Quantcast
Channel: Times Of Malta
Viewing all 84484 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Why murder suspects are eligible for bail

December 12, 2019, 1:49 am
$
0
0

Lorin Scicluna, left, and Francesco Fenech.

How could two soldiers accused of a racially-motivated murder be given bail? The news that Lorin Scicluna and Francesco Fenech will be allowed bail may have shocked and surprised many. But Malta’s laws do not discriminate against people accused of heinous crimes such as murder and allows them to be granted bail, subject to a number of criteria. Law experts explained that anyone accused of any crime is eligible to be granted bail and that depriving someone of his or her liberty is the exception rather than the rule. Decades ago, Malta’s laws disallowed people accused of crimes that carried life imprisonment and crimes against the safety of the government from being granted bail. In certain jurisdictions, like Australia for example, people accused of murder are not allowed bail unless they can prove compelling circumstances, like a lengthy court delay. However, Australia’s legal system is different to Malta’s. After Malta’s old laws governing bail were declared unconstitutional, amendments were made to the legal provision and a number of criteria were included. The law now states: “The court may grant bail, only if, after taking into consideration all the circumstances of the...
↧
Search

5.4% increase in jobs recorded in July

December 12, 2019, 2:18 am
$
0
0

Full-time employment increased by 5.4 per cent in July compared to the same month last year, while part-time employment as a primary job increased by 1.0  per cent, according to data issued on Thursday. Over a period of one year, the labour supply (excluding part-timers) in July increased by 5.2 per cent, reaching 221,029. This was mainly attributed to a year on year increase in the full-time registered employment (11,185)and a decline in registered unemployment (174). The National Statistics Office said the highest increase in employment was brought about by administrative and support service activities and construction, with 1,701 and 1,694 respectively. Full-time employment in the private sector went up by 10,484 persons to 171,209. Public sector full-time employment increased by 701 persons to48,166. The number of persons registered as full-time self-employed rose by 1,408 when compared to July 2018, while the number of persons registered as employees increased by 9,777. Full-time employment for men and women went up by 5.0 per cent and 6.0 per cent respectively over 2018 levels.Registered part-time employment in July 2019 went up by 4.5 per cent when compared to a year...
↧
↧

Schembri 'always present' at murder briefings, says 'betrayed' Justice Minister

December 12, 2019, 2:19 am
$
0
0

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has confirmed the prime minister's former chief of staff Keith Schembri was at all the briefings he attended about the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Dr Bonnici said he would feel "betrayed" if allegations made in court on Wednesday were proven that Mr Schembri leaked information from these breifings to chief suspect Yorgen Fenech. Lead Inspector Keith Arnaud testified that in 2018 Keith Schembri had attended a meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and ‘Owen’ at Castille about the murder and that Fenech told Theuma what happened during it. Dr Bonnici confirmed on Thursday that he was the ‘Owen’ who attended that meeting and that Mr Schembri was present at all the meetings he had attended regarding the murder. [attach id=807064 type="video"][/attach] When probed about how many meetings these numbered, he said that he couldn't “recall offhand” but they were “very few”. “The meetings I participated in were very few and in the meetings I participated in Keith Schembri was always present.” Dr Bonnici also claimed that Keith Schembri’s name had never surfaced in the investigation up until the time Melvin Theuma was granted the pardon. “I only...
↧

Christmas concert in Naxxar

December 12, 2019, 2:48 am
$
0
0

The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Naxxar will this evening be hosting a concert organised by the Malta School of Music (part of the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College for the Performing Arts). Entitled A Christmas Celebration, the concert will feature music students from the various instrumental courses offered by the school. Taking part will be the school’s wind band, clarinet ensemble, vocal ensemble, saxophone ensemble,  string orchestra and young singers. They will be performing works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Anderson, Williams and Whitacre, among others. The Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC), established in 2017, is the national network of specialised State schools for the Visual and Performing Arts Education in Malta and Gozo.  The network of schools within this newly set-up college are: the Malta School of Music, the Malta School of Art, The Malta School of Drama and Dance, and the Gozo Visual and Performing Arts School. Around 4,000 learners are currently registered in these schools with over 200 specialised teachers and educators in the respective sector. Courses offered in these schools lead to qualifications from MQF Level 1 up to MQF Level 5 (Higher Diploma). A...
↧

