Joe Camilleri, il-Bibi, is the main guest speaker at an event in the Poeżijaplus series that will be viewing Valletta through the eyes of personalities recounting experiences connected to the city. It is being held today at 7.30pm at the Valletta local council office. Camilleri started playing the drums, aged 12, in Valletta’s Strait Street, and went on to become one of the established drummers of the time in this well-known entertainment hub in the city. His father, Frank Camilleri, also known as il-Bibi, was one of Malta’s foremost musicians who started his career in this street. Reminiscing about his performing days, Camilleri said: “American sailors used to tell the bar owner that they wanted me to play for them. I used to play the number Skin Deep, which was extremely popular. It is in the same style as Wipeout. These numbers were meant for drummers to showcase their skills by performing solos. I used to play such solos for half-an-hour at a time.” Other speakers at the event are George Cini, author of the books on ‘Strada Stretta’, historian and guide Vincent Zammit, Sergio Grech and Vince Fabri, while author Trevor Zahra and journalist Ramona Depares will recite poems...

Opposition leader Adrian Delia on Sunday said the PN had always believed in the EU, unlike the PL, which he referred to as the “socialist” party. Addressing supporters in Għargħur, Dr Delia said the PN had for years believed in the European dream and what it represented. The Opposition leader said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat could not accept that the forthcoming European Parliament elections were not about him. “He wants to turn it into a general election, making it all about him. He even used Castille at a backdrop [during the May 1 celebrations], emerging after everyone had spoken to make it a celebration about him”. Dr Delia said May 1 was not a cult celebration or a celebration of a leader. He reminded that May 1 marked the 15 year anniversary since Malta joined the EU. Dr Delia accused “the socialists” of not believing a small country like Malta could grow in Europe. He said the PN’s representatives in the European Parliament had fought for better border security, a better work-life balance and had also taken up the battle against cancer. The Opposition leader said the election was about making sure the PN had enough of a voice to represent people’s interests in...

There are things normal people can manage during the day which I can no longer humanly tolerate. Going to the supermarket is one of them, and embarking on a pilgrimage to the bank is another. Praise the universe, the former can now be done at the dead of night, but as for the other, the unabating torment continues. A couple of weeks ago I had to go to the bank in person instead of happily interacting with a machine the way I usually do. Since everyone only sees fit to physically accept and cash cheques Cinderella-like till midday (because apparently all of us are gainfully unemployed and have two spare hours to spend at the bank before lunch), I was only able to go to the bank on Saturday. I arose nice and early to get there before the morning rush, but alas, I was wrong and how wrong I was. So, I get to the bank; the queue is snaking outside the front door. I cannot see inside and a policeman is huffing and puffing bet­ween me and the glass door. He’s looking as fed up as I feel and I’m pretty sure that he’s about to tell us all to “Moove beck, plijs”. It’s a 15-minute wait just to get inside but I am determined; I have left the comfort of my pillow palace for this and I will...

A Magistrates’ Court on Sunday warned against the rising number of those caught travelling through Malta without valid documents saying this was a “constant phenomenon” which possibly undermined the security of the state. This warning was issued during the arraignment of Adam Al Kali Hasaballa, a 28-year-old asylum seeker from Chad, who was arrested while on his way to board a flight to Pescara using an Italian passport and residence permit issued in the name of another person. One could not close an eye to the fact that the immigration laws of the country were being breached, the court said, adding that in times of upheaval, conflict and terrorism, even within countries close to Malta’s shores, such illegal migration could pose a risk to innocent third parties. In cases such as the one at hand, where a request for asylum had been turned down, the court urged local immigration authorities to take immediate action to repatriate the rejected applicant. Upon the accused’s guilty plea and his admission to having been living on the streets without a fixed residence, the court, presided over by magistrate Joseph Mifsud, deemed that an effective jail term was the appropriate...

