Sunday, June 5, 2022 | No. ,9 www.timesofmalta.com | €!.!

Malta sat on German

arrest warrant for a year
IVAN MARTIN rant issued by Germany. He is wanted in Ger-
many over a tax evasion probe and separately in
Malta over his alleged involvement in a racket at

the gaming regulator.
The authorities sat on a German arrest warrant for He was arrested while on holiday in Italy last
wanted gaming consultant Iosif Galea for nearly a month as part of a group that included former
year and it has still not been fully processed.  prime minister Joseph Muscat.
The matter is the subject of a review by the Times of Malta has learnt that the Maltese po-
independent police complaints board, which is lice essentially sat on the German request for
Mark and Moira Vassallo: “I miss that we can’t share looking into how Galea was allowed some nine months.
moments together anymore”. to travel out of the country repeatedly despite
being the subject of a European Arrest War- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘Reopen TOWERING INFERNO

the case’
Wife’s appeal after botched
charge sheet acquittal
MARK LAURENCE killed on his motorcycle as
ZAMMIT he was driving in Pietà on
the way to Valletta on August
22, 2018.
The inquiry found that as
The wife of a man who was traffic was moving slowly on
killed in a road accident has the inner lane, a young man
formally asked the Attorney driving a car behind Vas-
General to reopen the case sallo, negligently hit him,
after the court acquitted the thrusting him on to the vehi- The 15th August fireworks factory in the limits of Mosta was destroyed in a powerful blast
accused following a series of cle in front of them. yesterday. Two men were injured while nine others walked out unscathed. Picture shows
police mistakes. Moira Vas- one of the powerful explosions captured by Times of Malta photographer Matthew Mirabelli.
sallo’s husband, Mark, was CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 SEE STORY ON PAGE 6
2 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

EDITORIAL
The arrest warrant cock-up
We keep hoping that the culture of im- consultant Iosif Galea. The former com- Today’s front-page story shows a rant. The police first appear to give him
punity, nurtured under the watch of for- pliance officer at the then Lotteries and chronicle of errors which led to this their blessing to holiday abroad and
mer prime minister Joseph Muscat and Gaming Authority, forerunner of the embarrassing episode. Whether it’s in- then say he is on the run. An investiga-
culminating in the murder of Daphne Malta Gaming Authority, is wanted by competence or corrupt practices or tion will now be conducted by the Inde-
Caruana Galizia, is no longer with us. the police in connection with the leak- sheer lack of police resources which led pendent Police Complaints Board,
The public inquiry into Caruana Gal- age of confidential information. to Galea falling off the radar, the coun- which appears to be only ‘independent’
izia’s assassination spoke of the “scan- The German authorities, who are also try can ill afford such incidents, espe- in name. In its latest evaluation report,
dalous” and “disgusting” way in which after Galea over suspected tax evasion cially as it waits to find out whether it GRECO noted “no new information has
the forces of law and order failed to act and financial crime, issued a European will this month be taken off the so- been provided as to the guarantees of
on serious allegations of abuse of arrest warrant last year. called greylist of untrustworthy juris- independence of the IPCB”. A truly inde-
power, financial crime, corruption and The police in Malta failed to set the dictions. pendent, and, preferably, public inquiry
maladministration. ball rolling on the European arrest war- There is also a mounting perception would have been more in order given the
It does not appear the findings per- rant until January. Meanwhile, the At- that while the authorities are clamping serious nature of the case.
turbed the government, as attested by torney General has so far not provided down harshly on the man on the street, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà
comments made by a delegation from the Maltese police with the necessary those with connections in circles of in- can certainly be credited with injecting
the European Parliament’s civil liber- authorisation to arrest Galea. Not so the fluence remain out of reach for the arm discipline within the police force but
ties committee who visited Malta last Italian police, who arrested him on his of the law. Why was Galea given permis- he has still to prove beyond reasonable
month. arrival for a holiday with a group that in- sion to travel while on police bail, just doubt that he meant what he pledged
The delegation welcomed a number of cluded Joseph Muscat. days away from the arraignment of the soon after his appointment: “Names do
reforms initiated or put on the political For the record, the former prime min- man he is suspected of paying off? not impress me. They never did and
agenda since its last visit in December ister insists he never had any personal or Can we put our minds at rest there was they will not now. I have always be-
2019. However, it said that most of the rec- professional relationship with Galea, who no political interference? The police not lieved that. I am in the force to serve. I
ommendations are yet to be implemented is the partner of Michelle Muscat’s former only failed to act on a European arrest am not going to fear anybody.”
or completed. The verdict is unequivocal. assistant. Whether a former prime min- warrant but even allowed Galea to travel The Galea cock-up and the apparent
The “web of control” that the public ister should be holidaying with notorious while being investigated over “financial reluctance to act against certain high-
inquiry spoke about again manifested individuals, whether he knows them inti- crime”. Then, once arrested in Italy, they profile officials, including former po-
itself in the scandalous case of gaming mately or not, is a subject for another day. too requested a European arrest war- lice officers, indicates otherwise.

CONTACT US QUOTES OF THE WEEK WEATHER FORECAST

GENERAL ENQUIRIES “Never had any personal or professional relationship
with Galea.” – JOSEPH MUSCAT ON IOSIF GALEA WHO WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
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the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 3

NATIONAL

Opposiion wns
Josep Musc o
nswer quesions
on Elecrogs
JACOB BORG The government has thrown tens of
millions of euros at subsidising energy
prices to protect consumers from the ex-
plosion in prices.
Opposition MPs want former prime min- Parliament’s probe into the Electrogas
ister Joseph Muscat to face a parliamen- deal has made slow progress ever since
tary grilling on the Electrogas project. it started investigating the project in Then prime minister Joseph Muscat inaugurating the Electrogas power station in
Muscat is among a lengthy list of 84 December 2020. 2018. PHOTO: DOI
witnesses the opposition wants to ques-
tion in the public accounts committee “Labour MPs have been
(PAC) hearing on the Electrogas contract Speaker Anlu Farrugia is set to rule This difference in treatment was of
investigation. keen to get the opposition to on whether demands by Labour for the concern to the NAO for it indicated that
The committee’s hearing is based on a
2018 report on the contract by the Na-
commit to time frames for opposition to justify the reason behind
summoning each of the 84 witnesses is
the level of assurance sought with re-
spect to the bid by Electrogas was not ap-
tional Audit Office. the Electrogas investigation necessary. plied in the case of the bid by the
Other witnesses include Muscat’s to be completed” Endeavor Consortium.
then-chief of staff Keith Schembri, po- Despite the “considerable number of
lice commissioner Angelo Gafà and Regular wrangling among its mem- What had thE NatIONaL instances of non-compliance with the
Prime Minister Robert Abela. bers and weeks of filibustering by for- aUdIt OFFICE FOUNd? minimum requirements” noted by the
The gas-fired power station project mer energy minister Mizzi has stage-two evaluation committee, the
was a key policy plank in Labour’s ascent contributed to the snail’s pace of the A 500-page NAO report had found the submissions by the ElectroGas Consor-
to power in 2013. hearings. Electrogas bid did not comply with min- tium and the Endeavor Consortium
Suspicions have since been cast on Last Thursday, the committee spent imum requirements to win the power were recommended to proceed to the
whether the deal was sewn up prior to two hours arguing over whether the op- station contract on “multiple instances”. ensuing stages of evaluation, the auditor
the election. position can summon witnesses without While the NAO said material shortcom- general said.
Last December, Schembri and former providing a justification for hearing ings were found in the Electrogas bid and In the report, the NAO acknowledged
energy minister Konrad Mizzi were their testimony. that of the other shortlisted finalist, the that the stage-two evaluation committee
slapped with US travel bans over “credi- Labour MPs have been keen to get the op- Endeavor Consortium, both bids were was “limited in terms of options avail-
ble information of a corrupt scheme” in position to commit to time frames for the deemed to be materially complete. able” to it, and in the circumstances, al-
the Electrogas contract. Electrogas investigation to be completed. The report found that the selection lowing for the rectification of deviations
Muscat continues to defend the deal to PN MPs have pushed back at the re- committee only referred matters for from the minimum requirements at a
this day, claiming it helped shelter Malta quest, insisting the committee’s work legal consideration with respect to the later stage in the process represented a
from the global spike in energy prices. cannot be put on a deadline. Electrogas submission. reasonable course of action.
4 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

NATIONAL

No approval to arrest Iosif Galea yet

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 mation leaked from the gaming Prior to his arrest in Italy,
regulator. Galea had been put on police
Malta first received notice of Meanwhile, the Attorney Gen- bail by Maltese investigators.
the German EAW for Galea in eral has so far not provided the This is when a person being
May 2021. Maltese police with the neces- questioned in relation to an in-
Once a warrant of this nature sary authorisation to arrest vestigation is released but told
is received, the police cannot Galea for the German EAW, not to leave the country as they
automatically arrest the subject meaning that even if he had not may still be needed for further
but instead must seek authori- gone on that holiday to Italy, questioning. '
sation from the office of the At- Malta would still not be able to Galea was given permission
torney General. arrest him and send him over to to travel out of Malta in May by
It turns out that the police Germany. ' the Maltese police. 'The officer
inspector assigned to refer the that approved this bail is ex-
matter to the AG only did so pected to also be questioned by
around nine months after “Prior to his arrest the complaints board. '
it was first received, sending a Concerns have been raised
request at the end of last
in Italy, Galea had about the complaints board re-
January. been put on police view, with activists and even a
Sources said the Maltese in- police union, saying a fully in-
spector responsible will be bail by Maltese dependent public inquiry
quizzed by the complaints
board in the coming days,
investigators” should be carried out instead. '
Galea is'wanted'by Malta po-
adding that the delay was “not lice to face charges over his sus-
normal” and warranted an ex- Sources said that while the pected involvement in a racket
planation. AG’s office had been in contact that saw commercially sensitive
Galea was arrested in Italy with their German counter- information leaked from within Iosif Galea is wanted by Malta police to face charges over his
nearly two weeks later by the parts, the necessary informa- the Malta Gaming Authority.' suspected involvement in a racket that saw commercially
Italian Guardia di Finanza. tion to arrest him in Malta had Jason Farrugia, formerly the sensitive information leaked from within the Malta Gaming
The Maltese police then not yet been handed over. MGA’s chief technology officer, Authority.
moved to issue their own EAW This, one source in the office was last month charged with
to have Galea brought to Malta, suggested, may be because of “a money laundering' and fraud
but at this point he was already lack of trust” German authori- among other offences after he al- Galea was himself previously ropean commissioner John
under arrest in Italy with judi- ties have in Maltese law en- legedly leaked sensitive client in- a compliance officer at the Dalli. '
cial authorities now set to de- forcement. formation from the regulator.' MGA, which was called the Lot- He had been questioned
cide whether to send him to Earlier this year, the German His wife, Christine, 26,'was also teries and Gaming Authority at over allegations that he
Germany or bring him to the authorities issued what is charged. Both were denied bail.' the time but left in 2013. He is had tipped off one of Dalli’s
island. known as an investigation Galea transferred more than no stranger to controversy, hav- top aides about the bribery in-
In Malta, he is wanted for his order, requesting that Maltese €130,000 to Farrugia over the ing been suspected of playing a vestigation being conducted
alleged role in a racket that saw authorities look into Galea’s ac- course of a few months, but never role in the bribery scandal that by the EU’s anti-fraud agency
commercially sensitive infor- tivities and report back. declared this with the authorities. ended the career of former Eu- OLAF.

‘I want justice to prevail for my husband’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 an explanation, and if possible, an apology
from the police.” Vassallo, an actress,
Vassallo crashed to the ground and died known mostly for her roles in television
five days later in hospital, after succumbing series like Ipokriti, and F’Baar Wieed,
to several internal injuries. He was 53 years became aware of the court sentence by co-
old. incidence, while browsing through social
On the advice of the inquiring magis- media last week.
trate, police took the young man to court “I was sipping tea in my backyard before
and charged him with involuntarily caus- going to sleep and I was shocked. I couldn’t
ing Vassallo’s death through negligent driv- even read the article till the end,” she said.
ing, but the court acquitted him last week “So that’s it? Is that how valuable a
because the police charge sheet had four human life is? My husband left home for
mistakes. work and never returned. I am truly an-
The model of the car was listed as a Volk- noyed and tremendously disappointed to
swagen, when in fact, it was a Peugeot, the The accident happened on August 22, 2018, when Mark Vassallo was on the way learn that the story will end like this, over
number plate was registered wrong and the to work in Valletta. He died five days later in hospital, after succumbing to technicalities.”
police wrote that the accident happened at internal injuries. PHOTO: MALTA POLICE FORCE Vassallo does not blame the magistrate,
1.30am in Triq Dun Karm, Msida, when in saying she had no option but to decide on
fact it happened at 7.30am in Triq ix-Xatt, the evidence brought before her.
Pietà. that the police could not prove the crime therefore it is not prudent to make any ad- “I just hope to God that the police mis-
Additionally, the statement that the sus- beyond reasonable doubt. She also cited ditional remarks,” a spokesperson for the takes were genuine,” she said.
pect gave to police when they arrived on the several other cases that ended with the ac- police said when asked whether an internal Mark and Moira met when she was 15,
scene of the accident was deemed null and cused being acquitted because of similar investigation was opened to get to the bot- and he built their house brick by brick. To
void by court, because the police failed to errors in the police evidence. tom of who made the mistake. this day, everything in their home reminds
inform him of his legal rights. Heartbroken, Moira Vassallo is still seek- Speaking to Times of Malta, the widow her of him.
This despite the fact that in that state- ing justice and has asked the AG to consider said: “I don’t want revenge. I’m not seeking “I miss the little things the most. The ex-
ment, the driver admitted to his wrongdo- reopening the case and restart criminal to put anyone in jail because two wrongs periences we shared together. It’s hard to
ing, telling police he knew Vassallo was proceedings with a new, error-free charge won’t make a right. But I want justice to remember that he won’t see our son grad-
driving in front of him, got “distracted” and sheet. Contacted for comment, the police prevail for my husband. uate from university. I miss that we can’t
hit him. confirmed they are also asking the AG to “Mark fought injustices his entire life, share moments together anymore.”
Consequently, Magistrate Astrid Grima consider reopening the case. “A note of ap- only to have to suffer the greatest injus-
absolved the accused of all charges, arguing peal was submitted with the AG’s office, tice and be left in its shadows. All I want is WATCH THE INTERVIEW ONLINE ON TIMESOFMALTA.COM
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 5

NATIONAL
Man injured
in gas blast
First A man was grievously injured in a
gas cylinder explosion in Valletta
late on Friday, the police said yester-
day.

heatwave
The explosion took place in the
kitchen of an establishment on Ordi-
nance Street.
Civil Protection Department officials
and medical staff provided first aid.

hits
The 44-year-old man from the cap-
ital was rushed to Mater Dei Hospi-
tal.
Police investigations are ongoing.

One way to cool off. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER Biker hurt in
High temperatures are expected to persist 5°C or more for three or more consecu- highest June temperature on the Meteo-
hit-and-run
at least until Tuesday, the Met Office said, tive days. rological Office’s records dating back to A 31-year-old motorcyclist was
as Malta experiences what is expected to This is determined using data from the 1923. grievously injured in a hit-and-run
be the first heat wave of the year. climatic norm of 1981 to 2010. The stan- Over the past decade, the island had accident in ebbu , the police said.
The mercury rose to 34°C yesterday, al- dard norm for June is 28.6°C. It is 31.6°C been hit by five heatwaves in June. The crash took place in Mdina
though it felt like 35°C, and the UV ray for July. According to national data, Malta’s an- Road at 8.30am yesterday.
index reached 11. A UV index reading of 11 Last year, Malta experienced ahot spell nual mean ambient temperature has The motorcyclist, a Pakistani man
or more translates into an extreme risk of the last two weeks of June, which became risen by around 1.5 °C since 1952. who lives in ebbu , was rushed to
harm from unprotected sun exposure. the longest June heatwave to hit the is- A study published by the National Mater Dei Hospital.
A heatwave is defined as the daily max- land in at least a decade. Statistics Office on Friday shows that The police said in a statement that
imum temperature exceeding the average By theend of the month, the tempera- Malta is getting warmer, drier and expe- they were looking for the vehicle in-
maximum temperature of the month by ture had reached a blistering 41.5°C – the riencing more extreme weather events. volved in the crash.
6 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

NATIONAL

The scenes near the 15th August fireworks factory yesterday afternoons, as more blasts were
heard following the original explosion. PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

Two hurt in fireworks

blast, nine escape injury
A fireworks factory in the limits of victim, a 25-year-old also from Mosta, The same factory had caused a fa-
Mosta went up in flames yesterday af- was not yet known. tality in an explosion in 2010 . En-
ternoon, leaving two men with slight Ambulances and fire engines thusiasts said it was now equipped
injuries and sending shockwaves rushed to the site hosting the 15th with safety features.
across the island. August fireworks factory when the A magisterial inquiry has been
Eleven people were on site at the blast happened at around 3.15pm. opened to establish the cause of the
time of the explosion but they some- The bomb disposal team was in the explosion.
how managed to avoid the worst of area shortly afterwards amid fears Meanwhile, multiple fires were re-
the inferno, as multiple blasts oc- there was more unexploded material ported across Malta and Gozo yester-
curred and fires were ignited around near the fires. People rushing to the day as the country enters its first
the area. scene were kept far away from the heatwave.
Police spokesperson Brandon Pisani site of the blast. At M
arr harbour, firefighters
said two men had been hospitalised At 4pm another loud explosion was rushed to contain a grass fire that was
for injuries, one with burns to an arm, heard, with the authorities warning spreading fast.
while the other was being treated after people to stay away since there could The police said no one had been in-
having fallen a height. be other devices which could ignite. jured. Firemen from the Civil Protec-
The 29-year-old victim from Mosta The loud blasts were heard from tion Department were doing all they
sustained grievous injuries, the police several areas across Malta and as far could to contain the blaze, they said
said later. The condition of the other away as Valletta. at one point.

There were hugs after it was discovered that no one had perished in the
explosion. A grass fire raged at Marr harbour yesterday afternoon as the heat increased.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 7

NATIONAL

Prison warden resigns after

testing positive for cocaine
Forced to quit Armed Forces of
Malta for same reason years back
MARK LAURENCE ZAMMIT He was eventually employed as a
prison warden in 2019, and sources said
then prison director (and former army
official himself), Alex Dalli gave the go-
A prison warden tested positive for co- ahead for his employment despite being
caine and resigned from his job at the aware of his past wrongdoing.
Corradino Correctional Facility earlier In November last year, former AFM
this week. soldier Godwin Schembri, who was fired
Prison authorities confirmed that the from the army in 2018 over a satirical
warden tested positive for the drug fol- video he filmed about the army, took to
lowing a routine urine test among Facebook warning that the correctional
prison officials. services agency had employed a former
“The correctional services agency’s army official who had been fired after
stance on drug use is very clear. Drug use testing positive for cocaine.
is not tolerated, among inmates and The prison authorities had told Lovin
prison officials alike,” a prison Malta that the former soldier was re-
spokesperson for said, adding that no cruited at CCF through a regular call for
other prison official failed drug tests applications and that “in adherence
this year. with the eligibility requirements, [he]
Multiple sources told Times of presented a clean police certificate of
Malta that the warden served as a sol- conduct”.
dier in the Armed Forces of Malta and Questions sent to the AFM remained
was dismissed from the army some unanswered at the time of writing and
eight years ago for testing positive for efforts to contact the warden proved The correctional services agency’s stance on drug use is very clear: it is not
cocaine. unsuccessful. tolerated, among inmates and prison officials alike.

Man charged with attack on Paceville restaurant patrons

A 38-year-old man on prescrip- a knife and glass bottles that he Both men required medical
tion pills drank and smoked a picked up from the tables. treatment for lacerations.
joint prior to a violent attack on A Swiss man was grievously “We immediately realised
a restaurant in Paceville on injured in the attack. that he was not acting nor-
Tuesday night, a court heard Magistrate Gabriella Vella up- mally. We asked him to leave
yesterday. held a request by Fernandez’s and he grabbed a glass bottle
Gonzalo-Noel Sanchez Fer- lawyer David Bonello for his from one of the tables and
nandez was remanded in cus- client to be held for observation smashed it on a Swiss man’s
tody yesterday after being at Mount Carmel’s forensic unit. head,” the owner had
accused of attacking patrons The owner of the Paceville told Times of Malta.
and damaging property. restaurant and his brother have Police had to use a taser to re-
The Spanish man allegedly told Times of Malta they had to re- strain Fernandez after being
entered the restaurant in Triq strain Fernandez. They said that alerted to the incident.
The restaurant in the aftermath of the incident. il-Wila at about 10.30pm and were it not for their intervention, The prosecution is being led
PHOTO: MALTA POLICE started attacking patrons with someone could have been killed. by inspector Jean Paul Attard.
8 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

NATIONAL

Architect warns of ‘We demand

our pavements
back’ – ADPD
dangers in road perched ADPD yesterday slammed the
authorities for prioritising
commercial interests over “safe

on edge of quarry
and accessible infrastructure
for people”.
Addressing a press confer-
ence in Marsascala, Green Party
spokespeople Sandra Gauci and
Brian Decelis said the interests
of residents and visitors were
Infrastructure Malta being ignored, with pavements
being increasingly taken over
by catering establishments.
and Siiewi mayor A recent exercise!carried out
by the Marsascala Residents
wrangle over who is Network and! Times
Malta
shows that several out-
of

responsible lets along the promenade have

taken up all the available space
in front of them.
MARK LAURENCE ZAMMIT Decelis said it had become
common practice for commer-
cial entities to install exten-
sions before the relevant
The road perched on the edge of a very high permits were requested.
drop in the limits of Gar Lapsi may not be “The permanent placing of
at risk of an imminent collapse, but it will tables and chairs on pavements
probably not prevent a vehicle from crashing makes life difficult, especially
down into the quarry below in case of an ac- for all those with mobility is-
cident, a leading architect has warned. sues or in the case of parents
After inspecting photos that emerged on with babies in pushchairs.
social media, professor Alex Torpiano told Gauci said the authorities –
Times of Malta that the rock beneath the road tourism and planning in partic-
“appears to be sound” but further studies on ular – were “more business-
its stability are required before determining friendly than people-friendly
whether there are cracks and fissures that when it should actually be the
may cause it to collapse. other way round”.
But the professor from the University's “This is the result of govern-
Faculty for the Built Environment is more ment policy that allows com-
concerned about the risks that the bent and mercial interests to reign with
inclined road poses to motorists driving, lit- impunity,” she said.
erally, on the edge. She said residents’ interests
“What does seem rather dangerous is the have been completely ignored.
proximity of the vehicular road to the edge “We demand our pavements
of a very high drop, at a location where there back today.”
is both a bend as well as an incline,” he said.
“A four to six-course masonry wall, with-
out any pilasters, unsupported over a signif-
icant length, will barely resist strong winds, Campaign for
let alone a vehicle skidding, or with failing
brakes, particularly since probably heavy safety at sea
trucks use this road. The photo indicate that slabs of stone were cut off the quarry straight down from the
edge of the road. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/ARNOLD CASSOLA. Inset: Alex Torpiano The transport authorities have
“A four to six-course launched an awareness and en-
forcement campaign for boat
masonry wall without cracks in parts of the boundary wall sur- performed tests and studies on the state of owners and mariners
rounding the road. the road then, and whether safety measures called! Fuq il-Baar, Mook
pilasters will barely resist Yet, it is not quite clear who is responsible were taken while executing the works,” he Hemm.
strong winds, let alone a for the issue.
Infrastructure Malta said that since it is a
said, adding that the council is making “all
possible pressure”.
This year’s campaign will
focus on the use of life jackets,
vehicle skidding” local road, it falls within the responsibility of He said that while local councils should proper use of malls and slip-
the Si iewi local council but said it offered serve as a strong voice for residents, it is ways, notices to mariners, fair-
“A proper crash barrier would be the min- its technical help nonetheless. “Infrastruc- the central authorities who are responsi- ways, waste management at sea,
imum required.” ture Malta informed the Si iewi council, ble to investigate and enforce the laws and playing music at sea, excessive
“Photos of the bending road leading to which is responsible for the local road's ensure that those who break the law bear velocity, proper use of swimmer
Gar Lapsi surfaced online earlier this week maintenance, to look into the allegation the responsibilities. designated zones, the mooring
showing the road perched on the edge of an made,” a spokesperson for the agency said. He said the Environment and Resources of boats, transportation of
enormous quarry where there are ongoing But Si iewi Labour mayor Dominic Grech Authority is mostly responsible to boats on a carriage, proper use
works by the Polidano Group. refused to bear the responsibility. carry out these duties in this case of kill cords and the!cleaning of
Independent candidate Arnold Cassola He said the situation with this road is not because it has the power to investigate boats.!
flagged the issue first, posting the photos recent and has been “escalating for a number potential breaches of the law, which Transport Minister Aaron
someone sent him, warning that this might of years”, during which the council has been may be causing a lot of harm to the Farrugia, who launched the
be “a tragedy waiting to happen”. “vociferous” in urging the authorities to en- environment. campaign with! director for
The photos indicate that slabs of stone force the law and ensure safety. Questions sent to the Environment and Maritime Enforcement Patrick
were cut off the quarry straight down from “In 2019, if I’m not mistaken, Infrastruc- Resources Authority, which also regulates Pollacco, thanked maritime en-
the edge of the road. One photo shows a thick ture Malta paved the road with tarmac, so it quarry operations, have so far been forcement officers for their
crevice in the rock beneath the road and would be good to ask them whether they had unanswered. “tireless work”.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 9

NATIONAL

Cannabis confusion
sparks calls to
amend law
that’s just six
months old
Petitioners want lawmakers to exclude all CBD products, including flowers, leaves and resin, from the scope of criminal prosecution.
PHOTO: CLAUDIOVALDES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

BERTRAND BORG The revised law defines cannabis as the Petitioners led by Releaf ’s Bonello higher than Malta’s more stringent 0.2%
flowers, leaves and resin of the cannabis now want lawmakers to fix this legisla- threshold.
plant and notes that CBD “products” con- tive anomaly by explicitly excluding all Police do not comment on ongoing
taining less than 0.2% THC are excluded CBD products, including flowers, leaves cases and the attorney general’s office
Confusion over what legally constitutes from that definition. and resin, from the scope of criminal does not explain its decisions, making it
cannabis has sparked calls to amend a law But what constitutes a CBD “product”? prosecution. hard to understand with certainty why
that is just six months old. When Agius was charged in court, Their petition, which runs until mid- they are pushing for CBD flowers and
A petition presented to parliament prosecutors argued that given that the July, asks MPs to publish a legal notice “to resin to be classified as a narcotic.
urges lawmakers to amend Malta’s CBD flower they seized from him forms clarify the legal status” of CBD products Part of the reason may be that there is
cannabis laws to explicitly protect forms part of the cannabis plant, it is a nar- in all forms, and to start a public discus- no way of visually distinguishing CBD
of cannabis that do not provide any ‘high’ cotic and subject to seizure and prose- sion about business and agricultural op- cannabis from its THC (and narcotic)
from the threat of prosecution. cution. portunities concerning CBD and hemp equivalent, making it much harder for po-
The petition was tabled by the founder Agius’ lawyers, on the other hand, say products. lice officers or customs officials to distin-
of cannabis lobby group Releaf, Andrew that the flower in question contains less Petitioners also refer to classifying CBD guish between the two.
Bonello, and comes after police pushed than 0.2% THC and is a CBD ‘product’, as a ‘novel food’, something the European That was the argument the French
ahead with a high-profile drug trafficking much like CBD oil, shampoo or facial Commission is in the process of doing government made when it sought to
case concerning cannabis. cream, which can all be sold without re- after Europe’s highest court, the European maintain a ban on the sale of CBD flow-
Medical doctor and Pain Clinic founder strictions. Court of Justice, ruled in 2020 that CBD ers and resin following the ECJ ruling.
Andrew Agius stands accused of import- The prosecutor leading the case was un- should not be considered a narcotic drug. But in January of this year, the coun-
ing and trafficking the drug after police moved by that argument, Malta Today re- The ECJ concluded that CBD, “does not try’s highest administrative court dis-
seized CBD cannabis flowers from his es- ported, with inspector Marshal Mallia appear to have any psychotropic effect or missed that reasoning and told the
tablishment last February. telling the court that the law makes no any harmful effect on human health”. government to stop banning such prod-
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most distinction between cannabis flower with That landmark ruling has already been ucts.
common compound in cannabis after a high or low THC content. cited in Spanish courts, in a case that A spokesperson for reforms junior min-
THC. While THC is what gives cannabis its According to Releaf, Agius is not the bears many similarities to that of Agius. ister Rebecca Buttigieg said the govern-
psychoactive effect, CBD has no psychoac- only person to run into legal trouble re- In July 2021, a court in Valencia acquitted ment is working with the Authority for
tive properties. lated to CBD cannabis. a shop owner of drug-related charges the Regulation of Cannabis to “ensure
Agius’ case revolves around the inter- “Different people from business owners after police arrested him for possessing that the spirit of the law is upheld”.
pretation of a definition included in a De- to private citizens have encountered dif- CBD flowers and CBD resin. “The historic amendments enacted in
cember 2021 reform that effectively ferent problems at different levels,” Re- The flowers and resin in question con- 2021 stipulate that products containing
legalised the restricted use of cannabis for leaf told Times of Malta, declining to tained less than 0.3% THC – the upper CBD with THC levels of not more than
personal use. specify further. limit permitted in EU law, and which is 0.2% are allowed by law.”

