proposed development but said that the local council, and not only its Labour deputy mayor and Nationalist councillors should also oppose the development of the so-called American non-University of Malta, which will also be developed on ODZ land at Zonqor. "The development which includes a proposal of a pantoon for boats, refers to beach clubs and includes a conference hall and a spa, looks more like a hotel than an agro tourism, " said Front Ħarsien ODZ, which described the development as a caricature of the rural policy approved in 2014. "But in many ways the project is also a consequence of...

Paceville club incident directors to be arraigned following damning inquiry

January 23, 2016, 2:01 am

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UPDATED 11.55am: The directors and licencees of a Paceville nightclub should be arraigned on a long list of offences following the November incident which left dozens injured, according to a magisterial inquiry unveiled this morning. During a news conference, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici listed a series of irregularities which emerged from the inquiry in the wake of one of the most serious nightclub incidents in Malta. The incident at Plus One Club in Paceville last November caused a stampede in which 74 people were injured. The inquiry said that the incident was sparked off following an argument between a 17-year-old Maltese national and a foreigner inside the club. At some point, an 18-year-old Maltese youth aimed pepper spray at the foreigner sparking a fight. Upon noticing the commotion, a security person inside the club urged the revellers to leave the club but the bouncers at the door were not aware of the instruction and were not letting people out, according to the inquiry. It established that there were 34 under-age people inside the club at the time of the incident, some of whom were consuming alcohol. It also concluded there were no proper emergency exits. Experts...

Woman claims '£33m lotto ticket damaged in wash'

January 23, 2016, 2:19 am

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It could either be the most expensive wash in history – or the best ever ‘the dog ate my homework’ excuse. A woman has claimed she has the missing £33m (43 million euro) lottery from the recent record draw - but says the bar code has come off in the wash. The woman rushed into her local newsagent, Ambleside News, in Worcester, the UK yesterday, with the tattered piece of paper. The ticket featured the winning combination of numbers - 26, 27, 46, 47, 52, 58 - but the date, bar code and serial number had been washed off, The Times reported. The woman told the paper: "I've been a nervous wreck. I haven't slept all night. Since I found it in my jeans pocket, my daughter and I have been drying it out with a hairdryer. You can see the 2016 but not the date." "This is one of only two shops I buy my tickets, and I remember coming in here the day before (the draw), because I had to buy something else." Camelot, the National Lottery organisers, confirmed it was aware of the case. Camelot officials descended on Worcester after it emerged that the ticket for the January 9 draw was bought in the city. The 14-times rollover prize of £66m was split between two winners, with Scottish couple...

Gozo Channel marks turnaround in profits

January 23, 2016, 2:34 am

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Gozo Channel has reported a profit of €1.01 million for the year ending December, 2015, the company said this morning. The company had registered a loss of €1.6 million in 2012 and a loss of €1.3 million in 2013. "The company is committed to continue building on the positive results while it commits to continue improving the service for Maltese and Gozitan citizens as well as tourists who travel between the two islands," Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina said in a statement.  

IASB issues new leases standard

January 23, 2016, 3:01 pm

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The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has issued its leases standard that will require lessees to recognise all leases on their balance sheets, with certain exemptions. This will have the most impact on entities that have significant operating leases today, such as lessees of real estate, large equipment and machinery, and transportation vehicles. Leo van der Tas, EY’s Global IFRS Services leader and partner Ernst & Young Accountants LLP (Netherlands), said: “We support the IASB’s efforts to improve accounting for leases by lessees. This will promote greater consistency in... This article is part of our premium content. Full story is available on Times of Malta Premium.