It is said that a picture can say a thousand words and thanks to newly-published book Passjoni – Merging Art and Faith, people will be able to see every single one of those 1,000 words and much more. Anna Marie Galea speaks to photographer Mario Cocker about what drew him to sacred photography in the first place and how he put together his beautiful and timeless homage to what he considers to be religious art. Mario Cocker needs little introduction; a stable presence in the field of photography for almost four decades, he has had ample time to discover where his true interests lie: “Photography has been my profession for over 36 years and I have studios in Malta, Egypt and England, however, sacred photography is my passion. For me, there is nothing more beautiful than taking photos in a church all alone, wrapped in nothing but silence. The quiet allows me to think, reflect, and better take in everything that surrounds me. This is something which draws me in, time and time again.” Passjoni was not only Cocker’s pet project but it is also the result of a fortuitous meeting of minds and ideas: “After more than 15 sacred art photographic exhibitions which took place all around...

Archbishop Charles Scicluna delivered a pointed message against “stratifying” society between Maltese and foreigners during pontifical mass in Floriana, where he also mourned the loss of the historic St Publius arch.The Archbishop said in his sermon, on the occasion of the Feast of St Publius, that the 120-year old wooden arch had been part of the heritage of the parish and an expression of the town’s devotion, as well as that of the whole country. Those behind its destruction, believed to be an act of arson, must face justice, he said.“I join with those who mourn its loss, but what we need now is not tears but the determination to ensure that nobody can take from us what we hold dear,” he said. “Today it was a wooden arch; what could it be tomorrow? We can never allow ourselves to stand by in the face of violence.”Mgr Scicluna said that just as the arch should be rebuilt, so too should the values of “generosity, equality and human dignity” that the patron saint St Publius stood for.“There can be no distinction between citizens and foreigners,” he said, noting specifically that Publius lived in a stratified society where manual work was reserved for those who were not citizens,...

The authorities have descended on Mistra Bay to warn a number of caravan owners to get in line with the law, after several parked their campers there illegally. Caravans can only be parked on roads and only if they have an inbuilt engine. Non-motorised campers and trailers can only be parked on the road if they are secured to or towed by a vehicle.  Over the past week, caravans started appearing at and around Mistra Bay to the annoyance of bathers and a businessman who is considering closing his restaurant and leaving Malta. Restaurateur Claude Camilleri said he has been losing clients since campers started parking their caravans just outside his terraced restaurant around 2008. Read: 'I'm packing up and leaving the island' - Mistra restaurateur gives up Despite reports to several authorities, the caravans appear at the site every summer, with Mellieħa mayor John Buttigieg insisting it was an issue of enforcement. After the Times of Malta reported the return of the campers for the summer, Transport Malta and Planning Authority notices appeared on some of the caravans. A spokesman confirmed that TM had put up notices to ensure the owners of a number of vehicles did not “encumber...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he had ordered the military to launch further strikes on Gaza Strip militants in response to rocket fire from the territory, as an escalation entered its second day. «I instructed the (military) this morning to continue its massive strikes on terror elements in the Gaza Strip and ordered (it) to reinforce the troops around the Gaza Strip with tanks, artillery and infantry forces,» Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. Israel said around 450 rockets or mortars had been fired from the Palestinian enclave run by Hamas since Saturday, and it responded with waves of air and tank strikes. Gazan authorities reported six Palestinians killed in the Israeli strikes, including at least two militants. But Israel disputed their account of the deaths of a pregnant mother and her baby, blaming errant Hamas fire. One 58-year-old Israeli man was killed overnight by a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border, Israeli police and the hospital said. Netanyahu is currently engaged in tough negotiations to form a new government following his victory in April 9 elections. A ceasefire brokered by UN and Egyptian...

9am The President visits the University of Malta Campus at Tal-Qroqq. 12pm The President and Mrs Vella attend a luncheon hosted by the Marsa Sports and Country Club. 2.30pm The President receives a courtesy call from members of the Judiciary Association at The Palace, Valletta. 6.30pm The President and Mrs Vella attend the inauguration ceremony of the historic plaque commemorating Dr Fortunato Mizzi organised by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna at the War Museum in Vittoriosa. Tuesday 10am The President meets Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitri Avramopoulos at The Palace, Valletta. 11.30am The President meets Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela at The Palace, Valletta. 12.30pm The President receives a courtesy call from the Executive chairperson of the Arts Council Malta Albert Marshall at The Palace, Valletta. 2pm The President receives a courtesy call from the president and members of the Evangelical Alliance Committee at The Palace, Valletta. Wednesday 10am The President receives a courtesy call from representatives of Għaqda Każini tal-Banda at The Palace, Valletta. 11am The President receives a courtesy call from members of the...