World nature photography

competition comes to Malta
A nature photography competition that has added Last year, more than 63,000 photos from across 34
more than one million photos to the public do- countries were submitted, and well over one million
main is coming to Malta. photos since the competition was created 12 years ago.!
Photographers, hobbyists and members of Wiki Loves Earth is organised by Wikipedia
the public will from today, World Environment groups to celebrate the natural environment and
Day, be able to submit photos taken at any of educate the public about flora, fauna, landscapes
the roughly 300 protected natural sites in and underwater environments.!
Malta as part of the Wiki Loves Earth local The photos are added to the Wikimedia Com-
competition.! mons library of public domain photos and are
The top 10 winning photos will receive prizes widely used on Wikipedia, bringing them to a
This image, of a morning boat trip on the old Stymphalia lake, and be published by!Times of Malta.!They will also worldwide audience. !
Greece, won third prize worldwide in the Landscapes be submitted to the international competition, The local competition is organised by Wikime-
Category of the Wiki Loves Earth competition in 2021. where they will compete with photographs taken dia Community Malta.!It runs for one month.
PHOTO: NICK ANTONOPOULOS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS from around the world. Visit!wikimalta.org/WLE!
10 |JuNe 5, 2022 the suNday times of malta

NATIONAL

‘T( o$tut o$
lobby !a$ag( to
(l ! $at( !(’
PL candidate expresses frustration
over the greed killing Gozo
FIONA GALEA DEBONO who could put spokes in the environment NGO, with the same
wheels of this strong motor.” battle cry, had voted for him.
Despite mounting disgruntle- He put this down to the fact
ment on the part of the Gozitans that he was a PL candidate,
Xagra mayor Christian Zam- – and behind-the-scenes sup- which made it “strange” for
mit, outspoken on Gozo’s port – when push came to shove, them to support an environ-
environment, claims a scare- Zammit only got some 415 first- mentalist linked to the party.
mongering campaign by the counts votes, which left him lag- “But I have always said the PL,
construction industry to “elimi- ging behind in the race. both traditionally and ideologi-
nate” him was behind his dismal The mayor’s political career cally, should be the party of the
electoral results as a Labour has seen him contest six elec- environment,” he continued, ac- Christian Zammit
Party candidate. tions, mostly local, including knowledging that people may
Gozitans were told – and unsuccessfully running for MEP, have felt frustrated by its track
feared – he would stop develop- and he has headed the Xagra record in the field over the last
ment permits, eradicate apart- local council since 2019. five years. parties, who had been hijacked. collections from picturesque
ment blocks and fifth-floor Zammit also acknowledged His outspoken approach could Zammit has challenged contro- valleys left him flabbergasted at
penthouses, slap strong fines for that as a late-arrival candidate, also have been interpreted by versial construction magnate the lack of civic sense.
infringements and pinch their with a mere five-week-long cam- factions of the PL in a way that Joseph Portelli on his projects, Clientelism was another
pockets – issues that ultimately paign and barely any financing, “I was putting spokes in the and when asked about any back- scourge and the “bloated” par-
outweighed their environmen- he could not expect miracles. wheels of the government and lash, he said hundreds of Gozi- liament needed to be drastically
tal concerns. “I thought I was talking in the my own party,” Zammit main- tans worked for the developer, reduced to decrease this.
In his post-election analysis, name of many, but in a general tained. or had relatives who did.
Zammit talks about the boycott election there are obligations “But I have always believed the “I am not saying Portelli can-
against his candidacy and that trump the environmental PL needs people who criticise it not build a tower in St Julian’s, “We look at short-
threats from the construction card, which slides down the pri- internally as I did on the envi- but in Gozo, development
industry, expressing frustration ority list,” he said. ronment, because the moment should make sense for the is-
term gains from
that he misread the island’s sen- this ends, the party starts dying. land and not ruin its clientelism as the
timent and that his anti-con- This is one of the PN’s main streetscapes and skylines.”
struction battle to safeguard the OmerTà needs TO problems right now.” The mayor had gone all out best solution”
environment was “not relevant” end against development in Xlendi –
to its population and was not re- “a huge pasta ata” – only to be “Electoral districts should be
flected in votes. Zammit’s gripe about his defeat A vicTim Of told that a lick of paint would halved to around six to limit
The electorate was charac- at the polls is not a matter of ThreATs eventually sort it out. clientelism and the race to the
terised by a focus on sour grapes, but he blames the This was the sort of attitude bottom, with candidates
“immediate gains and short- mentality of omertà in the “tra- On shunning candid candidates, he was up against and left him promising anything to every-
sightedness”, having raked in ditionally insular and conserva- Zammit said he “understood” speechless. But he has no plans one to gain that extra bunch of
heaps of money from the con- tive” district, where any radical the plight of St Julian’s PN to throw in the towel. votes that could make the dif-
struction industry, Zammit change is feared and even con- mayor Albert Buttigieg, who was “Unfortunately, I love Gozo ference.
maintained, warning Gozo sidered “blasphemous”. up against a “tsunami” of prob- too much not to talk,” Zammit “We look at short-term gains
stood to lose its competitive “I meet hundreds of people lems in his locality’s fight for the declared. “I cannot look the from clientelism as the best so-
edge in tourism in the long who pat me on the back for what environment but was given 24 other way.” lution. If we are doing well, we
term. I am saying, agree with me and hours by his own party to sub- do not care what will happen in
But while Gozitans were fi- tell me to continue, but also say stantiate claims that an official five years’ time,” Zammit said.
nally starting to rise up and they cannot support me openly conspired with a “fat cat” to si- WhAT is needed TO ‘N! !n "$ p "ng  $r"ng$’
complain about noise and dust, because they are indebted to lence him. sAve GOzO Fundraising marathons for
at the end of the day, this was someone else. “I too faced factions of the political parties were perilous
not the top priority compared to “Omertà is the first thing that Labour Party who saw me as The island needed a culture and should be illegal, he also in-
what they were “pocketing right has to go. We are afraid to talk in outspoken and had a negative change, but also radical elec- sisted.
now”, and Zammit’s battle cry an island where everyone knows perception of me.” toral reforms in party and can- “They scare me and could lead
was perceived as a “threat”. everyone. I am almost consid- Zammit also expressed soli- didate financing, in the to influence. Big donors are a
The construction industry ered ‘mad’ because I speak my darity with Qala mayor Paul collection of funds, as well as the threat to democracy,” he said,
was a strong economic motor in mind,” he admitted. Buttigieg and his “honest cru- “prejudiced” ballot paper that stressing that the strength of
Gozo, Zammit acknowledged, While a grassroots movement sade” to preserve Gozo, insisting instigated donkey voting, Zam- lobby groups, stemming from
not just for builders, but for has been forming, with even the that while he may not have suf- mit insisted. their donations, had to be
thousands of Gozitans, includ- locals starting to voice anger at fered similar physical attacks, On the culture change, “we curbed.
ing plumbers, electricians and overdevelopment, and all mayors he too was the victim of threats. care about the inside of our “I am pleased I had no spon-
cleaners. joining forces against it, Zammit Calling out the “bullies” in homes, but when it comes to the sorships because I am not in-
“And Christian Zammit was per- even doubted whether the mem- the construction industry, he outdoors, we could not care debted to anyone, and I could
ceived as a dangerous candidate, bers of a newly set-up Gozitan said they were given airs by the less,” he said, noting that waste speak openly about my position
 the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 11

C s sh  u s
cs c u  s 
FIONA GALEA DEBONO

Consumer complaints have in-

creased significantly over the
last months, according to the
authority tasked with protect-
ing their rights, as inflation
grows and prices rise daily
across the board.
Complaints about higher
prices being charged than orig-
inally agreed for ordered goods
and services, as well reports of
discrepancies in prices from
shelf to cashpoint, are being
filed much more frequently to
the Malta Competition and Con-
sumer Affairs Authority.
They are the main queries the
authority is receiving as the
man in the street starts to ques-
tion whether the hikes, at-
tributed largely to the Ukraine
war and the pandemic, are all People will be less likely to eat out as prices go up. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
justified and what is being done
without fear. No one is pulling my to protect them as they con-
strings.” tinue to absorb, grin and bear queries, these past months the Year-on-year, producer prices It distinguished between dis-
This meant he could push a it. authority noted a significant in- in Europe have increased by al- cretionary spending and basic
“drastic” electoral proposal for all The authority said that in the crease in such complaints. most 40 per cent, it continued, needs, explaining that eating out
parties to insist on Gozo’s preser- case of increased prices of or- It acknowledged this was in adding that statistics indicated, was an example of the former
vation. dered goods and services – breach of the Price Indication however, that so far prices on and people were likely to adjust
“I am not against development where deposits have been paid, Regulations and qualified as an the continent were rising faster their spending patterns accord-
and progress. But Gozo needs to delivery and installation are unfair commercial practice but than in Malta. ing to what they could afford.
remain competitive in tourism still to be carried out and pointed out that, upon surprise What is impacting services Lower-income households felt
from the beauty aspect, like the traders charge more due to ad- inspection to immediately stop most is an acute shortage of the pinch most in the basic-
Greek, Aeolian and Balearic Is- ditional costs from the sup- any violations, most retailers labour, which was expected to needs department, with food
lands and Sardinia. plier’s end – the original sales were found to be compliant get worse locally over the sum- constituting a significant por-
“Competition is strong post- contract agreed to must be hon- with consumer legislation. mer months, it warned. tion of their spending and 85 per
COVID, especially in terms of qual- oured. Sources involved in con- cent of what is consumed being
ity, in the surrounding Many believe that arbitrary sumer protection have ques- imported and impacting both
Mediterranean, and the uncon- price hikes are being slapped tioned whether regulatory “Many believe that grocery shopping and eating out.
trolled development in Gozo over on to them under the pretext of entities were carrying out stud- “Interventions to support
the last years is going to leave ugly the global economic situation. ies of the market to determine
arbitrary price hikes lower-income groups are likely
consequences in the long term, ru- Cost increases for services whether the price increases are being slapped on to be more effective at contain-
ining the landscape, villages and such as car washing, beauty were always justifiable and ex- ing the adverse effects of exces-
valleys that make us unique.” treatments and animal groom- actly by how much these should to them under the sive inflation than trying to
The visual impact is already ing – which did not appear to be be going up. pretext of the global control prices, particularly
there, Zammit maintained, but affected, at first glance, by the since most of the inflation is
soon it would hit tourism too. soaring prices of transconti- economic situation” imported,” the chamber said.
Had he been elected to parlia- nental transport and importa- Ukraine war, Asked how she was address-
ment, he would have continued to tion and the production of basic pandemiC mainly “Restaurants will get busier, ing the soaring prices that con-
push – with more power than a food ingredients – are leading and given the current labour sumers, especially the elderly,
councillor – for a study to review consumers to feel they are
to blame shortage, demand-side pres- were facing and struggling
and adopt ad hoc planning policies being exploited and have Asked about a potential trend to sures are likely to compound with, Consumer Rights Minis-
to protect Gozo. nowhere to turn to for protec- ride on the wave of accepted ‘ex- the current supply-side infla- ter Julia Farrugia Portelli said
Zammit believed the next elec- tion and redress. cuses’ for price increases with- tionary pressures. this was a reality practically all
tion would see an even larger Other issues they face include out any checks and balances, the “So, while costs have increased countries were living and again
percentage of abstentions items of the same batch num- Malta Chamber reiterated the and consumer prices are in- pointed to the Ukraine war in
because of disappointment in ber being sold at higher prices current “interplay of a number creasing too, margins are likely particular for the impact.
both parties when it comes to under the pretext of escalating of inflationary factors”. to be lower than pre-COVID.” Pushed about more concrete
the environment. costs even if they were already From the Ukraine being a The Malta Chamber pointed assistance to consumers, Farrugia
“If they do not tackle this issue in stock. major supplier of basic com- out that constant price hikes Portelli referred to the govern-
head-on, the number of non-voters But consumers’ main gripes, modities to supply chain bottle- were administratively costly. ment cheques, issued twice to
will be bigger,” he said, convinced according to the authority, refer necks triggered by COVID, hefty “Many businesses are also compensate for the cost-of-living
that of the thousands who stayed to different prices from the shelf increases in fuel prices and en- aware that consumers are likely increase, singing its praises for ab-
home, many were frustrated about to the cashpoint, with retailers ergy and a shortage of truck to shift to cheaper alternatives sorbing the daily increases on en-
the environment. saying the constant change in drivers, “all these factors con- when prices of certain products ergy bills, unlike other countries.
“But instead of supporting an costs is making it hard for them tribute to higher import prices, increase substantially. But She said the government
outspoken candidate, they simply to immediately update prices. which are then reflected in when cost increases become would continue monitoring the
did not vote.” While the MCCAA does re- higher retail prices of imported systematic and persistent, price situation and taking decisions
ceive similar complaints and goods,” the chamber said. increases become inevitable.” in the interest of the consumer.
12 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

NATIONAL

S) stt)
i$g t)m
 u$. T)$
t) Mt)s)
u$ ut…
Maltese woman’s pastizzi are The next bar food? Krystle Bezzina with her husband Jeff Reese holding a tray of the delicious
proving a great hit in Florida Maltese snack in Florida.

GIULIA MAGRI fulfilled her dream – alongside to make their order. Sometimes “In Michigan there is a huge fill the pastry with marshmal-
her husband Jeff Reese – and we have orders for over 50 pas- Maltese community and a club, lows and chocolate.”
began baking and selling pastizzi tizzis,” Krystle told Times of Malta. so I never missed the culture or But their Maltese customers
in their home town in that other food,” she said. wanted the real deal.
Growing up, Krystle Bezzina sunshine state, Florida. But there were none in “Those born and raised in
would wake up to the delicious The baker- Florida, and Krystle did not Malta and who live in Florida
smells of her great-aunt’s baking “Those born and Teacher froM know any Maltese expats there. and other states would reach
every day during the sunny sum- Until one day when the couple out to us and ask us to make
mer holidays. raised in Malta and Tal-Grazzja met Grazio Darmanin, who pastizzi, and also make them
Memories of her home in Back in 2011, Krystle moved to goes by the nickname Gus. rabbit stew, honey rings and ri-
Naxxar full of fresh ftajjar, pip- who live in Florida Michigan for work but shortly Gus came from a family of bak- cotta pie with ful – it’s very ex-
ing hot timpana and large pies all
made by her great-aunt, who
and other states after her arrival she was diag-
nosed with cancer. She was just
ers from abbar who owned the
Tal-Grazzja bakery on Sanctuary
citing.”
They were swamped with or-
lived to the age of 100, left a last- would reach out to 27. She moved to Florida for her Street. In the 1960s his family ders in May when many Mal-
ing impression on young Krystle. treatment. moved to New York and later tese-American families hosted
In adulthood, she has learnt all us and ask us to It was there, during her cancer opened two other bakeries there. ‘Pastizzi night’ to watch the Eu-
those recipes as well as the tricks make pastizzi” treatment, that she met her hus- As she recovered, Krystle rovision.
of the trade for making one of band Jeff Reese, who was suffer- wanted to learn how to make “We had families ordering
the country’s most beloved “It’s all quite exciting, we never ing from the same kind of cancer. proper pastizzi and Gus was the over 80 pastizzis. It may sound
snacks – pastizzi. expected the business to grow so With a new outlook on life, right teacher. like a lot, but don’t forget, in
But it wasn’t until last Febru- fast, but so many Maltese com- Krystle sought a Maltese com- “By the time we became Malta you turn any corner and
ary that Krystle, now 38, finally munities have reached out to us munity. friends, Gus was retired but buy these treats, but here we
most of our time together was don’t have that option,” Jeff
spent in the kitchen, where he said.
would teach us how to improve The couple ship a minimum
on my great aunt’s pastizzi of 36 frozen pastizzi at the price
recipe and how to work with of $99 (€92). Those who live in
the dough,” she recalled. Florida can buy 12 pastizzi for
The couple would then take $33 (€31).
their Maltese treats to parties While the price may seem
or work, and word got around high here, orders keep flooding
of the delicious delicacies. in for the couple, from right
across the states.
One night they spent till 2am
chocolaTe and making over 100 pastizzi, ready
MarShMallow to be frozen and shipped out.
Jeff and Krystle will continue
pasTizzi? to work on their online busi-
“People started to ask us to pre- ness but plan to open their own
pare orders for them, so we de- Maltese bakery in Florida in the
cided to set up our own online near future.
shop, where people can order Jeff believes they could be the
our products frozen. They can next bar food in Florida.
then simply pop them in the “People here love to drink in
oven when they need their pas- outdoor bars, and we believe
tizzi fix,” Krystle said. crunchy pastizzi would be a
The couple set up their online great snack to go with a cold
shop ‘TasteMalta Bakery’ back beer.”
in February, and prepared or- People just keep coming back
ders on their days off. for more. Krystle’s own father
She said some customers paid a visit in December and
weren’t big fans of the classic made sure he had some hot pas-
irkotta or pi
elli. tizzi prepared for him.
“People would ask us to make “My dad came to Florida from
Grazio Darmanin (left) originally from a family of bakers in abbar, taught Krystle and Jeff (right) pastizzi with venison, seafood, Malta to eat pastizzi! He thinks
how to make pastizzi. PHOTO: KRYSTLE BEZZINA rice. Children would ask us to they’re delicious,” Krystle said.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 13

APS Bank plc to make its debut

on the Malta Stock Exchange
APS Bank will be making its debut on ing green opportunities through its
the Malta Stock Exchange in the coming portfolio of lending and investment
weeks as an offer to sell up to 110 million products. As APS’s Chief Strategy Of-
shares worth €0.62c each was over- ficer Liana DeBattista puts it, “Authen-
subscribed. The Bank is raising capital to ticity is one of the Bank’s core values
drive its future growth strategy. and at the heart of everything we do.
The Initial Public Offering is the first in We try to reflect this in all our services,
the Bank’s 112-year history and marks from keeping our products and the
the start of the next phase of growth terms and conditions simple to be inclu-
for a bank which has developed a repu- sive of everyone, to being first-to-
tation for its community-centric and market offering sustainable products.”
ethical approach to business. Like any other business, the Bank
APS Bank was founded in 1910 by Je- strives for profitability across its oper-
suit Fr Michael Vella, with the aim of ations, but Chief Financial Officer
helping working class individuals, at a Ronald Mizzi says it doesn’t allow prof-
time when a national welfare state was itability to become an obsession, as
virtually non-existent. great value is also placed on its social
“More than a century later, our mis- agenda and long-term vision.
sion is still rooted in the community and “Research shows that entities having
in making the banking experience sim- a truly sustainable agenda tend to have
ple and accessible,” says the Bank’s a lower cost of debt and cost of equity
Chief Executive Officer Marcel Cassar. and are able to generate higher returns
“Of course, it’s an entirely different because of the real value in having a
world in which we are delivering the strong ESG strategy,” Ronald Mizzi
service today, but the fundamentals adds. inclusiveness and contemporary think- Opinion surveys have in recent
haven’t changed.” Like Marcel Cassar, the Bank’s Chair- ing, and they are communicated and years, repeatedly shown citizens’
Besides its core banking services, man Martin Scicluna believes that APS entrenched in our behavioural ethos,” growing concern about their quality
APS Bank also dedicates considerable Bank’s desire to be of service to the Martin Scicluna says. of life and the need to protect the
time and resources to supporting the community is what sets it apart from This is evident from the Bank’s ef- environment. By positioning itself
arts, culture, and education in Malta. It the rest. This focus on the community forts to provide sources of finance to as an ethical banking partner and
has undertaken projects seeking to as well as a sense of “collegiality” are those who don’t meet the criteria for fi- the primary promoter of sustain-
protect the country’s heritage, as well both at the core of the Bank’s culture, nancial stamina, through partnerships able practices within the Maltese fi-
as help it meet the challenges posed by he says. with government and non-govern- nancial sector, the Bank and its
climate change. “Our corporate values set are em- mental organisations. It is also clear leadership, have shown the vision
In fact, APS has become synonymous bodied through five tenets of excel- from the Bank’s relentless drive for a required for it to remain relevant and
with green financing, regularly promot- lence, authenticity, passion, more sustainable Malta. forward-looking.
Following the successful Initial Pub-
lic Offering (IPO), APS Bank will now
have a larger and diverse investor-
base, as it launches itself on a three-
year trajectory of further growth.
The increase in capital will lead to
new opportunities, including the di-
versification of the Bank’s lending into
currently unserved economic sectors,
as well as growth in the value of as-
sets under its management through
new and innovative products that ad-
dress customer needs.
“The IPO is not an end in itself but
rather an important transaction which
will unlock future value for the Bank.
Our end goal here is the proper execu-
tion of the Bank’s strategy and ambi-
tion to grow further and continue
generating sustainable and superior
returns for investors,” concludes
Ronald Mizzi.

APS Bank plc is regulated by the

Malta Financial Services Authority as
a Credit Institution under the Banking
Act 1994 and to carry out Investment
Services activities under the Invest-
ment Services Act 1994. The Bank is
also registered as a Tied Insurance In-
termediary under the Insurance Dis-
tribution Act 2018.
The views and opinions expressed in
this article are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect the of-
APS Centre, Swatar ficial policy or position of APS Bank plc.

Sponsored content
14 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

NATIONAL

Officer who
helped create
happiness in
queen’s villa
Maltese researcher reveals
scrapbook of Elizabeth’s
personal driver and
From the scrapbook of Chief Petty Officer Herbert H. Hicks.
handyman when she lived
at Villa Guardamangia On June 22, 1950, the draft-
ing officer in charge of staff re-
hope that full cooperation will
exist between all members… so
cruitment wrote to him in as to create a happy atmo-
CLAUDIA CALLEJA war in Malta since he was 12, Dorset stating: “A requirement sphere at the Villa
said that his interest extended has arisen for a driver for HRH Guardamangia.”
to the queen in connection to The Princess Elizabeth in And they must have suc-
Malta and the war. Malta during the late autumn ceeded since, over the years,
It was with the hope of full co- The researcher met the of this year and your name has Queen Elizabeth has spoken of
operation among staff, “to cre- queen in 2005 when she was in been mentioned in this con- her days in Malta with great
ate a happy atmosphere at the Malta for the Commonwealth nection.” fondness. It was the only place
Villa Guardamangia”, that Heads of Government Meeting Hicks is invited to take the outside the UK which she
then Princess Elizabeth signed and, two years earlier, he met job. called home.
off a letter to her handyman as Prince Philip at Buckingham The story unfolds with the Villa Guardamangia had
she planned the delivery of Palace. further flipping of pages. been built in 1900 by Sir Au-
household items in 1950. On September 15, 1950, a gusto Bartolo and was bought Researcher Simon Cusens.
The letter is contained in a “Scrapbook contains memorandum from “HRH The by Joseph Schembri, who PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT
scrapbook compiled by Chief Princess Elizabeth Duchess of leased it to the queen’s cousin FOURNIER
Petty Officer Herbert H. Hicks, clues of a strong Edinburgh” to “CPO Hicks” and Prince Philip’s uncle, Lord
who served as the personal
driver and handyman to Eliza-
relationship signed by Elizabeth, lists the
duties that Hicks, together
Mountbatten, who then made
the property available to the scrapbook contains clues of a
beth during her stay at Villa cultivated with with a certain Jessie Micallef, royal couple. strong relationship having
Guardamangia between 1949 the royal family” would have at Villa Elizabeth and the Duke of been cultivated between him
and 1951. Guardamangia. Edinburgh spent the first and the royal family. There are
The scrapbook was brought Sitting in his library, sur- “Arrangements have now years of their marriage, be- character references signed by
to light by Maltese World War rounded by WWII discoveries been completed for the tween 1949 and 1951, living at Lord Mountbatten and docu-
II researcher Simon Cusens, and books, Cusens leafs transport of household effects the villa when the duke was in ments showing that he was
who came across it for sale on through the hard-bound required for Villa Guardaman- the Royal Navy and stationed aware of the queen’s New
Ebay back in 2011. scrapbook made of yellowed gia. I wish CPO Hicks to be re- in Malta. Year’s Day Honours List of Jan-
It contains several pho- cardboard pages. sponsible for the handling, The scrapbook contains sev- uary 1957.
tographs, handwritten notes One of the first pages con- safe delivery and unpacking eral black and white pho- What follows is a letter from
and telegrams penned by Eliz- tains a black and white photo on arrival to Malta. He will un- tographs of Hicks, Princess Elizabeth, now queen, apolo-
abeth as well as letters and of a young CPO Hicks, a Royal pack all china, glass, silver, Elizabeth and Lord Mountbat- gising for not being able to
telegrams from her cousin Navy officer. As the pages are kitchen utensils etc. and hand ten. It includes correspon- grant him an award person-
Lord Louis Mountbatten. turned, a document tells the over to Micallef who will be re- dence by Lord Mountbatten ally.
Cusens, who has been col- story of the beginning of sponsible for it afterwards. that include a telegram dated What we do know is that
lecting items connected to the Hicks’ adventure in Malta. Our household effects will be February 13, 1951, sent via after leaving Malta, Queen
placed in the Villa by CPO Cable and Wireless. Elizabeth and Prince Philip
Hicks as instructed by me,” It reads: “To Hicks Villa visited the island several
Elizabeth writes. Guardamangia Pieta Malta. If times. Their first state visit
She goes on to add: “At the my collected India Newsreel in was in 1954, about a year after
Villa CPO Hicks will be in two or three film cans are still the queen’s coronation.
charge of the technical side at villa please arrange freight… Several other state visits fol-
and will be responsible for all . Send urgently to Northolt. lowed in 1967, 1992, 2005, 2007
repairs inside and out. Any Must arrive Thursday after- and 2015.
breakages or replacement in noon Latest. Mountbatten.” As for Villa Guardamangia,
that line will be attended to by In 1951 Elizabeth left Malta it ended up in a dilapidated
him on our instructions. He and was crowed queen in 1952 condition – something the
should also see that everything on the death of her father King queen had described as
is in working order (bells, tele- George VI – who a decade ear- “rather sad”.
phones, plumbing, cupboards lier had awarded Malta the In 2019 it was bought by the
etc.) before I arrive.” George Cross for its service government and is now being
The memorandum, ad- during the war. restored… in the hope that it
dressed to Hicks and Micallef, What happened to Hicks will continue telling more sto-
ends with a note: “I sincerely after that is not clear. The ries of Malta’s past.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 15

WORLD
Ukraine claims Russian forces
pushed back in fierce fighting
Ukraine said yesterday its forces were across a river – looked increasingly dire.
managing to push back against Russian About 60 per cent of infrastructure and
troops in fierce fighting in housing had been destroyed, while in-
Severodonetsk despite Russia “throwing ternet, mobile networks and gas ser-
all its power” into capturing the strate- vices had been knocked out, said its
gic eastern city. mayor Oleksandr Zaika.
Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gai- In the city of Sloviansk, about 80 kilo-
day said in an interview posted on his of- metres from Severodonetsk, the mayor
ficial social media that the invading has urged residents to evacuate in the
forces had captured most of the city “but face of intense bombardment, with
now our military have moved them”. water and electricity cut off.
“The Russian army, as we understand, Ukraine also reported two victims
is throwing all its power, all its reserves from a missile strike on the port of
in this direction,” said Gaiday, who on Odessa in the southwest, without speci-
Friday claimed that Ukrainian troops fying if they were dead or injured.
had won back a fifth of the city. Russia’s defence ministry said it had
Severodonetsk is the largest city still struck a “deployment point for foreign
in Ukrainian hands in the Lugansk re- mercenaries” in the village of Dachne in
gion, where Russian forces have been the Odessa region.
making gradual advances in recent It also claimed a missile strike in the
weeks. northeastern Sumy region in a place
Thousands of people have been killed, where it said Ukrainian soldiers were re-
millions sent fleeing and towns turned ceiving training from foreign instruc-
into rubble since President Vladimir tors on using howitzers.
Putin ordered Russian troops into Russian troops now occupy a fifth of
Ukraine 102 days ago. Ukraine’s territory and Moscow has im- A woman hugs children about to board a bus as civilians evacuate the city of
The advance of Russian forces has posed a blockade on its Black Sea ports. Slovyansk in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas yesterday, amid the
been slowed by stiff Ukrainian resis- But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Russian invasion. PHOTO: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP
tance, repelling them from around the Zelensky was defiant on Friday.
capital Kyiv and forcing Moscow to focus “Victory will be ours,” he said in a
on capturing the east. video speech marking the 100th day of Peskov said “certain results have been Moscow, with the European Union on
The press service of Ukraine’s presi- the war. achieved”, pointing to the “liberation” of Friday formally adopting a ban on most
dential office yesterday said Russian at- Later, in his nightly address, he dis- some areas from what he called the Russian oil imports.
tacks killed four civilians in the Lugansk missed the Russian army as being re- “pro-Nazi armed forces of Ukraine”. Putin’s alleged girlfriend, former
region as a whole. duced to “war crimes, shame and The West has sent ever-more potent gymnast Alina Kabaeva, was also
The situation in Lysychansk – hatred” after failing military objectives. weapons to Ukraine and piled on ever added to an assets freeze and visa-ban
Severodonetsk’s twin city, which sits just But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry more stringent sanctions against blacklist. (AFP)

Bosphorus sea trade unaffected by war, sanctions

At the gates of the Black Sea, mention those that we would “We don’t follow the ships before showed a certain com- The destination? Syria –
trade is in full swing as have collectively missed.” on their way out of the Straits. mitment to stick to the very where Russia retains an oper-
freighters and oil tankers From his terrace overlook- We monitor them 10 kilome- basic interpretation of the con- ational base – and then
sail from the heart of Istan- ing the Bosphorus, Yoruk Isik tres before they enter and 10 vention as a way to also protect Lebanon or Egypt.
bul to Russian and Ukrainian has been a passionate ob- kilometres after they leave,” itself from entering deeper Isik also identified a flotilla
ports. server of ship movements on the source said on condition of into the conflict”. of old Turkish boats,
Just after the Russian offen- this key waterway between anonymity. The European Union im- “never seen before in
sive in Ukraine on February 24 the Black Sea and the posed an embargo on Russian the area” suddenly appearing
and the first Western sanc- Mediterranean for a decade imports but tankers flying the under a flag of convenience in
tions, the largest vessels of in- now. “Russia shamelessly Greek or Maltese flags are seen the Russian port of
ternational companies plying
on these waters were replaced
While swiftly condemning
the Russian offensive in
steals Ukrainian sailing through the Bosphorus
up to the Black Sea to the Rus-
Novorossiysk – “likely under
contract with the Russian gov-
by smaller ships. Ukraine, Turkey positioned it- grain and sends it sian ports. ernment”.
The total number of ships on self as a neutral mediator and Thanks to real-time tracking He lists a few names: Ko-
the route remains around the refused to join Western sanc- overseas from applications, a strong network catepe (now Tanzanian), Bar-
pre-war level of 40,000, ac-
cording to experts.
tions against Moscow.
Although Ankara has
Crimea” of observers, Russian and
Ukrainian activists and satel-
baros (Equatorial Guinea),
Hizir (Malta) and Sampiyon
“Russia shamelessly steals banned the passage of mili- lite images, no vessel escapes Trabzonsport (Cameroon).
Ukrainian grain and sends it tary vessels through its Elizabete Aunina, a re- Isik’s radar. Russian Foreign Minister
overseas from Crimea, includ- straits of the Dardanelles and searcher at Amsterdam Univer- “We can see from end to end, Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey
ing to Turkey,” said Vasyl Bod- Bosphorus since late Febru- sity, said: “If we look at the where the ship is getting on Wednesday to discuss a
nar, Ukraine’s ambassador to ary under the Montreux vague words of the Montreux loaded by the ship,” he said. possible establishment of
Ankara. Treaty of 1936, it is not legally Treaty it leaves a lot up for in- Some freighters loaded the “sea corridors” – although
“In May alone, we counted at entitled to intercept commer- terpretation. wheat in Ukrainian ports Ukrainian wheat is being
least 10 passages including two cial ships or to search them, a “It did not foresee that mer- under Russian blockade such covertly exported to
round trips from three vessels diplomatic source said in chant vessels could be carry- as Odessa, Chornomorsk or Russia’s benefit, according to
flying the Russian flag... Not to Ankara. ing stolen goods... Turkey has Mariupol, he said. experts. (AFP)
16 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

WORLD

More than 700

monkeypox cases
globally, 21 in US
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said
it was aware of more than 700 global cases of monkeypox, in-
cluding 21 in the US, with investigations now suggesting it is
spreading inside the country.
Sixteen of the first 17 cases were among people who identify
as men who have sex with men, according to a new CDC re-
port, and 14 were thought to be travel-associated.
All patients are in recovery or have recovered, and no cases
have been fatal.
“There have also been some cases in the US that we know
are linked to known cases,” Jennifer McQuiston, deputy di-
rector of the CDC’s Division of High Consequence Pathogens
and Pathology, told reporters on a call.
“We also have at least one case in the US that does not
have a travel link or know how they acquired their infec-
Police detain former Hong Kong Alliance standing committee member Chiu Yan-loy (centre) close tion.”
to the venue where Hong Kongers traditionally gather in remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Monkeypox is a rare disease that is related to but less severe
crackdown in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay district yesterday. PHOTO: PETER PARKS/AFP than smallpox, causing a rash that spreads, fever, chills, and
aches, among other symptoms. (AFP)

Hong Kong drives Texas fugitive

Tiananmen memories dies during
shootout
Sri Lanka in
diplomatic
spat over
underground on An escaped murderer suspected
of killing five people while on
confiscated
Russian plane

June 4 anniversary the run was gunned down by

Texas police, bringing an end to
a three-week-long manhunt
after the fugitive’s dramatic es-
Sri Lanka’s main airport
yesterday denied the island
nation’s government was
Hong Kong authorities yesterday strove to stop One woman told AFP she had lit a candle at cape from a prison bus. behind a decision to detain
any public commemoration of the 33rd an- home instead and placed a replica of the God- Gonzalo Artemio Lopez, 46, an Aeroflot aircraft, after
niversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, with dess of Democracy statue, the original of which was serving a life sentence for Russia lodged a diplomatic
police warning gatherings could break the law stood in Tiananmen Square in 1989, on her murder, when he escaped from protest over the move.
as Beijing vies to remove all reminders of the windowsill. a prison bus on May 12. The Airbus A330 was
events of June 4. “For me and many Hong Kongers of my gener- Three weeks after a search that seized at the Bandaranaike
On that day in 1989, the government sent ation, June 4 was our political enlightenment,” involved local, state and federal International Airport on
troops and tanks to break up peaceful protests, said the 49-year-old public relations professional, officers – as well as a $50,000 re- Thursday, the same day it
crushing a weeks-long wave of demonstrations who used to volunteer for the vigil’s organisers. ward offered to the public for his arrived from Moscow, after
calling for political change and curbs on official Yesterday, she said she would walk around the capture – police said that Lopez a directive from a court in
corruption. city wearing a T-shirt with June 4 numerals as a was killed during a shootout with the capital Colombo.
Hundreds, by some estimates more than 1,000, more “subtle” form of commemoration, given authorities. (AFP) Flight SU289 was about
were killed in the crackdown. the legal risks. to return to the Russian
China has gone to exhaustive lengths to erase capital with 191 passengers
“For me and many Hong the crackdown from collective memory, omitting
it from history textbooks and scrubbing refer-
Driver killed in and 13 crew aboard.
Sri Lanka’s top envoy was
Kongers of my generation, ences to it from the Chinese internet and social China high-speed summoned to the Russian