Impact of UK election on markets

December 12, 2019, 3:12 am
$
0
0

A majority win by the Conservative party is also expected to lead to further strengthening in the sterling. Photo: AFP 

For the third time since 2015, 46 million UK voters are invited back to polling stations today to elect a total of 650 constituents as members of Parliament. This UK Election was called by Conservative party leader Boris Johnson after parliament blocked his plans for the UK to leave the EU. As the country has become increasing divided into ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ camps, this makes it inherently a Brexit election. Leading to the Election Day, despite that key polls continued to signal a Conservative majority, Boris Johnson’s lead narrowed significantly yesterday. This raised the prospects of a hung parliament, in which no political party enjoys a majority in the House of Commons. Given the poll’s lack of track record in accuracy, the possibility of a hung parliament lies within the poll’s margin of error.  While no one can predict with certainty the election result and investors’ reaction, a hung parliament would be the worst outcome in terms of uncertainty. A minority government would be unlikely to be able to push forward the Brexit process, pass any legislation or implement any budget plans, bringing more instability to the country. With markets hoping for a reduction in...
↧
↧

Prison no longer mandatory for people cultivating more than one cannabis plant

December 12, 2019, 3:19 am
$
0
0

A prison sentence will no longer be mandatory for people convicted of cultivating more than one cannabis plant for their personal use, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said on Thursday. He said that a bill which will be introduced when parliament reconvenes in January will enable the courts to apply the punishment which they consider appropriate in the circumstances. The amendments have been drawn up in the wake of complaints by a magistrate who said she had been forced by the law to send a woman to prison when she did not consider that to be appropriate. Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras said she had no option but to jail a 39-year-old woman for six months for cultivating six small cannabis plants for her personal use because the law failed to distinguish between those who deserves an effective jail term”.  She had ordered a copy of her ruling to be sent to Dr Bonnici. Dr Bonnici said that in terms of the new amendments, a court would be able to decide whether or not to sentence somebody to jail or impose some other punishment. He stressed that the amendments would not apply to people convicted of cultivating plants to traffic, adding that people looking to making money should...
↧

Revenue from Saturday bus fares to be donated to l-Istrina

December 12, 2019, 3:48 am
$
0
0

Revenue from bus trips on Saturday will be donated to l-Istrina, Malta Public Transport said on Thursday. l-Istrina is an annual fund-raising festival organised by the Community Chest Fund. The bus company said that fares collected from the first trip by bus passengers on all routes will be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation through the L-Istrina campaign. The initiative will include all the first bus trips that are paid with Tallinja Cards as well as half the fares collected from cash tickets on the day. “At Malta Public Transport we believe that we can make a difference in the quality of people’s lives. L-Istrina has become a distinctive characteristic of the festive season in Malta and we are proud to support the families and individuals who benefit directly from this cause,”  Malta Public Transport General Manager Konrad Pulé said.  President George Vella, who was on a visit to the company, thanked its officials and employees. Passenger fees will not be affected, and the regular fares will apply: Child & Concession Tallinja Cards at €0.25c per trip; Adult, Student and Gozo Tallinja Cards at €0.75c per trip; and cash tickets at €1.50 per trip.
↧

Police Commissioner's days may be numbered

December 12, 2019, 6:27 am
$
0
0

Police Commissioner Laurence Cutajar

Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar's days may be numbered after both Labour Party leadership contenders expressed their intention to appoint someone who enjoyed the people’s trust.  Health Minister Chris Fearne went as far to say that the new police commissioner needed to be chosen by two-thirds of the House but MP Robert Abela said the position had to be filled following a public call and scrutiny of the parliamentary Public Appointments Committee. In an interview on the TVM programme Dissett on Wednesday, both contenders separately acknowledged that the perception was not in the Police Commissioner’s favour and that people believed that the investigation could have been done better.  [attach id=807166 size="large" align="left" type="image"]Health Minister Chris Fearne[/attach] “Malta’s institutions such as the police, the FIAU and the National Audit Office need more resources for them to work independently and effectively. I’d like to see a Police Commissioner who enjoys the support of the entire nation and not half of it. The post should be decided by a two-thirds parliamentary vote. "The situation in Malta is not a normal one and our country is at a standstill. We have big...
↧
Search

