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Hibs cruise to comfortable victory but Luxol bow out

October 22, 2019, 1:33 am
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Starlites player Alec Felice Pace (centre) goes for the basket despite the challenge of Stefan Cappello, of Luxol. Photo: Wally Galea

Depiro 68Hibernians 95 (17-20, 15-27, 16-29, 20-19) A strong start to the second quarter paved the way for a handsome Hibernians victory over Depiro. In fact, two strong spurts resulting in respective 11-0 and 13-3 runs were very influential for the remainder of the game as Hibs were always in control even if losing their shooting guard David Bugeja on two major fouls late in the first half. The first quarter was a very balanced affair with Depiro enjoying an early lead as Quin Cooper got initial hoops. Cooper was assisted by Adam Chomo as regards import players and together they contributed to 53 of the side’s points. However, another import that was reported to join Depiro, namely Ben Evans, was a no show for this game and rumours had it that this player will be replaced very soon by maybe a centre of European origin, possibly with past experience in the local league, who will add weight underneath the boards. Although Chandler Rowe was quite active for Hibs at the offensive end, Depiro still kept close at bay and it was only a late Isaac Bonett hoop which had the Paolites enjoying a marginal 20-17 lead after ten minutes. By midway in the second quarter, Hibs had already...
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Only connect

October 22, 2019, 1:46 am
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From automated résumé screeners to robot interviewers, a wave of technical solutions for recruiting has hit the market mainly in the US, Asia and some countries in Europe.

Technology should be harnessed to connect people to high quality education and jobs, says Caroline Buhagiar Klass. Locally, what skills are currently mostly in demand? Nowadays, skills shortage is being felt across different industries, so there is no specific one that is more prominent than others. In a full employment market where supply is not meeting the demands, the situation becomes more challenging. According to the latest report from Cedefop EU (2018), the fastest growing sectors are IT and professional services. This is creating a lot of job opportunities within a limited pool of employees, which in turn translates into a shortage. Are such needs in line with the rest of Europe? According to Talent Search EU, in Europe the most defined needs are linked to healthcare and ICT. This is somewhat similar in part to Malta. During a recent discussion on CNBC, they listed some of the most in demand skills this year. These are digital marketing, industrial design, competitive strategies, customer service systems, software testing, data science, computer graphics and corporate communications. [attach id=780045 size="medium" align="right" type="image"]Caroline Buhagiar...
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EU 'have done all in our power' for orderly Brexit - Juncker

October 22, 2019, 1:49 am
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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Tuesday the EU had done "all in our power" to ensure an orderly Brexit, but said the bloc would await British parliamentary approval for a new divorce deal before ratifying it.    Expressing regret that Britain planned to leave the EU on October 31, Juncker said: "At least we can look ourselves in the eyes and say that we have done all in our power to make sure that this departure is orderly."  "We need now to watch events in Westminster very closely. It's not possible, not imaginable that this parliament will ratify the agreement before Westminster will have ratified the agreement," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is desperately trying to secure a break from Brussels that severs many of the island nation's economic and political ties with Europe after 46 years of EU membership. Lawmakers in Britain, meeting on a Saturday for the first time in 37 years, voted to demand that Johnson delay Brexit while they further consider his newly-agreed EU divorce agreement. The government's new strategy is to get parliament Tuesday to approve an accompanying package of legislation...
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Teenagers among Ħal Far group whose alleged row led to riot

October 22, 2019, 2:22 am
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A police van arrives in Valletta ahead of their arraignment. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Two teenagers are among a group of three migrants whose row with a security guard allegedly sparked a mass riot on Monday morning in an open centre in Ħal Far. The 17-year-olds, from Sudan and Nigeria, who cannot be named, and 20-year-old Abdalla Muhammed Abdalla, from Chad appeared in court on Tuesday. They were charged with threatening two police officers and slightly injuring a female support worker. Their alleged argument over being banned from entering the so-called 'Tent Village' because they were drunk, precipitated the riots that led to cars and an office being burnt out. [attach id=781707 size="large" align="left" type="image"]One of five cars burnt out during a riot in Ħal Far's so-called 'Tent Village' on Sunday night. Picture: Jonathan Borg[/attach] The trio had arrived in Malta just weeks ago, the court, presided over by magistrate Doreen Clarke, heard. They are among 90 people being arraigned on Tuesday after they were brought to court in Valletta in a police van.  The three denied eight charges including being drunk in public, disobeying police orders, breaching the peace, attacking or resisting with violence and frightening or influencing people in charge from...
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Caruana Galizia murder suspect in 'last bid' for phone tapping evidence

October 22, 2019, 2:40 am
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People attend a vigil for Daphne Caruana Galizia on the first anniversary of her murder in October 2018.