June 4 was our political

media platforms. rail crash foreign ministry to receive
Yesterday, authorities in Beijing had set up fa- a “resolute protest” over the
cial recognition devices at roads leading to A high-speed rail driver was killed detention, Russian state
enlightenment” Tiananmen Square and stopped passers-by to and several passengers injured news agency TASS reported.
check their identification. after a train derailed in southwest But Airport and Aviation
Discussion of what happened is highly sensi- The security presence in the area was notice- China’s Guizhou province yester- Services, which runs Ban-
tive to China’s communist leadership, and is all ably bulked up, with two to three times the regu- day, state media reported. daranaike airport, said in a
but forbidden on the mainland. lar number of officers visible. The train, which was en route statement the dispute was
Semi-autonomous Hong Kong had been the In Hong Kong too, the area around Victoria to Guangdong province, de- “purely of a commercial na-
one place in China where large-scale remem- Park was heavily policed, with long lines of secu- railed after running into debris ture” and should not be sub-
brance was still tolerated – until two years ago rity vehicles parked next to it. that had fallen onto the tracks ject to state involvement.
when Beijing imposed a national security law to On Friday night, in the nearby bustling Cause- near a tunnel, official broad- The plane was stopped on
snuff out dissent after huge pro-democracy way Bay shopping district, a performance artist caster CCTV reported. the orders of Colombo Com-
protests in 2019. who whittled a potato into the shape of a candle Video footage published by mercial Court in response to
Authorities warned the public on Friday that “par- and held a lighter to it was surrounded by more multiple Chinese outlets a commercial dispute filing
ticipating in an unauthorised assembly” risked a than a dozen officers and taken away in a police showed severe damage to the by Celestial Aviation Trad-
maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. van, an AFP reporter saw. driver’s car, which was pul- ing 10 Limited of Ireland.
They also closed large parts of Victoria Park, Police later said they had arrested a 31-year- verised by the impact while the The case is to be heard
once the site of packed annual candlelight vigils old woman for “disorderly conduct in a public rest of the train remained on Wednesday. (AFP)
attended by tens of thousands. place”. (AFP) largely intact. (AFP)
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 17

WORLD
World Environment Day

Global plastic use and waste

on track to triple by 2060
MARLOWE HOOD

A world severely blighted by

plastic pollution is on track to
see the use of plastics nearly
triple in less than four decades,
according to findings released
last Friday.
Annual production of fossil-
fuel-based plastics are set to top
1.2 billion tonnes by 2060 and
waste to exceed one billion
tonnes, according to the Organ-
isation for Economic Coopera-
tion and Development (OECD).
Even with aggressive action
to cut demand and improve ef-
ficiencies, plastic production
would almost double in less
than 40 years, the 38-nation
body projects in a report.
Such globally coordinated
policies, however, could hugely
boost the share of future plastic
waste that is recycled, from 12
to 40 per cent.
There is increasing interna-
tional alarm over volume and A swan makes a nest out of plastic trash near a sewage drain on the Danube river bank close to downtown Belgrade in April.
omnipresence of plastics pollu- PHOTO: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP
tion, and its impact.
Infiltrating the most remote
and otherwise pristine regions to fivefold, and more than sixfold
of the planet, microplastics have in sub-Saharan Africa.
been discovered inside fish in
the deepest recesses of the ocean
and locked inside Arctic ice.
The debris is estimated to
“Plastic pollution
cause the deaths of more than a is one of the great
million seabirds and over
100,000 marine mammals each environmental
year. challenges of the
“Plastic pollution is one of the
great environmental challenges 21st century,
of the 21st century, causing
wide-ranging damage to ecosys-
causing wide-
tems and human health,” OECD ranging damage
chief Mathias Cormann said.
Since the 1950s, roughly 8.3 to ecosystems and
billion tonnes of plastic have
been produced with more than
human health”
60 per cent of that tossed into
landfills, burned or dumped di- The new report contrasts a
rectly into rivers and oceans. business-as-usual trajectory A volunteer checking plastic waste while conducting research on the amount of microplastics
Some 460 million tonnes of with the benefits of more ambi- contained in the water at a beach in Pekan Bada, Indonesia’s Aceh province, last Thursday.
plastics were used in 2019, twice tious global policies of reduced PHOTO: CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP
as much as 20 years earlier. plastic use and pollution.
The amount of plastic waste Driven by economic growth
has also nearly doubled, exceed- and an expanding population, mismanaged or allowed to leak greenhouse gases projected to Without targeted policy ac-
ing 350 million tonnes, with less plastics production is set to in- into the environment, a figure seep into the atmosphere. tion, that figure will likely
than 10 per cent of it recycled. crease under either scenario, set to double by 2060. Currently, the full life cycle of double by 2060, the OECD
On current trends, the use of the OECD warns. “Coordinated and ambitious primary plastics from produc- warns. 
plastics is projected to roughly Where policies can make a global efforts can almost elimi- tion to disintegration con- Earlier this year, the United
double in North America, Eu- huge difference is in the han- nate plastic pollution by 2060,” tributes about two billion tonnes Nations set in motion a process
rope, and East Asia. In other dling of waste. the report concludes. of CO2 or its equivalent in other to develop an internationally
emerging and developing coun- Currently, nearly 100 million It could also curtail the gases, roughly three per cent of binding treaty to limit plastic
tries, it is expected to grow three- tonnes of plastic waste is either amount of planet-warming human-caused carbon pollution. pollution. (AFP)
18 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

WORLD

Su#set or #ew !w# or the British

o#!rchy !ter Eiz!beth II?
MARTINE PAUWELS

British republicans are hoping that Eliza-

beth II will be the last queen, but experts
say the monarchy seems set to survive, as
long as it moves with the times.
“We’re not expecting the monarchy to
be abolished whilst the queen is on the
throne,” said Graham Smith, head of the
Republic movement that wants the UK to
have an elected, non-partisan president as
head of state.
But he said: “This is the last monarch
who is going to have anything like the sort
of popular support the queen has.”
Once her eldest son Prince Charles is
on the throne, “then yes, we can cer-
tainly achieve that goal and get rid of the
monarchy,” he added.
Last week saw concerts, parades and
picnics over four days to mark the queen’s
70 years on the throne, with the country
turned a sea of red, white and blue.
The unprecedented Platinum Jubilee
is being seen as a chance to reflect on the
queen’s central place in British life since
1952.

“The monarchy will

have to adapt to a
world that is very
different from that of
the last century”
But with the queen now 96, the jubilee
also heralds the inevitable end of the sec-
ond Elizabethan age.
That, said the Republic movement on its
website, is a chance to “Make Elizabeth
the last”.
Smith said Charles is not necessarily
held in the same affection as the queen The British royal family pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London: (top) on Queen Elizabeth II’s (second from
and slammed the monarchy as an “un- left) Coronation day, on June 2, 1953; and (bottom) last Thursday at the start of events marking her Platinum Jubilee.
democratic, anti-democratic and elitist” PHOTO: DANIEL LEAL/AFP
institution that costs taxpayers millions.

But Charles, 73, will by contrast be “an “But they have to show a sense of have the queen as head of state. Common-
‘Old man’ unattractive old man” when he becomes change,” as they did to a certain extent wealth member Barbados ditched the
Opinion polls indicate that the monarchy king, Hazell added. “You might have a after the death of princess Diana in 1997. queen as head of state last November but
is less popular among younger people difficult accession.” Hazell doubts there will be a domino ef-
who are less attached to tradition and “There might be a bit of a public cam- fect leading back to the UK.
more sensitive to anti-colonial struggles. paign by some of the tabloid newspapers REfORm In any case, a referendum would be
Smith predicts this trend will continue. for Prince William to become the king,” Right-wing tabloid the Daily Mail has re- needed for the UK to become a republic,
According to the British Future think- he said of Charles’ eldest son, aged 39.  ported that William respects his father but no one is calling for one and it is not
tank, 58 per cent of Britons support the William is second in line to the throne, and grandmother’s approach “but be- seen as a political vote-winner.
monarchy, while 25 per cent would prefer and his son, Prince George, is third in the lieves the monarchy should be ‘agile’ to Besides, he said, “the UK is a republic in
a republic after Elizabeth. succession. So even if the British monar- survive and thrive”. all but name. Our monarchy is a parlia-
But the gap between the two narrows to chy does endure it is unlikely to have an- William and his wife Kate had a tumul- mentary monarchy and a constitutional
40 per cent royalist and 37 per cent repub- other reigning queen for quite some time. tuous tour of the Caribbean in March, hit monarchy, where the monarch has no ef-
lican among the young. To maintain public support, the by anti-monarchy protests and accusa- fective political power.”
“When the Queen dies, it will be a monarchy will have to adapt to a world tions of colonial overtones. While in countries such as France the
very big turning point,” said Robert that is very different from that of the “He is looking ahead to how things will “president is the monarch”, the UK’s royal
Hazell, professor of government and last century, said public relations expert be in 40 years’ time. He wants the monar- head of state holds the job for longer.
the constitution at University College Mark Borkowski. chy to continue to be a unifying force, to “It’s easier therefore for the people to
London. “I’m not sure anybody knows what the bridge the gap,” the Mail wrote. identify with the head of state and indeed
The queen was in her 20s when she as- shape of the monarchy will be but it cer- William is also open to a lesser role for to identify and feel loyalty to the head of
cended to the throne and was “a very at- tainly won’t be in the same shape as it was the monarchy in the Commonwealth, 14 state and also to the other members of the
tractive young woman”, he said. whilst the Queen was alive,” he said. of whose members other than the UK royal family,” Hazell said. (AFP)
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 19

OPINIONANDLETTERS

Playing God ends in free-for-all

With the pseudo democratisation Yet, government-leaning media chose to The new amendments to the IVF pro-
CLAUDIO brought about by the advent of social focus on the celebration of the pope’s visit. cedures is typical of this attitude. It is a
FARRUGIA media, distorting information, promot- It is very easy to turn a pointing finger gateway to selective breeding of popula-
ing false stories and facilitating political as if we have nothing to do with all this. tions, better known as eugenics. The
Member, Catholic manipulation has become a common But how much of the pope’s message of embryos that carry an unwanted muta-
Voices Malta occurrence. It has become extremely peace, solidarity, charity, and love of tion are frozen indefinitely. However,
difficult to separate the wheat from the people we encounter daily has really some opt to sell the lie that these frozen
chaff. Sadly, for many people, social sunk into our heart? embryos may be offered for possible

T
media has become their proverbial Popular religion has relegated God to adoption. This issue is not confined to
he scene of Donald Trump golden calf and a platform for promot- mere images of saints and statues that the act itself but it has an overarching
brandishing the Bible in front ing false ideals. adorn our over-elaborate churches effect as such measures indirectly pro-
of a church in Washington, DC, Nonetheless, manipulation of infor- while others subscribe to the idea dis- mote a culture that discriminates
following the assassination of mation to suit one’s objectives is not lim- seminated by German philosopher Ni- against people living with disabilities.
George Floyd, remains imprinted in our ited to social media. Our own Public etzsche that “God is dead”. So it follows Renouncing one’s religious beliefs
memory. Broadcasting Services chose to omit that each person reinvents himself as a does not give a free rein on moral stan-
A year earlier, there had been an- from its reporting the strong petition of connoisseur of morality and creates dards. Nietzsche warned against the
other distasteful event: Matteo Salvini, Pope Francis during his first encounter his own values and principles accord- preposterous creation of our own gods.
leader of the Lega party in Italy, en- at the Presidential Palace. The pope ing to his own whims. American philosopher Ronald
trusting Italy to the Virgin Mary and made an appeal to do away with the cul- Pope Francis has warned us against Dworkin, in his book Taking Rights Seri-
kissing a rosary at a political rally ture of corruption, lack of care for the this: “Some carve out a ‘do-it-yourself ’ ously, argues that individual rights are
while creating a climate of hate against environment and to enhance solidarity. faith that reduces God in the limited often used as “trumps” over collective
immigration. And, only recently, we space of their own desires and their own welfare goals. Such discourse creates an
saw Russian President Vladimir Putin beliefs. But this faith is not conversion unhealthy climate of ‘us and them’.
refer to Bible verses to justify his deci- to the Lord that is revealed; in fact, it Healthy societies must be built on re-
sion to invade Ukraine. prevents him from arousing our life and sponsibilities, duties and obligations
These politically exploitative dramas
go against basic human rights and the
The elimination of any our conscience.”
The elimination of any moral stan-
rather than a language of rights.
Overly liberal beliefs create conflict,
principle of solidarity that individuals moral standards gives dards gives way to a free-for-all society whereas a society based on solid moral
and peoples are entitled to. where no boundaries are set. A society values, and not a do-it-yourself set of
One may be tempted to ascribe these way to a free-for-all with an uninformed conscience gives ‘values’, builds a better world for us
as unique dark incidents. However, we
all can fall into the trap of shaping the
society where no rise to atrocities, greed, corruption, im-
punity, disrespect for human lives and
and future generations.

image of God according to our needs. boundaries are set many other societal maladies. HTTP://CATHOLICVOICES.MT/
20 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

OPINIONS AND LETTERS

H . H
. H q ?
FR JOE BORG

C
aesar never shied away from
bragging! Such as at the
Battle of Zela near the Black
Sea in northeastern Turkey,
where Caesar just wrote: Veni, Vidi,
Vici (I came. I saw. I conquered.) as if
the battle was a piece of cake.
Since then, this slogan has been used
or adapted by different people in differ-
ent contexts. In 2011, for example, US
secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, gave
it a jingoistic twist when she reported
the death of Muammar Gaddafi using
the phrase “We came, we saw, he died.”
Peter Venkman, in the 1984 film Ghost-
busters, gave it an irreverent twist,
applauding the team’s efforts saying:
“We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!”
A religious twist had been given in
1683 by Jan III of Poland, describing
his victory in the Battle of Vienna by
saying “We came, we saw and God con-
quered”, reminding his troops that this
was a team effort (‘We’ not ‘I’) and
thanks to God’s help.
The same slogan, albeit with modi- Pope Francis gives his speech at the Presidential Palace as President George Vella follows. PHOTO: CURIA
fications, can be reflected upon two
months after Pope Francis visited
Malta. Although the timing of the law and legality. May your commit- law. The Parliamentary Assembly of ment “safe from rapacious greed, from
visit was inspired more by the indi- ment to eliminate illegality and cor- the Council of Europe (PACE) noted, avarice and from construction specula-
vidual ambitions of some, rather ruption be strong, like the north wind among other things, that the govern- tion, which compromises not only the
than by their pastoral zeal, Francis that sweeps the coasts of this country. ment gave “little visible response” to landscape but the very future”.
definitely came and saw. Following May you always cultivate legality and allegations of corruption. A dusty south wind we had aplenty
the youth gathering fiasco at St transparency, which will enable the The corruption page is a page that but a cleansing north one made no
George’s Square, the Maltese gave eradication of corruption and crimi- the north wind surely did not turn! appearance in the last two months.
him a commendable welcome. Our nality.”
TV stations transmitted every mo- Two months down the line did you
ment and our political leaders made feel the north wind raging? The only Horror stories malta is selectively
it a point to put on their best smiling difference is that, today, we have dis- from tHe courts full up
face when seen with him. covered that the rot is worse than
But did he conquer or make a what we ever thought it was. Worse still, horror stories have hit us Regarding migrants, the pope urged us
difference? The official mantra is that the coun- from the courts. We had known that to abandon the narrative of “invasion”,
try turned a page after the resignation the police force had ‘mistakenly’ sent stop looking at them as a threat or a
of Joseph Muscat. GRECO – the Coun- wrong information to the Dubai po- virus and be more welcoming. But be-
Has anyone felt cil of Europe committee against cor- lice when they inquired about 17 fore and after the pope’s visit, cries of
tHe nortH wind? ruption – has just reported that the Black. Now we know that that was not help from migrants on boats were re-
government has only fully imple- a solitary mistake. Our police force fused with similar frequency. Malta is
The pope, unlike Caesar, does not im- mented two out of the 23 concrete left a person on police bail and with considered to be full up for black mi-
pose himself on the people he visits. measures that had to be taken to fight an international arrest warrant to grants but not so for blonde Ukraini-
He invites for personal, social and corruption and strengthen the rule of move about, leave and enter Malta ans and passport buyers.
structural conversion by preaching with the same ease that one leaves We were told that there is a law for
the love and mercy of God. The image and enters one’s home. the gods and one for us beasts. Now we
in the Book of Revelations of Christ Someone at the police force did not know that there also is a law for the
knocking on a door that can only be take action to push for the arrest of friends of the gods and a different,
opened from the inside applies to the Ryan Schembri. He is facing justice in harsher one for us beasts. But, please,
pope as well. Malta thanks to the British police. A be positive about all this as we are reli-
So, perhaps, instead of asking man harassing a woman in the Labour ably told that we have turned a page.
whether he conquered or brought any Party club in Floriana was let off the Perhaps that’s true, after all, as it is
changes, one should ask whether we
wanted to be changed. The question
Someone at the hook as he was accused on the basis of
the wrong provision of the law. And an-
clear that the page was turned back-
wards, not forward.
should be: Did we change the evil ways police force did not other one caught red handed with one (P.S. The pope also had strong mes-
Francis spoke of? million worth of contraband cigarettes sages for the Church and the Catholic
In the Presidential Palace, Pope Fran- take action to push was freed as – you guessed it – the community. It would be shameful if
cis told a beaming Prime Minister:
“There is a need to shore up the foun-
for the arrest of prosecution did not do its homework.
Besides warning us of corruption,
they are not followed up. But that’s a
topic for another commentary here or
dations of life in society, which rests on Ryan Schembri Francis exhorted us to keep the environ- in some other place.)
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 21

OPINIONS AND LETTERS

Our neutrality: a balancing act

EDWARD
ZAMMIT
LEWIS

Labour MP

R
ecurring EU-NATO
joint declarations
stress that the EU and
NATO are essential
partners that share common
values, strategic interests and a
majority of member states.
(Currently 21 of the 27 EU mem-
ber states are also members of
NATO.)
EU High Representative for
Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, Josep Borrell could not
be more emphatic about this
geostrategic relationship: “EU-
NATO cooperation is crucial to
our defence and to European
and global security. Making this
cooperation even deeper will
remain at the heart of Euro-
pean defence efforts.”
Attempts to create a Euro-
pean defence community with a European Union Council president Charles Michel, right, welcomes NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg before their meeting
European army and shared mil- at the EU headquarters in Brussels. EU-NATO cooperation is now an established norm and a daily practice. PHOTO: AFP
itary capabilities date back to
the early 1950s. However, the
so-called Pleven Plan, named define the modalities permit- the EU pursues further de- policy and confirmed that its supports member states to im-
after the French prime minister ting EU-led crisis management fence integration, with NATO participation did not prejudice prove their defence capabilities.
who proposed it, remained an operations to access NATO plan- as an integral part of its de- its neutrality. The declaration In the current context of war
unratified treaty. European in- ning, assets and capabilities. fence policy, it may become adds that, as specified in the in Ukraine it would be useful to
tegration, during the decades Subsequent EU-NATO decla- more difficult for Malta to suc- Treaty on European Union, any recall Malta’s position during
that followed, focused on the rations established the key ceed in this balancing act. European Council decision to the 2011 Libyan crisis.
implementation of the EU sin- guiding principles of open- Malta enshrined neutrality move to a common defence In spite of the disastrous fall-
gle market. ness, transparency, inclusive- in its constitution in 1987. Ar- would have to be unanimous out of the conflict on its econ-
However, in 1993, the mem- ness and reciprocity of the ticle 1.3 specifies that “Malta is and had to “be adopted by the omy, Malta did not join NATO’s
ber states committed them- EU-NATO partnership. The a neutral state actively pursu- member states in accordance campaign nor allow its terri-
selves to a European Foreign Partnership is based on full re- ing peace, security and social with their respective constitu- tory to be used for military op-
and Security Policy, EFSP spect of the decision-making progress among all nations by tional requirements”. This erations.
(Maastricht Treaty) and subse- autonomy and procedures of adhering to a policy of non- wording confirms that Malta’s Instead, it focused on human-
quently, in 2003, to a European the two organisations and full alignment and refusing to par- EU membership does not auto- itarian missions and supported
Security and Defence Policy, respect of the specific charac- ticipate in any military matically imply any involve- rapid negotiations for a politi-
ESDP (Nice Treaty). ter of the security and defence alliance”. ment in common defence. cal solution.
The Lisbon Treaty in 2009 policy of any member state. It Upon joining the EU, Malta af- So far, Malta has used abso- At the same time, Malta did
went further along the road of focuses on addressing current firmed, in declaration 35 an- lute discretion and good judge- not refrain from supporting EU
defence integration, notably by and evolving security chal- nexed to the Accession Treaty, ment to select only EU or Council statements that the
the introduction of a mutual lenges. EU-NATO cooperation its commitment to the Union’s NATO-led missions that do not Gaddafi regime had lost its le-
defence clause (article 42.7). now is an established norm common foreign and security compromise its neutrality and gitimacy and condemned its vi-
These developments did not and a daily practice. which conform to its foreign olence against civilians.
prevent Malta with its consti- In 2008, Malta reactivated policy objectives and which Today, with war at its
tutional neutrality from join- its membership in NATO’s carry dividends in the form of doorstep, Malta is once more
ing the EU and, as a full Partnership for Peace (PfP), training and experience to the carefully following a policy of
member, from ratifying the which had been signed in 1995 armed forces and civil defence positive neutrality, always
Lisbon Treaty. and suspended a year later. organisations. putting its national interest
With EFSP and ESDP en- Malta is free to decide the Similar caution and wisdom first. The general consensus
shrined in the treaties, it be- areas of cooperation and the were used in 2018, when Malta among the Maltese population
came urgent and inevitable for specific events in which to par- decided not to join PESCO (Per- is that our constitutional neu-
the EU to institutionalise its re- ticipate. These are set out in its With war at its manent Structured Coopera- trality has served and serves
lationship with NATO to ensure Individual Partnership and doorstep, Malta is tion) in the areas of security and our national interest best.
complementarity and to avoid Cooperation Programme defence, keeping its options This does not eliminate the
stepping on each other’s toes. (IPCP), which is jointly agreed once more open to see how the process possibility of a national debate
The EU-NATO Declaration on
ESPD (2002) and the ensuing
by NATO and Malta.
So far, Malta has skillfully
carefully following would develop. Also, in 2018
Malta decided not to join the Eu-
on the matter in the future
within the ambit of an evolving
Berlin Plus arrangements managed to secure maximum a policy of positive ropean Intervention Initiative European strategic autonomy
(2003) are milestones in EU- benefit from its membership proposed by French President which may include political and
NATO relations and serve as the of the EU and from its mem- neutrality, always Emmanuel Macron. However, it defence integration. Up till
foundation for their political
consultation and practical co-
bership in NATO’s PfP while
fully adhering to its constitu-
putting its national did join the European Defence
Agency in 2004 as this form of
then, we should strive to main-
tain our ‘balancing act’ in the
operation. These arrangements tional neutrality. However, as interest first European cooperation merely best interest of our country.
22 |JunE 5, 2022 ThE SundAy TiMES OF MALTA

OPINIONS AND LETTERS

Helping in cases that have a family his-
tory of serious genetic disor-
families and ders such as Huntington’s or
Tay-Sachs disease.
changing lives As policymakers, it is up to us
to listen to the personal experi-
Just a few weeks ago, the country ence of others and seek to im-
was at the polls voting for its fu- prove their quality of life by
ture and the party it believed introducing comprehensive
could lead it over the next five legislation. The IVF reform is
years. The result is well-known based on the needs of those
to all and Labour secured a couples whose dream it is to be-
strong mandate to continue come parents and give a child a
bringing about change while also loving home.
providing the strong and stable To those prospective parents,
leadership Malta deserves. our message as a government is
Under the leadership of one of empathy and action. We
Prime Minister Robert Abela, have listened to your concerns
we hit the ground running as and we have taken steps to ad-
the government’s first days in dress them.
office were marked by hard We have a strong mandate to
work to ensure that we deliver provide an ethical and legisla-
on the promises we made to the tive framework with clear rules
people. True to our word, last for the welfare of the child,
week we presented a major re- women and couples and no
form to the IVF laws, which will member of society should feel
give families new hope and that they have the authority to
change the lives of those impede this right from being
prospective parents who are given to those who are silently
keen on holding their child in suffering due to infertility.
their arms for the first time. REBECCA BUTTIGIEG
As we pledged in our electoral – Parliamentary Secretary for
manifesto, the amendments to Reforms and Equality, Valletta
the current law were presented Persons with disability in Malta should be able to vote in secrecy as is done by the general
in the first 100 days of this leg- Maltese population. FILE PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
islature. Perhaps one might ask Unholy land
why it was so pertinent for the
government to revamp the IVF
law and place it as high priority
All praise to John Azzopardi for
his courageous letter (May 26)
The right of persons Article 29 of the convention requires that all
contracting states protect “the right of the per-
on the political agenda?
Well, the answer is fairly sim-
setting out the true history of
Islamic persecution of Chris-
with disability to vote son with disabilities to vote by secret ballot in
elections and public referendums”.
ple. After having heard people
recount their personal experi-
tians in the Middle East.
It’s a story which still affects
in secrecy Once again, Malta’s general elections held
earlier this year were not totally accessible to
ence and difficulties in starting millions of Christians today, not “In line with the CRPD, the majority of EU all persons with disability and, once again,
a family it was clear to us that only in the Middle East but countries offer persons with disabilities the some of the persons with disability who de-
something had to be done. throughout the (post-) Chris- possibility of freely choosing assistance to cided to exercise their right to vote had to do
When it comes to issues of infer- tian West as well, where people vote. However, in Greece and Malta, only elec- this not in an anonymous voting manner.
tility, every day that passes is a who simply wish to live out tion officials can assist persons with disabili- Persons with disability in Malta should be
missed opportunity and, as leg- their lives in peace and freedom ties, something that may effectively discourage able to vote in secrecy as is done by the general
islators, it is our duty to deliver are subjected to violence and voters to participate in the elections.” Maltese population.
a more robust IVF service. In terrorism in the name of a per- This information is quoted from the executive With the 2024 European Parliament elec-
fact, over 419 babies were born verted form of religion. summary of the European Disability Forum tions approaching, MFOPD joins EDF and
between 2013 and 2021. That Nevertheless, it was surely a (EDF)’s European Human Rights Report , Issues urges our national decision makers to ac-
means more than 400 new lives mistake for Christianity to buy 6 – 2022, Human Rights Report on the political knowledge, consider and implement the fol-
which brought so much joy to into the concept of a ‘Holy participation of persons with disabilities. lowing recommendations: guarantee all
their parents and grandparents. Land’ which had to be fought The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons persons with disability the right to vote and
As a government, our guiding over again and again. The con- with Disability (MFOPD) is the Malta representa- to stand for election, maximise accessibility,
principles focus on increasing viction of the earliest Christian tive on the European Disability Forum (EDF). including to information and provide rea-
the quality of life of families tradition is that ‘our homeland The UNCRPD is an international human sonable accommodation so that persons
who are going through the IVF is in heaven’ (Philippians 3:20) rights treaty which reaffirms that persons with disability can vote independently and
process. By introducing these and that ‘there is no eternal city with disability should enjoy all human rights secretly.
amendments, we are proposing for us in this life’ (Hebrews and fundamental freedoms. All EU members MARTHESE MUGLIETTE
to make the treatment more 13:14). states and the EU have ratified the UNCRPD, – president, Malta Federation of Organisations
widely accessible by increasing The ‘Holy Sepulchre’, over Malta included. Persons with Disability, Santa Venera
the age limit to 45 for women to which so much blood has been
be able to undergo IVF treat- shed, must be no more than an
ment and the possibility for irrelevance to those who can ac-
women to access free IVF to cept the message that “He has
have a second child, irrespec-
tive if the first child was con-
risen, he is not here” (Mark
16:6, Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:6).
Sirens pitch following: steps are needed for
the platforms to make them
September 26, 2021 but action
has still not been taken. I ap-
ceived through IVF or not. As Regrettably, religion is still The newly-built Sirens swim- more accessible and the public peal to the management as well
we announced, a key develop- the main cause of conflict in ming pool/pitch at St Paul’s toilets have not yet been as the St Paul’s Bay local coun-
ment will allow pre-implanta- what must surely be the unholi- Bay has been completed to a opened. cil to rectify the situation as
tion genetic diagnosis for est stretch of land on earth. high standard. However, I I had made these points in a soon as possible.
monogenic disorders (PGT-M) ALAN COOKE – Sliema would like to point out the letter in this newspaper on DORIS MUSCAT – Mosta

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the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 23

OPINIONS AND LETTERS

Anatomy of a scandal to Malta a few days later as

planned.”
Not even a hint of shock, dis-
may or worry.
KRISTINA Actually, his reply makes you
CHETCUTI think that it’s pretty normal for
people to go on holiday and one
of their friends is handcuffed

J
and arrested and for the rest of
ust for one second, imag- the party to continue partying
ine you’re going abroad come se non fosse. Why, he al-
for a holiday break with most wanted to add, has such a
a group of friends, thing never happened to you?
among them your best friend Well, no, but maybe my life is
for many years. Imagine that, excessively boring, so, please
upon arriving at your destina- reader, do raise your hands and
tion, say somewhere in Europe, drop me a line if it has hap-
policemen round up your best pened to you too.
friend’s boyfriend, handcuff The fact of the matter is that
him and arrest him on the spot. the more we dissect the
What would you do? Would anatomy of this scandal, the
you: a) be completely shocked more foetid the stench. But, for
and astounded and, while try- as long as we are blinded to be-
ing to come to grips with what lieve that what is utterly absurd
could have happened, you try is normal, then the Malta police
and console your distraught Iosif Galea (left), who was arrested in Italy a fortnight ago, was travelling in the company of and all the other institutions
best friend and, perhaps, dis- former PM Joseph Muscat. PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/MATTHEW MIRABELLI will happily pretend that all is
cuss with the rest of the group in order and the rodents will
whether you should cancel the keep running free.
holiday? Or would you: b) just criminals, time and time again, with allegedly masterminding Schembri is also undergoing
all say “Oh right, arrested, eh? ostentatiously ignored this ar- the assassination of Daphne criminal proceedings for
Uijja, we certainly won’t let this rest warrant and did not act on Caruana Galizia, and that his money laundering, does not I watched Anatomy of a Scandal,
little blip dampen our holiday it and Galea was allowed to former chief of staff, Keith help to keep our, um, positivity the Netflix series, over the
mood… here we come!” travel as it pleased him in and on track. weekend. If you love interior
Your answer would be much out of Malta… until two weeks As it were, Times of Malta design, beautiful kitchens and
more interesting if you put it in ago, when the Italians took the asked Muscat for a comment, to die-for camel coats straight
the context of a real-life inci- lead. seeing as he was hanging out out of Vogue, then this one is
dent similar to the mise en scène It so happens that Galea was again with an alleged criminal. not to be missed. But it’s a bit
above. not travelling solo. He was Muscat came back with the more than aesthetics. It’s a psy-
A fortnight ago, Iosif Galea, a going on holiday with a group usual indignant how-dare-you chological courtroom drama
mate of the disgraced European of friends that included the for- undertones: “I am not con- about a British minister com-
commissioner John Dalli, was mer disgraced prime minister nected to this case and to indi- mitting repeated crimes and all
arrested by the Italian Guardia Joseph Muscat and his wife, cate to the contrary is not only the while convincing himself
Di Finanza as soon as he landed Michelle. Galea’s girlfriend, One tries hard not gratuitous but total baseless that he was doing the country a
at the airport of Brindisi. Now, Maria Grech, has been a long- sensationalism.” In the next service. It explores the fine line
Galea has long been a suspect time aide and friend of Ms Mus- to be ‘negative’ and breath, he coldly and calculat- between justice and privilege
for mafia-linked crimes and for cat and her husband. Ah, the edly distanced himself from his and it’s a study into how narcis-
his involvement in information- long arm of coincidence.
think of how birds family’s best friend and her sist criminal politicians can be-
leaking rackets. But, over and Of course, one tries hard not of a feather flock boyfriend: “We were travelling lieve their own lies and make
above that, it turns out that, for to be ‘negative’ and think of with a larger group of friends the people around them believe
more than a year, he has had a how birds of a feather flock to- together and so on and acquaintances for a short their thwarted truth.
European arrest warrant is-
sued against him by the Ger-
gether and so on so forth but,
sometimes, one can’t help it.
so forth but, holiday. A few hours after our
arrival, we were informed that
Now, why does this ring a bell
somehow?
man police for tax evasion. The fact that Muscat was quite sometimes, one Mr Galea was being detained.
Despite this, the Malta police, cosy with tycoon Yorgen The rest of the group continued [email protected]
who seem intent on protecting Fenech, who is now charged can’t help it with our holiday and returned TWITTER: @KRISCHETCUTI
24 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