Following the success of last year’s Movies at the Palace, Soċjetà Filarmonika L’Unione of Luqa recently presented another spectacu­lar concert focused entirely on film music to a packed house at the Mediterranean Conference Centre’s Republic Hall under the direction of Mro John David Zammit. The music programme was meticulously arranged for symphonic band together with two large choirs. The band collaborated with a string orchestra, harp and various percussion instruments to form an orchestra of around 100 musicians. The orchestra was accompanied by the Amadeus Chamber Choir and the Malta National Children’s Choir together with renowned singers Tiziana Calleja, Eleanor Cassar and Chris Grech. The repertoire varied from music by Alan Silvestri to that by Giorgio Moroder. Prominence was given to musical pieces by the renowned John Williams and Hans Zimmer as the concert included works from films such as Star Wars, Superman, Saving Private Ryan, Crimson Tide and The Pirates of the Caribbean.   The concert also included visuals and advanced lighting technology, which made it a spectacular event for all music enthusiasts. It was organised with the support of the Voluntary...

NapoleatsDragonara RoadPacevilleTripadvisor rating5 stars The Baron Bar8, Triq iċ-Ċern,BuġibbaTripadvisor rating Today’s ratings are unusual. The reason for this will be clear in a while. It started with yet another discussion about tripadvisor. I have my highly biased, involuntarily elitist, and inevitably cynical views. Others contend that the ratings site is as democratic a system as it gets, because it represents the views of the many. There are over 700,000 reviews for establishments in Malta. That’s quite democratic. I don’t like the notion of democracy but that’s another story for another time. In this specific case, I don’t think that the average diner reviewing eateries on tripadvisor provides a fair assessment of the dining circuit in Malta. Up in the top 10 there’s a pub in Buġibba that serves toasties and a pizzeria in Paceville that replaced Huggins. How is democracy helping the valiant men and women, toiling in kitchens around the country, and who pour their hearts and souls into unbridled creativity and magnificent technique? How does the tourist, hellbent on extending their preference for a pint of lager and football on the telly to a warmer climate, help rate...

Collis Williams Pharmacy, 15, Republic Street, Valletta (2122 6281);Fra Diego Dispensary, 94, Villambrosa Street, Ħamrun (2122 4898);Anici Pharmacy, Anici Street, Qormi (2148 7162);St Bartholomew Pharmacy, 230, Fleur-De-Lys Road, Santa Venera (2148 2558);Regional Pharmacy, E.H. Furse Street, Msida (2131 2449);St Andrew’s Dispensary, Qasam Street, Swieqi (2137 6153);Remedies Pharmacy, 133, Rudolph Street, Sliema (2134 4722);M4 Pharmacy, Railway Street, Attard (2143 6531);St Louis Pharmacy, Calì Street, Mosta (2143 2802);Promenade Pharmacy, St Paul’s Court, Pioneer Road, Buġibba (2744 1160);Santa Luċija Pharmacy, 1, Dorell Square, Santa Luċija (2189 0111);Alpha Pharmacy, Maria Immaculata, Cospicua Road c/w Cottoner Avenue, Fgura (2167 3811);St Anne Pharmacy, Qaliet Street, Marsascala (2163 7615);Health Junction Pharmacy, Alfred Cachia Zammit Street, Żejtun (2166 1644);Safi Pharmacy, St John Street c/w Bieb il-Ġarra Street, Safi (2164 9552);Spiżerija Ħal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Żebbuġ (2146 1693);Santa Marija Pharmacy, Frenċ Abela Square, Dingli (2145 2447);Taċ-Ċawla Pharmacy, 7th June 1919 Street, Victoria (2155 7819);Joyce’s Pharmacy, 8th September Avenue, Xagħra...