One of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s alleged murderers has launched a final call for the authorities to produce all evidence of the telephone intercepts which allegedly proved crucial in nailing the three suspects. This latest bid by George Degiorgio was made in a judicial letter filed in court on Tuesday morning. He called upon the Attorney General, the Police Commissioner and the head of Security Services, to “immediately” bring forward the recordings and transcripts of those intercepts as well as the minister’s warrant guaranteeing their legality. Mr Degiorgio’s lawyer, William Cuschieri, pointed out that this judicial act was necessary because in spite of repeated calls, the respondents had still not produced this evidence. Such behaviour was “a blatant breach of the law that they [respondents] were meant to safeguard,” he said, launching another call, “for the last time” for the requested evidence. He said the recordings, transcripts and warrant were to be produced, “immediately” or at utmost, within 24 hours of this call. Mr Degiorgio has a right to ensure that investigations in his regard had been carried out in terms of law, said Dr Cuschieri, reserving the right to further...
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More growth in Malta-Gozo sea transport

October 22, 2019, 2:58 am
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Sea transport between Malta and Gozo in 2019’s third quarter registered increases when compared to the same quarter in 2018. The National Statistics Office said 1,840,575 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo during the third quarter this year, up by 3.4% when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2018. The highest number of passengers was recorded in August - 649,878 or 35.3% of the total for the quarter. The number of vehicles increased by 8%, totalling 538,864. The number of trips amounted to 8,240, an increase of 21.8% over the same period in 2018. The majority of trips took place in August - 2,802 or 34% of total for the quarter. Between January and September, passenger and vehicle traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Friday and Saturday, whereas highest numbers from Mġarr were recorded on Sunday and Saturday for passengers and Sunday and Monday for vehicles.
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When art stimulates the senses

October 22, 2019, 3:01 am
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The Animals Are Gone, Stefan Spiteri

A long-running project involving 16 European artists is coming to an end this week as its final exhibition wraps up. Titled AMuSE (Artistic Multi-Sensorial Experience), it was the first ever Creative Europe project to be selected for co-funding by the European Commission led by a Maltese organisation – the Malta Society of Arts (MSA). [attach id=781227 size="medium" align="right" type="image"]Artist Mykolas Sauka carving his statues in Lithuania.[/attach] It revolved around a number of innovative activities centred on three artist-in-residence programmes in Italy,the Netherlands and Lithuania, held over two years. “These residencies had an over-arching objective, mainly to give new possibilities of research and collaboration to both artists and partners involved,” Roderick Camilleri, the project’s artistic director, said. “The programmes were designed in three designated countries, providing a particular context inspiring and informing the artists’ practices,” he added. Three specific themes were chosen, according to the context provided in each region. At Savigliano, in Piedmont, Italy, the residency was hosted at Le Terre dei Savoia’s special museum, MUSES − a cultural space...
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Thousands attend Għarb kite and wind festival

October 22, 2019, 3:01 am
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Kites of all shapes and sizes flew over St Demetrius chapel in the north of Għarb over the weekend. Photos: Daniel Cilia