OPINIONS AND LETTERS

All hailing the government

MANUEL DELIA

E
verybody is so keen to see the
good side of the government’s
behaviour. There are many
reasons to hope things are
better now and the government is
being entirely truthful when they say
they’re nothing like the dark days of
Joseph Muscat and now the law rules
ok.
Here are some reasons why this hope
is conditioning the behaviour of peo-
ple who should know better.
Political elites have a stake in con-
vincing themselves and everyone else
that the situation has improved and
this is no longer a den of thieves but a
modern country. Their motivation is
perhaps the most obvious. Towards
the end of 2019, Malta’s political class
came close to a precipice. After years
of applauding Muscat, the Labour
Party realised that the calculus had
shifted and their chances of survival
improved considerably if they Towards the end of 2019, Malta’s political class came close to a precipice. PHOTO: MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA
removed him.
For a while there, they seriously
feared that the scandals exposed by writing metaphorically or euphemisti- ing too much about where it was com- longer zero tax or low tax) havens for
Daphne and the public’s understand- cally and that the horror was darker ing from until we were forced to ask by their money.
ing of just how dependant political than probably even she realised, lurk- a world pointing the ugly answer out The enthusiasm to endorse the gov-
parties were on the Yorgen Fenechs of ing there in Fenech’s phone. to us so forcefully. ernment’s undoubted ability to tick
this world might lead the public to Before Daphne was killed, we had You know, the world looks forward boxes on long checklists, without mak-
pursue their anger to its logical conclu- normality, or so we felt we could afford to our normality as well. All those in- ing any material difference to anything,
sion: the collapse of our old political to believe. Daphne was a vague warn- ternational organisations coming to is both embarrassing and contagious.
infrastructure, Tangentopoli style. For ing in the distance, like a monthly doc- Malta after Daphne was killed and list- Consider how PN spokesman Joe
a moment, they feared being chased tor’s appointment warning us about ing all the things they barely noticed Giglio rushed to congratulate the gov-
out like Bettino Craxi under a shower diabetes or another UN report about when she was still alive, urging us to ernment for setting up “an inquiry”
of coins, and – have no illusion – both the devastation of climate change. We fix them. They too have a stake in our into whether the police had helped
parties perceived this end of the road know the truth is out there but it is rapid return to normality. They need Muscat’s buddy Iosif Galea escape jus-
rushing up to them fast. also true that we could ignore it. to be able to say they saved us from tice in Germany.
They were saved, by Muscat’s depar- We never admitted it but we became ourselves, that their recommenda- When he first called for the inquiry,
ture, by rebellion in the PN and, per- nostalgic for a time when the worst we tions cured Malta of its illnesses. Giglio sounded like a lion, roaring at
haps most importantly, by COVID-19 could feel was a nagging annoyance Now they fly here to write their up- the government, insisting things are
that gave people enough unfamiliar with otherwise sensible people being date reports, looking desperate to done properly.
things to deal with to stifle any excite- impressed by Muscat code switching in close the file on us and congratulate His satisfaction when the govern-
ment about changing all they knew conversation and his naff wife’s naff themselves like lifeguards at the end of ment gave the job to conduct the “in-
about the governance of their country. couture. That was normal as it was summer. They cling to every half-arsed quiry” to the police board that is
Business elites were saved by the normal to amass wealth without ask- ‘reform’ by the government as the hall- prevented by the law that sets it up
same bell. The vulnerability of our po- mark of transformation, confusing, from doing anything meaningful at all,
litical system, politicians’ dependence apparently intentionally, any walk turned the lion into a wet kitten.
on their charity, their grip on the en- around the park with the Exodus from Like those international organisa-
tire chain of power needed preserva- Egypt and our relative quiet as the tions keen to prove the effectiveness of
tion. They would have survived even sullen march of the Hebrew slaves. the pressure they publicly applied on
the grandest revolution somehow but Some international agencies are the government, Giglio rushed to con-
change is expensive. They’re keen to go keener than others. In a few days, it gratulate himself for having forced an
back to a time when ministers would seems near certain now, the FATF will inquiry on the government.
clear their decks to give them a meet- promote us back into the white list, re- Instead, he had only forced on them
ing and no one would find that unto- opening the doors to our rehabilita- just the way out they needed, the
ward in any way. Political elites have a tion in the global financial world. whitewash that would reverse the find-
In a way, even the angry protesters Their stake is even more obvious be- ings of the Daphne Caruana Galizia in-
out on the street at the end of 2019 stake in convincing cause those great economies that want quiry, that we have a police force that
looked forward to normality. That,
after all, was what made most of them
themselves and to harmonise tax systems still want
their businesses to be more competi-
works for Muscat not for the people of
Malta.
angry: abnormality, the uncomfort- everyone else that the tive than the businesses operating in This is just how they like it. It’s how
able discoveries they made when they other countries. They will always need they want it. And you’ve got to hand it
finally saw that Daphne hadn’t been situation has improved apparently legitimate lower tax (if no to them. It’s just how they get it.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 25

BUSINESSANDMONEY
Persisting
inflation
concerns and
recession risk
ROBERT stagflation concerns late in
DUCKER 2021/early 2022 to recession
fears today.
Senior equity We looked at the biggest mar-
analyst, Curmi and ket moves in 2022 and tried to
Partners Ltd. understand the main drivers of
performance. We found four
periods where equity market

T
moves were significant for
he rise in volatility global equities: (1) 12/01 to
and macro uncer- 27/01 – MSCI World Index
tainty have led to a (MXWO) fell by 12.0% in just 15
significant de-rating days; (2) 09/02 – 10/03 –
in the equity market. The S&P MXWO fell 17.1%; (3) 14/03 to
500 index had seven weeks of 29/03 – S&P 500 rallied 11.0%;
negative returns (ending on and (4) 30/03 to 20/05 – S&P
May 20), an uncommon event 500 fell by 15.9%. This should The expectation that the Ukraine invasion would be short has not materialised, with the war
that last occurred 21 years ago provide a good overview of the continuing to date. PHOTO: AFP
in March 2001. changes in investor sentiment
By the end of the third week throughout the year.
of May the SPX was flirting with Period 1: The sell-off in global driver of performance for equi- However, trying to control in- to be interpreted as investment
bear market territory as the equities during Period 1 was ty markets was the revision flation could have severe impli- advice, or to be used or considered
year-to-date performance ex- driven by the expectation that lower of global growth expecta- cations for economic growth. as an offer or a solicitation to
ceeded the -20% threshold, monetary policy will be tighter tions, mainly due to the impact Weakening demand without sell/buy or subscribe for any
before recovering slightly. than initially expected and on the supply-side from the war going into a recession is a tricky financial instruments, nor to
Yet, despite a slew of negative weakening global growth expec- and on energy prices. Crucially, balance to strike and investors constitute any advice or recom-
macroeconomic prints during tations. The primary concern during this period monetary are well aware of this. The nar- mendation with respect to such fi-
the week ending May 27, the here was the mix between policy expectations remained rative during April and May has nancial instruments. Curmi and
equity market recovered growth (lower) and inflation largely unchanged. shifted away from stagflation to Partners Ltd is a member of the
strongly, with the S&P 500 (higher). The interest rate ex- Period 3: The relief rally that the potential for a recession. Malta Stock Exchange and is li-
recording one of the sharpest pectations in the US for 2022 followed was a mix of improv- censed by the MFSA to conduct in-
rallies on record. The 6.6% total moved from zero hikes expected ing growth expectations and ex- The information presented in this vestment services business.
return for the week was the 19th in the summer of 2021, to pectations that the tightening commentary is solely provided for
strongest return since 1950. around seven by January, which cycle would be interrupted by informational purposes and is not WWW.CURMIANDPARTNERS.COM
The economic backdrop has led investors to start to price-in the war. Historically, investors
changed meaningfully since the potential for stagflation. priced-in a much worse out-
the start of the year. The mar- Period 2: The second phase come for equities before/dur-
ket expectation back then was captures the rising Russia/ ing a war, which generally led to
for economic growth to moder- Ukraine tensions which eventu- a sharp drawdown followed by
ate to above-trend (above trend ally led to the invasion of a strong rally. This was the case
implies growth exceeding 2%) Ukraine. Global growth expec- during the Ukraine invasion.
growth for major economies. tations had started to pick-up in The expectation at this point
This followed the abnormal February but peaked on 09/02, was that the war will end
growth reported in 2021, when news-flow around the quickly and the impact on
which was primarily driven by Russia/Ukraine deteriorated. global economic growth would
the re-opening of economies During this period the main be limited. Curiously, global
after the pandemic. growth expectations moved to
The positive outlook for 2022 the highest for the year (and
was factoring in an improve- highest since November 2021)
ment in the supply side con- despite the ongoing war in
straints which would ease Ukraine, which suggests that
inflation concerns. However, in- optimism was too high.
flation remained elevated for Period 4: The expectation
longer than initially expected as that the Ukraine invasion
pent-up savings have supported would be short has not mate-
consumer demand while the The economic rialised, with the war continu-
supply side was under pressure
from the Ukraine invasion in
backdrop has ing to date. Inflation prints
have remained elevated, higher
March and China’s zero-case changed than it has been for decades.
policy (which led to several city Rising prices (inflation) im-
lockdowns in the country in meaningfully plies that demand is greater
April). It meant that we had
gone full circle from the refla-
since the start than supply, and therefore the
rationale for hiking rates is to
tion trade for much of 2021, to of the year put a cap on demand.
26 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

BUSINESS AND MONEY ROAD SAFETY / ECONOMIC REVIEW

Why insurance
costs may rise
ADRIAN As evidence of this commit-
GALEA ment, the MIA had strongly ad-
vocated for the introduction of
Director general, a demerit point system locally,
Malta Insurance for a reduction in alcohol levels
Association and, on a practical level, do-
nated 15 breathalyser kits to
the police for them to use (and

A
the only ones available to the
s the association rep- police to date) in the preven-
resenting local insur- tion of drink driving.
ers and as active The last reported national
participants within statistics concerning the num-
the Malta Road Safety Council, ber of breathalyser tests car-
the Malta Insurance Associa- ried out dates back to 2018, The last reported national statistics concerning the number of breathalyser tests carried out dates
tion (MIA) is becoming ever when, during that year, 165 back to 2018 when, during that year, only 165 tests were conducted. PHOTO: DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI
more concerned at reports in tests were conducted.
the media about road safety and
the apparent lack of commit-
ment from the authorities.
“The law does not, roadside drug tests and needs
to ask where such tests can be
With laws that need urgent
updating, and no real commit-
are lost for those people in-
volved in such incidents; and
Road safety is not a cliché unlike for alcohol, practically carried out. ment towards proper enforce- the flow of traffic would surely
which is given attention mo- Madame Justice Consuelo ment to bring true change in benefit from avoiding the con-
mentarily and only when it is specify any limits Scerri Herrera was critical of the driver’s attitude towards gestions that inevitably result.
convenient for policymakers to
do so, such as the annual cam-
for drug use” this issue in her address at the
MIA Conference on drink and
road safety, one cannot have
much confidence of any im-
This is why the MIA believes
that the country would be
paigns launched just before the When considering that 15 drug driving in April 2019. provement and a drop in fatali- much better served by having
festive season. It is worrying to kits were donated, 165 tests in This is what she said, as re- ties and injuries. The accident one single authority or agency
note, for instance, the complete one year works out at an aver- ported in the media: “The data from the first few months dedicated entirely to road
lack of any reference to this age of 11 tests per kit, per year, amount of accidents taking of this year are evidence of this, safety, rather than living with
issue in the two main parties’ which is less than one test a place on Malta’s roads should if any is needed. the current fragmentation of
political manifestos in the month. Readers can reach warrant more breathalyser If this level of indifference responsibilities among several
last election. their own conclusion as to tests being taken.” Three years towards the changes needed re- entities which only helps to cre-
The MIA regularly engages in whether this is sufficient or later and sadly nothing has mains, we cannot then com- ate confusion, lack of account-
discussions with the authori- not. changed! plain when insurance costs and ability and, ultimately, lack of
ties in an effort to see effective More worryingly is the fact The objective behind that premiums start to rise; it will enforcement.
changes taking place. Our that driving under the influ- conference had been to take a be an inevitable consequence of This is what other countries
members feel that it is their ence of drugs is against the law, snapshot of the situation in the lack of the required action. in the EU did, with great
duty to contribute to real im- as much as drink-driving is. Malta at the time, and for us to Everyone stands to gain from success.
provement in road safety, and The difference is that the law engage with the relevant au- better road safety and enforce- The authorities need to un-
although some cynics will say does not, unlike for alcohol, thorities so that we could pro- ment, not least the families of derstand and accept that there
that this is because insurers specify any limits for drug use, pose and discuss the changes those who lost their loved ones are people and organisations
will benefit financially from contains no proper definition needed. Unfortunately, our and go through such sorrow such as ours who are very
having less claims, it is worth of ‘drugs’ and also has no pro- proposals for changes in the and trauma. willing to help tackle this issue
remembering that at a time visions to determine how and law were never given the con- Our emergency and health and to come up with ideas as
where inflation has had an im- what tests are to be conducted sideration they deserved, and services would be able to allo- to the changes needed. It is
pact on practically every eco- to determine drug use by the at one point, very disappoint- cate their already stretched re- high time the government and
nomic sector, it is in everyone’s driver. It is perhaps no wonder ingly, doubt was even cast on sources more efficiently; fewer all the authorities start to lis-
interest that the financial cost that the police are not what the true intentions be- beds will need to be taken up in ten, and more importantly, to
of road accidents is reduced. equipped at all to carry out hind our proposals were. hospital; fewer productive days act.

Eurozone inflation hits record 8.1 per cent

Eurozone inflation rose to a new record To tame price rises, the European Cen- shortages continued to force many House prices rose by 11.2 per cent on the
high of 8.1 per cent in May from 7.4 per tral Bank has already flagged a 25 basis firms to operate below capacity.” year in May, according to the mortgage
cent in April, further aggravating the point increase in its -0.5 per cent deposit In response, firms continued to use lender, compared to an increase of 12.1 per
cost of living crisis across the currency rate in both July and September. automation, offer more job flexibil- cent in April. On a monthly basis, prices
bloc, preliminary data by statistics In the meantime, the US economy is ity, and increase wages. However, in a went up by 0.9 per cent, which is the tenth
agency Eurostat showed on Tuesday. continuing to expand, albeit moderately, few districts, wage rate increases monthly rise in a row. The average house
Inflation increased across the board in most regions, according to regional sur- were leveling off or edging down. On price in the UK now comes in at £269,914.
thanks to continued energy market veys conducted by the Federal Reserve. the price front, about half of the dis- “Household finances are likely to re-
volatility on the back of sanctions, soar- Economic growth and price gains tricts said firms were maintaining main under pressure with inflation set
ing food prices and core inflation in- may be moderating in parts of the coun- pricing power and were able to pass to reach double digits in the coming
creasing due to businesses pricing try as households and businesses navi- costs on to consumers. quarters if global energy prices remain
through high producer prices. gate higher interest rates, the Russian Finally, UK house prices grew for a high,” said Robert Gardner, Nationwide
Food prices soared by 7.5 per cent, invasion of Ukraine and ongoing dis- tenth consecutive month in May, accord- chief economist.
while prices for other goods, such as ruptions from COVID-19 infections, the ing to Nationwide’s House Price Index,
clothing, appliances, cars, computers central bank said in its Beige Book re- but the rate of growth appeared to be de- This report was compiled by Bank of
and books, were up by 4.2 per cent. The port on Wednesday. However, labour celerating as the ongoing cost of living Valletta plc for general information
cost for services rose by 3.5 per cent. markets remained tight and “worker crisis looked set to weigh on prices. purposes only.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 27

BUSINESS AND MONEY CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Extended warranties: do
consumers need them?
ODETTE consumers should check what different
VELLA sellers are offering as standard guarantees.
When carrying out such comparisons
Director, consumers may discover products with stan-
Information dard guarantees that provide the same ben-
and Research efits as the extended guarantees that some
Directorate sellers are requesting extra payment for.
When comparing guarantees and prod-
ucts, consumers should keep in mind the
two-year legal protection they are auto-
When consumers buy a product, whether matically entitled to when purchasing
it is a new appliance or the latest gadget, goods. The law entitles consumers to
they usually hope it lasts for a long time so request a free-of-charge remedy if the
they get the best possible value for their product purchased does not conform to
money. But one cannot know for sure how the contract of sale.
long a product will last. If this happens, the defective or non-
Consumers can only put their mind at conforming goods must be repaired or re-
rest if the goods bought are covered with placed free of charge by the seller. If these
a commercial guarantee that provides two remedies are either not possible or
them with a suitable remedy should the It is important to check if an extended warranty covers both parts and labour. If it would be inconvenient to consumers, then
product turn out to be defective. only covers replacement of the damaged parts, consumers should check the rate the latter may claim a part or full refund
Extended warranties may provide addi- per hour the company charges for repairs. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM of the money they paid. So an extended
tional protection when problems arise warranty should only be purchased when
after the standard guarantee expires. it provides more protection to consumers
However, this additional protection usu- opt for when making a claim under check the rate per hour the company than what the law provides.
ally comes at a cost and may not provide the guarantee: does the guarantee only charges for repairs. Finally, it is important for consumers to
all the benefits consumers think they will repair the defective good or Consumers should also take into account remember that extended warranties are
have when buying such a guarantee. can the consumer request a replace- other factors such as the cost of the war- optional, and they should not be pressured
It is in consumers’ best interest to ment? ranty, the value of the product it covers and by sellers to buy them. If consumers decide
gather information about the real benefits Consumers should also check if the the cost of replacing it outside warranty. An to make such a purchase, it is their respon-
the warranty offers before committing to guarantee includes any additional costs, extended warranty is usually worth buying sibility to ensure that all the terms and con-
such a purchase. such as transport costs or a call charge. if it does not have many restrictions of use ditions of the promised guarantee are
The first question to ask is what the When such costs apply, these should be and when the product it covers is expensive provided in writing. If guarantees are not
extended warranty covers: does the guar- clearly wirtten in the guarantee’s terms to repair or replace. honoured by traders, consumers may take
antee only cover mechanical breakdowns and conditions. Before deciding whether or not to pur- action by lodging a complaint with the Of-
or does it also cover wear and tear and It is also important to check if the ex- chase an extended warranty, it is the con- fice for Consumer Affairs at the MCCAA.
accidental damages? tended warranty covers both parts and sumers’ responsibility to shop around and
Special attention should also be labour. If it only covers replacement of compare products with different standard WWW.MCCAA.ORG.MT
given to the remedies consumers may the damaged parts, consumers should warranties. While comparing brands, [email protected]

Baby teether/pacifier recalled Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA)
Office for Consumer Affairs
Mizzi House, National Road,
A baby teether/pacifier in the shape of a mush- Blata l-Bajda HMR 9010
room intended for newborn babies was recently
recalled from the local market by the Malta Com- Freephone: 8007 4400 | Tel: 2395 2000
petition and Consumer Affairs Authority Consumer complaints: https://www.mccaa.org.mt/home/
(MCCAA). The product is also sold online under complaint
the following product identification numbers: Website: www.mccaa.org.mt
B09H2RH1QT, B09JWL234H and B09H2SBX.
The product was recalled as it does not comply To watch videos on topics featured on this page,
with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive visit www.facebook.com/pg/MCCAAMalta/videos.
and applicable European standards. The MCCAA
said its mushroom head can flip around, creating MCCAA office hours for the public:
a very tight suction that can block a child’s air- Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm
ways (nose and mouth), causing suffocation.
The MCCAA has taken the appropriate mea- European Consumer Centre Malta
sures to ensure that the product is removed from (For complaints against traders in other EU member states)
the local market. Consumers who have bought 47A, South Street,Valletta VLT 1101
the product should refrain from using it and,
where possible, return it to the retailer from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm
where they bought it. Retailers are obliged to Tel: 2122 1901 | E-mail: [email protected]
offer a remedy to consumers, such as by replac-
ing the recalled product with a safe one.
The information published in this page is intended for information pur-
For more details, visit the link below or e-mail
poses only. Any legal claim or action taken in the event of a dispute
[email protected]. should be based solely on the legal texts concerned. For more infor-
The product’s mushroom head can flip around, mation, call the Office for Consumer Affairs at the Malta Competition
HTTPS://EC.EUROPA.EU/SAFETY-GATE-ALERTS/SCREEN/ creating a very tight suction that can block a and Consumer Affairs Authority on Freephone 8007 4400.
WEBREPORT/ALERTDETAIL/10006165 child’s airways, causing suffocation.
28 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

Achieving agility
We help businesses generate new value through innovation, says
Robbert Brand, founder and managing director, AIVHY.
For four months, Robbert Brand, founder Also, Industry 4.0 spills over other
and managing director of operational technologies which might not be di-
technology company AIVHY, travelled rectly related to data that are still fur-
around Europe, looking for a country ther empowered by the use of
where he could set-up base for his com- data-related innovations, boosting op-
pany with the aim to bring a revolution- erational flexibility.
ary approach to innovation for industrial “The technology and innovation on
companies. His last ticket was to Malta – which Industry 4.0 relies is still devel-
and indeed, this last destination was the oping at a rapid pace – so its full poten-
proverbial ‘save the best for the last.’ tial is still to come,” says Brand.
“As soon as I arrived in Malta, I knew it “Monthly breakthroughs are still
was the right fit,” Brand says. “Standing achieved in the field of machine learn-
in between two continents, Malta allows ing, 3D printing is still evolving rapidly,
for quick access to mainland Europe, and and most other technologies driving
is a gateway for different markets. More- Industry 4.0 follow similar progress.
over, its size makes it a perfect testing The latest developments must still find
ground for solutions – the market is their way to the industries, meaning
small and manageable, and so is a good that Industry 4.0 is not even close to its
indicator of when to take product to true potential.”
market, scale up and grow.” “To give an example: A company finds
Brand then spent the following year fi- itself in the need to optimise their
nalising a business plan, before launch- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
ing AIVHY. through smart use of data and real-
Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. time insight, open new revenue stream
“We launched at a very difficult time – through IoT and servicification of their
yet with the shift to remote working ar- products, or have set an ambitious fu-
rangements and a significant customer ture goal for which big innovation is re-
base in lockdown, for many companies, quired with an achievable and stepwise
this was a wake-up call to digitise their approach. The principles of Industry 4.0
processes and offerings,” says Brand. combined with AIVHY’s real-world ap-
“The pandemic brought with it a sig- proach form the perfect answer for
nificant demand for automation and digi- such cases.
tisation,” says Brand. “And this is exactly “AIVHY has the knowhow and expe-
what we do – we provide expertise and rience to lead this entire journey to
services to facilitate expansion and success, taking care of every aspect of
growth through automation and innova- this transition.”
tion. An excellent starting point is AIVHY’s
“For instance, we could digitally and Kick Starter. “With this service, we pro-
cyber securely connect machines to vide an accessible starting point for
provide real-time insight in performance production companies, warehousing
and quality across the production pro- and logistics operators, ports, and any
cess. We ensure that this improvement other companies that work in an indus-
enables further innovation, such as pre- trial environment, to continuously reach
dictive maintenance, energy use optimi- optimal business potential and open
sation, or even opening new revenue Robbert Brand, founder and managing director of operational technology new revenue streams. Our Kick Starter
streams.” company AIVHY. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER makes this possible through accessible
This is only an element of what this innovation, technology, and smart use
young company proposes – as AIVHY of data built on existing assets.”
focuses on providing a holistic service facilitates horizontal and vertical digi- “Such existing assets, for instance,
and addressing every aspect of a chal- talised integration within an organisa- contain data that is easily made avail-
lenge. Apart from the technical elements, tion and across the supply chain, with able, but underutilised. This data has
innovation involves other aspects, like the aim of reducing cost, waste and significant potential,” Brand explains.
organisational change, financial planning error while improving quality, efficiency “Moreover, this potential is usually
and maintenance of the solution. and performance. Of course, all in a low-hanging fruit. With each low-
And thanks to the experts that the cyber secure manner. hanging fruit that we pick, we ensure
company can rely upon – a tailored team Industry 4.0 is mostly data-driven, that we reduce the barrier for the
that can be assembled and scaled ac- relying on technology to generate, col- next improvement. This way, the
cording to the challenge at hand – AIVHY lect, transport, share, store and trans- route to big innovation becomes
helps businesses address a challenge in form data into value – with the more achievable, by taking small steps that
all its aspects, starting from pre-inves- “Data is one popular examples of such technology pay for themselves.”
tigative work leading to an actionable being IoT, blockchain, machine learning, Change is crucial for survival.
roadmap, followed by implementation of
future-proof, fully operational solutions.
of the big artificial intelligence, big data, cloud
computing and real-time dashboarding
“This is our aim,” Brand adds. “With
quick wins leading to big innovation, we
“In turn, this relieves our customers
and frees up their time and resources
drivers of and visualisation.
“Data is one of the big drivers of
help our customers generate new busi-
ness value through innovation and
to focus on their core business,”
Brand adds.
modern modern innovation,” says Brand. “It is
useless to collect data without using it.
agility. That way, businesses survive
and grow.”
Key to AIVHY’s unique approach is In-
dustry 4.0 – a movement that applies
innovation” Rather, data, and its use, should be a
key driver for innovation and adds value For more information and to speak to
emerging technologies to industries and to businesses.” AIVHY visit https://aivhy.com/.

Sponsored content
th sun
ay tis f alta Jun 5, 2022 | 29

ARTSANDENTERTAINMENT

Foamy Season The Juggler

A cry for Freedom

JOSEPH AGIUS bration, also threatened by a toppling
over which would also result in losing the
thread of the game.
However, the exhibition is not solely
Self-expression is therapeutic on many devoted to caricature and cartoon. The
levels. It exorcises internal strife by rep- early days of the pandemic kept many
resenting it artistically to the public. This people locked away from humanity’s
could be regarded as an act of freedom, hustle and bustle. The majority hiber-
of unloading through sharing. A general nated to relative domestic safety, away
empathy towards the artist’s experience, from the menace of the virus. “The pan-
amid different emotions and nuances, is demic allowed the manic pace of life to
thus fostered as a learning exercise. slow down so it was an opportunity for
The exhibition Freedom finds artist Is- me to explore new subjects and media.
abel Warrington, well-known as a local Isabel Warrington That’s when I really started to enjoy
actress, coming to terms with a life and painting landscapes in watercolour,” she
career that saw her toing-and-froing maintains. “I had so much more time to
from theatre to caricatural art. “I got provides a morale to their illustrative walk in the countryside and sit and paint
back into painting when I started using storytelling. Artists like Roland Topor so I started to take my watercolours Hot Air
it as a form of therapy about three years and Honoré Daumier depicted a human- wherever I went to also get used to paint-
ago, when I was going through a particu- ity with a few redeeming characteristics ing en plein air,” she continues.
larly difficult time,” she remarks. while cartoonists like Arthur Rackham The artist enjoyed newfound freedom person, “who spends most of my time
Probably, theatre helped her recognise and Gustav Doré explored folklore and by breaking away from the pandemic-in- alone in my own head. The older I grow
that the whole world is effectively a stage, myth with less pessimistic overtones. duced imprisonment and venturing to the more I like it there.” This quest for
and that people are mere pawns, moving Warrington’s style and narrative is in the liberating space of the great out- solitude is more than skin-deep, offering
around and being manipulated in the tune with that of the latter artists – in Hot doors. She relished the solitude, the Warrington the space for multi-layered
general scheme of things. Playwrights as- Air, a bathtub and sleepy bather travel seclusion in being alone in open spaces, introspection and renewal, both artisti-
cribe roles to their created characters, across the heavens, on an adventure, car- while admiring the diversity and beauty cally and personally.
figments from real-life events and from ried by a billowing Montgolfier. It is rem- of the Maltese landscape. “The diversity Alain de Botton and John Armstrong,
pure imagination. The actor studies the iniscent of Odilon Redon’s famous Eye- of Malta’s landscape is breathtaking, and in their book Art as Therapy, claim that
part and takes on the role, creating a per- Balloon of 1878, without the sinister omi- I never cease to wonder at the hardiness “the development of the artist provides a
sonality, usually with a social situation as nous aura of the French symbolist’s of vegetation that flourishes despite the profound model of the process of matu-
a backdrop. At times, this is done work. Warrington’s painting has well-de- harsh elements. The unkempt aspect of ration”. Freedom finds Warrington ma-
through the augmenting and the empha- fined, innocent and ‘fiabesque’ elements. our natural spaces gives me a sense of turing as an artist, while exploring new
sising certain characteristics, also pour- In The Juggler, a ‘roly-poly’ juggler, a toy wild freedom,” she points out. This fresh venues and itineraries, without denounc-
ing it into a measure of caricature. of old, delivers a message of equilibrium freedom has been effectively translated ing her traditional narrative as a percep-
Caricatures usually have a witty but as factors of its inherent physical form as through her watercolours of the Maltese tive and intuitive caricaturist.
cruel dimension; their strength lies in well as through the game it’s playing, es- countryside at different times of the year.
poking fun at people and ridiculing situa- sentially its raison d’être. This could be an She claims that people think that she’s freedom, hosted by Art by the Seaside
tions and anachronistic tradition. How- autobiographical comment as the artist’s an extrovert who loves the company of Gallery, Senglea, is on until June 17.
ever, some bring out a level of life has been a balancing game of alter- others. She counters this preconception Consult the gallery’s Facebook page for
endearment, of self-identification; this nating viewpoints and continuous recali- by affirming that she is actually a solitary opening hours.
30 |JunE 5, 2022 thE Sunday timES of malta

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ARTS

Untitled 1969 Untitled 1972 Untitled 1980

Philip Chircop and his lifetime

endeavour in abstract expressions
RODERICK CAMILLERI Chircop’s artistic ideas gravitated to-
wards the school of thought of artists
who believe that abstraction and ab-
stract art allow humankind to perceive
In the local art scene, abstract art is one what cannot be seen with the physical
of those art forms that provides a lot of eyes. He pursued an artistic search that
uncharted ground to explore and ana- transcends the mundane, evoking the
lyse. Despite being one of the dominant spiritual and intangible facets of reality
international art forms of the modern by unleashing an internal outpouring
20th century, abstract art remains one of expression of the soul communicated by
those creative expressions which, ironi- abstract forms. He believed that art is
cally and surprisingly enough, is very akin to music, for it does not dictate a
easily misunderstood. clear and definite narrative but rather
One can appreciate that it does not proffers a covert content, a universal yet
come naturally for everyone. It re- mysterious narrative that is very per-
quires visual sensibility and receptivity, sonal and subjective.
as well as a cultural bag that gives the
viewer the ability to relate and engage
with it. It is a very particular art form “He pursued an artistic
that, at times, transmits elements asso-
ciated with the nonverbal deep-seated
search that transcends
aspects of our being. the mundane, evoking
Unfortunately, abstract art was also Philip Chircop Untitled 2015
relatively underrated within certain the spiritual and
early art educational institutions, espe-
cially during the initial stages of modern Only a handful devoted their whole From his very early stages, Chircop
intangible facets
art in Malta. For instance, it was never artistic career to searching and explor- embarked on a journey of self-discov- of reality”
promoted in the early periods of the ing abstract expression. One of these ery by exploring the domain of non-
Malta Government School of Art, and in pioneers is surely Philip Chircop. He objective painting. The art exhibition, Eloquent Silence,
fact, students were not encouraged to ex- contributed through propagating a new He was not interested in literal repre- which is currently hosted at the Malta
plore this particular territory. way of thinking that pushed the sentational pictorial references but Society of Arts’ Gallery, Palazzo de La Salle,
Furthermore, even though we have a boundaries of the local realm of the rather strived to move away from the aims to encapsulate Chircop’s visual
number of significant early modern arts. Together with other significant slavish descriptive depiction of the ex- worldview and his relentless quest for elo-
artists who pushed the boundaries of artists, Chircop paved the way for inno- ternal world around him, seeking new quent non-representational forms. It
the local art scene, experimenting with vative approaches that proved instru- methods to voice his creativity. provides a fresh glimpse of who Chircop
different forms of abstraction and mental in establishing a fresh artistic He sought to liberate his art from the really was, through his versatile and pro-
modes of expression, very few dedicated and cultural landscape within the crea- fetters of conventional imagery and lific artistic output. It features an exten-
their entire artistic career solely to ab- tive realm of the visual arts. challenge the tyranny of the conserva- sive body of 48 artworks portraying his
stract art. Most of them had an eclectic Since he left the Malta Government tive imitation of the physical world. He lifetime endeavour and constant yearn-
approach, experimenting with different School of Art in 1969, he took the path viewed art as an intuitive and sponta- ings, which subsisted till the very last days
ways of visual expressions while deve- of pure abstraction, delving into the neous act; a creative activity whereby of his life. He produced abstract notes that
loping their personal language or signa- non-figurative realm, unearthing inner the innermost feelings and deepest in- pronounced a silent yet lyrical visual vo-
ture style, hovering between figurative emotions and thoughts through mould- tuitions are externalised through line, cabulary manifested by different experi-
and abstract content. ing the basic formal elements. shapes, form and colour. mental approaches and mixed media.
 thE Sunday timES of malta JunE 5, 2022 | 31