Inter missed a chance to consolidate third position in Serie A on Saturday being held to a goalless draw by struggling Udinese for their third consecutive stalemate. Luciano Spalletti's side have a four-point cushion on Atalanta, who are fourth and travel to Lazio on Sunday, with Roma a further point behind in fifth before their game at Genoa. The battle for Champions League football remains tight with just three matches left this season for Inter. Champion Juventus are assured of a berth with a 19-point lead on second-placed Napoli, who host Cagliari on Sunday, and are also positioned for top-tier European football next season. Inter are seven points behind Napoli, who they meet in two weeks' time in Naples, with their other two games against relegated Chievo and struggling Empoli. Spalletti's side have now been held to three draws in a row after 1-1 stalemates against both Roma and Juventus. In Udine, Inter strike ace Mauro Icardi started on the bench with fellow Argentine Lautaro Martinz up front alongside Radja Nainggolan and Ivan Perisic. But Udinese goalkeeper Juan Musso did well to deny the visitors, clearing a long range Nainggolan effort after 14 minutes and Martinez...

The 31-year-old taxi driver who lost his life in a head-on collision in Burmarrad early Saturday was driving well over the speed limit and was not wearing his seatbelt, a preliminary investigation has revealed. A source close to the investigation told The Sunday Times of Malta that Safi resident Christen Cachia was driving his white Peugeot 207 at well over 100 kilometres per hour when it slammed into an oncoming Peugeot Partner, also a taxi, being driven by a 59-year-old from Żejtun. The crash took place on Burmarrad Road at 12.15am. Four young Scottish tourists aged 18 to 24, who were inside the taxi van heading towards Mosta, sustained slight injuries. However, the van driver was not wearing his seat belt either and was seriously injured, the source said. Mr Cachia was travelling towards Buġibba while the taxi van was taking the Scots from Café Del Mar in Buġibba to Numero Uno in Ta’ Qali, where the popular Lost and Found party was being held. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to the police, the collision sent the smaller vehicle flying into the air. Mr Cachia was flung out of the car with the force of the impact. The car then hit a wall at the side of the road and came to...

Father Suranga Warnakulasuriya said prayers alone in his church Sunday, as Catholic services were suspended across Sri Lanka for the second straight week since the Easter suicide attacks. With the army staging raids across the country and authorities maintaining high levels of security, the country's 1.25 million Christians are still on edge after jihadist bombers killed 257 people. Warnakulasuriya has been saying mass in an empty church in Negombo, just north of the capital, every day since the slaughter at three hotels and three churches, one not far from his. «Sometimes we feel lonely by not being able to celebrate the mass together,» admitted the fresh-faced 32-year-old who only became a priest in 2015. With churches closed, the country's Catholics had to make do Sunday with a second televised mass by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. A few people went to St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo to say prayers in front of a barrier set up in front of the church where dozens died on April 21. But the faithful are frustrated. Door to door prayers «It's not enough because we cannot receive the eucharist through television, that's the important thing,» said Shehani...

In the last decade, Malta has experienced significant economic growth resulting from various financial, geographical, logistical and human resource factors. This growth has seen a corresponding increase in labour market opportunities, prompting a higher influx of non-Maltese workers into the local labour market as well as a higher demand for suitably qualified and experienced talent. Staff recruitment has become challenging to many industries climbing up the growth curve. Matters are compounded further by the small pool from which to choose. And, of course, finding the right staff is only half the story. Retaining them is the second. The labour market has responded to this evolving scenario with a significant increase in employee mobility, availability of four different generations of workers, and increasing expectations for career opportunities. All these factors depict a labour market in which demand for talent far outweighs supply.  So how does an employer make an impact and stand out in the race for talent? Successful recruitment initiatives are distinguished by the different ways they bridge business requirements with individual expectations. In doing so, various...