Dozens of kites of all shapes and sizes added colour to the sky over Għarb in Gozo during the second edition of the International Kite and Wind Festival last weekend. The event drew thousands of Maltese and tourists, who flocked to the area near St Demetrius chapel, to the north of Għarb, to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle as the  kites fluttered in the wind. [attach id=781473 size="medium" align="right" type="image"]A local enthusiast flying a kite depicting a Maltese luzzu.[/attach] “It was a huge success. We were expecting a good turnout following last year’s event but this edition went beyond our expectations. It was extraordinary,” Għarb mayor David Apap Agius told Times of Malta. “We had people from early morning to late evening on both Saturday and Sunday. The Gozo Channel operated an extra nine trips due to the high demand,” he added. Taking part in the festival were professional kite-makers and fliers from about 20 countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Canada, Germany, Holland, China, Taiwan and also Malta and Gozo. Among them was Brazil-born professional kite-maker and flier Guilherme Linares Palau of Treviso, Italy, who returned to the island to help the Għarb...
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Educate drivers, scarred road rage victim says

October 22, 2019, 3:57 am
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Victor Testa believes more needs to be done to educate motorists about on how to behave on the road. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A man who sustained skull fractures when he was beaten with a baton during a road rage row 16 years ago has called for a nationwide campaign to educate motorists about their behaviour. Victor Testa had to learn how to use his right side again after a row over who had priority on a road in Sliema in February 2003. His shocking case did not seem to act as a deterrent to other drivers. On the contrary, Mr Testa believes the aggression on Malta’s roads has worsened since then.  The 37-year-old was speaking out after a recent video went viral showing a man beating another person with a baton in daylight in the middle of a busy Qormi road.   He said: “There needs to be more awareness about the correct way to behave on the road and punishments need to be harsher and consistent. “I remember when I was younger there were educational campaigns on, for example, who had the right of way at a roundabout. They worked.”   Police receive an average of two road rage reports a month involving motorists getting physically violent, according to the police traffic division. The most common triggers for these clashes are right of way and near-misses. But many of the cases are known to remain...
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Ħal Far centre chief thanks migrants who protected staff during riot

October 22, 2019, 3:57 am
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One of the burnt out buildings at the Ħal Far facility.

The head of the Ħal Far open centre has thanked migrant residents who helped and defended officials during a violent riot on Sunday night.   Mauro Farrugia, who is the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers coordinator for the centre, said that the whole picture of what had happened was not all bad. On Sunday night a group of migrants at so-called 'tent village' burnt vehicles and two office buildings, allegedly after an altercation between a drunk resident and a security official escalated.   Some 90 migrants are facing charges following the incident. Writing on Facebook, Mr Farrugia said that today was a new day, after one of the darkest nights ever for the agency.   Insisting on being positive, Mr Farrugia thanked staff members who had helped out to restore order at the facility.  “Without you, AWAS is nothing,” he said.   On Monday, as police staged a raid of the complex, AWAS officials held an impromptu protest outside the Office of the Prime Minister to lament poor working conditions and under-staffing.   Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia will be meeting with their union representatives on Tuesday afternoon.   Meanwhile, the AWAS coordinator lashed out at those who...
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Japan's emperor completes enthronement in ancient ceremony

October 22, 2019, 4:14 am
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on Tuesday in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history. The rituals cemented a transition that began with his father's abdication earlier this year, and drew royalty and political leaders from around the world. A public parade for the event was postponed after a deadly typhoon, but the government went ahead with the granting of pardons for more than half a million people convicted of minor offences including traffic violations. The main event took place in the Imperial Palace's Pine Room, where royal attendants drew back purple curtains hanging from two heavily adorned structures housing the imperial thrones, revealing the emperor and empress standing inside. "I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad," Naruhito said, dressed in a voluminous draped robe topped with a copper overcoat. Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, stood silently before her throne in a similar, smaller structure, wearing a multi-layered kimono and a highly stylised hairpiece. Naruhito pledged to "pray for the happiness of Japanese people and world...
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Customs raid nets 200,000 contraband cigarettes

October 22, 2019, 7:41 am
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Customs officers raided a garage in Safi on Tuesday and found 200,000 contraband cigarettes in 1,000 packets. €46,000 in duties had not been paid on the cigarettes.  The police are investigating. 
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Flexibility without stretching

October 22, 2019, 8:30 am
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Technology is making flexible working hours more accessible.