Untitled 2018

Untitled 2016 Untitled 2019

The show illustrates Chircop’s artistic ing is that all the works in this event were especially those associated with the They voice an inaudible, eloquent and
freedom and investigational attitude. He never exhibited before. Neolithic temple period. meditative spiritual content, unfolding
worked with different materials and The exhibition also includes a selection This particular symphony of work not an inner concord and imperturbable
techniques, attempting diverse visual of early examples, illustrating the begin- only looks back to the past but also con- vitality that can hardly be explained in
possibilities. His medium was always a ning of Chircop’s first experimentation fronts the viewer with the vigorous simple words.
means to an end, an opportunity to ex- and conception of the abstract discourse. presence of his lively and prolific out- Following these two halls, one finds the
plore new visual territories and ideas. Lines and subtle tones veer in open put, which kept on going till the very second part of the exhibition, which
This can be appreciated by the variety of spaces with placid and gentle movement. last days of his life. plays a kind of rhapsody, a sequential ex-
pictorial properties, visual renderings Two early drawings pertaining to 1957 The exhibition proffers a thought- position of dynamic and chromatic flow
and tactile effects. and 1959, respectively, shed light on his provoking juxtaposition, as it leads the of layered swirling shapes and vibrant
Even though the show breathes ele- teenage phase. These works exemplify viewer to Chircop’s final stages of his plains linked to Chircop’s highly produc-
ments of a retrospective and a his early natural inclination towards artistic creation, presenting a selection tive decades. Eloquent Silence is one final
commemorative exhibition, it does not abstract sensibilities. Complementing of work in the second hall, bestowing a account of an artistic journey which nar-
strictly fall specifically within either of these early examples, one finds an compelling comparison between the be- rates the story of a man who devoted his
these two realms, given that it centres exquisite selection representing the first ginning and the end of Chircop’s artistic entire life to the boundless, indefinable,
more prominently on the last phase of series of subtle and refined paintings of expression. It is fascinating to unveil the yet universal language of abstract art.
his artistic career. The main corpus pre- his initial mature period defined by deli- intriguing similarities of these works.
sents a considerable portion of work cate tessellation of colour and dynamic Notwithstanding the fact that they are Eqe Sece, curated by Roderick
from the last decade-and-a-half of his lines and organic shapes which are so different in terms of pictorial effect and Camilleri and hosted by the Malta Society
artistic production, intended to be characteristic of his 70s and 80s phase. composition, they pronounce and share of Arts, Palazzo de la Salle, Republic Street,
exhibited at the same premises where it Some of these artworks are particularly the same visual proximities, organic Valletta, is on until June 16. Consult the
is being featured. What is most intrigu- inspired by Malta’s prehistoric motifs, renderings and chromatic resonance. venue’s website for opening hours.
32 |JunE 5, 2022 ThE sunday TiMEs of MaLTa

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT THEATRE

Combining a cultural
cartoon with charity
‘Living Paper Cartoon’ Ennio Marchetto is soon set to perform at the
Manoel Theatre for one night only in aid of the Malta Community Chest
Fund Foundation. Laura Bonnici speaks with the event’s host,
PRINCE AUGUSTO RUFFO DI CALABRIA, Ambassador of the
Sovereign Order of Malta in Malta, to find out more
On June 18, an audience will ex-
perience the hilarity of world-
famous comedic quick-change
impersonator Ennio Marchetto
in a one-off performance at the
Manoel Theatre.
Known as ‘the Living Paper
Cartoon’, multi-award-winning
original quick-change artist
Marchetto has charmed audi-
ences worldwide for decades,
performing for royalty, in various
prestigious festivals and even as
part of Elton John’s renowned
White Tie and Tiara Ball.

“I have always
wanted to do
something different
with our annual Ennio Marchetto is known as ‘the Living Paper Cartoon’. Right: Marchetto uses paper costumes, mimicry and split-second timing to
celebration, morph into parodies of popular icons.
embracing the
chance to combine ambassador, who goes on to
highlight the show’s ideal tim-
the Order of St John – with a
charity event that brings joy to
cent will support those that
need it most.” While the ambas-
charity with culture, ing to lift the spirits of the the community he serves. sador confides his dream of
people of Malta. “I am honoured and uniquely bringing the man behind Live
formality with “Engaging a well-known, placed to be able to give some- Aid, Irish singer-songwriter Bob
entertainment” worldwide artist to bring over a thing back to the people of Geldof, to Malta for a charity
show that would appeal to a Malta,” he shares. “I have always event – a dream he intends to
wider audience – both young and wanted to do something differ- make a reality, provided he has
In Malta, his performance old – is a great opportunity to ent with our annual celebration, the support of local authorities
will support a local cause. offer much-needed, light- embracing the chance to com- – he concludes with a reminder.
Indeed, presented by Prince hearted entertainment after the bine charity with culture, formal- “People believe that the
Augusto Ruffo di Calabria, heaviness of the pandemic.” ity with entertainment.” Knights of Malta only existed
Ambassador of the Sovereign Marchetto has revolutionised Selecting the Malta Commu- in the nation’s past, but they
Order of Malta in Malta, under the art of origami into hilarious nity Chest Fund Foundation as are still around today, uphold-
the patronage of the President theatrical magic. In his show, beneficiary of this year’s event ing the same mission: to serve
of Malta and Mrs Vella, the directed and designed by Sos- continues this mission, as the the poor and the sick.
event’s proceeds will go to- then Hennekam and produced ambassador highlights: “I “All ambassadors worldwide
wards the Malta Community by Terry Chegia, Marchetto uses have the utmost respect and maintain their embassies to sup- Prince Augusto Ruffo di
Chest Fund Foundation. paper costumes, mimicry and regard for all philanthropic port the community with medi- Calabria, Ambassador of the
“I was captivated by split-second timing to morph organisations and institutions cal care, schools, aid: we are Sovereign Order of Malta
Marchetto at one of his perfor- into parodies of popular icons, in Malta and, after witnessing humanitarian. Through this in Malta.
mances and thought he was from Marilyn Monroe to the the immeasurably valid work event, we hope that the people of
the perfect artist to bring Mona Lisa, from Eminem to the that the foundation carries out Malta will join us to laugh, cele-
l’utile al dilettevole as they say Queen of England. with such untiring dedication, brate and fill the theatre in sup- health guidelines, no masks or
in Italian – something enter- Meanwhile, Marchetto’s Malta it was a natural choice to port of a hugely worthy cause.” vaccine certificates are re-
taining, vivacious, vibrant and performance is a chance for the receive the proceeds. quired at this event. Tickets
beautifully executed, for a ambassador to combine the “The foundation’s high profile E$$!% Mrcett%: Te L!v!$g are available via e-mail to
tremendously worthy cause of solemnity of the traditional June and experience, under the su- Pper Crt%%$ will perform at [email protected], by
raising funds to assist fellow celebration of the feast of St John pervision of the President of Manoel Theatre on June 18 at telephone to 2124 6389 or online at
human beings,” explains the the Baptist – the patron saint of Malta, also ensures that every 7pm. According to current public www.teatrumanoel.mt.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 33

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DANCE

Requiem for Juliet

reviewed: Lady
Capulet redeemed
finMalta’s Shakespearean sequel is the
highlight of what has been a strong season
LARA ZAMMIT

“Alack the day,” cries Lady

Capulet at the sight of her
deceased daughter Juliet
in William Shakespeare’s
play. “She’s dead, she’s dead,
she’s dead!”
Riccardo Buscarini’s choreo-
graphy Requiem for Juliet, envi-
sioned as a sequel to the
tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, is
a reflection on the choices and
forces that led to Juliet’s
demise, centring chiefly on her
mother Lady Capulet, played in
finMalta’s rendition by
Charlotte Grech.
Requiem for Juliet is envisioned as a sequel to Shakespeare’s
“We tend to play Romeo and Juliet. PHOTOS: CAMILLE FENECH

emerge from
finMalta As the translucent shroud collapses onto the stage, Lady
productions deeply Capulet achieves catharsis.

connected with the

unspoken parts recedes onstage in between
movements, interacting subtly
– the ghosts of her departed
daughter – collapses thunder-
of ourselves” with the ethereal figures who ously. Lady Capulet can finally
singularly and collectively em- confront her grief and trans-
The national dance company body her departed daughter. form. She embraces the memo-
took to the Manoel Theatre She moves stoically, stony ry of her daughter and accepts
stage between May 27 and 29 to faced, her emotions restrained. herself as renamed – I am no
retell the story of Juliet’s fate Luke Azzopardi’s costume longer your mother, I am now
and her mother’s shame, its and set design proved a strong your daughter, she says.
dancers clad in ethereal garb – part of the production, imbuing Now with their masks re-
phantasms meandering the un- the dancers with the quality of moved, the dancers, like Lady
derworld. They dance in re- immateriality. The choice to Capulet, are transformed. The
sponse to music and voice in a conceal the dancers’ faces, thus work ends with Romeo and
narrative of transformation. rendering them somewhat Juliet, freed from the con-
Grech onstage is equally as unrecognisable, added to the straints of familial impedi-
spectral – a figure marred by sense of liminality occupying ments, rejoicing to Prokofiev’s
grief and regret. Bereft, she the initial portions of the work. score – the sequel ends in
reaches out to her daughter be- Alessandro Baldessari’s elec- hope; the result of tragedy is
yond the grave, offering her tronic music was a solid choice transformation.
words written by dramaturg for this work of contemporary Everything combines into a
Mauro Barbiero for the work dance. He combined this with creation of triumphant beauty,
inspired by the original play, parts of Sergei Prokofiev’s thrilling and visceral and devas-
but when she speaks, her Romeo and Juliet ballet, includ- tating. We tend to emerge from
mouth is closed – a disconnect ing the famous Dance of the finMalta productions deeply
between her and her pain, and Knights – the classical score an- connected with the unspoken
between who she thought she choring the piece in time, while parts of ourselves. In this, the
was and who she is now upon the electronic music made a highlight of the season, we have
her daughter’s death. home for it in the present. seen the company in full force.
The finMalta dancers re- At last, after much rumina-
count Juliet’s story as though tion on her identity as mother R!q ! r J ! was sup-
in a dreamscape, behind a and the responsibilities she de- ported by Istituto Italiano di Cul-
translucent veil separating nounced, Lady Capulet achieves tura La Valletta. finMalta is
them from Lady Capulet. catharsis. The shroud that sep- supported by The VBL Group and Luke Azzopardi’s costume and set design proved a strong part
Juliet’s mother emerges and arates her from the phantasms Osteopathy Malta. of the production.
34 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ART HISTORY

A Maltese sculptor’s ties to Ukraine

Antonio Sciortino won first prize in an international competition to sculpt a
monument in honour of Ukraine’s national poet Taras Shevchenko in 1914
GERALD BUGEJA Sciortino’s winning
model of the monument
to Taras Shevchenko
In 1914, the committee in Kyiv,
capital city of Ukraine, responsi-
ble for the erection of the mon-
ument to Taras Hryhorovych
Shevchenko, had decided to
award the first prize to Maltese
sculptor Antonio Sciortino.
This was an international com-
petition, and the 35-year-old
sculptor must certainly have
been overjoyed with this success
because he had outclassed Photo of a young Antonio Taras Shevchenko. PHOTO:
renowned Russian sculptors Sciortino. PHOTOS: GERALD ANDREY DENYER/WIKIMEDIA
such as Sergei Mickhailovich Vol- BUGEJA COLLECTION COMMONS
nuhin, Nikolay Andreyev and
Leonid Vladimirovich Sherwood,
apart artists from Ukraine, such The family of the free, But this could be more the
as Mikhael Gavrilko. With softly spoken, kindly word fruit of some bias on the part of
Sciortino had also achieved Remember also me. the jury, who viewed anything
international status, and his stemming from the West – and
model would appear in the The suffering evinced in this Sciortino was associated with
major art journals of England stanza inspired also one other the West – as an object of dis-
(The Studio) and Italy (La cultura model of the monument that trust and mediocrity. Popova
moderna). In Kyiv itself, post- Sciortino submitted in the earlier herself seems to be a victim of
cards with the illustration of his competitions. (It is good to keep this prejudice, as can be detected
winning model were printed, in mind that in all there were four from her comments.
one of which Sciortino sent to competitions, starting from 1910 So Sciortino not only had to
his sister, right from Ukraine’s realising the young man’s tal- This writing not only criti- up through 1914.) outshine the other competitors,
capital. There was also the sub- ent at painting, sent Taras to art cised the tsar’s actions, but also Sciortino took part for sure in but also overcome not a few
stantial prize money which courses at St Petersburg. mocked his wife’s old-fashioned the 1910 competition, because in prejudices; his success, there-
amounted to 150,000 roubles. There, he met various attire and characteristics. a letter dated June 5, 1910, to the fore, justly redounds to his
The national poet of Ukraine, painters, the foremost among Shevchenko was thus arrested, Irish art gallerist Hugh Lane, he artistic talent.
Shevchenco, is portrayed seated whom was Karl Bryllov. The convicted and exiled to a re- expressed his satisfaction at hear- It was, however, the Maltese
in a pensive mood on an unidenti- latter, by the proceeds of the lot- mote outpost in Orsk, in the ing that his model had been cho- sculptor’s bad luck that World
fied structure, probably a tree tery prize of one of his portraits, Ural Mountains. He was forced sen alongside another two, from War I broke out exactly at that
trunk. Beneath, a group of figures bought Taras his freedom. to march from St Petersburg to among those of the 64 partici- time, and the project of a
represent the people of Ukraine Orsk with the order not to be pants. He also assumed that he monument to Shevchenko
with the typical regional land-
scape in the background. The fe-
“WWI broke out given pencil or brush and
colours so as not allow him to
would be receiving some type of
prize (an incentive, maybe?).
based on Sciortino’s model
was shelved, never to materia-
male figure represents Kateryna, exactly at that time, write or paint. Luckily, some years ago, two lise. Another stroke of misfor-
the Ukrainian woman who had Sometime before he died, he photos of this model resurfaced tune regarding the destiny of
been seduced by a Russian soldier and the project wrote a poem entitled My Testa- in a private collection belonging the model of the monument.
and abandoned with her child, was shelved” ment. The first stanza is being to Samuel Bugeja, and subse- Popova states that the sketches
and who had become a symbol of quoted here because Sciortino quently published (see Gerald and projects of the competition,
Ukraine, being held captive by the Meanwhile, Shevchenko had certainly read it and was in- Bugeja, Antonio Sciortino, The including, one assumes, that of
Tsarist regime. wrote poems in the Ukrainian spired to place the figure of Lost Album, 2015, Malta, Kite the winning model by Sciortino,
Shevchenko himself had com- language, thus promoting his Shevchenko on raised ground: Publications, pp.169-70). which were kept before the Revo-
posed a ballad about this girl and native tongue during a period in When I am dead, bury me From the stylistic aspect, this lution in the Kiev Museum of Art
had executed a painting on this the 19th century when it was In my beloved Ukraine, early model shows the influence and Industry, were lost.
subject. Sciortino represented dangerous to do so, because the My tomb upon a grave mound high of Rodin, and contrasts with the Given the ordeal Ukraine is
Kateryna in a dignified posture: Ukrainians’ desire for indepen- Amid the spreading plain, winning entry, which transmitted being tragically subjected to at
standing and wearing a long gown dence was barbarously re- So that the field, the boundless the sweeter (but powerful) Italian present, it would be most fitting
with a very long train, while she is pressed, which also included the steppes, style of Leonardo Bistolfi. should the Maltese authorities
cared for by her companion who suppression of the printing and The Dnieper’s plunging shore Art historian L. Popova, who see to it that the winning model
embraces her while holding a publishing of literary works in My eyes could see, my ears could researched the competition’s is reconstructed on the basis of
small child. He symbolises the the Ukrainian language. hear documents (in the wake of the these photos and kept and trea-
Ukrainian people. Slowly but steadily, Shev- The mighty river roar. commemorations celebrating sured at MUA – this being the
Shevchenko was born in 1814 chenko, by virtue of his paint- the 150th anniversary of poet’s acme of Antonio Sciortino’s
in Moryntsi, a village not far ings and poetry, was becoming The third stanza is indicative birth) and published in Russian artistic career and international
from Kyiv, in a family of poor the symbol of Ukrainian iden- of the poet’s heartfelt appeal to a long and interesting study of recognition; something which
serf peasants. When his mother tity, and a beacon to all compa- the Ukrainians to stand up for these competitions in Iskutssvo would not be repeated.
died in 1823, his father married triots. No wonder that, after their rights: in 1979 (an English translation A copy should also be donated
a widow who treated the boy befriending a clandestine organ- Oh bury me, then rise ye up by Liuva Sheina can be read in to Ukraine, hopefully in the near
cruelly. After his father’s death isation, the Brotherhood of And break your heavy chains The Lost Album), reports that the future when the war is over, as
the young Shevchenko did odd Saints Cyril and Methodius, a And water with the tyrants’ blood jury had opted for Voklnuhin’s testimony of the sympathy and
jobs as a serving boy. By then poem written by him ended up The freedom you have gained. model, while the committee solidarity of the Maltese with the
his master, Paulo Engelhardt, in the hands of Tsar Nicholas I. And in the great new family, chose Sciortino’s. people of Ukraine.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 35

Sciortino’s early model of Detail from Sciortino’s

the monument to early model of the
Shevchenko. monument.
36 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION

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08:00 Agorà Weekend 09:00 Mi manda Raitre 10:15 Le parole per dirlo 11:00 Impossible: Celebrity Specials 18:35 George Clarke’s Old House, Grey’s Anatomy 17:40 The King of Queens 20:00 Big Sky 20:45
Di là dal ume e tra gli alberi 12:00 Tg3 12:15 Tg3 Fuori linea/Region Europa New Home 19:25 DIY SOS: The Big Build 20:15 Shakespeare and Station 19 21:35 Grey’s Anatomy 22:20 The King of Queens
12:55 Tg3 LIS 13:00 Il posto giusto 14:00 Tg Regione 14:15 Tg3 14:30 Hathaway: Private Investigators 21:00 Traces 21:45 Unforgotten 23:50 Grey’s Anatomy
Mezz’ora in più 16:30 Rebus 17:15 Storie benemerite 17:20 Kilimangiaro 22:30 Call the Midwife 23:25 Shakespeare and Hathaway:
18:00 Speciale Legambiente 19:00 Tg3 19:30 Tg Regione 20:00 Blob 20:30 Private Investigators DOCUMENTARIES
Sapiens – un solo pianeta 21:25 Via Dei Matti n°0 23:50 Tg3 Mondo
FOOD NETWORK TRAVEL CHANNEL
CANALE 5 MELITA 154 / GO TV 125 MELITA 372 / GO TV 205 MELITA 427 / GO TV 208
06:00 Tg5 08:45 I viaggi del cuore 10:00 Mass 10:50 Le storie di melaverde 06:00 Beat Bobby Flay 06:25 Chopped 10:10 Bizarre Foods: 06:00 Alien Highway 07:00 Uncovering Aliens 11:00 Mummies
12:00 Melaverde 13:00 Tg5 13:40 L’arca di Noè 14:00 The Bold and the Be- Delicious Destinations 13:50 The Great Food Truck Race 14:30 Unwrapped 14:00 Beyond the Unknown 16:00 Aliens in Alaska
autiful 14:20 Una vita 15:00 Grand Hotel – Intrighi e passioni 16:30 Fratelli Grill of Victory 15:15 The Pioneer Woman 15:55 Girl Meets Farm 17:00 Alaska Monsters 21:00 Paranormal Lockdown 23:00 The
Caputo 18:45 Avanti un altro 20:00 Tg5 20:40 Paperissima Sprint 21:20 16:40 Cupcake Championship 17:20 Kids Baking Championship Alaska Triangle
Avanti un altro! Pure di sera!

ITALIA 1 MELITA 155 / GO TV 126 FILMS

07:25 Cartoons 09:15 Gilmore Girls 11:50 Drive Up 12:25 Studio aperto 13:00
Sport Mediaset 13:45 E-Planet 14:15 Film: The Sisterhood of the Travelling GO STARS GO TV 140 Directors 08:35 Elektra 10:10 Aliens in the Attic 11:35 Zoom
Pants 2 16:30 Film: Make it Happen 18:25 Studio aperto 19:00 Studio aperto In 11:45 The Canyon 13:25 Wildfire 7: The Inferno 15:00
Magazine 19:30 CSI: Miami 20:25 NCIS 21:20 Film: The Dark Knight Rises 05:40 Mulan (1998) 07:10 Cats 09:00 Godzilla vs Kong 10:50 Sommersby 16:50 Polar Storm 18:25 Ella Enchanted 20:00
Holy Lands 12:30 Scoob! 14:05 The High Note 16:00 Dolittle Saw II 21:30 Splinter 22:50 Paid in Full
17:45 Along Came Polly 19:15 State of Mind 21:00 Long Week-
RETE 4 MELITA 153 / GO TV 124 end 22:30 3 From Hell 00:25 The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me
06:25 Tg4 06:45 Controcorrente 07:35 Super partes 08:20 Alle pendici del Do It 02:15 Along Came Polly MELITA MORE MELITA 315
vulcano 09:55 Casa Vianello 10:55 Dalla parte degli animali 11:55 Tg4 12:25 12:00 The New Adventures of Old Christine 14:30 Grand Designs
Il ritorno di Colombo 14:30 Pensa in grande 15:30 Speciale Tg4 – Diario di – New Zealand 17:15 Klassi G$alina 18:15 Mom 18:45 Grey’s
guerra 17:00 Film: Drums Across the River 19:00 Tg4 19:50 Tempesta d’amore AMC MELITA 336 / GO TV 201 Anatomy 19:30 Chicago P.D. 20:15 Chicago Fire 21:00 The
20:30 Controcorrente 21:20 Zona bianca 06:35 The Dark Stranger 08:05 Hollywood’s Best Film Blacklist 21:45 Body of Proof 23:00 Doom Patrol
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 37

LIFEANDWELLBEING
Life hacks: experiencing ASMR
MARY ATTARD

A
recent phenomenon that
took off especially in the last
two years of the pandemic is
that of ASMR. YouTube
videos with specific auditory and visual
triggers suddenly mushroomed and
millions are resorting to them to alle-
viate moods, experience sensations
that aid relaxation and combat
insomnia, to name but a few of its
benefits.
It is a movement, a philosophy and
an art form. These YouTube artists
with thousands of followers are known
as ASMRtists. Plenty of such videos will
come up when inserting ASMR in the
YouTube Search box.
It was in 2010 that Jennifer Allen ran
across a group of people on a forum
who described sensations she herself The late artist Bob Ross’s The Joy of Painting videos impart unintentional ASMR.
had always experienced, but which no
one seemed to understand well. She
was referring to the pleasurable tin- A few that I came across recently 5. Eating. By watching somebody eat
gling sensations on the scalp and neck and which I found very effective are in a certain way and listening to the
in response to particular auditory ‘Solo camping in thunderstorms’ of slurping or chewing sounds can prove
and/or visual triggers. Such triggers which there are quite a few –no words relaxing for some people.
could be whispering, personal atten- are spoken in most of them, they just 6. Tactile triggers are caused physi-
tion, crisp sounds and slow move- get us to experience a storm from in- cally outside the video-streaming
ments. side a tent while cooking a hearty platforms and websites. These can in-
Most of us love to hear the wind meal or enjoying a warm cup of coffee volve touch like tickling the arm,
howling among the trees, stormy cosily inside. It’s very fascinating to humming through the nose or use
waves pounding on the shore or the hear the sounds of crackling food on of fingers drawing on somebody’s
rain splashing against the window. a stove while in a tent and watching a back.
Allen tried various words to find an storm pounding outside the tent. According to various studies, the
appropriate term to describe these sen- However, it must be said that not ev- health benefits of ASMR are various,
sations and set up a community of like- eryone is affected by ASMR sensa- namely:
minded people where discussions on tions. A sensitive person with a • Sleep: a study showed that 41 per
this matter could take place. She even- curious open-minded disposition can cent of people who watch ASMR state
tually came up with ‘Autonomous Sen- be more responsive to such triggers. that it helps them with insomnia due to
sory Meridian Response’ – ASMR for Some may not be affected at all! their intense relaxing feelings that
short. There are six types of triggers to ex- calms people down.
These sensations had always been ex- periencing ASMR. • Pain relief: individuals with John Butler’s videos have been
perienced but nobody had a name for 1. Sounds: such as gentle whisper- chronic pain reported that ASMR im- watched by millions after he became
them. The famous late painter Bob ing, tapping fingernails against some- proved their symptoms, that they saw popular with the ASMR community.
Ross, with his calming soft-spoken thing, crinkling paper and typing on a significant reduction in their discom- He was a farmer and now, at 84, is an
words and sounds of his brushstrokes a keyboard. Blowing, scratching and fort for several hours following an accidental ASMRtist.
in his Joy of Painting videos, are a case turning the pages of a book are also ASMR session.
in point. Everyone who followed him popular ASMR sounds. • Improved mood: One study also
was mesmerised by his soothing and 2. Visuals of people mixing paint, shows that around 11 per cent of people • Lower stress: Through watching
calming voice. His videos are currently performing gentle hand movements watch ASMR videos to reduce their ASMR videos, people reported in-
being revived and enjoyed by the ASMR or neatly slicing soft objects can trig- anxiety. Many also experience feelings creased levels of calmness and de-
followers. ger and stimulate viewers. of increased well-being after watching creased levels of stress which
A recently popular unintentional 3. Role play consists of personal at- ASMR videos, as well as a temporary significantly lowers the heart rate of
ASMRtist is an 84-year-old farmer who tention by making prolonged eye con- relief in mood for those who have people who experience ASMR.
talks about ‘spiritual enfoldment’ and tact with the camera and petting the depression – provided they have a pre- ASMR research is still ongoing. This
his journey into silence. His name is lens as if the ASMRtist is gently touch- disposition to ASMR. site https://asmruniversity.com/ can
John Butler and the way he speaks is ing the viewer. It could be a • Mindfulness: It is possible that provide more information on the topic.
truly arresting. He is followed by thou- medical check-up or some sort of spending time engaging in ASMR could Meanwhile, people in the ASMR commu-
sands. consultation. This intimate attention be a form ofmindfulness. By watching nity are constantly finding new ways to
Other popular samples are the Bar- can provide watchers a feeling of ASMR material, one is taking the time create this audio and visual phenomenon
ber Shop ASMR ones where you hear safety which can be relaxing and to focus on positive emotions triggered and use it as a possible safe hack to en-
the clicking of the scissors and the var- therapeutic. by different stimuli and focusing on hance a viewer’s pleasurable experience
ious sounds created in a barber shop 4. Crushing of sponges or slime the task at hand, which can be similar of life.
which often also offer intensive Turk- being squished can provide a satisfac- to a mindfulness practice and a sense
ish massages. tory sensation too. of heightened awareness. [email protected]
38 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

LIFE AND WELLBEING EDUCATION

Integrating African migrant

learners in vocational education
JOHN BARTOLO

A research study conducted by the au-

thor sheds light on how educational fa-
cilities in Malta can facilitate African
migrant learners’ integration in real life.
The study, which formed part of an edu-
cation doctorate award from the Univer-
sity of Sheffield, was entitled ‘ow can
understanding migrant learners’ stories
assist a vocational college of further and
higher education effectively support mi-
grants from asylum seeking back-
grounds: migrant learners’ perspectives
in a vocational college in Malta’.

“Educators need to be
prepared for a radical
social change to
understand diversity
in student intakes”
Maltese schools and colleges have expe-
rienced significant social changes reflect- Maltese schools and vocational colleges have experienced significant social changes reflecting the island’s multicultural
ing the island’s multicultural and and cosmopolitan society. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
cosmopolitan society. The study examined
the contemporary issue of migration and
addressed the topic by analysing the As part of the study, six migrants – four ney, detention experiences, insecurity, re- in student intakes and to provide the best
perceptions and experiences of migrant men and two women from Zimbabwe, sponses, aspirations, and challenges. The possible opportunities for students, in-
students from Africa with asylum back- Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan – study expanded theoretically on these cluding asylum migrants.
grounds studying at the Malta College of were interviewed about their life stories. main themes together with secondary The study provides a basis for critical re-
Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). The research sought to create a safe space ones with a specific focus on the main flection and discussion among educa-
t explored the needs of asylum mi- for the migrants to voice their often trau- challenges of discrimination and integra- tional stakeholders and policymakers
grant students and investigated the role matic life experiences and the challenges tion as described by study participants. among others. ecommendations were
vocational education can have in sup- encountered. Through a deep under- n view of the findings, the study made also made for further research to con-
porting them with their integration standing of individual migrants’ personal recommendations to policymakers, edu- tribute to the existing body of knowledge
into society. The study delved into the life stories, the study unearthed how cational stakeholders and other voca- on the subject.
systems, structures and policies voca- their experiences in their home coun- tional education professionals to
tional colleges could institute to more tries, during their journeys to Malta, and facilitate the integration of asylum mi- Dr Bartolo is director of Outreach and Stu-
effectively support the holistic learning since arriving in Malta shaped their fu- grant students both at vocational colleges dent Affairs at the Malta College of Arts,
of asylum migrant students. The study ture learning aspirations and needs. and in society at large. Science and Technology (MCAST). His re-
also re-examined the civic role voca- An analytical framework was applied to One of the persistent reoccurring search study was partially funded by the
tional colleges can have in developing help identify themes from the partici- themes is the importance of infusing eq- Malta Government Scholarship scheme
more effective strategies to enable pants’ personal narrations, exploring and uity in education and eradicating discrim- MGSS using national funds, and was con-
these individuals to achieve their edu- illuminating the migrants’ experiences ination. The research recommended that ducted as part of a doctorate award in fur-
cational aspirations, based on the prin- and their specific needs. Seven main educators need to be prepared for a radi- ther and higher education from the
ciple of social justice. themes were elicited: childhood, the jour- cal social change to understand diversity University of Sheffield.