Technology to identify water loss, theft, piloted

December 12, 2019, 6:46 am
$
0
0

Photo: Shutterstock

A technology that identifies water losses, including thefts, has been piloted by the Water Services Corporation. In a statement on Thursday the WSC said this had so far been tested in two specific water zones and the results were very encouraging. "The Corporation can now trace perpetrators remotely and systematically." So far, water theft prevention was a very laborious task that involved extensive investigations and human resources. The project involves the use of new technologies on the ground that feed remote algorithms that are capable of pinpointing perpetrators. A particular case identified through this system involved an individual who was stealing around 35% of the total water fed into a specific Gozitan village. Evidence was being formalised and all such cases would be forwarded to the police for further action. Over the next months, the technology used for this pilot would continue to be spread across Malta and Gozo.
↧
↧

Rose Royce in bloom

December 12, 2019, 7:10 am
$
0
0

An enchanting new Rolls-Royce Phantom was commissioned by a Stockholm-based entrepreneur with a passion for flowers. The patron, with a wife and two of four children named after flowers, challenged the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective comprising designers, craftspeople and engineers, to envision a car that immerses its occupants in a beguiling floral scene. The result is a vision of flowers, created with a million embroidered stitches. Torsten Müller Ötvös, chief executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “The Rose Phantom is a stunning iteration of a contemporary Rolls-Royce. Our extraordinary craftspeople have achieved, with this car, something which can only be described as sublime. The work of our Bespoke Collective is the best in the world. When I look at creations like this car, it is with a sense of pride that I know that these skills could not be replicated anywhere else in the world. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Rolls-Royce Phantoms of its generation.” [attach id=807184 type="video"][/attach] The Rose Garden at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, served as the primary point of inspiration for Ieuan Hatherall, a bespoke designer for Rolls-Royce. This...
↧

Virtu Ferries cancels Saturday voyages due to bad weather

December 12, 2019, 8:00 am
$
0
0

A storm brews on the horizon. Picture: Chris Sant Fournier.

Virtu Ferries is cancelling its trips from Malta to Sicily on  Saturday due to ‘unfavourable sea conditions’. The ferry company posted on its Facebook page that to make up for the cancellations, extra trips to Pozzallo will be made on Sunday. The updated schedule of voyages on Sunday is as follows: 6.30am:  Departure Malta, arrival Pozzallo 8.15am (scheduled). At 8.30am, coach transfers will be organised from Catania to Pozzallo. 11am: Departure Pozzallo, arrival Malta 12.45pm (extra). 2pm: Departure Malta, arrival Pozzallo 3.45pm (extra). On arrival, Pozzallo Port coach transfers will be organised to Catania Port (extra). 7.30pm: Departure Pozzallo, arrival Malta 9.15pm (scheduled). According to the seven-day weather forecast at Malta International Airport, Saturday is expected to bring isolated showers with force-8 north-westerly winds.   
↧

Political crisis: 'The Maltese need a lesson in critical thinking'

December 12, 2019, 8:06 am
$
0
0

The current political crisis has presented Malta with the opportunity to launch a national education and critical thinking campaign, a discussion at the University of Malta heard on Thursday. “We have failed the nation. We have failed to educate people to think critically and we cannot let the current events slip by without starting a national education campaign about democracy and politicians’ obligations,” educator Ina Cutajar told an open dialogue organised by the Faculty for Social Wellbeing. According to the dean of the faculty Andrew Azzopardi, Malta is at a delicate juncture following the fallout from the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder probe. These were not normal times, and that is why people from all walks of life - community leaders, academics, activists, social operators and politicians had come together for the open dialogue, Prof. Azzopardi said. He challenged those present to discuss solutions that would “untangle the mess that we have brought ourselves in”. His comment did not go down well with Josef Vella, the CEO of UĦM Voice of the Workers, who insisted that it was the government that had brought the country to its knees. The short-term solution was the...
↧

GO service 'being restored'