Allowing for workplace flexibility, general work arrangements or friendly working hours can ensure your employees are stress-free, says Veronica Mizzi. Living in today’s world, many would agree that life has become a race against time. Between juggling work, family life and one’s own activities, not to mention a good night’s sleep to start all over again, the hours in a day seem to be lacking. This scenario is considerably tougher for parents, especially working mothers with younger children. One of the issues is the competing demands on their time. Young children who are enrolled in childcare or kindergarten tend to line up with a work schedule. However, children who are in their school years generally have a schedule which does not align with working hours, due to school hours. So what are the options for working mothers and single parents? I’m sure that many would think of flexible working arrangements – but how does this work? There are a number of flexible options employers may decide to introduce: reduced hours, job sharing, part-time work, and teleworking on a full-time, partial or occasional basis. A work-from-home arrangement can be the solution parents are looking for,...
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Heightened activity in MIDI shares

October 22, 2019, 8:33 am
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The MSE Equity Price Index climbed 0.48% to 4,795.539 points as the gains in GO, HSBC and PG outweighed the small declines in MIA and BMIT. Meanwhile, three equities closed the day unchanged, including MIDI plc which maintained the €0.71 level on strong volumes totalling 326,400 shares having a market value of €0.23 million and representing over 50% of today’s total value of equities traded. Following the sharp declines recorded recently, GO plc rebounded by 5.3% to regain the €4.34 level across 3,750 shares. Also among the large companies, HSBC Bank Malta plc bounced back by 0.8% from its multi-year low of €1.25 to the €1.26 level albeit on just 2,674 shares. PG plc advanced by 1.1% to recapture the €1.87 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.82 (-1.6%). A total of 25,150 shares changed hands. On the other hand, Malta International Airport plc eased by 0.7% to the €7.40 level after only partially rebounding from an intra-day low of €7.25 (-2.7%) on a total of 9,530 shares. BMIT Technologies plc moved back to the €0.53 level (-0.9%) across 121,900 shares. Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc and FIMBank plc traded unchanged at €1.09 and USD0.63 respectively on trivial...
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Opera house site remains 'ideal' location for national theatre - Joseph Calleja

October 22, 2019, 8:45 am
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Complaints from Valletta residents of late night noise disturbances from the theatre have pushed the authorities to revive the idea of enclosing the historic space. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Internationally renowned tenor Joseph Calleja still believes the former opera house site in Valletta remains the ideal location for a national theatre, as the debate over whether Pjazza Teatru Rjal should be roofed is rekindled.  The announcement regarding a possible makeover of Valletta’s open theatre came during the 2020 Budget speech last week. Mr Calleja had made his views known on this subject when the Valletta City Gate Project was being conceived back in 2009. "At the time I had said that I believe the site where our opera house once stood is an ideal location for a national theatre – with a roof of course! My opinion has not changed. I would wholeheartedly support an initiative to give Malta back its artistic home provided that whoever is involved in such a project has the nation’s best interests at heart," the tenor told Times of Malta.  Consultation regarding putting a roof over the iconic theatre will start in the coming months, even though talks with world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, who designed the venue, are already underway. A spokesperson for Mr Piano confirmed that the authorities had consulted with his architectural firm regarding the roof, however, no...
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Rambler takes Line Honours at Rolex Middle Sea Race

October 22, 2019, 8:45 am
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Rambler heading towards the finishing line at the Marsamxett Harbour. Photo: Kurt Arrigo/Rolex

As the 40th Rolex Middle Sea Race entered its fourth day, the south-easterly breeze that has filled the western half of the course has started to play a part in determining the outcome of the 606nm offshore classic. This morning, at 08:13 CEST, George David’s American Maxi Rambler was first to cross the finish line taking line honours for the fifth year in a row. Further back, the gates opened late last night for a portion of the fleet which is now on the fast track towards Lampedusa. For the remainder, the situation north of Sicily is improving slowly, but light, troublesome winds persist. With Rambler tied up on the dock, the clock is ticking for those with aspirations for the overall win, but the race is far from over. Yachts now in the south-easterly flow will be pushing hard upwind. With pressure expected to increase over the next 24 hours, they will be in for an uncomfortable ride. Once they turn left at Lampedusa the reach home will be a wild one. The Rambler crew celebrated in style at the Royal Malta Yacht Club this morning. Securing five consecutive line honours wins is a serious achievement. Sailing a Maxi yacht hard in race conditions puts everything under immense...
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MUT goes to court to stop rival union from issuing directives