MCAST seeks to promote networking among its staff

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Speaking at the launch event, MCAST increasingly aware of the value of con-
Technology (MCAST) recently launched “Coming together helps principal and CEO Joachim James Calleja necting with others to create a better
a Staff Social Committee. Comprising said: “As MCAST continues to grow, we workplace, authentic collegiality, and
staff representatives, the committee create an atmospheric must never forget each person’s value make sure we look out for each other’s
aims to provide networking opportuni- organisational culture and unique contribution. The college is well-being. We are overwhelmed by the
ties for the college’s over 1,000 members much more than a workplace. t is a positive response and our colleagues’
of staff by organising events and out- and an environment place for inspiring, meaningful exchange enthusiasm to contribute to the staff
reach community activities.
t is hoped that these activities and op-
where everyone can feel where everyone’s talent is appreciated.
assion is a driving force in what we do,
committee. We now look forward to
seeing how this initiative will be fur-
portunities will enable the staff to fur- inspired and welcome” and coming together helps create an ther strengthened and developed.”
ther strengthen links with colleagues atmospheric organisational culture and The event included the participation of
beyond their usual sphere to create a – MCAST  CA an environment where everyone can feel the music band Ced Tea, whose musi-
sense of belonging within the team and A
CEO inspired and welcome.” cians are staff members and lecturers at
also enhance the idea of innovation, Committee chairperson Sandra MCAST’s nstitute of nformation and
teamwork, and cooperation. JOACM JAMES CAEJA Cortis said: “The pandemic made us Communication Technology.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 39

LIFE AND WELLBEING EDUCATION

Pope to De La Salle
Brothers: world needs
a new education pact
Pontiff says we are experiencing
a new ‘educational emergency’ Pope Francis with members of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA
LISA ZENGARINI “It demands a lot but also gives a lot. The
constant relationship with educators, par-
ents and especially with children and the pandemic, Pope Francis drew atten- ‘educational alliance’ with families, com-
young people is an ever-living source of tion to the two great challenges of our munities and ecclesial groups.”
Pope Francis recently addressed the humanity, despite all the hardships and time: that of fraternity and that!of caring Pope Francis encouraged the De La Salle
Lasallian Brothers, formally known as the problems that it entails,” he added.! for our common home, which, he said, can Brothers to continue “evangelising by ed-
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Pope Francis further highlighted that only be addressed through education. ucating and educating by evangelising”, re-
Schools, gathered for their 46th General with their work, the Brothers of Christian “The educational pact has been broken calling that “a Christian educator is, above
Chapter. Schools offer the values of their rich ped- and now the state, educators and families all, a witness of Christ and is a teacher to
The congregation was founded in agogical tradition. are separated. We must seek a new pact the extent that he is a witness”.
France in the 17th century by Jean-Bap- “You educate to responsibility, creativ- and work together.”
tiste De La Salle and is the largest order of ity, coexistence, justice and peace. You ed- He remarked that the Christian commu- (This article was first published in Vati-
religious brothers dedicated to education ucate to the interior life, to be open to the nity is not only aware of these challenges, can News and is being republished with
in the Catholic Church. transcendent dimension, to the sense of but also committed “to build new ways to permission.)
Pointing to the theme of the general wonder and contemplation in the face of transform lifestyles” and!that the De la Salle
chapter, ‘Building new pathways to trans- the mystery of life and creation. You live Brothers are an active part of this process.
form lives’, the pope noted that for the De all this and interpret it in Christ, and “Indeed... you are on the frontline in ed- De La Salle Brothers
La Salle Brothers these “new pathways” translate it into the fullness of humanity,” ucating to pass from a closed to an open
are, above all, educational paths they walk the pope said. world; from a throwaway culture to a cul- in Malta
in the many schools, colleges and univer- “I am reminded of the motto of St John ture of care; from pursuing partisan inter- The De La Salle Brothers run two
sities they run in some 100 countries Paul II in!Redemptor hominis: ‘Man is the ests to pursuing the common good,” he said. colleges in Malta – De La Salle Col-
across the world. way of the Church’. You implement this “As educators you know all too well that lege in Cottonera and Stella Maris
The pope said this is a “big responsibil- motto in the educational mission,” he said. this transformation must start from the College in G ira. The Brothers also
ity” for which to be grateful because “edu- Noting that the world is experiencing an conscience, or it will only be a facade. And run a retreat centre in Melliea.
cational work is a great gift”, first of all for “educational emergency”, which has been you also know that you cannot do this
those who do it. made more acute by the consequences of work alone but by cooperating in an

Webinar on innovation in education

A webinar involving a discussion between world-
renowned Estonian education researcher Märt ST ALOYSIUS COLLEGE, BIRKIRKARA
Aro and Malta’s former education and foreign
minister Evarist Bartolo will be held on Wednes- SIXTH FORM
day, June 8 from 4 to 6pm on MS Teams. INFORMATION MEETING
Entitled ‘The good, the bad and the ugly
truth about innovation in education’, it is
For prospective students (2022-23)
being organised by the education entity
Thursday 9th June at 9.30am
Mindful Education Malta under the auspices in the Secondary School College Theatre
of Kenneth Vella, Malta’s ambassador to
Estonia and Finland. For further details kindly visit www.staloysius.edu.mt/sixth-form
For more information and to register, or our Facebook page (St Aloysius College – Malta)
e-mail education officer Pamela Zerafa at
Evarist Bartolo. PHOTO: MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA. [email protected] or fill in the Session will also be recorded and uploaded on College website
Right: Mart Aro online form.
40 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

LIFE AND WELLBEING

LIFE IN PICTURES A SELECTION OF LAST WEEK’S BEST

STEP BY STEP: Shoppers walk past tourists waiting to enter the

Cathedral Museum, in Valletta. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

MOVEMENT: A light art

installation titled Keep on Moving,
by Ivana Jelic of Serbia displayed
along Marina Bay promenade
during the preview of the i Light
Singapore event in Singapore.
PHOTO: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP

HEADS-UP: Chen Weiming’s sculpture, CCP Virus II is lowered on a pedestal at

Liberty Sculpture Park in Yermo, California. PHOTO: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP

TREADING WATER: Horses are taken for a swim to exercise and cool off at Baar i
- REACHING HIGH: Children attend celebrations marking International Children’s
agaq. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER Day in central Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. PHOTO: VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP
 the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 41

TAKING THE LEAD: A couple walk a dog

along the Cospicua seafront.
PHOTO: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

Hollywood is also poking fun at us by making Malta the hub for a dinosaur black
market in the forthcoming Jurassic World film. PHOTO: JURASSICWORLD.COM

Is it way too
much to ask?
I mean, honestly, is no one just a bit
concerned that, just a few weeks ago, we
heard allegations that Ryan Schembri
was just left to get on with his new life by
ANNA MARIE the police while multiple investors were
GALEA chasing him to get their money back?
In which western democratic country
does it take you several years to issue an

Y
international arrest warrant? How are
ou’ve all seen the films or, at we meant to put our faith in a system
least, I have. Man or woman is that appears to be so lax and dispropor-
wanted by the police. They ar- tionate?
rive at the airport to make their The worst part is that this laissez-faire
grand escape and, on presenting their attitude seems to extend to literally ev-
passport, the ground hostess realises erything. Just this week, a Moviment
who they are and a chain of events takes Graffitti member rightfully asked what
place, including everything from a high- would be left of order if we continue to
speed airport chase to a shoot-out. ignore policies during the Qala illegal
What doesn’t usually happen in the works hearing that centred around the
films though, is a wanted man going fact that Gozitan developer Joseph
through the only airport in the country Portelli had knowingly carried out
several times in a year wholly unencum- works when he didn’t have a permit. As
bered till he is arrested in Italy on a if the total disregard for the law weren’t
group holiday with a former prime min- enough, Portelli has openly said that he
ister. Even as I write this, I am struck by would gladly pay whatever fines came his
the fact that the shoot-out sounds like way after admitting he was in the wrong
the more believable storyline. Not if you but saying he was unfairly targeted.
live in Malta, though. It’s not only completely despicable that
ABOUT TO POP: Pregnant women take part in a contest named La Madre Panza You know how they say that it’s often many people seem to think that obeying
(Mother Belly) to celebrate Mother’s Day in Managua. PHOTO: OSWALDO RIVAS/AFP only outsiders who can see that you’re in the law is optional but, on top of that, in-
a toxic relationship; I think that is how it stead of perhaps doing the unthinkable
must work in this country. I mean, here and showing some remorse, everyone
we are almost proudly brandishing our seems to think that it’s okay to make
greylisting, with even Hollywood poking brazen statements and act as if everyone
fun at us by making our country the hub else is in the wrong or as if they are being
for a dinosaur black market in the forth- treated poorly. It would be farcical if it
coming Jurassic World film and, yet, you weren’t so deeply saddening and mad-
still have people going around acting like dening. If fines aren’t high enough to
we are living in the modern-day version deter people from breaking the law,
of the Garden of Eden. surely the answer is to make them higher.
Contrary to popular belief, many peo-
ple aren’t jealous of the fact that a select
few can get away with murder scot-free:
we are just irritated that people keep
peeing on our legs and telling us it’s
We are just irritated champagne.
In a supposedly democratic country, is
that people keep peeing it truly too much to ask for our systems
to work in the way they should? Is it too
ARE YOU BEING SERVED?: Korean Hyunsuk Ku, 38, owner of Happy Bark Day, the
on our legs and telling much to ask for people to be made ac-
first dog cafe in Dubai serves one of her customers. PHOTO: KARIM SAHIB/AFP us it’s champagne countable? It would sadly seem it is.
42 |June 5, 2022 the Sunday timeS of malta

LIFE AND WELLBEING HISTORY

It happened in June Portrait by Antoine-Jean Gros (1771-

1835) of General Napoleon Bonaparte in
1802 as First Consul of France, four

The invasion of
years after his capture of Malta in 1798.
PHOTO: PARISOLOGY.NET

Malta by the
French in 1798 (1) refuse Bonaparte’s request. tradesmen), and complements
Caruson was sent back to Bona- of sailors and marines who
parte, aboard the ship-of-the- served on the naval ships.
line L’Orient, with a verbal The garrison commanders
JOSEPH F. answer on these lines: in accor- were Knight-Commander Gurn
GRIMA dance with the Treaty of Utrecht at Fort St Elmo; Grand Marshal
of 1713, in the case of war being Bailiff Abel de Loras at Valletta;
waged between European coun- Knight de Gournau at Fort St
tries, no more than four war- Angelo; Knight-Commander de
W'%('s%$!, J&(' 6, 1798: A fleet ships at a time by a belligerent Gondrecourt at Vittoriosa;
of warships and transports was state were allowed to enter the Knight-commander Annibale de
sighted sailing to Malta. It was Maltese harbour. Soubiras – the captain-general
the French squadron and mili- This answer provided Bona- of the Galleys – at Cospicua;
tary contingent that had sailed parte with a pretext/excuse to Bailiff de Suffren de St Tropez at Marsaxlokk and Fort St Lucian – In 1798, Great Britain was the
from Civitavecchia but, failing order the army to land and Senglea; Bailiff Toussaint de la Knight du Pin de la Gueriviere; only unsubdued country oppos-
to rendezvous with the rest of invade the Maltese islands. He Tour du Pin, helped by Knight- Bir
ebbua – Knight-Comman- ing France. They knew about the
the French armada, had arrived dictated an ultimatum to Hom- Commander de Thiusi, at the der de Rozan; the militia – numerous French preparations
off Malta prematurely. The pesch, under the signature of encompassing Cottonera fortifi- Knight Prince Camille de Rohan in various European localities
commander of this contingent, Caruson, that was despatched cations; and the Bailiff de Tillet assisted by bailiffs de Thenissey for invasion purposes but never
General Louis Desaix, sent as- the following morning when the at Fort Ricasoli. and Tommasi. realised that the projected aim
surances to the Order that his landings were already taking A number of these command- was the occupation of Egypt.
fleet was on its way to Egypt but
that he would like to take some
place. Bonaparte wrote that it
was impossible for a fleet made
“The alarm was ing officers were members of
the Council of the Order that
They rather feared that the ob-
jective could be Ireland or even
provisions and water aboard. up of “500 to 600 vessels” to sounded too late had refused Bonaparte’s re- England itself. There were also
Permission was granted and the take water supplies four at a quest to water the fleet simulta- concerns that the French were
ships then sailed away from the time, especially after “favours because the Order neously. The defence plan was preparing to occupy the King-
island until the rest of the
French armada arrived. The
shown to the British”.
Caruson also wrote that
was not to repel French attempts to
land and prevent them from
dom of the Two Sicilies, apart
from the false rumours pur-
next day was the feast of Corpus Napoleon was not allowing him immediately gaining footholds on the is- posely bandied about by French
Christi. to return “to a city which hence- lands. But this plan failed for agents. The British Consul at
S$&r%$! r((g, J&(' 9: A forth he feels obliged to treat as certain of the three reasons: Leghorn (Livorno) suspected
very large number of vessels – belonging to an enemy”. French intentions” 1. The alarm was sounded too that one of the French objectives
warships and transports – ap- The Order of St John always late because the Order was not was Malta, together with Egypt,
proached Malta from the direc- had plans of defence in case of The Light Infantry Regiment immediately certain of the but his letters to Lord Nelson
tion of Gozo, flying the flag of an invasion. These details were (Cacciatori Maltesi), com- French intentions; were delayed.
France, under the supreme com- the province of the Congrega- manded by Bailiff Neveu, had 2. The coastal defences Nelson and his fleet had left
mand of General Napoleon tion of War (or War Council) companies stationed at forts lacked the requisite number of England on April 10 and arrived
Bonaparte. Grand Master Ferdi- which, in this case, had drawn Tigné, Manoel and Ricasoli, to- defenders; at Cadiz at the end of the month.
nand Hompesch hoped that this up its plans. Unfortunately, gether with other battalions. 3. A number of the command- Nelson had been ordered to sail
formidable fleet was on its way some members of this congrega- The Tigné commandant was ing officers betrayed the Order. into the Mediterranean to dis-
to Egypt, as Desaix had assured tion were pro-French (Toussard, Knight-Commander Reichberg, The plan to oppose the enemy cover the intentions of the
him three days previously. This de Fay and de Bardonenche); while bailiffs Gourgeau and La landings was completely mis- French. Bad weather greatly
hope took a concrete form when others lacked military acumen: Tour Saint Quentin defended taken. It was crystal clear that hampered Nelson’s movements
the French allowed the entry the Bailiffs Frisari and Sousa Fort Manoel. the main defensive strength of and, conversely, favoured the
into Grand Harbour of two war- both lacked military talent; Mdina was led by the Captain the island was not the coast and French. When the British were
ships of the Order escorting two while the Bailiff Neveu was a of the Rod (the so-called akem) shoreline defences that were informed that the French had
merchantmen laden with corn drunkard; leaving only Bailiff de and the city jurats. Knight-Com- only strong enough to repel captured Malta, it was too late to
from Sicily. la Tour du Pin and Commander mander de Mesgrigny Ville enemy raids and small landings. intervene because Bonaparte
Bonaparte then despatched a de Thuisi as the sole dependable Bertin commanded Gozo while The best plan would have had already left the islands.
letter to the French Consul, Jean and trustworthy members in Knight de Valin oversaw been to abandon the shore de- Judging from the prevailing
Andrè Caruson, so that he the War Council. Comino. fences and retire behind the winds, Nelson concluded that
would, in his name, request the The dispositions for the de- The commanders of the very strong defences encircling the French had sailed to Egypt
Order’s permission to allow the fence of the islands were as fol- coastal defences were: The Red the harbours and fight for time and he went in that direction.
French fleet enter the harbours lows: the four cities and Tower (St Agatha Tower) over- until help would eventually ar- Again, he did not find the
to take on water supplies, al- Floriana bordering Grand Har- looking Melliea Bay – Knight St rive from a country at war with French fleet because, ironically,
though he knew that the bour were collectively gar- Simon; Melliea itself – Knight- France. In fact, the British fleet the British arrived at Alexandria
Knights couldn’t comply with risoned with 24 companies of Commander de Bizier; St Paul’s under the command of Rear- before the French.
his request. 150 soldiers each, a part of the Bay – Knight de la Penouse; the Admiral Horatio Nelson was at The French plan of invasion
Hompesch summoned the Regiment of Malta, the Compag- adjacent bays of St Julian’s and the time scouring the Mediter- was to land contingents of
Order’s Council and it was al- nia della Bolla (a ceremonial St George – Knight de Preville; ranean searching for the troops at four different locali-
most unanimously agreed to corps made up of Valletta St Thomas Tower, the Tumbrell, French fleet. ties: at Gozo under General
 the sunday tiMes oF Malta June 5, 2022 | 43

Ebenezer Reynier; at St Paul’s Vice-admiral François-Paul Brueys d’Aigalliers (1753-98),

Bay and its precincts under Gen- commander of the French invading fleet. PHOTO: EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
eral Louis Baraguey d’Hilliers;
at St Julian’s Bay and the sur-
rounding area under General
Charles-Henri Vaubois; at St Portrait by Jean-Charles Nicaise Perrin (1754-1831) of General
Thomas Bay and Wied ix-Xoqqa Jean Lannes (1769-1809), a future Marshal of France, pictured here
near Bir ebbua under General in the uniform of a Colonel of Hussars. PHOTO: WIKIDATA.ORG
Louis Desaix. Each one of these
four contingents had specific
objectives so that, collectively,
they would ensure that the Mal-
tese and Gozitan countryside
would be captured within a
short time.

“The plan to
oppose the enemy
landings was
completely
mistaken”
The plan for Gozo was simple:
a landing at Ramla l-amra bay
with the troops spreading out in
the area between Fort Cham- A model of the 118-gun French ship-of-the-line L’Orient,
bray and the Citadel overlook- flagship of Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion fleet in 1798.
ing Victoria. After landing, the PHOTO: WARLORDGAMES.COM
St Paul’s Bay troops were to ad-
vance on Madliena and Mdina.
Vaubois’s task, with Colonel Au- Desaix was charged with occu- four large ships-of-the-line were
guste Marmont and General pying Marsaxlokk Bay and ad- to blockade the two main ports,
Jean Lannes in his contingent, vancing on the Cottonera Lines Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Grand Master Ferdinand Hompesch in a painting at the Presidential
was more complex: he had to with the hope that he would be Harbour. Palace, Valletta. PHOTO: COURTESY OF HERITAGE MALTA
overcome the batteries at the able to take over a part of the for- On the whole, the French
Madliena inlet and Qalet Marku, tifications or one of its gates. If plan was carried out on Sun-
blockade Valletta and Floriana, this plan failed, Desaix’s troops day, June 10. Generally speak- near each other were of differ- the knights betrayed their
occupy the countryside between were to invest Fort Ricasoli and ing, the French landed with ent calibres; inferior ammuni- Order and some of them were
Qormi and Casal Paola to affect spread out in the direction of ease because, on a number of tion was distributed to the blamed for no reason at all.
a junction with Desaix’s troops, Marsa to join part of Vaubois’s occasions, they were helped by troops; and other acts of sabo-
blockade forts Manoel and forces. The plan also called for traitorous knights who did tage. This confounded the Joseph F. Grima is the author of
Tigné and spread out in the di- the general headquarters of their best to facilitate the land- Maltese troops and created M%!"%  Fr%z% 1798-1800, M%!"%,
rection of Mdina to meet up these land forces to be located in ings: some commanders openly confusion, with the soldiers 2006.
with the columns of Baraguey the village of Gargur. The fleet crossed over to the enemy; not knowing who was trust-
d’Hilliers. was to assist all the landings and cannon balls and guns placed worthy or not. However, not all To be concluded next Sunday.
44 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

LIFE AND WELLBEING HEALTH

S x w  ss  g
 t
s
FIONA GALEA banned and is no longer avail- and the client will feel no dis-
DEBONO able,” Formosa said. comfort. But pale atrophic skin
These women were either of- will not and there maybe dis-
fered pelvic floor exercises, a comfort following the treat-
major operation, or told to live ment,” he explained about the
Far too many women do not with it – as well as incontinence importance of selection.
feel motivated to address the pads. For sexual desire and drive,
issue of decreasing sexual ac- But again, energy-based de- the state of the relationship, as
tivity due to age with their gy- vices, such as laser, can tighten well as whether the woman her-
naecologist, and just decide the tissues of the vagina and un- self was suffering from any anx-
this is “how it is should be”, ac- derlying fascia, leading to the iety/depression, needed to be
cording to a sexual wellness restoration of a degree of conti- addressed to try and identify any
guru who is offering vaginal nence, Formosa said. problems.
rejuvenation solutions. Once these have been ex-
The lack of motivation to cluded, the activation of libido
speak about this in a standard never cured using hormones, and in particu-
gynaecological setting is by far buT definiTely lar androgens, will have a posi-
the greater problem, as op- tive effect on this problem,
posed to shyness, consultant
improved Formosa said.
gynaecologist Mark Formosa Consultant gynaecologist Mark Formosa during his talk at the Sexual wellness can be divided Another procedure designed
maintained. In The Pink Party, a Times of Malta event organised by Pink into functional gynaecology, to stimulate a sexual orgasm is
“I say this because when I try and Niumee on May 24. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER which deals with the physical as- known as the O-shot, which in-
to expand on the subject, the pects of sexual activity; and sex- volves the injection of platelet-
reaction is often on the lines ual drive and desire (libido). rich plasma into the sub-clitoral
of: ‘Let’s leave this, doc’.” The pain iS real he advised, and the patient must Functional gynaecology deals region.
Formosa was speaking at a be counselled that this was not a with those anatomical aspects Platelets have many stem-
Times of Malta event, organ- Painful intercourse is a common one-time intervention. that interfere with normal sex- cell-like properties and, there-
ised by Pink and Niumee at the problem during the menopause ual function, Formosa ex- fore, a rejuvenating function.
medical aesthetic and beauty because of the loss of lubrication plained, adding that the most They stimulate the nervous
hub in Mrieel, where he ad- associated with oestrogen inconTinence important of these is vaginal connections to the labia and cli-
dressed female guests about deficiency, Formosa explained, conTained dryness, although other causes toris to enhance the sexual re-
sexual wellness and innovative adding that hormone replace- include a tight vagina, prolapse sponse to stimulation, Formosa
energy-based treatments to ment therapy, whether systemic Stress urinary incontinence was and inflammation of the explained.
address vaginal rejuvenation. or vaginal, would also prevent another common problem vulval skin.
The obstetrician and gynae- this. women faced following natural A proper gynaecological evalu-
cologist’s interest in the field “But for those women who childbirth – a trauma to the ation is essential before a plan of purely aeSTheTic
of sexual well-being started cannot go for this option for birth canal, with one conse- action is drawn up, he said, ex- inTervenTionS
when it became clear to him some reason or another, or who quence being damage to the plaining that surgery could be
there was “a certain pattern in opt against it, the issue is real valvular effect of the bladder required in some cases and treat-
STill in infancy
the physical problems women and important,” he highlighted. neck. ment with creams in others. But “While it is evident that Maltese
face in the immediate post- The anatomical changes the for the common problem of women have become increas-
menopausal years and, in vagina undergoes in the absence post-menopausal or breast-feed- ingly sexually liberated, given
some cases, even before”. of oestrogen will, in most cases, “The energy-based ing-related vaginal dryness, re- their interest in addressing sex-
Despite a busy professional
life, with little chance to
make sexual intercourse painful
and unpleasant – a condition
devices are sulting in dyspareunia, laser
offered a simple and effective
ual wellness, there is no evi-
dence at all to suggest any
“think hard” about these is- known as dyspareunia, Formosa very safe” remedy, Formosa stated. pressure from partners to im-
sues he felt were important, explained. For breast-feeding mothers, prove the appearance of their
Formosa decided to explore Often, the result is avoidance The result could be involun- another problem could be external genitalia,” the gynaecol-
the subject. He attended a and a deterioration of the sexual tary loss of urine when a woman apareunia, meaning a lack of ogist maintained.
meeting of the European Soci- relationship with one’s partner, strained, coughed, sneezed or sensation during intercourse as- In fact, purely aesthetic con-
ety of Aesthetic Gynaecology in he continued. jumped, Formosa said, pointing sociated with a loose and lax siderations, using fillers to en-
London, where he learnt about But vaginal rejuvenation out that this could spell the end vagina. hance the appearance of the
an array of options available to using energy-based devices, of the playing years for active Vaginal tightening with an en- external sexual organs, is still in
women, both from an aes- such as the MonaLisa Touch women, who practised a sport, ergy-based device offers a sim- its infancy in Malta.
thetic and a functional point of laser therapy, can restore the with negative mental effects. ple, non-invasive remedy for “This is a matter where cul-
view. vagina to a pre-menopausal Often a period of post-natal ex- these patients too, he said, tural differences play a signifi-
From his experience to date, state, making intercourse ercises would be enough to re- “We can never tell a patient cant role in motivating the
the issues women seek help for painless and pleasant again, store continence, but in some she will be cured, but we can al- woman to address these issues,”
are functional, including diffi- Formosa said. cases, more invasive steps ways tell her that she will defi- Formosa said.
culty with intercourse, uri- Results are not universal are required. nitely improve,” Formosa While he did not find that
nary incontinence and vaginal across all patients, but it is clear “Up to a few years ago, I used pointed out. women had any difficultly men-
laxity/prolapse. the younger the patient, the bet- to offer these women a mini- The energy-based devices are tioning and discussing sexual is-
But today, besides hor- ter and more long-lasting they mally invasive surgical proce- very safe, but patient selection is sues, he acknowledged that
mones, they can turn to the are, he confirmed, adding this dure known as a TVT, with very important both for acceptance those attending his clinic, which
use of energy-based devices was probably because younger good results. But, unfortunately, and also as regards expectations approached sexual wellness
like lasers, radio frequency bodies had a greater regenera- because of the misuse of the tape and results, he insisted. holistically, would have already
and, recently, even ultrasound tive capacity. Repeat treatments involved in this procedure for “Clearly, dark, thick skin will decided they wanted to confront
for vaginal rejuvenation. and top-ups are recommended, other purposes, it has been absorb the energy very quickly this problem.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 45

LIFE AND WELLBEING SCIENCE

The giant-impact hypothesis: what MYTH DEBUNKED

Why can’t we
does it take to form the moon? see the flag
left behind
JOSEF BORG on the moon
from Earth?
The formation of the moon has The question of whether
remained a mystery to this day, humans ventured to the
with a number of different hy- moon or otherwise re-
potheses postulated to try to ex- mains a favourite conspir-
plain the age-old question of acy theory topic. One of the
where Earth’s companion came questions always asked re-
from. While none of the hy- garding this topic regards
potheses are without flaws, the A simple diagram showing the impact of Theia with proto-Earth and the formation of the moon. the inability to observe the
one favoured within the scien- PHOTO: CITRONADE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS flag, and indeed any other
tific community right now pos- items left behind by the as-
tulates a giant impact, early on tronauts, from the Earth.
in the history of the formation experienced from such cosmic moon, which showed a lot more increasing the amount of sur- This is indeed a very good
of our planet, some 4.5 billion bodies. craters and almost no maria face material on that side. question, but the answer is
years ago. Such a hypothesis also aims (flat plains) than the near side Hence, the crust on the far side also rather simple.
The early inner solar system to explain observations that can of the moon. Since lunar maria would be thicker, meaning that Even though the Earth
was populated with several be made today, resulting di- are thought to have formed asteroids would not be able to and the moon are rather
Mars-sized bodies which rectly from such a collision. from flows of magma resulting puncture the crust all the way close on a cosmic scale,
crossed orbits with each other One of these observations is the after asteroids penetrated the to the magma below, and no varying in distance be-
and other planets. In the giant abnormally high angular mo- lunar crust, this seems to sug- magma flows resulting in sur- tween 350,000km and
impact hypothesis, one of mentum in the Earth-moon sys- gest that a thicker crust is pre- face maria could form. 400,000km, attempting to
these bodies, named Theia, tem, when comparing the Earth sent on the far side of the moon. observe something as
collided with the Earth, result- to the other terrestrial planets. A number of possibilities Josef Borg completed a PhD in As- small as a lunar excursion
ing in the formation of a disc Indeed, such a giant impact from the giant impact scenario tronomy at the Institute of Space module, or indeed the flag
of debris circling the Earth could have provided the excess could explain this. The prevail- Sciences and Astronomy, Univer- left behind by Neil Arm-
after the collision. momentum observed in the ing idea is that a second smaller sity of Malta, and is currently a strong during the Apollo 11
Some of the material from system, and it is estimated that moon could have formed from researcher at the Faculty of mission, is extremely hard.
this debris disc would have then right after the collision, one the debris of the initial giant Health Sciences at the University It is easy to mistakenly as-
coalesced to form the moon. Earth day would have been ap- impact with Theia, further out of Malta. He is also Malta’s repre- sume that something so
This could have been the last proximately five hours long. A than the moon itself, which sentative on the European Astro- close should be easier to
in a series of impacts which our second observation came from would have eventually collided biology Network Association see than a galaxy millions
planet could have possibly imaging the far side of the with the moon on the far side, (EANA) council. of light years away. The
truth, however, is that
galaxies are massive struc-
tures, themselves thou-
PHOTO OF THE WEEK SOUND BITES sands of light years across,
meaning that it is indeed
• James Webb Space Telescope to release its first science-quality images easier to see them. The
on July 12: Following a period of six months of commissioning in space, telescope required to re-
NASA will release the first operational images taken by the $10 billion solve something like a one-
James Webb Space Telescope on July 12, according to an agency state- metre flag on the moon
ment posted Wednesday (June 1). Although the Webb team has shared from Earth would need to
several images already, these were all interim alignment images taken be some 200 metres wide
to evaluate the observatory’s capabilities. The July 12 images will come for optical wavelengths!
after each instrument is “calibrated, tested, and given the green light
by its science and engineering team,” according to NASA.
HTTPS://WWW.SPACE.COM/JAMES-WEBB-SPACE-
TELESCOPE-FIRST-IMAGES-JULY-12

• NASA selects two companies to build next-gen spacesuits for future

lunar and ISS missions: NASA has selected two companies to make space-
suits for its Artemis moon programme and future International Space
Station (ISS) missions. Teams led by Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace
(with ILC Dover as a major contributor) received access to a contract Buzz Aldrin saluting the
worth up to a total of $3.5 billion to supply spacesuits for future NASA American flag on the
missions through 2034, agency officials announced today (June 1). moon. PHOTO: NASA
HTTPS://WWW.SPACE.COM/NASA-SELECTS-
COMPANIES-BUILD-SPACESUITS-MOON-SPACE-STATION
The moon, imaged by Josef Borg from Birkirkara, using
a 12-inch Dobsonian telescope and a Nikon D3300 For more sound bites listen to Radio Mocha every Saturday at 7.30pm on
camera. Radju Malta and the following Monday at 9pm on Radju Malta
2https://www.fb.com/RadioMochaMalta/

human presence on the moon, with the that on Earth, with an acceleration due
DID YOU KNOW? long -term objective being that of estab- to gravity of around 1.6 metres per sec-
lishing a lunar base for resource extrac- ond squared (compared to Earth’s 9.8
• The Artemis programme – back to the tion and eventual exploration of other metres per second squared) . That means
moon by 2025! The Artemis missions will solar system bodies. that someone on the moon will only
be the first crewed missions to the moon • Gravity on the lunar surface is about one weigh around 16.6 per cent of their
since 1972. The program has the mid- sixth that on Earth! There is some gravity weight on Earth!
term goal of establishing a sustainable on the noon, albeit much weaker than For more trivia, see: www.um.edu.mt/think
46 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

