Wednesday, June 30, 2021 | No. 26,637 www.timesofmalta.com | €1

Gozo surgeon on pole to replace Manwel Mallia as MP PAGE 5 By-law banning caravans along Coast Road hits brick wall

MATTHEW XUEREB

The government is stalling a new by-law drafted by the Naxxar local council to stop caravans and camper vans from parking permanently along the coast. Mayor Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami told Times of Malta the council prepared the by-law but the Local Govern- ment Ministry, headed by José Herrera, was delaying the pro- cess, by, among others, asking the council for an impact as- sessment of the new rules.

“We are finding

England's forward Harry Kane celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match great difficulties between England and Germany in London yesterday. PHOTO: AFP SEE STORY ON PAGE 27 to issue new rules”

“The council is very con- cerned about the issue of the Degiorgio brothers seek caravans along the coast,” the mayor said. “We cannot do anything about the ones in the boathouse area behind Splash and Fun be- meeting with Europol cause the government has reg- ularised them but we are finding great difficulties to IVAN MARTIN Muscat has since admitted to the murder Carmelo Abela in “serious crimes”, includ- issue new rules to stop caravans after he was given a presidential pardon for ing “complicity in armed robbery”. and campers from spending all another crime. Brussels responded to that letter by refus- summer along the Coast Road,” Yorgen Fenech has been charged for his ing to intervene in the Maltese justice sys- Muscat Fenech Adami added. Two of the alleged assassins in the Daphne alleged role in commissioning the killing, tem, and instead directed them to speak She said that over the years, Caruana Galizia assassination case have re- for which he pleads not guilty. with Europol. The Degiorgio brothers’ the council had been insisting quested a meeting with the EU’s law The move to reach out to Europol comes lawyer, William Cuschieri, on Monday wrote with the authorities to take ac- enforcement agency. after last month the Degiorgios corresponded to Europol’s top brass and said the informa- tion but hardly found any coop- George and Alfred Degiorgio this week with European Commissioner for Justice, Di- tion the two had was “so sensitive and im- eration or support. wrote to Europol’s deputy executive direc- dier Reynders, after the government had re- portant that they are only willing to share Questions sent to minister tor Will Van Gemert requesting a sit-down jected their requests for a pardon. the same with officials of Europol”. Herrera were not answered. meeting to ensure “justice in Malta is The brothers claim the Maltese authori- Cuschieri says that this information In April, Times of Malta re- served evenly and not selectively”. ties do not want to hear them out because could then be communicated to a Maltese ported how caravans had started The Degiorgio brothers, along with Vince the information they have to offer includes magistrate by Europol in their function as “hogging” a public car park in Muscat, have been charged with planting the alleged involvement of former economy court-appointed experts. Għallis, on the Coast Road. the bomb that killed the journalist in Bid- minister Chris Cardona in the 2017 murder nija in October 2017. as well as the involvement of OPM Minister CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 2 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA NATIONAL

‘Beggar’ accused of theft remanded EDWINA BRINCAT

A man who allegedly knocked on the doors of el- derly residents begging for alms and making off with a woman’s wallet ended up behind bars yesterday. Chris Farrugia, a 40- year-old Cospicua resident, was arraigned and charged with robbing his 85-year- old victim of €200 in cash, pestering residents by beg- ging for alms, leading an idle and vagrant life, as Caravans along the Coast Road. PHOTO: JONATHAN BORG well as relapsing. The charges date back to June 17 when the wallet was stolen in Triq Ineż Soler, Santa Luċija, at around 2pm. That same day, and Invasion of caravans also four days later, the suspect allegedly molested other residents in the lo- cality, including an 83-year- old woman. is now an annual sight The man pleaded not guilty but no request for CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 restaurateur Claude Camilleri sued the au- Lands Authority and the Mellieħa local bail was made at the ar- thorities for failing to take action and for council, holding them responsible for the raignment stage. The invasion of caravans has become an allowing “the picturesque bay” to turn into damages he suffered along the years due to The court, presided over annual sight near beaches such as Ta’ Fra “a slum area”. their inaction. by Magistrate Joseph Mif- Ben in Qawra, Żonqor Point, Marsascala, Last week, Infrastructure Malta placed sud, remanded the accused and Mistra Bay, limits of Selmun, with no limestone boulders at Mistra Bay to stop in custody remarking that resolution in sight. “Boulders placed at motorists from driving onto the protected the elderly deserved pro- A caravan that has an inbuilt engine can Mistra Bay in response to pebbled beach or caravan owners parking tection rather than suffer park on public roads just like any standard along the perimeter. being robbed. vehicle which must observe traffic regula- request by ombudsman” According to Infrastructure Malta, the Inspector Paul Camilleri tions. Caravans without an engine or trailers boulders were placed there in response to prosecuted. Lawyer Chris- on their own may only be parked on the road Camilleri, owner of Margo’s restaurant a request by the ombudsman – who had in- topher Chircop was legal if secured to or towed by a vehicle. located in Mistra Bay, filed a civil case vestigated the issue – the Environment Au- aid counsel. Also in April – after 13 years of putting up against the police commissioner, the thority (ERA) and other entities, to ensure with caravans parked in Mistra Bay – Tourism Authority, Transport Malta, the access to the beach.

CONTACT US Times of Malta is published by Allied Newspapers Limited, ‘Pair do not trust Triq L-Intornjatur, Zone 1, Central Business District, Mrieħel CBD1050

GENERAL ENQUIRIES 2276 4400 ADVERTISING [email protected] Malta authorities’ LETTERS TO EDITOR [email protected] CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 with details of the involvement of both politicians NEWSROOM [email protected] in the serious crimes. NIGHT EDITORIAL [email protected] Cuschieri says that his clients do not trust the On Cardona, the Degiorgios said they were will- Maltese institutions but still wish to pass on the ing to provide details on the involvement of the SPORTS [email protected] information they hold. then Labour deputy leader in what is believed to SUBSCRIPTION 2276 4443 / [email protected] The lawyer said the communication does not be a 2015 plot to assassinate Caruana Galizia. impinge on the current criminal proceedings The Degiorgios also claim to have information RATES (including VAT and delivery): they were facing in connection with the assassi- on the involvement of Abela and Cardona in 12 months (Monday to Sunday): €380; 6 months (Monday to nation and the fact they were writing “does not other serious crimes, saying they are in posses- Sunday): €200; 3 months (Monday to Sunday): €110. impact or influence their line of defence” in sion of evidence showing the “names and details One year for The Sunday Times of Malta ONLY: €95.50 those criminal proceedings. of the masterminds of those crimes”, two of We cover most of the island. The Degiorgios said they were offering informa- whom were the two politicians along with mem- tion in exchange for immunity from prosecution, bers of the police force. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 3 NATIONAL Lands Authority without audit chief as governance critic is ‘redeployed’

JACOB BORG meeting she wished to be pre- sent for. She said in the report that the board’s failure to immediately The Lands Authority has been act on the state advocate’s ad- left without an internal audit vice directly impacted good chief after the incumbent was governance and transparency “redeployed” following a at the authority. scathing report about the regu- The dispute appears to have lator’s inner workings. worsened towards the end of In a bid to improve trans- last year when the board, ac- parency within the authority, cording to the report, cut off all an internal audit directorate communication with the chief headed by a chief audit officer audit officer. was created to independently Board documents and min- scrutinise transactions over utes were also withheld to the €100,000 entered into by the auditor, the report continues. authority’s board and CEO. The Lands Authority was set up in on the back of a pledge for “Call will be issued more transparency about how public land is sold off. once all the Reforms were carried out to Charlene Muscat, inset, was appointed internal audit chief of the what was then known as the procedural aspects Lands Authority in 2018. government property depart- are completed” ment, in the wake of the Gaf- farena scandal, which had led Charlene Muscat, who was request, was “redeployed” to “A call will be issued once to the resignation of minister handed the role in 2018, au- a different role within the pub- all the procedural aspects are Michael Falzon in 2016. thored a critical report in re- lic service. completed,” the spokesperson Businessman Marco Gaffa- sponse to being shut out of However, one source within said, adding the new chief audit rena recently lost an appeal to board meetings, in what she the authority said Muscat was officer will retain all rights af- force the sale of an property in said was a blow for good gover- “left dangling” about whether forded to this role, including full Old Mint Street, Valletta which nance and transparency within her contract would be renewed, access to all documents and February audit report that the has been the subject of a con- the authority. leading her to seek employ- board meetings. authority’s board had failed to troversial expropriation. A spokesperson for the au- ment elsewhere. Muscat did not respond to a act on the advice they them- Gaffarena had sought to thority told Times of Malta that The spokesperson said the au- request for comment about her selves sought from the advocate profit from the deal following Muscat had finished her first thority is in the process of ap- requested “redeployment”. The general about whether she had inside knowledge about the three-year term and, upon her pointing a new chief audit officer. former audit chief said in a a right to attend any board planned expropriation. Paul Borg Olivier is ‘illegally’ occupying Valletta property JACOB BORG A follow-up letter was sent in unauthorised works had also March 2014, demanding the taken place inside. payment of €1,000 in rent ar- The Lands Authority’s inter- rears and vacating the property. nal audit directorate criticised An internal Lands Authority The internal audit report the fact that a series of letters audit uncovered years of inac- states that Borg Olivier refused, were never followed up by “con- tion with regard to former Na- claiming “informal discus- crete action” to reclaim the gov- tionalist Party secretary sions” were under way to re- ernment property. general Paul Borg Olivier’s “il- solve the matter. According to the report, Borg legal” occupation of a govern- The following October, Borg Olivier had occupied the prop- ment property in Old Bakery Olivier was warned he would be erty for years without any legal Old Bakery Street, Valletta, where the ‘illegally’ occupied Street, Valletta. evicted if the keys to the prop- title to it. property is located. Inset: Paul Borg Olivier Borg Olivier and his wife erty were not returned to the This, the report continued, went to live in the property then government property de- meant that the property has after the relatives it was origi- partment within seven days. not been administered by ous exchanges between the par- Noting that the Lands Author- nally rented out to passed away. Borg Olivier sent another let- the government in the best pos- ties, including legal letters. ity’s internal audit directorate In 2010, he had notified the gov- ter to the department in Jan- sible way. “Notwithstanding any politi- was headed by former Labour ernment property department, uary 2015, again arguing that The report recommended a cal role I occupied more than Mqabba mayor and One re- the Lands Authority’s predeces- discussions to resolve the dis- revision of the penalties for eight years ago, I still retain the porter Charlene Muscat, Borg sor, that he would be returning pute were ongoing. those found to be illegally occu- legitimate right, like every Olivier said he was never con- the keys to the property despite The report says a complaint pying government properties, other citizen, to dispute and de- tacted by the chief audit officer never being asked to do so. about Borg Olivier’s continued including historical cases. fend legal issues over my per- to give his version of events. Borg Olivier, however, failed “illegal” occupation of the prop- Contacted by Times of Malta, sonal affairs and will always Also, he had always cooper- to vacate the property, leading erty was received by the Lands Borg Olivier said the remaining keep the door open to an amica- ated with the authority con- the department to formally de- Authority in 2019. A subsequent pending issues with the Lands ble settlement of disputes with cerned and had given its mand he return the keys in De- inspection of the property Authority are “purely legal in the authority,” the former PN officials access to the property cember 2013. found structural damage and nature as evidenced by the vari- official said. when a request was made. 4 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA NATIONAL Parcel scammers sending personalised messages JACOB BORG It was also revealed in May that several people had fallen victim to another scam where they received a text message that appeared to be from MaltaPost asking A parcel delivery scam has taken on a new them to click a link to arrange for a deliv- twist with scammers sending out person- ery and asking for the payment of a fee. alised messages to their potential victims. In March, GO reported that scammers One reader sent a screenshot of a pur- are using technology that allows them ported message from DHL, in which the to display a legitimate number on peo- scammers addressed her by name in a ple’s phones. bid to solicit payment for a phantom The scam – number spoofing – means parcel delivery. the actual number is masked by a fake one Over the past month, police have been on the caller ID display, leading the cus- receiving up to 20 reports a day from vic- tomer to believe that the call is from a tims of convincing e-mails and text mes- trusted source. sages about parcel deliveries that are Claiming to be GO representatives, the actually scams to defraud people of up scammers then ask receivers to download to €5,000. software or provide personal, banking or The initial parcel delivery scam has PIN details, information that the com- been around since April but intensified pany never asks for over the phone. lately with messages being sent in Mal- Back in February, the Central Bank of tese and English and purporting to come Malta warned the public to be on guard from a range of delivery groups including saying it has received several reports MaltaPost and DHL. A purported DHL message in which scammers addressed a reader by her name. from residents who received scam calls Scammers are typically taking be- via Viber. tween €800 and €1,800 per victim with It said that the caller profile shows up the highest amount defrauded from one The new scam now being reported also English telling them about suspicious ac- as the “Central Bank of Malta” even single person reaching €5,000, the police contains the name of the intended victim, tivity related to their e-ID account, or an though the number is not linked at all said yesterday. in a bid to make the messages more con- arrest warrant in their name had been is- with the CBM. The texts generally come from an un- vincing. Warnings have also been issued sued. They are then referred to a number The recipient is told that their “account known number and will say something about another scam whereby the caller and asked to supply personal data. number or other personal information like: “(DHL) Your package is waiting for claims to be a member of the police. One reader yesterday received four are needed” to solve some kind of prob- delivery please confirm the payment Lately, several people have reported re- such calls in the space of 40 minutes, from lem – in particular linked to a threat to (1USD)” with a link. ceiving calls with a recorded message in different numbers. block credit cards. Chadwick Lakes upgrade deprives farmers of access to land KRISTINA ABELA “This is going to create huge issues because I don’t want people passing over my land.” Other farmers, including An- Chadwick Lakes farmers have drew Brincat, are outraged at been left with no access to their the lack of consultation. land after a government As well as the problem of agency turned a rural road into road access, he claims EWA a footpath as part of a regener- started building a fenced path- ation scheme. way through his land without For decades, farmers used notifying him. the passage to drive agricul- “I only got to know about this tural machinery to their fields. because my son happened to But as part of a restoration see them drilling holes. When plan by the Energy and Water I asked them to stop the works, The sign Andrew Brincat put up in his field claiming his Agency (EWA), the rural road they did so and they told me rights have been violated. PHOTO: MATTHEW MIRABELLI has become part of a walkway. EWA would contact me... but Now the farmers that used it they never did,” he said. to access their land, must cut Brincat acknowledges the He has erected a sign warn- fixed as part of the project. He across private property. need for a footpath to divert ing walkers they are being en- said in one case a pathway has The farmer whose land is now people from walking along the couraged to trespass on his been built over the fallen being used as an alternative to lake bed, and wanted to discuss land. stones. the road, said she has had with EWA to propose formalis- “The state should stop its bul- Vince Attard, CEO of Nature enough. ing a pathway along the border lying tactics and avail itself of Trust Malta who manage the “EWA did what they did of his land. due process of law to legitimise Chadwick Lakes area, said the without consultation. I asked But he says he has been ig- its position without vindictive- use of land and consultation them to come to meetings but nored and that the work has ness and with proper property fell under EWA’s remit. they ignored me. They could been left half finished, with a safeguards,” the sign reads. He explained NTM had asked easily have kept that passage fence starting at one end of his Brincat also accused EWA of EWA to investigate the issues This walkway was a passage which wide, to allow access to vehi- property and continuing at the leaving fallen rubble walls in a raised by farmers. farmers used to access to their land. cles, but they did not,” she other side, encouraging people state of disrepair even Questions sent to EWA on PHOTO: ANDREW BINCAT said. to walk over his land. though they were meant to be Monday remain unanswered. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 5 NATIONAL Gozo surgeon in pole position to replace Manwel Mallia as MP