October 22, 2019, 8:46 am
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Photo: Shutterstock

Malta’s oldest teachers’ union has turned to court to stop a recently-created rival from issuing directives to Learning Support Educators. In a judicial protest filed on Tuesday, the Malta Union of Teachers said that it alone represented LSEs and that directives issued by the Union of Professional Educators were illegal and causing confusion among educators. The MUT accused its rival union of trying to take credit for work it was doing to defend the interests of LSEs, in an attempt to curry favour with them.The dispute concerns payments LSEs say they are owed for their work and for supervising students as they accompany them on school transport.  A UPE spokesman said last week that the union would be issuing directives to its members following the government's failure to resolve the matter. The MUT says it has no authority to do so.  While the MUT has almost 10,000 members and dates back a century, the UPE was only formed some years ago under the auspices of UĦM – Voice of the Workers and has just over 500 members.  In a statement accompanying a copy of its judicial protest, the MUT explained its position.  "Laws regulating trade union recognition are clear and only the union...
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Ħal Far incidents were an eye-opener - Faculty of Education

October 22, 2019, 9:05 am
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The Faculty of Education has urged the authorities to reflect on the reasons that led to the migrants' riot in Ħal Far on Sunday night. "The Ħal Far incidents call for people in authority to reflect on the policies the country adopts in relation to migration, including its integration strategies. Ghettoing people in a particular locality, leaving them in a state of uncertainty, and de facto punishing those who are simply seeking to escape hell or seek a decent life is leading to anger and frustration, which may unfortunately lead to violence," it said in a statement. The faculty condemned the violence and expressed its sympathy with all victims, 'whichever side of the barbed wire they find themselves in.' "It is high time for all the institutions in Malta to assume responsibility and engage in serious reflection on how to address such situations in the immediate and long term," it said. "The incidents at Hal Far are an eye-opener for all, and call for a more thorough, humane and rational response. As a Faculty of Education, we are appealing to the authorities and others, to engage in constructive and inclusive practices that ultimately benefit both immigrants and locals, and not...
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Malta planning first-ever embassy in South America

October 22, 2019, 9:29 am
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Malta is planning to open its first embassy in South America, Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela said on Tuesday, but he did not say where it will be located. Malta currently has no representation in that part of the world, Mr Abela said. He said the need was being felt to improve political and business contacts. The decision to open an embassy was also being taken with an eye on Malta’s efforts to have a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2023-2024. To this end, the ministry is also looking at strengthening the Maltese Embassy in New York.  Plans are also underway for the opening of a Maltese embassy in Tokyo next year. Speaking at a press conference about his ministry's work in the light of the Budget, Mr Abela said Malta's first-ever High Commission in Ghana started operating from temporary premises from February 2019 in Accra. The embassy will move to new premises next year.   The Foreign Ministry is also working on opening a new consulate in Morocco with a focus on trade promotion.   
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Law to regulate noise nearing publication

October 22, 2019, 9:51 am
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A law to regulate noise is in an advanced stage of drafting and will be published for public consultation before the end of the year, Environment Minister Jose' Herrera told MP Godfrey Farrugia on Tuesday.  Calls for modern legislation to regulate noise have been made for years particularly in view of disturbance caused by night clubs, road traffic and industrial equipment.  In 2016 a Pembroke man briefly went on a hunger strike to protest noise pollution. The EU data office in January 2018 ranked noise pollution problems in Malta as the worst within the EU. At the time, a spokesman for the Commission for Noise Pollution, set up in 2016, had said that “a comprehensive Bill” would include proposals submitted by various entities. In the summer of 2018, the Noise Abatement Society of Malta called on the government to implement regulations, drafted in 2012, which had established noise level guidelines for residential, industrial and entertainment establishments. They provided for fines of up to €250,000 for transgressors. When replying to a parliamentary question, the then Minister for Home Affairs said the police had no equipment capable of measuring the decibel level of music and...
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