timesofmalta.com

Some prisoners in division 13 on hunger strike

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:25:00 +0200

Some prisoners in Division 13 are on hunger strike because they expect privileges they were not entitled to, the Prisons Director said. The director did not say how many prisoners were on strike. He said in a statement that officials and the doctor at the facility were keeping a constant look at the prisoners' health, which was still in a good condition.

Greece: Judge to head caretaker government

PA — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:08:00 +0200

Greece has appointed a senior judge as prime minister of a caretaker government that will lead the country to repeat elections next month. The move comes as Greece lurches through a political crisis that has threatened its continued participation in the European Union's joint currency. Council of State head Panagiotis Pikrammenos, 67, is to be sworn in tonight at the head of a government political leaders said would not be able to make any binding commitments until new balloting, which is expected on June 17. The protracted political uncertainty has worried Greece's international creditors as well as Greeks themselves, with the country's president warning wrangling political leaders that millions of euros had been withdrawn from bank deposits in the aftermath of the inconclusive May 6 election. About 700 million euro (£559 million) in deposits have flown out of Greek banks, President Karolos Papoulias told party leaders on Monday after being briefed by central bank governor George Provopoulos. "The situation in the banks is very difficult," Mr Papoulias said, according to a transcript of the meeting's minutes released last night. "Mr Provopoulos told me that of...

Cachia Caruana hearings: Speaker rules that committee can regulate its own procedure

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:06:00 +0200

The Speaker of the House of Representatives ruled this evening that the House Foreign Affairs Committee is free to regulate its own procedure for the hearings on the Opposition's censure motion against Richard Cachia Caruana. In a ruling, Dr Michael Frendo said that the only restrictions imposed by the committee when it was assigned to consider the motion, were that Mr Cachia Caruana had to be given ample opportunity to be heard and to defend himself, and that the final vote on the motion would be taken by the Whole House on or before June 18, unless otherwise agreed. Mr Speaker was asked to rule after the government and the opposition members of the committee yesterday disagreed on the order of witnesses to be heard by the committee. The government MPs want to hear Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi first while the Opposition wants to hear Mr Cachia Caruana as the first witness. The Opposition's motion criticises Mr Cachia Caruana for having - according to a 2004 document leaked by Wikileaks - held talks with Nato officials and discussed ways of reactivating Malta's membership of Partnership for Peace. The Opposition says Mr Cachia Caruana had been side-lining Parliament. The...

Updated: Dalglish to leave Liverpool

Carl Markham, Press Association — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:33:00 +0200

Kenny Dalglish is to leave his job as Liverpool manager today, Press Association Sport understands. The Scot flew to the United States on Sunday to present his end-of-season review to principal owner John Henry and Tom Werner. Rumours began circulating yesterday that his second spell Anfield was coming to an end and that is set to be officially confirmed later today. Despite winning the Carling Cup and reaching the final of the FA Cup the Reds' league form was disappointing. A 14th defeat of the season at Swansea on the final day of the season condemned the club to an eighth-place finish, their worst for 18 years and their lowest points tally (52) since 1953/54. Prior to the start of the season Henry had suggested that Champions League qualification was the minimum requirement. There had been progress made under Dalglish, who initially took temporary charge in January 2011 with the club dangerously close to the foot of the table after a disastrous six months under Roy Hodgson. The Scot was given a three-year contract a year ago but an inability to sufficiently close the gap to the top four despite a significant outlay on transfers appears to have persuaded Fenway Sports...

Two jailed for robbing 70-year-old man in 2004

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:44:00 +0200

The two men who were yesterday convicted by a jury of robbing a 70-year-old man of €7,000 were this afternoon jailed eight and 10 years respectively and fined €2,000 each. Mr Justice Michael Mallia jailed Aaron Cassar, 32, of Kirkop for eight years and Noel Frendo, 36, from Qawra for 10 years. They were found guilty by eight votes to one of committing a hold-up, holding the victim against his will and slightly injuring him. The jurors were unanimous in finding the accused guilty of illegal possession of a firearm and of heroin, while also finding them guilty, by seven votes to two, of stealing a Hyundai Accent. On Monday jurors heard Mr Grixti describe how at 9.15 a.m on July 12, 2004, just minutes after he drove away from the Buġibba HSBC branch, he was stopped by the men in the stolen car. One held a pistol to his head then wrestled for a small black pouch containing the money. The accused were later found by the police in an uninhabited area with the pouch, balaclavas, gloves and drugs.