MATTHEW XUEREB as an electoral candidate. He will tively campaigning in the 10th be contesting the 13th electoral and 13th electoral districts. I de- district (Gozo) as well as the 10th cided to contest the next general district which consists of Sliema, election after I was encouraged Gozitan consultant surgeon Jo St Julian’s, Gzira, part of Naxxar by a number of citizens, party Etienne Abela is favourite for co- and part of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. activists as well as party offi- option to parliament to replace Born in Victoria, Abela spe- cials,” he said. Manwel Mallia when the latter cialises in upper gastrointestinal “I answered positively to this resigns his seat to become and pancreatic operations. call as I can contribute to society Malta’s next high commissioner through politics after I have done in London. this for many years through my Abela’s name is being floated medical profession.” in Labour circles as the most “I was encouraged Mallia has long been com- likely candidate to take Mallia’s by various plaining about his stint in poli- seat. His name is also being tics. He admitted in parliament pushed by Prime Minister citizens, party last year that he had entered pol- Robert Abela who is keen to itics “with a degree of reluc- have Abela as part of his parlia- activists and party tance” and warned those mentary team prior to the gen- officials” mulling a move into politics to Jo Etienne Abela (right) with Prime Minister Robert Abela. eral election. weigh their decision carefully. PHOTO: FACEBOOK This would be the prime min- “I entered politics back in ister’s fourth co-option decision He would not comment on the 2013 with a degree of reluc- since he took over in January last co-option yesterday, saying ques- tance and it turned out that re- political allegiances before the in 2014 in the wake of a shooting year following those of Miriam tions should be directed to the ality was different to what I 2013 general elections and was incident allegedly involving his Dalli, Clyde Caruana and Oliver party “as what you are referring expected,” he said. consequently elected to parlia- driver, former police officer Scicluna. to is purely a party decision”. Mallia, who for years was one ment on the Labour ticket. Paul Sheehan. Abela is a newcomer to the po- “My candidature within the of the closest political aides to He was appointed home af- Barely two years later, Mallia litical scene and the Labour Party Labour Party was approved former Nationalist Party deputy fairs minister soon after the was back in the cabinet as com- executive recently approved him months ago and I have been ac- leader Guido de Marco, switched election but was asked to resign petitiveness minister. Tourists perplexed by forced quarantine

When Ayna and her friends decided proves that we are negative, we will to travel to Malta to celebrate becom- have to spend until July 11 in quaran- ing physiotherapists, they were hop- tine. We can’t even go out of our rooms Six new cases ing for a holiday in the sun in a safe to eat.” destination. Ayna’s friend, Natalia, 25, said she of infection Instead, the Spanish travellers say could not understand why local rules Six people tested positive for they are trapped inside their hotel were so heavy-handed. COVID-19 overnight and there rooms, having been forced into quar- “We had to pay €80 each in Spain to were zero recoveries, according to antine despite being fully vaccinated get a PCR test before leaving because health authorities’ data. against COVID-19. Malta does not recognise our vaccine This means that Malta’s known “We are a group of 31 people here... passes,” she said. active cases of coronavirus infec- all of us are vaccinated but it seems the “We followed every rule and now tion have now risen to 40. vaccine counts for nothing in Malta,” we’re suddenly told we’re trapped in a The new cases were found on a the frustrated 22-year-old told Times of hotel room for the next week.” day when healthcare workers car- Malta yesterday. The group’s frustration reflects the ried out 2,250 swab tests. No “Now we are stuck in our rooms with myriad complications of holidaying COVID-linked deaths have been no information and no way out.” overseas in the middle of a pandemic, reported since June 17. The group landed in Malta on Sun- with travel rules often being unclear A total of 315,768 people resid- day and checked into a St Paul’s Bay or changing at a moment’s notice. ing in Malta are fully vaccinated hotel as part of a package tour. The hol- Malta only recognises locally-issued against the virus while 659,488 iday was recommended to them by a vaccine certificates, although that is set single shots of COVID-19 vacci- travel agent who told them Malta was to change as of Thursday when COVID nations have been administered virtually COVID-free. passes issued by other European Union so far. But yesterday, at around lunchtime, member states, such as the Spanish a public health officer showed up with ones the group of physiotherapists some bad news. have, will start being recognised at Rules surrounding mandatory quar- A passenger on their Vueling flight local borders. antine for travellers are not always so from Barcelona had tested positive for People arriving in Malta without a clear-cut, however. COVID-19, he told them, and they were, valid vaccine certificate or negative A Health Ministry webpage detailing therefore, being confined to their PCR test are sent into mandatory quar- rules for travel to Malta, for instance, Natalia, 25, and Ayna, 22, are among the hotel rooms until July 11. antine at a government-sanctioned provides no detail about what trav- group of travellers ordered to remain in “He told us that we would have to hotel in St Julian’s, which they must ellers can expect if they come into con- their hotel rooms. take a PCR test but that even if the test pay for out of their own pocket. tact with a COVID-positive person. 6 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA NATIONAL

Inspired by Luke Azzopardi's interest in insects. Behind the scenes. The ‘cocoon dress’. Catwalk without an audience

FIONA GALEA DEBONO “a catwalk show without a cat- collection, no event and worries walk; a presentation without an about how it would be perceived. audience” due to an “unpre- “It was just about creatives dictable” year. working together... art for art’s Luke Azzopardi has launched “Perhaps it is fitting to experi- sake,” he said. his latest collection with a cat- ence the collection like this – in an What Azzopardi does best is walk without an audience, doing abstract way,” he says to the per- design for the stage. away with the usual drama and son on the other end of the line. “I do not create minimalist theatricality of his shows, but The uncut comment defines pieces. It is about big perfor- claiming the pandemic has been the collection, Azzopardi said. mances and creating the dra- a “good refresh” for many, in- matic momentum of a pre- stilling interest in changing sentation. So, taking that away their ways. “You lose from me felt like cutting off my The Phoenicia Hotel gardens something, but right arm,” he conceded. formed the lonely runway to But on the plus side, he admit- his 11th womenswear collec- you also gain by ted, the fashion show without an tion, the mythology-inspired audience took away some of the Psychopomps, which was, this having set anxiety that can take over. time, filmed and sent directly parameters” “With no live element, nothing to people’s inboxes. could go wrong!” The designer decided to opt This time, it was about hitting Having said that, Azzopardi for the virtual version from the the “refresh” button; about re- looks forward to his next fashion get-go this season after having birth and renewal. show, whenever that may be. to cancel last year’s Bir Miftuħ On the catwalk. “You lose something, but you “I believe people will start at- show – complete with complex also gain by having set parame- tending events with a new-found 3D mapping of its decon- ters. Designers and architects energy and I want to see how structed late mediaeval frescoes In keeping with the setting, the tulle, hardened and shaped like come up with beautiful things if they will react,” he said. – at the 11th hour. collection features beaded the body through a series of ex- they have strict constraints. The pandemic experience has “I decided not to risk it by try- pressed-flower motifs on fabrics, ternal pieces of boning, like a Working around them leads to also taught the designer that, ing to find a slot for a fashion and prints created out of these. ribcage, with deconstructed lace more exciting projects.” from a financial perspective, show in COVID-19, only to have The garden also lent itself to stretched over the buttress. In Azzopardi’s case, it has led dedicating energy to perfecting to call it off at the last minute,” the theme of moths and butter- While creating the collection, to an exploration of fine jew- the product instead of having Azzopardi said. fly lifecycles and Azzopardi’s Azzopardi had to check how the ellery, and a project involving an event works and benefits the Instead, he created a “more keen interest in insects, their “experimental” dresses would digitising heirlooms and 3D business. personal project”, without the textures and exoskeletons. look on screen and was con- printing is next up. “I have also learned not to be usual major intervention on The designer is aware that the stantly photographing details on Moving away from the fast an omniscient narrator – a pup- a location, which is part of the intricate detail of his dresses his phone to view them through fashion movement with his pet master,” he said, allowing his inspiration. may have been lost on the ‘miss- the lens as the audience would. timeless pieces, Azzopardi has creations to come to life and In this case, the gardens of ing’ audience that has migrated The video, directed and been able to take ‘slow’ to a guide him, and throwing ego to the Valletta hotel, with their in- online in COVID-19, but he said edited by Anthony Mizzi of whole new level. the wind. digenous species, provided a their own interpretation of the Blank Canvas, starts with be- The harmony of his collabora- “Maybe what the fashion in- neutral outside space for his pieces was interesting. hind-the-scenes footage of Azzo- tion with other creatives has dustry is doing is not right and first fashion show to be filmed His ‘cocoon’ garment, for ex- pardi commenting on the phone been perfect, Azzopardi said, we needed to reassess what we during the day. ample, is made of see-through about the bizarreness that it was with no deadline to complete the should be doing.” times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 7 NATIONAL

Man critically injured in St George’s ‘Role model’s’ jail term, Bay fight Two 20-year-old men were injured in a fight at St Ju- fine slashed on appeal lian’s early yesterday, one of them critically. The second man’s condi- Former drug tion is not yet known. The po- lice said the fight took place addict now at St George’s Bay at 2.45am. The fight is believed to have kicked off when two helps other Libyan men and another group of men, also foreign, victims got into an argument. Police said that the sec- EDWINA BRINCAT ond group had fled the scene and were now wanted for questioning. The victims were both A father-of-two who turned his given first aid by a medical life around after reaching out team on-site and then trans- for help to quit his drug addic- ferred to Mater Dei Hospital tion – becoming a role model by ambulance. reaching out to other victims – An inquiry is being held and has been spared imprisonment. the police are investigating. Walter Desira, 44, had fallen into the habit when going through hard times years ago but e-scooter had since transformed his life into a “success story” after reach- driver in ing out to Caritas for help. The father-of-two’s cannabis addiction had landed him on the wrong side of the law 10 years ago. hospital after PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM “He had Gżira accident cooperated fully, of cannabis resin and was con- during rehabilitation, return- Consequently, the effective A woman was grievously in- demned by a Magistrates’ Court ing weekly urine samples certi- jail term was lowered to a six- jured in an accident in returning weekly to a 20-month jail term plus a fying that he was drug-free. month term suspended for two Gżira early yesterday. €3,000 fine. Moreover, all his In fact, he was now viewed as years, while the fine was The police said the acci- urine samples assets which had been targeted a “role model”, helping other slashed to €600. dent happened in Triq ix- certifying he was by a freezing order, were to be victims through the “giving As for the freezing order, the Xatt at 1.45am. confiscated by the state. back” programme at Caritas, court observed that it had The woman, who is drug-free” That conviction prompted an the court was told. been imposed at a time when French and lives in Pietà, appeal and a request for the He was also focused on mak- all cultivation was encom- was riding an e-kick scooter His cannabis addiction had Court of Criminal Appeal to as- ing his job a success, while mak- passed within the definition when she was hit by a Volks- landed him on the wrong side sume the function of a Drugs ing up on lost family time. of trafficking. wagen that was being of the law 10 years ago, when he Court in terms of the Drug De- In light of such evidence, the Since then, the law had been driven by a 23-year-old man faced prosecution for cultiva- pendence (Treatment Not Im- court, presided over by amended and, therefore, that from Pietà. tion and aggravated possession prisonment) Act. Madam Justice Edwina Grima, order, targeting all the appel- She received first aid on of the plant as well as simple Desira was assessed regularly concluded that since the of- lant’s properties since the ini- site and was then trans- possession of cannabis resin. by a review board that heard fences stemmed from the tial stages of the proceedings, ferred to hospital for fur- In March 2017, he was de- testimony stating the case was appellant’s former drug de- was to be revoked. ther treatment. clared guilty of cultivating considered to be a “success pendency, he deserved mitiga- Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi was cannabis and simple possession story”. He had cooperated fully tion of punishment. defence counsel. Traveller found with cannabis at airport remanded in custody

EDWINA BRINCAT substance which later turned out to be cannabis grass. The police were called and the sus- pect was taken into custody. A man arrested at the airport on Sun- Charret, 30, was escorted to court day after customs officials found some yesterday, pleading not guilty to impor- three kilos of cannabis in his suitcase tation and possession of the drug was remanded in custody yesterday. under circumstances indicating Pedro Augusto Charret, a Brazilian that it was not intended solely for per- national travelling to Malta from sonal use. Barcelona, was stopped upon arrival at The court, presided over by Magis- Malta International Airport and had his trate Joseph Mifsud, remanded the luggage checked. accused in custody. Airport officials discovered a hidden Inspector Steven Ryan Micallef pros- The man was stopped on arrival at the airport and had his luggage checked. compartment inside the traveller’s suit- ecuted. Lawyer Christopher Chircop PHOTO: MATTHEW MIRABELLI case, packed with a suspicious greenish was legal aid counsel. 8 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA WORLD