Divock Origi headed Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League despite losing Mohamed Salah to a head injury in a thrilling 3-2 win at Newcastle, while nine-man Tottenham lost once more on the road 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday. At the other end of the table, Cardiff were relegated after their 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace. Liverpool's thrilling title battle with Manchester City is now guaranteed to go down to the final day of the season as Jurgen Klopp's men moved two points ahead once more at the top. City have a game in hand, at home to Leicester on Monday, but Liverpool refuse to give up in their pursuit of a first title for 29 years. Virgil van Dijk headed the visitors into an early lead at St. James' Park, but Liverpool were fortunate when Newcastle levelled through Christian Atsu. Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold had handled Salomon Rondon's effort on the goal line and could have conceded a penalty and been sent-off after just 20 minutes had Atsu not put home the rebound. Alexander-Arnold was the creator as Klopp's men quickly retook the lead through Salah. However, Rondon levelled once more for Newcastle early in the second half. Salah then had to be...

The European Union on Saturday called for rocket fire from Gaza into Israel to «stop immediately» and threw its backing behind efforts by Egypt and the UN to calm the situation. «The rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel must stop immediately. A de-escalation of this dangerous situation is urgently needed to ensure that civilians' lives are protected,» EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said in a statement. «Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to live in peace, security and dignity.» Gaza militants on Saturday fired dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with deadly strikes, officials said, as another escalation between them threatened a fragile ceasefire. Three Palestinians including a baby and her mother died in the strikes, the Gaza health ministry reported Saturday. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. «Only a political solution can put an end to the violence,» the EU statement said.

Paris Saint-Germain's dismal recent run in Ligue 1 continued on Saturday as Edinson Cavani missed a stoppage time penalty for the French champions in a scrappy 1-1 home draw with Nice. The Uruguayan shot weakly at Nice stopper Walter Benitez nearly five minutes after Neymar, who scored PSG's leveller from the spot 30 minutes earlier, was judged via VAR to have been brought down by Dante. PSG retained the league title two weeks ago and are 17 points ahead of second-placed Lille but they have now won just one of their last six league games as their season continues to disappoint in the aftermath of their nightmare Champions League defeat to Manchester United in March. They were beaten 3-2 at Montpellier midweek after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose on penalties the French Cup final last weekend, after which star striker Kylian Mbappe was hit with a three-match ban for a rash tackle on Rennes' Damien Da Silva. Not even Neymar -- who is awaiting sanctions after hitting a Rennes fan in the aftermath of the cup defeat -- bagging his first league goal since January was enough to rouse the hosts from their slumber. The Brazilian struck from the spot on the hour mark in front of a...

Health Minister Chris Fearne insisted on Friday that the equipment at the physiotherapy department was “good” despite complaints by staff that there was not a single working treadmill there. Times of Malta reported earlier this week that the physiotherapy department, situated at St Luke’s Hospital and run by Steward Health Care, is in such a bad state that staff there struggled to treat their patients. Asked about the situation, Mr Fearne insisted with the newspaper that renovation works at the department were in the pipeline and would start soon. When it was pointed out to him that staff had been promised improvements ever since the US company took over the 30-year government concession to manage three hospitals, Mr Fearne said that the idea behind the PPP was to improve the state of the hospitals. He would not say, however, when such works would start. Mr Fearne also would not say whether he still believed that Steward was “the real thing”, a label he had attributed to the company when it took over from the previous concessionaire, Vitals. On whether he was concerned about the claims by the physiotherapists that they could not provide the best possible service to their...

Bayern Munich are on the brink of a seventh successive Bundesliga title after Roman Buerki's disastrous goalkeeping error saw Borussia Dortmund throw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Werder Bremen and slip four points behind the league leaders on Saturday. Buerki's error and a goal from Claudio Pizarro sealed a perfect afternoon for Bayern, after club stalwarts Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben earlier returned from injury to help them to a 3-1 victory over bottom club Hanover. Dortmund, who were nine points ahead of Bayern in December, must now make up a four-point deficit in the last two games of the season. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for Dortmund after just six minutes with a brilliant solo goal, before Paco Alcacer doubled the lead with a fizzing free-kick. With Dortmund in full control on 70 minutes, Buerki allowed Bremen back into the game when he let Kevin Moehwald's tame shot through his legs, and former Bayern star Pizarro scored a shock equaliser moments later.   Werder Bremen - Borussia Dortmund Live Score