Man charged with owning illegal slaughterhouse

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:55:00 +0200

A 63-year-old man from Mosta has been granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €2,000 after he pleaded not guilty to owning an illegal slaughterhouse. Joseph Camilleri was also charged with threatening police officers.

John Terry included in England squad

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:53:00 +0200

England coach Roy Hodgson has included John Terry in the squad for Euro 2012 while confirming the omission of Rio Ferdinand. Terry was selected despite a July court case awaiting him regarding allegations that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, which Terry denies. Ferdinand's elder brother Rio being left out of the squad will help to avoid any tension that could have stemmed from the pair sharing a dressing room in Poland and Ukraine. The impending court case also saw Terry stripped of the captaincy by the Football Association, a decision which saw Fabio Capello resign his post and Hodgson eventually succeed him. Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will captain England this summer. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon Hodgson said: "If we take the court case first of all, that's obviously very unfortunate for him but we must emphasise he is an innocent man until such time as he is proven guilty. "My decision with John Terry was based purely on footballing matters, I was given a free hand as to the squad I picked. "I realised that when I selected him there would be people who would raise eyebrows but that's the decision that I've made, that's the ...

Student created computer program to defraud telecoms company

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:47:00 +0200

A 24-year-old accounts student created a program which generated credit card numbers and thus defrauded Go Mobile of at least €3,735 to fund his drug problem, a court heard today. Andrew Depasquale of Naxxar, who is also a full time cameraman, admitted in court that he produced the program which created the numbers complete with safety features. The program then checked and verified the numbers with a website and used them to create Go Mobile accounts to purchase talk time, which he sold to third parties. He then used the cash to buy drugs. Mr Depasquale admitted to defrauding Go of €3,735. Another €3,915 had been declined by the bank. Go Mobile lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young confirmed that the company still had to identify the full amount involved in the operation. Magistrate Doreen Clarke put Mr Depasquale on probation for three years on condition that he pays the money back within one year and attends a drug rehabilitation programme. Drs Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.

Hibs duo to miss Trophy semi-final

Kevin Azzopardi — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:58:00 +0200

Hibs will be without two key players for their U*Bet FA Trophy semi-final against Ħamrun Spartans on Monday after Clayton Failla and Luis Edison Dos Santos were given a one-match ban. Brazilian forward Edison, better known as Tarabai, has been suspended after earning a red card in stoppage time of Hibs' 2-1 victory over Valletta in the final BOV Premier League match last Saturday. Failla has been sanctioned after collecting his fourth yellow card last weekend. Bjorn Kristensen has also been suspended for one game for four yellow cards but the young Hibs midfielder is expected to serve his ban in this evening's Youth KO tie against Valletta. As the Premier League came to end last weekend, Kristensen must serve his suspension in the next competition he's eligible to play in which, in his case, is the Youth KO. On Tuesday, Hibs announced that they had parted ways with coach Mark Miller by mutual agreement after the latter turned down the club's offer to extend his contract. Valletta will be without Saidou Mady Panandetiguiri for their Trophy semi-final against Qormi on Sunday after the Burkina Faso right-back was banned for four bookings. Birkirkara flank defender Angus Buhagiar...

Joseph Calleja on screen in Trafalgar Square

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:00 +0200

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja underlined that opera is for the masses when he was briefly interviewed on Sky News today. He spoke in the context of performances, which started on April 30, where he portrays lovelorn Rodolfo in Puccini's La Boheme at London's Royal Opera House. Tomorrow's performance is to be broadcast live on 27 movie screens across the UK, including Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. Deborah Bull, creative director of the Royal Opera House, introduced Calleja as an elite performer and one of the world's best singers. She said tomorrow's experience would be a 'fantastic' one. Calleja said opera was conceived for the people and up to some time ago there even used to be fist fights in Italy amid arguments over who gave the best interpretation.