Germany Russian police search the Islamist motive ‘likely’ homes of investigative journalists in deadly knife attack Russian police yesterday German investigators said a household goods store before raided the apartments of in- yesterday they suspected an moving on to a bank. He was vestigative journalists and Islamic extremist motive be- cornered by bystanders, then their relatives as authori- hind a deadly knife attack by a overpowered by police after ties pile more pressure on Somali man, risking reopening they shot him in the thigh. independent media. a divisive migration debate dur- Investigators found records Proyekt (The Project), ing the country’s general elec- showing that the man had been one of Russia’s last re- tion campaign. treated at a psychiatric institu- maining independent Authorities in the state of tion, and police said he was not media outlets specialising Bavaria said evidence was a known Islamist. However, the in in-depth investigations, mounting that the suspect, a Bavarian authorities said a said that police raided the Somali asylum seeker with a number of factors made an homes of its chief editor history of mental problems and Islamic extremist motive ap- Roman Badanin and jour- only temporary permission to pear probable. nalist Maria Zholobova. remain in Germany, may have These included witness ac- Another journalist, been radicalised. counts that suspect cried “Al- deputy editor Mikhail “The Bavarian Central Office lahu Akbar” (“God is greatest” Rubin, was detained while for Extremism and Terrorism in Arabic) during his killing police were searching his has taken over the probe be- spree and spoke of “jihad” from parents’ apartment, the cause an Islamist motive is his hospital bed after he was media outlet said on social likely,” Bavarian state prosecu- taken into custody. media, adding that police tors and the state criminal in- The German government has had confiscated comput- vestigations office said. been hesitant to classify the as- Two women place a candle at a makeshift memorial in tribute to ers and phones. The 24-year-old man on Friday sault as a terror attack and the victims of a deadly attack in Wuerzburg, southern Germany. went on a knife rampage in the urged the public to wait until city of Wuerzburg, stabbing three the investigation is complete “There were women to death and leaving six before drawing conclusions. However, the mass-selling servative broadsheet Frankfurt legal grounds for other people seriously injured. Chancellor Angela Merkel Bild newspaper accused the Allgemeine Zeitung said Ger- The Somali suspect, who ar- said “what is certain is that the government of turning a blind many needed to “bid farewell such searches” rived in Germany in 2015, horrific act is directed at all hu- eye to indications of a radical to its illusions” about migra- struck in the city centre, first at manity and every religion”. Islamist motive, while the con- tion. (AFP) The searches came ahead of the publication of an in- vestigation into the alleged wealth of Interior Minister Myanmar Vladimir Kolokoltsev, his son and other relatives, Proyekt said. Aung San Suu Kyi urges Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told re- porters that there were people to stay ‘united’ “legal grounds” for such searches even though he Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi “She asked the people to stay was not aware of the rea- asked the people of Myanmar to united and consistent,” she said. son for them. stay “united” in the face of mil- The specially-convened court Badanin is a suspect in a itary rule, her lawyers said yes- in the capital Naypyidaw also defamation case dating terday, as she reappeared in a heard testimony on a separate back to 2017, lawyer Anna junta court. charge of sedition, although Bogatyryova told Dozhd The Nobel laureate, and Suu Kyi’s legal team argued two TV, an independent chan- Emirati Minister of State Ahmed al-Sayegh with Israel’s daughter of independence hero documents submitted by the nel, yesterday. Yair Lapid upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. PHOTO: AFP General Aung San, has been prosecution were inadmissible In 2017, Dozhd broad- under house arrest since a as they were unsigned. cast an investigation into February coup that sparked Ilya Traber, a controversial Yair Lapid opens first huge pro-democracy protests “Facing more than businessman who al- the junta has tried to crush legedly has ties to Presi- Israeli embassy in Gulf with deadly force. a decade in prison” dent Vladimir Putin. Invisible to the outside world The film was authored Israel’s top diplomat Yair Lapid opened the Jewish state’s first bar a handful of courtroom ap- Former president Win Myint by Badanin, who was then embassy in the Gulf during a trip to the United Arab Emirates pearances, Suu Kyi, 76, has been and senior NLD leader Myo Dozhd editor-in-chief, as yesterday after ties were normalised last year. hit with an eclectic raft of Aung are also on trial for sedi- well as Zholobova and “The opening of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi with the charges. She could face more tion and appeared beside Suu other journalists. Emirati Minister of Culture and Youth,” he tweeted with a than a decade in prison if con- Kyi yesterday. Yesterday, the interior photo of himself and UAE minister Noura al-Kaabi cutting a victed on all counts. Myanmar has been in turmoil ministry said in a statement ribbon in the blue and white of the Israeli flag. Yesterday, she heard testi- since Suu Kyi’s ouster, with that the searches came as Israeli ministers have previously visited the UAE, but newly- mony that she flouted COVID huge protests, renewed clashes part of an ongoing probe appointed Lapid is the most senior Israeli to make the trip, restrictions during elections between the military and ethnic into the case and named and the first to travel on an official mission. her party won by a landslide rebel armies in border regions Badanin and Zholobova as Lapid is also set to open a consulate in Dubai. (AFP) last year, her lawyer Min Min and an economy spiralling into the film’s authors. (AFP) Soe told reporters. freefall. (AFP) times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 9 WORLD Australia More than 10 million in coronavirus lockdown More than 10 million Aus- tralians have been ordered into lockdown as coronavirus cases spread across the country, and Brisbane yesterday became the fourth major city to issue stay- at-home orders. The three-day snap lockdown for Brisbane comes on top of similar measures imposed in Sydney, Perth and Darwin in recent days. “These are tough decisions,” Queensland state Premier An- nastacia Palaszczuk said, after Australia recorded 23 virus cases in 24 hours. “We are having lockdowns in major cities because the over- seas arrivals are bringing the virus here.” Australia has been broadly A woman walks past a vaccination centre signage in Sydney. successful in eliminating local transmission through a mix of border closures, mandatory cinated hospital worker spent time in the northern city, which hotel quarantine for overseas up to 10 days travelling around is home to a large indigenous arrivals and snap lockdowns. Queensland while infectious. population feared to be more But it is now battling flare- Yesterday, Perth residents vulnerable to COVID-19. ups of the highly contagious woke to a four-day snap lock- The announcements come Delta variant – which first down after a local cluster grew during school holidays for large emerged in India – as public to three cases. parts of the country and are ex- anger grows at the slow pace of The largest outbreak is in pected to cause a wave of travel vaccinations. Sydney, where 150 people have cancellations, with unaffected Less than five per cent of tested positive for COVID-19 states warning people not to adults are believed to have re- since mid-June, with the city’s visit impacted areas. ceived both vaccine doses. residents now under stay-at- New Zealand said yesterday it As well as Brisbane, sur- home orders for two weeks. would partially reopen its rounding coastal regions and A small cluster linked to an travel bubble with Australia the small northern city of outback gold mine sent Darwin from July 5, but only with states Townsville are also subject to into lockdown after exposure that have not recorded any the latest order, after an unvac- sites were found for the first cases. (AFP) G20 talks urge greater global cooperation post-COVID-19 G20 ministers led by the United States said yesterday that the coronavirus pandemic showed the need for greater global cooperation, as African nations sought help to develop their medical infrastructure. In a sharp reversal from the previous US administration, Sec- retary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the need for mul- tilateral institutions as foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies met in the ancient Italian city of Matera. “Multilateral cooperation will be key to our collective abil- ity to stop this global health crisis,” said Blinken, winding down a week-long trip to Europe. “That’s also true for the work we must do to strengthen global health security moving forward so we can detect, pre- vent and respond better to future health emergencies.” Blinken pointed to US contributions to COVAX, the UN- backed initiative that aims to vaccinate low-income coun- tries, including President Joe Biden’s promise to provide 500 million Pfizer doses. The talks will prepare for a G20 leaders’ meeting in Octo- ber, pencilled in Rome, that is expected to see the first sum- US Secretary of State Antony mit between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese Blinken arrives at the G20 ministers’ counterpart Xi Jinping. (AFP) meeting in Matera. PHOTO: AFP 10 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA WORLD

BRIEFS

Dutch police seize tonnes of cocaine

Dutch police yesterday said they had seized almost three tonnes of cocaine and millions of euros in cash on a farm near Amster- dam’s Schiphol airport, in one of their biggest drug hauls to date. Law enforcement swooped last Thursday on the property near the village of De Kwakel, a few kilometres south of Schiphol, after a long-running probe, arresting two suspects. “The cocaine has a street value of €195 million,” police said, adding: “This is one of the biggest seizures in the history of the Amsterdam police.” Police also confiscated €11.3 million in cash, as well as luxury items including expensive wines, an antique car and a book about boxing legend Muhammad Ali valued at €12,500.

Jacob Zuma gets 15-month jail term

A visitor takes a photo at the renovated National Gallery of Greece in Athens. Inset: Head of a South Africa’s top court yesterday handed former president Woman was one of the paintings stolen from the gallery. Jacob Zuma a 15-month jail term for contempt of court following his refusal to appear before graft investigators. Zuma, 79, is accused of enabling the plunder of state coffers during his nearly nine-year stay in office. He is facing 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating Greece recovers Picasso to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand (€4.2 billion). years after gallery heist ‘Black Widow’ Greece yesterday said it had inscription by Picasso on the just one person, a 49-year-old loses final appeal recovered a Picasso painting back – “For the Greek people, a Greek man, in connection with personally donated by the Span- tribute by Picasso.” the case. A Japanese woman dubbed the ish master to the Greek people, The artist had given the cu- A sketch by 16th-century Ital- “Black Widow” who used cyanide almost a decade after it was bist painting to the Greek state ian artist Guglielmo Caccia, bet- to kill her elderly lovers had her stolen alongside two other art- in recognition of the country’s ter known as Moncalvo, was final appeal against the death works in an audacious heist at resistance to Nazi Germany also stolen in the same robbery. sentence rejected yesterday by the National Gallery. during the painful 1941-44 oc- However, state television re- the country’s top court. Head of a Woman, gifted by cupation of the country. ported it was damaged in the Chisako Kakehi (pictured), 74, Pablo Picasso to Greece in 1949, Another painting stolen in heist and discarded. was sentenced to death by hang- was recovered in Keratea, a the same heist in January 2012, A state report found that the ing in 2017 for the murder of rural area some 45 kilometres Stammer Windmill by Dutch National Gallery’s security had three men – including a husband southeast of Athens, officials painter Piet Mondrian, was not been upgraded for over a – and the attempted murder of told a news conference. also found. decade, with the then police another. “Today is a special day, [a day The 2012 heist at the National minister calling safeguards Two years ago, a high court of] great joy and emotion,” Cul- Gallery, Greece’s largest state “non-existent.” dismissed an appeal by the serial killer who pocketed millions ture Minister Lina Mendoni art collection, lasted just seven The gallery holds a prominent in insurance payouts and inheritance, drawing comparisons in told reporters. minutes. It was originally be- collection of post-Byzantine the media with the spider that poisons its mate after copulation. Mendoni noted that the paint- lieved that two men broke in, Greek art, as well as a small col- Kakehi reportedly amassed one billion yen (€7.5 million) in ing would have been “impossi- cutting the paintings from their lection of Renaissance works and payouts over 10 years. ble” to sell as it had a personal frames. But police have arrested some El Greco paintings. (AFP) Gang cremate victim as virus casualty

Five gang members in India wore full protective gear to cremate a man they had murdered, pretending he died from COVID-19, Ghosn accomplices say police said yesterday. The victim was invited to a party by the men, whom he owed four million rupees (€45,365) and suffocated him. The gang wore full PPE and cremated the body at a facility in Agra, registering they ‘regret’ escape role the dead man under a false name. All five accused have confessed to their crime. A tip-off from An American father-son duo told a Tokyo court broadcaster NHK reported. Taylor added that an informant led to the arrest of one of the men, reports said. yesterday they now “regret” their role in help- he was motivated to help in part because of ing former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn jump family ties to the Ghosns. bail and flee Japan. “I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apol- Diana’s royal car sold to museum Former special forces operative Michael ogise for causing difficulties for the judicial Taylor and his son Peter face up to three years process and for the Japanese people,” Bloomberg A Ford Escort that once belonged to Diana, princess of Wales, in prison for their part in helping smuggle News quoted him as telling the court. was sold yesterday to a South American museum for £52,000. Ghosn onto a private jet in an audio equipment “After more than 400 days in jail, I have had The silver 1.6L Ghia saloon was given by Prince Charles to case so he could fly to Lebanon, which has no a lot of time to reflect,” added his son Peter. Lady Diana Spencer as an engagement present in May 1981, two extradition agreement with Japan. The duo made their first appearance in court months before their fairytale wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral. Local media said the two Americans, who have earlier this month, while Ghosn remains an The vehicle, which was bought at auction for £6,000 by an admitted the allegations against them, bowed international fugitive in Lebanon. antiques dealer in 1982, was sold to a telephone bidder for deeply in court after offering contrition. The former auto tycoon was out on bail £52,640, including sales tax and buyer’s premium. Michael Taylor said Ghosn and his wife Car- while awaiting trial on four counts of financial Lewis Rabett, of Reeman Dansie Auctions in Colchester, south- ole had claimed that disappearing while on misconduct when he fled, transiting in Turkey east England, said the successful bidder was a museum in South bail was “not a crime” in Japan, national before arriving in Lebanon. (AFP) America, where the car will now be shipped. (AFP) times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 11 FOCUS

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW Slovenia to take ABOUT SLOVENIA Small but perfectly formed Slovenia, together with neighbouring Croatia, declared independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991. up EU presidency The small nation of some two million, nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, escaped the worst of the conflicts which scarred the region in the 1990s and cost some 130,000 lives. Slovenia joined the EU in 2004 and began using the tomorrow single currency just three years later. Slovenia is often confused with its almost-neighbour Slovakia, with former US President George W. Bush among those to have mixed the two countries up. Rule of law and media freedom concerns At one point, Slovenia even considered changing its flag to distinguish it from the white, blue and red stripe overshadow country’s second time in EU role pattern it also shares with Slovakia.

BOJAN KAVCIC Beekeeper’s paradise Beekeeping is a cherished national tradition in Slovenia, with colourful beehives to be found dotted throughout Slovenia will tomorrow take up the fields, on the edge of forests, in gardens and even on EU’s rotating six-month presidency city rooftops. overshadowed by concerns for Some 10,000 people are estimated to have their own media freedom and the rule of law hives in Slovenia. That’s 10 times more beekeepers per under its conservative Prime Min- head than in Spain, Europe’s biggest producer of honey. ister Janez Jansa. It was a Slovene, Anton Jansa (1734-1773), who wrote It will be the second time the the first modern beekeeping manual. And Slovenia has Alpine state of two million people gone on to lead the way in raising awareness of the plight heads the 27-member bloc under of bees, as concern has grown over the health of the Jansa. But while in 2008, it was cel- world’s pollinator population in recent years. ebrated as a milestone since the ex- The bee can be spotted as a symbol of industriousness Yugoslav nation’s independence, above the doorways of banks and museums. the mandate now could be bumpier. Slovenia’s presidency comes at a sensitive time when the EU Bears and baby dragon dispenses money from its un- Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Jansa arriving at an EU summit Slovenia’s more than 14,000 caves are one of the coun- precedented €750 billion rescue at the European Council Building in Brussels on June 24. PHOTO: try’s principal tourist attractions and host some of its fund aimed at helping member JOHANNA GERON/POOL/AFP most famous fauna. economies recover from the The vast Postojna cave system is home to ‘baby coronavirus pandemic. dragons’, ancient underwater predators that can live thought it could be resolved without “I believe there will be constant ten- up to 100 years and only breed once in a decade. any “new unnecessary divisions”. sions between the Slovenian presi- Above ground, half of Slovenia’s territory is car- “There will be Jansa wrote on the pre si dency web- dency, its proposals and the EU peted in forest, where over the past century successive constant tensions site: “We have to strengthen the EU, institutions,” he said. conservation efforts have succeeded in protecting the within which our values and na- The government so far has bear population. between the tional identities are protected and failed to appoint two prosecutors Around a thousand of the animals are now to be can continue to thrive.” to the EU’s new anti-corruption found in the wild there, with a few specimens even Slovenian presidency, Hoping to integrate its Western body, leading its head to criticise being exported to France to help reintroduce them to its proposals and Balkan neighbours, Slovenia has Slovenia for its “manifest lack of the Pyrenees. planned a summit in October − the sincere cooperation”. the EU institutions” only high-profile event during the “These are the things that six months. But whether Jansa can worry us,” French Green MEP Sporting powerhouse Under the slogan ‘Together. Re- be a uniting mediator remains to be Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, a Eu- Slovenia has gained an impressive sporting reputation silient. Europe’, the Jansa govern- seen, with critics raising concerns ropean Parliament rapporteur on since independence, racking up 40 Olympic medals. ment says its priorities include about his alliances. Hungary, said, underlining “the As well as cycling champions Primoz Roglic and Tadej steering the bloc’s economic recov- Last week, the three-time pre- closeness of the Slovenian prime Pogacar, they can boast a men’s basketball team who won ery and strengthening its resilience mier met far-right Brothers of Italy minister and Viktor Orban”. the European championships in 2017 and a men’s volley- to pandemics. party leader Giorgia Meloni, just The European Commission has ball team who were European vice champions in 2019. Slovenia also wants to before he met Orban, as well as also reminded Slovenia of the role The country is also proud of its NBA stars Luka Doncic “strengthen the rule of law and Eu- Poland’s Mateusz Morawiecki. independent news agencies play and Goran Dragic, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak ropean values”, according to the In his tweets, Jansa has attacked after the government suspended and skiers such as Peter Prevc and Tina Maze. government’s websites on the EU officials, including MEPs who the funding of the country’s sole presi dency. But that could be had expressed their concern over news agency STA, which Jansa has tricky: EU leaders have recently the situation of democracy and rule called a “national disgrace”. Melania Trump country argued over a Hungarian law ban- of law in Slovenia. “We are concerned by the risk The former US first lady was born Melania Knavs in the ning the “promotion” of homo- “We owe the EU nothing. We that the six-month presidency will town of Sevnica in the east of the country. Her arrival in sexuality to minors that is fought for our freedom and democ- be abused by the government to ob- the White House when her husband Donald Trump be- expected to come into force soon. racy 30 years ago,” the 62-year-old, struct efforts to strengthen media came US president raised hope he may visit her home- At a summit last week, EU leaders whose most recent mandate began freedom in Europe,” the group land, but this never happened. attacked Viktor Orban − a close in March 2020, tweeted in May. Reporters Without Borders said. An eccentric statue depicting her near her hometown Jansa ally − over the legislation, Jansa’s numerous spats have led At home, the opposition accuses was branded a “scarecrow” by some locals and was burnt which they view as homophobic to the “cooling of relations” between Jansa’s three-party coalition of down in July 2020. and contrary to EU values, while the Ljubljana and the European Com- using the coronavirus pandemic to A bronze replica was unveiled in September, with Hungarian nationalist premier mission at a time when the country dent the country’s democratic in- the American conceptual artist behind the work argues it protects children. is under increased scrutiny because stitutions, violate press freedom saying it was intended as a critique of Trump’s anti- Jansa’s comments in Brussels on of the presidency, daily Delo’s and question the rule of law and immigrant politics. (AFP) the matter were guarded, saying he columnist Uros Esih wrote recently. the independence of justice. (AFP) 12 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA COMMENTSANDLETTERS When the FATF lady sings

