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National - Rackcdn.com
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 I www.timesofmalta.com I €0.90 No. 24,127 NATIONAL SOCIETY NATIONAL No backlog as courts grant 817 divorces within 19 months V-18 chairman staying at the helm of One TV » See Page 3 » See Page 44 Moving monti is a ‘threat’ to city’s image Let the Games begin Patrick Cooke Valletta’s image is under “serious threat” from the relocation of the monti to a site near the capital’s entrance, according to mayor Alexiei Dingli. Dr Dingli told Times of Malta that he learnt of the plan from open-market hawkers themselves, who told him “a few weeks ago” that it was an electoral promise. He strongly opposes the decision and the local council has not been consulted about it. Dancers at the opening ceremony of the 15th Games of the Small States of Europe, at which Malta’s basketball captain Josephine Grima (inset) proudly carried the nation’s flag. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli » See also pages 40, 41 Brussels says Malta must cut spending Ivan Camilleri The European Commission will be asking the Government to lower its spending, particularly by introducing concrete health and pension reforms to rein in its growing deficit. Commission sources told Times of Malta that EU Commissioners are tomorrow expected to approve a decision to recommend the start of another Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) against Malta, a few months after the island was let off the hook over its government finances. In 2009, after exceeding the three per cent deficit threshold allowed by EU rules, the Commission had started an EDP against Malta. This was closed last year after the Commission made sure the island had come into line. Following the Commission’s recommendation, which will have to be backed by EU finance ministers later this year, Malta must present the EU with plans on how to bring down its deficit beneath three per cent of GDP (the country’s economic output). Tomorrow, the Commission is also expected to publish specific economic recommendations to be followed by Malta in the coming months. The sources said the Maltese plan should include lower spending in certain areas and the “EU Commissioners tomorrow expected to approve start of another Excessive Deficit Procedure against Malta” Commission will have the right to instruct the Government to revise its plans if its projections are unconvincing. “This EDP for Malta this time round will be different from the ones in the past as the EU has now introduced stricter surveillance measures, which can be accompanied by sanctions if a “Mayor was told a few weeks ago it was an electoral promise” country ignores the Commission’s recommendations,” an EU official told Times of Malta. Government officials and the Commission have been in technical negotiations in the past weeks as Malta lobbied to avoid intervention by Brussels. However, as Malta exceeded the deficit threshold last year and according to EU projections will do the same this year, the source said the Commission will continue with its plan. “Maltese officials argued that the Government will be able to lower its deficit this year. “However, we prefer to see this happening first and that is why we decided to move on with our action,” the source said. According to the Budget for 2012, Malta had projected it would reduce the deficit to 2.7 per cent of GDP. However, following the change in government, the new Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced he had to revise the budget for 2013 as Malta had effectively overshot its An understanding was struck between the hawkers and the Labour Party before the March 9 general election to relocate the market from Merchants’ Street to Ordnance Street. Critics claim the market would be an unsightly addition to the entrance of the baroque capital, which will be European Capital of Culture in 2018. The stalls mainly sell cheap clothing, leather goods and knickknacks, which some opponents dismiss as largely unwanted tat. The City Gate entrance is in the process of being transformed, with a Renzo Piano-designed parliament building and open-air theatre under construction. Dr Dingli expressed concern about the impression the monti would give when important foreign delegations visited Parliament. He was also worried about security threats associated with having stalls so close to the House of Representatives. The proposal will impact the council’s plans to open Ordnance Street to vehicles to improve access to the Hastings Garden Continued on page 4 » Continued on page 6 » 2 TIMES OF MALTA Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National In this issue Shaken baby accused bailed National International Migrant spending Malta will continue classifying spending on refugees and irregular migrants at home as overseas development aid, the Foreign Ministry has said. » Page 4 Waylon Johnston Baghdad bombings More than 70 people were killed in a wave of bombings in markets in Shi’ite neighbourhoods across Baghdad yesterday in worsening sectarian violence in Iraq. » Page 10 PN target The PN has set as a target the election of three MEPs next May, Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday as he went into his first formal meeting with the party’s two newly elected deputy leaders. » Page 4 Syria fighting Heavy fighting raged around the strategic Syrian border town of Qusair and Damascus yesterday and further reports surfaced of chemical weapons attacks. » Page 11 London protests Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London yesterday as they chanted “Muslim killers off our streets”. » Page 12 ‘Bigamist’ cleared Isle of MTV British superstar Jessie J is the latest addition to the line-up for Isle of MTV, the free music extravaganza taking place on June 26. » Page 6 Trade not charity Africa needs trade, not charity, according to Richard Ebejer, a Salesian priest who left Malta for the world’s second-largest continent nearly 10 years ago to deal with the immigration issue at its roots. » Page 8 Military service Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s main coalition partner has threatened to quit over a row related to military draft exemptions for Jewish seminary students. » Page 13 Quick find Letters 15, 16 Sport 37-43 Opinion 14, 17 Television/Radio 28-30 Editorial 15 Markets/Exchange rates 32, 33 Weather 25 Births/Obituaries 35 Classified 36 Crossword 24 Contact us Times of Malta is published by Allied Newspapers Limited Strickland House 341 St Paul Street Valletta VLT 1211 For general enquiries please call Allied Newspapers reception on 25594100 Fax: 2124 7901 Letters for publication should be sent to daily@timesofmalta.com or the address on the letters page For advertising please call 25594200 or display@timesofmalta.com A Nigerian footballer accused of trying to kill his partner’s 14month-old boy was yesterday granted bail but cannot afford the deposit and will remain under arrest until he can. Akande Williams, 23, was granted bail against a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €15,000 and placed on a curfew, as is standard procedure. He is also not allowed to leave Gozo, where he lives, except to come to court. Mr Williams, who plays for Mqabba, is pleading not guilty to trying to kill Maleek Olowoshile on April 15 at the Mellieħa apartment he had shared with the child’s mother, Abiola. The boy has permanent brain damage after suffering from shaken baby syndrome, the court heard in a previous sitting. Before the hearing yesterday, Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano was informed that Mr Williams’s lawyer, Joseph Ellis, was abroad and could not attend but had filed written submissions. Lawyer Maurizio Cordina, from the Attorney General’s Office, said that while he was not objecting to bail being granted, stringent conditions had to be laid down to reflect the severity of the charges. He highlighted the fact that the case was over the attempted murder of a baby, before adding the Attorney General would be satisfied with a €5,000 deposit and for Mr Williams to sign twice a day at his local police station. In reading out the written submissions by Dr Ellis, the judge noted that the accused had said he could not afford to pay the bail deposit. Asked if he wanted to add anything to this, Mr Williams said his partner was pregnant and could not help him out with such a large sum. He will remain under arrest until someone comes forward to pay the amount. Newsroom please call 2559 4300 or e-mail: newsroom@timesofmalta.com Night Editorial please call 2559 4143 or e-mail: night@timesofmalta.com Features please call 2559 4141 or e-mail: features@timesofmalta.com Sports please call 2559 4182 or e-mail: sport@timesofmalta.com Business please call 2559 4174 or e-mail: business@timesofmalta.com Arts/culture please call 2559 4117 or e-mail: arts@timesofmalta.com Junior News please call 2559 4142 or e-mail: junior@timesofmalta.com Subscription rates: Yearly subscription is €273 excluding postages, €340 hand delivered. Payments may be effected either by cheque payable to Allied Newspapers Ltd or by credit card. Requests for subscription applications may be made by sending an e-mail to sales@timesofmalta.com or calling 2559 4224. A Filipino woman who claimed her former husband was dead before she married a Maltese man was yesterday acquitted of bigamy charges but the mystery of whether he is still alive lingers on. Evangeline Cauchi, 57, of St Paul’s Bay, had come to Malta in 2000 after being separated from her husband, Francesco Hernandez, in 1994, the court heard. Before marrying Ronald Cauchi, she presented a certificate of death for Mr Hernandez in 2002 but the director of the public registry received an anonymous letter alleging he was still alive. However, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli yesterday noted the police failed to prove Mr Hernandez was indeed alive or that Ms Cauchi knew this. The prosecution did not charge the accused with falsifying the death certificate and there was no proof to suggest it was falsified. The magistrate also noted that the police did not file any letters of request to the Philippines asking them to certify that Mr Hernandez was alive. Akande Williams ‘Genitals stabbed’ during fidelity row A woman stabbed her partner in the genitals after he hit her in the face in an argument over whether she was cheating on him, a court heard. Carmen Meilak, 44, from Marsa, was yesterday charged with trying to kill Alfred Farrugia and causing him serious injuries. The two were having an argument outside their home in Racecourse Street in Marsa on Saturday evening and he was convinced she was cheating on him, sources said. As the exchange got more heated, he allegedly hit her. She ran into the house and emerged moments later with a knife, allegedly stabbing him in the genitals and left arm, the sources said. He grabbed a piece of wood and hit her again. Mr Farrugia’s injuries are serious but not critical. Magistrate Miriam Hayman granted Ms Meilak bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and ordered that she does not go near Marsa or her partner. TIMES OF MALTA | 3 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National It has been two years since the people voted ‘yes’ in a national referendum No backlog as courts approve 817 divorces Kurt Sansone The courts have granted 817 divorces, leaving almost no backlog, since the law came into force 19 months ago, Times of Malta has learnt. Figures supplied by the National Security Ministry, responsible for the public registry, show that 820 divorce cases were filed between October 2011 and last week. Alex Sciberras, a lawyer, said the fast turnaround was a result of the first wave of divorce applications by individuals who were long separated. “When one considers the number of separations granted by our courts in the past, the number of divorce applications is actually very low” “The vast majority of divorce applications were by legally separated individuals and so the courts did not have to decide on the separation of assets because this would have already been settled,” Dr Sciberras said. He explained that in these cases it normally took the courts just one sitting to grant a divorce. Couples can obtain a divorce after four years of being legally separated or living apart and it is within this context that Dr Sciberras believes the number of divorce applications is “very low”. “When one considers the number of separations granted by our courts in the past, which gives those people an easy route to divorce, the number of applications is actually very low,” Dr Sciberras said. Couples can obtain a divorce after four years of being legally separated or living apart. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi The 2005 census had found there were more than 11,000 separated and divorced individuals. The figure from the 2010 census is not yet available but it is very likely to have gone up. Divorce became law in October 2011 after Parliament approved a law originally submitted by former Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando a year earlier. Parliamentary approval came on the back of a referendum that delivered a ‘yes’ vote for divorce. The referendum was held two years ago to the date and 53 per cent of the electorate gave divorce the thumbs up after an acrimonious campaign. Malta had been the only country apart from The Philippines not to have divorce legislation even though divorces obtained abroad were recognised by the State. Chile had been the last country to legalise divorce in 2004. The figures show that in the first three months of divorce legislation, between October and December 2011, 222 divorce cases were filed and the courts decided 216. In 2012, after a full year, the courts received 443 applications and decided 438. This year so far the courts have received 155 applications and awarded 163 divorces, cutting the backlog down to just three cases. The situation is expected to change over time when the courts start to receive applications from couples who will have been living apart for four years, according to Dr Sciberras. “At that stage it will become trickier. The courts will have to decide on the separation of assets unless the couple are in agreement, and will have to determine whether the four years of living apart have been satisfied before granting a divorce,” he added. ksansone@timesofmalta.com Chris Said runs for PN general secretary Kurt Sansone Chris Said Chris Said has thrown his hat into the ring to become the Nationalist Party’s next general secretary. The Gozitan MP and former justice minister said he wanted to be part of the PN’s renewal after submitting his nomination for the post yesterday. Dr Said was the first executive member to submit his nomination and it is unclear whether he will have any challengers. Incumbent Paul Borg Olivier will not recontest and the only other person to have publicly declared his intention to contest the post, Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris, did not even stand in the election for the party executive. This means he cannot run for general secretary. Soon after the March election, Dr Castaldi Paris gave an interview in which he criticised the outgoing PN administration and declared his intention to contest the general secretary post. Contacted yesterday, the notary justified his decision to go back on his declaration. “I want to concentrate on my profession for the time being,” he said, adding he was available if the party wanted to use him somewhere else. “I am ready to expend a lot of energy to help the PN win back people’s trust” On June 5 members of the executive must select six officials. Contestants for the posts have to be members of the executive. The most coveted vacancy is general secretary, a post that will give the newcomer an immediate headache as the PN faces serious financial problems. Dr Said acknowledged the problem was a major challenge and added it was already being tackled by the new leadership. “To have a good organisation, it is important to have our house in order.” He said the first important thing was to re-organise the party structures and open them up to more volunteers, and then reach out to civil society. “It will take a lot of hard work but I am ready to expend a lot of energy to help the PN win back people’s trust with the aim of winning the next election,” he said. The other vacant posts are: executive president, administrative president, treasurer, international secretary and assistant general secretary. Nominations for the posts close on Thursday. ksansone@timesofmalta.com 4 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Migrant spending is still classified as aid Patrick Cooke Malta will continue classifying spending on refugees and irregular migrants at home as overseas development aid, the Foreign Ministry said. In response to a recent Times of Malta editorial on transparency in aid spending, a spokesman pointed out that the country abides by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development rules on aid spending, even though it is not an OECD member. “Temporary assistance to refugees from developing countries arriving in donor countries is reportable as ODA (overseas development assistance) during the first 12 months of stay, and all costs associated with eventual repatriation to the developing country of origin are also reportable,” according to the OECD. The NGO Kopin issued a national report on poverty eradication recently, in which it said ODA should not be inflated by adding the costs of housing refugees, especially not by financing prophylaxis detention. The study made particular reference to the 2012 Aid Watch report, which claimed Malta could have inflated its development aid to poorer countries by 28 per cent in 2011 by factoring in money it spends on asylum seekers at home. Malta received roughly €18 million a year in EU funds to help with asylum, immigration and border control. Kopin said this should be fully used for this purpose, with a separate aid budget to be invested directly in developing countries. Under the previous administration, Malta had committed itself to spending 0.33 per cent of gross Malta received roughly €18 million a year in EU funds to help with asylum, immigration and border control. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi national income (GNI) on ODA in 2015. The country reported that it spent €14.3 million, or 0.23 per cent of GNI, on overseas aid in 2012. In a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting last Wednesday, Foreign Minister George Vella said the Government will do all it can to reach the target of spending 0.33 per cent of gross national income on ODA by 2015. The minister also reiterated the Government’s intention to have full transparency in the distribution of funds through ODA. He said he will be insisting that all NGOs who receive ODA funding from the Government must be registered with the NGO Commissioner so that all the money was accounted for. Some such NGOs have been reluctant to register in the past, the minister claimed. Malta’s ODA expenditure is divided into multilateral and bilateral assistance to the tune of 37/63 per cent, the Foreign Ministry said. Multilateral aid is delivered through the UN, EU and other international development organisations. Malta’s bilateral assistance focuses on low income countries, primarily in the fields of health, education and gender equality. Bilateral assistance is also given to countries that experience natural and man-made disasters. “The remainder is expensed on the wellbeing and integration of irregular migrants and refugees in Malta,” the spokesman said. PN targets three MEPs next year Ivan Camilleri The PN has set as a target the election of three MEPs next May, Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday as he went into his first formal meeting with the party’s two newly elected deputy leaders. “It would be very presumptions of me to expect the PN can turn a 36,000 vote deficit into a majority in just a year” Addressing the media before meeting Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami, deputy leaders for party and parliamentary affairs respectively, Dr PN leader Simon Busuttil, centre, with his deputies Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi Busuttil said that, following the electoral defeat, the PN had many hurdles to overcome. These were both internal and on a national level. The election of a new general secretary next week should put the PN in a position to start a fresh page with a new generation of leadership, he said. The European Parliament election in May would mark the first electoral test for the PN in opposition and the party would do its utmost to elect its third MEP for the first time. Despite the PN being the party that made EU membership possible, the PL has always managed to elect more MEPs than the PN since 2004. Replying to questions on whether the PN was expecting to win a majority of votes next year, Dr Busuttil said three seats would not necessarily translate into a majority of votes. “It would be very presumptions of me to expect that the PN can turn a 36,000 vote deficit into a majority in just a year. “That would be quite an achievement of the new leadership,” Dr Busuttil said jokingly. He expects the report on the electoral defeat to be presented to the party later this week. While the main conclusions would be published, he said, the party would have to decide on the extent of commercial information the report will include prior to its media release. A general council will discuss the report at the beginning of June. Increased scrutiny by Brussels « Continued from page 1 projections and ended the year with a deficit of 3.3 per cent. As a consequence, Prof. Scicluna said the Government would not be able to lower the deficit to 1.7 per cent, as projected by the previous administration for 2013, but instead would increase the deficit to 2.7 per cent. In its spring economic forecasts issued last month, the Commission said the Maltese deficit projections for this year were on the optimistic side and calculated a deficit of 3.7 per cent for 2013 – one per cent more than Malta’s revised figures. During his Budget speech, Prof. Scicluna said he was confident the Commission could be convinced this was a small slip-up and that no EDP would be issued. However, according to EU officials, Malta’s figures were not seen as convincing enough by Brussels. Former finance minister Tonio Fenech had repeatedly warned the Government not to take the possibility of EDP lightly and argued it was still in time to avoid this if it presented a mini-budget and reviewed its spending. According to rules coming into force this week, known as ‘Twin Pack’, the Commission will have increased powers to monitor the budgets of member states. Countries facing EDPs must regularly provide further information to the Commission on the measures taken to correct their excessive deficit. The Commission will now also have the power to conclude that a member state must take further measures to review their plans. In cases where the Commission is not satisfied with the progress achieved, it has the right to recommend further corrective measures and put together a macro-economic adjustment programme. Tomorrow, the Commission is also expected to publish specific economic recommendations that Malta must follow in the coming months. Investment firm hit by legal action A couple yesterday filed a judicial letter against All Invest Company Limited and one of its employees, Joseph Muscat, claiming they were sold a financial product that failed and cost them a lot of money. Jeffrey and Romina Vella said that on October 20, 2008 they were sold a product, “Arm Asset Income Plan – Five Years”, whose capital was guaranteed by Mr Muscat. The couple said they do not have a high level of education and should not have been sold a product that exposed them to a risky venture. They made the investment after Mr Vella was given a €23,000 golden handshake from the Drydocks. Despite assurances from Mr Muscat, it became evident there was a serious problem. They are now seeking legal redress for compensation, represented by lawyers Stefano Filletti and Jennifer Shaw. TIMES OF MALTA | 5 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Gozo ferry terminal is officially opened after 15 long years in the making Project Labour conceived ...and finally gave birth to Kristina Chetcuti After 15 years and €12 million, the Ċirkewwa terminal for the Gozo ferry was finally declared officially open yesterday, in a project that started and ended under different Labour administrations. The first application for the building was submitted in 1997 by a Labour government but over the years the project was characterised by a series of stops and starts. Addressing the press in front of the terminal, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said that after the election, he took it upon himself to give it priority. “In a couple of months we took the project really seriously; we had a look at the shortcomings; we allocated people to work on the tasks at hand and here we are today: it’s completed.” The extendible arm, which enables passengers to embark and disembark directly from the ferries’ passenger decks – similar to the Mġarr terminal in Gozo – had been operational since the end of March on a trial basis. Mr Mizzi said the only works still underway were on one of the quays, where dredging was still taking place. The new facilities, co-funded by the EU to the tune of €10 million, include some 170 parking spaces, 210 spaces in the marshalling area for queuing cars and an elevated gangway for passengers boarding the ferry using the link spans. The operation and maintenance of the terminal has now been passed on to Gozo Channel. “It’s fully operational now and we only need to take care of some minor details,” company chairman Joe Cordina said. Transport Malta will be responsible for the public transport area, the parking areas and the south quay, which is undergoing maintenance work due to storm damage. Gozo Minister Anton Refalo went over the history of the terminal project and compared it to a ‘saga’. “Every beginning has an end,” he said, highlighting the importance of this project for Gozitans. “For Gozitan workers and students, saving a few minutes means a lot. “This terminal has the potential to increase the number of passengers by two per cent. God willing, this project will be a boost for Gozo,” said Dr Refalo. The extendable arm allows foot passengers to embark and disembark directly from ferry decks. Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi What’s in the pipeline? Gozo Channel thieves sacked Gozo Minister Anton Refalo said discussions on issuing expressions of interest in a number of projects were being held and the private sector had already shown interest in: ■ Swift sea transport between Malta and Gozo as well as between Gozo and Sicily. ■ Cruise liner terminal and Gozo yacht marina. ■ Possibility of air transport between Malta and Gozo. The 10 Gozo Channel employees convicted of pilfering money over six years have lost their jobs, chairman Joe Cordina said. He would not confirm the amount believed to have been stolen but said it was “huge”. Gozo Channel had no immediate plans to outsource the ferry cafeterias, although the matter was a subject of discussion. “I believe if properly managed they are a good source of income for the company,” he added. Lawyer’s alleged killer is denied bail Waylon Johnston Nizar El Gadi. The Libyan man charged with killing his estranged wife, the lawyer Margaret Mifsud, was yesterday denied bail after spending 10 months in custody. His defence counsel, Martin Testaferrata Moroni Viani, argued that it was his client’s right to be granted bail but the lawyer from the Attorney General’s Office, Beryl Buttigieg, objected to his release. The accused, 34-year-old Nizar El Gadi, stands charged with murdering 31-year-old Dr Mifsud, who had two children with him. She was found dead in her Mitsubishi Sirion on April 19 last year after spending the previous evening with friends at a restaurant in Xemxija. There were no signs of violence on her body except for blood that had trickled out of her nose and mouth, the court heard in a previous sitting. On the other hand, Mr El Gadi’s DNA was found under Dr Mifsud’s fingernails and on a tissue on her car’s back seat, along with traces of her blood and lipstick. In the bail hearing yesterday, Police Inspector Keith Arnaud, who investigated and is prosecuting in the case, testified about Mr El Gadi’s credibility, saying he had been threatened and harassed by him during the investigation. He said that on the way to court the accused had harassed both him and another officer but as soon as they reached the court building Mr El Gadi’s attitude changed completely and he acted normally. Under cross examination, Inspector Arnaud confirmed that Mr El Gadi had been cleared in court of threatening the other officer but was found guilty of threatening him and sentenced to four months in jail. He has appealed. In further pleas on bail, Dr Testaferrata Moroni Viani argued there was no risk his client would tamper with evidence as he did not have access to his children: the court had awarded sole rights to Dr Mifsud at a time when his client was abroad. However, Dr Buttigieg argued that since Mr El Gadi was living in a hotel before he had been arrested and had no fixed address, there was no control over his whereabouts. Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano postponed the decision until the afternoon, when he denied the request for bail. Download the new Times of Malta app by logging on to app.timesofmalta.com The app is brought to you by: Subscribe to a free 15-day trial of Times of Malta Premium Content entitling you to: Exclusive stories, opinions, analysis, blogs and videos • Daily e-paper • Newspaper digital archives • International access. Subsequent renewals will be charged at €2.99/week (including VAT) Credibility Matters 6 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Electricity costs stay stable as EU’s soar Ivan Camilleri Jessie J has sold more than 11 million singles and 2.5 million albums worldwide. Photo: Reuters Jessie J to perform at Isle of MTV British popstar Jessie J is the latest addition to the line-up for Isle of MTV, the free music extravaganza taking place on June 26. The singer will join fellow UK sensation Rita Ora and dance collective Rudimental to rock 50,000 fans at the Floriana Granaries, with more acts still to be announced. Do It Like A Dude singer Jessie J has an unconventional musical style that mixes soul vocals with contemporary R&B, pop, electro-pop and hip-hop beats. The feisty songstress won a 2011 BRIT Award and the BBC’s Sound of 2011 gong. She has sold more than 11 million singles and 2.5 million albums worldwide. “I would love to see you in the crowd in Malta at the Isle of MTV. Let’s party and go wild,” Jessie J said. She had performed a rousing version of Queen’s We Will Rock You with legendary guitarist Brian May during the closing ceremony of the London Olympics last summer. Isle of MTV, delivered through a partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority, is now in its seventh year. The open-air concert will be filmed and broadcast as a 60-minute special across MTV’s channels and platforms around the world. Previous additions have seen global acts such as Will.i.am, Flo Rida, Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, David Guetta, The Black Eyed Peas and LMFAO perform in Malta. Monti stalls ‘must change’ « Continued from page 1 area, which the mayor said had been agreed with Transport Malta. Furthermore, Dr Dingli was sceptical about whether all the stalls would fit in Ordnance Street and he queried where the stall holders would park their vehicles. “There was no consultation with the shops in the area and some have already approached us complaining about this decision,” the mayor said. Asked if the market might spill over into Republic Street and spoil the main entrance to Valletta, Dr Dingli said: “Unfortunately this is a serious threat. “The Government needs to change the stalls, make them uniform and aesthetically pleasing while imposing a fixed stall width, which is clearly demarcated on the floor.” Speaking to Times of Malta last week, Joe Zrinzo, who represents the hawkers, had conceded not all the stalls would fit in Ordnance Street, so some would also have to be located up the road between the new Parliament building and the old Opera House site. The mayor pointed out that the Renzo Piano project was designed to create five new performance spaces in Valletta – De Valette Square, the site of the Royal Theatre, the Cultural Hotspot, the majestic steps and the new square in front of the entrance. “Now we’re unsure about the Government’s plan for the area and I cannot say how the monti will fit into this. “What I can say is that if the plans for a cultural hub remain – as they should – then the monti will definitely be out of place,” he said. Asked if he supported the Sunday monti traders’ wish to relocate from Blata l-Bajda park-and-ride to St James’s Ditch, close to the main bus terminus, Dr Dingli replied: “Definitely not. There are other places outside Valletta that can be used for this.” St James’s Ditch now forms part of the bus terminus. When € Per 100 kWh The Valletta monti. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier contacted, Arriva said talks were under way with the authorities regarding changes to the public transport situation and at this stage it did not feel it was in a position to comment on these changes until they have been finalised. How does Valletta’s market compare with other cities? Valletta’s monti ■ The open-air stalls mainly sell casual clothes, towels and leather goods from their current site in Merchants’ Street, in front of the 19th century market building. The monti is open seven days a week from 7am till 2pm, although some traders pack up earlier. Marseille ■ The reigning European Capital of Culture boasts a wide variety of vibrant, colourful street markets. These include a fish market where local restaurateurs source their menu; a summer crafts market selling locally made soap, honey and artefacts and the crowded, chaotic Marche Malta was among only two eurozone states where the price of electricity did not go up last year. As Malta’s rates remained stable on the strength of higher subsidies and Finland managed to reduce them slightly, in the rest of the eurozone prices shot up by an average of 6.1 per cent. In June 2012, the average price in the eurozone was €20.6 per 100kWh consumed, according to new data published in Brussels yesterday. With the Government having given a higher subsidy to Enemalta, Malta managed to maintain its electricity prices at €17. Finland’s prices actually went down by 0.9 per cent. The steepest rise in the eurozone was registered by Cyprus – more than 20 per cent – making it the highest-priced country at €29 per 100 kWh. Estonian consumers paid the lowest electricity prices in the euro area last year at just €11.2 per 100 kWh. If the Government reduces its electricity rates by 25 per cent by March 2014, as promised by Labour in its electoral manifesto, the island should see its electricity prices slashed to €12.7 per 100 kWh, becoming the second cheapest after Estonia on June 2012 prices. des Capucins in the narrow side streets near the Old Port, selling fresh produce, spices and goods targeted at the city’s large North African community. You’ll also find flower markets, book markets and flea markets. Catania ■ Open every day from 8am till 2pm in the Piazza Carlo Alberto, Catania’s main open-air market is the nerve centre of the city and is known locally as La Fiera. It sells everything from fresh produce to clothes and cosmetics. On Sundays the same busy square hosts a flea market. Around the corner is the famous La Pescheria (fish market). Tunis ■ Tunis’s central market is a typical bustling Arab souk situated at the entrance to the medina in the new town. Although it seems haphazard, there are designated areas for goldsmiths, metal workers, fabrics and local produce and spices. Riga ■ Next year’s European Capital of Culture in Latvia is home to the continent’s largest market and bazaar. This Unesco World Heritage Site is a popular tourist attraction. Join the locals as they haggle over local produce and delicacies (pig’s snout, anyone?), clothing, flowers and hardware. Cyprus Germany Italy Ireland Spain Belgium Euro Area Portugal Austria Netherlands Slovakia Luxembourg Malta Finland Slovenia France Greece Estonia 29.1 26.8 23.0 22.9 22.8 22.2 20.6 20.6 20.2 19.0 17.2 17.1 17.0 15.6 15.4 14.5 14.2 11.2 Biker dies in collision A 37-year-old Italian motorcyclist living in St Julian’s died in a collision with a car at Baħar ic-Cagħaq yesterday afternoon. The car was a red Peugeot 207 being driven by a 25-year-old man from Gżira who was heading towards Valletta. The motorcycle shattered into several pieces with the force of the impact. TIMeS OF MAlTA | 7 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Goalkeeper’s biggest catch Claudia Calleja Hours before the crucial football match, that would see Birkirkara win the Premier league, goalkeeper Justin Haber was changing the filters of three of his 80 aquariums to relax before the crunch game. “As a goalkeeper my game is different to other players’… I have to be more focused to try to save. Before a game, and sometimes after, my method of meditation is to stay in front of an aquarium to calm down. “There I can switch off,” the 31-year-old says. His eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as he talks about his passion – and this time it is not football but the quiet, watery world of aquariums. “As a footballer, people know you for what you are and not who you are. People don’t ask me: ‘Justin, how are you?’ They say: ‘What you doing this winter? Are you going to win? Why didn’t you catch that ball?’ “So it’s nice to take a break from that and my aquariums are that break,” the national team player says. His hobby started when he was 10 and had to spend three days in hospital. “They had an aquarium in the Fairyland ward and I spent my three days in hospital in front of this aquarium… there were about five angelfish and two were like a couple, always together. “Now I know they were preparing to make their little ones,” he says with a smile, adding that angelfish remain his favourite. When he went home from hospital his father and grandfather surprised him with an aquarium they had built for him. They then took him to the pet shop to choose his first fish. But something was wrong. The fish he picked died after a few days. They eventually found out that the sealer used to build the aquarium was toxic. This sparked a fascination with the mechanics and chemistry of aquariums. After that, they bought him a proper aquarium and, this time, the fish survived. “One morning I woke up and found that one of the mollies had ‘babies’ and suddenly there were more than 40 fish. I went crazy and ended up waking up early before The goalkeeper has 80 aquariums. Photos: Paul Spiteri Lucas Robert Borg, left, Justin Haber and Nimrod Mifsud with mascot fish Ġanni swimming towards the top of the tank. Angelfish are his favourite species. school to count them and make sure they were all OK,” he recalls. This sudden increase in fish meant he needed another aquarium. After that, the number of fish tanks kept spiralling. His mother was not amused but he had a partner in crime – his grandfather, Joseph Mifsud Grech. “My nannu gave me a room on his roof to use for my aquariums. He was my best friend, God rest his soul. He taught me how to dive and fish – all sea related. On weekends we used to stay watching documentaries about the sea. “I side with Inter because of my nannu… If you ask me to name five Although he is no avid reader, he has read countless books on fish. Apart from that, during his football travels, he spent days volunteering in public aquariums. When he played for Sheffield United, he volunteered at Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire and The Deep Aquarium in Hull. Over the years he realised that pet stores sell fish at ridiculously high prices, which meant fish enthusiasts could not afford to enjoy their passion. So a year ago he got a licence and started importing fish, which he keeps in Floriana and looks after with the assistance of his two “Before a game, my method of meditation is to stay in front of an aquarium to calm down” Inter players I’ll struggle. But if you tell me to name the last five fish they discovered I will tell you where they are from, how they breed and the pH level they need,” he smiles. friends and helpers, Robert Borg and Nimrod Mifsud. There, among the various species of fish, lives Ġanni – their mascot Blue zaire frontosa. Just like football, for the past four years Haber has taken his love for fish to a national level – he has been involved as a volunteer consultant with the national aquarium being built in Qawra. “Friends call me crazy that I put in so much time for nothing in return. But I’m proud to give my input for this important project. “It’s something national and I’m very passionate about my country,” he says. 8 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Nurse admits starting deadly blaze Sarah Carabott The priest with street children in Free Town, Sierra Leone. ‘Young people could be Africa’s resource’ Maltese priest believes handouts can only go so far to help Sarah Carabott Africa needs trade, not charity, according to Richard Ebejer, a Salesian priest who left Malta for the world’s second-largest continent nearly 10 years ago to deal with the immigration issue at its roots. Trade is the way to integrate the continent in the world’s economy, he maintains. “In Nigeria alone, considered as the key to Africa, there are more than 150 million people, and more than half of them are under the age of 25... these youths’ energy could be one of the continent’s main resources,” Fr Ebejer told Times of Malta. “The challenges are enormous and the problems won’t be solved overnight, but the solution is to engage people, especially in trade that the rest of the world depends on the continent for, cocoa production for example.” Nowadays based in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, Fr Ebejer spent five years with Fr Richard Ebejer. Photo: Jason Borg pre-novices in Ondo, Nigeria, and another three years in Ghana. His venture started a decade ago with migrant children at the Safi detention centre. Then director of the Salesian Oratory in Sliema, Fr Ebejer helped set up a group called Kairos to support youth at risk. Kairos means the right or opportune moment in ancient Greek, signifying now as the right moment to take action – a word used quite often by Don Bosco. In May of 2003, to mark the centenary from when the Salesians first came to Malta, the oratory’s Junior Club held a day of events for more than 40 detained children. That summer, 17 migrant children joined 80 others at the Ark Bosco Summer Club. “It was a way to give them as normal a childhood as possible, and we repeated the event the following summer. Other events were held during the year to help them form happy memories,” Fr Ebejer said. These children had seen a lot and travelled far, often in terrible conditions, and when they were in Malta, Kairos tried to reach out to them at the moment when they needed help. “A lot has been said on immigration but my contact with the migrants here made me head off for Africa to deal with the issue at its roots. “That is where I could understand the situation and mentality.” More than 30 years after they first arrived in West Africa, there are now more than 150 Salesians like Fr Ebejer in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Africa’s young people are the richest resource in a continent rich in natural resources. There are millions hungry for education but youths are the most vulnerable and open to exploitation, according to Fr Ebejer. So the Salesians have opened technical and vocational schools, children’s homes, hostels and youth centres. At the schools, young people acquire basic construction, mechanical, woodwork, secretarial and structural skills. The Salesians also run a programme for street children in Sierra Leone and are planning a new one in Ibadan, Nigeria, to stop them from reaching the city of Lagos where they can fall victim to criminal gangs. Following the civil war in Sierra Leone a lot of children were displaced. Through the street children programme they are rehabilitated and reunited with their families or placed in foster homes. Fr Ebejer hopes that this, together with the help they get when it comes to growing a sense of identity through self-development, will have a ripple effect on the community. “We’re training the trainers, and African Salesians will hopefully pass on the knowledge and will eventually manage these homes themselves.” Kairos is organising a dinner event at Ramla Bay Hotel on Friday at 8pm to support children’s homes. For more information call 9957 1122. Donations can also be made on HSBC 074090689050. Displaced youngsters are rehabilitated through the street children programme. A 37-year-old nurse yesterday pleaded guilty to starting two fires at a Sydney nursing home that killed 11 people, including a Maltese man, two years ago. Caesar Galea, 82, was the seventh casualty of the blaze that tore through Quakers Hill nursing home in New South Wales, Australia, on November 18, 2011. Three elderly residents had died during the fire and several others were taken to intensive care. At least eight others died from their injuries. Another Maltese woman, Emmanuela Cachia, 75, who reportedly died after succumbing to smoke inhalation, was not officially included among the murder victims. “Three elderly residents had died during the fire” Flames spread across the home in the early hours and firefighters, police, a medical team and tens of people living in the neighbourhood raced to help more than 80 elderly people. They had described the incident as one of the worst they had ever dealt with. Roger Dean, a nurse at the home, was charged with murder after he was seen telling journalists he had taken part in the rescue. Last November Australian police filed the 11th murder charge against Mr Dean over the death of 90year-old resident Neeltje Valkay, who died a few days after the fire from smoke inhalation. Anthony Cachia, the grandson of Emmanuela, was also in court that day but no charges have yet been filed in connection with her death. He sat in court with his father and three siblings and it was the first time he saw Mr Dean in person. “I felt a lot of anger; a lot of anger built up,” he had said. Yesterday, Mr Dean pleaded guilty to murdering 11 elderly people – including Mr Galea – by setting fire to the nursery home and to eight counts of causing grievous bodily harm to other residents. TIMES OF MALTA | 9 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 National Speaker rules against PM for ‘strong words’ Speaker Anġlu Farrugia yesterday ruled that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had used very strong words – “incitement” and “undermining” – when he referred to what former finance minister Tonio Fenech had told the International Monetary Fund. These words were offensive and inappropriate, he said. Mr Fenech had objected to Dr Muscat’s accusations against him, raised a point of order and said that according to the Standing Orders no one could attribute bad motives to an MP. He demanded an apology. He said that during his meeting with an IMF delegation he had only defended Malta’s banking system and the financial situation. He admitted noting that the government did not seem as committed as the previous one to rein in the deficit. Mr Fenech said he hoped Malta was not returning to the Mintoff days where anyone who criticised the Government was labelled ‘traitor’. Dr Muscat stood his ground, saying the Government knew exactly what the IMF delegation had said Mr Fenech told them. The Government had had to work hard to remove the unfounded doubts that Mr Fenech had instilled in comments he should be ashamed to have made. This was absolutely unacceptable, said the Prime Minister, adding that Mr Fenech could take his complaint to the Privileges Committee. After a heated exchange, Dr Farrugia suspended the sitting at 7.30 pm to give a ruling. Reconvening after more than two hours, Mr Speaker ruled that two words used by the Prime Minister to criticise Mr Fenech were an unhappy choice and Dr Muscat could have chosen other words without implying ulterior motives. In his ruling, Dr Farrugia quoted the definition of both words as found in Professor Aquilina’s dictionary. He also quoted Erskine May that “temperance and moderation are the characteristics of parliamentary language”. The Chair was duty-bound to see that no offensive language was used, he said. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat used ‘inappropriate’ words when describing Tonio Fenech’s talks with the IMF, according to Speaker Anġlu Farrugia. Photo: Reuters While accepting the Speaker’s ruling, Mr Fenech, insisted that this constituted a prima facie breach of privilege. Government Whip Carmelo Abela pointed out that a Speaker’s ruling could not be contested. The Speaker then called for the adjournment of the House. The Prime Minister made the accusations as he was answering Opposition questions after a statement on the conclusions of last Wednesday’s European Council meeting, which focused on the energy sector and taxation, and on his attendance at the Brussels EU summit. He denied Enemalta was receiving any form of subsidy from the Government. Dr Muscat said the €25 million transferred to Enemalta were for street lighting services, feed-in tariffs and eco contribution, similar to what used to be done under the previous administration. Dr Muscat told Dr Fenech that as former energy minister he surely knew what this payment transfer was about and added that those who said that this was a form of subsidy were doing a disservice to Malta. He insisted that the Government would not let anyone undermine the country and challenged Mr Fenech to declare what his real aim was, accusing him also of incitement in meetings held with the IMF. The war of words carried on outside Parliament, with both parties issuing statements over the issue. Labour accused Mr Fenech of trying to muzzle the Prime Minister and hide his behaviour at the IMF. The PN said the Speaker had “severely censured” Dr Muscat, describing this as “grave and extraordinary” and calling on him to withdraw his accusations. Labour ‘did not ask MCA chairman to step down’ Economy Minister Chris Cardona yesterday condemned what he called the “underhanded circulation” of documents that took place before the Labour Cabinet had even been formed. He was speaking in answer to several questions by Opposition MPs over the “forced” resignation of former Malta Communications Authority chairman Antonio Ghio. Dr Cardona said the resignation had been requested by a former permanent secretary and not by the Labour government. According to a circular sent out by John Gatt, the former permanent secretary to Austin Gatt’s Ministry of Communications, Mr Ghio was “expected” to offer his resignation. Principal Permanent Secretary Godwin Grima had also written a letter saying that even if in doubt, the offer of resignation had to be submitted “just the same”, Dr Cardona said. The Government then had a choice of accepting or rejecting the resignation, same as the others. He labelled as “malicious” the Opposition’s spin that the resignation had been forced and called on Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Opposition whip David Agius to withdraw their allegation that he was misleading the Opposition and the House over the issue. In answer to Opposition MPs, who at times quoted local media on the matter, he said it was “time to stop referring to newspaper stories and see what is really happening”. Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil had asked repeatedly if the “forced” resignation was in line with the EU Directive on Telecommunications, adding that a national regulatory authority was to be treated differently to other boards. Pushed by the minister, Mr Agius tabled a copy of Mr Ghio’s resignation letter and Dr Cardona said it confirmed the chronology of events. Mr Ghio had written his letter of resignation on March 12, when the new government had not yet been constituted. This meant that he had never been MCA chairman under the Labour government. Answering a similar PQ and supplementary question by PN deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco, Dr Cardona denied that Lotteries and Gaming Authority chairman Mario Galea had a conflict of interest by acting as a consultant to another regulatory authority. He said there was no competition between one jurisdiction and the other. MCA chairman Antonio Ghio. Minister sets record straight on police chief recall Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Emanuel Mallia yesterday laid on the Table of the House the sequence of events leading up to the reinstatement of Peter Paul Zammit in the police and his appointment as Commissioner. Dr Mallia had promised the documents to Opposition Whip David Agius last week and said all the explanations expected were there. There were two documents: a letter from Home Affairs and National Security Permanent Secretary Kevin Mahoney to Doreen Ellul, director-general of the Public Administration and Human Resources Office at the OPM, and the letter of appointment from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to Mr Zammit. Mr Mahoney wrote that with effect from April 12, former Police Superintendent Zammit was recalled into the public service to serve as Police Commissioner. “In view of his experience, overlooking the age and retirement factors was being recommended” According to established criteria, he wrote, Mr Zammit did not qualify for reinstatement as he was over 50 and had resigned from the service on pension after having completed 25 years of service. He had always served with dignity, efficiency and diligence and was an excellent example of respect for authority. Following his resignation he followed a university course leading to legal procurator, and this enhanced his appreciation in the legal field. Mr Zammit’s commendable background and legal acumen were attributes that were definitely considered when the Government, in the public interest, opted to recall him as Police Commissioner. The letter also pointed out that similar requests were entertained in the past, naming two former police sergeants. In view of his experience, it was being recommended that in Mr Zammit’s case, the age and retirement factors should be overlooked and his recall favourably considered. The second document was the Prime Minister’s letter of appointment to Mr Zammit with effect from April 13. The letter said Mr Zammit would be required to do other work as ordered by the Government. The appointment was being made under public service regulations, especially on condition that Mr Zammit could be transferred as per service exigencies. In the case of such transfer and changes in duties he would not be entitled to any other payment. 10 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 International Libya congress chief to quit following ban law He served as ambassador to India under Gaddafi but exiled since 1980s The head of Libya’s national assembly is set to resign today, sources close to him said, following the passing of a law banning anyone who held a senior post under the late Muammar Gaddafi from government. The legislation was adopted at the demand of armed factions who helped end Gaddafi’s 42-year rule in 2011 but critics and diplomats fear it could strip government of experienced leaders, further complicating the transition to an orderly democracy. Armed violence and lawlessness caused in part by militia groups who often do as they please has hobbled governance in wide areas of the oil-producing North African state. An adviser to General National Congress President Mohammed Magarief yesterday said he was expected to announce his resignation in a speech to the body today. The adviser did not elaborate. A spokesman for Magarief confirmed only that he would speak to the congress. The move would come as no surprise given the assembly’s passage on May 5 of legislation banning officials who served under Gaddafi from September 1969 – when he seized power in a coup – and the fall of his regime in October 2011. Although Magarief, an economist, served as ambassador to India under Colonel Gaddafi, he lived in exile from the 1980s and became a leading figure in Libya’s oldest opposition movement, the National Front for the Salvation of Libya. Born in 1940 in eastern Libya, where the 2011 uprising broke out, Magarief was congress of around 200 members. Politicians debated it for months but the issue came to a head when armed groups took control of two ministries in late April and stormed institutions including the state broadcaster, demanding immediate enactment of the legislation. Diplomats in Tripoli said holding the vote under duress undermined its legitimacy. “Holding the vote under duress undermines its legitimacy” Soldiers rappel down a wall during a military graduation parade for trainees from the Libyan Army “Thunderbolt” Special Forces unit, in Benghazi earlier this month. Photo: Reuters elected head of the National Congress after Libya’s first free elections for decades last July. The new law, which comes into effect on June 5, does not make provisions for those Libyans who spent decades in exile and actually became instrumental in toppling Gaddafi. Congress members say the law could be applied to more than 20 people in the More than 70 killed in Baghdad bombings Blasts strike busy markets, shopping areas More than 70 people were killed in a wave of bombings in markets in Shi’ite neighbourhoods across Baghdad yesterday in worsening sectarian violence in Iraq. No group claimed responsibility for the blasts but Sunni Muslim Islamist insurgents and al-Qaeda’s Iraqi wing have increased attacks since the beginning of the year and often target Shi’ite districts. More than a dozen blasts tore into markets and shopping areas in districts across the Iraqi capital, including twin bombs just several hundred metres apart that killed at least 13 people in the capital’s Sadr City area, police and hospital officials said. “A driver hit another car and left pretending to bring traffic police. Another car rushed to take him away and right after his car exploded among people who had gathered to see what was happening,” said bystander Hassan Kadhim. “People were shouting for help and blood covered their faces.” Tensions between the Shi’ite leadership and the Sunni Muslim minority are at their worst since US troops left in December 2011, and the conflict in Syria is straining Iraq’s fragile communal balance. More than 700 people were killed in attacks in April, according to a UN count, the highest monthly toll in almost five years. So far in May more than 300 have died. Thousands of Sunnis began staging street protests last December against Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whom they accuse of marginalising Residents gather at the site of the bomb attacks in Baghdad yesterday. Photo: Reuters their sect since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the 2003 invasion. The latest surge in violence started a month ago following a raid by the Iraqi army on a Sunni Muslim protest camp in the town of Hawija. This led to clashes with the security forces and more attacks. (Reuters) Later yesterday Libya dismissed Niger’s assertion that the Islamist insurgents who attacked an army base and a uranium mine there last week had come from its desert south, an area many countries fear has become a safe haven for militants. Thursday’s attacks killed 24 soldiers and one civilian and damaged machinery at an Areva mine that supplies uranium to France’s nuclear power programme. Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou said the attackers had come from southern Libya, which has become a smuggling route for weapons reaching al-Qaeda militants deeper in the Sahara since Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in late 2011. “I would like to confirm those (claims) are groundless and do not relate to reality,” Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said. (Reuters) Centre left leading in Rome election The centre-left candidate for Rome mayor in an election seen as a test of Italy’s fragile coalition government was leading the field, projections showed late yesterday, but the ballot is likely to go to a runoff next month. Ignazio Marino of the Democratic Party (PD) would get between about 39 and 42 per cent, according to the projections. His centreright rival, incumbent Gianni Alemanno of Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right, would get between about 28 and 32 per cent. The rival parties are uncomfortable bedfellows in the right-left coalition of Prime Minister Enrico Letta, whose month-old government is struggling against slumping popularity and the longest recession in Italy's post-war history. Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which stormed into Parliament by winning a quarter of the national vote in February, was on track to win fewer than 13 per cent in Rome, half its result just three months ago. If the projections are confirmed by results, a run-off election will be held on June 9-10. A PD victory would give Letta a much-needed boost, while a failure by Marino to oust Alemanno could further fuel dissent among PD voters and factions in the party. Alemanno's administration was harshly criticised for cronyism, especially at the municipal transport company, and for generally being ineffective, as happened when five inches of snow brought the city to a standstill for several days last year. The PD was thrown into crisis by its failure to win February’s national election outright and imploded last month in disagreement over the election of Italy’s President. Turnout figures showed a steep drop to 53 per cent, down 20 points from previous mayoral elections in 2008. However, local votes are often more closely tied to the charisma and appeal of individual candidates, and opinions about the performance of the incumbent, than to issues that dominate national elections. While attention is on Rome, new mayors will be elected in 564 towns and cities involving seven million voters. (Reuters) TIMES OF MALTA | 11 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 International World briefs Suspect flees police, goes straight to jail A clueless suspect fled from police in Clayton, Missouri – straight into county police headquarters, the New York Post reports. Officers could only laugh as the man ran around before hitting a dead end at the holding cells and surrendered. “It looked like he was cutting out the middleman and going straight to the jail,” an officer said. The man was fleeing a routine police traffic stop. (PA) Exotic bird finally puts on a show Free Syrian Army fighters standing by a tank, belonging to forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, after they seized al-Shabiba military camp near the town of Nayrab. Photo: Reuters More ‘chemical attacks’ in Syria Fierce clashes around Qusair, Damascus Heavy fighting raged around the strategic Syrian border town of Qusair and the capital Damascus yesterday and further reports surfaced of chemical weapons attacks by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces on rebel areas. The Syrian military pounded eastern suburbs of Damascus with air strikes and artillery and loud explosions echoed around alNabak, 80 km north of the capital, where fighting has cut the highway running north to the central city of Homs, the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group said. Government offensives in recent weeks are widely seen as a campaign to strengthen Assad’s negotiating position before a proposed international peace conference sponsored by the US and Russia planned for next month. Opposition activists said Syrian troops backed by Lebanese Hizbollah fighters were pressing a sustained assault on Qusair, a town long used by insurgents as a way station for arms and other supplies from Lebanon. For Assad, Qusair is a crucial link between Damascus and loyalist strongholds on the Mediterranean coast. Recapturing the town, in central Homs province, could also sever connections between rebel-held areas in the north and south of Syria. “One photographer suffered blurred vision and breathing problems” Each side gave conflicting accounts of the fighting. The Homs branch of the National Defence Forces, formed of pro-Assad militiamen, said on its Facebook page that government forces had now divided Qusair into four sectors and had made major gains in all but the one that includes the town centre. Islamist rebel groups said they had sent reinforcements to Qusair. But one opposition activist said these were stuck on the outskirts and had yet to link up with the town’s defenders. Rebels posted a video of fighters in what they said was central Qusair. In Harasta, a Damascus suburb largely under rebel control, many people were afflicted by respiratory difficulties after an apparent overnight chemical attack, according to opposition sources. Videos showed victims on the floor of a room, breathing from oxygen masks. The sides in the conflict, now in its third year, have accused each other of using chemical weapons. France’s Le Monde newspaper published first-hand accounts yesterday of apparent chemical attacks by Assad’s forces in April. The newspaper said one of its photographers had suffered blurred vision and breathing problems for four days after an attack on April 13 on the Jobar front, in Damascus. Another video from Harasta showed at least two fighters being put into a van, their eyes watering and struggling to breathe while medics put tubes into their throats. Syria, which is not a member of the anti-chemical weapons convention, is believed to have one of the world’s last remaining stockpiles of undeclared chemical arms. (Reuters) A red-legged Seriema has recovered from a bout of stage fright. The exotic bird, which is native to South America, arrived at Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling last year but last week marked its first public display. The bird hunts snakes, lizards, frogs, young birds and rodents and also eats small amounts of plant food such as maize. Seriemas are known for their call, which sounds like a mix between a barking puppy and the clucking of a turkey. They prefer to jump rather than fly and can reach speeds of up to 15mph making them similar to Roadrunners. They are one of few species of birds that can kill poisonous snakes. In the picture, the Seriema is seen fiddling with a rubber snake at Blair Drummond Safari Park. (AP) Biggest Burmese python is beheaded The biggest Burmese python in the world measuring 18ft 8in has been killed after it attacked a passer-by in Florida. The monster was sticking out of undergrowth and blocking a road when motorist Jason Lyon tried to move it. It quickly coiled round his leg and the 23-year-old then realised how big the 128lb constrictor was, according to The Sun. His friends jumped out of the car and decapitated the snake with a knife. The previous biggest python was 17ft 7in, which was also caught in Florida. (PA) Housewives make indecent proposals Electricians are most likely to be seduced by housewives, a new poll has claimed. A poll of more than 2,000 tradesmen reckons that more than a fifth had received “indecent proposals” while on the job and 54 per cent had taken customers up on their “offer”. The Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes survey said housewives had attempted to seduce 29 per cent of electricians, ahead of gas fitters (27 per cent) and builders (25 per cent). Four out of ten tradesmen admitted providing cheaper quotes to attractive women. (PA) 12 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 International Mosque in Grimsby hit by arsonists Petrol bombs are thrown A mosque chairman has described how he was inside an Islamic cultural centre with a young family when it was hit by petrol bombs. The Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre was targeted by arsonists late on Sunday night, despite an increased police presence in the area following another attack on the complex three days ago. Humberside Police said a fire was started at the centre on Weelsby Road. No one was injured. Two people were quickly arrested by officers who were patrolling in the area. Mosque chairman Diler Gharib told the Grimsby Telegraph: “We had just finished our prayers and were discussing how to thank our neighbours for the support they have shown us over the past few days when we heard a bang and saw fire coming under the door. “I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out and then two more petrol bombs hit the fire escape and the bin so I had to put those out too.” Mr Gharib said police had been monitoring the mosque after it was targeted by youths last week and officers were able to quickly apprehend two suspects. He said the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich was a criminal act that had nothing to do with the Muslim faith. He said: “We have all been feeling on edge and now this has happened. It’s not just the people at the mosque we are worried about, it’s our wives, daughters and children who are out in the community.” The Islamic centre in Grimsby is part of a complex that includes a mosque that was targeted by youths last week. Eleven teenagers were arrested after that incident, which happened after a party spiralled out of control, police said. The 16 and 17-year-olds were arrested on Thursday. Following Sunday night’s incident, Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said attacks on mosques and other Islamic institutions were playing into the hands of terrorists who wanted community conflict. Meanwhile, in the Black Country, two men have been charged with racially aggravated public order offences following a protest over the weekend. A 22-year-old man from Walsall and a 28-year-old from Wolverhampton will appear before magistrates on June 18 after an EDL protest in Walsall town centre on Saturday afternoon, a West Midlands Police spokeswoman said. “We are also worried about our wives, daughters and children out in the community” It is believed the protesters were demonstrating over the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby. Later, Chief Superintendent Tony Forbes, of Humberside Police, said: “The immediate response by officers, to both incidents at the mosque on Weelsby Road in Grimsby lead to a number of arrests being made quickly and investigations are underway by detectives from Grimsby police station.” A force spokeswoman said the people arrested following Sunday’s incident were men aged 33 and 37. Both remain in police custody at Grimsby police station. (AP) EDL demonstrators on Whitehall near Downing Street in London yesterday. Photo: AP English Defence League supporters march in London Protesters: get Muslim killers off our streets Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London yesterday. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted “Muslim killers off our streets” and “There’s only one Lee Rigby” in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, southeast London, last Wednesday. The protesters held placards that read “Blood on your hands” and “GB RIP”. The demonstrators marched through Admiralty Arch and on to Parliament Square. They were escorted by Metropolitan Police officers and vans, while a force helicopter followed overhead. A Scotland Yard spokesman said Whitehall was closed to traffic because of “a number of demonstrations”. Around 1,000 EDL protesters then made their way along Whitehall before taking a position on the pavement across the road from Downing Street. A much smaller group of antifascist demonstrators gathered opposite them holding an “EDL Racists” banner. Both sides traded insults but were kept apart by officers and barriers. “Anti-fascists mobbed men who arrived late to the protest draped in Union Jacks and wearing England football shirts” The EDL supporters chanted: “We hate Cameron.” EDL leader Tommy Robinson told the demonstration: “This is a day of respect for our Armed Forces.” The crowd repeatedly chanted “coward” after he claimed Prime Minister David Cameron was on holiday “because he doesn’t care”. Mr Robinson added: “They’ve had their Arab Spring. This is time for the English Spring.” The EDL supporters and antifascists hurled dozens of glass bottles towards each other. Police officers dressed in riot gear intervened to stop them throwing missiles. A group of around 100 anti-fascists mobbed five or six men who were arriving late to the protest draped in Union Jacks and wearing England football shirts. Police filmed the anti-EDL protesters as they chanted “fascist scum off our streets” and “follow your leader, kill yourself like Adolf Hitler” before escorting the EDL supporters around Parliament Square. Tourists enjoying the sunshine in central London looked on in surprise as the anti-fascist group following and heckling the EDL supporters grew in number. As the two groups arrived towards Westminster Tube station, the anti-fascists began to run towards the men, forcing the police to set up a cordon to protect them. (AP) EDL demonstrators at Whitehall in London paid tribute to Lee Rigby, the soldier killed in Woolwich, southeast London last Wednesday. Photo: AP TIMES OF MALTA | 13 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 International Israel wobbles on military service Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main coalition partner threatened to quit yesterday unless bickering ministers agreed to a proposal to end wholesale military draft exemptions for Jewish seminary students. A government-appointed committee failed on Sunday to finalise a draft law that limits the number of those exempted from compulsory army service each year to 1,800 ultra-Orthodox scholars, instead of the tens of thousands of students who are let off annually now. Military service exemptions are at the heart of a national debate in Israel over privileges enjoyed by the ultra-Orthodox, who have long wielded influence in a country where coalition governments have often depended on their support. Chile issues red alert over volcano Officials in Chile issued a red alert yesterday for the Copahue volcano on the border with Argentina that has become increasingly active. The country’s interior and security minister Andres Chadwick said the increased activity could lead to an eruption and officials will soon begin evacuating 2,240 people, or 460 families, within a 25km radius around the volcano. “The evacuation is obligatory, it’s not voluntary” “This evacuation is obligatory; it’s not voluntary,” Mr Chadwick told reporters. Chile’s Emergency Office says the evacuation could last about 48 hours but could be delayed because of heavy rains. The nearly 2,965-metre volcano sits in the Andes cordillera, straddling the border with Argentina’s Neuquen province. Argentine officials have issued a yellow alert. They overflew the area during the weekend and are monitoring the volcano with a network of web cameras. Access to the volcano is closed within a four-kilometre radius on the Argentine side, but nearby towns, including Villa de Caviahue, are open for business. The Copahue started spewing ash and gas in December, prompting a red alert then. (AP) “Any attempt to hamper the... committee in order to pander to ultra-Orthodox politicians will lead to a breakup of this coalition,” Yesh Atid’s leader, Finance Minister Yair Lapid, told reporters during a meeting of his party’s legislators. “We will not participate in a government that does not pass a ‘sharing the burden’ law,” he said. The panel is divided over a proposed clause, backed by the centrist Yesh Atid party but opposed by Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, that would impose financial penalties on draft dodgers. Netanyahu, speaking to Likud members of Parliament, voiced confidence the differences would be ironed out. “I am sure a solution can be found to the few clauses that remain unresolved. There will be a law,” Netanyahu said. Yesh Atid came second to Likud in a January general election on a pledge to reduce state benefits for Israel’s fast-growing ultra-Orthodox minority and end military service exemptions for the community. For the first time in a decade, Israel’s government has no ultraOrthodox members, and key coalition partners are pressing Netanyahu to break with political tradition and enact reforms. “There is an historic opportunity to heal the wound that is bleeding in the heart of Israeli society,” Lapid said, referring to the views of many secular Israelis that they are carrying the ultra-Orthodox on their backs. (Reuters) Israeli soldiers taking part in a drill in the Golan Heights yesterday. Photo: Reuters 14 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Comment&Letters One foot in the grave Kenneth Zammit Tabona T he older I become the more in synch I feel I am with Victor Meldrew of One Foot in the Grave fame. The amount of times I am either on the verge of or actually do exclaim “I don’t believe it” increases as the toil of everyday living resembles a game of Snakes & Ladders more and more each year. Far from attaining tranquillity, early middle age and beyond exposes chasms that, were I 20 years younger, would have been dismissed in ‘it can never happen to me’ fashion but it has and it does... and it will. These frailties and pitfalls do not come without a soupcon of compensation. At this stage in life, one can regard the curious goingson in the world around you with a sense of amused detachment that in one’s younger years would have been unthinkable. I wonder if it is because one finally gives up on things ever adding up or making sense. To see grown men in Parliament for instance hurling invective (a great Times of Malta 1960s expression) at each other, not to mention diametrically opposed facts and statistics, reduce us, the people who placed them there, to hapless spectators in a bewildering Nastase vs McEnroe (remember them?) tennis match. The present Enemalta BWSC debates have seemingly degenerated into this while we, the people, merely receive those terrifying green-edged statements that are liable to send us into states of extremely low or extremely high blood pressure. At the end of the day, the man in the street couldn’t care who and what provides electricity as long as it is, one, provided without hitches and, two, is affordable. When the decision whether or not to switch on an air conditioner becomes life threatening then, yes, we, the people, do have a very serious problem. Yes, the older one becomes, the frustration one feels at the fact that one has been on earth for 50 something years and nothing much has changed is huge. By change I refer to the human psyche as, in everything else, change has been radical and pretty amazing. People will remain what they are and unless, like me, they can take refuge in a form of creativity that completely removes you, just like a Deus ex macchina, from the daily drudge, life can be most soul-destroying unless it is tempered with a strong sense of humour. Last week, a magistrate threw out a case concerning a woman whose bra straps came undone in a bar for grown-ups called Steam on the premise that the people who frequented this sort of places, gentlemen of a certain age, “knew what to expect”. In other words, they knew that places like this were full of curvaceous and voluptuous women with faulty bra straps! That brings us to the ‘laptop’ (sic) dancers saga. Remember them? I could not help recalling the mass arrest a couple of years back of a number of women caught in flagrante in some other place in the act of ‘laptop’ dancing! I cannot for the life of me remember how that ended up but I am truly torn between urging the police to continue in their endeavours for our greater delectation or else telling them to stop Something in this weird and wonderful world of ours has to give wasting taxpayers’ money on such rubbish. You see, the reportage is too amusing to forego while, yes, arresting women (and not the men) for wearing defective brassieres is too idiotic for words, especially in an age when a touch of a button on one’s Iphone can reveal all that and more. Now, if these women had paraded their wares in the street, thereby frightening the horses, then that would have been another matter altogether. But then what can one expect in a world when the nationality of Justin Beiber’s monkey becomes the subject of international speculation and the result of the Eurovision Song Contest becomes the subject of conspiracy theories and not just by Malta but Russia too? The Germans, by the way, are blaming Chancellor Angela Merkel for their abysmal result! Go on! To further prove my point, Pope Francis is reported to have performed an exorcism on St Peter’s Square while praying over a young man (obviously possessed). What is so special about that? The entire raison d’être of the Roman Catholic religion is to free us from evil for eternity, therefore the Pope was merely exercising his duty. The speculation as to whether the devil exists and whether spirits, whether evil or good, exist is another matter. I happen to believe that they do and I have had visual and aural evidence that convinced me as such. Therefore, I am in no way impressed that on the feast of Pentecost the spiritual head of the Church, God’s representative on earth, can do and did what he did. It is more the suicide in the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the ‘political horror show’ demo, where a man appealed to the Pope to help end Italy’s embarrassing political situation by scaling the dome of St Peter’s basilica, that concern me. These are acts of desperation which His Holiness cannot do much about unless he exhorts the leaders of the world to change their ways in order to make the distribution of wealth more equitable. You may be sure that this will fall on deaf ears. We have reached a stage in the civilised world which avid readers of history would recognise as a dangerous one that presages some almighty convulsion like the French Revolution or World War I. The image of the bankers in Wall Street drinking champagne and laughing in scorn at the people who were demonstrating in the street was one that reminded me of the poor maligned Marie Antoinette who never did say anything about bread or cake but who will remain forever associated with it. Something in this weird and wonderful world of ours has to give. May it happen slowly and without too many cataclysms so that, somehow, we will manage to survive it without too much damage. Disability today and tomorrow Franco Mercieca Franco Mercieca is Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing. T hese past weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to dealing with disability, one of the responsibilities that the Prime Minister gave me when he appointed me Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing. The first thing I realised is that this isn’t an issue of ‘for’ but ‘with’ disabled persons and their families. The second thing that clicked was that we need all those interested in the sector – disabled activists, parent activists, allies and professionals – to come forward and help us shape a far-reaching and exciting agenda. One of the first social policy issues that the Labour Party adopted a clear position on, even before the official electoral campaign, was that of providing a better deal for the disabled. We promised residential services for disabled persons, to reassure parents that their son/daughter would be supported and catered for after they (the parents and/or relatives) passed away or became too ill to keep supporting them. We repeated this commitment in our manifesto and, again, in the Government’s programme of work. What is important is that, from the outset, we work on the principle that this is not about crisis management but about disabled people making their own choices on where, how and with whom to live and how services are provided. Mistakes were made in the past. People were sorted into boxes or pigeonholes. We must change this attitude. We need to work on the principle of disabled persons and their families having a voice and a choice. The Government’s commitment to the sector is as clear as can be. It is the first time that such a high level office is being dedicated to the disability sector and a close read of the political programme of the Government reveals the wideranging and ambitious agenda that lies before us. Many people have come forward to share their enthusiasm, ideas and vision for the sector. Some have been pouring out thoughts that had been bottled up for years. I have been deeply touched by the enthusiasm that has flowed. This is a sector that affects a large number of people directly inasmuch as they are either disabled persons or close relatives but also indirectly because, at the end of the day, society should benefit from the active contribution of these citizens and not only parcel out benefits. Grievances have been building up in this sector these past few years. Consequently, gripes and distress started getting amplified as the feeling of ‘not being heard’ or being pushed aside left people without answers or acknowledgment to their concerns. This indelible mark on the sector has been further expounded and, subsequently, this agenda has been relegated down the nation’s priority list, unfortunately. This is being addressed. One of our first initiatives is to see what EU funds are available to help stimulate this sector and blend with government funding. Naturally, while looking at the macro picture we are also very interested in creating the mechanisms that will ensure we can mitigate and address personal, individual grievances and group requests that repeatedly come from NGOs and support groups. We are looking at a variety of initiatives to reach out to the community, review policy, services and legislation, set up new organisational infrastructure that will allow the Government, via the Parliamentary Secretariat for Active Disability is not homogenous, so there cannot be a one size fits all Ageing and Disability Rights, to monitor what disabled people and their families have to say and are feeling. A direct flow of communication is imperative in this sector. Disability is not homogenous, so there cannot be a one size fits all. Matching the person to the right type of service will provide satisfaction for the service-user and will also avoid wastage. The Equal Opportunities Act (Persons with Disability) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are the mainstay of our strategy but things can change fast and we need to be on our toes to ensure that we are dancing to the right tune. The parliamentary secretariat will endeavour to improve policy, engage the private and state sector to employ disabled people, develop an assortment of residential schemes that reassure disabled people and their families and improve community services. We need to be alive to the aspirations of disabled people and their families. A good deal of work needs to be done and our resources are not unlimited but the time for action is now and we are determined to succeed. TIMES OF MALTA | 15 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 All letters should be addressed to the Editor, Times of Malta PO Box 08, Valletta VLT1000 Tel: 2559 4100; Fax: 2124-7901 E-mail: daily@timesofmalta.com Founded August 7, 1935 Taking the sting out of politics Given the usual confrontational attitudes in politics everywhere and the exasperating depth to which local politics often descend, it is not surprising, or unreasonable, to expect a sense of scepticism over the agreement which Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil have reached to hold what they have called an open-agenda meeting every couple of months. On the face of it, it is a good idea, but unless the two parties are prepared to be honest in this new approach and really be willing to engage in dialogue, even in the most difficult circumstances, the life of this two-way channel of communication will be short-lived. Dr Muscat has already fallen far short of expectations insofar as the implementation of his pre-election promises to reduce partisanship is concerned. Rather than taking the sting out of local politics, as he had promised his party would do if elected, he has done the opposite. Through what looks like an intentional plan to irritate the Opposition and impose its authority, the Government has managed to raise the dose of partisanship through a string of controversial appointments in key places. Labour’s landslide win has made the party leaders forget all about the pledges made before the election in a matter of weeks. This is the background against which the two leaders have now agreed to hold the open-agenda meetings. The political environment has already been contaminated by Dr Muscat’s most injudicious moves so early in this legislature. So, what prospect does the new idea has of holding firm? This newspaper hopes that it lasts, for, although it does not expect any miracles in attitude from either side, the meetings can at least help bring about a more mature political environment in the long-term through less direct confrontation over trivial matters, and willingness to discuss burning issues of national importance. With the two party leaders coming from the same European mould, as it were, they are in a better situation than their predecessors to fashion a new political model. Dr Busuttil, for instance, wished to see a less antagonistic approach by the political party media, saying he was prepared to contribute to making politics a positive experience. He also wishes to see the party media calm down. Dr Muscat agreed to this, remarking, correctly, that people are fed up with politics. However, with the two parties having always considered their media as tools to sharpen their political weapons of confrontation, not just during an election but all year round, it will now take a very strong will and a great deal of effort for the PL and PN to tame their stations. Contrary to the original spirit that had inspired Eddie Fenech Adami to introduce pluralism in broadcasting, the party media have done great harm to the country’s social fabric as they have further institutionalised tribal divisions. Indeed, they have succeeded in creating two Maltas out of one country. There is another point. It is doubtful if the PL would have agreed with Dr Busuttil on the need to make their political media adopt a less antagonistic approach had it won the election by, say, a majority of one seat rather than by nine. Still, even though it is unrealistic to expect any overnight change in the political environment, the new approach by the two parties may very well have some benefits. In other words, it is worth a try. Letters to the Editor Parking issues in Valletta ■ Recently some parking spaces in Melita Street, Valletta (Marsamxett side) were allocated for residents. I would like to express my gratitude to whoever was responsible for this long delayed decision, reversing a decision taken some years ago to remove most of the parking slots in this part of Valletta. I had on various occasions communicated with the local and central government authorities on this matter but to no avail. Now at long last the situation has been rectified. Access to parking for the ever-dwindling number of Valletta residents is important. In future may I suggest that when such decisions are taken the residents living in the locality are first consulted. Paul Edgar Micallef Valletta Rethinking irregular migration ■ It is about time that we come to our senses and realise that the movement of African population northward is not a temporary phenomenon but will continue in the future so long as there is an imbalance in the standard of living between regions. The Maltese, as Catholics, humanists and non-racists, should be welcoming these poor immigrants and feel proud that we have been selected to commingle with them. As we all agree that a human creature born to the world is an asset to the economies of a nation, these immigrants will in the long run enrich Malta. GIanluca Bezzina returning to work after his Eurovision participation. Taking a sabbatical? ■ I read that Gianluca Bezzina is toying with the idea of taking a sabbatical from medicine. Not a good idea. Medicine is not a discipline that takes lightly to being shelved. Possibly music is. Joe Psaila Savona Żejtun For all our misgivings our population is far from being at saturation point. The Maltese people are well known for their missionary work. Here is a chance to assist these newcomers to our shores and help them integrate to become Maltese citizens by offering them and their children education and social assistance. But this policy needs finances to support it. Let us turn to our European partners for the funds needed for this project and have them ‘share the burden’ this way. If our government were to adopt such a civilised policy, the reputation of the Maltese islands would shine throughout the world for its generosity. Alfred Demanuele Marsascala Letters to the editor should be kept as brief as possible. Publication is subject to abridgement. Letters should carry the writer’s full name, surname, address, identity card number and daytime telephone Bigger water taxi please ■ The whole concept of the water taxi is brilliant and after a few months its popularity has increased. Unfortunately the size of the vessel has stayed the same. I wrote a letter to the editor, published on January 7, highlighting the plight of the Three Cities residents. Often the boat is full either leaving Vittoriosa or when one is trying to return from Valletta. I implore Transport Malta to follow up the numerous complaints about the size of the boat being used by the operator. This issue needs addressing urgently especially with the season of cruise liners is upon us. The current demand already exceeds the supply, so to speak. I am led to believe that on being awarded the contract the operator had to make certain undertakings to provide an adequate service. In return he was given financial assistance to operate. Currently, all Transport Malta does when it receives any complaints regarding the water taxi’s size is to send a standard reply that it is looking into the matter. I, together with many other residents of the Three Cities want to be in a position to use this type of transport across the Grand Harbour continuously. Having to wait approximately one hour because of lack of space takes the shine off what is a marvellous and supposedly timesaving idea. John Carmel Navarro Senglea Pope’s throne ■ It’s not like Pope Francis sold away that golden chair and gave the money to charity. They still have it. He is just not sitting on it to look better than the one who came before him. Karl Consiglio Sliema Family first ■ Contrary to what the newly appointed chairman of the Malta Sports Council said during an interview with a local station on May 22, the first approach to the practice of physical training (education) and sport should start within the family and not in schools. Tony Formosa Pietà numbers. Letters are sent under the express understanding and condition that the editor may, and is authorised to, disclose any/all of the personal information mentioned above to any person or entity Hotels and sunshine in Sliema ■ My compliments to the Government on its apparent fast-track decision to increase the bedstock in tourist areas. Building two more hotel floors is bound to benefit the economy. The authorities also seem to be wise in protecting areas of historical and architectural importance, much neglected in the past, like Tigné point. But what about the quality of life of Maltese citizens? Who is going to protect the environment in urban tourist areas with diminishing sunshine hours? With the high rises all along the Sliema seafront, beaches in Qui-siSana and Tower Road are already denied sunshine for most of the day. As many residents know, this northern coast faces the onslaught of wet and cold winds, especially in winter, the effects of which are normally relieved by intervals of warm sunshine. Residential apartments in side streets, most of them narrow, also benefit from being touched by the sun, unfortunately much less in recent years with rising buildings. Two more floors on the many hotels on the Sliema-St Julian’s skyline might not appear to create much of a negative intrusion but in this thickly built suburb, where humidity is exceptionally high, it is bound to threaten the quality of life. Let’s hope this aspect – not forgetting alternative energy programmes using sun hours – is not neglected when impact studies are carried out before permits are issued. Charles Xuereb Sliema More letters on page16 » requesting the information for the purposes of legal action on grounds that such person or entity feels aggrieved by any letter so published. 16 TIMES OF MALTA I Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Comment & Letters Unfair tests in exams ■ Like thousands of other Maltese youths my nephew is sitting for his ‘O’ Level SEC exams. This past week he sat for the two papers in English Literature, my favourite hobby even today. Upon enquiry my nephew told me that he felt confused on how best to answer a multiple choice question concerning an “unprepared prose”, the title or origin of which is not given in the paper. The question rested on limited and contradictory clues in the selected text, and the multiple choice answers would have required the services of the famous investigator Poirot. In reality there is no proper answer if one does not know the rest of the story, and my nephew and other students may have easily lost a valuable mark innocently. The multiple choice question does not make sense in the context of the quoted “unprepared prose”. Based on the clues found exclusively in the provided text, every student was expected to determine the age of Mary, i.e. whether she was three, 10 or 18 years old, and give a correct answer to earn one mark. One mark may make a difference between one grade and another. My nephew and perhaps some others knew that in reality Mary was about 10 years old because of prior knowledge of the prose in question, but in this case there was no clear clue in the actual quotation cited in the exam paper. The students were not asked to give their reasons for their choice of answer, any one of which may be valid. Basically, Section 2 of Paper 1 provided a long quotation of the “unprepared prose”, which my nephew identified as being taken from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s book The Secret Garden, that he had once read. It is extracted from roughly the second page of Chapter 15, which for clarity’s sake includes: “On that first morning when the sky was blue again Mary wakened very early … (and what follows is important:) … She had learned to dress herself by this time and she put on her clothes in five minutes. ...(and till) ...rust-red head of Dickon, who was kneeling on the grass working hard.” I will let the readers find out the full text. Concerning Mary’s hypothetical age based on this quotation: most children learn to dress at age three, so Mary may have been three years old. There is no clue that she had arrived from India where servants dressed her up till she was astonishingly a 10-year-old girl. Judging from Mary’s other actions in the quoted text, she must have been much older than three years, because she wandered out very early in the morning to the garden that was far, so one would choose age 10 or 18 based on these actions alone, though 18 would have been preferable in such a case. In conclusion, this multiple choice question was most unreasonable and misleading for any student who had not previously read the novel. I do hope that the Board of Examiners will take this matter into consideration when awarding marks. Allowing students to give reasons for their choice would have been better. Maria Rossella Dalmas Msida A wake-up call ME sufferers need help ■ Recognition by our national health service (NHS) that ME (“myalgic encephalomyelitis” (May 16) and fibromyalgia are real and not imaginary diseases would be a very positive first step towards helping these sufferers. The American medical scene uses the name “chronic fatigue syndrome” (CFS), rather than ME, because the term encephalomyelitis indicates inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which most claim has never been convincingly demonstrated. Some support groups waste a lot of energy arguing about semantics. What is important is for the NHS to recognise that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are very disabling medical problems which require attention and are not feigned maladies of work-shy or mentally-disturbed individuals. Besides unending disagreements within the medical profession about whether or not these are real pathologies and not psycho-social problems, medical insurance companies have also had a vested interest in classifying them as psycho-social problems. What the NHS could do is organise a small support team of sympathetic doctors to look after these sufferers. The fact alone that a service is available for these patients would lift their morale – doctors and nurses with the right attitude to the suffering of others can have significant beneficial effects even on very sick patients. ME and fibromyalgia are poorly understood and their exact cause remains unclear. ME resembles a neuro-autoimmune disease while fibromyalgia seems to revolve around a deranged pain perception abnormality. Recent claims that ME was caused by a specific viral infection have ■ Once again our children are facing their Matsec exams and once again I strongly feel that they are being let down by the system. An exam to test their aptitude has again been a means to destroy their motivation and self-esteem. I am not even going to get into what the dedicated teachers must be feeling. The dreaded Maths exams have come and been and as usual the questions set were too difficult for the level the students were sitting. New material pops up out of nowhere and apart from tackling these, they are under duress because there is a time limit. My child sat for the mathematics ‘A’ level paper and being her favourite subject, she was well prepared for it and had studied really hard... but she came out crying because she had never done certain questions and there was too little time for her to finish the whole paper. She also told me that other students gave up and left the exam proved unfounded, but there is at present a lot of controversial interest in whether or not ME and fibromyalgia are undiagnosed chronic Lyme disease. Chronic Lyme disease does in fact mimic ME and fibromyalgia very closely. Early experience with laboratory testing suggests that many, but not all, cases of ME and fibromyalgia appear to be chronic Lyme disease. This area of medicine is still controversial, not least because the accuracy of laboratory testing for chronic Lyme disease continues to be debated. The treatment of chronic Lyme disease is also not clearly established and right now consists of antibiotics, with or without a specific plant-derived product, combined with nutritional supplement support. A small Maltese NHS team could do much useful work investigating these patients to exclude other established abnormalities – infective, autoimmune, anaemia, poor nutrition, etc. A nutritional therapist needs to be part of the team. They usually suffer from poor sleep which may be helped by some nutritional supplements and hormones (melatonin). The possibility that some of them might be suffering from chronic Lyme disease would need to be investigated. There is a lot that could be done to help this group of disabled individuals, some very severely so. Many of them are obviously depressed by their condition, but the last thing they need is pharmaceutical anti-depression drugs. Nor is there good evidence that they are improved by cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise. Albert Cilia-Vincenti chairman Academy of Nutritional Medicine (UK) Attard room after only an hour, saying they would not bother to turn up for Paper II the following day. This in fact turned out to be even worse than the first paper. They entered the exam room already worried about what it would be like. Here, I am only talking about the maths papers however; there are other subjects where the same thing applies. I can also speak from another perspective, not that of a mother but of a Learning Support Assistant. I have only worked as an LSA for a few months but in this short period of time I have come to respect students with additional needs and their parents who painstakingly achieve goal after goal. The students manage to sit for the exams notwithstanding the various difficulties and barriers they overcome. Together we do our utmost to empower these students and teach them to believe in themselves, only to have it slammed back in our faces when after putting so much effort into it they are faced with this type of exam. Is this the inclusion we are taught about? When I phoned the person concerned in the past, he told me that the exam wasn’t difficult and that I was the only person phoning in to complain. But he also said that even if it had been hard, the marking schemes would be adjusted accordingly. Results haven’t yet come out... but whether the students pass or fail, the system needs to change if we want more of them to pursue further education and to love the subjects they study with a sense of wonder rather than seeing them as a tool of terror. What I would really like answered from the authorities concerned is why they are doing this and what are they hoping to achieve. Maybe, just maybe, I may finally understand. Angela Wood Marsascala ■ In a world that keeps refuting the light in order to foolishly embrace the darkness, the Christian faith is all the more needed to propose Jesus Christ, once again, as the way, the truth and the life that leads to the Father (see John 14: 6). The moral, political and social chaos which prevails in our world means there is a craving for God’s great and providential intervention. The senseless lives many people are leading, especially when they feel trapped by their own hurts and prejudices against their brothers and sisters, are calling for redemption and freedom. The Holy Spirit is the solution. We must not tire of invoking him by the words of Psalm 104 which says: “Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and renew the face of the earth!” In his 42th of his Ascetical Homilies, Saint Isaac the Syrian gives an intriguing dynamic of the Holy Spirit’s workings in the individual. “...In proportion to your humility you are given patience in your woes; and in proportion to your patience the burden of your afflictions is made lighter and you will find consolation; in proportion to your consolation, your love of God increases; and in proportion to your love, your joy in the Holy Spirit is magnified. Once men have truly become His sons, our tenderly compassionate Father does not take away their temptations from them when it is His pleasure to ‘make for them a way to escape’ (1 Cor. 10:13), but instead He gives His sons patience in their trials. All these good things are given into the hand of their patience for the perfecting of their souls.” Holy Spirit wake me up from my self-defeatism and give me enough faith an d courage to entrust my life into your sanctifying hands. Amen. Mario Attard OFM Cap San Ġwann PN’s revival in interest of all ■ Most Nationalist Party supporters, including councillors and activists, can hardly ever lose enthusiasm permanently. Before and following the general election, one can say that interest faded – and this is in the process of being addressed – but only temporarily. It cannot be otherwise because the PN has always been led by leaders synonymous with historical achievements affecting our daily lives. The commitment to reinvigorate the PN is now in progress and has started with the election of leaders and officials. Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami’s dedication to the party speaks for itself and does justice to their fathers’ exceptional service to this country. Particularly striking was Dr Fenech Adami when he said that despite his active involvement within the party over a number of years, the receiving exceeded the giving. Coming from this politician, who was at the heart of political struggles which took away from him precious family time, it is very meaningful and inspirational for all. Whatever one’s political leaning, one stands to benefit from successful implementation of policies and the PN has always excelled in producing results still tangible today. Consequently, the PN, with humility, its values and its fresh team spirit, can look forward to becoming once again the people’s winning party, perhaps even sooner than expected in the interest of all. Josephine Vella Birkirkara TIMES OF MALTA | 17 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Comment & Letters Is EU hiding something? Arnold Cassola Arnold Cassola is Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on EU and International Affairs. T he sacking of a European Commissioner is quite a rarity. Yet this happened last October 16, when EU Commission President Jose’ Manuel Barroso gave his Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Dalli 30 minutes to either resign or be fired. The suspicion of misbehaviour in connection with the proposed legislation known as the Tobacco Directive, though not proven, was a very serious one and the Commissioner actually resigned, before the 30 minutes had elapsed. As things evolved during the past seven months or so, it has become amply clear that all sorts of basic EU procedures have been ignored in this very delicate affair. As Green Members of the European Parliament José Bové and Bart Staes have put it, “In the aftermath of Dalligate, after an alleged bribe linked to the tobacco industry - it is today absolutely clear that the OLAF enquiry that led to the dismissal of Dalli is at least dubious if not a complete farce. MEPs of different political groups have been asking for clarity in this case for six months, but have been denied access to key documents by both the EC as well as the leadership/presidency of the European Parliament”. What was supposed to be an act of accusation against a single European Commissioner has boomeranged into a fully-fledged attack against the head of the Anti-Fraud office of the EU, Giovanni Kessler, and even against the European Commission president. During the past months first the OLAF report was leaked to the press, and then it was the turn of the report of its supervisory committee to be fed to the media. The reading of these two documents raises serious political questions on the functioning of OLAF and on the behaviour of Kessler, who went beyond his powers and flouted the regulations. Was he acting alone or also on somebody else’s behalf? In fact, one of the conclusions of the OLAF supervisory committee was that “The SC was informed of OLAF’s intention to transmit the case to the national judicial authorities, but did not receive access to the case in conformity with its request within the timeframe provided for by the working arrangements. This prevented the committee from carrying out the examination of the respect of fundamental rights and procedural guarantees prior to the transmission of the case. According to the judgement of the court, OLAF’s failure to consult the SC before forwarding information to the national judicial authorities could be seen as an infringement of Article 11(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1073/199922 (concerning anti-fraud measures)”. The non-adherence to the rules has also serious implications for Barroso. It is quite clear now that had Barroso stuck to the rules of OLAF and taken the trouble to The Maltese members of the European Parliament have not uttered a single word on the Dalli affair consult the OLAF supervisory committee, Dalli would not have been dismissed and the Tobacco Directive would not have been delayed by at least five months. This five-month-delay could be long enough to prevent the Tobacco Directive from being voted by May 2014, thus giving the tobacco industry the opportunity to continue reaping profits valued at billions of euros. The Green Group in the European Parliament and a number of other individual MEPs have been insisting on clarity. They have obtained some results. In fact, the EP Budgetary Control Committee will tomorrow be holding an audition with the OLAF supervisory committee, Commissioner Algirdes Semeta and Kessler about the Dalligate affair. This is a step in the right direction but it is not enough. In the name of transparency, even Barroso should present himself for the audition to explain his behaviour in the whole affair. Why is he always escaping to avoid scrutiny? Ironically, the Maltese members of the European Parliament have not uttered a single word on the affair. Why are they not rocking the boat? Is this linked to the fact that Kessler is affiliated to the Socialist group while Barroso is affiliated to the Popular Party Group, the two groups that the two main Maltese parties belong to? Whatever their reasons, in the name of clarity and transparency it is imperative that the following questions are given an answer: why is it that the original complaint that triggered the whole investigation was sent by the Swedish tobacco company Swedish Match not to OLAF but directly to the European Commission Secretary General Catherine Day and on the advice of the Philip Morris lawyer/consultant Michel Petite? Why was the complaint transmitted to OLAF by Barroso, who therefore was aware of the accusations before the investigations started? And why did Barroso schedule a meeting with Dalli for October 16, without any agenda on October 11, 2012? If the meeting was scheduled for October 16, how come the press release on his resignation had already been prepared on October 15? And was it a coincidence that on October 18, two days after the Commissioner was fired, the offices of the antitobacco lobby in Brussels were burgled and the computers were stolen? The European institutions are, unfortunately, the object of great mistrust among European citizens mainly due to the lack of transparency in their workings. Failure on the part of Barroso and the Commission to come up with clear answers to this whole affair will only serve to further distance the citizens from the European institutions, thus causing irreparable damage to the whole European visionary project. arnoldcassola@gmail.com The birthday of a prophet Michael Grech L orenzo Milani was born to an intellectual Jewish agnostic family 90 years ago. In 1943, he genuinely converted to Catholicism and was ordained a priest in 1947. Rather than seeking a prestigious career in the Florentine curia, a position he could easily have obtained given his family’s connections, he chose to fulfil his vocation in a Tuscan backwater, San Donato di Calenzano, as an assistant to the parish priest. Inspired by the Gospel, Don Milani sought to exalt the dignity of his parishioners, whether believers or not. He immersed himself in the social and economic issues of his people, creating an after-work school for adults. Here, to alienate his nonCatholic students, he removed the crucifix from the classroom, a decision that was fiercely opposed by conservative parishioners. His experiences at San Donato were narrated in Esperienze Pastorali, a book where he not merely debunked the myth that depicted Italy as a fundamentallyChristian nation but also criticised the Church’s modus operandi and the preparation and attitude of the clergy. The distribution of this book was stopped by the Holy Office. Because of his skirmishes with the hierarchy, Don Milani was transferred to the remote parish of Barbiana on the Tuscan mountains. Despite the banishment, he did not allow this place of exile to isolate or demoralise him. He founded a school that catered for the children of the peasants of the areas, most of them dropouts from mainstream education. Here, he not only taught them the usual subjects (in a very unusual way) but stimulated them to think and engage themselves critically with issues that mainstream education considered to lie beyond school curricula. The Vietnam war, trade union issues, the exploitation of the Third World by the first and the current state of Italian and international politics were included in the school’s daily syllabus. Don Milani and his pupils did not limit themselves to discussing such issues. The school adopted a proactive role, making some memorable public interventions like the Letter to the Military Chaplains (1965) wherein the school of Barbiana defended conscientious objection and solemnly proclaimed that obedience, considered as a fundamental virtue in many Catholic circles, may not be a virtue after all. The letter clearly affirmed that students, soldiers and citizens in general ought to be taught that there are circumstances where to disobey is not only morally permissible but required. A seminal publication was the letter to an imaginary teacher representing mainstream schools and education: Lettera ad una Professoressa. Here, among other things, Don Milani and his pupils exposed the class-bias of the educational setup concealed under trappings of fairness and impartiality, denounced exams and criticised the school system for failing to imbue the democratic ideals that the Italian republic supposedly cherished. If we consider our educational establishment in relation to Don Milani’s letter, there are aspects of the latter that appear to be dated. Apparently, the doors of our education are open to anyone, regardless of his class. (I use the word apparently because certain classes and groups are over represented whereas regarding those that are ‘excluded’ there is a predominance of certain groups and classes.) This notwithstanding, there is one aspect where local education is spectacularly failing. Schools were conceived by Don Milani as sites where students could obtain cultural tools they could then use for their personal development. In this set-up, the powers that be maintained their status by creating glass barriers that ensured that those who had an interest in changing the socio-political composition of society were excluded from secondary and higher education. In today’s Malta, the situation seems to be reversed. Larger numbers of students are enrolled in post-secondary education. Somewhere we have failed. Don Milani would have cursed us (Hegemony at times functions by excluding; at others by including.) Yet, rather than education providing them with critical tools required to challenge and question the status quo, most students (with obvious exceptions, some of whom I have been privileged to come across as a teacher) seem to be neutered into conformity. This was glaringly evident in the last electoral campaign. My job at Junior College brings me in touch with 16-18-year-old students, young adults who should be brimming with energy to change the world. My teaching duties supposedly include fostering their critical and creative potential. The last thing you expect is to have leaders of political parties visiting our institution and, instead of being grilled with pungent questions, are saluted as conquering heroes with hysterical shouts of “Ole Nazzjonalisti”, “Malta tagħna lkoll”, “Joseph” or “Gonzi”. This stands in sharp contrast to what happens in Europe where it is customary that politicians who visit universities and colleges are given a hard time, primarily by students who share their political ideology. A famous case was that of Luciano Lama, general secretary of the communist-leaning CGIL, who was chased out of La Sapienza University by left-wing students. Somewhere we have failed. Don Milani would have cursed us. 18 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 People TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 People A few weeks after revealing her brave decision to undergo preventive double mastectomy, Oscar-winning actress loses her aunt, aged 61, to breast cancer Yet another blow for Jolie Actress Angelina Jolie’s aunt has died from breast cancer, less than two weeks after the star had a double mastectomy to avoid the disease. Debbie Martin, 61, died in a San Diego, California-area hospital, her husband Ron said yesterday. Martin was the younger sister of Jolie’s mother Marcheline Bertrand, whose own death from cancer in 2007 inspired the surgery that Jolie described in a May 14 New York Times article. “Martin had the same defective BRCA1 gene as Jolie, but did not know it until after her 2004 cancer diagnosis” Angelina Jolie with her children Maddox, Zahara, Pax Thien and Shiloh at New Tokyo International Airport on July 26, 2010. Photo: Reuters The Oscar-winning film star said she hoped her story would inspire other women fighting the life-threatening disease. Jolie, 37, is raising a family with fellow actor and fiancé Brad Pitt. She wrote that she went through with the operation in part to reassure her six children that she would not die young from cancer, as her own mother did. “We often speak of ‘Mommy’s mommy,’ and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. They have asked if the same could happen to me,” wrote Jolie. “I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a ‘faulty’ gene.” Martin had the same defective BRCA1 gene as Jolie, but did not know it until after her 2004 cancer diagnosis. Her husband said had his wife known in advance of her genetic risk, “she would have done exactly what Angelina did”. Martin’s death was first reported by E! News. After getting breast cancer, Martin had her ovaries removed preventively because she was also at very high genetic risk for ovarian cancer, which has killed several women in her family. Jolie, who won an Oscar as best supporting actress for her 1999 role in the film Girl, Interrupted, said her doctors estimated that she had a 50 per cent risk of getting ovarian cancer but an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer. She had her breasts removed first, reducing her likelihood to a mere five per cent. She described the three-step surgical process in detail “because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience”. The story, a surprise to most save those closest to Jolie, spurred a broad discussion of genetic testing and pre-emptive surgery. (AP/Reuters) On the 20th anniversary of her feat, the first British woman to have reached Woman’s name in Everest record book Ryan Hooper The first British woman to scale Mount Everest admits she fell out of love with the peak after it became a tourist attraction following her record-breaking ascent. Reaching Everest’s summit has gone from largely being the preserve of hardcore adventurers to an entirely obtainable dream for climbers from across the globe, Rebecca Stephens said. 19 But the breathtaking view from the top is forcing many groups to wait patiently in bone-chilling winds, while the climbers in front of them – and those in front of them – savour the moment they have spent months working for. There is a long queue to stand on the roof of the world. Yet no matter how many more climbers file up the mountain or grapple for a perch on the edge of Hillary Step, former journalist Stephens will never lose the distinction of being the first British woman to conquer the peak. The 20th anniversary of her feat – made more remarkable by her self-confessed lack of climbing experience – comes in the same month of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s first ascent of the mountain 60 years ago. She recalls her challenge with immense pleasure now, but admits she briefly fell out of love with Everest as the climb becomes “commercial”. “I’ll be completely honest, I emotionally rather turned my back to it,” she said. “I thought, as a romantic, the magic has gone a bit. “It was just an emotional thing. ‘Don’t change my mountain, how dare they?’. “But I found myself turning Angelina Jolie (right) and her mother Marcheline Bertrand pose together at the premiere of Jolie’s film Original Sin in Hollywood on July 31, 2001. Photo: AP Debbie Martin was the younger sister of Jolie’s mother, whose own death from cancer in 2007 inspired the surgery that Jolie underwent. the summit recalls her challenge Rebecca Stephens fell out of love with Everest following her record-breaking ascent in 1993 as the climb became ‘commercial’. to face it again because it is still a place where people face challenges, test themselves, and hold fascination as the highest place in the world.” She said scaling Everest – certainly on the normal route – was no longer “the most difficult” challenge for a young climber. Reaching Everest’s summit has gone from largely being the preserve of hardcore adventurers to an entirely obtainable dream for climbers from across the globe The 51-year-old said thrill-seekers could explore lesser-known peaks in Everest’s shadow in order to achieve a mountaineering “first” – something which would help relieve traffic along the route to Everest’s summit. “Queuing is a problem. I can’t believe I am saying that,” she said. “You have people queuing for the Hillary Step. It’s not like queuing for a bus, it’s very cold. “To me the idea of hanging around for more than five minutes is not an attractive one. That is a danger in itself.” When Stephens wrote her name into the record books in 1993, hers was one of few expeditions to the summit. On the day itself, she was able to plant fresh footprints in unbroken fresh snow, with a brief stay at the very top before surrendering to the harsh conditions and heading back down. The decision to leave the summit after five minutes was, she said, an easy one. Stephens, who went on to become the first British woman to climb the highest mountain in each of the world’s seven continents, has returned to Everest twice since her feat. She now spends her time skiing and trekking in locations around the world, and is introducing daughters Anna, 10, and Katerina, six, to the natural environment. But the mountain still holds a place in her heart. “Once something has been climbed, it opens doors for other people who build up strategies over time and so it becomes easier,” she said. “That doesn’t stop it being the highest mountain in the world, and I think it will always hold that magic.” (PA) 20 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Entertainment TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Entertainment Sixth action instalment races past comedy sequel to lead US and Canadian film charts Fast & Furious tops Hangover 3 in big-budget box- office battle Lisa Richwine and Chris Michaud The speed demons of Fast & Furious 6 raced ahead of the hard-partying Hangover gang in a battle between two male-oriented movie franchises, setting up the car chase sequel for a big holiday weekend win at US and Canadian box offices. Fast & Furious 6 rang up an estimated $98.5 million in domestic ticket sales from Friday through Sunday and was speeding towards $122.5 million by the end of yesterday’s US Memorial Day holiday, distributor Universal Pictures projected. Comedy sequel The Hangover Part 3 brought in $42.4 million from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates, and was likely to finish with $64 million through yesterday, after a Thursday opening. The new movie built a massive online fan base with more than 34 million likes on Facebook. It cost $160 million to produce Last weekend’s box-office leader, sci-fi sequel Star Trek Into Darkness, fell to third place with $38 million through Sunday and was headed towards $48 million through yesterday. The movies charged up the North American box office, putting ticket sales on pace for a Memorial Day weekend record. Receipts for all films could reach $323 million through yesterday, according to Hollywood.com, shattering the 2011 record of $276.3 million. “A perfect storm of hits led to this incredible weekend with going out to the movies proving itself to be the first choice for outside-of-the-home entertainment,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Hollywood.com’s box office division. The sixth instalment of Fast & Furious blew past pre-weekend forecasts for $80 million in domestic sales over four days by nearly 50 per cent. The five previous films grossed $1.6 billion combined. Vin Diesel is back in the heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping sixth edition of the Fast & Furious franchise. Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster on the run in Fast & Furious 6. The escapades of Bradley Cooper (left), Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms (right) return them to Vegas, where it all began, in The Hangover Part 3. Set in London, the new film stars Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, a now-retired professional criminal who reunites his crew with US Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs, played by Dwayne Johnson. The group works to take down a criminal outfit of mercenary drivers scattered across 12 countries. The new movie built a massive online fan base with more than 34 million “likes” on Facebook. It cost $160 million to produce. “To do this again, and have critics rave which is so unusual for this type of film... that’s unbelievable,” said Nikki Rocco, president for domestic distribution at Universal Studios, a unit of Comcast Corp. “And it’s really extraordinary that 49 per cent of the audience is female. Older females really love the film,” she noted, adding that its appeal is “very broad and very diverse”. Fast & Furious 6 added $177 million in international markets, bringing global sales through Sunday to $275.5 million, Universal said. With the franchise showing no signs of slowing, Universal has already announced the Fast & Furious 7 release for July 2014. The Hangover Part 3, meanwhile, brings the hard-partying saga to a close. The third movie takes friends played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis back to Las Vegas for a new round of escapades as they hunt for the elusive and eccentric Mr Chow, played by Ken Jeong. The third instalment looked likely to miss forecasts for sales of at least $70 million including Thursday sales of $11.8 million. Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment produced Hangover Part 3 for $103 million, according to the Box Office Mojo website. Dan Fellman, president of theatrical distribution for Warner Bros, said that while the film “underperformed just a little bit,” the big weekend numbers all around were a good sign, and Hangover 3 was the second-largest opening ever for an R-rated film with $64 million projected through yesterday. “The market expanded enormously this weekend,” Fellman noted, “so we expect we’ll be getting some of the Fast & Furious fans in the next week.” The weekend’s other new nationwide release, animated family film Epic, landed in fourth place with $34.2 million through Sunday and an estimated $44 million through yesterday. Epic, released by News Corp’s 20th Century Fox studio, tells the story of a teenage girl who discovers a battle between good and evil taking place deep in the forest. Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson and Beyonce provide voices for the characters. The 3D movie, which cost $93 million to produce, is the first new family film to reach theatres since The Croods debuted on March 22. Third-place film Star Trek Into Darkness dropped 46 per cent from its debut a week earlier. Global sales through Sunday neared $260 million, according to distributor Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. In fifth place, blockbuster superhero movie Iron Man 3 from Walt Disney Co’s Marvel Studios earned $19.4 million through Sunday. Its cumulative global sales topped $1.1 billion, Disney said, the fifth-highest total of all time. (Reuters) 21 23 esday, May 28, 2013 director Abdellatif Kechiche, wins Palme d’Or in a watershed year for gay rights ps top prize at Cannes behalf of actor Laetitia Casta. Director Abdellatif Kechiche with actresses Lea Seydoux (left) and Adele Exarchopoulos after he received the Palme d’Or for the film La Vie D’Adele (Blue is the Warmest Colour) at the closing ceremony of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. Jury member actress Nicole Kidman arrives on stage during the closing ceremony. The main prizewinners Palme d’Or: La Vie d’Adele Chapitre 1 & 2 (Blue is the Warmest Colour), Abdellatif Kechiche (France) Grand Prix : Inside Llewyn Davis, Ethan and Joel Coen (US) Jury Prize: Soshite Chichi Ni Naru (Like Father, Like Son), Kore-Eda Hirokazu (Japan) Camera d’Or : Ilo Ilo, Anthony Chen (Singapore) Best director: Heli, Amat Escalante (Mexico) Best screenplay: Tian Zhu Ding (A Touch of Sin), Jia Zhangke (China) Best actress: Berenice Bejo in Le Passe (The Past) (France) Best actor: Bruce Dern in Nebraska (US) Short film: Safe , Moon Byoung-Gon (South Korea) 22 TIMES OF MALTA | Tue International A sexually graphic love story, La Vie d’Adele - Chapitre 1 & 2 by French-Tunisian d Lesbian romance scoo Belinda Goldsmith and Alexandria Sage An intimate lesbian love story by French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche won the top prize at Cannes on Sunday, and the film festival’s director immediately urged the large crowds protesting against gay marriage in Paris to go and see it. La Vie d’Adele - Chapitre 1 & 2 (Blue is the Warmest Colour) was chosen from a field of 20 films exploring sex, violence and emotional anguish that were vying for the Palme d’Or, one of the most coveted film awards after the Oscars. Critics picked the three-hour film as a possible winner at the 66th Cannes festival, but wondered if its explicit lesbian sex scenes – one lasting up to 10 minutes – would deter the jury deciding the awards led by US filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In an unusual move, Spielberg said the award would be shared between Kechiche and his two lead actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux as they were central to the film’s success. Actress Uma Thurman poses during a photocall after the closing ceremony. “I think it will get a lot of play... I think this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message,” Spielberg told journalists. “It was the perfect choice between those two actresses and this incredible very sensitive and observant film-maker.” Spielberg said he supported same-sex marriage, but downplayed any suggestion the award was to promote this cause. Festival director Thierry Fremaux said the film was timely, as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators marched in Paris on Sunday to protest France’s recent legalisation of same-sex marriage. “Everyone who is against samesex marriage or love between two people of the same sex must see the film,” he told Reuters. Kechiche, a Tunisia-born actor who made his directorial debut in 2000, was virtually speechless as he accepted the award, which he dedicated to the youth of France and Tunisia who, during the Arab Spring, “wanted only to live, speak and love freely”. La Vie d’Adele is an emotional tale of love and sexuality centred on 15-year-old Adele (Exarchopoulos) and her lover Emma (Seydoux) that follows the course of their tumultuous relationship. Critics had also considered as a forerunner Inside Llewyn Davis about a struggling New York folk singer by the American Coen brothers Ethan and Joel, which was named as runner-up. The third prize went to Japanese director Kore-Eda Hirokazu for the baby-swapping drama Soshite Chichi Ni Naru (Like Father, Like Son) while the best director award went to Mexico’s Amat Escalante for his brutal look at Mexico’s drug war, Heli. American Bruce Dern, 76, won a best actor award in Alexander Payne’s road trip film Nebraska, beating Michael Douglas, who was widely praised for his performance as flamboyant pianist Liberace in Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra. French actress Berenice Bejo (The Artist) won the best actress award in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s tense domestic drama Le Passe (The Past). Director Alexander Payne receives the Best Actor award on b Bruce Dern for his role in the film Nebraska, from actress L Everyone who is against same-sex marriage or love between two people of the same sex must see La Vie d’Adele, an emotional tale of love and sexuality Before the ceremony, stars including Kim Novak and Laetitia Casta signed autographs and posed for photographers on the red carpet in blazing sunshine, a contrast to the festival’s opening ceremony on May 15 when umbrellas took over in the rain. The awards ended the 2013 edition of the world’s largest film festival, where up to 40,000 film professionals also bought and sold titles on the bustling marketplace hidden away from the glitzy promotional circuit of parties and stunts. (Reuters) Director Anthony Chen poses with his Camera d’Or award for the film Ilo Ilo. 24 TIMES OF MALTA I Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Pursuits Cryptic Crossword Easy Crossword 1 8 2 3 4 5 9 ACROSS 14 15 18 16 17 19 21 22 23 24 27 1 3. Jumped when taking PT on the meadow (5) 8. Food for a dog going by railway (5) 10. Made one’s views known to a top communist (5) 11. Man of imagination (3) 12. Fish a stream at Birkenhead (5) 13. Head of finance (7) 15. Games of the greatest status (5) 18. Sarah from Salford (3) 19. New loader on trial (6) 21. What the barber will get if you nick his razor? (7) 22. All rounders in track athletics? (4) 23. Does it grow infernally? (4) 24. Remains to be seen as something educational (7) 26. Quick look round for a mouthpiece (6) 29. See Mr Gore’s resemblance to president Coolidge (3) 31. Return from Ragusa with something sweet (5) 32. A rewarding burden (7) 34. In breaking a leg, maybe, make a name (5) 35. Much reduced fare (3) 36. An under-nine play group (5) 37. One’s wartime girlfriend? (5) 38. Smallest article enclosed just in case (5) 12 13 26 7 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 20 6 25 28 31 29 30 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 ACROSS DOWN 3. Inexpensive (5) 8. Strength (5) 10. Musical instrument (5) 11. Boy’s name (3) 12. Fish (5) 13. Lacking taste (7) 15. Wed (5) 18. Fastening device (3) 19. Expunge (6) 21. Say in passing (7) 22. At that time (4) 23. Charity donations (4) 24. Eyes, slang (7) 26. Makes amends (6) 29. Trilby, say (3) 31. Spanish man (5) 32. Pathetic (7) 34. Italian city (5). 35. Transgression (3) 36. Flying toys (5) 37. Sudden fear (5) 38. Decease (5) 1. Becomes a member (5) 2. Inhabitant (7) 4. Difficult (4) 5. Insight (6) 6. Flower part (5) 7. Watchful (5) 9. Used to be (3) 12. Walks softly (7) 14. Narrow brooch (3) 16. Spools (5) 17. Raising agent (5) 19. Marine mammal (7) 20. Book of maps (5) 21. Fruit (5) 23. Craftsman (7) 24. Study (6) 25. Partake of food (3) 27. Lukewarm (5) 28. Distinguished (5) 30. Surcoat (5) 32. Liquid measure (4) 33. Flipper (3) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 25 28 29 31 32 DOWN: 2. Rotter 3. Scaled 4. Tat 5. Rivet 6. Falters 7. Ales 8. Answer 12. Femur 13. Laden 14. Vital 15. Sedan 16. Aster 18. Onset 19. Because 21. Rising 22. Traces 23. Medusa 25. Lucre 26. Goat 28. OBE. Wizard of Id 9 7 2 5 1 8 4 6 3 33 35 36 37 38 9. A burglar beating it would be a blow (3) 12. Rubbish obtained by going out unaccompanied? (7) 14. Black salt? (3) 16. Disunite with some perseverance (5) 17. Go furtively forming links (5) 19. Kind of glass used for measuring drinks? (7) 20. Clearly it may be the “19 Down” type (5) 21. Shoot the pedant to the bottom of the class! (5) 1. Moon’s associate space-probe at the centre of the earth! (5) 2. Studio workers in dire straits? (7) 4. A noble forename (4) 5. To get a mate shot is mean (6) 6. Covered with slabs (5) 7. She’ll make a home for one (5) 23. Be deceived by a person’s charms? (4,3) 24. Tripe’s processed by an elflike creature (6) 25. Any upset can be discouraging (3) 27. Move like a drunken churl (5) 28. Flat area involved in games? (5) 30. It’s tough, making a hash outright! (5) 32. As used in writing pointed articles? (4) 33. Initially a senior citizen (3) Quote Cryptic 3 4 1 7 9 6 2 5 8 30 34 DOWN Easy 6 5 8 4 3 2 9 1 7 17 19 Yesterday’s solutions ACROSS: 1. Trust 6. Fatal 9. Capital 10. Stoat 11. Least 12. Feats 13. Leveret 15. Sea 17. Arid 18. Orders 19. Burns 20. Eraser 22. Tame 24. Nil 25. Learner 26. Gamut 27. Bijou 28. Occur 29. Ascribe 30. Agate 31. Essay. 16 1 8 4 3 2 7 5 9 6 2 9 3 6 4 5 7 8 1 5 6 7 9 8 1 3 2 4 8 3 5 2 6 4 1 7 9 4 2 6 1 7 9 8 3 5 7 1 9 8 5 3 6 4 2 ACROSS: 1. Twist 6. Po-O-ch 9. Pontoon 10. Usury 11. Pu-lls 12. Trips 13. Penni-es 15. DIM 17. Exit 18. De-vice 19. H-O-urs 20. Ch-Op.-in 22. Son-G 24. Hen 25. Man-a-tee 26. Denim 27. Radio 28. Pa’s-ta 29. Lucifer 30. Idols 31. Pa-RR-y. DOWN: 2. W-Essex 3. Sprint 4. Toy 5. Stirs 6. Pop-pies 7. O-nus 8. Celtic 12. Ten-on 13. Perch 14. Nix-on 15. Divot 16. Merge 18. Dream 19. Hide-ou-s 21. Hera-L-d 22. S-ah-ara 23. Nectar 25. Mini-m 26. D-ill 28. PEP. W E D L O C K Q A S P R O U T S A S U R G E R Y A C L A I P V I E I N T E L N F E S T A B I L I U J O Y E D U F A R E P G E N T S I I I I N A C N T A S K X I C M P A A N L – Said by English author Ian Fleming. Best known for his James Bond series, Fleming was born on May 28, 1908. A E S H M E N T S Q U O F L S L R X I L L H E X A M O R A C V E N D E O I W E H I M L E N B A U A O S T R “Men want a woman whom they can turn on and off like a light switch.” E D N E N Z Y M E S Today in History 1987: A German teenager evaded the entire Soviet air defence system when he landed his light Cessna plane in Moscow’s Red Square. Reflection “He ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness.” Acts 10:42 Word Power What does ‘harmattan’ mean? a. Dry, dusty wind b. Medieval armoury c. Storm chaser d. Budding actor Yesterday’s solution The word ‘harlot’ refers to a promiscuous person. TIMES OF MALTA 25 I Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Codebreaker Weather Forecast Powered by 9 15 3 9 18 15 11 13 16 16 12 13 15 5 22 12 14 25 15 12 25 4 3 24 2 19 26 15 18 21 22 2 15 12 1 18 11 25 16 3 18 25 5 4 18 1 17 11 17 5 9 22 11 12 2 13 13 11 20 23 15 12 14 3 12 18 13 15 25 1 6 12 11 3 11 18 16 15 22 22 23 11 18 1 19 18 12 18 10 2 15 3 9 18 3 16 11 12 5 13 1 15 18 7 18 1 13 16 18 15 25 10 16 18 22 18 18 16 MAXIMUM MINIMUM WIND UV INDEX 24˚C 18˚C E F5 TO 6 BEC NW F4 TO 5 9 18 18 1 3 ## 18 8 General Situation: A depression over southern Tunisia is moving northeastwards towards the southern Ionian Sea. Weather: Partly to rather cloudy at dawn and in the evening, becoming partly cloudy with sunny periods during the day. Visibility: Generally good. Wind: Rather strong to strong east northeast, becoming moderate to rather strong and backing northwest. Sea:Rough. Swell: Low south southeast becoming moderate east southeast. Sea temperature: 19˚C. 17 22 15 7 16 1 1 18 24 5 11 25 16 PARTLY CLOUDY L 22 19 11 3 U 13 25 2 3 TODAY’S OUTLOOK 22 15 18 15 13 9 2 15 12 18 D 20 22 15 13 13 15 13 22 19 18 8 25 NOON TEMPERATURES ABROAD A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Sudoku 4 Algiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 cloudy Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . 17 sunny Athens . . . . . . . 25 partly cloudy Barcelona. . . . . 19 partly cloudy Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 cloudy Brussels. . . . . . . 16 partly cloudy Cairo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 sunny Copenhagen . . . . . . . . 18 cloudy Dublin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 cloudy Frankfurt . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 cloudy Istanbul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 sunny Lisbon . . . . . . . . 18 partly cloudy London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 sunny Madrid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 sunny Milan . . . . . . . . . 19 partly cloudy Moscow . . . . . . . . . . . 17 showers Munich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 cloudy Paris . . . . . . . . . . 17 partly cloudy Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 cloudy Stockholm. . . . . . . . . . . 18 cloudy St Petersburg . . . . . . . . . . 23 cloudy Tel Aviv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 sunny Tripoli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 sunny Tunis . . . . . . . . . 