December 12, 2019, 8:21 am
$
0
0

Updated 8.30pm GO's internet and mobile data services are returning slowly after thousands of customers were unable to get online on Thursday afternoon. The telecommunications company experienced a fault at around 4.15pm. By around 8pm, the service was slowly being restored and reports were being received that the internet service was returning. In a statement, the company said services were being restored. "We suffered a major outage on our international connectivity which impacted all internet services, as well as certain dedicated business services. Our engineers, and foreign counterparts, have worked tirelessly to diagnose and restore services as soon as possible." GO said the timing of the outage was unfortunate because it coincided with its earlier announcement that the company was closing its retail outlets early due to the annual staff party.  "Our clients’ interests always come first and consequently the party was cancelled. GO also took the decision that all the catering that was ordered for the party has now been donated to those in need. "Our teams are still working hard to ensure that all services are back to normal.  The incident is deeply regretted," the company...
↧
↧

War-scarred Libya airport reopens after three-month closure

December 12, 2019, 8:34 am
$
0
0

Flights resumed on Thursday at the Libyan capital Tripoli's sole functioning airport, after a more than three-month suspension due to repeated rocket attacks, an official said. "We have reestablished flights at the Mitiga International Airport," airport director Khaled al-Tabib told AFP. Two flights from Libyan carriers Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines are scheduled to operate to Istanbul and Tunis respectively, Tabib said, adding that "all flights will be restored gradually". Other Libyan airlines, including Buraq and Libyan Wings, have announced they will resume flights in the coming days. Mitiga has been hit by several air strikes and rocket attacks since the launch of an offensive in April by forces of military strongman Khalifa Haftar to take the capital from the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Haftar's forces, which accuse the GNA of using Mitiga for military purposes, say they are targeting "Turkish drones" being launched from the airport to attack their troops in southern Tripoli. The GNA has denied the accusations. After fresh rocket fire on the airport on September 1 that left four people wounded, Mitiga was closed and flights transferred to...
↧

Agius smashes national Ironman 70.3 record in Bahrain

December 12, 2019, 8:44 am
$
0
0

Rudolph Agius crosses the finishing line in Bahrain.

Birkirkara St Joseph Sports club Triathlete Rudolph Agius continued to dominate the long distance triathlon field in Malta when he set a new national record during the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championships held in Bahrain last weekend. The Bahrain Ironman 70.3 race (1.9km swim, 90km cycle and a half marathon) saw athletes compete in fairly good conditions, with temperatures reaching around 23 degrees. Racing in the Male 40-44 Age Group, Agius was the first out of the water in a time of 27 minutes 13 seconds.  The flat bike course, of which part of it can be found on the Bahrain International Circuit race track produced a fast race with Agius reaching an average of 41 kilometres. Despite moving down a few places in the bike segment, Agius produced a fine run in the half marathon, which saw him register a 3.59/km pace and placing second fastest run time in the age group.    Agius finished the 113 kilometre race in a time of four hours six minutes and four seconds. This time means that Agius registered a new national record for the Ironman 70.3 distance. Agius’ final placing in the race was fourth in his age group which earned him a qualification for the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World...
↧
Search

‘Clasico will be played’, says Barcelona president Bartomeu

December 12, 2019, 8:56 am
$
0
0

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday the Clasico against Real Madrid next week will not be postponed again, amid renewed fears of unrest around the fixture.  Protestors from the Catalan separatist movement, Democratic Tsunami, have called for a “massive” protest outside Camp Nou, where Barcelona are due to play against Real Madrid in La Liga on December 18.  Spain’s most prestigious fixture was originally scheduled for October 26 but had to be postponed following a wave of pro-independence demonstrations in the city.  “I can say that the Clasico will be played, it will not be postponed again,” Bartomeu said at a Christmas press event in Barcelona.  “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure it goes ahead. We know that we live in a complicated period in Catalonia but that can be compatible with sport.  “Our stadium is a place for free expression, it always has been, and that is why we want to send out a message of normality and calm.  “The club is preparing for the Clasico with complete normality and we tell our fans to come with their family and friends.  “Together we have to deliver a Clasico that is a celebration of sport and of people. We want peace and...
↧

Watch: Euphoria in Bergamo as Atalanta pull off Champions League ‘miracle’