WAYNE FLASK

Member, Moviment Graffitti

he FATF’s greylisting verdict crashed loud and hard into the certainties of Robert Abela and his government. Suddenly,T the pink elephant in the room called ‘Money Laundering’ spoke: mo- mentarily wiping away the 48,000 vote advantage of the latest polls, the prospect of a ‘normal’ summer and the speed of the vaccination programme, and seriously putting a damper on the prime minister’s press-confidence. Labour will most probably survive this too, although – unlike the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination and countless scandals across various min- istries – a verdict such as that of last week will seriously dent business confi- dence, also because getting off the grey list means more regulation, referred to in business circles as ‘bureaucracy’. There’s the tragic possibility of thousands losing their jobs in various sectors, which is why I have the same degree of sympathy for those cele- The Malta Financial Services Authority has a lot to answer for. PHOTO: MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA brating the FATF verdict as I have for those baying at ‘traitors’. As always, the consequences for misdeeds and process from residents and NGOs alike, anyone looking at mysterious sponsor- doing the right thing. That the anti- blunders at the top will be borne by for example. ships from such developers, including money laundering body has indicated those at the bottom. Sadly, those peddling the narrative of regatta or football clubs, for example? a lack of enforcement should not As taxpayers and workers, we need to Malta as a tax haven have shown no in- The movement of huge moneys into come as a surprise. It is in our blood thank the sleazy tide of deregulation terest in construction as a crucial gate- construction is facilitated by the com- to be as lax as possible, conveniently that has submerged, shorted and cor- way for money laundering, as if it were placent Planning Authority and Lands put it down to culture, then resort to roded most institutions and authorities. pure fantasy. Stories from neighbouring Authority, where anybody can literally the usual hypocrisy: from simple The MFSA, the Planning Authority and Sicily, or further north in Naples, Rome, ask to build a gigantic tower and get traffic infringements to large-scale the Malta Gaming Authority have a lot Milan tell of repeated deregulation and their way. larceny, the authorities are only to answer for in their respective fields, breaches of the laws to facilitate the con- In Malta, and the FATF should know strong with the weak. especially since it is an open secret that struction of new boroughs from the this too – a tycoon can splash millions Incidentally, the Commissioner for these are but three government author- local mafias, some built on weak con- of euros worth of concrete onto our Voluntary Organisations is heading his ities who have served as mere rubber crete financed by dirty money. living spaces without declaring the fa- own AML crusade with an asphyxiating stamps to any sort of money, dirty or I find it rather pointless to yell and mous source of income. legal notice aimed at NGOs. not, that has made it into the island’s print books about the mafia state with- Right now, no authority is tasked Anthony Abela Medici knows as well economy in recent years. out looking beyond the administrative with overseeing, far less enforcing, as I do that NGOs cannot be bundled to- Successive administrations have their sphere. I, for one, have huge questions the flow of money into construction. gether. Maybe he would like to fight degrees of responsibility, too. Both the about developers who have appeared Back in December 2019, at the peak of money laundering in the appropriate PN and the PL have, for example, re- out of nowhere, apparently without any the protests in the aftermath of the setting. Why not investigate the ‘founda- laxed building regulations and followed history, who have dotted the islands chilling news about the Caruana Galizia tions’ strewn across various addresses it up by respective tax amnesties. Statis- with towers and apartment blocks. Is investigations, I attended a session with in Valletta? tics show that in 2007, a total of 11,373 an MEP delegation led by Roberta A look at the façade of their regis- planning permits have been issued, with Metsola. tered addresses will confirm that 12,885 issued in 2018, Labour’s ‘golden The session, organised for civil society some of these doors haven’t been year’ for construction. groups, debated rule of law including opened in years, and the commis- I don’t bring up the subject of con- money laundering. And while most sioner may also be interested in the struction casually. speakers stuck to the established narra- names of people close to power: politi- For a sector that contributes far less In Malta, a tycoon can tive that Labour was solely responsible cians’ wives, cousins, partners, friend- to the GDP than the doctored 13.5 per for the mess we’re in (I’d only argue with ships from school. The functions of cent trumpeted by the MDA, the con- splash millions of the ‘solely’ here), I raised the issue of most of these foundations are yet un- struction sector has been one to benefit euros worth of dirty money filtering into construction known, except for one or two intent on from deregulation across the board. via planning. financing pro-life groups. Labour successfully flirted with the concrete onto our Nobody as half as flinched at this; my Besides this piece of advice to the lobby pre-2013, choosing to split the intervention was not included in the commissioner, I’ll give him another rec- Planning Authority and the ERA (criti- living spaces without minutes, and everyone looked away ommendation: don’t even try to strangle cally weakening the latter) in a bid to ‘re- declaring the famous from this huge, wide-open back window. civil society’s freedom of activity. duce bureaucracy’ – the idea here being Now that the FATF lady sang, the Go after the big fish. They’re the to discourage obstacles to the planning source of income government wants to be seen to be enemy, the real ‘traitors’. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 13 15.93 Founded August 7, 1935 Tourism industry’s balancing act

There are signs that the worst is over for rience of last summer’s local spike in in- where. Staff need to be trained to com- managing this uncertainty is flexibility the tourist industry. The bustle charac- fections, and the lessons learned from ply with health and safety protocols. and adaptability. teristic of the busy season is slowly re- 18 months of the pandemic, has forced Everything, from the way linen is Another is clear communication. turning to tourist hotspots like the authorities to take a more cautious packed and cutlery washed, to the way Both the government and the private Buġibba, Valletta and Paceville. approach in terms of the protocols restaurant seating is organised and operators need to keep visitors well-in- Operators are getting active again. needed to reduce the risk of another temperature checks implemented, formed about the evolving measures Hotels are outfitting rooms, restau- wave of cOVID. uk tourists are welcome needs to be clearly understood by being taken locally to prevent the rants are stocking up and tourist only if they have had their vaccinations. hotel and restaurant personnel. spread of cOVID-19. guides have been spotted milling But this does not apply to teenagers The maxim that tourism operators If arrivals are to face a long wait to around with groups of visitors. who, unvaccinated due to their age, will should follow is not ‘maximise profits’, have their documents checked at the But this is no typical beginning to not be allowed in even if travelling with even after the last few difficult months. airport, for instance, then let them a summer of tourism. We are in new their families. They need to adopt a sensible return- know beforehand and show common territory, still uncertain about Big questions remain. Will the re- to-business approach based on vigilance courtesy towards guests in case of whether the virus is behind us on the strictions be effective? Will the Eu’s dig- and long-term vision. They need to delays. road to recovery or lies in wait to stage ital pass succeed in making travel easier meticulously follow health guidelines to Malta’s overriding objective should another ambush. and safer? What happens if the Delta protect the community and build confi- be to make tourism safe and lasting. The Planning is a major challenge for variant catches on? Would Malta red- dence in Malta's ability to curb the medical authorities, the operators and both operators and prospective visi- list the uk? Would Malta survive on its spread of any future outbreaks. the hosts – the people of Malta – need to tors. The successful vaccination drive green list? Operators would argue that it is hard find the tricky balance between safety has led to new openings, most cru- Even as operators do their best to prepare when they are not sure what and recovery. cially the long-awaited green listing of amid the uncertainties, they face other to expect. calculating what is needed for We got it wrong last time. Let us get Malta by the uk, our most important challenges. Staff recruitment has be- reopening – for instance, how much it right this summer and not let overam- tourist market. come a nightmare, with foreign work- food a restaurant should stock – can be bition or greed get in the way. It is the However, the prevalence of the Delta ers who left the island in the last year a headache when so little is known surest way of keeping the economy on variant in that country, the bitter expe- likely to have found employment else- about the immediate future. One key to the upward curve.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Gender balance Compensation I would like to make it clear from Evarist Bartolo. for accidents the outset I am all in favour of gen- PHOTO: DOI der balance. The input of the fe- I refer to the article by Adrian Galea male perspective is welcome in with the same title (May 29). Over a any discussion and decision. nor- year ago, I was run over by a car and mally, a female will see different had to be hospitalised and later taken angles to any problem or difficulty. to a private residence for physiother- It is usually difficult for a male and apy and further recovery from the in- female to see things from the same juries I sustained. angle. Thus, with gender balance, The insurance involved dragged its there is a better approach to deci- feet in offering compensation even sion-making. though this was a clear-cut incident Having said this, my quandary is where the guilty party admitted full why many females do not seem to responsibility. trust their own gender in the polit- The insurance company’s unreason- ical system. able delay and willingness to pay all If women were to vote, for their costs resulted in having to engage the own gender, there would not be services of a lawyer (with additional any need for a correction in parlia- costs). mentary representation. The compensation due will now Why, and how is it, that, in an elec- have to be settled by the competent tion, the average woman will give Blind fanaticism Even the journalist was incredulous authority. the first preferance to a male and when hearing some of Bartolo’s replies! How are the insurance companies to would not even consider giving any I always enjoy the contributions of avid Or his evidence at the Daphne caruana be compensated? The usual practice is other woman the second choice? letter writer Eddy Privitera but not for Galizia inquiry, where he admitted to by increasing the annual fee that peo- Thus, I suggest that the univer- the reasons he would hope. In fact, they feeling uncomfortable with the kitchen ple pay to the insurance agencies. I sity of Malta to carry out a profes- always make me laugh in an incredulous cabinet but did nothing about it. cabinet have been paying my car insurance for sional study and survey about this way. The expression “blinded by the light” has a collective responsibility which even decades and never submitted a claim. psychological quandary. Why is or, in this case, by the party, springs to a 16-year-old politics student under- In fact, I am entitled to a full 65 per there mistrust? mind! stands! cent no-claim bonus. Yet, each year, From the result of a professional His latest missive extols the virtues of Malta does not need any more self-serv- the insurance agency increases my study, prospective candidates will Evarist Bartolo as though he was a latter- ing or spineless politicians. It needs good premium. know where they need to focus day saint and saviour of the country. people who work for all its citizens and are The police too are dragging their feet their efforts while the electorate Has he forgotten his disastrous inter- prepared to stand up and be counted! in taking action against the guilty party will be able to make a more bal- view with Tim Sebastian? JAnET WOJTkOW – St Julian’s who was using a mobile phone while anced choice. driving and causing this accident. FrAnS SAID – St Paul’s Bay VIcTOr FArruGIA – Attard

Letters to the editor should be sent via email to [email protected], via the link timesofmalta.com/letters or through our postal address. Publication is subject to abridgement. Letters should carry the writer’s full name, address and ID number. Letters are sent under the understanding that the editor may disclose personal information to any person or entity which is requesting the information in case of legal action on grounds that such person or entity feels aggrieved by any letter so published. Priority will be given to e-mailed letters. 14 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA NATIONAL

Model of a ship from 1803. PHOTOS: LEANDER THOMAS The façade of the Kelinu Grima Maritime Museum. A small museum wit trove of naval memo LEANDER THOMAS

Nadur in Gozo is mostly renowned among the Maltese for its sponta- neous carnival, but few may know that it boasts of a unique museum housing a treasure trove of naval memorabilia. The Kelinu Grima Maritime Museum is privately owned by the church. It was founded in 1999 by the late Kelinu Grima, a primary school teacher who spent some 65 years collecting hundreds of maritime objects. Exhibits include models, naval uni- forms, flags, photographs, vessel parts and other priceless objects such as authenticated pieces of tim- ber from Lord Nelson’s ship HMS Vic- tory, the Constitution, which was the first US warship, as well as one of Lord Mountbatten’s gold epaulettes which he wore during his period of duty in the Mediterranean. The numerous items on show, spread out in three rooms, take visi- tors through three centuries of mar- itime history. There are more than 300 vessel crests adorning the mu- seum walls and many other rare arti- cles related to the sea. There are also various craft of all shapes and sizes, which will remind one of the hardy and famous men who guided them to their destinies in times of peace An old diver’s suit donated by Anthony Calleja. Part of the Royal Lady bombed and sunk in 1942 and war. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 15

A visitor admiring some of the many hidden gems found at the museum. th a treasure orabilia Several historic items in one of the museum’s rooms. Above all else, this museum is the only one of its type in Gozo and is unique in that it is a superb and liv- ing epitome of a labour of love and dedication to the sea. Grima had do- nated his entire private collection of naval memorabilia which he lovingly and patiently accumulated over a pe- riod of more than six decades. Since then, people have kept donat- ing relevant items, such as medals, to the museum. “The numerous items

on show, spread out in three rooms, take visitors through three centuries of maritime history” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gozitan maritime museum has been closed for more than a year but has reopened its doors in April. Three dedicated volunteers offer their time to open up the museum twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 1.30pm. Visitors will be warmly welcomed by either Nora and Kerry Evison, or Royal Gunner Gary Costello. You may contact the couple on 9956 5065 or visit the museum’s Facebook page.