29 partly cloudy Vienna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 cloudy Zurich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 sunny 5-DAY FORECAST WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY PARTLY CLOUDY PARTLY CLOUDY FAIR PARTLY CLOUDY PARTLY CLOUDY Easy 9 7 8 3 4 5 3 1 6 3 1 8 6 5 3 9 2 TUESDAY Medium 2 6 3 8 Hard 7 7 2 HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH 24˚C 24˚C 24˚C 23˚C 23˚C LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW 18˚C 17˚C 17˚C 17˚C 16˚C NNW F3 TO 4 BEC F4 TO 5 NW F4 TO 5 BEC WNW WNW F4 TO 5 E F5 TO 6 WNW F5 TO 6 BEC NW F4 TO 5 BEC NW F3 TO 4 UV INDEX 9 4 1 8 UV INDEX 10 UV INDEX 10 UV INDEX 10 UV INDEX 10 LUQA OBSERVATIONS YESTERDAY 7 Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9 © websudoko.com Mean sea level pressure: 1016.8 hPa. Wind: NE’E 09 kt. Relative humidity: 53%. Clouds: Nil. Visibility: 25km. Maximum shade temperature during day: 23˚C. Minimum during previous night: 15˚C. Average sea temperature around Malta: 19˚C. Hours of bright sunshine: 11.5. Rainfall up till noon yesterday: Nil. Rainfall since September 1: 427.7mm. Sunrise: 5.50am. Sunset: 8.08pm. www.maltairport.com/weather Half a century ago, The Times of Malta A century ago, Daily Malta Chronicle Tuesday, May 28, 1963 Wednesday, May 28, 1913 Sandys to visit Malta The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr Duncan Sandys, will visit Malta during the Whitsun parliamentary recess. He will have talks with the Prime Minister. He will visit the dockyard and will see some of Malta’s industrial projects. Fr Crispin of Gozo The funeral of Fr Crispin of Gozo, Provincial of the Maltese Capuchins, took place from the Capuchin Friary at Floriana to Lascaris Wharf, where the coffin left by sea for Gozo for interment in the crypt of the Capuchin Friary at Victoria. A requiem Mass praesente cadavere was said at Floriana by Fr Fortunatus, after which His Grace the Archbishop (Mgr Fonzi), blessed the open coffin. The funeral cortege began its slow progress down Capuchins Street and Crucifix Hill to Lascaris Wharf. People gathered in the streets of Floriana as the long column of brown-clad monks approached the wharf, where a motor launch lay berthed in readiness for the trip to Gozo. At Mġarr, the coffin was carried in a horse-drawn hearse to Victoria, Fr Crispin’s birthplace and final resting place. Marine engineering Mr R. Muscat, formerly of Żabbar, who pursued his technical studies in the class of marine engineering attached to the lyceum and at the railway workshops, won the Government exhibition of his course, obtained after undergoing the usual preliminaries of the Board of Trade First-Class Engineers Certificate. Mr Muscat, on leaving Malta, proceeded to the celebrated firm of Messrs Hawthorne Leslie & Coy Newcastle, where he gained further practice after which he went to sea and in due time passed his examinations. He was appointed chief engineer on board one of the ships belonging to Elder, Dempster and Coy, African Line. This is yet another instance of a young man taking advantage of an opportunity that came his way. 26 TIMES OF MALTA | Travel Tuesday, May 28, 2013 TIMES OF MALTA | 27 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Travel Nature’s own gala performance can be witnessed above the Arctic Circle in summer The midnight sun never sets in Norway BSL Norway enjoys a special light during summer, as it never goes dark. Then there is the midnight sun, observed anywhere above the Arctic Circle, which features high on the list of travellers to Norway who wish to experience 24 hours of sunlight. At the Arctic Circle in the county of Nordland, the midnight sun can be seen from June 12 to July 1; at North Cape it can be seen between May 14 to July 29; and at the North Pole the sun does not set for six months. In winter the northernmost parts of Norway tempt travellers with the Northern Lights but during the summer months the midnight sun is a unique nature experience you don’t want to miss, says the director of tourism in Norway, Per-Arne Tuftin. Britannia Tours 4 Full Days 15-20 July, 29 July - 3 August, 12 -17 August, 26-31 August 5 Full Days 5-11 July, 19-25 July, 2-8 August, 16-22 August, 30 August - 5 September 5 Full Days 10-16 July, 24-30 July, 7-13 August, 21-27 August, 4-10 September FROM ¢489 FROM ¢529 FROM ¢529 All prices are based on Triple Sharing and include Flights, Hotel, Transfers, Services of Tour Leader, Spiritual Director and all Taxes (Terms and Conditions apply) Valletta - Head Office - Tel: 2123 8039, 2124 5418, 2124 1904 Paola Branch - Tel: 2180 9930 Mosta Branch - Tel: 2141 3030 Gozo Branch - Rabat Tel: 2156 5620 North Cape is by many considered the best place in Norway to watch the midnight sun. As continental Europe’s northernmost point, at latitude 71°10°21°, North Cape is a special place – as well as one offering many good photo opportunities. Hammerfest, ‘the world’s northernmost town’, and Tromsø are good alternatives for those preferring a more ‘urban’ setting. Many take the opportunity to hike under the midnight sun. The unique light lends the mountains a magical glow late in the evening or early in the morning – perfect for those seeking solitude. The fish bite best at night, according to local lore. So fishing under the midnight sun is not just a great way to take in the special light, it is most definitely a good time to catch fish too. Panorama of Tromsø. The famous North Cape at midnight. Dtkvcppkc"Vqwtu TJKPG"ETWKUG $36*4&4 DU N QP"OU"TJKPG" RTKPEGUU BSL Britannia Tours … your holiday starts here! Fktgev"hnkijvu"vq"Dtwuugnu Xkukvkpi<"Ctpjgo"*Pgvjgtncpfu+." Fwuugnfqth"*Igtocp{+."Dqpp." Cpfgtpcem."Ecejgo."Mqdngp|." Eqnqipg"cpf"Twfgujgko ̈;;; R0R0"VYKP"ECDKP 5-7 July, 19-21 July, 2-4 August, 16-18 August, 30 August 1 September, 13-15 September, 27-29 September 34/3;"Lwn{."52"Cwiwuv"/"8"Ugrvgodgt PQTUG"NGIGPFU"HLQTFU LAGO DI GARDA - NORTHERN ITALY 3"pkijv"kp"Couvgtfco"cpf"9"pkijv"etwkug" qp"OU"Gwtqfco"d{"Jqnncpf"Cogtkec Xkukvkpi<"Couvgtfco."Hnco." Dgtigp."Gkfhlqtf."Jctfcpigthlqtf." Uvcxcpigt"cpf"N{ughlqtf ̈36KP";EC;DKP -"6"FC[U"KP" ECPCFKCP"TQEMKGU 5"pkijvu"kp"Xcpeqwxgt"cpf"9"pkijvu"etwkug" qp"Egpvwt{"d{"Egngdtkv{"Etwkugu Xkukvkpi<"Xcpeqwxgt."Ke{"Uvtckv." Jwddctf"Incekgt."Lwpgcw." Mgvejkmcp."Ecpcfkcp"Tqemkgu :/45"Cwiwuv 15-22 July, 22-29 July, 29 July - 5 August, 5-12 August, 12-19 August, 19-26 August, 26 August - 2 September, 2-9 September, 9-16 September, 16-23 September R0R0"VY 9/37"Cwiwuv CNCUMC Visiting Garda, Canevaworld Resort, Venice, Gardaland, Sirmione, Bardolino, Parco Natura Viva, Madonna di Campiglio, Nardis Waterfalls, Riva del Garda, Limone, Malcesine and Verona HTQO HTQO ̈4:KP"3EC7DKP R0R0"VY VERDI’S MASTERPIECES AIDA AND NABUCCO Rtkegu" kpenwfg"hnkijvu." ceeqooqfcvkqp" *cu"uvcvgf+"etwkug"hwnn" dqctf."cnn"vczgu"cpf" itqwr"ngcfgt Xcnngvvc"/"Jgcf"Qhhkeg"/"Vgn<"4345":25;."4346"763:."4346"3;26 Rcqnc"Dtcpej"/"Vgn<"43:2";;52""Oquvc"Dtcpej"/"Vgn<"4363"5252"" Iq|q"Dtcpej"/"Tcdcv"Vgn<"4378"7842 ITALIAN DOLOMITES & ITS FLAVOURS CATANIA WEEKEND PACKAGES HTQO Visiting Garda, Riva del Garda, Limone, Malcesine, Venice, Dolomites, Sirmione, Lazise, Verona, Mantova and Bardolino FROM 5-12 August ¢499 FROM ¢449 PLUS A TOUCH OF AUSTRIA Visiting Trento, Venice, Innsbruck, Gardaland, Bolzano, Merano, Limone, Malcesine, Canazei, Ortisei, Lago Di Carezzo and Bardolino FROM ¢173 8-15 July, 22-29 July, 29 July - 5 August, 5-12 August, 12-19 August, 26 August - 2 September, 2-9 September, 9-16 September, 16-23 September SORRENTO, CAPRI & AMALFI FROM HOLIDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE PLUS A TOUCH OF SWITZERLAND & FRANCE Visiting Courmayeur, Aosta, Annecy, Turin, Superga, Chillon Castle, Montreaux, Gruyeres, Chambery, Chamonix and Mer de Glasse 24-31 August, 7-14 September Visiting Rome, Assisi, Naples and Tivoli ¢463 ITALIAN ALPS & VALLE D’AOSTA FROM ¢499 ¢399 ROME, Visiting Sorrento, Capri, Naples, Ischia, the Amalfi Coast, Caserta, Pompeii and Montecassino 5-12 August, 19-26 August FROM 29 July - 5 August, 12-19 August FROM ¢463 RIMINI & NORTHERN ITALY Visiting Rimini, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara, Comacchio, Riccione, Parma, San Marino and Cesena 26 August - 2 September, 2-9 September FROM ¢399 TOSCANA & LE CINQUE TERRE Visiting Montecatini, Florence, Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Lucca 5-12 August, 12-19 August, 2-9 September, 9-16 September FROM ¢489 BELLA ITALIA SCENIC ITALY & SWITZERLAND Visiting Siena, Montecatini, Firenze, Pisa, Padova, Venezia, Sirmione, Lago di Garda, Verona, Bologna, San Marino, Forli Cesena, Assisi, Rome, the Vatican and Tivoli Visiting Milan, Arona, Zermatt-Materrhorn, Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno, Cannobio, Orta, Como, Menaggio, Macugnaga, Monte Rosa, Stresa and Lago Maggiore FROM 15-24 July ¢499 13-20 July, 3-10 August, 31 August - 7 September, 14-21 September All prices are based on Triple Sharing and include Flights, Hotel, Transfers, Services of Tour Leader and all Taxes (Terms and Conditions apply) Valletta - Head Office - Tel: 2123 8039, 2124 5418, 2124 1904 Paola Branch - Tel: 2180 9930 Mosta Branch - Tel: 2141 3030 Gozo Branch - Rabat Tel: 2156 5620 FROM ¢499 28 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Television & Radio LOCAL TVM MELITA 101; GO TV 101 07:00 TVAM09:00TV Hemm(rpt) 10:20Ancient World 11:25Great Crimes and Trials12:00 News 12:10 TVPM 14:00 News 16:00 News 16:30 Żona 17:30Teleshopping 18:00 News for the hearing impaired/News in brief 18:25 Crosscraft Shop 18:40TV Hemm 20:00 News 20:40 F’salib it-toroq 21:45 Merlin 22:45 Green Green Grass 23:15 News TVM 2 MELITA 104; GO TV 104 07:00 News 09:00 TVAM (rpt) 11:00 Tiġrijiet biss 11:30 Gadgets 12:00 Madwarna 12:15 Wirt, arti u kultura 12:45 Great Crimes and Trials 13:15 Extraordinary Women 14:15 Human Mind15:00 Tiġrijiet biss 15:30Great Crimes and Trials16:00 Adolf Hitler 16:50Dot EU 17:25 Story of India18:30 Leli ta’Ħaż-Żgħir 19:00Tiġrijiet biss 19:30News for the hearing impaired 19:40 Human Mind 20:30 News in English 20:45 Bondi + 21:45 Paq Paq 22:30 Games of the Small States of Europe NET MELITA 102; GO TV 102 07:00 News08:30Teleshopping 10:00Strada Rjali 12:00 News 12:05.Net 13:00 News 14:00 News 14:05 Vitalità 15:00 News 15:20 Teleshopping 15:40 X’fattart 16:35 Teleshopping 16:55 Malta llejla 17:00News18:00 News 19.00Bozza tal-mija 19:30Lift 19:45 News 20:30 L’istampa kollha 21:30 News 21:35 Miss World Malta 22:30Trott u galopp 23:00 News ONE MELITA 103; GO TV 103 07:00 BreakfastNews 09:00Siegħa żmien 10:00Teleshopping 11:00Aroma Mattina 12:30 Teleshopping 12:45 Kalamita 13:30 News 16:20 Lovebirds 17:30 News 17:40 Żona Sport 18:10 Teleshopping18:25 Ħajja19:30 News 20:15Ir-Rangers 20:30 Il-klikka 21:45Kif inti? 23:15 News SMASH TV MELITA 105; GO TV 105 08:00 Erġa’ lura 09:00 Ħabbejtek 10:00 Fil-kċina ma’ Farah 10:50VSN Teleshopping 13:10 A toZ Teleshopping 14:30Music 16:10Fil-kċina ma’Farah 17:10Eġa’lura 18:15Bingo 18:40 Teleshopping 19:00 News 19:30 Documentary 20:30 Forum 21:40 Music 22:00 News FAVOURITE CHANNEL PICK OF THE DAY The Brave One David Kirmani (Naveen Andrews), a medical professional, lives in an apartment with his partner, Erica Bain (Jodie Foster), a radio host and his dog. Every day, they take the dog out for a stroll in nearby Central Park. One day they let the dog run without a leash, and when he does not return or respond to their calls, they frantically search for him. They eventually find him being held by three men who want a reward. When David refuses, they start to molest Erica and David intervenes. Two of the men assault the couple, while the third uses a camcorder to film this incident. Erica is knocked unconscious, and regains her senses several days later in a hospital. She is told the shocking news that David was killed and the dog is missing. MELITA 108; GO TV 106 RETE 4, 21:10 08:00 Stenbaħ 10:00Teleshopping 11:15 7F11:45 Reporter 12:00 Kont taf? 12:15 News 12:30 Niskata 15:00 Teleshopping 15:30 TV Shop 16:30 ECO (rpt) 17:30 Ħin għal kollox 18:15 News 19:45 Reporter 20:00 Kont taf? 20:15 News 21:00 Boost 23:15 News ITALIAN CALYPSO MUSIC TV MELITA 114; GO TV 107 09:00 Love & Romance 10:00 Tele Market Deals 12:00 Rock around the Click 13:00 The 60s & 70s 13:30 The 80s 14:00 The 90s 14:30 The 00s 15:00 Love and Romance 16:00 The 80s 16:30 I Grandi Successi 17:30 The Local Angle 18:00 Total Request Show 20:00The 60s & 70s 20:30 Music Documentary 21:30The Local Angle RAIUNO RETE 4 MELITA 150; GO TV 201 MELITA 153; GO TV 206 06:45 Unomattina 12:00 La prova del cuoco 13:30 Tg1 14:00 Tg1 Economia 14:10 Verdetto finale 15:15 La vita in diretta 18:50 L’eredità 20:00 Tg1 20:30 Affari tuoi 21:10 Partita del cuore 23:35 Porta a Porta 01:00 Tg1 07:45 Miami Vice 08:40 Hunter 09:50 Carabinieri 10:50 Ricette all’ Italiana 11:30 Tg4 12:00 Diagnosis Murder 12:55Murder She Wrote 14:00 Tg4 14:45 Lo sportello di Forum 15:30 Hamburg distretto 21 16:45 Film: Tribute To a Bad Man 18:55 Tg4 19:35 Tempesta d’amore 20:30 Quinta colonna 21:10 Film: The Brave One 00:00 Film: Taking Lives 02:00 Tg4 RAIDUE MELITA 151; GO TV 202 LA 5 07:45 Cartoon Flakes 08:35 Le sorelle McLeod 10:00 Tg2 Insieme 12:00 I fatti vostri 13:00 Tg2 Giorno 13:30 Tg2 Costume e società 13:50 Medicina 33 14:00 Detto fatto 16:10 Without a Trace 17:45 Tg2 Flash/Sport 18:15 Tg2 18:45 Cold Case 19:35 Squadra Speciale Cobra 11 20:30 Tg2 21:05 NCIS 23:25 Tg2 23:40 Aggratis! 01:00 Tg Parlamento RAITRE MELITA 152; GO TV 203 THE HANGOVER PART II ITALIA 1, 21:10 Two years after the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. After what happened in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch. However, things don’t always go as planned. MELITA 162; GO TV 209 07:45 Centovetrine 08:10 Vivere 09:30 Centoventrine 10:20 The Bold and the Beautiful 10:50 Tempesta d’amore 11:45 The Bold and the Beautiful 12:10 Centovetrine 12:40 Extreme Makeover 13:40 Che trucco! 14:00 Vite in Apnea 14:25 Gossip Girl 15:20 The O.C. 16:10 Samantha Who? 16:35 Extreme Makeover 17:20 Vite in Apnea 17:40 Che trucco! 18:20 Amici di Maria 19:30 Gossip Girl 20:25 Dr House MD 21:10 Vieni a vivere con me 22:10 Cambio casa, cambio vita 23:05 Il meglio di me 00:15 Amici di Maria 07:00 Buongiorno Italia 08:00 Agorà 10:00 La storia siamo noi 10:50 Codice e barre 11:30 Buongiorno Elisir 12:00 Tg3 12:45 Le storie – Diario Italiano 13:10 Lena, amore della mia vita 14:00 Tg Regione 14:20 Tg3 14:50 Tgr Leonardo 15:00 Tg3 LIS 15:10 Cycling: Giro d’Italia 18:05 Geo & Geo 19:00 Tg3 Tg Regione 20:00 Blob 20:10 Lia Celi Celi, mio marito! 20:30 Un posto al sole 21:05 Ballarò 23:20 Report cult 00:00 Tg3 CANALE 5 MELITA 154; GO TV 205 08:00 Tg5 08:50 Mattino Cinque 11:00 Forum 13:00 Tg5 13:40 The Bold and the Beautiful 14:10 CentoVetrine 14:45 Uomini e donne 16:05 Amici di Maria16:50 Pomeriggio Cinque 18:50 Money Drop 20:00 Tg5 20:40 Striscia la notizia 21:10 Benvenuti a tavola 2 23:30 Tg5 notte HALL PASS ITALIA 1, 23:15 ITALIA 1 TAKING LIVES RETE 4, 00:00 Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is a special agent with the FBI who has a reputation for using offbeat methods, but also boasts a strong record as a criminal profiler. Scott is called in by a former colleague (Tcheky Karyo) to assist two Canadian police detectives, Paquette (Olivier Martinez) and Duval (JeanHugues Anglade), who are on the trail of a serial killer who takes on the identity of each new victim. MELITA 155; GO TV 204 06:40 Cartoons 08:40 The Gilmore Girls 10:30 E.R. 12:25 Studio aperto/Studio sport 13:40 The Simpsons 14:35 What’s My Destiny Dragon Ball 15:00 Naruto Shippuden V 15:20 Le avventure di Lupin 16:05 Smallville 18:00 The Middle 18:30 Studio aperto/Studio sport 19:20 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:10 Film: The Hangover Part II 23:15 Film: Hall Pass 01:15 Sport Mediaset Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) are best friends who have been married for many years. When the two men begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalising their marriages by granting them a ‘hall pass’, one week of freedom to do whatever they want. But Rick and Fred discover that their expectations of the single life and themselves are completely out of sync with reality. TIMES OF MALTA | 29 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Television & Radio FILMS SPORTS GO STARS SUNDANCE/SUNDANCE HD EUROSPORT GO TV 150 MELITA 314/331 MELITA 600; GO TV 801 07:05 Puss In Boots 08:40 Battleship 10:50 Damages 11:40 Million Dollar Murder 13:05 Fun With Dick & Jane 14:35 Licence To Kill 16:50 Good Morning Vietnam 18:45 Immortals 20:35 Parks & Recreation 21:00 Safe House 22:55 Perfect Sense 00:25 Shadow Dancer 07:00 I Used to be Darker 08:30 I Am Not A Hipster 10:00 Tuya Siempre 12:00 Halley 13:30 Breaking Upwards 15:00 I Used to be Darker 16:30 I Am Not A Hipster 18:00 Later with Jools Holland 19:00 Later with Jools Holland 20:00 Discovering Dali 21:00 Rectify 22:00 For Once In My Life 23:30 The Lost Son of Havana 08:30 The French Open Tennis 09:30 The French Open Tennis 10:30 Game, Set and Mats 11:00 The French Open Tennis – live 21:00 Game, Set and Mats 23:30 World Series by Renault TCM 07:30 Game, Set and Mats 08:00 The French Open Tennis 11:00 The French Open Tennis – live 21:00 The French Open Tennis 23:00 Australian Football Magazine EUROSPORT 2 MELITA 601; GO TV 802 MGM MELITA 312; GO TV 702 MELITA 310; GO TV 701 09:15 A West Side Story: The Film and the Philharmonic 10:05 Bonanza: Under Attack 11:35 The Wilby Conspiracy 13:20 A Star for Two 14:55 The Tenth Man 16:30 The Initiation of Sarah 18:00 Shadows and Fog 19:25 Born to Win 20:55 Big Screen Legends 21:00 Pulp 22:35 Chattahoochee 06:00 Doctor Zhivago 09:05 Cimarron 11:30 Jailhouse Rock 13:05 The Charge of the Light Brigade 15:00 Elvis: That’s the Way It Is 17:00 Three Daring Daughters 19:00 Seven Days in May 21:00 2001: A Space Odyssey 23:15 The Formula SAFE HOUSE GO STARS, 21:00 In this high-tension thriller, Denzel Washington stars as a lethal prisoner who is escorted from a compromised safe house by a CIA Agent (Ryan Reynolds). They must make their way to another safe house in South Africa without being taken out by violent forces that want them both dead. CARTOONS DISNEY CHANNEL JIM JAM MELITA 450; GO TV 400 MELITA 458; GO TV 406 08:55 Jonas 09:15 So Random 09:40 Hannah Montana 10:05 Sonny with a Chance 10:25 Kim Possible 10:50 Shake It Up 11:15 Shake It Up 11:35 Wizards of Waverly Place 12:00 That’s So Raven 12:25 Austin and Ally 12:45 Jessie 13:10 ANT Farm 13:35 The Suite Life on Deck 13:55 So Random 14:15 That’s So Raven 14:35 Good Luck Charlie 14:55 Jessie 15:15 Shake It Up 15:40 Dog with a Blog 16:00 Austin and Ally 16:15 Have a Laugh 16:20 The Suite Life on Deck 16:45 The Suite Life on Deck 17:10 Cory in the House 17:30 WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: ALEX VS ALEX 17:55 Dog with a Blog 18:20 ANT Farm 18:40 Good Luck Charlie 19:00 Have a Laugh 19:05 Jessie 19:25 Shake It Up 08:45 Igloo-Gloo 09:00 Heroes of the City 09:15 Jakers: The Adventures of Piggley Winks 09:40 Benjamin’s Farm 09:45 My Animal Friends 10:00 See The Sea 10:05 Lots & Lots 10:20 Bob the Builder 10:30 Fireman Sam 10:40 Thomas and Friends 10:47 Thomas and Friends 10:55 Baby Antonio’s Circus 11:00 Rubbadubbers 11:10 Pingu 11:15 Tiny Planets 11:20 Pingu 11:25 Tiny Planets 11:30 Monkey See Monkey Do 11:40 Barney and Friends 12:10 Fluffy Gardens 12:17 Fluffy Gardens 12:25 The Mighty Jungle 12:40 Mio Mao 12:45 Mio Mao 12:50 Heroes of the City 13:05 Jakers: The Adventures of Piggley Winks 13:30 Kipper 13:40 Kipper 13:50 Gazoon 13:55 Gazoon 14:00 Wobblyland 14:05 Igloo- Gloo 14:20 Benjamin’s Farm 14:25 My Animal Friends 14:40 See The Sea 14:45 Lots & Lots 15:00 Fluffy Gardens 15:07 Fluffy Gardens 15:15 The Mighty Jungle 15:30 Angelina Ballerina 15:45 Monkey See Monkey Do 15:55 Barney and Friends 16:25 Pingu 16:30 Tiny Planets 16:35 Pingu 16:40 Tiny Planets 16:45 Igloo-Gloo 17:00 Bob the Builder 17:10 Fireman Sam 17:20 Thomas and Friends 17:27 Thomas and Friends 17:35 Tork 17:45 Dougie in Disguise 17:55 Slim Pig 18:05 Heroes of the City 18:20 Jakers: The Adventures of Piggley Winks 18:45 Benjamin’s Farm 18:55 My Animal Friends 19:10 See The Sea 19:15 Lots & Lots 19:30 Monkey See Monkey Do 19:40 Barney and Friends 20:10 Wobblyland 20:15 Dougie in Disguise 20:25 Slim Pig 20:35 Connie the Cow 20:45 Angelina Ballerina NICKELODEON MELITA 452; GO TV 403 08:45 Umizoomis 09:10 Tickety Toc 09:35 Dora the Explorer 10:00 Dora the Explorer 10:25 Little Kingdom 10:35 Olive the Ostrich 10:50 Bubble Guppies 11:15 SpongeBob SquarePants 11:40 T.U.F.F. Puppy 12:05 Fanboy and Chum Chum 12:30 iCarly 12:55 Victorious 13:20 Big Time Rush 13:45 SpongeBob SquarePants 14:10 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness 14:40 The Penguins of Madagascar 15:05 The Penguins of Madagascar 15:30 SpongeBob SquarePants 15:55 SpongeBob SquarePants 16:20 Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures 16:45 Victorious 17:10 Big Time Rush 17:35 iCarly 18:00 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness 18:25 The Penguins of Madagascar LIFESTYLE BBC ENTERTAINMENT MELITA 300; GO TV 302 08:30 My Family 09:00 The Green Green Grass 09:30 The Weakest Link 10:15 EastEnders 10:45 Doctors 11:15 Lark Rise to Candleford 12:05 Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness 12:55 My Family 13:25 Michael Palin’s New Europe 14:15 The Green Green Grass 14:45 EastEnders 15:15 Doctors 15:45 The Weakest Link 16:30 Lark Rise to Candleford 17:20 Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness 18:10 EastEnders 18:40 Doctors 19:15 The Weakest Link 20:00 My Family 20:30 The Royle Family 21:00 Rock and Chips 21:50 As Time Goes By 22:20 Little Britain 22:50 Love Life 23:40 After You’ve Gone News 18:00 Chasing the Saturdays 18:30 Chasing the Saturdays 19:00 Fashion Police 19:30 Married to Jonas 20:00 Kourtney and Kim Take Miami 21:00 Kourtney and Kim Take Miami22:00 Chasing the Saturdays 22:30 Ice Loves Coco 23:00 Chelsea Lately 23:30 E! News FOX GO TV 301 08:50 How I Met Your Mother 09:15 Criminal Minds 10:00 Breakout Kings 10:45 The Simpsons 11:10 Bob’s Burgers 11:35 Rules of Engagement 12:00 Rules of Engagement 12:25 How I Met Your Mother 12:50 How I Met Your Mother 13:15 Beauty and the Beast 14:00 Breakout Kings 14:45 The Simpsons 15:10 Bob’s Burgers 15:35 Rules of Engagement 16:00 Rules of Engagement 16:25 How I Met Your Mother 16:50 How I Met Your Mother 17:15 Criminal Minds 18:00 Breakout Kings 18:50 The Simpsons 19:15 Bob’s Burgers 19:40 Rules of Engagement 20:05 Rules of Engagement 20:30 Beauty and the Beast 21:20 Touch 22:10 Criminal Minds FOX LIFE GO TV 300 ITV GRANADA 08:15 Donna Hay: Fast Fresh Simple 08:40 Desperate Housewives 09:25 MELITA 313 08:55 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 09:55 Kojak 10:55 Quincy, M.E. 11:55 JAG 12:50 ER 13:45 Sherlock Holmes 15:45 Arlecchino Consonante e Colombina Vocale 15:50 Kojak 16:50 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 17:50 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 18:50 JAG 19:50 ER 20:50 Great Women 21:00 Wolff’s Turf 22:00 Wolff’s Turf 23:00 ER GO INTERACTIVE TV 161; GO TV 851 09:00 ATP 250 Series: Open de Nice 13:00 West Brom Albion vs Manchester Utd 15:00 Olympique Lyonnais vs Stade Rennais 17:00 Inter vs Udinese 19:00 Ligue 1 Highlights 20:00 FIFA Futbol Mundial 20:30 RaboDirect Pro12 Final: Ulster vs Leinster 22:30 Liverpool vs Queens Park Rangers 00:30 PGA European Tour: BMW PGA Championship GO SPORTS 7 GO INTERACTIVE TV 157 09:00 PGA European Tour: BMW PGA Championship 13:00 Tottenham H vs Sunderland 15:00 Sampdoria vs Juventus 17:00 Olympique de Marseille vs Stade de Reims 19:00 ATP 250 Series: Open de Nice 23:00 Chelsea vs Everton GO SPORTS 8 GO INTERACTIVE TV 158 09:00 Vincennes Racetrack 11:00 PGA European Tour: BMW PGA Championship 15:00 Tottenham H vs Sunderland 17:00 Sampdoria vs Juventus 19:00 Olympique de Marseille vs Stade de Reims 21:00 ATP 250 Series: Open de Nice MELITA SPORTS 1/HD1 MELITA 701; 710 08:00 Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart 09:55 Augsburg vs VfL Wolfsburg 11:50 FA Cup: Mansfield vs Liverpool 13:55 02:00 America’s Cup: World Series San Francisco 16:00 Alpari World Match Tour 17:55 MPS 2013 IronMan Western Australia 18:50 Volleyball Champions League Magazine The Big Hit 19:20 Augsburg vs VfL Wolfsburg 21:15 European Le Mans Series 2012 Le Castellet 22:20 Alpari World Match Tour France Day 2 MELITA 309; GO TV 305 MELITA SPORTS 2/HD2 08:00 Britain’s Best Dish 09:00 Emmerdale 10:00 Coronation Street 11:00 May the Best House Win 12:00 Endeavour 14:00 The Take 15:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 16:00 Britain’s Best Dish 17:00 Emmerdale 18:00 Coronation Street 19:00 May the Best House Win 20:00 Trial & Retribution 21:00 Trial & Retribution 22:00 Monroe 23:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA DIVA UNIVERSAL MELITA 702; 711 12:00 Alpari World Match Tour France 13:50 01:00 Swedish ATG Horse Racing V4 Race Meetings 14:55 FA Cup: Replay Man Utd vs West Ham 17:00 UIPM Pentathlon Men’s Final 18:05 America’s Cup: World Series San Francisco 20:10 Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart 22:05 Swedish ATG Horse Racing V65 Race Meetings MELITA MORE MALTA STARS MELITA 802 MELITA 614 E! ENTERTAINMENT MELITA 306; GO TV 304 08:45 Khloé and Lamar 09:15 Khloé and Lamar 09:40 E! News 09:55 THS: The Kardashians 10:55 Kourtney and Kim Take Miami 11:50 Ice Loves Coco 12:20 Ice Loves Coco 12:45 E! News 13:00 Ice Loves Coco 13:30 Keeping up with the Kardashians 14:30 Married to Jonas 15:00 Married to Jonas 15:30 THS: Timbaland 16:30 Khloé and Lamar 17:00 E! Bones 10:10 Glee 11:00 Modern Family 11:25 New Girl 11:50 Jane By Design 12:40 Grey’s Anatomy 13:30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 14:20 Desperate Housewives 15:05 Bones 15:50 Glee 16:40 Grey’s Anatomy 17:30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 18:20 Desperate Housewives 19:10 Bones 20:00 Modern Family 20:25 New Girl 20:50 Jane By Design 21:40 Glee 22:30 Modern Family 22:55 New Girl 23:20 Jane By Design 00:10 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 01:00 Desperate Housewives GO SPORTS HD1/GO SPORTS 1 ENLIGHTENED: THE GHOST IS SEEN MELITA MORE, 21:15 In an effort to dig up dirt on Szidon, Amy, Tyler and Dougie take turns trying to befriend the CEO’s assistant, Eileen. Eventually agreeing to join the trio for drinks after work, Eileen takes a shine to Tyler, who ends up with a guilty conscience when the two start dating. 08:00 Films & Stars 08:30 Grey’s Anatomy 09:20 Private Practice 10:10 Criminal Minds 11:00 How I Met Your Mother 11:30 The Mentalist 12:15 Chuck 13:00 Days Of Our Lives 13:45 Enlightened 14:15 Films & Stars 14:30 Supernatural 15:15 Grey’s Anatomy 16:00 Private Practice 16:45 Gossip Girl 17:30 Dallas 18:15 Days Of Our Lives 19:00 Criminal Minds 19:45 Glee 20:30 Suits 21:15 Enlightened 21:45 One Hour Photo 23:35 Person Of Interest 00:20 SMASH 01:10 Suburgatory 08:00 Melita GFA Cup: Final: Nadur vs Kercem 10:30 Malta Handball Association: Pheonix SMS Mondial vs Aloysians 11:45 Malta Basketball Association: Hibs vs Depiro 13:10 MRFU Ray Elliott Cup Final: Kavallieri vs Overseas 14:45 Valletta vs Qormi 16:45 MFA Futsal League: Hibs vs Lija 18:05 Melita GFA Cup: Final: Nadur vs Kercem 20:35 Football Nurseries 21:10 MFA Futsal League: Balzan vs Valletta 22:35 MRFU Ray Elliott Cup Final: Kavallieri vs Overseas NEWS BBC WORLD NEWS CNN EURONEWS SKY NEWS MELITA 200; GO TV 251 MELITA 202; GO TV 253 MELITA 201; GO TV 252 MELITA 203; GO TV 255 30 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Television & Radio MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES MEZZO ANIMAL PLANET MELITA 510 MELITA 405 09:30 Daniele Gatti dirige la Symphonie num. 9 de Mahler à Dijon 11:05 Christoph Eschenbach dirige la Symphonie num 5 de Mahler à Pleyel 12:25 Clips musicaux 13:30 René Jacobs dirige Pergolesi au Festival de Beaune 15:30 Mariss Jansons dirige le Requiem allemand de Brahms 17:00 Sunday in the Park with George de Stephen Sondheim au Châtelet 19:25 Clips musicaux 20:30 Zubin Mehta dirige Fidelio de Beethoven à Valence 22:55 Clips musicaux 07:15 Dogs 101 08:10 Dick ’N’ Dom Go Wild 08:35 Dick ’N’ Dom Go Wild 09:05 Wildwives of Savannah Lane 10:00 Animal Cops Phoenix 10:55 Shamwari: A Wild Life 11:20 Wildlife SOS 11:50 Dolphin Days 12:15 Dolphin Days 12:45 Animal Precinct 13:40 Wildwives of Savannah Lane 14:30 Echo and the Elephants of Amboseli 15:00 The Really Wild Show 15:30 Dogs 101 16:25 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 16:50 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 17:20 Karina: Wild on Safari 17:45 Karina: Wild on Safari 18:15 Escape to Chimp Eden 18:40 Bondi Vet 19:10 Shamwari: A Wild Life 19:35 Echo and the Elephants of Amboseli 20:05 Wildwives of Savannah Lane 21:00 Gator Boys 21:55 The World Wild Vet 22:50 Animal Cops Houston MTV EUROPE MELITA 500; GO TV 601 BIO DRIVEN TO EXTREMES DISCOVERY CHANNEL, 21:00 A-list actors Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and Adrien Brody join forces with Formula 1 star Mika Salo and World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson to take on the most extreme roads in the world in this exciting new series. MELITA 411; GO TV 506 06:00 VH1 Pop up Music Videos 06:20 VH1 Pop up Music Videos 06:45 Storytellers 07:35 Engaged and Underage 08:00 Engaged and Underage 08:25 16 and Pregnant 09:15 Hollywood Heights 10:05 Hollywood Heights 10:55 Teen Mom 11:45 Teen Mom 12:35 Engaged and Underage 13:00 Engaged and Underage 13:25 Friendzone 13:50 Friendzone 14:15 Awkward 14:40 Awkward 15:00 Catfish: The TV Show 15:50 My Super Sweet World Class 16:15 My Super Sweet World Class 16:40 Friendzone 17:05 Friendzone 17:30 Behind the Music 18:20 Teen Cribs 18:25 Teen Cribs 18:50 Teen Cribs 19:40 Awkward 20:05 Awkward 20:30 Catfish: The TV Show 21:20 Jersey Shore 22:10 Geordie Shore 23:00 Underemployed 23:50 Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life HISTORY CHANNEL 06:30 Parking Wars 10:00 Barter Kings 10:30 Barter Kings 11:00 Bio: Rita Hayworth 12:00 Hoarders 13:00 Storage Wars 13:30 Parking Wars 14:00 The Real Housewives Of Miami 15:00 The Real Housewives of New Jersey 16:00 Barter Kings 16:30 Barter Kings 17:00 Hoarders 18:00 Pregnant in Heels 19:00 Storage Wars 19:30 Parking Wars 20:00 Monster In Laws 20:30 Monster In Laws 21:00 Hardcore Pawn 21:30 Hardcore Pawn 22:00 Dance Moms 23:00 A Gypsy Life for Me DISCOVERY CHANNEL MELITA 400; GO TV 501 07:15 American Chopper 08:10 Dirty Jobs 09:05 Deadliest Catch 09:55 Ultimate Survival 10:50 How Do They Do It? 11:15 How It’s Made 11:40 Man Made Marvels Asia 12:35 Overhaulin’ 13:30 Wheeler Dealers 14:25 American Chopper 15:20 Mythbusters 16:15 Dirty Jobs 17:10 Deadliest Catch 18:05 Ultimate Survival 19:00 How It’s Made 19:30 How It’s Made 20:00 Mythbusters: Paper Armour 21:00 Driven to Extremes 22:00 Worlds Strangest 23:00 Freddie Flintoff Versus the World MELITA 412; GO TV 507 09:00 Storage Wars 09:30 Storage Wars Texas 10:00 Mud Men 11:00 American Pickers 12:00 Shipping Wars 12:30 Counting Cars 13:00 American Restoration 13:30 American Restoration 14:00 Pawn Stars 14:30 Pawn Stars 15:00 Storage Wars 15:30 Storage Wars Texas 16:00 American Pickers 17:00 Cajun Pawn Stars 17:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 18:00 Shipping Wars 18:30 Shipping Wars 19:00 Pawn Stars 19:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 20:00 Storage Wars 20:30 Pawn Stars 21:00 Shipping Wars 21:30 Shipping Wars 22:00 Storage Wars Texas 22:30 Storage Wars Texas 23:00 Hoard Hunters NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MELITA 406; GO TV 505 07:00 Dog Whisperer 08:00 Rebuilding Titanic 09:00 Megafactories 10:00 To Catch a Smuggler 11:00 Air Crash Investigation 12:00 Air Crash Investigation 13:00 Doomsday Preppers 14:00 Pricing the Priceless 15:00 America’s Money Vault 16:00 Air Crash Investigation 17:00 Wicked Tuna 18:00 The 80s Greatest 19:00 History’s Secrets 20:00 Breakout: Freedom Fighter Escape 21:00 Wicked Tuna22:00 Fish Tank Kings 23:00 King of Coke TRAVEL CHANNEL MELITA 410; GO TV 353 07:00 Wild Camping 08:00 Departures 09:00 Bert the Conqueror 09:30 Xtreme Waterparks 10:00 Soul Seeker 11:00 Flavours of Colombia 11:30 Flavours of Colombia 12:00 Sophie Grigson in Jordan 12:30 Sophie Grigson in Jordan 13:00 House Hunters International 13:30 House Hunters International 14:00 Inside Luxury Travel 15:00 Globe Trekker 16:00 Soul Seeker 17:00 House Hunters International 17:30 House Hunters International 18:00 Bizarre Foods America 19:00 Jonathan Phang Carribean Cookbook 19:30 The Food Truck 20:00 Extreme Chef 21:00 Bizarre Foods America 22:00 Inside Luxury Travel 23:00 Departures Schedules are supplied by the respective providers and are subject to last-minute changes. RADIO BASTJANIŻI RADIO 95.0 MHz FM Stereo FANTASY RADIO 104.1 MHz FM Stereo 06:30 Rosary 07:00 In-novella Maltija (rpt) 07:30 Sbieħ il-jum 12:05 Għażla ta’ diski Maltin 16:00 Super 80s 18:30 Tal-Qalba, Ta’ Pinto, Ta’ S. Bastjan 20:00 Electrocuted 22:15 Rosary 07:00 ’80s music 08:00 Angelus 09:00 Daniel S Morning Show 13:30 Mix Up Music 15:00Fantasy Drive Time 17:00 Music Factory 19:00 Sander Wow Show 20:30 Glenn’s Show 22:30 Discoradio 08:00 Community news 09:00 Żmien l-imblokk 09:35 Solid Gold 12:30 Mill-arkivji ta’ Radju Hompesch 13:30 Minn hawn u minn hemm 14:30 Irrumanz 15:00 Sfera (rpt) 15:30 Siġar u pjanti (rpt) 16:00 Kumpanija 18:00 Taqbiliet 18:05 Rosary 18:30 KartAnzjan 19:30 Bil-mużika infaħħruh (rpt) 21:00 Ir-rumanz (rpt) BAY RADIO 89.7 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 652 LEĦEN IL-BELT VICTORIA 104 MHz FM Stereo RADIO KOTTONER 98 MHz FM Stereo 06:30 Bay Breakfast 10:30 Simon Pisani 13:30 Ben Glover 15:30 The Drive Time 18:30 Steve Meli 20:30 Ian Lang 09:00 Mass/Ħsieb il-Vanġelu 10:00 Mid-morning show 12:00 Angelus 12:05 Programmi Blusat 2000 16:15 Il-professjonist 16:45 Qari bil-Malti 17:15 Illum it-Tlieta 17:45 Leħen il-Belt 18:00 Mass 19:00 Kumpanija filgħaxija 07:00 Rosary/Music Mix 09:00 Bonġu Kottoner 12:00 Angelus 12:05 Summer special 14:00 Don Camillo 14:30 Kelma ta’ faraġ 15:30Il-qassis li rebaħ 16:00Tuesday drive 18:00 Il-kerrejja 18:30 Profili mużikali 20:00 Rosary 20:30 Music Mix 21:00 System Overload LEĦEN IL-QALA 106.3 MHz FM Stereo RADIO LUMINARIA 106.9 MHz FM Stereo 06:30 Rosary 06:55 Maż-żernieq fit-talb 07:45 Mass 08:20 Smajnihom 12:00 Angelus/Rosary 16:45 Parish notices 17:00 Quddiem Ġesù Ewkaristija 17:20 Rokna tal-benefatturi 17:30 Rosary 18:00 Mass 9:15 Kartelluni Kristoferi 10:00 Raddiena 10:45 Mużika Sagra 13:00 Is-Sena tal-Fidi 14:00 Messaġġ Dejjiemi 15:30 Riflessjoni 15:45 Il-Knisja Tgħallimna 16:20 Parish Notices 16:30 Mass/Rosary 17:30 IlĦajja ta` Edel Quinn 18:00 Qari bil-Malti 21:00 IlMalti u l-Kultura Tagħna BKR RADIO 94.5 MHz FM Stereo 10:00 Ftit min kollox 12:00 Angelus / Rosary 12:30 Qari bil-Malti 13:00 Qatt minsija 14:00 Rock 945 16:00 Music Box 18:00 Sports Analiżi 20:00 Electribe 22:00 Rosary CALYPSO RADIO TEN-18 101.8 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 657 06:00 Calypso Breakfast 09:00 In the Mood 11:00 Bejn il-ħbieb 14:00 After Break 17:00 Calypso Drive 19:00 Golden Oldies 21:00 Tbissmu ma’ Calypso CAMPUS FM 103.7 MHz FM Stereo 09.00 Analiżi tal-ġurnali 09.20 Foreign News/Culture news 09.30 Bellavista mill-ħabs 10.00 News Update 10.06 Priżma 11.00 Classic FM 13.00 Analiżi tal-ġurnali 13.30 Il-Malti llum: ideat ta’ żmienna 14.00 News Hour 15.00 Classic FM 19.30 Platea 20.00 Mużika u Pintura 21.00 World Service DEEJAYS RADIO 95.6 MHz FM Stereo 07:00 Country and more 9:30 Music 16:00 Wild Angel Energy 18:00 Kummenti 19:00 Music Power 21:00 Young Witness for Jesus Christ EDEN RADIO 107.6 MHz FM Stereo 08:00 Reflex 10:30 Raising Sun FM 14:00 Special Moments 16:00 Music Surfer 18:00 I Love Techno ONE RADIO 92.7 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 653 06:00 Carlo’s Breakfast Club 07:00 News 07:40 Newspaper analysis 08:00 News in brief 09:00 News in Brief 09:30 Magazine 101 10:00 News in Brief 10:03 Magazine 101 11:00 Wavelength 11:55 Obituaries 12:00 News 12:15 20 SENS Radio 101 12:45 Tħabbilx moħħok.ron 15:00 News in brief 15:05 Hitsteria 17:00 Newsdesk 17:55 Obituaries 18:00 News 18:15 Mare Mare 18:45 Mużika għal fresco 21:00 Fuzzbox 23:00 Newsdesk (rpt) 00:00 Night Style RADIO 101 101 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 654 06:00 101 Breakfast Club07:00 News 07:40 Newpaper 8 News in brief 9.05 Magazine 101 10 News in Brief 101 11 Wavelength 11.55 Obituaries 12:00 News 12.15 Lambjent tagħna lkoll 12.45 The Big Show 15:00 News in brief 15:05 Hitsteria 17:00Newsdesk 17:55 Obituaries 18:00 News 18:15 Malli jidlam 20:00 Il-Klassi tasSittinijiet 21:00 Fuzzbox 23:00 Newsdesk (rpt) RADIO HOMPESCH 90 MHz FM Stereo 06:35 Qawmien ġdid 06:45 Rosary 07:15 90FM Breakfast 07:45 Sports News 07:55 Taqbiliet RADIO MALTA 999 kHz MW/93.7 MHz FM Stereo 05:30 Rosary 05:57 Raġġ ta’ Dawl 06:00 Frank u Indri 07:00 News 07:30 Newspaper analysis 07:50 Obituaries 08:00 News 09:00 BBC News 09:06 Familja Waħda 10:00 News 11:00 BBC News 11:50 Obituaries 12:00 News 12:10 Newsline 12:45 Qari bil-Malti 13:15 Tifkiriet 14:00 News 14:05 E M LIVE 16:00 News 16:05 Drivetime 17:00 Kumpanija 17:50 Nitfa Kultura 18:00 News & Sports 18:15 Intermeżż Mużikali 18:40 TV Hemm 19:50 Obituaries 20:00 News 20:05 Qari tar-Rumanz (rpt) 20:30 Music Lounge 22:00 News 22:05 Waqtiet 23:30 Xi qrajt, Xi Smajt 23:33 Rosary 24:00 Programme repeats. RADIO MARIJA 102.3 MHz FM Stereo 08:00 Angelus/Kuntatt 11:00 Kristu fostna 12:00 Angelus/Rosary 13:00Strument f’idejk15:00Kurunella Ħniena Divina 15:30 Propjeta ta’ żminijietna 16:00 Lavukat iwieġeb 17:15 News 17:40 Għasar 18:00 Angelus/Rosary 18:30 Mass 19:00 Mill-qrib 20:00 Nixxiegħa Dumnikana 20:30 Il-Vexillum 21:00 Iva nemmen 22:00 Kompieta RADIO XEBERRAS 90.8 MHz FM Stereo 17:55 Rosary/Mass18:45 Kurunella Ħniena Divina 19:00 Rumanż 19:30 Mid-dinja Kattolika 20:00 Taljani Biss 21:00 Rosary RTK 103 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 58 06:30 Pierre & Co. 06:55 Obituaries 07:00 News 08:00 News 09:00 News in brief 09:05 Paperscan 09:15 Għalina lkoll 10:00 BBC News 11.55 Obituaries 12:00 News 12.15 Qrib l-oħrajn 13.00 News in Brief 13:05 Suċċessi u aktar 14:00 BBC News 15:00 News in Brief 15:05 Kaskata kulturali 15:30 Bir-rispett kollu 16:00 BBC News 17:00 News 17:15 II-qanpiena l-oħra! 18:00 News in brief 18:05 X’hemm ġdid 19:00 Obituaries 19:05 Rosary 19:25 Miskan 20:00 News in brief 21:00 Merżuq 22:00 Saint of the Day/Rosary SMASH RADIO 104.6 MHz FM Stereo 06:00 Breakfast ma’ Big John 09:00 Commander Jay 10:30 Radio Motordrome 14:30 Funky Town 16:00 Buzz FM 19:00 Extravadance 20:30 Erġa’ lura MAGIC 91.7/106.6 MHz FM Stereo 06:30 Carlo’s Breakfast Café 09:30 Just Good Music 12:00 BBC News 12:01 Just Good Music 14:01 Just Good Music 16:01 Arthur’s Drive19:30 Just Good Music VIBE 88:7 MHz FM Stereo 07:00 The Morning Vibe with Jonathan Abel 11:00 AM to PM 14:00 The Playlist Hour 15:00 Vibe Nation with J.D. Patrick 19:00 The Basement with Ryan Spiteri XFM RADIO 100:2 MHz FM Stereo/MELITA 655 06:30 The Le Meridien Big Breakfast with Steve Hili 10:00 The Midday Show with Manila 14:00 The 90’s Ninety with Joe Spiteri 15:30 The Exiles Big Drive Home with Alfie Fabri 18:30 The XFM Overdrive TIMES OF MALTA | 31 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Business&Finance EU to close excessive deficit procedure vs Italy tomorrow The European Commission will close tomorrow a procedure against Italy started in 2009 when Rome breached the European Union’s deficit ceiling of three per cent of gross domestic product, several Italian newspapers said quoting Commission documents. The decision is much awaited in Italy, which has introduced strict fiscal discipline under the Government of former Prime Minister Mario Monti even as it was fighting a deep recession. The closing of the procedure will put an end to strict EU monitoring of Italian public spending and allow the freeing up resources for up to €12 billion, Regional Affairs Minister Graziano Delrio told La Stampa yesterday. “The closing of the procedure alone allows us to boost spending by between €7 billion and €10 billion, €12 billion in the most optimistic forecast,” said Delrio, who said the money could be used to reduce youth employment and a property tax. Pier Carlo Padoan, chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Development and Italy’s Prime Minister Enrico Letta addresses a news conference after meeting European Commission president José Manuel Barroso on May 2. Photo: Reuters Cooperation, said in an interview with La Repubblica he expected a further, significant fall in government bond yields once the EU closes the procedure. He said the Commission’s decision would give Italy more money in the form of an additional tranche of structural funds. According to the draft proposal that will be put to EU Commissioners tomorrow, the Commission will also make several economic policy recommendations to Italy. It will ask Italy to continue with “fiscal consolidation at a pace that is appropriate but compatible with growth” and to keep a primary surplus. The Commission will also ask Italy to improve the efficiency of its public administration and of its banking system, noting the state of extreme credit crunch. In particular, the EU will tell Italy to remove a rule under which banks take up to 18 years to eliminate certain bad debts from balance sheets and to consider alternative channels – such as the market or private equity funds – to help finance companies. The EU’s executive will suggest Italy takes measures to improve youth and female employment, which has rocketed through the economic crisis, and to shift the fiscal burden from direct income to other forms of taxation. (Reuters) Money market report for the week ended May 24 ECB monetary operations On Monday, May 20, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its weekly main refinancing operation (MRO). The auction was conducted the following day and attracted bids from euro area eligible counterparties of €103.40 billion, €0.44 billion lower than the bid amount in the previous week. The amount was allotted in full at a fixed rate equivalent to the prevailing MRO rate of 0.5 per cent, in accordance with current ECB policy. Also, on Tuesday, May 21, the ECB conducted an auction for a seven-day fixed-term deposit intended to absorb €201 billion. This operation was designed to sterilise the effect of purchases made under the Securities Markets Programme that were settled but had not yet matured by the previous Friday, May 17. The auction was carried out at a variable rate, with euro area eligible counterparties allowed to place up to four bids at a maximum rate of 0.5 per cent. It attracted bids amounting to €254.15 billion, with the ECB allotting €201 billion, or 79.09 per cent, of the total bid amount. The marginal rate on the auction was set at 0.08 per cent, with the weighted average rate at 0.06 per cent. On Wednesday, May 22, the ECB conducted an eight-day US dollar funding operation through collateralised lending in conjunction with the US Federal Reserve. This operation was carried out at a fixed rate of 0.60 per cent and attracted no bids from euro area eligible counterparties. Furthermore, on Wednesday, May 22, the ECB, in conjunction with the US Federal Reserve, conducted an 84-day US dollar funding operation through collateralised lending. This attracted bids of $1.29 billion, which was allotted in full at a fixed rate of 0.61 per cent. Domestic Treasury bill market In the domestic primary market for Treasury bills, the Treasury invited tenders for 91day bills maturing on August 23. Bids of €54 million were submitted, with the Treasury accepting €2 million. Since €5.4 million worth of bills matured during the week, the outstanding balance of Treasury bills decreased by €3.4 million, to stand at €344.70 million. The yield from the 91-day bill auction was 0.650 per cent, i.e. 1.5 basis points lower than on bills with a similar tenor issued on May 17, representing a bid price of 99.8360 per 100 nominal. During the week under review, Treasury bill trading on the Malta Stock Exchange amounted to €2 million and was conducted by the Central Bank of Malta in its role as market maker. Today the Treasury will invite tenders for 91-day bills maturing on August 30. 