Valletta are the Premier League champions for the 25th time in their club history after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Hibernians at the National Stadium on Saturday. It was a hard-stopping encounter that saw Hibernians take the lead through Taylon after 13 minutes. But Valletta fought back and Jonathan Caruana pulled them level 14 minutes into the second half. That goal seemed to sway the tie in Valletta's favour but the Citizens could not find a winner and the match went into extra-time. Mario Fontanella looked as if he had won it for Valletta when he put them back in front on 98 minutes. But Hibs kept fighting and a goal by Marko Sahanek took the match to a dramatic penalty shoot-out. It was here that Valletta's character came to the fore as the Hibs players crumbled with Sahanek seeing his effort hitting the upright before Henry Bonello saved Taylon's shot to put his team on the brink. Fontanella ensured there were no delay to the celebrations when scoring his penalty to seal his team victory as Valletta retained their title of Malta champions for a second successive season. It also pushed them level with their fierce rivals Floriana who also have 25 titles to...

The Dutch territory of Curacao said Saturday that to prevent any health risk it will check passengers before allowing them to disembark from a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology that was quarantined after a measles case. The Freewinds was reported to have left the Caribbean island of St. Lucia on Friday en route to Willemstad in Curacao, where it was expected around 1400 GMT, maritime tracking services said. The Curacao government said in a statement that it would «take all necessary precautions to handle the case of measles on board of the Freewinds,» including vaccinations. «An investigation will also be done to determine who will be allowed to leave the ship without (posing) a threat to the population of Curacao,» it said. «It is imperative to make all efforts to prevent a spread of this disease internationally,» it added. A spokeswoman for St Lucia's health ministry confirmed that the ship had left the island. The Church of Scientology says the 134-metre vessel is used for religious retreats and is normally based in Curacao. The vessel had arrived in St Lucia from Curacao on Tuesday, when it was placed under quarantine by health authorities because of a measles...

Egypt's antiquities ministry on Saturday unveiled a 4,500-year-old burial ground near the Giza pyramids containing colourful wooden coffins and limestone statues dating back to the Old Kingdom. The site on the southeastern side of Giza plateau contains tombs and burial shafts from various periods, but the oldest is a limestone family tomb from the fifth dynasty (around 2500 BC), the ministry said. An AFP photographer who was allowed to access the burial shaft saw inscriptions on the walls, intricately painted wooden sarcophagi and sculptures of animals and humans. The ministry said the tomb was that of two people: Behnui-Ka, who had seven titles including the Priest and the Judge, and Nwi, also known as Chief of the Great State and «purifier» of the pharoah Khafre. Khafre, known to the Ancient Greeks as Chephren, built the second of the three famous Pyramids of Giza. «Many artefacts were discovered in the tomb,» the ministry said, icluding limestone statues of one of the tomb's owners, his wife and son. Ashraf Mohi, Director General of Giza Plateau, said the cemetery was re-used extensively during the Late Period, starting from the early seventh century BC. The ministry also...

Celtic secured an eighth successive Scottish Premiership title on Saturday with a 3-0 win at Aberdeen that put them two-thirds of the way towards an unprecedented third consecutive domestic treble. Saturday's title triumph came the day after former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill's funeral in Glasgow, and both he and fellow Lisbon Lion Stevie Chalmers, who also died recently, were hailed with a minute's applause before the match. «Things just felt right this week, we kept calm with all the emotions with Billy funeral,» said Celtic's interim manager Neil Lennon. The former Hoops midfielder returned for a second spell as boss this season following Brendan Rodgers' shock decision to quit and join English Premier League side Leicester. «It's been really tough, toughest piece of management I've had to do, as it has been difficult coming in to the club but the players helped me and I like to think I've helped them. It's been really special,» added Lennon. Celtic, who only needed only to avoid defeat at Pittodrie to be sure of retaining their crown, survived scares when Aberdeen's James Wilson twice hit the woodwork with the match was still scoreless. But the away side took...