Leander Thomas is a photographer and school librarian at De La Salle College. The International Code hangs on one of the walls. A Maritime Museum poster found in Nadur Square. 16 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA BUSINESSANDFINANCE Trident Park to start welcoming tenants in the next few months

Trident Estates plc, a listed property Operating profit amounted to €362,000 investment company that owns and man- (2020: €484,000) while profit before tax ages commercial property for rental and was €741,000 (2020: €328,000) and profit investment purposes, convened its 21st an- after tax €550,000 (2020: €74,000). These nual general meeting. For the second con- results include fair value movements on secutive year, this was held remotely due investment property amounting to to COVID-19. The current focus of the €562,000. A valuation exercise, conducted group is two-pronged: the finalisation of by an independent firm of architects in the the €60 million Trident Park project and first quarter of 2021 and approved by the the conclusion of negotiations with an board of directors, represented a two per increasing number of tenants. cent uplift in property values. By the end of the financial year in Jan- Farrugia said: “We believe that the uary 2021, Trident Group had already se- unique environmentally-friendly proposi- Trident Park offers a unique environmentally-friendly proposition. cured over 40 per cent occupancy of the tion within aesthetically-pleasing building space available at Trident Park. Tenants structures being offered at Trident Park will be a balanced mix of corporate, legal will contribute to achieving our strategic and medical services, fund management, goals. The old brewery building, with its banking and a government entity, and distinctive colonnade walls, has been re- comprise both local and foreign organisa- stored and rehabilitated in a most elegant tions. Given the impressive credentials of way. This project is being developed in tan- the development and the interest being dem with The Brewhouse project, which shown, the group’s board is cautiously op- will complement Trident Park by offering timistic that the take-up of space will food, beverage and other facilities, an in- gather momentum over the coming dustrial heritage museum on the Farsons months. Trident Park is on target to wel- story, and venues for special events.” come its first tenants in September. Trident Group CEO Charles Xuereb re- Situated in the heart of the recently-es- ported that group revenues for FY 2021 tablished Central Business District in are largely on par with the previous Mrieħel, Trident Park is in the final stages year’s at €1.1 million, notwithstanding Trident Park is redefining office lifestyle within aesthetically-pleasing building of transforming the old Farsons Brewery certain discounts extended to a number structures. building along Mdina Road into a modern of tenants due to the pandemic realities. office complex, respecting the best prac- All structures and most civil works at Tri- tice in terms of environmentally-sustain- dent Park were completed and the main per capita. In the uncertain forthcoming a long-term investment, its forward-look- able design, while aiming for BREEAM (*) elements of the campus-style develop- months, as the economy recovers from the ing strategy is already directed at ensuring excellent certification. ment are now in place, with all of the pandemic upset, our Trident Park that Trident Group delivers steady and re- Trident Group’s business model is based eight office blocks and the five covered development will be well-placed to meet liable results once more quality tenants are on the ownership and rental of prime walkways handed over to finishing the demands of the emerging paradigm − engaged and income streams are secured. commercial properties. With a portfolio works. Over the course of the project, a ‘green’ environmentally-friendly campus The shareholders approved the income of properties based at key sites in a num- more than 2,000 concrete tests were office park, providing space, air, statement and statement of financial po- ber of important business locations, the carried out to ensure that all structural natural light and parking, with maximum sition for the year ended January 31, 2021, group’s performance depends on the elements are fully compliant with the flexibility in terms of individual configu- as well as the reappointment of auditors health of Malta’s commercial sector. highest industry standards. ration requirements.” PricewaterhouseCoopers. The board of Addressing shareholders, Trident Group Xuereb said: “Following the pandemic, Given the current pandemic-induced un- directors was also reconfirmed. chairman Louis A. Farrugia explained that when many companies opted for a hybrid certainty and the fact that Trident Park de- profitability for the year has been affected office-home model, two potential factors velopment is in the final phases of (*) BREEAM stands for Building Research by discounts extended to current tenants seem to be emerging: the need for less of- completion, the board decided that it Establishment Environmental Assessment. It following requests for rent abatements in fice space, matched by the need for better would not be appropriate to declare any is the most established method for assessing, view of the significant adverse effects of quality office space, both in terms of facil- dividends at this time. The group stated classifying and certifying the sustainability COVID-19 on their businesses. ities and environment and a lesser density that while commercial property is always of buildings worldwide. BNF Students Package provides a more flexible approach to banking

Study years can have a challenging Besides offering a €50 bonus moratorium throughout the course impact on a student’s lifestyle, so upon direct credit of first stipend, duration plus one year, for a maxi- BNF Bank made sure its Students the Students Package includes a mum of six years. The personal loan Package provides a more flexible free Visa Contactless Debit Card, features, terms and conditions vary approach to banking while offering free internet banking and process- according to the students’ age group. preferential rates on a wide range ing fee discounts on standard BNF Students are encouraged to apply of financial services. Convenient products. Besides, students can online on www.bnf.bank/students- features and benefits give students now be on top of their finances by package, chat with BECS, BNF’s the options they need to manage downloading the BNF Mobile App, eCustomer Service agent accessible their funds efficiently, while also available on both Android and iOS. through the website or Facebook providing access to preferential BNF is also offering students a per- Messenger, or contact the customer saving and borrowing options. sonal loan, with a pay-interest-only care team on +356 2260 1000. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 17 BUSINESS AND FINANCE Conference on the FATF plenary decision

Against the backdrop of the re- He added: “As in previous “As a country under increased technical compliance and so include internationally- cent plenary decision by the years, we are collaborating scrutiny, our priority should every effort henceforth both renowned experts who have Financial Actin Task Force with ARQ Group to bring all be to regroup and make sure in the public and private sec- been involved in the (FATF) to add Malta to the list the relevant stakeholders to- that every effort is made to tor should be aimed at ensur- FATF/MONEYVAL evaluation of countries with strategic de- gether in one event so as to convince the international ing that the country reaches process for several years, in- ficiencies, ARQ Group in col- achieve a mutual understand- bodies that the compliance the highest level of effective- cluding Yehuda Shaffer and laboration with the Malta ing of the FATF decision and its culture being cultivated ness when applying the en- Giuseppe Lombardo. Bankers Association (MBA) implications, both for the pub- within the country is an en- forcement, supervisory and will be organising the annual lic and private sector, and de- during one. preventive measures catered To register for the event, visit Anti-Money Laundering (AML) termine the best way forward.” “The FATF has for the past for in our legislation.” https://arqeducate.com/prod- and Financial Crime Confer- ARQ Group managing partner decade focused its attention The panel discussions uct/aml-financial-crime-con- ence titled ‘Fostering an en- Manfred Galdes commented: on effectiveness rather than planned for the webinar will ference/. during compliance culture in Malta. The FATF plenary deci- sion – understanding the implications and charting the next steps’. The event will be held online over two afternoons on July 7 and 8. The webinar will bring together a prominent line-up of local and international speakers who will attempt to unravel the implications of this decision and discuss the potential impact on various sectors.

“The FATF decision has shown us that there is still much that we have to do as a country”

Some of the foremost au- thoritative global figures in the AML/CFT sphere will be sharing their views with the audience, together with the CEOs of the major domestic banks, industry representa- tives and professional body representatives. Senior government officials and supervisors as well as representatives from law-en- forcement bodies will also take part. “It is a fact that the country has come a long way since the initial Moneyval assessment in 2019, with the National Coor- dinating Committee working together with other stakehold- ers to implement a host of re- forms to ensure Malta fulfils its AML and FCC obligations. “Yet the FATF decision has shown us that there is still much that we have to do as a country. “Thus we need to remain at the forefront of implementing further reforms which build on the significant work under- taken in the past months,” Karol Gabarretta, Malta Bankers Association secretary general, said. 18 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA BUSINESS AND FINANCE

MARKETS Stocks diverge as traders weigh recovery European stock markets re- On Wall Street, the Nasdaq bounded yesterday, as in- and S&P 500 each clocked up vestors brushed aside losses in fresh records Monday, helped Asia and weighed the strong by a fresh bump in tech firms. economic recovery against But Asian stocks retreated rises in virus cases. yesterday as the more conta- The dollar made solid gains gious Delta virus variant sent against the euro and pound as infection rates soaring, in turn renewed virus curbs saw moves forcing governments to try and to safer assets. prevent another deadly wave of Dollar-denominated oil the disease. prices retreated further after In Australia, the cities of Syd- the previous day’s sharp losses, ney, Perth, Brisbane and Dar- which had been driven by con- win have all been put into cerns that fresh lockdowns lockdown, with leaders in the would dampen demand. country also struggling to get The drops also came on the its inoculation programme up back of bets that OPEC and to speed. other major producers will de- The disease has led to similar cide to lift output at their meet- measures in South Africa, while ing this week. Russia, parts of Asia, Europe With news of US President and South America have also Joe Biden’s bipartisan infras- witnessed worrying spikes in tructure deal having run its infections. course and inflation worries Meanwhile, a surge in Britain, continuing to linger, traders are which has one of the most suc- looking ahead also to key US cessful vaccination rollouts in jobs data later in the week and the world, has caused a number the beginning of corporate of other countries to ban flights earnings season next month for from there or put up strict inspiration. quarantine rules. (AFP)

COURT NOTICE In terms of Section 13(5) of Chapter 354 of the General Elections Act, it is hereby notified that the Revising O
cer has ordered the publication of this notice appointing a date, time and place for the hearing of the application concerning the registration of voters registered in the Revised Electoral Register regarding that of the Local Councils as published on April 30, 2021, as the person whose particulars appear hereunder does no longer reside at the address hereunder indicated APPLICATION OF ALEXANDER SIVE SANDRO SCHEMBRI (I.D.0273267M) VOTER: DARREN LEE BOOTH I.D. NUMBER 0108088 A. ADDRESS: 90, STELLENBOSCH, FLAT 2, TRIQ SIR ARTURO MERCIECA, SLIEMA. DATE: THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 at 8.50am, COURTS OF MAGISTRATES (MALTA) REVISING OFFICER: Magistrate Dr CHARMAINE GALEA LL.D. Registry of the Court of Magistrates (Malta) today, June 23, 2021 ALEXANDRA DEBATTISTA For the Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals

COURT NOTICE In terms of Section 13(5) of Chapter 354 of the General Elections Act, it is hereby notified that the Revising O
cer has ordered the publication of this notice appointing a date, time and place for the hearing of the application concerning the registration of voters registered in the Revised Electoral Register regarding that of the Local Councils as published on the 30th April 2021, as the person whose particulars appear hereunder does not have the right to be registered in the said Registry APPLICATION OF RITA BONELLO (I.D.501145M) VOTER: STEFANIA FAVRETTO I.D. NUMBER 0169499 A. ADDRESS: 101A, SHAMROCK, FLAT 2, TRIQ L-UQIJA, TAL-IBRAG SWQ 2333. DATE: WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY 2021 at 10.00a.m., COURTS OF MAGISTRATES (MALTA) REVISING OFFICER: Magistrate Dr ASTRID MAY GRIMA B.A., LL.D., Adv. Trib. Eccles. Melit. Registry of the Court of Magistrates (Malta) today 22nd June 2021.

ALEXANDRA DEBATTISTA For the Registrar Civil Court and Tribunals times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 19 TELEVISION

LOCAL FILMS Chopped 22:05 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives 22:50 Supermarket Stakeout 23:35 The Kitchen

TVM MELITA 101 / GO TV 101 GO STARS GO TV 140 06:30 Euronews 07:30 TVAM News 08:30 Raħal twelidi 09:00 08:20 Ordinary Love 10:00 The Lego Eko-djar 09:45 Pudinu u sħabu 10:00 Wonderama 10:30 Teeny Movie 2 11:50 Admission 13:45 A MELITA MORE MELITA 315 Break 10:40 Taħbil il-moħħ 10:50 Wonder Grove 10:55 Naqraw Dog’s Way Home 15:30 Adios 17:25 08:30 The Big Bang Theory 09:00 flimkien 11:05 Żiżi 11:10 Ilsienna Shorts 11:15 Ħajjitna ktieb 12:00 Western Stars 18:50 Ghost 21:00 Suits 09:45 The Middle 10:15 The News 12:30 Sorelle 14:45 Maltipur Shorts 15:00 News 15:05 America’s Got Talent – Auditions New Adventures of Old Christine Fredu l-Fra 16:45 Inkwilini 17:45 Ilsienna Shorts 18:00 News 18:15 22:55 Gyul-Baek 00:45 Gone With 11:00 Grand Designs 12:00 Chicago Wirt u eredi 18:45 Il-kollezjonist 19:15 Culhat al Belt 19:45 Super the Wind Fire 13:00 Days of Our Lives 13:45 5 Lottery 20:00 News 21:00 Nostalgija 22:00 Serataron 23:30 The New Adventures of Old Christine News 23:10 Sports 14:15 Grand Designs 15:15 The Mid-

AMC MELITA 336 / GO TV 201 dle 15:45 Ħbieb u Għedewwa 16:15 06:35 When Billie Beat Bobby 08:05 Klassi Għalina 17:15 Manwela 18:15 TVM 2 MELITA 104 / GO TV 104 Unhitched 09:40 Hollywood’s Best Days of Our Lives 19:00 Pretty Little 06:00 Euronews 08:00 Nota f’nota 08:30 Ilsienna 09:00 Kieku Film Directors 10:10 Mega Shark vs. Liars 19:45 Division 7 20:45 The kien 09:30 Mass/Rosary 10:30 Hygieia 11:00 Teżi 11:30 Point Break Giant Octopus 11:35 Hollywood’s Prodigal Son 21:45 Lovecraſt Country Għawdex illum 12:00 Pudinu u sħabu 12:30 Wonderama 12:50 Best Film Directors 12:05 Petals on 22:45 Ashes to Ashes 23:45 The Teeny Break 13:00 Taħbil il-moħħ 13:05 Wonder Grove 13:10 ITALIA 1, 21:20 the Wind 13:30 Unhitched 15:05 Good Doctor 00:30 Chicago P.D. Naqraw flimkien 13:20 Żiżi 13:25 Ilsienna Short 13:30 Dimensja Sands of Oblivion 16:40 Lathe of 01:15 Anna