Warrant to stop granting of new licence to Maltco

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:00 +0200

The court this morning temporarily upheld request for a warrant of prohibitory injunction made by BetCo Holdings Ltd against the Gaming Authority and the Finance Ministry. In its request, BetCo said it wanted to stop the Privatisation Unit from assigning licences and entering into concession or contractual agreements with Maltco, giving the company an exclusivity licence which was not included in the definition of the national lottery games according to the document “Call for tenders - Concession for the rights of the national lottery of Malta”, published last October.

Cameron: eurozone must make up or break-up

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:49:00 +0200

British Prime Minister David Cameron urged eurozone leaders today to sort out their debt problems soon or risk the collapse of the single currency as they grapple with the crisis in Greece. Cameron's comments were his most pessimistic yet on the issue and are sure to annoy European leaders who were angered by the refusal last year of Britain, which does not use the euro, to endorse a new EU fiscal treaty. "It either has to make up, or it's looking at a potential break-up," Cameron said in his weekly question-and-answer session in parliament. "That is the choice they have to make and it's a choice they cannot long put off," he added. "If the eurozone wants to continue as it is then it has got to build a proper firewall, it's got to take steps to secure the weakest members of the eurozone, or it's going to have to work out it has to go in a different direction." Fears that Greece could be forced out of the eurozone have rocked the financial markets after voters earlier this month deserted the main parties that had supported tough measures included in an EU-IMF bailout. Greece will go to the polls again on June 17 after the May 6 poll failed to produce a...

Man jailed for theft

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:45:00 +0200

A 37-year-old man from Birkirkara was this morning jailed for 13 months after he admitted breaking into a car in Balzan last Monday and stealing an iPod and CDs. Sean Paul McKeown also admitted to relapsing.

Treasury announces interest rate on stock

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:44:00 +0200

The Treasury said today that the interest rate in respect of the Floating Rate Malta Government Stock 2013 (VII) linked to the six-month Euribor for the period of 18/05/2012 to 17/11/2012 (both dates inclusive) shall be 1.424%. The interest rate was reset and based on the six-month Euribor as determined and published today at 0.974% plus a spread of 45 basis points.

Man accused of double murder now accused of laundering €100,000

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:41:00 +0200

Giuseppe Cutajar, the man who is charged with the double murder in Marsascala last March, this morning pleaded not guilty to money laundering to the tune of €100,000. Mr Cutajar, 45 of Marsascala, who is currently on remand in prison pending compilation of evidence on the double murder, was this morning charged with money laundering together with his girlfriend Sharon Camilleri, 43. She also pleaded not guilty. Police Inspector Antonovitch Muscat said both Mr Cutajar and Ms Camilleri were unemployed. Ms Camilleri had been on social benefits since 1999 yet the couple lived way beyond their means, the court was told. Stacks of money were found at the flat they shared. Ms Camilleri, who has two children, was granted bail against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000.

Censure motion: Mifsud Bonnici insists he will defend his record

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:05:00 +0200

Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said today that he had worked like a dog in his years as minister and he would be defending his record in Parliament when an Opposition censure motion is debated at the end of the month. Speaking at a press conference when he gave a round-up of the work of his ministry, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he would respond to the criticism made against him 'at the opportune moment'. He forcefully stressed, however, that he had worked to the best of his abilities and, ultimately, it would be the people who would judge him. He also noted that the Opposition motion was not calling for his resignation. When it was pointed out to him that PL officials had said that the motion would be amended, he replied that one had to see, but in politics some people said things which did not happen. Dr Mifsud Bonnici gave his comments at Hal Ferħ, the former tourist complex where the Civil Protection Department is currently holding an earthquake response exercise. He confirmed that four inmates at the Civil Prisons are on hunger strike but said he was not yet aware of their grievances. They have not been taking food for just over 24 hours. In other points of his press...