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben made a return to action on Saturday as Bayern Munich heaped the pressure on Bundesliga title rivals Borussia Dortmund with a 3-1 win over Hanover. The veteran wingers, both of whom are set to end their Bayern careers at the end of the season, returned from injury as Bayern made heavy weather of a crucial victory over the Bundesliga's bottom club. Robben made his first appearance since November while Ribery scored what may be his last ever goal at the Allianz Arena to seal a 3-1 win and put Bayern five points clear of title rivals Borussia Dortmund with a game in hand.   Bayern München - Hannover 96 Live Score

Lands Authority chairman Lino Farrugia Sacco told Times of Malta the CEO should reply to questions on a controversial promotion approved to one of the main protagonists of the 2016 Gaffarena scandal. Judge Farrugia Sacco was asked via e-mail who had approved the promotion of Charles Camilleri and how the official, who had resigned from the regulator’s precursor, the Land Department, following the scandal had been reinstated. When the questions remained unanswered and the newspaper pointed out that, as the head of a publicly-funded entity, he was in duty bound to explain, the retired judge said CEO James Piscopo should reply. Still, the questions remain unanswered. Times of Malta reported last month that, on the recommendation of Mr Piscopo, the regulator’s board of governors approved the promotion of Mr Camilleri as acting chief officer responsible for the same office he used to manage prior to the Gaffarena debacle. READ: New claims by official on Gaffarena scandal An inquiry conducted by the National Auditor had singled out Mr Camilleri as one of the three main protagonists that led to “irregularities” in clear breach of the fundamental principles of good governance,...

The 13th edition of the National Mechanised Ground Fireworks Festival will be held on the Granaries in Floriana, today, starting at 10.30pm, on the eve of the feast of St Publius. The festival will see eight fire-works factories/organisations competing against each other to see who sets up the best and most original mechanised Catherine wheel ground fire-works displays. This year’s festival’s participants are St Gabriel’s Band Club Fireworks Association, Balzan, St Peter in Chains Fireworks Commission, Birżebbuġa, Our Lady of the Girdle Fireworks Complex, Gudja, 15th August Fireworks Complex, Mosta, Our Lady of the Lily Fireworks Complex, Mqabba, St Philip Fireworks Complex, Żebbuġ, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fireworks Complex, Żurrieq and St Catherine Fireworks Complex, Żurrieq. The festival will close with a pyrotechnic spectacle whereby the previous edition’s winner – the 15th August Fireworks Complex of Mosta – will set off a fireworks display known locally as ‘it-tapit’ (the carpet) that crosses the entire width of the Granaries. In case of inclement weather the festival will be held tomorrow at 10.30pm.

Gaza militants on Saturday fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes that killed a Palestinian, officials said, as a fragile ceasefire again faltered. Israel said around 90 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them. The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an air strike in response and its tanks had hit a number of military posts used by Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the territory. A Gazan security source said that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three «resistance fighters» were wounded. The Gazan health ministry reported one person killed and several wounded. No casualties had been reported on the Israeli side. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was planning to hold consultations with security chiefs, a spokesman said. Visit to Cairo The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday. Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border. Israel and Palestinian...

Take the PN with a «bucket – not a pinch – of salt», especially after its U-turn on the Gozo-Malta tunnel, Joseph Muscat told supporters on Saturday. The Nationalist Party had promised to support the tunnel twice and backed the construction of a permanent link in Parliament last month, but it was now getting cold feet, he said in Xagħra. The Labour leader said the PN had proposed the tunnel while in government in 2012, before carrying out any studies before promising the tunnel during the 2013 and 2017 election campaigns. Following Labour’s election to government in 2013, former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had even accused the Labour government of dragging its feet over the link, as feasibility studies were being carried out.  Labour promised the tunnel in 2017, and all three parties in Parliament gave unanimous support to the link last month.  “But during the televised debate on Thursday night, Opposition leader Adrian Delia expressed concern over the tunnel and said we should carry out studies and hold a consultation before we decide on whether to go ahead with the project," Dr Muscat said. “While the Opposition came up with the idea, promised it twice, and agreed with it...