14:00 Euronews 14:45 Gourmet Challenge 15:15 Mill-imħażen Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), an FBI agent, Heaven 18:15 Reindeer Games 20:00 tal-festi 15:45 Mill-palazz 16:00 Dine or Dishes 17:00 Sports befriends a gang of extreme sports Chasing Amy 21:45 Things to Do in FOX LIFE MELITA 334 Għawdex 17:30 Mass/Rosary (rpt) 18:30 Pudinu u sħabu 19:00 Denver When You’re Dead 23:40 Wonderama 19:20 Teeny Break 19:30 Euro 2020 Programme – athletes who use their skills to pull off Scary Movie 2 06:30 Everybody Loves Raymond live 21:00 Għawdex illum subtitled 21:30 Gramma 22:00 Il- heists. However, his plan to expose them 07:20 Rebel 08:00 Top Chef 08:45 bolla 22:05 Ilaħwa 23:00 Sports hits a roadblock when he starts enjoying LIFESTYLE Emergence 09:20 Rachel Khoo’s the lifestyle. Chocolat! 10:50 Grey’s Anatomy BBC ENTERTAINMENT 11:35 Everybody Loves Raymond NET MELITA 102 / GO TV 102 12:25 Blue Bloods 13:10 Emergence MELITA 300 / GO TV 200 07:00 News 07:30 Net Live 08:55 Ħalli ngħidlek storja 09:00 Life 13:50 Martha Bakes 14:40 Top Chef & Style 09:30 Newsroom 10:30 Teleshopping 12:00 News 12:05 Tg2 LIS 18:15 Tg2 18:30 Tg Sport 18:50 S.W.A.T. 19:40 NCIS 20:30 06:00 Bargain Hunt 06:45 Josh 15:25 Modern Family 16:20 BH90210 Mass 12:30 Bejnietna 15:00 News 15:05 F’baħar wieħed Tg2 21:00 Tg2 Post 21:20 Film: Man on Fire 23:20 Anni 20 estate 07:15 Keeping Up Appearances 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy 17:40 Jamie 15:55 Ħalli ngħidlek storja 16:00 Teleshopping 16:30 Kikkra te 01:00 I lunatici 07:45 Doctors 08:15 EastEnders and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast 18:00 News 18:10 Net Live 19:30 News 20:10 Replay Euro 2020 08:40 Father Brown 09:25 Bargain 18:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 20:45 Life & Style 21:15 Dritt għall-punt 22:15 News 22:20 Il- Hunt 10:10 Impossible 10:55 19:15 Blue Bloods 20:00 Rebel 20:50 kunsill 22:50 Sport Extra 23:30 News RAITRE MELITA 152 / GO TV 123 Bargain Hunt 11:40 Josh 12:10 Big Sky 21:40 Emergence 22:30 06:00 RaiNews24 08:00 Agorà estate 10:10 Elisir d’estate 11:10 Keeping Up Appearances 12:40 Rebel 23:15 Everybody Loves Doc Martin 12:00 Tg3 12:25 Quante storie 12:55 Doc Geo 13:15 Bargain Hunt 13:25 Doctors 13:55 Raymond ONE MELITA 103 / GO TV 103 Passato e presente 14:20 Tg3/Piazza affari/LIS/Parlamento 15:10 EastEnders 14:15 Impossible 15:00 07:15 News 07:45 Duurella 08:00 Mass 08:30 Liquorish Daytime Maestri 15:50 Il maresciallo Rocca 17:20 Geo Magazine 19:00 Tg3 Father Brown 15:50 Bargain Hunt 08:40 Step Up 08:50 Pjazza 09:35 Teleshopping 10:00 Dak li 20:00 Blob 20:25 Nuovi eroi 20:45 Un posto al sole 21:20 Chi l’ha 16:35 Josh 17:05 Keeping Up DOCUMENTARIES jgħodd 11:00 SKS Patri Mark Montebello 11:50 Country Jamboree visto? 00:05 Tg3 Linea Notte estate Appearances 17:35 Doctors 18:05 TRAVEL CHANNEL 12:30 News 12:40 Teſtif 12:45 Teleshopping 13:00 Awla 14:50 EastEnders 18:30 Impossible 19:15 MELITA 427 / GO TV 208 Music Legends 15:30 News 15:35 Liquorish Daytime 15:45 Ieqaf Antiques Roadshow 20:05 Doctors 20 minuta 16:00 Teleshopping 16:15 Teżori 16:30 Duurella 16:45 CANALE 5 MELITA 154 / GO TV 125 20:35 EastEnders 21:00 Paul 06:00 Mysteries at the Museum Pink Panther 17:30 Fish On 18:30 Pjazza 19:20 Sports/Weather 06:00 Tg5 08:45 Super Senses: The Secret Power of Animals 09:55 Hollywood: A Baker’s Life 21:25 07:00 Expedition Unknown 08:00 19:30 News 20:10 Ieqaf 20 minuta 20:35 The Local Traveller 21:00 Le furie della natura 11:00 Forum 13:00 Tg5 13:40 The Bold and Sanditon 22:10 The Last Post 23:05 Bizarre Foods America 10:00 Espressjoni 22:30 Country Jamboree 23:00 Ieqaf 20 minuta 23:30 the Beautiful 14:10 Una vita 14:45 Mr Wrong 15:30 Love is in the Father Brown 23:50 Paul Hollywood: Mysteries at the Museum 11:00 News 23:45 Liquorish Daytime Air 16:30 Film: Pure Country: Pure Heart 18:45 Caduta libera 20:00 A Baker’s Life Codes and Conspiracies 12:00 Tg5 20:40 Paperissima Sprint 21:40 Temptation Island 01:00 Tg5 Mysteries at the Museum 13:00 ITALIAN FOOD NETWORK Bizarre Foods America 15:00 Expedition Unknown 16:00 Mysteries ITALIA 1 MELITA 155 / GO TV 126 MELITA 372 / GO TV 205 at the Museum 18:00 Finding Bigfoot RAIUNO MELITA 150 / GO TV 121 06:35 Cotto e mangiato 06:50 Grown-ish 07:20 Piccolo Lord 07:50 06:00 Bizarre Foods: Delicious 19:00 Codes and Conspiracies 20:00 07:00 Tg1 07:10 Unomattina estate 08:00 Tg1 08:25 Unomat- Cartoons 09:15 House, MD 10:15 Bones 12:10 Cotto e mangiato Destinations 06:45 Chopped 07:25 Expedition Unknown 21:00 The tina estate 09:00 Tg1 09:10 Unomattina estate 09:30 Tg1 Flash 12:25 Studio aperto 13:05 Sport Mediaset 13:45 Captain Tsubasa Jenny and Reza’s Fabulous Food Holzer Files 22:00 Kindred Spirits 09:40 Unomattina estate 09:50 Tg1 09:55 Dedicato 11:30 Tg1 14:15 The Simpsons 15:05 American Dad! 15:30 The Big Bang Academy 08:10 The Pioneer Woman 23:00 Mountain Monsters 11:35 Don Matteo 5 13:30 Tg1 14:00 Il pranzo è servitor 15:30 Theory 16:00 The Goldbergs 16:55 Superstore 17:20 Will & Grace 08:50 Man v Food 09:35 Beat Bobby Estate in diretta 16:45 Tg1/Economia 17:00 Che tempo fa 17:05 18:20 Studio aperto live 18:30 Studio aperto 19:30 CSI 21:20 Film: Flay 10:15 Tia Mowry at Home 11:00 Estate in diretta 18:45 Reazione a catena 20:00 Tg1 20:30 Soliti Point Break 23:40 Film: Cradle 2 the Grave The Kitchen 11:40 The Great Food MUSIC ignoti 21:25 La forma dell’acqua 23:45 Tg1 23:50 Source Code Truck Race 12:25 Diners, Drive-Ins MTV EUROPE 01:20 RaiNews24 and Dives 13:05 Chopped Junior MELITA 500 / GO TV 300 RETE 4 MELITA 153 / GO TV 124 13:50 Chopped 14:30 The Pioneer 06:55 Stasera Italia News 07:45 The A-Team 09:45 Distretto di Woman 15:15 Restaurant: Impossible 06:00 MTV Breakfast Club 09:35 RAIDUE MELITA 151 / GO TV 122 polizia 10:50 R.I.S. – Delitti imperfetti 12:00 Tg4 12:30 Il segreto 15:55 Cake Wars 16:40 Chopped Teen Mom UK 13:20 Are You the One? 06:00 Un caso per due 07:00 Charlie’s Angels 07:45 Heartland 13:00 Murder, She Wrote 14:00 Lo sportello di forum 15:30 17:20 Man v Food 18:05 Baked in 14:40 Catfish: The TV Show 16:40 08:30 Tg2 08:45 Desperate Housewives 10:10 Tg2 Italia estate Distretto Hamburg 21 16:10 Film: The Ugly American 19:00 Tg4 Vermont 18:25 Guy’s Grocery Games Ridiculousness 17:45 Ex on the Beach 11:05 Tg2 Flash 11:10 Tg Sport 11:20 Crociere di nozze 13:00 Tg2 19:35 Tempesta d’amore 20:30 Speciale Stasera Italia News 21:20 19:05 Chopped 19:50 Tournament of 18:30 The Challenge 19:30 Catfish: 13:30 Dribbling European Championships 14:00 Cycling – live 18:10 Zona bianca 00:35 Film: Effetto notte Champions 21:00 I Hart Food 21:20 The TV Show 20:55 Ridiculousness 20 | WEDNESDay, JUNE 30, 2021 timES of malta PURSUITS

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD EASY CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Shoot up a locomotive (6) 7 7 7. Way back (8) 8. Mary, transformed (4) 8 9 8 9 10. Jack and Sean embracing mum (6) 10 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 11. Cope, somehow, having £1 in coppers (6) 14 15 16 14 15 16 14. In many enterprises, there’s money (3) 17 18 19 20 17 18 19 20 16. Singer arranging a piece for cornet (5) 21 21 17. Andean cleric? (4) 19. Sent by tube (5) 22 23 24 25 21. Stared at a space-man? (5) 22 23 24 25 22. Assume it’s a hoax (3,2) 26 27 28 23. An upright position (4) 26 27 28 26. It’s easy to see for miles on 29 30 one (5) 29 30 28. Cockney’s diminutive boss (3) 31 29. Like a bird in the wake of a 31 ship (6) 32 30. Military display may be dear 32 to dad (6) 33 31. Abraham Lincoln, initial 33 victim of fratricide (4) 32. Coerces cavalrymen (8) 33. Attempting to be tedious (6) ACROSS 28. Meat (3) 12. Brown (3) DOWN 29. Edible seed (6) 13. Raises (5) 1. Suture (6) 30. Interment (6) 15. Shelter (5) 1. Like a rabble stirred or 7. Really (8) 31. Peruse (4) 18. Style of car (5) exploited? (6) 8. Rotary file (4) 32. Deficiency (8) 19. Wages (3) 2. Vital players (pianists, etc.?) 12. Was first to make that heavy 22. Food’s standard of niceness 10. Apish (6) 33. Squanders (6) 20. Alcoholic spirit (3,3) metal sound (3) (3) 11. Changes (6) (3) 3. Thankless word to find a 13. Those providing shelter for 23. Simply depend on turning up 14. Colour (3) DOWN 21. Biblical giant synonym for! (4) customers? (5) (6) 16. Friendly (5) (7) 4. Relegated, Tom’s upset 15. Northern part of Orpington, 24. Shape of Kennington? (4) 17. Skin problem (4) 1. Afternoon nap (6) 22. Speck (3) indeed (7) perhaps (5) 25. The contemptible fellow got 19. Heathen (5) 2. Hairpiece (6) 23. Badger (6) 5. Villain having a drink with 18. Bad things Elvis put right? (5) sorted  about time! (6) 21. Boy’s name (5) 3. Difficult (4) 24. Among (4) the soccer people (5) 19. Butter turns up in a staple 26. In ill humour, pay out 22. Senior member 4. Railway coach (7) 25. Fliers (6) 6. Creature possibly dead by diet (3) extremes of demand (5) (5) 5. Precipitation (5) 26. Cut (5) summer’s end (5) 20. A writer with quiet ways (3) 27. It’s bound to have maps (5) 23. Metal fastening 6. Romany (5) 27. Edible bulb (5) 8. A yam raising race? (4) 21. Where to keep a firearm with 28. Talk of a grand seaman (3) (4) 8. Blaze (4) 28. Shade (3) 9. Managed to get away fast? (3) a single chamber (3,4) 30. It’s all over dad’s shirt tail! (4) 26. Bobbin (5) 9. Free (3) 30. Make beer (4)

KAKURO WONDERWORD

Kakuro is a crossword that uses numbers. The “clues” are in the small HOw TO PLAY: All the words listed below appear in the puzzle – horizontally, vertically, triangles. The answers contain the numbers 1 through 9. The numbers diagonally and even backward. Find them, circle each letter of the word and strike it off the in an answer must add up to the clue. However, no number can be list. The leftover letters spell the wOnDERwORD. duplicated in an answer. MICKELSOn wInS PGA CHAMPIOnSHIP Solution: 11 letters

Alfred, Amanda, Amy McBride, Appearance, Away, Bravo, Caddie, Chant, Clubs, Driver, Equipment, Evan, Game, Hall of Fame, Haskins, Hole, Hope, Lauded, Main, Majors, Mary, Masters, Match, Mizzen, NCAA, Ocean, Powerful, Rankings, Record, Round, Sand, Shot, Show, Sophia, Stars, Tina, Tin Cup, Title, Tournament, Wedge, Week, Winner, Wins, Workday Inc.. YESTERDAY’S AnSwER: Protocols. times of malta WeDNesDay, JUNe 30, 2021 | 21

SUDOKU CODE CRACKER

Fill in the grid so that Each number in our Code Cracker grid represents a different letter of 584 3 every row, every the alphabet. You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. column and every 3x3 Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your box contains the digits knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing 4 1 through 9. squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the list of 286 alphabetical letters as you identify them. 8259 3 96 8 6 1 Easy 1586 43 5

CELEBRITY CIPHER

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

TODAY’S CLUE: T equals V YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS SEVEN LITTLE WORDS

Find the seven words to match the seven clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each 925438716 letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations 736215948 will be necessary to complete the puzzle. 841769235 372651894 168942357 459873162 597184623 284396571 613527489 CRYPTIC EASY ACROSS: 1. Straw 6. M-eat-y 9. Gateway 10. ACROSS: 1. Frail 6. Pinch 9. Neither 10. Fr-E-ed 11. Round 12. Deb-it 13. Caddies 15. Gnats 11. Girth 12. Judas 13. Topcoat 15. K-I’m 17. Idea 18. Men-ace 19. Sober 20. Gum 17. Omit 18. Mutate 19. Games Collie 22. Car-E 24. Hat 25. Crooked 26. 20. Eleven 22. Puma 24. Mad 25. Pivotal 26. Dec.-ay 27. Mimi-c 28. T-ox-in 29. Cave-d in Debut 27. Boxer 28. Edict 29. Natural 30. 30. Ch.-e’er 31. Paces. Cruel 31. Rests. DOWN: 2. Thread 3. A-gen.-da 4. Wad 5. DOWN: 2. Random 3. Intact 4. Les 5. Stout Med.-ES 6. Marine-R 7. Eyot 8. Tannic (rev.) 6. Pegasus 7. Iris 8. Catgut 12. Japan 13. 12. Defoe 13. C-inch 14. Dealt 15. Kayak 16. Totem 14. Pined 15. Gamut 16. Metal 18. Me-Wed 18. M-err-y 19. Sidecar 21. Oafish 22. Merit 19. General 21. Labour 22. Poodle 23. Corona 23. Retire 25. C-aged 26. Dice 28. Tip. Mascot 25. Put up 26. Dene 28. Ear.

22 | WEDNESDay, JUNE 30, 2021 timES of malta CLASSIFIEDS/EVENTS 10 years ago Thursday, June 30, 2011 Fine arts students take over Strait Street As part of the Valletta Cultural This exhibition thematically Filippa Debono, Marie Claire Agency 2021 cultural programme, focused on Dante’s Divina Com- Farrugia, Lisa Hirth, Matthew the Strada Stretta Concept and the media in commemoration Shirfield and Jeremy Spiteri. Department of Art and Art His- of the 700th anniversary of Strada Stretta Occupy forms tory at the University of Malta, in Dante’s death. part of The Strada Stretta collaboration with the Società The students participating in Concept programme under the Dante Alighieri, is presenting a this exhibition included Kylie artistic direction of Giuseppe two-part exhibition series titled Aquilina, Andrea Luca Bartolo, Schembri Bonaci. Strada Stretta Occupy by Students. Julia Schembri Bell, Martina Darmanin, Filippa Debono, Hay- The July exhibition is being held den Grima, Lisa Hirth, Sacha at The Splendid at 67, Strait Street, “Dissertation Scicluna, Matthew Shirfield and Valletta, and the Società Dante Jeremy Spiteri. Alighieri at 134, Old Bakery Street, projects by The July instalment will show- Valletta. COVID-19 restrictions final-year fine case the dissertation projects by apply. final-year fine arts students More information on the event arts students” from the Department of Art and the opening times of the and Art History at the University exhibition can be found on The The first part of the exhibition of Malta. Strada Stretta Concept and Val- was open to the public from June The participating students letta Cultural Agency pages on 21 to 28 and the second part will include Martina Darmanin, Facebook. be open from Friday to July 22. The June exhibition was a collab- oration between the second- and third-year fine arts students from the Department of Art and Art His- PIETÀ – 2/3 BEDROOM tory at the University of Malta. APARTMENT Larger than usual, bright and airy, third floor with lift. PROPERTY Fully furnished and ready to move into. FOR SALE €210,000. Freehold. 25 years ago Phone owner on 9944 7433. Sunday, June 30, 1996 GOZO, MARSALFORN. Furnished, central, two bedroom/two bath - room apartment, two balconies, lift. €178,000. Phone 9949 1115.