Minister was not informed of Mellieha one-way traffic agreement

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:41:00 +0200

The Transport Ministry revealed today that Transport Minister Austin Gatt had not been informed about an agreement reached between Transport Malta and Mellieha Council to close Marfa Road/George Borg Olivier Street to uphill traffic towards Mellieha. In a statement, the ministry said that last Monday, Dr Gatt made it clear to Mellieha Mayor Robert Cutajar and Transport Malta that their arrangement was unacceptable and needed to be revoked immediately. He made it clear to them that the road was either closed to everyone or opened to everyone. "The minister made it clear that while he was prepared to reach agreement on arrangements to reduce inconvenience for the people of Melllieha, he was not prepared to accept systems where one qualified to use public roads on the basis of his residence." It was therefore agreed that the road would reopen for two-way traffic from Friday and that the wardens at the bottom of Mellieha Hill near the Sea Bank Hotel would be removed. Instead, a notice would instruct drivers of heavy vehicles to use the alternative road near Popeye Village, while vehicles which could carry up to seven passengers could use Borg Olivier Street. Some changes to parking...

Italy seizes 'Malta-linked' property owned by Gaddafi family

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:03:00 +0200

Italy has seized a hotel complex and land belonging to the family of slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the latest such confiscation, the ANSA news agency reported. Rai Uno said the complex was linked to a Maltese company, which it did not identify. The property, seized by court order and worth some 20 million euros was located on the picturesque small island of Pantelleria which lies in the Mediterranean between Sicily and Tunisia, it said. In March Italy had seized more than €1.1 billion worth of assets controlled by the late dictator's family including stakes in top companies, land and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Among those were 150 hectares (371 acres) of forest on Pantelleria where Gaddafi had been rumoured to be planning to build a holiday village. The seizure follows a request by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which is seeking the extradition from Libya of Gaddafi 's son Seif al-Islam on charges of crimes against humanity.

Cassano considered quitting

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:56:00 +0200

AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano has revealed that he considered retiring from football during his six-month absence from the game. The Italy international returned to action last month following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing minor heart surgery. "I was optimistic after the operation" Cassano said to Italian magazine Chi. "But when I saw (Vigor) Bovolenta and (Piermario) Morosini suddenly die during games, I wanted to quit." Italian volleyball player Bovolenta collapsed and died during a league match in March while Livorno midfielder Morosini suffered a cardiac arrest and died during his team's Serie B game at Pescara just one month later. "I was in shock," Cassano said. "I was incapable of making any decisions. "My wife was worried as I just sat on the couch and stared at the wall. "I wanted to finish with football. "I would say: 'I'm done here. I'm gambling with my life.' "But when the doctors told me I could go back to playing again, I cried." The 29-year-old Cassano was given the all clear by a 10-man committee of experts to resume playing on April 4 and made his return days later in Milan's 2-1 win over Fiorentina. "I will never forget the moment...

World stocks tumble over Greece

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:50:00 +0200

World stocks dived today after a failure by Greece's political leaders to form a coalition government set the stage for new elections next month, keeping Europe's debt crisis centre stage. The turmoil in Greece sent European shares lower in early trading. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.9% to 5,388.93 and Germany's DAX slid 1% to 6,335.93. France's CAC-40 was down 0.4% at 2,036.30. Wall Street was also headed for a lower opening, with Dow Jones industrial futures losing 0.1% to 12,589. S&P 500 futures were 0.2% down at 1,325.90. Asian benchmarks recorded sharp losses earlier in the day. Japan's Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.1% to close at 8,801.17, its lowest close since January 30, amid discouraging economic news. Core private-sector machinery orders fell 2.8% in March, the first drop in three months, Japan's Cabinet Office said. Hong Kong's Hang Seng plummeted 3.2% to 19,259.83 and South Korea's Kospi fell 3.1% to 1,840.53. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 2.4% to 4,165.50 amid sliding commodities prices. Newly elected Greek leaders - hotly divided over how to resolve the country's economic crisis - failed yesterday to form a new government. That means new elections must be held...