Malta has consistently been missing its emissions targets and has the worst air quality in Europe, Environment Shadow Minister Jason Azzopardi charged on Saturday morning. The country has been paying Bulgaria around €200,000 a year because it cannot reach its targets, a report the government has never denied. It also has the worst track record for recycling. Read: Malta again fails emission test, has to pay «hundreds of thousands» “The Socialist government and the environment are not compatible. Euronews described us as the dirty man of Europe. 600 people die every year as a result of the bad air quality,” he said. Dr Azzopardi said all this is happening because the government did not have a proper plan for the environment, especially to be able to deal with the increase in the country’s population. He said Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia asked Prime Minister Joseph Muscat during a debate this week about Malta’s carrying capacity but the question remained unanswered because the government has no plan. “What is Malta’s maximum capacity? This country is becoming unlivable. We not only need a good quality of life but we also need to have clean air to breathe,” he said.

A petition has been raised by a group to put pressure on Joseph Muscat to stay on as prime minister.  «Joseph, Malta bżonnok» (Joseph, Malta needs you) is a campaign launched by the group which calls itself Interess ta' Malta, led by former General Workers' Union boss Tony Zarb, and former Labour officials Manuel Cuschieri and Guża Cassar. «We believe the majority believe in Joseph Muscat's capabilities and we therefore feel we need to unite so that he continues leading the country on the right path,» they told a news conference. They said people from all sectors of society acknowledge the Prime Minister's capabilities.  The organisers hope they can present the petition to Dr Muscat in the shortest possible time.  Dr Muscat has repeatedly declared since the last general election that he will not seek another term, and two terms as Prime Minister are enough. He has not, however, said when he will step down and whether he will step down from both the government and the party leadership. Read: Joseph Muscat insists: I will step down by next election Meanwhile, at least two ministers have started campaigning behind the scenes to step into the party and prime minister's role once Dr...

President Donald Trump said he held «very positive» talks Friday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the crisis in oil-rich Venezuela, where Washington is pushing to oust the Moscow-backed president. The US leader adopted a strikingly conciliatory tone following a more than hour-long conversation with Putin, coming days after an abortive military uprising in support of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader seeking to drive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. «It was a very positive conversation,» Trump said. «He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela.»  «And I feel the same way. We want to get some humanitarian aid. Right now people are starving.»  Trump's tone came in stark contrast to that of his top advisors, in particular Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who charged this week that the socialist Maduro had been poised to flee to Cuba, but was talked out of it by the Russians.   Recognized as interim leader by more than 50 countries including the United States, Guaido has vowed to keep the pressure up on Maduro, urging his supporters to stage peaceful demonstrations at military...

The most recent statistics show that Malta has seen €134 million in imports and over €120 million in exports to and from France. In fact, exports in goods and services from France to Malta have increased by 144 per cent whereas from Malta to France, the increase was of 32 per cent. These figures emerged from a recent business forum themed ‘Doing Business with France, then and in today’s environment’ organised by the Maltese French Chamber of Commerce, a forum that also coincided with the Chamber’s commemoration of its 30th anniversary. “The Maltese French Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Maltese and French Embassies, is excellently positioned and holds all the capabilities to connect all the dots to help Malta reap the business opportunities that exist between Malta and France,” said Mme Helga Mizzi, Maltese Ambassador in France in her address during the forum which was also addressed by Mme Brigitte Curmi, Ambassador of France in Malta and Nancy Caruana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business. Ambassador Mizzi added that Malta’s heightened efforts to build an outstanding profile in the blockchain, cryptocurrency and...

The 2018-19 Premier League champions will be crowned this evening when Valletta and Hibernians go head-to-head in a highly-anticipated title decider at the National Stadium (kick-off: 4.30pm). Valhmor Camilleri has more... Today’s match provides the perfect finale to this year’s enthralling championship race that had seen Valletta and Hibernians playing a starring role with the two title rivals completing their league commitments tied at the top of the Premier League standings on 58 points after 26 matches. Valletta and Hibernians head into today’s decider in completely contrasting moods. On one hand, the Citizens are still coming to terms with the disappointment of seeing the championship trophy in the final seconds of their match against Ħamrun Spartans when they conceded a last-gasp equalizer. The Paolites, on their part, are brimming with confidence after their impressive display in the 5-1 defeat of Balzan that enabled them to join the Citizens at the top of the standings. Gilbert Agius, the Valletta caretaker coach, said that taking the events of last week in consideration Hibernians could be regarded to be in a stronger position.  “When the club appointed me as caretaker...