GOZO, XEWKIJA. Finished, built, two bedroom/two bathroom apartment, two balconies, lift. €178,000. Phone 7967 9111.

SITUATIONS VACANT

FUJI SUSHI, Cospicua requires a sushi chef with three years experience. Send CV to [email protected]

FULL-TIME live out carer required to look after an elderly gentleman. James Hayes, 19/1, Triq tal-Għoqod, Swieqi. For more details please phone 9907 7834.

KAVALLIER Security Services, Msida, invites applications for immediate employment as security guards/receptionists on full/part-time basis. Applicants are to be in possession of a valid private guard police licence. Good remuneration will be given to the selected applicants. Kindly Subscribe to our Premium content to get phone the operations manager on 9960 9089 or 2133 7119 access to our entire digital archives during office hours. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 23 SOCIAL AND PERSONAL/WEATHER

OBITUARY Fondly remembered in my Jeremy and Alexander. So loved thoughts and prayers. Sylvia. and so missed. Lord, grant him May he rest in peace. and my beloved mother ROSE RANSLEY. On May 22, in eternal peace. Margaret. London, NEVILLE, aged 76, BONETT – MARY. In everlasting passed away peacefully, after a memory and love of our dear GENOVESE. Cherished short illness, comforted by the mother, who was taken away memories of PAUL, especially rites of Holy Church. He leaves from us for her eternal rest 13 today the anniversary of his to mourn his loss his beloved years ago today. Never forgotten demise. Constantly in our wife Penny, his family, friends by her daughters Stephanie and thoughts and prayers. Mima, and the Brothers of the Bernard; Josianne and Lawrence Cynthia and Claire. Catenian Association. and her beloved grandsons The funeral was held in London. Francesco and Matteo. Please SAMMUT – GEORGE (1919- A Mass in Neville’s remembrance think of her and pray with us. 1984). We remember our father, will be held tomorrow, Lord, grant her eternal rest. a man of great principles, with Thursday, July 1, at St Julian’s a wonderful sense of humour parish church, at 7pm. CURMI. In everlasting memory and a superb pen. Our love and Lord, grant him eternal rest. of my dear father GEORGE who gratitude always. Cikki, Austin was called to eternal life nine and Rita, Julian and Karen. IN MEMORIAM years ago today. A caring grandfather to Simon and his wife Michelle and to Michael AZZOPARDI – MARK. On the and his wife Erica and great- 13th anniversary of his death. grandfather to Sebastian, Feast of St Michael of the Saints The feast of St Michael of the Saints, patron saint of cancer patients, will be celebrated at the Collegiate parish church of St Paul Shipwrecked, Valletta, on Friday. The Rosary will be recited at 6pm and Holy Mass, presided over by Canon David Torpiano, will follow at 6.30pm. Michael de Sanctis was born in Vic, Spain, on September 29, 1591. He became a Trinitarian friar in 1607 but died at a young age of 33. His generous service to the poor and the sick made him a com- passionate priest. Michael of the Saints was beatified by Pope Pius VI on May 24, 1779 and canonised by Pope Pius IX on June 8, 1862.

PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY (never known to fail) WEATHER FORECAST Fr Joseph Farrugia, first from left, with members of the O most beautiful flower of community after the celebration of Mass last Sunday. Seen also WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY is Mgr Anton Borg (second from left). PHOTO: CHARLES SPITERI Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin assist me in my Gozo family institute has new necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my HOT AND HOT AND HOT AND HOT AND HOT AND rector – Fr Joseph Farrugia mother. O Holy Mary Mother of SUNNY SUNNY SUNNY SUNNY SUNNY God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH The Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II family institute within the Gozo diocese I humbly beseech you from the has a new rector – Fr Joseph Farrugia. bottom of my heart to succour me 37˚C 37˚C 34˚C 35˚C 33˚C He will be replacing Mgr Anton Teuma who is now bishop of in my necessity. There are none LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW Gozo. Mgr Teuma was appointed rector of the institute in 2012. that can withstand your power. 27˚C 26˚C 23˚C 23˚C 23˚C Fr Farrugia, a psychologist from the parish of Għarb, has been O show me here you are my mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray offering his services at the institute since 2017, including the cele- NW F2 TO 3 VAR F2 TO 3 NW F3 TO 4 bration of Mass and leading formation courses for couples and for us who have recourse to thee. BECOMING NW F2 TO 3 BECOMING VAR F2 TO 3 BECOMING O Holy Mary, I place this families during summer. WSW F3 N F3 TO 4 WNW F4 TO 5 cause in your hands. During the past year Fr Farrugia was also leading the Eucharistic Thank you for your mercy UV INDEX 11 UV INDEX 11 UV INDEX 11 UV INDEX 10 UV INDEX 10 Community founded within the institute by Mgr Teuma. towards me and mine. Fr Farrugia also leads the Ta’ Pinu Counselling Centre, the Safe- AMEN OBSERVATIONS guarding of Minors of the Gozo diocese and the new Pastoral Min- C.C.Z Humidity: 39%. Rainfall average last 24 hours (as at midnight, istry institute (IPM). yesterday): Nil. Rainfall average since September 1: 357.0mm. He is currently running a course on how to safeguard minors. This prayer must be said for three days and after the request is granted, Sunrise: 5.48am. Sunset: 8.22pm. The course, held at the family institute, is being followed by a good this prayer must be published. number of participants from all walks of life. Cancer patients need blood often, kindly support... donate blood! 24 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA SPORT

TENNIS WIMBLEDON Serena hobbles out injured as Federer survives scare American legend Serena As a result, 27 singles matches court with the Spaniard’s mother Williams’s dreams of winning an had to be deferred to today and Maria wiping away a tear. eighth Wimbledon singles title men’s doubles matches will be the “She is a fighter, an incredible and equalling Margaret Court’s best of three sets in the first and competitor and lovely person and Grand Slam record of 24 ended in second rounds as organisers try I cannot find one bad word to say tears yesterday. to get the schedule back on track. about her,” said Barty. The 39-year-old was leading 3-1 Federer arrived on the back of “She is a genuine champion in the first set of her first round a disappointing second round and will be sorely missed.” match against Aliaksandra Sas- exit at Halle, a tournament he all novich of Belarus when she but owns having won it 10 times slipped and had to have her left but said he was pumped up for ‘Stop wasting our time’ ankle examined. Wimbledon. Russian second seed Daniil She returned from receiving The 39-year-old eight-time sin- Medvedev went through with medical attention but called it gles champion looked to be more a 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) win quits at 3-3 and walked off Centre deflated than pumped up when over Jan-Lennard Struff of Court in tears. he trailed Frenchman Adrian Germany. It is the first time in 20 appear- Mannarino by two sets to one. “I was a bit surprised by the ances that Williams has bowed out However, already a break up in first two sets that I managed to in the first round of Wimbledon. the fourth and looking more like win so easy, that’s why Grand “Brutal for @serenawilliams the Federer of old the match Slams are funny,” said but centre court is extremely turned when Mannarino tumbled Medvedev. slippy out there. Not easy to move towards the end of the fourth set. Serena Williams suffered Australian men’s number one out there,” tweeted British star His fall was at the same end of an ankle injury, forcing Alex de Minaur lost in four sets to Andy Murray. Centre Court which was also to her out of Wimbledon. Sebastian Korda, two days after Williams, who also had strap- claim Williams. the victor’s sister Nelly won her ping on her right thigh, hasn’t His 33rd birthday turned into first golf major. won a Slam since the 2017 Aus- a nightmare as he had to retire at Barty’s Spanish opponent Barty opened on Centre Court Benoit Paire did not escape the tralian Open. 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 3-6, 6-2. made sure her 11th and final ap- – an honour usually given to the ire of the match umpire in his Earlier, Swiss legend Roger “He was the better player, he pearance at The Championships defending champion – due to 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 defeat by Diego Federer and Australia’s world could have won, I got a bit lucky,” went the distance just months Simona Halep having withdrawn Schwartzman. number one Ashleigh Barty both said Federer. after returning from a winning through injury. He received a warning from progressed but only after over- “That’s how it goes sometimes, fight against cancer. The 25-year-old lost focus when the umpire for not trying as two coming scares. you don’t get many walkovers and Barty is bidding to add the se- serving for the match in the sec- sets down overnight he lost the They at least were able to play to try not to have it happen to yourself.” nior singles Wimbledon title to ond set but dominated the third third 6-0 in just 15 minutes. their schedule due to the roof on Barty came through 6-1, 6-7 her 2011 junior crown on the to go through. One spectator was moved to Centre Court but those on the out- (1/7), 6-1 against Carla Suarez 50th anniversary of her fellow in- However, she joined in the shout at the disinterested side courts had to kick their heels Navarro in a match filled with digenous Australian’s Evonne standing ovation for Suarez Frenchman “Stop wasting our for several hours due to rain. emotion on Centre Court. Goolagong Cawley’s first title. Navarro as the 32-year-old left the time.”

SPORTS ROUND-UP

TENNIS RUGBY UNION FORMULA ONE Former Olympic Games gold medal- Wingers Rosko Specman and Aphelele Fassi Zhou Guanyu will take a major step towards becoming list Stan Wawrinka (picture) yes- will debut for South Africa as the world the first full-time Chinese driver in Formula One after terday joined the growing list of champions play for the first time since the Alpine team announced he will take part in practice players withdrawing from the November 2019 when they meet Georgia at this weekend’s Austrian GP. The 22-year-old from Tokyo Olympics. Three-time in Pretoria on Friday. Only six of the Shanghai, who tops the F2 standings, will borrow the Grand Slam title winner team that started against the English car of two-time former world champion Fernando Wawrinka, who won an were included in the run-on team to Alonso for the first free practice session on Friday. Zhou Olympic title in men’s doubles face the Georgians in the first interna- called his first time behind the wheel in Formula One alongside Roger Federer at tional of a two-Test series. practice “a dream coming true”. Beijing in 2008, has undergone surgery on his left foot. The 36- BASKETBALL, NBA ATHLETICS year-old hasn’t played on the tour since Doha in March. “He is Paul George scored 41 points as the Los Britain’s Mo Farah has vowed to end his career on a high very disappointed not to be able to Angeles Clippers kept their NBA Western note despite failing to earn a chance to defend his play in the Games and represent Conference finals series alive with a battling Olympic 10,000m crown in Tokyo. Farah won the 5,000m Switzerland in Tokyo,” said a statement 116-102 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on and 10,000m double at both the London and Rio by his management team. “But he is work- Monday. With the Suns poised to clinch a series vic- Olympics. But the 38-year-old will not compete in Japan ing hard on his recovery.” Wawrinka joins Rafael Nadal, tory in front of an expectant home crowd, George once after falling short in his final qualification bid. “At the Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Dominic Thiem in again put the Clippers on his back to stave off elimina- moment in my career, I feel like I’m not finished yet. I withdrawing from the Games which start on July 23. tion from the postseason. know I can do it and I will not end it like this,” he said. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 25 SPORT

AQUATIC SPORT INTERVIEW Artistic Swimming... not as easy as it looks Few people are aware that artistic swimming was brought to Malta in 2010 by two Japanese athletes and the sport is thriving. Maltese swimmers have already started to make a name for themselves on the international scene. National coach MICHELLE HUBNER, spoke to Maria Vella-Galea ahead of the team’s participation in the European Championships at the National Pool today...

Michelle Hubner was not re- The Malta Artistic competitions against athletes ally interested in artistic swim- Swimming national team. from all around the globe. ming when it was “The lack of motivation due recommended to her by her to the challenges COVID-19 put swimming coach. the swimmers through was one There was a lot of convincing of my major concerns but both from her mother and her thankfully technology helped to coach until she decided to take mitigate the situation we were the proverbial plunge. Sixteen in.” years later, she is still going strong. Hubner’s competitive profile Calendar of events has seen her compete for 14 A national calendar of events years, 10 of which as part of the was set up and the first compe- Bulgarian national team. titions were hosted in Novem- As a national team athlete, ber 2020 and judged by a panel she represented her country in of international judges. several solo and duet events at Towards the end of the year, the FINA World Series. Her two artistic swimming clubs, sights were firmly set on the supported by the ASA, orga- Tokyo Olympic Games but in- nized a Christmas Gala wherein jury put paid to her attempts, parents could enjoy their chil- thus ending a much desired dren’s performances in spite of dream. the ongoing pandemic. In an at- Hubner has now focused her tempt to make the event more attention towards coaching accessible to the public, the and has been in charge of the as swimming, dancing and between five and 17 who regu- where athletes undertake flexi- event was streamed online. Maltese national team since gymnastics. It requires great larly train in the sport. bility and strength exercises as As we sat down for this inter- December 2020. strength, endurance, flexibility, When asked if there is any well as ballet and acrobatics. view, Hubner and her team had To the uninitiated, until 2017, artistry and exceptional breath kind of special criteria to start Training then proceeds in the just returned from a highly suc- the sport was referred to as Syn- control under water. Routines training in artistic swimming, pool where athletes focus on cessful participation in the first chronised Swimming, but even- include twists, pointed toes, Michelle states that preferably, specific elements of their rou- International Competition in tually it changed its name to lifts, and splits and because athletes need to be able to swim tines. Training involves a de- Blagoevgrad (Bulgaria). Their Artistic Swimming. routines are based on musical beforehand. gree of changes here and there performances brought home A combination of sports and pieces, swimmers need to have However, dedication and love in order to meet the diverse three silver and two bronze performing arts, artistic swim- a good feel for music. for the sport are at times even needs of each athlete. medals. ming is also referred to as Artistic Swimming in Malta more important than the actual No discussion or conversa- This participation will serve “water ballet”. was introduced in 2010 by Saho physical activities. tion is complete without a men- the national team well in its For most of its existence, the Harada and Naoko Kawashima “Although artistic swimming tion of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparations for the Junior Eu- sport was a women’s sport, – two of Japan’s leading artistic is a relatively young sport in but Hubner is highly optimistic. ropean Championship which however this changed in 2015, swimmers. Both represented Malta, it is growing pretty fast. “Of course there were many get under way today at the Na- when a mixed duet routine was their country in the 2004 The girls are incredibly hard- challenges that the athletes had tional Pool. introduced during the World Olympic Games in Athens working and talented, so the fu- to contend with but in spite of Hubner, concludes the inter- Championships, held in Kazan, (Greece) and emerged bronze ture of the sport looks very everything huge progress has view by expressing her hope Russia. The introduction of winners in the team event. promising” said Hubner. been made,” Hubner said. of a less fluid COVID-19 situa- this routine eventually allowed In 2008, in Beijing (China) “We also have our first male “For example, for four months tion which will enable the male swimmers to compete in Harada and Kawashima once athlete and hope that he will in- of last year, access to pools team to travel more and gain solo and duet events on an in- again emerged as Olympic spire more males to start train- was forbidden, many competi- more experience at interna- ternational level, making the medallists having won Bronze ing in the sport” tions were postponed or can- tional level. Nevertheless, sport even more attractive to in the duet competition. Artistic swimming is a team celled. But like everyone else, we their attention is fully focused the public. Hubner explained that, artis- sport and therefore athletes had to adjust. With the help of on the forthcoming European Artistic swimmers are re- tic swimming is a fast growing train together for most of the modern technology, athletes Championships for which quired to incorporate skills sport and currently, there are time. The training system is were able to attend online train- they hope to give a strong and from various disciplines such around 150 swimmers, aged complex – starting off on land ing sessions as well as virtual solid performance. 26 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA SPORT

FOOTBALL EURO 2020 KNOCK-OUT STAGES FIXTURES...