LIFE AND WELLBEING CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

PENTECOST SUNDAY QUOTES &NEWS

Feels like heaven this clarity was the fact that the disciples could ‘God is spirit’? Are we speaking Greek or He-
Synodality leads
to communion
In a video message to mem-
bers of the Pontifical Commis-
sion for Latin America, Pope
Francis said synodality does
immediately communicate truths of faith in brew? If we are speaking Greek, we are saying not imply “a more or less
languages that were not their own. It seems that God is immaterial. If we are speaking He- democratic, much less a ‘pop-
one of the Spirit’s first tasks was to break brew, we are saying God is a storm and an ir- ulist’ way, of being a Church.
FR STEFAN down barriers of separation, powerfully resistible force. This is why, when we speak of Synodality is the dynamic di-
ATTARD drawing peoples of different languages into spirituality, a great deal is ambiguous. Does mension, the historical di-
divine mysteries the disciples proclaimed spirituality mean becoming immaterial or mension of ecclesial
boldly. being animated by the Holy Spirit?” communion founded on the
What are we to make of the feast of Pente- The Acts of the Apostles shows how the Holy Trinitarian communion, which,
Today’s readings: Acts 2,1-11; Romans 8,8-17; John cost? Jesus had said that his departure would Spirit actively gave life to the nascent Church appreciating simultaneously
14,15-16.23b-26. benefit us greatly, as otherwise the Spirit which yielded to his stirrings and surren- the ‘sensus fidei’ of God’s
would not be sent to us. St Paul explains the dered to his promptings. Just as the Church faithful people, apostolic col-
Fifty days after the Passover, the Jewish pil- importance of the Spirit in no unclear terms had learnt to submit to the lordship of Christ, legiality and unity with
grimage feast instead of which Christians in Romans 8,11: “And if the Spirit of him who it had to learn how to allow his Spirit to em- Peter’s successor, must ani-
started celebrating Easter, Jews had another raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he power it and make it fruitful. Yet the Spirit’s mate the conversion and re-
feast called Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks) as- who raised Christ from the dead will also give most impressive work is not simply the man- form of the Church. Synodality
sociated with the first fruits of the new har- life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit ifestations of his power, wonderful though should lead us to live ecclesial
vest. On this occasion, Jews offered new who lives in you.” No wonder the resurrection these are, but his desire and ability to bring us communion, in which the di-
summer grain to the Lord in the temple of is part of our ultimate fate – the Holy Spirit is face to face with the amazingly beautiful per- versity of charisms, vocations
Jerusalem. the guarantor of this truth just as he was in son of Jesus. Without the Spirit’s action in our and ministries are harmo-
It was this day that the heavenly Father the life of Jesus. It might be surprising to note lives, we would neither know Jesus, nor love niously integrated, animated
chose to pour out his divine Spirit upon a se- that the renowned theologian Yves Congar him, nor experience him. by the same baptism, which
lect few who gathered together in prayer. had pointed out that even in Greek thought, The Holy Spirit, which the Church calls makes us all sons and daugh-
Hence, 50 days after Christ’s resurrection, the pneuma (spirit) is not against the body, Dominum et vivificantem (the Lord and giver ters in Christ.”
Spirit descended upon believers, transform- though the body is to be distinguished from of life), is the one who makes the penny drop,
ing them from confused and disoriented cow- the flesh. transforming a blank, sterile faith into one set Eucharist and
ards to determined and unswerving believers. In L’horizon patristique, Cardinal Jean ablaze because of the conviction he brings in
God had spoken a language Jews could fully Daniélou makes a distinction between Greek our hearts. His presence in our lives is best de- pro-abortionists
understand – on the day when they offered and Hebrew thought with regard to the con- scribed by Fiction Factory’s song Feels Like
the land’s first fruits, God the Father offered cept of spirit, which distinction is somewhat Heaven – only this is no fiction at all. Archbishop Michael Jackels of
the first fruits of heaven, the choicest gift rigid, but nonetheless enlightening: “What do the archdiocese of Dubuques,
Jesus had promised to give freely. A symbol of we mean when we speak of ‘spirit’ and say that [email protected] the US, commented on the de-
bate on whether or not to give
the Eucharist to pro-abortion

Returning to
politicians:
“Some people want to re-
pair the scandal of pro-choice
Catholic politicians by refus-

the essential
ing them the Eucharist. But
that’s a misguided response
for two reasons:
As Jesus said, it’s the sick
people who need a doctor,
In his recent discourse to and he gave us the Eucharist
members of the Association of as a healing remedy; don’t
the Spiritual Family of St deny the people who need the
Charles de Foucauld, Pope Fran- Unless we have a growing relationship with God we are missing medicine. Also, to be consis-
GORDON cis pointed out that “as a the main reason why we are here. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM tent, to repair the scandal of
VASSALLO Church, we need to return to the Catholics being indifferent or
essentials in order to not get lost opposed to all those other life
in so many secondary matters, instead, they tend to reflect their on it is weak and ineffective. issues, they would have to be
at the risk of losing sight of the own culture more than they op- How is our relationship with denied Holy Communion as
As Christians we are called to simple purity of the Gospel”. erate as any kind of leaven God today? Are we walking close well.
embrace the Gospel of Jesus Throughout the history of within it. Most Christians have with him? Are we growing in Better to put the Eucharist
Christ. We tend to forget what Christianity, it would seem not been taught how to plug into Christ, moving forward, making in the hands of such Catholics
the message of the Gospel is all Jesus’s teaching has had little the “mind of Christ”; thus, they progress? Or have we plateaued in hope that one day they
about. It is more than not going impact, except among people often reflect the common mind or even stepped backwards in would put their hands to work
to hell. It is all about redemption who surrendered to great love of power, greed, and war in- our Christian walk. on behalf of life, in defence of
in the context of a relationship and great suffering. Could this stead. The dualistic mind reads God created us to have a rela- all life.”
with God. be the real core of the Gospel? reality in simple binaries – good tionship with him. And unless
When we understand the Franciscan priest Richard and bad, right and wrong – and we are growing in that relation- Pope’s prayer
Gospel in these terms, we will, in Rohr works endlessly to thinks itself smart because it ship, we are missing out on the
turn, grasp what God is doing reawaken Christians to the rad- chooses one side. best that God has for us. We are The pope’s prayer intention
and revealing in his Word, and ical and transformative message This is getting us nowhere. We missing out on God’s daily love for June centres on the needs
what all of history is moving to- of Jesus. It’s a message that is need practice-based religion and guidance, his peace and as- of families: “We pray for
wards. Furthermore, we will often distorted by culture. In his that teaches us to connect with surance in our life. We are miss- Christian families around the
better understand the impor- own words, “our religion is not the Infinite in ways that change ing out on the main reason why world; may they embody and
tance of growing in relationship working well: suffering, fear, vi- us from our finite perspectives. we are here. If we have walked experience unconditional love
with God, in letting ourselves be olence, injustice, greed and We must rediscover what St away from God in our life in any- and advance in holiness in
transformed by the renewal of meaninglessness still abound. Francis of Assisi called the “mar- way, if we have backslid to the their daily lives.”
our mind (Romans 12:2), as we This is not even close to the reign row of the Gospel”. It is time to extent of running on empty, it is
await that glorious day when we of God that Jesus taught.” rebuild from the bottom up. If time to come home to God. (Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)
are all called to eternal life with Many Christians are not the foundation is not solid and
God. highly transformed people; sure, everything we try to build [email protected]
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 47

SOCIETYANDPEOPLE
Camino: ‘an opportunity to converse
with soul, contribute to worthy cause’
Sigma Foundation to
organise another, longer
walk in September
Twenty-seven trekkers took part the last two weeks in September,
in another edition of The from Porto to the cathedral in
Brown’s Camino de Santiago Santiago de Compostela. The
challenge, organised by the journey will cover 260km.
Sigma Foundation, last month. Anyone interested may contact
They set off from Sarria and Keith Marshall or Austin Cachia
converged on the fabled Santiago on Facebook or the Sigma Foun-
de Compostela cathedral, after dation through its Facebook
trekking across 120km of Span- page.
ish farmlands and forestry.
Funds raised through the chal-
lenge are being used to finance ‘D$$ 
the building of a three-in-one M$AGf AD
complex (kindergarten, primary
and secondary school) in
f f G
Bonga, Ethiopia, to be named $x $$
$’
after the late Rebecca Zammit
Lupi, who died last year of can- Some of the Camino team mem-
cer at the age of 15. bers shared their experiences.
Keith Marshall from the Sigma “The outstanding Camino de
Foundation said: “Actually wit- Santiago scenery frees the mind The trekkers celebrating their feat in front of the Santiago de Compostela cathedral.
nessing a group of people who and adds twice the value to ev-
were virtually strangers to one erything! A most rewarding ex-
another till a few months ago, perience.”  Michelle Debono being happy for... this has been “Besides doing something for donations will now have a life-
come together in such fashion, “The Camino De Santiago is an amazing. Thank you to everyone a good cause and achieving a long impact on other lives
working and training together to enriching experience; no matter who has contributed to this personal challenge, it’s an op- makes it all more enriching.” 
get into shape, while keeping the why you’re doing it, the feeling amazing cause.” – Claire Mifsud portunity to enjoy beautiful Loranne Pace
cause and fundraising at the when you get to Santiago de “The Camino is a unique expe- nature, bond with great team- “The Camino was a deeply
forefront of things, is special and Compostela is not a winning feel- rience, hard to put into words. mates and converse with your meaningful and fulfilling expe-
we have been privileged to attest ing, it’s deep, internal satisfac- The scenery is fantastic but soul. You’ll be surprised how rience. Though travelling with
to this many times over, first tion.” – Jon Jon Dalli what really made it special was some things may change you.”  the group, I also made it a point
through the Kilimanjaro chal- “What a journey this has been! the wonderful camaraderie Josianne Zammit to also walk alone quite often. I
lenge and of late, through the I laughed, I cried, I walked a lot, across the group and the fact “A journey with a lifelong im- wanted, needed the solitude,
Camino expeditions. Long may I made some fantastic friends, I that we were doing this for a re- pact bringing freedom to just when it could just be me and
they continue.” cleared my mind, I made a dis- ally worthy cause, keeping the be and value the friendships the very real presence of my
The Sigma Foundation intends tinction between what’s worth memory of Becs alive.” – Ste- with others. Knowing that the late daughter Becs.”  Darrin
to organise a longer Camino over worrying over and what’s worth fano Mallia challenge through generous Zammit Lupi

GuateMalta: ‘An e
perience o a lietime, a lietime o e
periences’
FRANCESCO FRENDO At the time of writing, I find myself As an avid enthusiast of symbolic ritu- been nothing short of an experience of a
just short of a month’s stay in a spacious, als, I have been fortunate enough to lifetime.
clean and comfortable room in Casa Is- witness a melting pot of religious cus- During my stay so far, I have also visited
abel, run by GuateMalta in Puerto Bar- toms; a syncretic blend between the tra- the local prison, recorded a soundtrack
It was a damp, mundane and gloomy day in rios, a port city on the Atlantic coast of ditional Roman Catholic ceremony – for the local television station Stella Maris
Malta when I overheard an acquaintance Guatemala. delivered by Dun Anton in Spanish and TV and have had a short stint as a
recalling his dreaded predicament of being Casa Isabel is a women’s shelter, ad- the native Q’eqchi tongue – amalgamated teacher’s assistant in English classes of-
stranded in Guatemala, while doing volun- ministered by Dun Anton and his col- with Mayan shamanic prayers, offerings fered by the GuateMalta Foundation.
tary work, when the border was unprece- leagues, for victims of domestic and traditional attire. Yet, despite the deep and rich history
dentedly closed due to the pandemic violence. The shelter also provides vital One significant project, one that has the Mayan culture boasts, the current
outbreak. medical services, including ultrasounds, been a roaring success, is the supply of economic situation is a far cry from a
In a foreign country at the time, and psychological counselling and pharma- clean stoves. Many rural families deep pretty picture. Poverty and lack of basic
desperately hankering the need for a ceutical supplies. within the jungle still utilise open fires to supplies remains rife, due to political in-
new experience, I took the leap of faith Over the past 12 years, GuateMalta has cook, thus inhaling toxic fumes and risk- stability, civil wars and the aggravated
and contacted Dun Anton Grech, a extended its grounds to include a size- ing the possibility of treacherous fires. hardships because of the pandemic.
Gozitan priest and founder of the able playground, a church and is cur- Sponsored by the Qormi San Bastjan GuateMalta is accepting donations
GuateMalta Foundation. rently finishing off a hostel to host parish, I have aided in assembling and and, after a hiatus due to the pandemic,
Despite having never heard or met guests and future volunteers. dispersing these clean stoves that have the organisation has reopened its doors
Dun Anton, he welcomed the opportu- On a daily basis, I have accompanied flourished like a green bay tree among to volunteers who are willing to partake
nity with open arms. As fast as greased Dun Anton to the jungle to visit remote such communities. in such programmes.
lightning, I booked my flight, packed my Q’eqchi and Ladina villages, as he sees to Guatemala offers a lifetime of experi- For more information, visit www.
bags, and set for pastures new. his priestly duties. ences, and over the past month, it has guatemalta.org or its Facebook page.
48 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

SOCIETY AND PEOPLE OBITUARIES / NEWS

OBITUARIES Funeral arrangements in Malta her brother Saviour, her sister-in- the Consultant Oncologist and her great-granddaughter Eva-
will be announced at a later date. law Rita Galea, Marie, widow of staff at Sir Anthony Mamo Rose, Tessie, wife of her brother
Please remember her in your her brother-in-law Joseph, Oncology Centre for their care Gejtu, her nephew Brian and his
COLE. On June 2, the Noble thoughts and prayers. nephews, nieces, other relatives and dedication. wife Francine, her in-laws
ANNE, née Formosa Gauci, aged and friends, particularly the emma and Emily, Carmelin,
69, passed away peacefully at her GAUCI. On May 31, DOREEN, née Clergy and Lay Community of St VELLA. On May Lucy and Lily and her husband
residence in Cape Town, South Scicluna, residing in Ta’ l-Ibra, Julian’s parish where she served 31, at Mater Dei Salvu, other nephews and nieces,
Africa in the presence of her aged 74, went to meet the Risen devotedly for many years, as well Hospital, AGNES, relatives and friends.
devoted husband. She leaves to Lord. She leaves to mourn her as Bertha, John, Silvana and Luke aged 90, known The funeral leaves Mater Dei
mourn her loss her husband loss her beloved husband Henry, Grixti. as Ine Pace, Hospital tomorrow, Monday,
Richard, her daughters Sally-Ann her sons Joe and his wife The funeral cortège leaves Mater widow of Frans, June 6, at 1.45pm for St
and Jane, wife of Adam Cottrell, Svetlana, Ian and his wife Dei Hospital tomorrow, Monday, of
amrun, Sebastian’s parish church,
her granddaughters Summer Roberta, Chris and his wife June 6, at 8.30am, for St Julian’s residing in Qormi, where Mass prasesente
and Amber, her sisters and Virginie and her treasured parish church, where Mass Qormi, passed peacefully away cadavere will be said at 2.30pm
brothers Clarissa, Joan, wife of grandchildren Sarah, Elisa, Luca, præsente cadavere will be comforted by the rites of Holy followed by interment in the
Joe Vella Muskat, Michael and Andrew, Alessia and Mattia. Also celebrated at 9am. No flowers by Church. She leaves to mourn her family vault at Santa Maria
Nathalie and Josef, her nephews mourning her loss are her sister request but donations to Hospice sad loss her children Tano, Victor, Addolorata Cemetery.
and niece Mark, Matthew, May, her brothers Stephen and Malta, Balzan, will be greatly Manwel and his wife Simone, her No flowers by request but
Rebecca and Nicholas, as well as his wife Joyce, Joseph and his appreciated. grandchildren Daniel and his donations to Id-Dar tal-
other relatives and friends both wife Antoinette, Antoine and his Lord, grant her eternal rest. fiancée Kim, Matthew and Keith, Providenza, Siiewi would be
in South Africa and Malta. wife Marisa, and Mary, widow of The family would like to thank and Danica and her husband Ian, greatly appreciated.

Inspire conference sheds light on how

persons with autism build connections
In a bid to raise awareness on autism, the Inspire
Foundation recently organised a full-day conference
featuring some of the foremost speakers on the sub-
ject, as well as persons who are on the spectrum.
The event, held at Mount St Joseph Retreat House
in Mosta, offered a unique mix of experience and
expertise on how connections evolve throughout
one’s life journey for persons with autism.
Alistair de Gaetano, chairperson of Malta’s
Autism Advisory Council, spoke about surviving
vs thriving, the ‘high functioning’ curse and what
one should be doing to empower persons with
autism to be able to thrive throughout their life
journey. He also emphasised that the biggest
challenge for society was to change and social
barriers to be removed.
Richard Mills, who has a long association with
Malta and the foundation, spoke about the im-
portance that teachers, clinicians and parents
connected to, and engaged with people with
autism on what they found to be helpful or un-
helpful. He said the aim was never to try to fix
autism, as what was helpful to people with
autism was also helpful to anyone else. Charlene Borg, who leads the Family Relations
David Perkins, founder of AS Mentoring (ASM), Department at Inspire, addressing the conference
provider of specialist support to persons with at Mount St Joseph Retreat House in Mosta.
autism and other neurodiverse conditions, spoke
about the mission statement of the organisation
he leads and how it supported clients to achieve experiences of almost three decades active in the
their potential as individuals, through social in- field of autism. Addressing the conference
The Holy Trinity statue and its elaborate pedestal which adorn clusion and employment. Perkins explained the through a recorded presentation, Lawson spoke
Marsa square during the feast week. support they provided as twofold – facilitating about his experience as a person with autism who
change for the individual and affecting change in is also a member of the LGBTIQ+ community.
their environment. Gina Gomez de la Cuesta spoke about the Brick-

25th anniversary of Charlene Borg, who leads the Family Relations

Department at Inspire, spoke about the various
family dynamics typically affected by autism. She
by-Brick TM programme, a learning through play-
based concept involving collaborative LEGO play
for children who need extra support with social

Holy Trinity statue said a family was ultimately a group of people to

whom a person feels a sense of belonging and
well-being.For the second part of her presenta-
communication, such as children on the autism
spectrum.
She was joined by Jon Adams, a contemporary
The Marsa feast organisation is this year commemorating the 25th tion, she was joined by Marvic and Chris O’Dwyer, artist and neurodivergent advocate and re-
anniversary since the statue of the Holy Trinity – which adorns the parents of Ronan and Joseph, both of whom are searcher who has been actively involved in the de-
church square – was donated to the Gaqda Festi Esterni (External on the spectrum. velopment of the Brick-by-Brick programme.
Festivities Committee). Jacqui Ashton Smith, experienced education- Ruth Moyse, visiting research fellow at the Uni-
This statue, the work of Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, is displayed an- alist and trainer with 40 years of experience in versity of Southampton, and a director and asso-
nually in front of the Marsa church during the week presiding Trin- autism, education and leadership, talked about ciate at AT-Autism, spoke about the problem of
ity Sunday and is the main attraction of the outdoor decorations. the importance of resilience in supporting social girls with autism, who have a greater tendency to
The five-metre-high pedestal for this statue was designed by Sil- connections and life changes. Underlining the drop out of the mainstream educational
vio Pace and carried out voluntarily by Eddie Abela and Raymond importance of understanding young people, system. During her presentation, which featured
Meli, while the shine (ir-reier) is by Raymond Ellul. The project Ashton Smith went through issues of education findings from a research exercise and subse-
was financed by Comm. Charles Attard. pressures and expectations, employment oppor- quent lessons on inclusion from adolescent girls
A marble plaque was unveiled at the committee’s premises to tunities, social media and peer pressure, as well with autism, she answered questions about lan-
mark this occasion. as mental health. guage usage which shapes the narrative and per-
On Sunday, June 12, Marsa celebrates the feast of the Holy Wenn Lawson, researcher on autism, lecturer, haps expounds the problem.
Trinity. psychologist, advocate and poet, shared his The event was supported by the Preluna Hotel.
the SundAy timeS of mAltA June 5, 2022 | 49

SOCIETY AND PEOPLE OBITUARIES

REQUIEM MASS Sean and Sharon. Rest in with the Lord. Always in our
peace. hearts and prayers. His
daughters Marguerite,
Tomorrow being the first CALLEJA. In loving memory of Pauline, Lucienne and their
anniversary of the death of our dear parents PAUL, on June families. Lord, grant him
EDWARD AQUILINA, the Mass 2, 2001 and HELEN (Lily), on eternal rest.
at 7pm, at Jesus of Nazareth June 14, 1988. Always in the
parish church, Sliema, will be prayers of their daughters Maria, PULLICINO – MARK. In loving
offered for the repose of his widow of Anthony Tabone, Rose, memory of our cousin and
soul. wife of Norman Farrugia, nephew, on the 17th
Antoinette, wife of Joseph Spiteri anniversary of his death.
IN MEMORIAM Audibert, Claudia, wife of Weep if you must,
Raymond Spiteri and Pauline, Parting is hell.
wife of Anthony Farrugia. Sorely But life goes on,
BUGEJA – ALBERT, June 3, missed by their grandchildren So sing as well.
1994. In loving memory of a and great-grandchildren. Lord, Missing you always Faye, Nick,
In loving memory of
dear father and grandfather grant them eternal rest. Maisie, Louie, Betta, Gianni.
on the 28th anniversary of his
passing. You are with DEBONO – FRANK. Treasured ZAMMIT. In loving memory of
JOSEPHINE TABONE
mum again now. You are and loving memories of a HUGH, a beloved husband and on the second anniversary of her passing
always in our thoughts and much loved and dear father, father, on the 13th anniversary to eternal life.
prayers. His sons Joseph and grandfather and great- of his passing away. Forever
Monica, Michael and Ans, and grandfather on the 31st remembered by Monica and Always in our hearts and minds, her husband
James and his grandchildren anniversary of his meeting Peter. Mario, her sons Jean-Paul and Mark and her
daughter Simone and their respective spouses
Nicola, Daphne and Philip, her grandchildren
Appreciation Karl, Julia, Michael, Kristina, Nina, Luca and
Max, other relatives and friends.

Charlie Mock Lord, grant her eternal rest

I’ve written a number of appreciations over the

years. Many provide some difficulties. I would
sometimes think: “Should I mention this or the In loving memory of
other? Am I being a hypocrite?” I would rather
leave something out than be that. I can sincerely say
MARIO DEBATTISTA
that I have absolutely none of these difficulties with on the fourth anniversary of his passing on June 9.
Charlie Mock. There were two intertwined priori-
Deeply missed and fondly remembered
ties in his life: sport and education. “My boys” was
by his wife Alfrida,
his call throughout. his children Angele and husband Melvin,
I was lucky that our paths crossed time and again than me, of course) not only followed him but Marica and husband Vince, Neville,
over many years; at least until the cruel pandemic loved him. He not only taught them sport but Josette and husband Jonathan, nieces and nephews,
intervened. As a young boy I admired him in the sportsmanship, gentlemanly behaviour and Matthias, Marie, Francesco, Federica and Mya,
then Balluta WPC goalposts and at national level. ethics. brothers and sisters.
His was not my club and it is common in sport to Still later, when I served as president of the ASA,
taunt and even, unfortunately, insult the opposite Charlie had a bad road accident; an accident from Mass will be celebrated in his memory at the church
side and its players. But I do not recall Charlie ever which he never really recovered – but being Char- of Good Counsel on Thursday, June 9, 6.45pm.
being at the receiving end. He was too much of a lie he soldiered on. He asked me, with the greatest
gentleman and a sportsman. of humility, whether he could sit in the VIP area.
During my time as president of Neptunes WPSC Obviously he did. I also had the honour of pre-
he not only trained, but nurtured the young boys
(as he did at many other clubs over the years). Ev-
senting him with an award on behalf of
Marsaxlokk WPC when he was the club coach. ROBERT GATT
erybody had his place and importance. Those who But Charlie’s finest moment was when he was Treasured memories of our son
could barely swim were not discarded but taught admitted to the Maltese Olympic Committee Hall on the fifth anniversary of his demise,
by him to swim. Once he told me happily: “I found of Fame in 2009. I will never forget the beam on June 12, 2017.
a goalkeeper for you”. That 12-year-old goalkeeper his face when he told me at the “pixxina”. He was Lovingly remembered and sadly missed
kept going to the top. so proud. And it was at the “pixxina” where we by his parents Maria and Danny,
Later, we “met” again when I was on the board continued to meet regularly as long as we could. his wife Ingrid, his son Thomas,
his brother Edward, Nadine and his nephews
of governors of St Edwards College, another He would love to chat with everyone whom he met Giuseppe and Gianni, other relatives and friends.
institution where he found “my boys” and which there.
became another integral part of his life. For some I was so lucky to know Charlie. Unfortunately, A Mass for his repose will be said
on Saturday, June 11 at 6.15pm at
reason he had relinquished his post as sports there are very few Charlies around. Farewell my St Aloysius College church, Birkirkara.
master and was finding some difficulty in taking friend. May your legacy be a lasting example to
the role back. He told me it was something he others. To his family my deepest condolences. Lord, grant him eternal rest
yearned for. Somehow we managed to get him
back. All Old Edwardians (a good deal younger A s Sa 

The family of
In loving memory of our dear
MARY BARTHET ALBERT DeBONO
would like to express their heartfelt thanks to on the second anniversary of his meeting with the Risen Christ.
the Rev. Clergy who concelebrated Mass,
all those who attended the funeral, sent cards Lovingly remembered and deeply missed
and flowers, or in any way showed kind by his wife Anne,
expressions of sympathy on the loss of a his children Tanya and Mario,
dear beloved mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, who
Noel and Romina
went to meet the Risen Lord on April 30, 2022 and his grandchildren Andrea, Maria Pia,
Gabriel and Julia.
Kindly remember her in your prayers
Lord, grant her eternal rest Forever in our hearts
50 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

PURSUITS GAMES

WORD ROUNDUP CODE CRACKER

Each number in our Code Cracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have two
letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid,
then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing 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 alphabetical letters as you identify them.

SUDOKU (EVIL)

2 3 5 1
9 7 6
2 6 3 4
6 2
7 5
2 1 4 7 TELEWORD
All the words below appear in the puzzle – horizontally, vertically, diagonally, even backward. Find
4 them and circle their letters. The leftover letters spell the Teleword.

5 2 6 ZSA ZSA GABOR SOLUTION: 11 LETTERS

3 1 2
PLAY 4

Alec, Asaf, Batman, Beige, Burhan, Cars, City, Conrad, Constance, Cosden Jr., Felipe DeAlba, Flair,
Francesca, Frederic, Gabor, George, Herbert, Hilton, Hungary, Hutner, Jack, John, Jolie, Joshua, Lady,
Life, Lili, Look, Loveboat, Loved, Magda, Michael, Naked Truth, O'Hara, Pepe, Prinz Von Anhalt,
Solutions will be carried next week on page 51 Rounders, Ryan, Sanders, Sari, Smart, Style, Tauber, Time.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 51

PURSUITS GAMES

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD EASY CROSSWORD

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

1. Excited (6) 7
7 7. Ruminant
8 9
mammal (8)
8 9 8. Close heavily 10 11 12 13
(4)
10. Whole (6) 14 15 16
10 11 12 13 11. Ripen (6)
14. Frozen water 17 18 19 20
14 15 16 (3)
16. Claw (5) 21
17. Weary (4)
17 18 19 20 19. Drain (5) 22 23 24 25
21. Furious (5)
26 27 28
21 22. Religious song
(5) 29 30
23. Entrance (4)
22 23 24 25 26. Started (5) 31
28. Agent (3)
26 27 28 29. Fruit (6) 32
30. Opponents
29 30 (6) 33
31. Object of
worship (4)
31 32. Paid back (8)
33. Come out (6) 6. Number (5) 21. Yearning (7)
32 8. Mix (4) 22. Male (3)
DOWN 9. Plural of is (3) 23. Dedicate (6)
12. Pitch (3) 24. Gemstone (4)
33 1. Begrudge (6) 13. Musical form (5) 25. Live (6)
2. Join (6) 15. Cavort (5) 26. Plank (5)
3. Titled woman (4) 18. Bury (5) 27. Social blunder (5)
4. Overdue (7) 19. Be seated (3) 28. Free (3)
5. Tycoon (5) 20. Humour (3) 30. Drive (4)
ACROSS DOWN
1. Kiddie about to cry, as well (2,4) 1. Fall in the dryer? (6)
7. Something to wear in the shower? 2. Order a fellow to be king! (6) LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
(8) 3. There may be a catch in it (4)
8. Letter showing a bonehead how to 4. Suffered, only to finish by being Across: 1. c5mbat 7. repai7ed 8. B7ie 10. An57ak 11. Fa'ade 14. D5n 16. M5t57 17. D7ew
make tea (4) terribly rude (7) 19. camel 21. M5gul 22. Fetid 23. sled 26. Tibia 28. one 29. H5a72e 30. 7ithe 31. rep2
10. Endure cheerfully having to carry 5. She finishes a wee drink (5) 32. N5n2en2e 33. Ne2tle.
something to town (4,2) 6. Speak in devout terms (5) DoN: 1. c5wa7d 2. B5775w 3. T7ek 4. ca7amel 5. T7eat 6. Adde7 8. B5de 9. Ian 12. c5l
11. Not like every single woman (6) 8. Asked to make a bed (4) 13. D5dge 15. Magi' 18. radi5 19. c5t 20. Mud 21. Mea2le2 22. Fi7 23. snipe2 24. Let2 25.
14. As a follower, go back on one’s 9. A vessel to pull (3) D7edge 26. Think 27. Ba7n2 28. o7e 30. 7en.
word finally (3) 12. Offer to double a large figure (3)
16. One who’s just been asleep on the 13. Where you can get stewed eels out
stair? (5) West (5) SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S GAMES
17. One gets it with satisfaction (4) 15. Write a wrong? (5)
19. Ran easily at a semi-gallop, boy! 18. That flaming redhead (5)
(5) 19. Lord of the courts (3) PLAY 4
21. With a bit of luck, free to be 20. It’s served in pieces (3)
SUDOKU
melodramatic (5) 21. Scowled at the sub-editor? (7) 7 5 4 1 8 3 9 2 6
22. Somebody, at some stage, will 22. Exclude the bigheaded one (3)
mess up (5) 23. Rest of the prose edited by an 2 8 3 9 4 6 1 5 7
23. Hasty, but right instead of egghead (6) 1 6 9 7 5 2 8 3 4
hotheaded (4) 24. Soon to be nameless (4)
26. Only a sucker would drink with 25. Score fast, through success is not 3 4 1 8 6 7 2 9 5
one (5) in question (3,3)
28. Female of the night (3) 26. Too much can be a pest (5)
8 2 6 5 9 1 7 4 3
29. Being hurt is one way to get in a 27. Possibly first sign of a crackup? 5 9 7 2 3 4 6 8 1
home (6) (5)
30. Make a complaint about a porter? 28. Girl getting love from a brave man
9 7 5 3 1 8 4 6 2
(6) (3) 4 1 8 6 2 5 3 7 9
31. Work smoothly though it’s hard 30. The trip I had in the right
(4) direction (4) 6 3 2 4 7 9 5 1 8
32. Moved with difficulty like a chap
holding an animal (8)
33. Viewer allowed a little space (6) CODE CRACKER

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

Across: 1. G-7at-I2 7. Pe7u-2ing 8. Ta-ta 10. D7ag-5n 11. s'7een 14. PIN 16. Handy 17. D-
i2-' 19. H5ney 21. M5t57 22. Dig-it 23. Pat’2 26. Pupil 28. H5w 29. reade7 30. cele7-y 31.
A-r-id 32. c575net2 33. Ex-hale.
DoN: 1. Guid-Ed 2. T-7ag-i' 3. spa-n 4. Lu7'he7 5. L-I’ve-N 6. A-g5-ny 8. Tap2 9. T-5n 12. TELEWORD WORD ROUNDUP
ray 13. Edi't 15. G5-tin 18. I22ue 19. H5g 20. (k-)N5t 21. Mile End 22. Di-d 23. P5li2h 24. Cactus Famous Bonus Minus Bogus Focus Plus Opus;
A-we-d 25. s'ythe 26. P7-i'e 27. P-ai72 28. He7 30. ca2e. Best boy Gold Gone Good Goal; Teax Maine Idaho; Ample; Koala.
52 | June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