December 12, 2019, 8:59 am
$
0
0

Atalanta returned home to a heroes’ welcome with 2,000 fans braving bitter cold in the Alps in northern Italy after the Bergamo team reached the Champions League last 16 in their debut campaign despite losing their first three matches. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini hailed a “victory for Italian football” after joining Serie A rivals Juventus and Napoli in the knockout rounds, with Inter Milan the only absentee after losing 2-1 to Barcelona at the San Siro on Tuesday. The team greeted fans on board an open-top bus at Bergamo airport in the early hours of Thursday morning, amid fireworks, singing and banners, following what the Italian press hailed a “miracle” comeback. “Historical Atalanta,” headlined Gazzetta dello Sport. “Dea (Goddess, the team’s nickname) are in paradise,” wrote Turin daily Tuttosport. “Gasperini is a Magician,” continued Corriere dello Sport on their front page. Atalanta, a club with a 112-year history, had to wait until their fourth group game to earn their first point in a draw against Manchester City, before sealing their berth with a 3-0 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk. “It’s a victory for Bergamo, for all of Atalanta, from the fans to the management to the...
↧
↧

Third Marsa junction project flyover opens

December 12, 2019, 9:18 am
$
0
0

Photo: Infrastructure Malta

Third Marsa Junction Project flyover opens as Addolorata traffic lights are dismantled Infrastructure Malta on Thursday opened the third flyover of the Marsa Junction Project and switched off and dismantled the old traffic lights next to the Addolorata Cemetery, on Thursday afternoon. This new flyover structure, the longest of its kind in Malta, will initially take road users from Aldo Moro Road towards Santa Luċija Avenue (Addolorata Hill). It should drastically reduce journey times along this principal route to southern Malta. [attach id=807259 type="video"]Video: Infrastructure Malta[/attach] At the same time, by removing the final conflict at the Addolorata Cemetery crossroads, the flyover rendered its 1997 traffic lights system redundant. This should lead to greater travel time savings along the other route crossing this junction, from Sir Paul Boffa Avenue (Fgura, Corradino and Paola) northbound towards Aldo Moro Road (Marsa). Road users will no longer have to queue at the traffic lights when travelling through these two routes. The new flyover and the removal of the traffic lights should save road users a minimum of 692 hours of travel time every day. Further travel time...
↧

Maltese Abroad - Coppa Italia win for Lipman's Florentia

December 12, 2019, 9:35 am
$
0
0

ITALY Shona Zammit played 78 minutes as Pink Bari faced Roma Women in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia with the Giallorosse winning 2-0 in extra-time. (Click here for highlights). [attach id=807226 size="large" align="left" type="image"][/attach] Emma Lipman played in both Serie A and Coppa Italia games for Florentia San Gimignano. In the league, Florentia suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sassuolo while in the domestic cup, they secured a quarter-final berth after dispatching of Orobica 3-1. Ylenia Carabott was involved in Chievo Fortitudo's latest two games as they were beaten by Napoli in Serie B and Juventus Women in the Coppa Italia.  Martina Borg played for Sassari Torres as they bounced back from their Coppa Italia defeat with a 3-0 win over Spezia in their latest Serie C appointment. [attach id=807241 size="large" align="left" type="image"][/attach] ENGLAND Luke Gambin came on in the final 20 minutes as Colchester United defeated Salford City 1-0 in League Two. Sam Magri contributed to Havant and Waterlooville's 2-1 win to Chippenham Town in the National League. PORTUGAL Zach Muscat's Olhanense featured in the 2-2 draw against Amora in the Portugal's third-tier. INDIA Andre...
↧

Youth in Paceville knuckleduster fight pleads not guilty

December 12, 2019, 9:55 am
$
0
0

A teenager involved in two separate fights while on a night out in Paceville last week was granted bail after pleading not guilty on his arraignment on Thursday. Twain Sciberras, a 19-year-old from Birżebbuġa, was accused of grievously injuring a bouncer supervising a nightclub on December 6, the incident having been captured on CCTV. Prosecuting Inspector Leeroy Balzan Engerer explained how the youth had allegedly been armed with a brass knuckleduster when the fight with the bouncer broke out.  Once outside the club, the same teenager allegedly got involved in another fight with another man, who also ended up suffering grievous injuries. The youth was charged with grievously injuring both men without intending to kill or endanger their life, threatening and insulting the victims, bearing a weapon without the necessary police licence, as well as breaching the peace. When making submissions on bail, defence lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia argued that besides the presumption of innocence, the accused had an almost clean record. Moreover, the court could bar him from approaching his alleged victims if bail were to be granted. After hearing submissions by both parties, the...
↧
Viewing all 84484 articles
Browse latest View live
Search
<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>