ROUND OF 16 PLAYED MONDAY PLAYED SATURDAY 5. Croatia vs Spain...... (aet) 3-5 1. Wales vs Denmark...... 0-4 (Parken Stadium, Copenhagen) Czechs frustrated (Amsterdam Arena) 6. France vs Switzerland...... 3-3 2. Italy vs Austria ...... (aet) 2-1 (Switzerland win 5-4 on pens) (Wembley Stadium, London) (National Arena, Bucharest) by Baku trip for PLAYED ON SUNDAY PLAYED YESTERDAY 3. Netherlands vs Czech Rep...... 0-2 7. England vs Germany...... 2-0 (Puskas Arena, Budapest) (Wembley Stadium, London) 4. Belgium vs Portugal ...... 1-0 8. Sweden vs Ukraine ...(aet) 1-2 quarter-final (La Cartuja Stadium, Seville) (Hampden Park, Glasgow) QUARTER-FINALS The Czech Republic expect a tough Euro 2020 quarter-final The Czechs will be without FRIDAY, JULY 2 SATURDAY, JULY 3 against Denmark this week- most of their fans in their 9. Switzerland vs Spain .....18.00 11. Czech Rep vs Denmark..18.00 end, but they are more con- game against Denmark. (St Petersburg, Russia) (Baku, Azerbaijan) cerned about the trip to Baku that will likely discourage FRIDAY, JULY 2 SATURDAY, JULY 3 many fans from attending the 10. Belgium vs Italy ...... 21.00 12. Ukraine vs England ...... 21.00 game. (Football Arena, Munich) (Olympic Stadium, Rome) The Czechs got a taste of what post-COVID football SEMI-FINALS may be like when they beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Bu- TUESDAY, JULY 6 WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 dapest on Sunday in a packed A. Winner 10 vs Winner 9 ..21.00 B. Winner 11 vs Winner 12 ..21.00 stadium including 7,000 Czech (Wembley Stadium) (Wembley Stadium) fans. But it will be far more diffi- cult for supporters to travel to FINAL the Azerbaijani capital for Sat- urday’s last-eight tie. SUNDAY, JULY 11 – WEMBLEY STADIUM “I don’t understand this and Winner semi-final A vs Winner Semi-final B ...... 21.00 I haven’t got over it yet,” mid- fielder Antonin Barak told re- porters yesterday. gether with proof of complete “We will fly this distance “We won’t be able to get our vaccination or immunity upon knowing that there are only fans and our families there. If arrival, the ministry says. three days between this game we played in Copenhagen, they The shortest plane trip avail- and the semi-final,” he said, (Denmark) would be at home able between Prague and Baku with the winner of the Baku but we could still get lots of before the game takes nine hours game due to play the semi-final Czech fans there.” with a change in Istanbul. at Wembley on July 7. Their support in the group Travellers will need another But Barak, Schick and Chytry stage was reduced to just negative PCR test to get back to have all agreed there is little handfuls of fans due to the Czech Republic. they can do. COVID restrictions in Britain Chytry, slamming the “unfor- COVID label of a very high-risk “It must be quite a thinker “We have to focus on the where they played all three tunate decision”. country on Azerbaijan. who came up with this. It’s a game, whatever the conditions games. “We think the fans would tragedy,” Czech forward Patrik are,” said Barak. “Concerning Baku, we are deserve more than just Schick said after the Nether- “It will be the same for terribly sorry because in Bu- this one opportunity,” he Restrictions lands game. the Danes, it’s even farther dapest we experienced a real added. Czechs entering Azerbaijan Chytry said there were more for them, so it doesn’t make Euro atmosphere for the first The Czech foreign ministry will need a visa and have to complications linked to the sense to clog up your head with time,” said assistant coach Jiri has slapped the dark red present a negative PCR test to- Baku trip. this.” Former Malta coach Dobrev dies aged 73 Maltese football woke up yesterday appointed Malta NT coach at the start of stint with Mosta FC in the 1st Division talented players in the national team era mourning the loss of former national 1984. between 1988 and 1991, returning to the such as John Buttigieg, Ray Vella, coach Guentcho Dobrev, aged 73. “The Bulgarian mentor managed to ob- club in 1999-2000. Michael Degiorgio, and Carmel Busuttil, The Bulgarian coach was named as tain some prestigious results, like a 2-2 “He also had three short spells in the just to name a few. Malta coach on May 23, 1984 at a time away draw against Portugal in a Euro Premier Division with Sliema Wander- In all, Dobrev led the national team for when the MFA was looking to revamp its qualifier (1987) a goalless home draw ers (92/93), Xghajra Tornados 21 matches, managing one win four national team with the introduction of against Czechoslovakia in a World Cup (2000/01) and Ħamrun Spartans draws and 16 defeats. the professional scheme. qualifier (1985) and a 1-1 draw against (2003/04), apart from two short peri- During his time in charge, the national The Malta Football Association Switzerland in another Euro qualifier in ods with St Patrick (91/92 & 93/94) in team produced some eye-catching per- issued a statement to pay tribute to 1987. In December 1984, the 1st Division. Dobrev also worked as formances which included a 3-2 defeat Dobrev. “Dobrev coached the Malta team who head coach of several youth nurseries, to West Germany at the National Sta- “The Malta Football association is stretched West Germany to the limit at Ta’ helping to develop football talent on dium and a 2-2 draw against Portugal in deeply saddened by the news of the Qali in a memorable match, won 2-3 by the the islands. Funchal. demise of former national team coach Germans. Dobrev’s last match was a home “The Association expresses its deepest After he stepped down as national Gencho Dobrev, who passed away yester- match against Portugal (0-1) in December condolences to Gencho’s family and team coach Dobrev also worked a lot in day evening at the age of 73. 1987, before being replaced by Horst Heese. friends. May he rest in peace.” grassroot football in Malta, inspiring “Dobrev, an ex-Akademik and Levski “He remained active in coaching on During his period as national team several young players to the Beautiful Sofia player between1959 and 1966, was the island however, with a successful coach, Dobrev had some of the most Game. times of malta WeDNesDaY, juNe 30, 2021 | 27 SPORT

FOOTBALL EURO 2020 England end Germany curse Raheem Sterling and Harry scampering through the Ger- Kane fired England into the Harry Kane scores many defence on the stroke of Euro 2020 quarter-finals as England’s second goal at half-time. they sealed a 2-0 win against Wembley Stadium. Yet when the ball ran to Kane, Germany that ended decades of he was too slow to apply the fin- hurt at the hands of their bitter ishing touch as he rounded rivals yesterday. Neuer and Mats Hummels’ Sterling struck with 15 min- tackle snuffed out the danger. utes left in a tense last 16 tie at Havertz’s blistering half-vol- Wembley before Kane clinched ley forced a superb tip over England’s first knockout stage from Pickford soon after the in- victory over Germany since terval, but Southgate made a 1966. game-defining change when he In the 55 years since England sent on Jack Grealish for beat the Germans in the World Bukayo Saka. Cup final, the Three Lions had endured a painful litany of de- feats against Die Mannschaft Grealish shines when the stakes were highest. Grealish’s presence immedi- England were eliminated ately brought more energy to from the 1970, 1990 and 2010 England and in the 75th minute World Cups by Germany, who they finally delivered the also beat them in the Euro 96 knockout blow. semi-finals at Wembley. Grealish worked the ball wide But Gareth Southgate’s side to Luke Shaw and his low cross have finally exorcised the reached Sterling, who pounced ghosts of Paul Gascoigne’s with a clinical close-range tears and their own manager’s finish to send Wembley into penalty miss 25 years ago. ecstasy. England produced a gritty dis- It was only England’s second For Germany manager especially since his decision to Mueller should have equalised play capped by clinical finishes knockout stage win in the his- Joachim Loew, it was an agonis- switch to a three-man defence to when Havertz’s pass sent him from Sterling, who now has tory of the European Champi- ing end to his reign as he pre- match up with the German for- clean through, but the Bayern three goals in the tournament, onship and their first victory pares to step down after the mation paid off. Munich star rolled his shot wide and Kane – who at last bagged over Germany at Wembley tournament. England needed a tone-set- and fell to the turf in dismay. his first of the competition. since 1975. Loew, who led Germany to ting moment to ease their visi- Kane made Mueller pay in the England, yet to concede a goal “We talked about bringing World Cup glory in 2014, said: ble anxiety early on and 86th minute as he finished off a in the tournament, head to enjoyment to the nation and “We didn’t take advantage of Sterling provided it as he drove lethal England counter-attack Rome on Saturday for a quar- afternoons like this are what two great opportunities with forward for a 25-yard blast that with a diving header past Neuer ter-final against Ukraine, who that’s about,” Southgate said. Mueller and Werner. forced a fine save from Manuel from Grealish’s cross. beat Sweden 2-1 after extra time “We deserved the win. The “The team gave everything Neuer. During the first day of Eng- in Scotland. players were absolutely im- but we were not clinical Germany almost snatched the land’s Euro camp at St George’s Chasing a first major interna- mense, right the way through enough. You know every lead as Kai Havertz played an Park, Southgate showed his tional trophy since 1966, Eng- the team. mistake can be fatal. We lack a inch-perfect pass to Timo squad a motivational video fea- land’s side of the draw looks “But I’ve had to say to them little experience in certain Werner inside the England turing some of the team’s great- wide open, with a potential straight away; I’m the party- situations.” area, but he shot straight at Jor- est victories. semi-final against Denmark or pooper because if we don’t cap- Always keen to deflect atten- dan Pickford. Now they have added their the Czech Republic unlikely to italise on that on Saturday, then tion, Southgate will have relished A misplaced pass from own chapter to the list of Eng- strike fear into their hearts. it doesn’t count for anything.” his moment of redemption, Thomas Mueller sent Sterling land’s finest moments.

Ukraine edge past Sweden Ukraine progressed into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 yesterday after a late extra- time goal by Artem Dovbyk broke the hearts of 10-man Sweden 2-1 at Hampden Park. Ukraine talisman Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the score with a powerful shot, before Emil Forsberg tied things up before the break. But substitute Dovbyk got the last laugh with a winner in extra time. 28 | WEDNESDAY, juNE 30, 2021 timES of mAltA

CHARMAINE GAUCI Superintendent for Public Health Why is the Delta variant spreading so fast? Malta’s Superintendent for Public Health takes questions from Times of Malta readers.

All COVID-19 vaccines in use at cate. If you do not have an E-ID the moment have been granted account, you can select the al- a special licence by the EMA, a ternative login function and conditional marketing autho- proceed with your application. risation, because as yet the If one loses the vaccine certifi- clinical data available, espe- cate, the vaccine certificates can cially for long-term effects, is be generated more than once, not comprehensive. Is there a however, each new certificate body to which GPs and other will revoke the previous certifi- medical professionals are en- cate. Therefore, only the most couraged to report symptoms recent vaccine certificate gener- which they encounter in pa- ated will be valid. tients that might be related to the vaccines? – Noel Tanti Why is the Delta variant Before COVID-19 vaccines spreading so fast? Will vac- were granted an EU marketing cines still work? – Julia Sam- authorisation, the efficacy and mut safety of the vaccine were as- ECDC have published an as- sessed through pre-clinical sessment on the implications studies and large clinical trials. for the EU/EEA on the spread of Like all medicines, these vac- the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) cines can cause side effects, al- variant of concern. This report though not everybody will outlined the findings which experience them. The most were based on global data sub- common side effects known are As from tomorrow, a person in possession of a vaccination certificate can stay without a mask mitted to GISAID (global sci- usually mild or moderate and in public spaces. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER ence initiative and primary get better within a few days source that provides open-ac- after vaccination. cess to genomic data of in- Pharmacovigilance is the sci- safety of medicines. Its compo- gathering for whatever occa- person who does not have the fluenza viruses and the ence and activities relating to nents facilitate electronic re- sion cannot have more than vaccination certificate who is re- coronavirus responsible for the the detection, assessment, un- porting of suspected adverse four households in a private sponsible for any breaches. COVID-19 pandemic). derstanding and prevention of reactions related to medicines residence. It has been estimated that the adverse effects or any other and the effective analysis of I am trying to generate the effective reproductive number medicine-related problem. data. This enables the detection Am I responsible for verifying vaccine certificate. When for the Delta variant is 55 per The scope is to prevent any of potential safety issues. that a person I walk with in can I apply for my vaccine cent higher than the Alpha VOC possible harm from adverse re- public without a mask from certificate? Can I use the and 97 per cent higher relative actions in humans arising from I would like to have a small July 1 is vaccinated? Do I risk a card they provided me from to non-variant of concern or in- the use of authorised medicinal wedding celebration in the gar- fine if someone tells me they the vaccination centre? I terest. This increased transmis- products and to promote the den of a private residence. We have a vaccine certificate, don’t have an E-ID, what can sion has been seen in the UK safe and effective use of medici- are hoping to have around 40 when in reality they do not? – I do? – Fiona Mizzi where the Delta variant spread nal products. A reporting sys- people on tables of six, each Danny Kruse The vaccine certificate can be rapidly and, as of June 14 ac- tem was introduced in Malta for two metres apart. We will en- As from tomorrow, July 1, a issued 14 days after taking the counted for 91 per cent of se- all medicines in May 2004 which sure all rules concerning social person or a group of up to two second dose of the Pfizer, Mod- quenced cases. is the primary means of data distancing and face coverings persons who are in possession erna or AstraZeneca vaccine or Available evidence indicates collection for post-authorisa- are followed. Would this be of a vaccination certificate the single dose in the case of that those who have only re- tion safety surveillance of permissible? – Maria Vella which is issued in that official the Johnson & Johnson vac- ceived the first dose of a two- medicinal products in Malta. In accordance with the leg- form, and with regards a vac- cine. You will not be allowed to dose vaccination course are Healthcare professionals are islation titled, ‘Groups of Per- cine, recognised and approved apply for the vaccine certificate less protected against infec- encouraged to report all ADRs sons in Residential Properties by the Superintendent of Public before the lapse of this time. tion with the Delta variant to the Medicines Authority Regulations, 2021’, groups of Health, can stay without a mask The vaccination card is the than against other variants, re- using a specific reporting form. persons who respectively be- in public spaces. This will also paper card given to you at the gardless of the vaccine type. EudraVigilance (European tween them live in more than apply for children aged less than vaccine centre containing de- However, full vaccination pro- Union Drug Regulating Author- four different residences 12 years when in the company of tails of your vaccine and ap- vides nearly equivalent protec- ities Pharmacovigilance) is the shall not gather in a residen- a person who is in possession of pointment dates. This is not tion against the Delta variant EU system for monitoring the tial property. Therefore, any a vaccination certificate. It is the recognised as an official certifi- as for the Alpha variant.

Have any questions to ask the superintendent? Send an e-mail to [email protected].