SPORT
T 
 t
t t py
inspire them to be greater
than the sum of their parts.
Under normal circumstances,
when I sit down to watch this
JAMES evening, I would be willing
CALVERT Wales to win. And a big part of
me still wants that happen.
But another part, maybe
even slightly bigger, is not
Every now and then, football averse to the idea of the
teams play what I think it is Ukrainian team boarding a
fair to describe as ‘uncom- flight to Qatar next November.
fortable’ games – matches Something positive to look
they would rather not be in- forward to must be the very
volved in if they could avoid least that country deserves.
it.
Scotland had one of those
last Wednesday when they Picking on The
faced Ukraine in the World english
Cup play-off semi-final. And
Wales have one this evening Let’s not beat about the bush –
when they face the same oppo- last week’s Champions League
nents in the final. final was a shambles.
Of course, despite every- Obviously not the match it- Police stand in front of fans prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between
thing that is happening in self, which was a relatively Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France, Paris, last Sunday. PHOTO: THOMAS COEX / AFP
Ukraine, Scotland went into tame affair, but the utter mess
their match aiming to win. of confusion, discrimination
But, at the same time, the and heavy-handed policing away and may never be com- tions to Manchester United the floodgates with other gay
tragic events unfolding in that took place around the sta- pletely eradicated. over the past six years. ….. players following his brilliant
their opponent’s homeland dium. But that absolutely doesn’t Actually, let’s not bother. lead.
would have been at the back of Various UEFA and the justify the treatment Liverpool Digging them out would take So far that hasn’t happened.
their mind. French officials can dress it up fans received in Paris. time, effort and probably end Despite Jake showing it can
Whether that had some any way they like – using ex- UEFA have launched a for- up being an exercise in futility be done, and that, in fact, the
bearing on the Scots losing the cuses like supporters arriving mal investigation into the way anyway. football world is going to be
game 3-1, I suppose we will late and counterfeit tickets – things unfolded and I sin- Pogba is a player with world- immensely supportive, no
never know. But it wouldn’t but the truth is the Liverpool cerely hope we don’t end up class talent and unbelievable other players have followed
surprise me if it did. fans were targeted just be- with some sort of whitewash skill who is capable of chang- suit.
Wales will also be desper- cause they were English. that finds a few incidents of ing matches single-handedly. However, the young man’s
ately looking for the victory Every social media platform Liverpool fans acting inappro- Unfortunately, at Old Traf- bravery has helped at least one
that takes them to Qatar later has been smothered in footage priately and pins all the blame ford at least, he was way too other person in the British
this year, especially as they of fans being picked on in what on them. busy being in love with himself game to take the plunge – Scot-
have only ever been to the can only be described as pure, Needless to say, that is ex- to let those talents shine tish referee Craig Napier.
World Cup once before. unadulterated discrimination. actly what I am expecting. through. The top-level official, who
But the Welsh players will be You see numerous clips of took charge of 32 big matches
well aware that most of the fans queueing peacefully out- last season, came out as gay
world will be willing Ukraine side the ground having been The man who ToP ref last week, saying he had been
to win and give the country’s waiting hours to get in when could have joins jake in inspired by Jake’s decision.
beleaguered people some the police suddenly decide to “I don’t think this needs to
small relief from the horrors pepper spray them. Why
been king coming ouT be a news story but I think at
of war. would they do that? How is Everybody knew Paul Pogba When Blackpool player Jake the moment, it really does be-
As I said, these are games that justifiable? was on his way out of Manch- Daniels came out last month cause we need to see the cli-
that teams don’t want to play Of course, nobody is more ester United. It’s been blind- we wondered if it might open mate change so that people do
in. Like those when you face a aware than me that English ingly obvious that that was feel that they can be their true
side that has just suffered a football still has a stigma at- going to happen for a very long self and live happily and com-
tragedy or major incident. tached to it. The reputation time. Years in fact. fortable in their own skin. And
They almost feel like no-win supporters developed in the Well, last week the club then that needs to transcend
games where, even if you tri- 1970s and 1980s for being made it official, saying their into football,” Craig said.
umph, you also lose.
On paper you would say
thugs and hooligans never en-
tirely went away. And to be fair,
£89 million 2016 signing
would be leaving the club
The truth is the The floodgates may not yet
have opened, but I suspect this
Wales have a squad that there is a growing (if still com- when his contract expires at Liverpool fans slow trickle will be growing in
should be able to overcome paratively small) numbers of the end of June. strength over the course of the
Ukraine. But then again, the hooligans still attached to En- With the news confirmed, were targeted summer.
Ukrainians are probably using
the motivation of what is
glish football.
Unfortunately, that is a prob-
why don’t we take a look back
at some of the player’s key mo-
just because they E-MAIL: [email protected]
happening in their country to lem that just won’t seem to go ments and decisive contribu- were English TWITTER: @MALTABLADE
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 53

SPORT
MOTOGP CATALONIA GRAND PRIX South African
teams will

Espargaro scorches to raise level of

European
competitions:
pole in record time rugby chief
The controversial introduction
of South African teams into
next season’s European Cham-
Aleix Espargaro rode his Aprilia pions Cup and Challenge Cup
into pole position for the Cat- competitions should be wel-
alonia MotoGP after a “crazy” comed, Rene Bouscatel presi-
lap in a track record time in yes- dent of the French Rugby
terday’s qualifying for the ninth League (LNR) said yesterday.
round of the world champi- European Professional Club
onship. Rugby (EPCR), the tourna-
The Spaniard will be joined ment’s governing body, an-
on the front row today by nounced five South African
Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, sides would enter the two com-
who won last week in Italy, and petitions next season.
the Yamaha of world champion The Stormers, the Bulls and
Fabio Quartararo. the Sharks will compete in the
Espargaro lies eight points Champions Cup “following im-
adrift of Quartararo in the stand- pressive campaigns in the
ings and will have high hopes of United Rugby Championship”,
lifting his local race after emerg- while the Lions and the Chee-
ing fastest in practice. tahs will bid to lift the Chal-
In the third session he blitzed lenge Cup.
to a new lap record of 1min Bouscatel, who when presi-
38.771 at the circuit outside dent of Toulouse saw the side
Barcelona in scorching condi- win the European Cup four
tions with track temperature times, said their entry could
hitting 55 degrees celsius. only be good for improving the
And then he promptly broke level of rugby.
his own mark shortly after in “It is in the interest of every-
qualifying with a time of body, including the players, that
01:38.742, to deny Bagnaia by Aleix Espargaro took pole they cross swords with teams
0.031sec. in Catalunia yesterday. they have never played against
“I did a totally crazy lap, slip- before,” said Bouscatel.
ping around everywhere and in “That will raise the level of all
truth I didn’t really appreciate domestic competitions, includ-
this lap, I was on the limit on Ducatis dominate the second place Honda’s Marc Marquez. ing to Spain to continue his re- ing the Top 14, and will also
each bend,” said the pole-sitter. row with Prima Primac’s Jo- The six-time world champion covery. He is expected to miss have a knock on effect on the
This was the 32-year-old’s hann Zarco and Jorge Martin underwent surgery on his right the rest of the 2022 season. national side.
fourth career pole and second either side of Gresini Racing’s arm in the United States with Alex Marquez, his brother, “The advantage of this is it
of 2022. Fabio di Giannantonio. doctors declaring on Friday the was also absent from qualifying will see an improvement in the
Quartararo approaches Starting towards the rear of operation was a success. after falling hard in fourth prac- level of the European Cup by
today’s race with optimism, say- the grid after qualifying 21st is Marquez will remain in Amer- tice with the Honda-LCR rider raising the standards of the do-
ing: “I still have a card to play”. Stefan Bradl called up to re- ica for a few days before return- taken to the medical centre. mestic championships.”

SPORTS ROUND-UP

SAILING TENNIS BASKETBALL, NBA

An 83-year-old yachtsman arrived in Japan’s Shingo Kunieda won his eighth Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has be-
Japan early yesterday morning after French Open men’s wheelchair title and come the first active player in NBA history with a net
a solo, non-stop trip across the Pa- 27th Grand Slam crown yesterday with a worth of $1 billion, Forbes magazine reported. The 37-
cific, becoming the oldest person 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 victory over Gustavo Fer- year-old forward, a four-time NBA champion and four-
ever to achieve the feat. The ar- nandez of Argentina. It was 38-year-old time NBA Most Valuable Player, ranks second on the
rival of famed ocean adventurer Kunieda’s 27th win in 38 meetings league’s all-time scoring list and has played in the
Kenichi Horie (picture) in the Kii against Fernandez. Such is Kunieda’s league since 2003. In the Forbes list of highest-paid
Strait off western Japan capped dominance at the Slams that Fernandez world athletes from May 2021 to May 2022, James
a two-month trip that started and Alfie Hewitt remain his closest pur- ranked second in total income with $121.2 million.
from a yacht harbour in San suers on five majors each.
Francisco in March. It was only HORSE RACING
the latest seagoing achievement GOLF
by the Japanese octogenarian, who Desert Crown produced an imperious display to give
in 1962 voyaged from Japan to San World number four Minjee Lee fired a five- trainer Michael Stoute his sixth win in the Epsom Derby
Francisco at age 23, becoming the first under-par 66 to grab a share of the 36-hole yesterday. Stoute raised his top hat as the 5-2 favourite
person in the world to sail alone across the lead alongside Mina Harigae at the 77th US passed the post clear under Richard Kingscote, who
Pacific. The public relations team for his most Women’s Open in North Carolina. Australia’s Lee had was riding in only his second Derby. Stoute, at 76 the
recent voyage said Horie’s return to Japan made him the four of her six birdies on the front nine and rebounded oldest trainer to win flat racing’s blue riband, had al-
world’s oldest person to pull off a solo, non-stop crossing from her only bogey at 14 with birdies at 15 and 16 to ready sent out Kris Kin to Derby success in 2003 for
of the largest and deepest ocean on Earth join Harigae on nine-under-par 133 at Pine Needles. Saeed Suhail, the owner of Desert Crown.
54 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 55

SPORT
TENNIS

Swiatek brushes aside Gauff to

win second French Open title
Iga Swiatek cruised to her sec- there,” she said, to cheers from
ond French Open title by domi- Iga Swiatek holds the stands.
nating teenager Coco Gauff in the trophy. Gauff looked nervous in the
the final yesterday, as the world opening exchanges and a flurry of
number one claimed her 35th unforced errors handed Swiatek
successive victory. a break in the very first game.
The 21-year-old Polish star The 18th seed found herself
stormed to a 6-1, 6-3 win in only 3-0 and a double break down
68 minutes on Court Philippe just 16 minutes into the match,
Chatrier, equalling Venus as Swiatek’s powerful backhand
Williams’ record for the longest helped her win a lengthy third
winning run by a woman in the game on her fifth break point.
21st century. Gauff finally got on the board
Swiatek celebrated her sixth with a scrappy hold to the de-
straight title this year in the light of the crowd, but she had
players’ box with her friends dropped a set for the first time
and family. in the tournament just minutes
“I told Coco ‘Don’t cry’ and later.
that’s what I am doing. Con- Swiatek was not playing her
grats to Coco,” said an emo- best, but a cross-court back-
tional Swiatek. hand winner brought up two
“You are doing an amazing set points and she took the sec-
job. At your age, I was on my ond opportunity.
first year on tour and I did not The Pole gifted her opponent
know what I was doing. You will a potential route back into the
find it, I am sure of that.” match, making four unforced
A disconsolate Gauff was left errors to throw away her serve
sitting on her seat in tears after in the first game of the second.
a nervous performance, punc- been amazing,” said Gauff, as China’s Zheng Qinwen in the Swiatek improved her re- Swiatek recomposed herself
tuated by 23 unforced errors the tears flowed again when she fourth round. markable record in finals, hav- though as the mistakes contin-
and three double faults. thanked her team. She has now won all three of ing won her last nine on the ued to come from Gauff, break-
The 18-year-old American “I hope we can play in more fi- her career meetings with Gauff, WTA Tour. ing back to level at 2-2.
came up short in her bid to be- nals and maybe I can win one... who was playing in her first Swiatek expressed her sup- She made it five straight
come the youngest Grand Slam I want to thank my team, I’m major final. port for Ukraine during the tro- games to move within one of
singles champion since Maria sorry I couldn’t get this one Gauff will now turn her atten- phy presentation, despite the title, losing only five points
Sharapova won Wimbledon in today.” tions to today’s doubles final, saying before the final that she in the process.
2004. Swiatek, only the 10th woman where she will face home does not feel ready to speak Gauff dug deep to force
“I want to congratulate Iga, to win multiple French Opens favourites Caroline Garcia and about off-court issues. Swiatek to serve for the trophy.
what you’ve done on tour in in the Open era, lost just one set Kristina Mladenovic alongside “I want to say to Ukraine, But the top seed did just that
these past couple of months has in the tournament – against compatriot Jessica Pegula. ‘Stay strong’. The war is still on her first match point.

Nadal aims to be oldest champion

Rafael Nadal will become the oldest man Nadal who has not hidden the brutal re- stands at 111 wins and just three losses. Ruud has been training at Nadal’s
to win the French Open title if he defeats ality that every match he plays at Roland Djokovic was responsible for two of academy in Manacor since 2018
Casper Ruud, the Norwegian whose clay Garros may be his last. those defeats. alongside his father Christian, a for-
court talents he has personally helped Despite his fears, Nadal has impres- Nadal was only 19 when he won his mer top 40 player, and Spaniard Pedro
foster. sively battled his way into today’s cham- first French Open in 2005. Clar.
Nadal will be playing in his 14th pionship match. Victory today will make him the tour- Nadal and Ruud have never met pro-
Roland Garros final today and 30th over- He needed five sets and more than nament’s oldest champion, eclipsing 34- fessionally but they are often hitting
all at the Grand Slams. four hours to see off Felix Auger-Alias- year-old compatriot Andres Gimeno partners in Spain where the Norwegian
Victory will deliver a record-extending sime in the last 16 and another four who took the title 50 years ago. admits “he has beaten me pretty much
22nd major and 14th French Open, 17 hours to get past Novak Djokovic in the World number eight Ruud, 23, is the all the times in practice”.
years after his title winning debut in Paris. quarter-finals. tour’s in-form clay court player. “Casper has a very good character to
The 36-year-od Nadal is, however, as Alexander Zverev then pushed him all Not only have seven of his eight career play tennis. He’s very relaxed, humble.
surprised as anyone to have got this far. the way for three hours in the semi-fi- titles come on clay, but he has won 66 He’s always in a positive mood about
A chronic left foot injury which has nals until a sickening ankle injury matches on the surface since 2020 and learning,” said Nadal.
plagued him throughout his career forced the German to quit on crutches. played in nine finals. “I think in the academy we were able
flared up again in Rome last month, Despite the German’s bold all-or-noth- Ruud is the first Norwegian to reach a to help him a little bit during this period
putting a serious question mark over ing challenge, Nadal still cut an impressive Grand Slam final. of time.”
even making it to the French capital. presence on court, at one point coming Robin Soderling is the only other man Victory for Nadal will give him the
“Without a doubt, I’d prefer to lose the out on top in a lung-busting 44-shot rally. apart from Djokovic to have defeated Australian Open-French Open double in
final and have a new foot,” admitted His record at the French Open now Nadal in Paris back in 2009. the same year for the first time.
56 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

SPORT
FOOTBALL FIFA WORLD CUP

Ukraine
aim to
complete
dream in
Wales Ukraine’s Ruslan
Malinovsky (right) races
past Billy Gilmour.

Ukraine’s footballers made a their last drop of blood. We

war-torn nation proud by beat- played for Ukrainians who suf- had not played a competitive But that change could still will be wanting some good
ing Scotland in their first com- fer every day,” said Ukraine game this year. have a lasting effect on who news for Ukraine, but we have
petitive clash since Russia’s coach Oleksandr Petrakov after As Artem Dovbyk broke clear joins England, USA and Iran in to try and stay out of that and
invasion, but the job of getting his side outclassed Scotland to to score the visitors’ third goal Group B of the World Cup. focus on 90 minutes of foot-
to the World Cup is only half win 3-1 in Glasgow on Wednes- with the final kick of the game, Wales beat Austria in their ball.”
done ahead of today’s play-off day. his team-mates sank to their play-off semi-final three Bale and Ramsey were among
final against Wales. “We still have the Wales game knees in exhaustion rather months ago thanks to Gareth the heroes of a remarkable run
A place in Qatar later this in front of us. We will do every- than joining in the celebrations. Bale’s brilliant double and were to the semi-finals of Euro 2016,
year is the prize for the winners thing to make Ukrainians “We all understand that the able to name a second-string but this will almost certainly be
at the Cardiff City Stadium, proud.” game with Wales will no longer side for their 2-1 Nations their final chance at making a
where history also beckons for Petrakov admitted to being be about physical condition or League defeat by Poland on World Cup.
the home side. emotionally “empty” in the af- tactics, it will be a game of sur- Wednesday. Page’s men boast a
Wales have not reached a termath of victory at Hampden vival,” said Oleksandr Zinchenko. Bale and Aaron Ramsey were formidable record at home,
World Cup since 1958 and man- Park. “Everyone will fight to the among the key players given the where they are unbeaten in 18
ager Rob Page has described the However, the 64-year-old, end and give their all, because night off to keep them fresh for games stretching back to 2018.
Ukraine clash as “the biggest who tried to sign up to we will play for our country.” Sunday. “It is something that we’ve
match in Welsh history”. Ukraine’s territorial defence “We are well aware of the sit- been desperate to do for 50-60
The same could be said for dif- when war broke out, and his uation that Ukraine is in right years,” added Davies.
ferent reasons for Ukraine as they players must summon another Last chance now, and it must be incredibly “It is major for us. It is a
aim to provide some solace and huge effort to deliver their Ukraine’s visit to Scotland was tough to be in their shoes,” said dream for our team and we’ve
national pride to a country devas- World Cup dream. postponed from March, just Tottenham defender Ben put ourselves in a situation
tated by Russian aggression. Six of the starting line-up weeks after the war began, to Davies. where we are one game away,
“We played for those who against Scotland are still con- give the visitors the chance to “We know it will be an emo- and the focus for us will be
fight in trenches, who fight with tracted to Ukrainian clubs and fulfil the fixture. tional event and a lot of people purely on that.”

Tevez announces retirement Former Argentina forward Carlos Tevez little controversy in England and their first English league title since
(picture), who has been without a club Italy. 1968.
for the past year, announced his retire- In 2006 he joined West Ham but his He later decamped to Italy winning
ment from the game yesterday. subsequent transfer to Manchester two Serie A titles with Juventus before
“I’m retiring, it’s confirmed,” the 38- United a year later became mired in the returning to Boca Juniors in 2015.
year-old told America TV in Argentina. ‘third-party ownership’ dispute which Tevez was marked by the death of his
“As a player I gave everything I had in was to prompt changes to both Premier adoptive father, Segundo Tevez, from
my heart and that leaves me at peace League and FIFA regulations with re- Covid-19 in February 2021 and stepped
with myself.” gard to player contracts. away from Boca in June that year for
Tevez played 76 times for Argentina, At Manchester United he won two Pre- family reasons.
including at two World Cups, and was a mier League titles and the 2008 Champi- “I stopped playing because I lost
part of the gold-medal winning team at ons League, scoring in the penalty my number one fan and I lost the de-
the 2004 Olympics in Athens. shoot-out against Chelsea. sire. I was eight years old when he
At club level, he started and ended his A year later he made the controversial came to see me play,” he said on televi-
career with Boca Juniors, winning the decision to cross Manchester to join sion.
Copa Libertadores in 2003, but in be- United’s biggest rivals, helping City to He said he now plans to become a
tween he enjoyed huge success and no win the 2011-12 Premier League, coach.
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 57

SPORT
FOOTBALL

Haley Bugeja on brink of NWSL

move as US club table offer
GIANLUCA LIA She is the only Maltese player –
men or women – to have scored a
hat-trick in an official match for
Malta after scoring three goals in
Malta women’s starlet Haley a 4-1 victory away at Georgia dur-
Bugeja is set for a new chapter ing the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
in her career as she is on the qualifications.
brink of signing for an Ameri- In the process, she also be-
can NWSL club. come the youngest women
The Times of Malta under- player to score a hat-trick in a
stands that the NWSL club pro- UEFA or FIFA European quali-
posed an important offer for fier.
the Maltese player and Bugeja In 2021, Bugeja was named by
together with her representa- UEFA in its top 10 female play-
tives – Sports Pro Management ers to watch out for while she
and Consultancy – are in the has been included for two years
final stages of concluding the in a row in the Goal NXGN list –
negotiations with the NWSL in 2021 and 2022.
club. She was also named in the
The NWSL – National IFFHS Women’s U-20’s Best XI
Women’s Soccer League – is the in 2021 and 2022.
main championship for women Most recently, she was also in-
teams in the United States. cluded among the best players
It is considered one of the aged 21 and under in a selection
strongest leagues in the conducted by ESPN.
women’s game with several Haley Bugeja is on the Bugeja had already made a
popular players plying their verge of continuing name for herself in Malta be-
trade in this championship. her career in the fore embarking in the Serie A,
The 2022 campaign com- United States. after winning the 2019 Malta FA
menced back in April with Women’s Player of the Year at
Bugeja set to be involved in the the age of 15-year-old.
second part of the season which In her final season in Malta –
runs until October. The Malta across their home league, mak- In total, she scored 15 goals the Serie A Femminile Young 2019-20 – she had scored 23
women’s player is expected to ing it very exciting and attrac- in 36 games in all competi- Player of the Year and earning goals in the senior league while
be on board at the same club for tive for the general public to tions for Sassuolo including a nomination to be part of the found the net 50 times in the
the whole campaign in the fol- watch. one in the final game of this Italian Footballers Associa- U-19’s championship.
lowing year as well. Bugeja has been on the books of season in a 2-1 victory over gi- tion’s Serie A Team of the Year In 2021, Bugeja was also
The United States women’s Serie A club Sassuolo for the past ants Inter. as well. crowned as Malta’s
team – four-time world champi- two seasons. She took the Italian Her strong showings in her At international level, Bugeja Sportswoman of the Year after
ons and four-time gold medal- top-flight by a storm in her debut first Italian year helped her has seven goals in 14 caps for the Malta women’s national
lists in the Olympic Games – year after topping Sassuolo’s become an established figure the Malta women’s national team had picked up the Team of
have several players spread scoring charts with 12 goals. in European football, winning team. the Year award as well.

Benzema drops appeal over ‘sex tape’ sentence

Real Madrid forward Karim The Versailles court of appeal He was not accused of being cated himself personally, on several occasions expressed
Benzema has dropped an ap- will notify the parties of the behind the extortion attempt through subterfuge and lies, to his desire to turn the page
peal against a one-year sus- withdrawal order on Tuesday. but rather of conspiring with convince his teammate to sub- on the affair as soon as possi-
pended sentence for complicity Vigier previously told French the suspected blackmailers by mit to the blackmail”. ble.
in a bid to blackmail former sports daily L’Equipe Benzema putting pressure on Valbuena It added he had shown “no News of the star striker’s an-
France teammate Mathieu Val- did so because he was “ex- to pay them off. kindness towards Valbuena”, as nouncement that he was drop-
buena with a sex tape, his hausted” by the process. he had claimed, but “just the ping his appeal came just hours
lawyer said yesterday. “This withdrawal endorses a opposite” and had even ap- after he scored a brilliant open-
Benzema was sentenced in ruling of condemnation and ap- Implicated peared to take pleasure in his ing goal in France’s UEFA Na-
November 2021 and fined parently of guilt. It is a judicial The 34-year-old footballer had fellow player’s plight. tions League clash against
€75,000 over the 2015 extortion truth. But it is not reality,” he said. been set to appeal on June 30- The affair rocked the French Denmark in Paris.
attempt that shocked French Scrapping the appeal makes July 1 at the court in Versailles, national team and led to the The Danes, however, recov-
football and saw him exiled definitive the November ruling outside Paris. His former Madrid star being cast out of ered to win 2-1 after substitute
from the French national team against him. lawyer, Antoine Vey, had said the side for five-and-a-half Andreas Cornelius scored
for five-and-a-half years. Benzema was one of five peo- Benzema would explain him- years before making a surprise twice.
The Real Madrid star has fi- ple tried over the ultimately un- self in person at the appeal return to “Les Bleus” in 2021 in Benzema is a favourite for the
nally dropped his appeal, his successful attempt to blackmail trial. time for the European champi- Ballon d’Or after helping
lawyer Hugues Vigier told AFP, Valbuena with a sexually ex- In its November judgment, onship. Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the
confirming a report on the plicit video stolen from his the Versailles criminal court Benzema, who has always Champions League final in
Actu78 website. phone. ruled that Benzema had “impli- maintained his innocence, has Paris last weekend.
58 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta

SPORT
FOOTBALL UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

England
slump to
defeat in
Hungary Hungary’s Andras
Schafer in a duel with
Kalvin Phillips.

England manager Gareth However, an experimental during their home matches at just inside the England half result hinged on a decision
Southgate blamed fatigue from side failed to trouble the hosts, Euro 2020. dropping just wide after he spot- which is harsh but probably
a long season as the Three Lions who were roared on by a 30,000 UEFA guidelines allow chil- ted Jordan Pickford off his line. won’t be overturned,” added
slumped to their first defeat crowd largely consisting of dren under the age of 14 to be The home side’s pressure Southgate.
against Hungary in 60 years school children. given free tickets under such paid off when they were “The balance of finding out
yesterday as the hosts earned a “They are bitterly disap- circumstances and the Hungar- awarded a penalty on 64 min- about new things and the con-
shock 1-0 win in Budapest. pointed because we want to keep ian Football Federation took utes as substitute Reece James sistency of the regular team, I
Dominik Szoboszlai scored winning matches. If we want to full advantage. was adjudged to have fouled have to look at whether I got
the only goal from the penalty be a team right at the top tier of Southgate handed senior de- Zsolt Nagy after the Hungarian that right.”
spot as Hungary celebrated football, we need to come here buts to Jarrod Bowen and left-back controlled a pass in Harry Kane nearly salvaged a
their first victory over England and win,” said Southgate. James Justin, but the visitors the area. point in stoppage time but was
since 1962. “It has been a long season. never got going. James was booked as RB inches away from his 50th in-
Defeat on penalties to Italy in The heat was a factor and took Hungary created the better of Leipzig forward Szoboszlai ternational goal as his powerful
the Euro 2020 final was the a lot out of the players.” the chances, Szoboszlai seeing made no mistake from the spot effort flew into the side-netting.
only time Gareth Southgate’s Hungary were forced to play an effort cleared off the line by to put the hosts ahead. Southgate’s men now have to
side had been beaten in their the game behind closed doors Conor Coady and captain Adam “We did not create too many raise themselves for a trip to
previous 22 games. due to the behaviour of fans Szalai’s ambitious effort from clear-cut chances and the actual Germany on Tuesday.

GROUP A2 GROUP A3 GROUP B1 GROUP B3 GROUP B4

P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts
P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts
Czech Rep. 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Hungary 1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Armenia 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Montenegro 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 Sweden 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Spain 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Germany 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Scotland - - - - - - - Bosnia H. 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Norway 1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Italy 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Portugal 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Ukraine - - - - - - - Finland 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Serbia 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
England 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Switzerland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Ireland 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Romania 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Slovenia 1 0 0 1 0 2 0

PLAYING TODAY – 20.45 PLAYED YESTERDAY PLAYED YESTERDAY PLAYED YESTERDAY PLAYING TODAY – 20.45
Portugal vs Switzerland ........................ Italy vs Germany...............................1-1 Armenia vs Ireland ...........................1-0 Finland vs Bosnia H..........................1-1 Sweden vs Norway.................................
Czech Rep. vs Spain ............................... Hungary vs England .........................1-0 PLAYING WEDNESDAY – 20.45 Montenegro vs Romania ..................2-0 Serbia vs Slovenia..................................
PLAYING ON THURSDAY – 20.45 PLAYING TUESDAY – 20.45 Ireland vs Ukraine .................................. PLAYING TUESDAY PLAYED YESTERDAY
Portugal vs Czech Rep. .......................... Germany vs England .............................. Scotland vs Armenia .............................. Finland vs Montenegro.................18.00 Norway vs Slovenia................................
Switzerland vs Spain ............................. Italy vs Hungary...................................... Bosnia H. vs Romania ...................20.45 Sweden vs Serbia ...................................

GROUP C1 GROUP C2 GROUP C4 GROUP D1 GROUP D2

P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts
Turkey 1 1 0 0 4 0 3 Georgia 1 1 0 0 4 0 3 Latvia 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 P W D L F A Pts
Kosovo 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Luxembourg 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 Bulgaria 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Moldova 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 Estonia 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Greece 1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Lithuania 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 N. Macedonia 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Liechtenstein 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 Malta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N. Ireland 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Faroe Islands 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 Gibraltar 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 Andorra 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 San Marino 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Cyprus 1 0 0 1 0 2 0

PLAYED YESTERDAY PLAYING TODAY PLAYING TODAY PLAYING TOMORROW PLAYING TODAY
Lithuania vs Luxembourg ................0-2 Cyprus vs N. Ireland....................18.00 Gibraltar vs N. Macedonia..............18.00 Latvia vs Liechtenstein .................18.00 San Marino vs Malta.....................15.00
Turkey vs Faroe Islands ...................4-0 Kosovo vs Greece........................20.45 Bulgaria vs Georgia ..........................20.45 Andorra vs Moldova.......................20.45 PLAYING THURSDAY
PLAYING TUESDAY – 20.45 PLAYING THURSDAY PLAYING THURSDAY PLAYING TODAY Malta vs Estonia ...........................19.00
Slovakia vs Kazakhstan......................... Greece vs Cyprus .................................. N. Macedonia vs Georgia ........................... Moldova vs Latvia ................................... PLAYING ON SUNDAY
Belarus vs Azerbaijan ............................ Kosovo vs N. Ireland Gibraltar vs Bulgaria................................... Andorra vs Liechtenstein........................ Malta vs San Marino.....................19.00
the sunday times of malta June 5, 2022 | 59

SPORT
FOOTBALL UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

Malta national team players go

through their paces ahead of their
match in San Marino. PHOTO:
DOMENIC AQUILINA

Mangia calls for patience, lucidity

as Malta eye win in San Marino
VALHMOR CAMILLERI of world football and have strug- home with the three points in the “It’s true we had faced a similar with it and try and make sure it
gled for positive results on the in- bag.” scenario against Andorra where doesn’t effect much our ap-
ternational scene. For today’s match, the Malta we struggled badly. But since proach.”
But Malta coach Mangia is not coach is forced to make two then the team has improved a lot
Malta national teams head coach giving too much importance on changes as wing back Ryan Ca- and I believe that we have good MALTA SQUAD
Devis Mangia is urging his play- his opponents’ track record and menzuli and midfielder Teddy characteristics in our team to Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello
ers to be patient and lucid as they said that his players need to be at Teuma are both out with a one- create openings. (amrun Spartans), Cain Formosa
look to kickstart their UEFA Na- their best if they are to do the job match ban. “If we play the way we know I (San wann), Jake Galea (Balzan)
tions League Group D2 campaign at Serravalle. Mangia is likely to turn to am sure that we will create a lot Defenders: Ferdinando Apap (Hi-
with victory over San Marino at “Our approach is quite simple,” James Brown, who is on the of chances to score goals so it’s up bernians FC), Jean Borg (Valletta
Serravalle this afternoon (kick- Mangia told the Times of Malta. books of Scottish side St John- to us.” FC), Steve Borg (amrun Spar-
off: 3pm). “We are taking the pitch to try stone, and midfielder Matias Gar- tans FC), James Brown (St John-
There is a huge sense of expec- and play our game and I believe cia, who both made their debut stone FC), Karl Micallef (amrun
tation among Maltese fans ahead that if we are capable of showing with the Malta national team Hot conditions Spartans FC), Zach Muscat (Casa
of the start of the new campaign our best qualities, we have every during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to The Malta coach sounded more Pia), Enrico Pepe (Birkirkara).
as there is belief that the national possibility to take all three Venezuela at the National Sta- concerned with the kick-off time Midfielders: Ryan Camenzuli
team, who has shown remark- points. dium. of the match, 3pm, which will in- (Floriana FC), Juan Carlos Cor-
able improvement since Mangia “A lot have been said of San This afternoon, the national evitably leave the teams playing balan (amrun Spartans FC), Ma-
took over the team, have what it Marino, but what I can say is that team is likely to face a similar sce- in very hot conditions. tias Garcia (Floriana), Matthew
takes to win promotion to the team has gone through some nario they faced in the previous “Personally, UEFA’s decision to Guillaumier (A.C. Siena), Adam
League C. coaching changes in the last edition of the UEFA Nations play the match at 3pm at this Magri Overend (Floriana), Joseph
Grouped in a three-team sec- months and if you look at their League as San Marino are likely time of the year was not a very Mbong (amrun Spartans), Niko-
tion that also involves Estonia, play they are showing signs of to adopt the same defensive ap- clever one,” Mangia said. lai Muscat (Gira United), Bran-
victory over San Marino will no improvement. proach Andorra had taken “It would have been better if don Paiber (Floriana FC), Teddy
doubt give the team a much- “In fact, in the last three against Malta in La Vella. we played late in the afternoon. Teuma (R.U. Saint Gilloise), Dun-
needed fillip to their aspirations matches they always remained in During that match, the Maltese Playing in such hot conditions stan Vella (Hibs).
ahead of Thursday’s crucial the match until the closing players struggled to break down will inevitably make it harder Forwards: Jan Busuttil (Floriana),
match against the Estonians. stages, including in the group the Andorran defence to return from a physical point of view for Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians),
On paper, Malta start as clear opener against Estonia where home with a frustrating goalless that team that will try to play the Luke Gambin (amrun Spartans),
favourites for the three points they lost 2-0. But we know well draw game and create scoring chances Paul Mbong (Birkir-kara), Luke
against a San Marino side who their qualities and are confident “Being patient will be key “But we cannot do anything Montebello (Birkirkara), Alexan-
are ranked in the bottom rungs that we have the talent to return against San Marino,” Mangia said. about it. We just need to get on der Satariano (U.S. Pergolettese).
60 |June 5, 2022 the sunday times of malta