32 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Business & Finance Market overview Overview Comments from Federal Reserve’s chairman Ben Bernanke coupled with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes helped to place greater emphasis on economic data as markets try to determine the timing of a QE exit. To that end, consumer confidence figures and Q1 GDP revisions could be helpful. On the one hand, confidence is expected to rise and is forward looking whereas GDP could see some downward revisions, but is backward looking. In the eurozone, the single currency continues to see some support on the back of confidence figures. German and French business sentiment surveys should stronger than expected gains, which bodes well for growth. France will hold a debt auction and ECB’s Joerg Asmussen is expected to speak. In Japan, equity markets closed three per cent lower after experiencing a 10 per cent decline over the last two trading days. Sterling The sterling could see some small gains on the back of Hometrack data. The property researcher showed prices rising in London at the fastest pace since 2007 and home values increasing throughout the UK. An improving property markets will make the BoE less inclined to increase its QE program and therefore help support sterling. US dollar The durable goods data that was released showed strong gains of 3.3 per cent. Excluding transport the figures rose 1.3 per cent. Japan yen The Japanese stock market is down over two per cent after falling over 10 per cent in the last two sessions. The gyrations in equity markets are also being seen in Japanese debt markets. Japanese banks hold much of the government’s debt such that when yield swings are seen it can negatively impact the bank’s balance sheet. The minutes to the BoJ’s last policy meeting suggest that its statement may have been contradictory and therefore prompted these market swings. Euro German IFO business sentiment survey was better than forecast and helped lift the euro. German IFO sentiment came in at 105.7 versus a forecast gain of 104.5. The German figures combined nicely with French sentiment, which also moved from 88 to 92 in the month of May. Unlike in China, it appears the government is becoming better at shifting to a consumer driven economy as demand helped replace a decline in exports and a drop in investment. Looking forward, liquidity will be thinned, but attention will swing towards a French debt auction and comments from ECB’s Asmussen, who is scheduled to speak. European shares bounce in thin trade, Fiat rallies European shares rose yesterday, rebounding after a two-day drop, with Fiat rallying on speculation the Italian carmaker could soon launch a buyout offer for its US unit Chrysler. Trading volumes were thin, however, as both the UK and US markets remained closed for a public holiday. The Euro STOXX 50 index gained 1.1 per cent, at 2,795 points, after suffering a 2.5 per cent drop in two days. Volumes on the eurozone’s blue-chip index represented only 40 per cent of its daily average volume of the past three months. “We shouldn’t read too much into today’s rise, and I think the pull-back started last week is not over yet,” Saxo Banque senior sales trader Alexandre Baradez said. “However, the medium-term trend is still positive for European stocks, with no big negative catalyst ahead.” Eurozone banks featured among the biggest gainers, bouncing back after a 5.6 per cent slide last week, with both BNP Paribas and Banco Santander up two per cent. Fiat gained 4.4 per cent, boosted by a press report saying the Italian carmaker is in talks with banks to secure financing for a buyout of US unit Chrysler. “The medium-term trend is still positive for European stocks with no big negative catalyst ahead” Club Med jumped 23 per cent after the French holiday resort operator’s top shareholders, AXA Private Equity and Chinese investor Fosun International, unveiled a buyout offer. Swiss watchmakers Richemont and Swatch Group added 0.5 percent and 1.1 per cent respectively, rallying after Chinese authorities said import duties on Swiss watches will be trimmed by 60 per cent over the next 10 years. Around Europe, Germany’s DAX index rose 0.9 per cent, France’s CAC 40 added one percent, Italy’s FTSE MIB rose 1.6 per cent and Spain’s IBEX climbed 1.2 per cent. Equities saw further inflows last week, according to EPFR Global, with equity funds world-wide seeing $7.49 billion of net inflows. “A lot of investors who have the impression that they’ve missed the rally of the past 10 months are coming in, which is why we’re seeing strong inflows continuing,” said Edwin Lugo, head of the Franklin European small-mid cap growth fund. “But at this point, equities in Asia ex-Japan are very expensive, and US stocks are getting expensive, while Europe is still the cheapest market. “Despite the rally starting last July, the best opportunities are still in Europe.” (Reuters) Economic reality finally cracks market fervour Andy Bruce As evidence mounts that a mid-year slowdown is taking place in the world economy, the next few days will offer a clearer glimpse of how that will impinge on policymaking and buoyant financial markets. Global stocks stumbled last Thursday in one of the few times the grey economic reality cut through this year’s reverie in financial markets. And that could mark the start of a trend, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last week hinted the US Central Bank could soon scale back its monthly bond purchases that have flooded stock markets with new cash. Some poor business surveys from China have also had an impact, suggesting the world’s number two economy is struggling for momentum. While there is little in the way of major economic data this week that will send chills through stock markets as happened on Thursday, there is a renewed sense of caution in the market. “The underlying momentum in the global economy is weaker than it should be at this point of the economic cycle, five years after the global crisis,” said Lena Komileva, director of G+ Economics consultancy in London. “We have yet to see evidence of a convincing, self-sustained positive feedback loop between real growth and market value inflation.” Hope that market confidence would filter through to the real economy was memorably described as “positive contagion” by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi in January – in hindsight perhaps more in hope than expectation. “We have yet to see evidence of a convincing, self-sustained positive feedback loop between real growth and market value inflation” Growth is still proving to be elusive for the eurozone economy, largely thanks to the extent of the budget austerity taking place across the continent. Tomorrow, the European Commission will release its review of its countries’ debt-cutting policies, which will confirm that the likes of France, Spain and Slovenia are to be given more time to trim their budget deficits to target. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s semi-annual review of the world’s major economies will come out on the same day, having identified global economic activity “picking up” in its interim assessment in March. Now, the world economic growth seems to be moving into a soft patch, although there is no sign of anything that will curb it significantly. Last week’s purchasing managers indexes showed factory activity in China declined slightly for the first time in seven months, while in the US manufacturing grew at its slowest pace since October. “These surveys suggest that the Chinese economy is doing a bit worse than expected and the eurozone marginally better, but they do not alter our view that global growth will remain weak, and imbalanced, for the rest of this year,” said Andrew Kenningham, senior global economist at Capital Economics. He noted, however, that economies like the UK and Japan that were not covered in last week’s PMIs have performed better than expected in recent months, so the global economy could be slightly stronger than the surveys implied. (Reuters) TIMES OF MALTA | 33 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Business & Finance Central Bank of Malta/European Central Bank € Euro foreign exchange rates On May 27, 2013 USD US dollar 1.2939 JPY Japanese yen 130.59 BGN Bulgarian lev 1.9558 CZK Czech koruna 25.968 DKK Danish Krone 7.4531 GBP Pound sterling 0.85560 HUF Hungarian forint 289.23 LTL Lithuanian litas 3.4528 LVL Latvian lats 0.7013 PLN Polish zloty 4.1935 RON New Romanian leu 1.3443 SEK Swedish krona 8.5964 CHF Swiss Franc 1.2452 NOK Norwegian krone 7.5480 HRK Croatian kuna 7.5620 RUB Russian rouble 40.5950 TRY New Turkish lira 2.3871 AUD Australian dollar 1.3405 BRL Brazilian real 2.6542 CAD Canadian dollar 1.3357 CNY Chinese yuan renminbi 7.9201 HKD Hong Kong dollar 10.0453 IDR Indonesian rupiah 12676.25 ILS Israeli shekel 4.7709 INR Indian rupee 71.9100 KRW South Korean won 1452.42 MXN Mexican peso 16.1537 MYR Malaysian ringgit 3.9190 NZD New Zealand dollar 1.5997 PHP Philippine peso 53.811 SGD Singapore dollar 1.6293 THB Thai baht South African rand Bank of Valletta plc is licensed to conduct investment services business by the MFSA. Bonds and shares may be purchased and sold from any BOV branch. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and the value of your investments can go down as well as up. AED UAE Dirhams 38.636 12.4424 4.7532 Gold (US$ per troy ounce) 1390.2500 Silver (US$ per troy ounce) 22.3800 34 Business & Finance TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 TIMES OF MALTA | 35 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Social and Personal OBITUARY AGIUS-CUTAJAR. On May 27, MARY of Valletta, residing in Guardamangia, aged 85, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her most beloved children Lilian and her husband Joseph, Janica and her husband Raymond, Paul and his wife Romina and Doreen and her husband Charles, her grandchildren Dr Petramay Attard Cortis and her husband James, Dr Joelle Cortis and her husband Ryan Azzopardi, Eman Cortis, Dr Juanita Parnis and her fiancé Daryl Borg-Cardona, James Parnis and his wife Marouska, Kimberly, Daniel, Matthew AgiusCutajar, Benjamin and Eliza Spiteri, her great-grandson Edward, her brother Fr Anthony Vella of the Order of the Franciscan Minors, Margaret Vella, Jane and Gaetano Busuttil, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Karin Grech Rehabilitation Centre tomorrow at 7.30am for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception parish church, Ħamrun, where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 8.15am, followed by interment in the family vault at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest. CARUANA. On May 26, at Casa Antonia, Balzan, MARY, née Sultana, of Floriana, living in Sliema, widow of William, aged 83, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her beloved daughter Joan, her brother Fr Joseph Sultana, her brother-in-law Joe Caruana and his wife May, her nieces, their respective spouses and families, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Casa Antonia today at 2pm for Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 2.30pm, followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Special thanks go to the management and staff at Casa Antonia for their care and dedication. CURMI. On May 26, ANN of Luqa but residing at Costa del Sol, Għadira, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church, aged 66. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Twanny, her children Romina and her husband Joe Gauci, Candice and her husband Vince Muscat, Reuben and his wife Joanne Curmi, Romina, widow of the beloved Christian Curmi, her brothers and sisters Johnny, Gina, Andrew, Pius, Marlene, Hilda and Oreste and their respective spouses, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today at 3.30pm for St Andrew’s parish church, Luqa, where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 4pm followed by interment in the family grave at the cemetery of the same parish. Donations to Hospice Malta, Balzan, will be appreciated. FARRUGIA. On May 26, GUIDO of St Venera, aged 81, passed away peacefully at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Josephine, his children Catherine and her husband Cliff Pace, Geraldine and her husband John Portelli and his grandchildren Matthew, Emma, Alexander and Daniel, as well as his sisters Ginny Galea and Guża Axiak and his in-laws, other relatives and many friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today at 1.30pm for St Francis of Assisi church, Villambrosa, Ħamrun, where Mass præsente cadavere will be celebrated at 2pm, followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Hospice Malta, Balzan, will be appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest. GOODCHILD – RONALD. Passed away peacefully May 21 at Karin Grech Rehabilitation Centre. He leaves to mourn his loss his family members and friends. Service will take place today at 3pm at Naxxar cemetery. IN MEMORIAM BUGEJA. In loving memory of LILY, née Salomone, today the anniversary of her passing away. Fondly remembered by Joe and Amy. BUTTIGIEG de PIRO – ANTHONY, the Most Illustrious and Noble Marquis Buttigieg de Piro and Marquis de Piro, K.St.J., ERK, GCLJ(J), KMLJ, F.IoD., MIM, Commander St John Rescue Corps (Ret.). In loving memory of a dear uncle and grand uncle, especially on the first year anniversary of his death. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said tomorrow at 6.45pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel church, Paceville. Always in our thoughts and prayers. David, Priscilla, Isaac, Malcolm and Jack. CAMILLERI – TESSIE. In loving memory, today the sixth anniversary of her death. As time goes by her memory in our hearts grows fonder and deeper. Her husband Albert, her children Vincent and his wife Frida, Rose and her husband Sammy, Nadia, and her grandchildren Pamela, Ilona and Kristine. Lord, grant her eternal rest. DARMANIN. In loving memory of our dear father EDWIN on the seventh anniversary of his death. Mariella, Philip and their families. FRENDO. In loving memory of VICTOR on the first anniversary of his passing away. Kay and his family. MICALLEF. Cherished and ever loving memories of our parents EDGAR and HELEN, née Anastasi, on the 27th anniversary of our mother’s demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Giovanna, Margaret, Rosemarie, Theresa and their families. PACE BARDON – ANTHONY. Loving and unfading memories of a beloved husband and father on the 16th anniversary of his sudden passing away. Louise, Michael and Jessica, Roberta, Christina and the Muscat family. PACE BARDON. Treasured and loving memories of ANTHONY, a beloved son, brother and uncle, on the 16th anniversary of his sudden death. May he rest in peace in the glory of the Lord. SCHEMBRI. Treasured memories of JOSEPH, especially today the 25th anniversary of his demise. Still loved, still missed. His wife, Eric, Maria and families. VUKOVIC – HILDA. Remembering our dearest mother with so much love and affection, today the 13th anniversary of her demise. Your singing voice is always in our hearts, dear mum. Your son, daughters and their families. What’s on today EXHIBITIONS At Lily Agius Gallery, Sliema, The Spring Art Collection: Celia Borg Cardona, Debbie Caruana Dingli, Joan Zammit Cutajar and Kenneth Zammit Tabona exhibit their latest collections of watercolour and oil paintings. At St James Cavalier, Valletta, WW, an exhibition of war-related paintings by Tonio Mallia. At St James Cavalier, Valletta, The Spirit of Piano, an exhibition by Ljupco Samardziski. At the Radisson Blu, St Julian’s, Natively Raw, an exhibition by Denis Calleja. At the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce, Valletta, Fire Inside , an exhibition of ceramics by Anthony Lucian Cauchi. At Christine X Art (Artitude) Gallery, Tignè Street, Sliema, Tiers of Truth, artworks by Rupert Cefai. POWER CUTS There will be power cuts tomorrow as follows: Between 8am and 1pm in Dejma and San Tumas streets, in Fgura. Between 8am and 1pm in St Albert, Belvedere and Samuel Taylor Coleridge streets, in Gżira. Between 8am and 1pm in Dejma, Kurunell Mas and San Tumas streets, in Tarxien. Between 8am and 2pm in Għaxqetl-Għajn, Caravaggio, Ġnien, Madliena, Sofija, Santa Marija Taż-Żellieqa, Fidiel Zarb, St George and Kromb IlBaħar streets, in Għargħur. Between 8am and 3pm in Torri, Sir George Borg and Windsor streets, in Sliema. Between 8am and 3pm in Kromb il-Baħar, Charlotte and St George streets, in Għargħur. Between 8.30am and 3.30pm in Daħla tal-Blata and Ta’ Ħondoq ir-Rummien streets, in Qala. Between 8.30am and 2.30pm in Marsalforn, Tal-Masri and Tal-Pergla streets, in Xagħra. On the second month of the passing away of EDWARD CASSAR of Mellieħa a Mass is being said at Christ the King Chapel, Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Triq Notabile, Mrieħel. I would like also to thank all those who sent flowers and condolences. Buying and selling is easy and effective with a CLASSIFIED advert. • STANDARD ADVERT • STANDARD ADVERT (black text on white background) (black text on white background) €0.47 per word* – minimum 12 words €0.42 per word* – minimum 12 words • IMPACT ADVERT • IMPACT ADVERT (white bold text in grey box) (white bold text in grey box) €0.82 per word* – minimum 25 words €0.70 per word* – minimum 25 words *Prices exclude VAT. Booking your classified advert is simple: 1) Send an e-mail with all details to classified@timesofmalta.com 2) Call by at Allied Newspapers’ Cash Office, Word for Word, 4, 1st Floor, Castille Place, Valletta any time between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. For more information, call 2559 4100/200. 36 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Classified 3 (! )- *" ! ,!! *" .$! .$ +,%' *) ) ++'% .%*) *" % $ !' ((/. '!--% "%'! *) .$! .$ +,%' ++'% .%*) )/( !, .$%- *)*/, '! */,. *, !,! .$! *+!)%)# ) .$! +/ '% .%*) *" .$! -! ,!. 1%''- *" '!) ((/. 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(7 96 !8/7$1$ $5,21 $33/,&$7,21 180%(5 +$6 %((1 387 2)) 72 7+( 7+ 81( $7 $0 (*,675; 2) 7+( !83(5,25 28576 72'$; 7+ $5&+ Property for Sale 18,343 PROPERTIES for sale on Malta’s best rated property website: www.simon estates.com. Phone 2388 0034 or 7986 1510. BIRKIRKARA. Finished, large, three bedroom apartment. Block of three. €118,000. Phone 2163 2919. GĦAXAQ. 158sqm three bedroom maisonette opposite green area. €105,000. Phone 2163 2918. MSIDA. Three-car lock-up garage, level one, in Bishop F.S. Caruana Street, near Msida Circus. €38,500, negotiable. Phone owner 9949 5276. ST VENERA. Groundfloor maisonette consisting of three bedrooms (one en-suite), kitchen, sitting and dining room combined, main bathroom, washroom and two yards. To be finished except for bathrooms and internal doors. €118,000. First and second floor apartment finished same as above but with common area complete. €110,000. e-mail: callejamalta@gmail.com Phone owner 7970 3775 or 2144 9258. 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Phone 2388 0034 or 7986 1510. BIRŻEBBUĠA. Three bedroom, fully furnished, groundfloor flat, almost seafront, with yard. €350 monthly. Phone 9944 9206. GŻIRA. Modern one bedroom apartment, fully equipped for only €400 monthly. Phone 2131 7613. MADLIENA. Fantastic apartment enjoying sea views with two or three bedrooms. Phone 7989 5131. MELLIEĦA. Larger than usual three bedroom apartment in a quiet area. €400. Phone 2138 4689 or 9947 4404. MSIDA. Fully furnished two bedroom apartment, fully equipped. Available for only €490 monthly. Phone 9995 6150. OFFICE SPACE centrally located, with an area of 650msq to 800msq and ample free parking. Very large car park with a maximum of 80 car spaces is also available. Offices have lots of natural light, complete with lift, air-conditioners throughout and a standby generator. Also suitable for a private clinic. Very well priced. Phone owners 9947 0977/9947 0222. SELECTION of luxury new two bedroom apartments in central areas, fully equipped. Starting from €450 monthly. Phone 9995 6150. SELECTION of various one, two or three bedroom modern apart ments/maisonettes starting from €400 monthly. Phone 9920 7045. SELECTION of various one, two or three bedroom modern apartments/maisonettes. Starting from €400 monthly. Phone 9920 7045. SLIEMA. Luxury furnished, modern three bedroom apartment close to seafront. €1,600 monthly. Phone 9945 8862. SLIEMA: excellent location. Brand new, designer style spacious, three bedroom penthouse front terrace. Back balconies all with open views. €900; Sliema, Tigné: newly built top, modern, two bedroom penthouse full sea view BBQ terraces. €980; St Julians, next to Portomaso: very large three bedroom apartment with spacious front/back terraces, courtyard, impressive living area, luxury finishing. €1,150. Phone 9933 7967. SLIEMA. Spacious three bedroom furnished apartment just off the seafront. €750. Phone 2138 4688 or 9947 4404. ST JULIANS. Furnished two bedroom, fully equipped. 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Highly qualified oriental therapist. Kindly phone 2131 6564 or 9990 1888. Business Opportunities Property Wanted TO LET immediately for a foreign group of companies and individuals in Sliema, St Julians, St Andrews and immediate locations. Phone 9949 3316. Situation Vacant COOK for immediate employment at The Circle’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant, Valletta, from Monday to Friday between 8am and 3pm. Previous experience necessary. If interested e-mail CV to gmc@germanmaltesecircle.org Tuition (EOS) Executive officers, principals and clerks intensive resit courses by the leading institution in Malta. St Thomas Institute. info@stthomasmalta.com Phone 2122 7799, 2123 5314, 7986 6353 or 7986 6350. ACCOUNTING at Advanced Level without Ordinary Level. May 2014. Phone 2167 5137. laurencecauchi@gmail.com www.thebusinesseducationtutors.com ACCOUNTING/ECONOMICS/Marke ting/SAGE. All levels, including beginners. Phone 2167 5137 Fgura. laurencecauchi@gmail.com www.thebusinesseducationtutors.com CLERKS, executive officers, assistant principals, principals and senior principals. Hands-on preparatory programmes for the resit examinations. La Salle Institute, Msida. Phone 2123 0257, 2122 8456 or 9919 1919, 9927 5442, e-mail: lasalle@maltanet.net SLIEMA. Fully equipped, new seafront office: waiting area, call answering, utilities, insurance etc. Starting €3,000 yearly. Phone owner 9944 7444; carl@77GreatEstates.com ST JULIANS. Highly visible catering establishment situated on an extremely busy road. €50,000 yearly. Phone 9944 7444; carl@77GreatEstates.com = 1)%27 3* % ()'6)) 3* 8,) 8, %6', 3* 8,) -:-0 3968 -678 %00 -2 8,) 6)'36(7 3* .9(-'-%0 0)88)6 291&)6 -2 8,) 2%1)7 ! %2/ 8( :7 %61)0 7-:) ,%60)7 %2+-32 )8 8,) *3003;-2+ 49&0-'%8-32 ;%7 36()6)( *36 8,) 496437) 3* )**)'8-2+ 7)6:-') 32 8,) 6)7432()287 -2 8)617 3* 68-'0) 3* %4 2 8,) -678 %00 3* 8,) -:-0 3968 "3(%= 8, %29%6= "3 %61)0 7-:) ,%60)7 %2( %61)2 74397)7 %2+-32 3* #-00% 0*%23 "6-5 22-&%0) 6)'% -.% 3286%'8367 -1-8)( 3* #-00% 0*%23 "6-5 22-&%0) 6)'% -.% = 8,) 46)7)28 ! %2/ 8( 3* ! )286) "3;)6 !86))8 -6/-6/%6% 730-'-87 =39 73 8,%8 -11)(-%8)0= =39 4%= 8,) %13928 3* > &)7-()7 8,) 0)+%0 -28)6)78 *631 8,) 78 %29%6= 8-00 8,) (%8) 3* )**)'8-:) 4%=1)28 (9) &= =39 %61)0 7-:) ,%60)7 %2( %61)2 74397)7 %2+-32 %7 ()&8367 %2( -2 ()*%908 3* =396 4%=1)28 &= 3286%'8367 -1-8)( %7 796)8= ;,-', 791 6)46)7)287 % &%0%2') (9) *631 % 0%6+)6 791 ;-8, 6)74)'8 83 % 03%2 %2( 7%0) %+6))1)28 (%8)( 9+978 -2 8,) %'87 3* 38%6= 3'836 %61)0 %2+-32 ;,)6) 8,) %440-'%28 '314%2= 03%2)( 8,) 6)7432()287 8,) 791 3* > %2( 8,-7 %''36(-2+ 83 8,) %88%',)( ()'0%6%8-32 -779)( &= 8,) 7%1) %440-'%28 '314%2= (%8)( 8, %29%6= 1%6/)( %7 3' $-8, '3787 %2( 0)+%0 -28)6)78 8-00 8,) (%8) 3* )**)'8-:) 4%=1)28 2 ()*%908 3* 4%=1)28 8,) %440-'%28 ;-00 463'))( *968,)6 %+%-278 =39 %''36(-2+ 83 0%; 36 %00 8,) 496437)7 %2( )**)'87 3* 0%; 8,-7 .9(-'-%0 0)88)6 -7 &)-2+ *-0)( 73 8,%8 8,) 7%-( ())( (%8)( 78 9+978 -2 8,) %'87 3* 38%6= 3'836 %61)0 %2+-32 %7 %2 )<)'98-:) %'8 &) 6)2()6)( %2 )<)'98-:) 8-80) %2( 8,-7 -2 8)617 3* 68-'0) 3* 8,) 3() 3* 6+%2-7%8-32 %2( -:-0 63')(96) %4 3* 8,) %;7 3* %08% !3 19', *36 =396 3;2 +9-(%2') )+-786= 3* 8,) !94)6-36 39687 83(%= 6( %= TIMES OF MALTA | 37 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport GSSE 2013 FORMULA ONE HOCKEY TRACK FINALS ON DAY ONE OF COMPETITION IN LUXEMBOURG MERCEDES FACE HEARING OVER SECRET TYRE TEST BORG EXTRA TIME GOAL CROWNS QORMI CHAMPIONS » pages 40, 41 » page 38 » page 39 Tennis French Open Nadal survives scare All seemed normal as Rafael Nadal walked on to Chatrier Court to begin his pursuit of an eighth French Open title but Germany’s Daniel Brands ensured it was no regular Monday at the office for the defending champion who survived a huge scare. Nadal, as expected, took his place in the second round but his 4-6 7-6 6-4 6-3 win over the inspired German who had never won a main draw match at Roland Garros was fraught with danger as he flirted with the unthinkable. After a relatively thrill-free opening day on Sunday, fans flocked to the brick dust courts beside the Bois de Boulogne to feast their eyes on a line-up loaded with big names. Former women’s champion Li Na began with a grafting 6-3 6-4 first round win against Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues while home fans dreaming of a first French men’s champion since 1983 cheered loudly as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga turned on the style. However, it was claycourt king Nadal’s struggle that created the buzz around the crowds thronging the grounds. The 26-year-old has been unstoppable in the build-up to the tournament he has dominated since winning the title as a teenager in 2005. All looked well in Rafa World but things soon got complicated for the former world No.1. Looking sluggish and struggling to cope with the punishing, flat-hitting of 59th ranked Brands, Nadal double-faulted on a break point at 4-4 and Brands seized his chance, claiming the first set with a forehand missile. Brands then held off break points and dragged Nadal into a tense tiebreaker. With the capacity crowd glued to the action, Brands fired down two huge winners to take a Rafael Nadal hits a return to Daniel Brands, yesterday. 3-0 lead but just when the alarm bells began to ring loudly in the Nadal camp, the Mallorcan was let off the hook. A Brands backhand sliced low into the net gave Nadal a new lease of life and the Spaniard won seven of the final eight points in the tiebreak to level the match, roaring as much in relief as joy after dispatching a fizzing backhand passing shot on set point. After breaking the mighty Brands serve for the first time in the opening game of the third set, Nadal always looked the likely winner, although his performance will offer hope to those wishing to knock him off his perch. “He was playing unbelievable tennis and I was just trying to find my game and resist his great shots and I’m very happy to be through,” a relieved Nadal said in an interview. While Nadal was toiling, Tsonga was entertaining the crowd out, outclassing Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene 6-2 6-2 6-3 with a performance of pace and power. New league takes steps to combat spot-fixing The founder of the soon to be launched International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is planning to meet with the sport’s integrity unit in London next month to try to ensure the competition is not affected by illegal gambling and spot-fixing. The league, due to start in late 2014, has been compared in format with cricket’s Indian Premier League, a competition recently embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal. The IPTL will take place in six as yet undecided cities across Asia and will see some of the sport’s biggest names drafted into teams to play against each other in one-set shootout tennis. The competition’s founder, Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi, said they will do all they can to ensure the league is unaffected by the problems that have tarnished cricket. “I have some meetings with people who are part of the Tennis Integrity Unit in London next month,” Bhupathi said. “We will try and batten down as much as we can to ensure we do not have these issues.” Bhupathi said a number of cities were under consideration to form teams for the tennis league including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Manilla, Bangalore, Calcutta, Doha and Dubai. Sports round-up Snooker CRICKET ■ England has been confirmed as the host country for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the ICC said yesterday. The tournament, scheduled to involve 10 teams, will be held in June at 10 different venues which will be announced later. ICC chief executive David Richardson said the World Cup attracted a broadcast audience in excess of 1.5 billion people. England hosted the first World Cup in 1975 and also staged the tournament in 1979, 1983 and 1999. Four Maltese players for European Championships GOLF ■ Italy’s Matteo Manassero has climbed to a career-high 28th in the world rankings following his play-off triumph in the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday. Manassero, 20, moved up from 57th in the standings after defeating England’s Simon Khan on the fourth extra hole to claim his fourth European Tour title. Despite letting a two-shot lead slip in the early stages of the final round, Lee Westwood moves from 12th to 10th after finishing ninth at Wentworth, while Khan is up to 147th from 384th. MOTOR RACING ■ With a good luck charm he had given to a sick child back in his pocket, Brazilian Tony Kanaan won his first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to end a decade of disappointment at the famed Brickyard. The former IndyCar champion captured the crown jewel of North American motor racing in his 12th attempt to complete his resumè, taking the chequered flag under caution after defending champion Dario Franchitti crashed with just over two laps to go. Colombia’s Carlos Munoz crossed the finish line second in his IndyCar racing debut. BASKET, NBA ■ Miami Heat displayed championship fight as they routed Indiana Pacers 114-96 on Sunday to regain control of the Eastern Conference Finals. LeBron James scored 22 points, Dwyane Wade had 18 and eight assists and the Heat used a complete team effort to overwhelm Indiana and grab a 2-1 best-of-seven series lead. It was the first home defeat of the play-offs for the Pacers, who will try to rebound in Game Four tonight back in Indiana. Four Maltese snooker players will leave the country today on their way to Poland to represent the country at the 2013 EBSA European Championships which start this week and wrap up on June 6. Malta champion Duncan Bezzina heads the team with the others making the trip to Eastern Europe being the top player in the local rankings Alex Borg, Mario Brincat, no.3 in the list, and Roberta Cutajar, the top seed in the local women’s game. Organisers confirmed this week that 146 players from 29 countries will compete in the championships which will be played on 16 tables at the Olympic Sport Centre in the city of Zielona Gora. There will be 76 players featuring in the men’s championship, 42 in the Masters (over 40) and 28 cueists in the women’s competition. Bezzina, Borg and Brincat will take part in the men’s event. All participants were divided into 12 groups of six or seven players each with the top four in each section qualifying for the Last 48, the first round of the knock-out stage of the tournament. Matches in the round robin phase will be over the best-ofseven frame format. Borg, who was pitted in a sixman Group M, won the European Championship in 2005 and 2006 and was also a finalist in 1998 and 2004. Bezzina is in Group A and Brincat in Group B. Both sections A and B contain seven players. In the women’s competition, the players were divided into four groups of seven players each with the top four in each group reaching the Last 16 knock-out stage. Cutajar reached the semi-finals on her first appearance in the 2011 tournament in Bulgaria. Matches in the women’s competition will be played over the best-of-five format. Roberta Cutajar 38 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Motor racing Formula One Mercedes face hearing over secret tyre test Red Bull and Ferrari protest Alan Baldwin Red Bull and Ferrari protested against Formula One rivals Mercedes after accusing the Monaco Grand Prix winners on Sunday of breaking the rules by carrying out a secret tyre test with Pirelli the week before. The stewards said in a statement, after Germany’s Nico Rosberg had celebrated his victory, they would send a report to the governing FIA, who could bring the matter before the sport’s International Tribunal. Mercedes – whose other driver is 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton – could face a heavy sanction, including possible exclusion from the championship, if found to have acted illegally. The race results were, however, declared official. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he had found out about the test in Barcelona only on Saturday after the details leaked out in a meeting of the Grand Prix Drivers Association. He told reporters, amazed that the test had been kept secret in a sport full of prying eyes, that Mercedes had behaved in an “underhand way” and suggested they had gained an unfair advantage. “We feel testing in Barcelona in a current car with current tyres is in breach of the regulations,” he said. “It’s effectively a contravention of the rules that affect the championship.” The regulations ban in-season testing but Pirelli said their contract allowed them to do a number of 1,000-km private tests with a ‘representative’ car and the three days in Spain were therefore legal. Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda (right) talks with Pirelli Group chief Marco Tronchetti Provera in the paddock area before the Monaco F1 Grand Prix on Sunday. “The testing rules are very clear in the sporting regulations,” said Horner. “When you enter the championship at the beginning of the year you sign up to those regulations. And in our opinion Mercedes by doing that test have not complied. “Whenever you run these cars you are learning about reliability, about the mechanical side of the car and how these tyres act and behave. For Mercedes to claim they didn’t benefit from that test would be difficult to believe.” Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda said the team had sought and obtained permission from the FIA. “It is very simple. We were asked by Pirelli, we asked the FIA: ‘Are we allowed to do the test?’ The FIA confirmed it and said ‘yes’ and so therefore we did the test. “We think other teams have been asked too,” he said. “Mercedes did nothing wrong – they asked for permission. We asked FIA, they checked it legally and advised us we could do it so we can’t do any better.” Lauda’s version of events was challenged by the FIA, who said in a statement hours after Sunday’s race had ended that Pirelli and Mercedes had not told them about the test beyond an initial query in early May. The governing body said Pirelli had asked whether they would be allowed to test with a team using a current car. “Pirelli and Mercedes were advised by the FIA... that such tests would be conditional upon every team being given the same opportunity to test in order to ensure full sporting equity,” the statement said. “Following this communication, the FIA received no further information about a possible test from Pirelli or from Mercedes. “Furthermore, the FIA received no confirmation that all teams had been given an opportunity to take part in this test.” Raikkonen brands Perez an Renault want to work on reducing idiot for overtaking move engine costs Formula One title contender Kimi Raikkonen accused McLaren’s Sergio Perez of driving like an idiot after a Monaco Grand Prix collision that almost ended the Finn’s 23-race run of scoring finishes. The Lotus driver and the Mexican made contact at the entrance to the chicane in Sunday’s race while Raikkonen was defending fifth place. Perez’s attempt to pass ended in contact with Raikkonen suffering a rear tyre puncture that dropped him right down the field. “Actually that (idiot) is a nice word compared with what he really said,” said Lotus team principal Eric Boullier when asked about Raikkonen’s radio outburst. The 2007 world champion, who had started the day four points behind Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and ended it 21 adrift but still second overall, pitted for supersoft tyres and passed six cars in the final five laps to finish 10th. That was his 23rd successive race in the points, one short of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. “He hit me from behind and that’s about all there is to it,” said Raikkonen. “If he thinks it’s my fault that he came into the corner too fast then he obviously has no idea what he’s talking about. Kimi Raikkonen driving his Lotus during the race in Monaco. “It’s not the first time he’s hit someone in the race. He seems to expect people to be always looking at what he might do, then move over or go straight on if he comes into the corner too quick and isn’t going to make it without running into someone. “Because of one stupid move from Sergio we’ve lost a lot of points to Sebastian in the championship and you can’t afford to lose ground like that.” Perez retired after the incident, having also come close to collisions with his own team-mate Jenson Button and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. Boullier suggested McLaren might want to take him in hand. “He nearly crashed with his team-mate in Bahrain, here obviously there was a little bit of action also. It looks like he is trying too often to be aggressive and attempt something which most of the time is impossible to do.” Perez recognised his move had been risky but pointed out he had got past Button and Alonso, who had to cut the corner to avoid contact, at the same place. “Kimi didn’t give me any room, there was nothing I could do. If someone could avoid the accident it was Kimi,” he declared. Renault are committed to Formula One and will work to reduce the cost of their new engine after its introduction next year, the company’s chief executive Carlos Ghosn has assured Bernie Ecclestone. Speaking at the Monaco Grand Prix after Renault announced a deal to supply its 2014 engine to Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso, currently with Ferrari, Ghosn said he was aware of F1 supremo Ecclestone’s cost fears. The current V8 engine costs around nine million euros whereas the new 1.6 litre V6 turbo-charged unit with energy recovery systems will see the price more than double. “There is some concern about the cost of the engine, I understand it, but our commitment is to work to reduce these costs,” Ghosn, who met Ecclestone for lunch in Paris in the week before Sunday’s race, told F1 reporters. “Let’s first put the performance at the right level, reassure our teams that they are going to get a very competitive and effective power unit for 2014 and then little by little rationalise, simplify, reduce the costs. “We are not going to drop the price for anybody for 2014,” he added. “But our commitment is every year we will be working hard to make this engine more efficient, to reduce the costs and then try to pass part of the cost reduction to the users.” Renault are supplying four teams this season – champions Red Bull, Williams, Lotus and Caterham – and will be supplying at least three next year. Red Bull and Toro Rosso are confirmed while Caterham have a long-term commercial agreement with Renault and their Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes said at the weekend they were staying with the French manufacturer. Williams are expected to switch to Mercedes while Lotus are understood to be talking to various parties. Ghosn said three teams was the minimum Renault, who invest $150 million a year into their Formula One engine activities, required to meet their commercial targets. TIMES OF MALTA | 39 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Sailing Table tennis Serbian coach Dimitrijevic for HiTT Academy Boats jostling for positions during the SLAM Regatta off the Sliema coast. Artie RTFX and Sailaway take IRC SLAM honours Young Optimist dinghy sailors engaged in keen competition The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) was buzzing with activity earlier this month as sailors of all ages took part in the 2013 SLAM Regatta. This annual event consisted of two inshore races, one series being for keelboats, under the IRC rating system, and the other for small dinghy classes – the Optimists. The IRC fleet got into the action Friday afternoon in light winds. The race, however, had to be shortened by the Race Officer to ensure that all boats could complete the course in time. The next day, the breeze was steadier and the event took off in earnest as the numerous Optimist dinghies launched from the club slipway and headed for their race area in the waters just outside Grand Harbour. The keen, young sailors in their boats produced good competition on the water and completed a number of races that day. REGATTA RESULTS IRC Racer Class 1: 1. Artie RTFX; 2. Juno 3; GasanMamo Comanche Raider II. IRC Racer Class 2: 1. Sailaway; 2. Inspiration. Optimist Open Class: 1. Zak Zammit; 2. Matthew Micallef; 3. Timo Bonnici. Optimist Cadet Class: 1. Jake Satariano; 2. Lacy Aquilina. Optimist Novice Class: 1. Victoria Schulteis; 2. Richard Schulteis; 3. Patrice Pace. Meanwhile, the IRC class boats also had a good day’s racing. In fact, skippers were able to complete three windward leeward races off the Sliema coast. As expected, the wind continued to strengthen on Day Three of the regatta, reaching Force 6 at times but it was not too strong for the IRC fleet and another three races were held. After seven races, it was Lee Satariano’s Artie RTFX, co-skippered by Christian and Sebastian Ripard, who was the overall winner in Racer Class 1 while Ray Schembri’s Sailaway was first in Racer Class 2. In those rough conditions, the Optimist classes had their races in the more sheltered waters of Sliema Creek where they provided a great spectacle to those watching from the shoreline. Zak Zammit was the winner in the Open Class while Jake Satariano was first in Cadets and Victoria Schulteis won the Novices. Prizes were awarded to the winners at the club in Ta’ Xbiex soon after the end of the third day’s racing. The Hi-Impact Table Tennis (HiTT) Academy is headed by Malta champion Mario Genovese whose name has now become synonymous with the game in the local scene. The academy focuses mainly on achieving results and includes a functional programme revolving around the basic needs of core table tennis players, from beginner to advanced levels. “The aim is to make the new players feel an instant motivation and inspiration by joining the HiTT team which is composed of coaches and players with a different dynamic perspective,” Genovese, who played professionally in Sweden, Denmark and the UK, said. Only a few weeks after its inception, HiTT has brought over coach Zeljko Dimitrijevic from Serbia to form part of the technical team. He will be here up to June 10 and running the programme while Genovese, who doubles as Malta coach, has to be abroad with the national team. Dimitrijevic has extensive experience in coaching some of the most talented juniors in his country, particularly the ones from the central region. Last year, he also collaborated closely with the Malta Table Tennis Association (MTTA) to help prepare the junior national team players for international tournaments. One may obtain more details on the academy through facebook or by sending an email at info@hittmalta.com. The organisers can also be reached by phoning 7928-8297. Hockey National League Borg goal crowns Qormi champions QORMI ....................................................4 YOUNG STARS ........................................3 (after extra-time – normal time: 3-3) As league deciders go this definitely lived up to its billing and provided a classic. The game swung to and fro and was finally decided in the fifth minute of the first period of extra time when Jonathan Borg slotted the winner for Qormi. Before both teams settled into a rhythm, Young Stars drew first blood in the second minute when Mark Camilleri netted as a result of penalty corner action. Not to be outdone, two minutes later, Qormi equalised when Juan Sarcia scored, again as a result of a penalty corner action. Young Stars then piled on the pressure but did not capitalise from four penalty corners awarded to them. In the 32nd minute, Borg shot Qormi ahead giving them a 2-1 lead which they held up to the half-time whistle. After early Young Stars pressure at the start of the second half, Qormi went further ahead in the 44th minute when Sarcia netted his second goal and Qormi’s third. This instigated an immediate comeback from Young Stars with Edward Hughes pulling one back in the 48th minute and Marvin Vella equalising five minutes later. Both teams tried hard to win the game in normal time but there was no change to the score by the end of the match, and extra time was required to determine a winner. Most of the exchanges took place in midfield but in the fifth minute Borg scored Qormi’s fourth which proved to be the winner. Young Stars tried hard by winning four penalty corners in the second period of extra-time but to no avail, giving Qormi their fourth championship victory in a row. Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Manuel Imbroll. SLIEMA HOTSTICKS................................3 RABAT .....................................................2 Officially, this was the last match of the 2012-13 championship. Hotsticks had the better of the early exchanges, winning four penalty corners to Rabat’s one by the 18th minute. Ryan Brincat shot just past the post for Rabat but Hotsticks drew first blood with a Shawn Grima goal on 27 minutes. Rabat came out motoring in the second half and scored two goals in first six minutes through Jason Vella and Mario Galea. True to form, Hotsticks reacted strongly and Grima notched his second goal before FINAL STANDINGS Played Points 12 12 12 12 12 18 18 11 7 6 Qormi Young Stars Sliema Hotsticks Rabat White Hart Steve Portelli made it 3-2 as a result of a penalty corner action. After Ryan Dalli missed a chance to put Hotsticks further ahead, they did not capitalize on three other penalty corner opportunities but held out and went on to register a hard-earned victory despite Rabat’s late efforts. Umpires: Paul Brincat, James Mizzi. 40 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Luxembourg 2013 Track finals take centre-stage on day one of competition Valhmor Camilleri Luxembourg City Long months of preparation and hard training will come to the test today when the first medals at the 2013 Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) will be at stake for the nine nations taking part in this week-long sporting festival hosted by Luxembourg. The highlight of the day’s programme will be the athletics events at the Josy Barthel Stadium. They reach a climax late in the evening with the finals of the most popular races on the track – the men’s and women’s 100 metres. In the sprints, Malta will be represented by 2011 silver medallist Diane Borg and Rebecca Camilleri, the current Malta champion over the short distance, while Luke Bezzina and Steve Camilleri will be involved in the men’s 100m dash. Rebecca Camilleri will have a second chance to win a medal today as she competes in the long jump event along with Rebecca Saré while Giselle Camilleri is another podium contender in the 10,000m race final. The build-up to today’s opening session in track and field was far from ideal as most of the athletes involved were not given the chance to try out the conditions at the Josy Barthel Stadium and, instead, were shifted to another venue. That decision, taken as preparations were underway for last night’s opening ceremony, irked officials from most participating countries, including the Maltese Olympic Committee who even mulled a formal complaint at one point. “It’s not acceptable that we were not given the opportunity to practise on the track with competition starting on Tuesday (today),” coach Mario Micallef told The Times of Malta, yesteday. “Luxembourg officials informed us that they were looking into the problem and, hopefully, things will get back to normal soon. “However, that might be too late for our first events and most of the Flags flutter outside the Josy Barthel Stadium, yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli athletes will now compete without having tried out this track.” Meanwhile, individual competitions in judo also get under way this morning at Tramsschapp with Marcon Bezzina, Jeremy Saywell and Joanna Camilleri leading Malta’s charge for a medal. Shooters Brian Galea and Jeffrey Pisani start their Trap competi- tion, targeting the opening 75 clays while Etienne Bonello, Malta’s only cyclist in Luxembourg, will race in the time-trial event in Cessange. In table tennis, the men’s and women’s selection will play their first matches from the team event, which is being held on a round robin format. Our top player, Simon Gerada, was expected to join the group last night after completing a training camp in Poland with the club of his former Malta team-mate Andrzej Makowski. Tennis also gets under way today with the first matches from the singles events. Our players in the tournament will be Matthew Asciak, Roseanne Dimech and Elaine Genovese. Greta Zarb and Alison Borg play their first match in the beachvolley tournament against Monaco while gymnasts Peppijna Dalli, Adreana Zammit, Kirsty Caruana and Suzanne Buttigieg will be on the mat for the all-round competition at the Hall Sportif Belair. Athletes in action today... ATHLETICS 100 metres (heats and finals): R. Camilleri, D. Borg, L. Bezzina, S. Camilleri. 400 metres (heats): K. Moore, M. Croker, J. Richard, L. Scerri. Long jump (final): R. Camilleri, R. Sarè. 10,000 metres (women, final): Giselle Camilleri. BEACHVOLLEY Malta vs Monaco. Malta players: G. Zarb, A. Borg. CYCLING Time-trial: E. Bonello. GYMNASTICS Team event: P. Dalli, A. Zammit, S. Buttigieg, K. Caruana. JUDO Individual events: M. Bezzina, J. Camilleri, V. Fraser, J. Saywell, M. Korchilava, I. Bezzina. SHOOTING Trap (first 75 clays of competition): B. Galea, J. Pisani. SWIMMING 100 freestyle (heats and final): A. Chetcuti . TABLE TENNIS Team event: S. Gerada, D. Bajada, V. Lucenkova, P. Fei, J. Pace. TENNIS Men’s singles: M. Asciak. Women’s singles: E. Genovese, R. Dimech. Table tennis player Daniel Bajada during practising. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli TIMES OF MALTA | 41 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Luxembourg 2013 Hosts ‘ready’ for the Games Valhmor Camilleri The 2013 Games of the Small States of Europe were off to an auspicious start yesterday after a colourful opening ceremony at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg City. Athletes from the nine participating nations took part in a traditional march past and the evening reached a high when Luxembourg’s Gran Duke Henri declared the Games open. Among the distinguished guests present for the show was International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge whose second term in office comes to an end in September. Rogge was accompanied by Prince Albert of Monaco and European Olympic Committee president Pat Hickey among other VIPs. Singapore’s Ng Ser Miang, vice-president of his homeland’s Olympic Committee and one of the candidates for the IOC president’s seat, was also present for the opening ceremony, probably more interested in raising his profile and promote his election bid. The Maltese Olympic Committee contingent was led into the stadium by basketball captain Josephine Grima, the country’s flagbearer. Luxembourg’s official motto for the 2013 GSSE is ‘Are you Ready for the Games?’ The official mascot – Ready – is a virtual manikin wearing a sporty cap and sneakers. Ready portrays the development and progress achieved in the GSSE since their inception in 1985. Home track and field member Claude Godart last night recited the athlete’s oath and other promises of fair play and Olympic spirit were read out by gymnastics official Martine Reuter and basketball coach Hermann Paar. Over 600 volunteers and 100 musicians took part in the spectacle that was co-ordinated by Charles Muller and carried the theme of Luxembourg as a welcoming and tolerant country. The story narrated the evolution of man from an aggressive creature to a civilised human being ready to live in harmony with fellow citizens, with sport portrayed as a strong medium to convey this idea. Maltese athletes at the march past, yesterday. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli IOC president Jacques Rogge watching the show produced by the Luxembourg NOC organisers. Golf and archery to make debut 2015/2017 programmes unveiled The next two editions of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) are set to include golf and archery, two sporting disciplines that have never featured before in the calendar of competitions since the sporting festival for the continent’s minnow countries came to life in 1985. Yesterday, the National Olympic Committees of Iceland and San Marino both unveiled their plans for the next two Games which will be held in 2015 and 2017. Iceland, the next host country after Luxembourg, presented the programme of sport that will be held mainly in Reykjavik and a major novelty was the inclusion of golf which will be played at the Kopra course. The Iceland organisers said the majority of events will take place in the area of Laugardalur (hot spring valley) which is located at the heart of Reykjavik. Top sporting facilities already exist in the area where basketball, volleyball, athletics, swimming, beach volley, artistic gymnastics and judo can be staged. Shooting, both clay and indoor, were kept in the programme of events along with tennis for the next GSSE after this. The road cycling and mountain bike events, however, will not form part of the schedule for the 2015 Games which will be held between June 1 and 6. The logo to be adopted by the Iceland NOC will be “Let’s meet in the middle” in a reference to the geographical position of Iceland which is in the middle between Europe and America. San Marino officials also leaked the first information of their sports programme which will be held between May 29 and June 3, 2017. The San Marino Games will have bowls back in the calendar but a major inclusion will be that of archery. This sport of bows and arrows will also feature for the first time in the biennial Games. Athletics, basketball, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball will all be retained from the Iceland 2015 programme but cycling returns at the expense of golf. Sport Domus, the multi-event complex which has just been constructed in Serravalle, will be the main sporting venue for the 2017 Games which mark the start of the third cycle of GSSE competition. 42 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Football In Italy Football news Benitez joins Napoli Podolski plans Arsenal stay Former Liverpool, Inter and Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez will return to Italy to take charge of Serie A club Napoli. “Rafa Benitez is the new manager of Napoli,” club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said on his Twitter feed last night. The Spaniard replaces Walter Mazzarri who quit after the team finished second behind Juventus in Serie A this season to qualify for the Champions League. Mazzarri was in charge for just under four years, building a strong attacking side which twice qualified for the Champions League and won the Italian Cup in 2012. He said on resigning that he felt he had taken Napoli as far as he could. Benitez was in charge of Inter for the first half of the 2010-11 season after replacing treble-winning Jose Mourinho. With the team lying a modest sixth in December of that season, the Spaniard’s job was under threat, but he appeared to earn a reprieve when he led them to victory in the Club World Cup in Japan. Benitez then angered Inter owner Massimo Moratti by demanding reinforcements and was sacked before Christmas. He then remained out of coaching for nearly two years until Chelsea hired him to replace 2012 Champions League-winning Roberto Di Matteo in an interim capacity. Benitez ended a seven-month spell at the London club earlier this month by winning the Europa League and finishing third in the Premier League, thereby qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Lukas Podolski has rejected rumours linking him with a move away from Arsenal. Podolski, who joined Arsenal from Cologne last summer, is thought to be attracting interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. However, Podolski, who is currently away on international duty with Germany says he is happy at Arsenal and has no intention to leave. “I feel very comfortable and I am completely satisfied with my first year in England,” Podolski said. “I have no intention to leave the club. Rumours are rumours and I cannot stop them.” Red’s the colour for England Rafael Benitez... on his way to Naples. He won the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool and La Liga twice with Valencia where he also won the old UEFA Cup. The 53-year-old may have to rebuild Napoli following media speculation that forward Edinson Cavani, Serie A’s top scorer this season with 29 goals, is set to join one of Europe’s wealthier clubs. MOTORING & LEISURE England’s new away kit has been revealed, with makers Nike returning to iconic red. The US sportwear giant, who agreed a six-year deal with the Football Association last year, has plumped for the colour England famously wore when they won the World Cup in 1966 to replace Umbro’s navy shirt. Nike designers have gone for a polo-necked top – red apart from a white button featuring a St George cross – white shorts and red socks. The shirt is emblazoned with a gold crest to celebrate the FA’s 150th anniversary and preserves a gold star in honour of the 1966 heroes. Defender Wilson opts for Hearts beat WWW.PAQPAQ.TV Hearts have secured the signing of Danny Wilson from Liverpool on a three-year contract. The defender spent the last four months on loan at Tynecastle from Anfield and will sign a permanent deal when his Liverpool contract expires. The 21-year-old, who left Rangers for Liverpool in a £2 million move in 2010, said: “It didn’t take me long to decide about committing myself to Hearts once the club made it known they were keen to keep me.” Wilson is Gary Locke’s first signing as manager. Rogers makes first LA Galaxy showing MALTA’S TOP MOTORING PUBLICATION OUT MONTHLY WITH THE TIMES NEXT ISSUE JUNE 3 To advertise in Paqpaq, contact: EDMUND VASSALLO on 2559 4704, 9944 4726 or evassallo@timesofmalta.com Robbie Rogers’s return to football ended in a 4-0 win as Robbie Keane’s hat-trick saw Los Angeles Galaxy ease past Seattle Sounders on Sunday. Barely 24 hours after signing for the Galaxy to end his hiatus from the game after coming out, Rogers became American professional sport’s first openly gay active player when he stepped off the bench – to a standing ovation from the home fans – to replace Juninho in the 77th minute. By that time LA Galaxy were already four goals up thanks to Sean Franklin’s 12th-minute opener and strikes from Keane in the 24th, 34th and 44th minutes, the last two from the penalty spot. Loew praises Dortmund keeper Germany coach Joachim Loew has paid tribute to Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller (picture), although the chances of him earning a call-up to the national team remain slim. Weidenfeller was the only German player on the field at Wembley not to have won a cap, but while the national coach was full of praise for the keeper, he stopped short of opening him a door into his squad. “Of course it has not escaped me that Roman has played a fantastic season,” said Loew. “If you look at his performances, then Roman would certainly have deserved a cap.” However, at the age of 32, Weidenfeller no longer fits the blueprint Loew is looking for, especially as he continues to view Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, 27, as his no.1. Lopez not moving Goalkeeper Diego Lopez insists he has no intention of quitting Real Madrid this summer amid reports linking him with a move to big-spending Monaco. Lopez has made a huge impression at Madrid since rejoining the club on a four-anda-half year deal from Sevilla during the January transfer window. The 31-year-old was brought in after Iker Casillas was ruled out for three months with a hand injury and he has made the most of the opportunity with a series of superb performances. He said: “I’ve tried to take advantage of the chance as always. I’ve already said that every minute at Real is golden. “It’s in my plans to continue at Real. I think that competition between goalkeepers is positive.” Lewandowski set for Bayern – agent Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is likely to join German rivals and newlycrowned Champions League winners Bayern Munich, the Pole’s agent said. However, Cezary Kucharski told Polish reporters that Bayern had yet to agree terms for Dortmund’s top-scorer. “For us it is clear, but we have not signed anything,” Kucharski said. “The clubs need to reach an agreement.” Kucharski gave no further details, but said they should emerge within three weeks’ time. TIMES OF MALTA | 43 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Sport Roma coach hits back at ‘whiner’ Osvaldo Football In England Crystal Palace’s Kevin Phillips (centre) celebrates scoring his side’s winner from the penalty spot, yesterday. Phillips puts Palace back in the Premier League Kevin Phillips grabbed the golden goal to fire Crystal Palace into the English Premier League and end his play-off final hoodoo. The evergreen striker, who turns 40 in the summer, kept his nerve to blast in an extra-time penalty and dash his former club Watford’s dreams of promotion. It was a special moment for Phillips, who had lost all three of his previous play-off finals. It was special too for Manchester Unitedbound Wilfried Zaha, the young winger who signed off as a Palace player by winning the penalty and ensuring they will join him in the top flight next season. Special, too, for manager Ian Holloway, whose Blackpool side were beaten by West Ham in last year’s final, and who has been the fiercest critic of Watford’s controversial use of loan players. The Championship’s player of the year Matej Vydra, one of the 10 players Watford borrowed from sister clubs in Italy and Spain, endured a miserable first half and limped off at half-time. Instead, it was Zaha who caught the eye throughout, and he lured Marco Cassetti into the clumsy lunge which ultimately settled the match in the 104th minute. The 20-year-old created Palace’s only chance of the first half with a scintillating run down the right, leaving Nathaniel Chalobah and Cassetti chasing shadows before pulling the ball back to Owen Garvan, whose shot was blocked. Watford, the top scorers in the Championship this season, were strangely subdued and caused few alarms in the Palace penalty area. It took almost an hour for their first shot on target to be registered, and Alex Geijo’s grasscutter Neymar booed at last game for Santos Brazil’s hottest soccer talent Neymar got booed by rival fans in his last appearance for Santos on Sunday, a day after confirming his move to Barcelona next season. Neymar failed to inspire his team in a goalless draw against Flamengo in their opening match of the Brazilian championship played in the new World Cup stadium in Brazil’s capital. The 21-year-old striker announced on Saturday he had picked Barcelona over Real Madrid and would be leaving Santos to sign a five-year deal with the Catalan club. Many of the 63,500 spectators who filled Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha National Stadium were Flamengo fans who booed Neymar when he gained possession of the ball and cheered when he lost it. The Brazilian ace with a Mohican hairdo cried during the national anthem line-up before the game, his last for the club that launched his career and where he became the top scorer since Pele. “It was an honour to have played for this marvellous team Santos, I am so happy I did,” he told reporters. “Every child has a dream, either to be a player, a dentist or a reporter. My dream was to become a professional athlete and I have achieved that. Today Barcelona is fulfilling my dream of going to a totally beautiful team,” he told Globo TV. Some of the Flamengo fans who booed Neymar will probably be cheering him on in the same Brasilia stadium on June 15 when he is due to play for Brazil against Japan in the opening game of the Confederations Cup, an eight-nation warm-up event for next year’s World Cup. Neymar does not know when he will travel to Barcelona but said he was excited at the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves. “The Santos fans are the only ones who have always supported me. I can only thank them and say ‘see you later,’ because I will be back one day,” Neymar said. did not pose Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni any problems. In extra-time it was Speroni who was forced into action to claw the ball from underneath Troy Deeney as he chased Almen Abdi’s cross. But the breakthrough came when Cassetti, by now dizzy having been twisted and turned by Zaha yet again, brought the winger down in the area. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot and Phillips crashed the penalty high into the net. The drama did not end there with Joel Ward clearing Fernando Forestieri’s shot off the Palace goal-line in stoppage time. But it was Zaha, Phillips and Holloway who were celebrating moments later as the Eagles secured their return to the top flight after an eight-year absence. Sporting briefs FAN DIES: One Brescia supporter lost his life and 25 others were injured after a traffic incident late Sunday. Andrea Toninelli, 22, was killed as the coach carrying fans back home from Livorno overturned just outside Brescia. Livorno and Brescia drew 1-1 but Livorno made it to the Serie A promotion play-off final against Empoli. McCALL: Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has chosen to stay at Fir Park following talks with Sheffield United. The former Blades player and coach held discussions with the League One side last week as they search for a permanent successor to Danny Wilson, who lost his job last month. But McCall has decided to stay with Motherwell, who he has led to third and second place in the SPL during his two full seasons in charge. WALKER: England defender Kyle Walker has been ruled out of this week’s friendlies against Ireland and Brazil due to injury, the FA said on its website yesterday. Walker has returned to his club Tottenham and will not be replaced in the squad for the matches against Ireland at Wembley tomorrow and in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley also withdrew from Roy Hodgson’s squad due to a calf injury. LES BLEUS: Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier was called into the France squad for next month’s friendies in Uruguay and Brazil due to doubts over Samir Nasri’s fitness. “Because of doubts on Samir Nasri’s health after Man City’s two games in the US, Didier Deschamps has called up Clement Grenier,” the FFF said. France play Uruguay on June 5 and Brazil on June 9. DUTT: Robin Dutt was named as the new coach of Werder Bremen yesterday after the German football federation agreed to release him from the post as their sporting director. The 48-year-old will replace Thomas Schaaf, who was the country’s longest-coaching top flight coach when he was sacked by the four-times champions earlier this month after 14 years. BUNDESLIGA: Relegation play-off – Kaiserslautern vs Hoffenheim 1-2 (Hoffenheim win 5-2 on aggregate). Roma forward Pablo Osvaldo was described as “a whiner” by his coach Aurelio Andreazzoli yesterday after throwing a tantrum during the Italian Cup final defeat to Lazio. Television cameras caught Osvaldo apparently insulting his coach at the end of the game, after he was left out of the starting lineup and brought on for the last 15 minutes. “There’s nothing new in Osvaldo making a scene when the camera is filming him,” Andreazzoli told reporters. “But, in private, he’s a bit of a whiner. It’s his problem, not mine. “A player who represents the national team should show better behaviour but as I say, it’s not my problem.” The episode could cost Osvaldo his place in the Italy squad as national team coach Cesare Prandelli has sidelined players in the past for misbehaviour with their clubs. “We’ll make a decision shortly. First, I want to confirm what happened with the Roma directors, because at the moment all I have is second hand information,” Prandelli told reporters at a training camp, yesterday. “If we have to take any measures to remain coherent with what we have done in the past, we will do it.” Casillas returns for Confed Cup Goalkeeper Iker Casillas returned to the Spain squad as coach Vicente del Bosque offered up few surprises in a provisional 26-man group yesterday for next month’s Confederations Cup. The list will be cut back to 23 after the final round of La Liga matches next weekend. Real Madrid’s Casillas, who captained the team to success at Euros 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup finals, returns to the side as expected despite having barely played for his club since breaking a finger in January. The popular 32-year-old was left on the substitutes’ bench when he recovered from injury as departing Real coach Jose Mourinho preferred Diego Lopez as his number one during their run into the end of the season. “Iker had a small injury,” Del Bosque said. “I don’t think it’s a problem he hasn’t played for a few months. He has been training and is in good condition.” Fernando Torres and Javi Martinez, omitted from Spain’s last World Cup qualifier against France in March, were also recalled. Since March, Torres has helped Chelsea to win the Europa League and Martinez was a central figure in Bayern’s Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund. 44 TIMES OF MALTA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Bridge to Gozo Passengers shuttling between Malta and Gozo finally have safe passage in the shape of the Ċirkewwa terminal. Previously, those taking the ferry would have to embark and disembark alongside vehicles. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi » See story on page 5 Jason Micallef staying on as One chairman while heading V-18 Foundation ‘I have no conflict of interest’ Kristina Chetcuti Jason Micallef has confirmed that as parttime chairman of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, he will retain his full-time post as chairman of the Labour Party’s television station, but sees no conflict of interest in these roles. Mr Micallef told Times of Malta he had no idea when he would take up his role as V-18 chairman on a full-time basis and relinquish his One TV post. “No dates have been set as yet – but it will happen as the event draws near: the Prime Minister explained this,” he said. V-18 is the name of the foundation preparing Valletta to be the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Earlier this month Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that, when Mr Micallef officially takes over the post full-time , he would have to resign his chairmanship of One Productions. Mr Micallef said he felt there was “no conflict of interest whatsoever” between the two posts. “If you are professional in your attitude, there should never be any conflict of interest,” he said. He said the previous V-18 chairman, David Felice, also had a full-time job other than his chairmanship. “His post was not full-time... so what about him? Did he not have any conflict of interest with his full-time job?” Jason Micallef. Photo: Jason Borg “If you are professional in your attitude, there should never be any conflict of interest” When it was pointed out that Mr Felice did not head a political station but was an architect and his full-time job had nothing to do with politics, Mr Micallef said: “Up till a few months ago, we had government MPs chairing government entities. Is that a conflict? I’m asking you, tell me: isn’t that a conflict?” Mr Micallef insisted that from the moment he was appointed he declared on Facebook that he would be refraining from commenting on political issues. “Are you aware that I even stopped writing for L-Orizzont? That’s something that I had been doing for many years – but I gave it up because of my new role.” Why did he feel the need to take a step back from political commentary but not from manning a political station? “There is no conflict of interest at all,” he repeated. In a filmed interview on the Newsbook website on Sunday, Mr Micallef said that Mr Felice had accepted to be one of the directors on the V-18 board and that the number of board members was going to be increased from six to 10 “to involve other people whose contribution in the cultural field is worth taking on board”. He said that each board member was paid €1,000 a year. Mr Micallef contested the last general election unsuccessfully but in the interview shrugged off criticism that his appointment was a form of appeasement on the part of the Prime Minister. Times of Malta sent questions to the office of the Prime Minister asking if he felt there was a conflict of interest in the dual roles of Mr Micallef, but questions were unanswered by the time of printing. Asked earlier this month why it was felt that Mr Felice should be changed, Dr Muscat had replied, “Why not?” T: TVM2 K/O CODE TIME PLEASE NOTE NEUTRAL GROUND FOR MATCH FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 IRL IRL 20:45 20:45 503 504 SLIGO ROVERS ST PATRICKS 1.40 1.20 3.75 5.00 6.00 8.50 DUNDALK UCD 1.02 - 1.14 1.05 2.31 3.15 GRE GRE SWI SWI SWI SWI 17:15 19:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 512 528 531 532 533 534 PAOK ASTERAS TRIPO. LAUSANNE ST GALLEN YOUNG BOYS ZURICH 1.55 1.60 2.15 2.25 3.40 1.85 3.30 3.20 3.30 3.10 3.30 3.20 ATROMITOS 5.00 4.75 PAS GIANNINA SERVETTE 2.55 2.55 GRASSHOPPE. BASEL 1.80 THUN 3.30 1.05 1.07 1.30 1.30 1.67 1.17 1.18 1.20 1.17 1.20 1.18 1.19 1.99 1.91 1.44 1.40 1.16 1.62 AUC 16:30 553 AUSTR. VIENNA 1.15 5.50 10.00 SUPER. PASCH. - 1.03 3.55 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 BRAZIL WORLD CUP 2014 OTHER EUROPE 553 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U TUESDAY 28 TH MAY -1 2.45 3.25 2.30 3.50 1.15 -1 1.85 3.40 3.10 4.50 1.08 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 3.00 3.20 2.00 2.80 1.25 -1 3.20 3.20 1.90 2.65 1.30 -1 4.50 4.00 1.45 3.20 1.20 -1 5.00 4.25 1.40 3.10 1.20 1 1.70 3.75 3.40 4.00 1.12 -1 3.75 3.75 1.65 3.30 1.18 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY -1 1.70 3.50 3.50 4.75 1.06 O U 0-1 2-3 4+ GOALS NO GOAL GOAL FIRST HALF 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U TV League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES GOAL TV MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK 003 O Code 1.75 1.75 1.22 2.00 1.50 1.35 3.10 2.50 3.50 4.50 1.85 1.90 3.10 2.50 1.70 1.80 1.70 1.75 1.95 1.65 2.10 2.40 6.50 8.00 1.35 2.50 1.45 2.20 1.50 1.45 1.65 1.65 1.90 1.70 1.12 1.10 1.18 1.18 1.30 1.20 4.00 4.25 3.40 3.40 2.65 3.20 2.80 2.65 3.20 3.10 4.00 3.30 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.95 1.90 4.00 4.25 3.40 3.40 2.65 3.20 1.60 1.55 1.80 1.80 2.00 1.80 1.95 2.00 1.70 1.65 1.55 1.65 2.15 2.25 2.85 3.00 4.00 2.50 1.95 1.90 2.05 2.00 2.10 2.00 5.75 5.75 3.20 3.25 2.40 4.00 1.25 1.22 1.30 1.30 1.40 1.30 2.10 1.45 1.35 2.40 4.75 1.95 2.40 1.65 1.80 1.55 2.50 9.00 1.45 2.15 2.00 2.10 1.85 1.85 1.60 1.80 EVENT CODE COMPETITION WINNER 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 2.90 3.00 2.75 2.70 2.35 2.60 Odds Code 5.50 300.00 3.75 150.00 60.00 30.00 100.00 250.00 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 Team ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA BRAZIL CAMEROON CHILE COLOMBIA CROATIA CZECH REP Odds Team DENMARK ECUADOR EGYPT ENGLAND FRANCE GERMANY GHANA GREECE 150.00 100.00 300.00 18.00 30.00 7.00 150.00 150.00 Code Team 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 HOLLAND ITALY IVORY COAST JAPAN MEXICO NIGERIA NORWAY PARAGUAY Odds Code 18.00 18.00 150.00 150.00 40.00 200.00 350.00 200.00 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 Odds Code --40.00 --500.00 40.00 250.00 --300.00 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 Team POLAND PORTUGAL REP OF IRELAND ROMANIA RUSSIA S. KOREA SCOTLAND SERBIA SPAIN SWEDEN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UKRAINE URUGUAY USA ANY OTHER G: GO AMERICAN FOOTBALL BRA BRA CLA BRA BRA BRA BRA CLA 00:30 00:30 00:30 02:00 02:00 02:00 03:00 03:00 537 538 539 540 541 542 544 545 BRA 00:30 558 CLA 03:00 559 1 x 2 SANTA FE ATLETICO PR 1.40 2.25 3.75 3.10 6.00 2.55 BOTAFOGO SAO PAULO NEW. OLD BOYS BAHIA FLAMENGO NAUTICO GOIAS GO OLIMPIA ASUN. 1.85 1.65 1.80 2.15 1.60 1.85 3.10 2.40 3.20 3.30 3.10 3.10 3.50 3.20 3.10 3.00 INTERNACIONAL ATLETICO MG 1.40 1.35 3.75 4.00 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM REAL GARCIL. CRUZEIRO 1orX 1or2 Xor2 1.02 1.14 1.30 1.20 2.31 1.40 SANTOS 3.30 4.00 VA. DA GAMA 3.60 BOCA JUNIO. CORITIBA 2.70 4.25 PONTE PRETA 3.30 VITORIA BAH. 1.95 CORINTHIANS 2.45 FLUMINENSE 1.17 1.10 1.14 1.27 1.10 1.17 1.55 1.33 1.19 1.17 1.20 1.20 1.16 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.62 1.81 1.67 1.44 1.92 1.62 1.20 1.35 6.00 CRICIUMA SC 6.25 CLUB TIJUANA 1.02 1.14 1.01 1.11 2.31 2.44 GOAL League CLA 03:00 506 BRA 20:00 529 FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM X 2 147 148 149 150 151 152 Code 10.00 --9.00 4.00 30.00 1.40 171 172 173 174 175 176 ARMENIA BULGARIA CZECH REP DENMARK ITALY MALTA Team GROUP F AZERBAIJAN ISRAEL LUXEMBOURG N IRELAND PORTUGAL RUSSIA Odds Code ----- 191 192 1.85 1.90 3.10 1.70 1.80 3.00 1.90 1.60 1.95 2.95 2.10 6.50 2.00 3.20 1.35 2.50 1.30 2.55 1.70 1.70 1.45 1.70 1.70 1.75 1.70 1.60 3.20 3.20 4.25 3.20 3.25 3.00 3.20 3.50 3.30 3.30 2.65 3.25 3.30 3.40 3.25 3.00 1.90 1.85 1.85 1.90 1.85 1.90 1.90 1.90 3.20 3.20 4.25 3.20 3.25 3.00 3.20 3.50 1.65 1.70 1.90 1.65 1.75 1.65 1.65 1.70 2.50 2.25 2.50 2.85 2.20 2.50 3.75 3.20 2.00 2.00 1.90 2.00 2.05 2.00 2.00 1.95 1.30 1.30 1.22 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.25 165 166 167 168 169 170 1.90 1.60 1.30 2.70 1.80 1.70 1.22 2.95 4.00 3.60 1.90 1.85 2.70 1.80 1.70 2.95 1.70 1.80 1.90 1.85 2.15 6.25 2.15 6.50 O U WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 2.45 3.25 2.30 3.50 1.15 -1 4.75 4.25 1.40 3.40 1.18 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY -1 3.75 3.75 1.65 3.30 1.18 -1 3.20 3.50 1.85 3.30 1.18 -1 3.75 3.40 1.65 2.65 1.30 -1 4.50 4.25 1.45 3.25 1.18 -1 3.00 3.40 1.90 3.30 1.18 -1 3.60 3.75 1.65 3.40 1.18 1 1.55 3.75 4.00 3.25 1.18 -1 5.50 4.50 1.35 3.00 1.22 FRIDAY 31 ST MAY -1 2.35 3.40 2.30 4.00 1.12 -1 2.30 3.25 2.45 3.60 1.15 1.80 1.80 --------Odds 3.50 3.40 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O BELGIUM CROATIA FYR MACEDONIA SCOTLAND SERBIA WALES Team GROUP E ALBANIA CYPRUS ICELAND NORWAY SLOVENIA SWITZERLAND 1.75 1.75 1.22 3.10 1.75 1.75 1.22 3.00 1.5 U Team GROUP B 2-3 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 Code 0-1 CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME Odds 141 142 143 144 145 146 Code MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK 1.80 1.80 2.10 1.80 1.80 1.75 1.80 1.90 O U 1.20 1.20 1.10 1.20 1.18 1.22 1.20 1.15 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1.80 1.75 1.60 1.85 1.75 1.85 1.85 1.80 1 X 2 4.00 4.75 4.50 3.40 4.75 4.00 2.65 3.10 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U TV TV Team GROUP A O 2.60 2.60 3.10 2.60 2.60 2.55 2.60 2.75 Code 189 190 G: GO FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME BELARUS FINLAND UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U GOALS FIRST HALF U/O1st HALF 1.5 0-1 2-3 4+ NO GOAL GOAL 3.50 3.00 1.85 3.50 1.75 1.70 2.95 1.95 3.30 1.25 2.80 3.20 2.90 3.40 3.40 3.20 3.20 3.30 3.60 3.10 3.10 3.30 3.30 1.85 1.90 1.85 1.85 1.90 1.90 3.20 2.90 3.40 3.40 3.20 3.20 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.75 1.80 2.40 5.50 3.00 3.20 2.20 2.45 2.05 2.05 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 4.25 2.05 3.25 3.00 5.25 4.25 1.30 1.35 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 O U 1 X 2 U 501 SYRIANSKA 2.20 3.10 GEFLE 1.29 1.19 1.41 17:00 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 19:00 511 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 BODO GLIMT HONKA JYVASKYLA KUOPION ROVANIEMI TURKU VAASA BRANN HODD ODDS BK RANHEIM SOGNDAL TROMSO VARD HAUGES. VIKING MALMO 1.15 1.75 5.00 2.25 2.50 1.60 1.80 1.30 3.20 1.60 2.75 1.45 1.10 4.00 1.40 2.20 5.50 10.00 ELVERUM 3.30 3.50 LAHTI 3.50 1.50 HELSINKI 3.10 2.55 INTER TURKU 3.10 2.30 MYLLYKOSKI 3.30 4.50 MARIEHAMN 3.20 3.50 JARO 4.75 5.75 MJONDALEN 3.50 1.80 MOLDE 3.60 4.00 SANDEFJORD 3.30 2.05 AALESUND 4.00 4.75 ULLENS. KISA 6.25 12.50 FOLLO 3.60 1.60 HAUGESUND 3.75 6.00 BRYNE 3.10 2.60 HELSINGBORG 1.14 2.06 1.30 1.38 1.08 1.15 1.02 1.67 1.11 1.50 1.06 1.89 1.02 1.29 1.03 1.17 1.15 1.20 1.20 1.18 1.19 1.06 1.15 1.14 1.17 1.11 1.01 1.14 1.14 1.19 3.55 1.70 1.05 1.40 1.32 1.90 1.67 2.60 1.19 1.89 1.26 2.17 4.17 1.11 2.31 1.41 NOC FIN FIN FIN FIN FIN FIN NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC SE1 2.60 -1 4.75 4.00 1.45 3.00 1.22 1.60 1.90 1.15 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 3.50 2.05 5.00 1.40 3.00 3.60 -1 4.75 3.60 3.40 4.25 4.25 3.40 3.60 1.70 2.70 1.40 5.00 1.90 1.70 4.25 1.45 3.30 3.60 3.10 3.10 3.30 3.30 1.18 1.15 1.20 1.20 1.18 1.18 1.70 1.80 1.65 1.65 1.70 1.70 1.80 1.70 1.85 1.85 1.80 1.80 1.20 1.25 1.18 1.18 1.20 1.20 3.10 1.20 1.65 1.85 1.18 1.70 1.70 1.65 1.65 1.75 1.70 3.40 3.10 1.85 3.40 1.80 1.65 2.95 2.00 3.30 1.30 2.70 3.50 2.85 3.00 3.50 1.90 1.90 3.50 2.85 1.80 1.70 1.95 1.55 3.00 3.10 1.95 2.00 3.30 3.10 1.25 2.75 1.35 2.45 7 6 5 KONGSVINGER STABAEK DJURGARDEN NORRKOPING 2.35 2.25 2.25 2.45 3.20 3.20 3.00 3.00 2.40 2.50 2.60 2.40 HAM KAM FREDRIKSTAD KALMAR AIK STOCKH. 1.35 1.32 1.29 1.35 1.19 1.18 1.21 1.21 1.37 1.40 1.39 1.33 -1 5.00 1 1.35 4.25 1.40 4.50 5.00 3.00 1.22 1.60 1.90 1.15 3.50 1.15 1.80 1.70 1.25 ITALY IT2 TV 20:45 535 HOME TEAM EMPOLI 2.25 x 2.90 2 3.00 AWAY TEAM LIVORNO 1orX 1or2 Xor2 1.27 1.29 1.47 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME FINAL RESULT 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 3.5 U O U O U WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 5.00 4.00 1.45 2.70 1.30 1.55 2.15 1.12 PLEASE NOTE NEUTRAL GROUND FOR MATCHES HOME TEAM SUM OF GOALS 2.5 O G: GO MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK League 1 DOUBLE CHANCE GOAL K/O CODE TIME FINAL RESULT GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES X 2 2.70 2-3 1.90 4+ 4.00 NO GOAL GOAL FIRST HALF 1.65 1.80 1 X 3.00 1.85 2 3.75 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O 1.22 3.00 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES 502 & 530 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 4.00 0-1 GOALS 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U O U 0-1 2-3 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O TUESDAY 28 TH MAY IF 20:45 502 TURKEY 1.20 5.00 8.50 IF IF IF 02:00 20:30 21:00 505 530 536 CANADA GERMANY ENGLAND 2.25 1.40 1.40 3.00 3.75 4.00 IF IF 02:00 12:20 543 551 USA JAPAN 2.50 1.40 3.10 3.75 1.05 3.15 2.60 COSTA RICA 6.00 ECUADOR 6.50 R. OF IRELAND 1.29 1.02 1.04 1.21 1.14 1.15 1.39 2.31 2.48 2.30 6.00 1.38 1.02 1.20 1.14 1.32 2.31 BELGIUM BULGARIA -1 1.90 3.30 3.10 4.00 1.10 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 5.00 4.00 1.40 2.80 1.25 -1 2.30 3.50 2.30 4.25 1.10 -1 2.35 3.30 2.40 3.60 1.15 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY 1 1.40 4.25 5.00 3.00 1.22 -1 2.55 3.10 2.30 3.10 1.22 G: GO FINAL RESULT 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES HOME TEAM 552 CYPRUS 4.00 1.85 2.75 1.65 1.85 1.65 2.35 8.00 1.40 2.30 1.50 2.00 1.12 2.00 1.50 1.35 1.85 1.75 1.22 4.00 2.45 2.95 2.80 4.25 3.60 1.85 1.95 1.85 4.00 2.45 2.95 1.70 1.80 1.90 1.60 1.70 1.80 3.00 1.90 1.90 1.90 2.15 2.15 3.40 6.25 6.75 1.22 2.95 1.45 2.20 1.35 2.45 1.60 1.90 1.15 1.60 1.90 1.15 3.50 3.60 3.00 3.10 1.85 1.85 3.50 3.60 1.80 1.70 1.60 1.90 3.20 1.95 1.95 2.05 3.10 6.50 1.25 2.80 1.25 2.75 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 U 1.95 3.10 3.10 N IRELAND 1.20 1.20 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY E21 16:00 2.75 EUROPEAN U21 QUALIFICATIONS MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK K/O CODE TIME 1.90 1.60 1.25 U O U O 0-1 2-3 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O TV TV - LATVIA irl Standings & Statistics MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK TV TV G: GO 554 555 556 557 ------------Odds 153 154 155 156 157 158 Code ------------Odds 159 160 161 162 163 164 Code --20.00 ----3.50 1.15 177 178 179 180 181 182 AUSTRIA FAROE ISLANDS GERMANY KAZAKHSTAN REP OF IRELAND SWEDEN Team GROUP G BOSNIA-HERZEG. GREECE LATVIA LIECHTENSTEIN LITHUANIA SLOVAKIA 1.45 2.75 ------6.50 183 184 185 186 187 188 Odds Code Code Odds GROUP I 4.00 193 --- € TV 18:00 18:00 19:00 19:05 Code 2.60 2.45 2.70 2.70 2.60 2.60 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY NOC NOC SE1 SE1 Odds Team SPAIN ST PATRICKS SLIGO ROVERS DERRY CITY DUNDALK F A 22 8 25 7 32 16 21 17 P 33 31 30 24 G 12 12 12 12 12 12 F 26 23 15 16 24 15 A 8 12 11 15 16 15 P 29 24 23 21 20 17 F A 24 6 15 6 20 9 14 9 12 8 18 15 P 22 21 19 16 16 16 F A 13 8 13 5 11 8 8 7 P 17 16 14 14 no1 STROMSGODSET ROSENBORG VIKING BRANN AALESUND HAUGESUND A 14 19 21 24 18 P 16 16 15 14 13 A 9 17 16 14 18 P 14 14 14 13 9 F A 11 11 9 8 11 13 10 9 P 14 13 12 11 UCD BRAY WANDERE. BOHEMIAN SHELBOURNE G 15 15 15 15 F 19 15 13 6 A 31 31 25 26 P 14 14 13 6 VALERENGA START ODDS BK MOLDE SANDNES G 12 12 12 12 12 F 13 15 10 15 9 A 19 23 14 17 16 P 13 13 11 10 10 TROMSO SOGNDAL LILLESTROM SARPSBORG HONEFOSS G 12 12 12 12 12 F 18 15 18 16 14 BROMMAPOJKA. HALMSTAD OSTER SYRIANSKA DJURGARDEN G F A P 10 11 20 9 10 8 12 8 10 10 16 8 10 6 16 8 10 7 22 8 fin ATVIDABERG NORRKOPING HACKEN AIK STOCKHOLM GEFLE G 10 10 10 10 10 F 13 15 14 15 11 JARO ROVANIEMI LAHTI JYVASKYLA G F A P 8 11 11 11 9 9 12 10 8 5 10 6 8 5 14 3 HONKA TURKU MARIEHAMN KUOPION G 9 8 9 9 A 31 30 33 44 P 66 63 59 52 G 10 10 10 9 9 10 F A 20 8 17 9 18 9 12 8 16 9 16 16 P 25 22 20 18 17 16 Odds RANHEIM SANDEFJORD BODO GLIMT HODD HAM KAM STABAEK PAOK ATROMITOS CRUZEIRO CRICIUMA SAO PAULO GREMIO FLUMINENSE CORITIBA VASCO DA GAMA THUN SION YOUNG BOYS LUZERN G 34 34 34 34 F 42 36 46 35 A 42 50 47 49 P 47 45 42 36 A 9 11 15 12 15 LAUSANNE SERVETTE G F A P 34 28 47 30 34 29 55 26 P 15 14 13 13 10 STROMMEN FOLLO ULLENSAKER KISA V. HAUGESUND ELVERUM G 10 8 10 10 10 P 7 ASTER. TRIPOLIS G F A P 4 4 6 5 ATLETICO PR PORTUGUESA BAHIA NAUTICO PONTE PRETA GOIAS G F A P 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 Norwegian 2nd BRYNE KRISTIANSUND KONGSVINGER MJONDALEN FREDRIKSTAD G 9 10 10 10 9 F 16 13 13 10 14 F 9 10 10 11 10 A P 14 10 18 6 18 6 21 5 23 5 Greece Play-offs G F A P 4 4 4 10 4 6 4 7 bra Finnish 1st G 9 8 9 8 BASEL GRASSHOPPERS ST GALLEN ZURICH F 59 42 53 58 gre Swedish 1st G HELSINGBORG 9 IFK GOTHENBURG 10 10 ELFSBORG 9 MALMO 10 KALMAR 10 MJALLBY Team Swiss 1st G 34 34 34 34 no2 Norwegian 1st se1 HELSINKI MYLLYKOSKI INTER TURKU VAASA P 21 19 19 17 1.30 --4.25 12.00 --9.00 4.6 MILLION 1.3 MILLION 2.7 MILLION swi A 9 16 24 21 Team GROUP H ENGLAND MOLDOVA MONTENEGRO POLAND SAN MARINO UKRAINE 4,600,000 CORRECT PREDICTIONS F 18 20 25 15 ------------Odds ANDORRA ESTONIA HOLLAND HUNGARY ROMANIA TURKEY MANTORPRACE TRACK CORRECT PREDICTIONS G SHAMROCK ROV. 15 LIMERICK 15 DROGHEDA 15 CORK CITY FORAS 15 Odds SATURDAY 1ST JUNE CORRECT PREDICTIONS Irish Premier League G 15 14 15 14 Team GROUP D 1.15 V75 JACKPOT O TUESDAY 28 TH MAY SE1 19:00 Team GROUP C FRANCE GEORGIA SCANDINAVIAN LEAGUES MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK Code Team TV TV Team 003 Odds 1.40 2.30 1.35 2.45 5.00 150.00 150.00 250.00 500.00 50.00 100.00 20.00 EVENT CODE GROUP WINNER Code Odds Team PAS GIANNINA G F A 4 4 4 Brazilian 1st G F A 1 5 0 1 3 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 INTERNACIONAL VITORIA BAHIA BOTAFOGO CORINTHIANS FLAMENGO SANTOS ATLETICO MG G F A 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 P 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1.55 NOTE: All odds subject to fluctuation. Football Long List bets are at 90 minutes play including injury time. Betting is allowed up till the final moments before the scheduled start of a match. Except in the case of Live Betting, cancellation is allowed up to 5 minutes after a ticket was issued, or until the scheduled start of the first event in chronological order included on the coupon, whichever is the earlier. For Rules and Regulations please refer to the U*BET Player's Booklet at any MALTCO LOTTERIES LTD. Point of Sale. live the game MOTO GP WINNER DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP CODE DRIVER CODE DRIVER ODDS 101 BAUTISTA 500.00 104 DOVIZIOSO 200.00 107 PEDROSA 102 BRADL 500.00 105 LORENZO 3.00 108 ROSSI 103 CRUTCHLOW 40.00 106 MARQUEZ M. 2.60 109 ANY OTHER NETHERLANDS GERMANY UNITED STATES INDIANAPOLIS CZECH REPUB. GREAT BRITAIN 29 Jun 14 Jul 21 Jul 18 Aug 25 Aug 01 Sep 13 14 15 16 17 18 SAN MARINO ARAGÓN MALAYSIA AUSTRALIA JAPAN VALENCIA ODDS RACE CALENDAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 096 Event Code CODE DRIVER ODDS 2.45 30.00 150.00 2013 QATAR AMERICAS www.maltco.com SPAIN FRANCE ITALY CATALUNYA 07 Apr 21 Apr 05 May 19 May 02 Jun 16 Jun STANDINGS 2013 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 Sep 29 Sep 13 Oct 20 Oct 27 Oct 10 Nov 1 DANI PEDROSA Spanish Honda 83 12 BRADLEY SMITH British Yamaha 17 2 MARC MARQUEZ Spanish Honda 77 13 MICHELE PIRRO Italian Ducati 13 3 JORGE LORENZO Spanish Yamaha 66 14 BEN SPIES U. S. A. Ducati 9 4 CAL CRUTCHLOW British Yamaha 55 15 HECTOR BARBERA Spanish FTR 7 5 VALENTINO ROSSI Italian Yamaha 47 16 RANDY D. PUNIET French ART 6 6 A. DOVIZIOSO Ducati 39 17 D. PETRUCCI Italian Ioda-Suter 4 7 ALVARO BAUTISTA Spanish Honda 38 18 M. LAVERTY British PBM 3 8 NICKY HAYDEN U. S. A. Ducati 35 19 Y. HERNANDEZ Colombian ART 3 9 A. ESPARGARO Spanish ART 20 20 KAREL ABRAHAM Czech ART 1 10 A. IANNONE Italian Ducati 18 21 COLIN EDWARDS U. S. A. FTR Kawasaki 1 11 STEFAN BRADL German Honda 17 22 HIROSHI AOYAMA Japanese FTR 1 Italian Tennis ATP/WTA Roland Garros May 26th - June 9th Please ask your Point of Sale for the latest odds www.maltco.com DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP CODE 101 102 103 104 DRIVER ODDS 2.75 ALONSO 200.00 BUTTON --GROSJEAN HAMILTON 12.00 CODE 105 106 107 108 EVENT CODE: ODDS 150.00 --RAIKKONEN 6.50 ROSBERG 25.00 DRIVER MASSA PEREZ CODE DRIVER 109 VETTEL 110 WEBBER 111 ANY OTHER 095 CONSTRUCTOR CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS 1.70 60.00 --- TEAM CODE 201 FERRARI 202 LOTUS ODDS 2.65 15.00 EVENT CODE: CODE ODDS TEAM 203 McLAREN 150.00 204 MERCEDES 12.00 095 CODE ODDS TEAM 205 RED BULL 1.50 206 ANY OTHER 200.00 RACE CALENDAR 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AUSTRALIA MALAYSIA www.maltco.com CHINA BAHRAIN SPAIN MONACO CANADA 15 22 12 19 10 23 07 - 17 24 14 21 12 26 09 Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 GREAT BRITIAN GERMANY HUNGARY BELGIUM ITALY SINGAPORE KOREA 28 05 26 23 06 20 04 - 30 07 28 25 08 22 06 Jun Jul Jul Aug Sep Sep Oct 15 16 17 18 19 JAPAN INDIA ABU DHABI USA BRAZIL 11 25 01 15 22 - 13 27 03 17 24 Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov STANDINGS DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 1 S. VETTEL German Red Bull Racing-Renault 2 KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN Finnish Lotus-Renault 3 F. ALONSO Spanish 4 LEWIS HAMILTON 5 107 12 SERGIO PEREZ Mexican McLaren-Mercedes 12 86 13 D. RICCIARDO Austral. STR-Ferrari 7 Ferrari 78 14 N. HULKENBERG German Sauber-Ferrari 5 British Mercedes 62 15 J. VERGNE French STR-Ferrari 5 MARK WEBBER Austral. Red Bull Racing-Renault 57 16 E. GUTIERREZ Mexican Sauber-Ferrari 0 6 NICO ROSBERG German Mercedes 47 17 VALTTERI BOTTAS Finnish Williams-Renault 0 7 FELIPE MASSA Brazilian Ferrari 45 18 P. MALDONADO Venezue. Williams-Renault 0 8 PAUL DI RESTA British Force India-Mercedes 28 19 JULES BIANCHI French Marussia-Cosworth 0 9 R. GROSJEAN French Lotus-Renault 26 20 CHARLES PIC French Caterham-Renault 0 10 JENSON BUTTON British McLaren-Mercedes 25 21 MAX CHILTON British Marussia-Cosworth 0 11 ADRIAN SUTIL German Force India-Mercedes 16 22 G. V. DER GARDE Dutch Caterham-Renault 0 T: TVM2 K/O CODE TIME PLEASE NOTE NEUTRAL GROUND FOR MATCH FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 IRL IRL 20:45 20:45 503 504 SLIGO ROVERS ST PATRICKS 1.40 1.20 3.75 5.00 6.00 8.50 DUNDALK UCD 1.02 - 1.14 1.05 2.31 3.15 GRE GRE SWI SWI SWI SWI 17:15 19:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 512 528 531 532 533 534 PAOK ASTERAS TRIPO. LAUSANNE ST GALLEN YOUNG BOYS ZURICH 1.55 1.60 2.15 2.25 3.40 1.85 3.30 3.20 3.30 3.10 3.30 3.20 ATROMITOS 5.00 4.75 PAS GIANNINA SERVETTE 2.55 2.55 GRASSHOPPE. BASEL 1.80 THUN 3.30 1.05 1.07 1.30 1.30 1.67 1.17 1.18 1.20 1.17 1.20 1.18 1.19 1.99 1.91 1.44 1.40 1.16 1.62 AUC 16:30 553 AUSTR. VIENNA 1.15 5.50 10.00 SUPER. PASCH. - 1.03 3.55 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 BRAZIL WORLD CUP 2014 OTHER EUROPE 553 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U TUESDAY 28 TH MAY -1 2.45 3.25 2.30 3.50 1.15 -1 1.85 3.40 3.10 4.50 1.08 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 3.00 3.20 2.00 2.80 1.25 -1 3.20 3.20 1.90 2.65 1.30 -1 4.50 4.00 1.45 3.20 1.20 -1 5.00 4.25 1.40 3.10 1.20 1 1.70 3.75 3.40 4.00 1.12 -1 3.75 3.75 1.65 3.30 1.18 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY -1 1.70 3.50 3.50 4.75 1.06 O U 0-1 2-3 4+ GOALS NO GOAL GOAL FIRST HALF 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U TV League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES GOAL TV MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK 003 O Code 1.75 1.75 1.22 2.00 1.50 1.35 3.10 2.50 3.50 4.50 1.85 1.90 3.10 2.50 1.70 1.80 1.70 1.75 1.95 1.65 2.10 2.40 6.50 8.00 1.35 2.50 1.45 2.20 1.50 1.45 1.65 1.65 1.90 1.70 1.12 1.10 1.18 1.18 1.30 1.20 4.00 4.25 3.40 3.40 2.65 3.20 2.80 2.65 3.20 3.10 4.00 3.30 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.95 1.90 4.00 4.25 3.40 3.40 2.65 3.20 1.60 1.55 1.80 1.80 2.00 1.80 1.95 2.00 1.70 1.65 1.55 1.65 2.15 2.25 2.85 3.00 4.00 2.50 1.95 1.90 2.05 2.00 2.10 2.00 5.75 5.75 3.20 3.25 2.40 4.00 1.25 1.22 1.30 1.30 1.40 1.30 2.10 1.45 1.35 2.40 4.75 1.95 2.40 1.65 1.80 1.55 2.50 9.00 1.45 2.15 2.00 2.10 1.85 1.85 1.60 1.80 EVENT CODE COMPETITION WINNER 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 2.90 3.00 2.75 2.70 2.35 2.60 Odds Code 5.50 300.00 3.75 150.00 50.00 30.00 75.00 250.00 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 Team ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA BRAZIL CAMEROON CHILE COLOMBIA CROATIA CZECH REP Odds Team DENMARK ECUADOR EGYPT ENGLAND FRANCE GERMANY GHANA GREECE 150.00 100.00 300.00 18.00 30.00 8.00 150.00 150.00 Code Team 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 HOLLAND ITALY IVORY COAST JAPAN MEXICO NIGERIA NORWAY PARAGUAY Odds Code 18.00 18.00 150.00 150.00 40.00 200.00 350.00 200.00 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 Odds Code --30.00 --500.00 40.00 250.00 --300.00 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 Team POLAND PORTUGAL REP OF IRELAND ROMANIA RUSSIA S. KOREA SCOTLAND SERBIA SPAIN SWEDEN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UKRAINE URUGUAY USA ANY OTHER G: GO AMERICAN FOOTBALL BRA BRA CLA BRA BRA BRA BRA CLA 00:30 00:30 00:30 02:00 02:00 02:00 03:00 03:00 537 538 539 540 541 542 544 545 BRA 00:30 558 CLA 03:00 559 1 x 2 SANTA FE ATLETICO PR 1.40 2.25 3.75 3.10 6.00 2.55 BOTAFOGO SAO PAULO NEW. OLD BOYS BAHIA FLAMENGO NAUTICO GOIAS GO OLIMPIA ASUN. 1.85 1.65 1.80 2.15 1.60 1.85 3.10 2.40 3.20 3.30 3.10 3.10 3.50 3.20 3.10 3.00 INTERNACIONAL ATLETICO MG 1.40 1.35 3.75 4.00 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM REAL GARCIL. CRUZEIRO 1orX 1or2 Xor2 1.02 1.14 1.30 1.20 2.31 1.40 SANTOS 3.30 4.00 VA. DA GAMA 3.60 BOCA JUNIO. CORITIBA 2.70 4.25 PONTE PRETA 3.30 VITORIA BAH. 1.95 CORINTHIANS 2.45 FLUMINENSE 1.17 1.10 1.14 1.27 1.10 1.17 1.55 1.33 1.19 1.17 1.20 1.20 1.16 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.62 1.81 1.67 1.44 1.92 1.62 1.20 1.35 6.00 CRICIUMA SC 6.25 CLUB TIJUANA 1.02 1.14 1.01 1.11 2.31 2.44 GOAL League CLA 03:00 506 BRA 20:00 529 FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM X 2 147 148 149 150 151 152 Code 10.00 --9.00 4.00 30.00 1.40 171 172 173 174 175 176 ARMENIA BULGARIA CZECH REP DENMARK ITALY MALTA Team GROUP F AZERBAIJAN ISRAEL LUXEMBOURG N IRELAND PORTUGAL RUSSIA Odds Code ----- 191 192 1.85 1.90 3.10 1.70 1.80 3.00 1.90 1.60 1.95 2.95 2.10 6.50 2.00 3.20 1.35 2.50 1.30 2.55 1.70 1.70 1.45 1.70 1.70 1.75 1.70 1.60 3.20 3.20 4.25 3.20 3.25 3.00 3.20 3.50 3.30 3.30 2.65 3.25 3.30 3.40 3.25 3.00 1.90 1.85 1.85 1.90 1.85 1.90 1.90 1.90 3.20 3.20 4.25 3.20 3.25 3.00 3.20 3.50 1.65 1.70 1.90 1.65 1.75 1.65 1.65 1.70 2.50 2.25 2.50 2.85 2.20 2.50 3.75 3.20 2.00 2.00 1.90 2.00 2.05 2.00 2.00 1.95 1.30 1.30 1.22 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.25 165 166 167 168 169 170 1.90 1.60 1.30 2.70 1.80 1.70 1.22 2.95 4.00 3.60 1.90 1.85 2.70 1.80 1.70 2.95 1.70 1.80 1.90 1.85 2.15 6.25 2.15 6.50 O U WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 2.45 3.25 2.30 3.50 1.15 -1 4.75 4.25 1.40 3.40 1.18 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY -1 3.75 3.75 1.65 3.30 1.18 -1 3.20 3.50 1.85 3.30 1.18 -1 3.75 3.40 1.65 2.65 1.30 -1 4.50 4.25 1.45 3.25 1.18 -1 3.00 3.40 1.90 3.30 1.18 -1 3.60 3.75 1.65 3.40 1.18 1 1.55 3.75 4.00 3.25 1.18 -1 5.50 4.50 1.35 3.00 1.22 FRIDAY 31 ST MAY -1 2.35 3.40 2.30 4.00 1.12 -1 2.30 3.25 2.45 3.60 1.15 1.80 1.80 --------Odds 3.50 3.40 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O BELGIUM CROATIA FYR MACEDONIA SCOTLAND SERBIA WALES Team GROUP E ALBANIA CYPRUS ICELAND NORWAY SLOVENIA SWITZERLAND 1.75 1.75 1.22 3.10 1.75 1.75 1.22 3.00 1.5 U Team GROUP B 2-3 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 Code 0-1 CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME Odds 141 142 143 144 145 146 Code MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK 1.80 1.80 2.10 1.80 1.80 1.75 1.80 1.90 O U 1.20 1.20 1.10 1.20 1.18 1.22 1.20 1.15 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1.80 1.75 1.60 1.85 1.75 1.85 1.85 1.80 1 X 2 4.00 4.75 4.50 3.40 4.75 4.00 2.65 3.10 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U TV TV Team GROUP A O 2.60 2.60 3.10 2.60 2.60 2.55 2.60 2.75 Code 189 190 G: GO FINAL RESULT HOME TEAM 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME BELARUS FINLAND UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U FIRST HALF GOALS U/O1st HALF 1.5 0-1 2-3 4+ NO GOAL GOAL 3.50 3.00 1.85 3.50 1.75 1.70 2.95 1.95 3.30 1.25 2.80 3.20 2.90 3.40 3.40 3.20 3.20 3.30 3.60 3.10 3.10 3.30 3.30 1.85 1.90 1.85 1.85 1.90 1.90 3.20 2.90 3.40 3.40 3.20 3.20 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.75 1.80 2.40 5.50 3.00 3.20 2.20 2.45 2.05 2.05 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 4.25 2.05 3.25 3.00 5.25 4.25 1.30 1.35 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 O U 1 X 2 U 501 SYRIANSKA 2.20 3.10 GEFLE 1.29 1.19 1.41 17:00 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 19:00 511 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 BODO GLIMT HONKA JYVASKYLA KUOPION ROVANIEMI TURKU VAASA BRANN HODD ODDS BK RANHEIM SOGNDAL TROMSO VARD HAUGES. VIKING MALMO 1.15 1.75 5.00 2.25 2.50 1.60 1.80 1.30 3.20 1.60 2.75 1.45 1.10 4.00 1.40 2.20 5.50 10.00 ELVERUM 3.30 3.50 LAHTI 3.50 1.50 HELSINKI 3.10 2.55 INTER TURKU 3.10 2.30 MYLLYKOSKI 3.30 4.50 MARIEHAMN 3.20 3.50 JARO 4.75 5.75 MJONDALEN 3.50 1.80 MOLDE 3.60 4.00 SANDEFJORD 3.30 2.05 AALESUND 4.00 4.75 ULLENS. KISA 6.25 12.50 FOLLO 3.60 1.60 HAUGESUND 3.75 6.00 BRYNE 3.10 2.60 HELSINGBORG 1.14 2.06 1.30 1.38 1.08 1.15 1.02 1.67 1.11 1.50 1.06 1.89 1.02 1.29 1.03 1.17 1.15 1.20 1.20 1.18 1.19 1.06 1.15 1.14 1.17 1.11 1.01 1.14 1.14 1.19 3.55 1.70 1.05 1.40 1.32 1.90 1.67 2.60 1.19 1.89 1.26 2.17 4.17 1.11 2.31 1.41 NOC FIN FIN FIN FIN FIN FIN NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC NOC SE1 2.60 -1 4.75 4.00 1.45 3.00 1.22 1.60 1.90 1.15 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 3.50 2.05 5.00 1.40 3.00 3.60 -1 4.75 3.60 3.40 4.25 4.25 3.40 3.60 1.70 2.70 1.40 5.00 1.90 1.70 4.25 1.45 3.30 3.60 3.10 3.10 3.30 3.30 1.18 1.15 1.20 1.20 1.18 1.18 1.70 1.80 1.65 1.65 1.70 1.70 1.80 1.70 1.85 1.85 1.80 1.80 1.20 1.25 1.18 1.18 1.20 1.20 3.10 1.20 1.65 1.85 1.18 1.70 1.70 1.65 1.65 1.75 1.70 3.40 3.10 1.85 3.40 1.80 1.65 2.95 2.00 3.30 1.30 2.70 3.50 2.85 3.00 3.50 1.90 1.90 3.50 2.85 1.80 1.70 1.95 1.55 3.00 3.10 1.95 2.00 3.30 3.10 1.25 2.75 1.35 2.45 7 6 5 KONGSVINGER STABAEK DJURGARDEN NORRKOPING 2.35 2.25 2.25 2.45 3.20 3.20 3.00 3.00 2.40 2.50 2.60 2.40 HAM KAM FREDRIKSTAD KALMAR AIK STOCKH. 1.35 1.32 1.29 1.35 1.19 1.18 1.21 1.21 1.37 1.40 1.39 1.33 -1 5.00 1 1.35 4.25 1.40 4.50 5.00 3.00 1.22 1.60 1.90 1.15 3.50 1.15 1.80 1.70 1.25 ITALY IT2 TV 20:45 535 HOME TEAM EMPOLI 2.25 x 2.90 2 3.00 AWAY TEAM LIVORNO 1orX 1or2 Xor2 1.27 1.29 1.47 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES K/O CODE TIME FINAL RESULT 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 3.5 U O U O U WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 5.00 4.00 1.45 2.70 1.30 1.55 2.15 1.12 PLEASE NOTE NEUTRAL GROUND FOR MATCHES HOME TEAM SUM OF GOALS 2.5 O G: GO MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK League 1 DOUBLE CHANCE GOAL K/O CODE TIME FINAL RESULT GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES X 2 2.70 2-3 1.90 4+ 4.00 NO GOAL GOAL FIRST HALF 1.65 1.80 1 X 3.00 1.85 2 3.75 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O 1.22 3.00 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES 502 & 530 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 4.00 0-1 GOALS 1.5 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O U O U O U 0-1 2-3 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O TUESDAY 28 TH MAY IF 20:45 502 TURKEY 1.20 5.00 8.50 IF IF IF 02:00 20:30 21:00 505 530 536 CANADA GERMANY ENGLAND 2.25 1.40 1.40 3.00 3.75 4.00 IF IF 02:00 12:20 543 551 USA JAPAN 2.50 1.40 3.10 3.75 1.05 3.15 2.60 COSTA RICA 6.00 ECUADOR 6.50 R. OF IRELAND 1.29 1.02 1.04 1.21 1.14 1.15 1.39 2.31 2.48 2.30 6.00 1.38 1.02 1.20 1.14 1.32 2.31 BELGIUM BULGARIA -1 1.90 3.30 3.10 4.00 1.10 WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY -1 5.00 4.00 1.40 2.80 1.25 -1 2.30 3.50 2.30 4.25 1.10 -1 2.35 3.30 2.40 3.60 1.15 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY 1 1.40 4.25 5.00 3.00 1.22 -1 2.55 3.10 2.30 3.10 1.22 G: GO FINAL RESULT 1 x 2 DOUBLE CHANCE AWAY TEAM 1orX 1or2 Xor2 GOAL League CAN BE PLAYED AS SINGLES HOME TEAM 552 CYPRUS 4.00 1.85 2.75 1.65 1.85 1.65 2.35 8.00 1.40 2.30 1.50 2.00 1.12 2.00 1.50 1.35 1.85 1.75 1.22 4.00 2.45 2.95 2.80 4.25 3.60 1.85 1.95 1.85 4.00 2.45 2.95 1.70 1.80 1.90 1.60 1.70 1.80 3.00 1.90 1.90 1.90 2.15 2.15 3.40 6.25 6.75 1.22 2.95 1.45 2.20 1.35 2.45 1.60 1.90 1.15 1.60 1.90 1.15 3.50 3.60 3.00 3.10 1.85 1.85 3.50 3.60 1.80 1.70 1.60 1.90 3.20 1.95 1.95 2.05 3.10 6.50 1.25 2.80 1.25 2.75 UNDER/OVER HANDICAP 1 X 2 1.5 U 1.95 3.10 3.10 N IRELAND 1.20 1.20 SUM OF GOALS 3.5 2.5 O WEDNESDAY 29 TH MAY E21 16:00 2.75 EUROPEAN U21 QUALIFICATIONS MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK K/O CODE TIME 1.90 1.60 1.25 U O U O 0-1 2-3 4+ FIRST HALF GOALS NO GOAL GOAL 1 X 2 U/O1st HALF 1.5 U O TV TV - LATVIA irl Standings & Statistics MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK TV TV G: GO 554 555 556 557 ------------Odds 153 154 155 156 157 158 Code ------------Odds 159 160 161 162 163 164 Code --20.00 ----3.50 1.15 177 178 179 180 181 182 AUSTRIA FAROE ISLANDS GERMANY KAZAKHSTAN REP OF IRELAND SWEDEN Team GROUP G BOSNIA-HERZEG. GREECE LATVIA LIECHTENSTEIN LITHUANIA SLOVAKIA 1.45 2.75 ------6.50 183 184 185 186 187 188 Odds Code Code Odds GROUP I 4.00 193 --- € TV 18:00 18:00 19:00 19:05 Code 2.60 2.45 2.70 2.70 2.60 2.60 THURSDAY 30 TH MAY NOC NOC SE1 SE1 Odds Team SPAIN ST PATRICKS SLIGO ROVERS DERRY CITY DUNDALK F A 22 8 25 7 32 16 21 17 P 33 31 30 24 G 12 12 12 12 12 12 F 26 23 15 16 24 15 A 8 12 11 15 16 15 P 29 24 23 21 20 17 F A 24 6 15 6 20 9 14 9 12 8 18 15 P 22 21 19 16 16 16 F A 13 8 13 5 11 8 8 7 P 17 16 14 14 no1 STROMSGODSET ROSENBORG VIKING BRANN AALESUND HAUGESUND A 14 19 21 24 18 P 16 16 15 14 13 A 9 17 16 14 18 P 14 14 14 13 9 F A 11 11 9 8 11 13 10 9 P 14 13 12 11 UCD BRAY WANDERE. BOHEMIAN SHELBOURNE G 15 15 15 15 F 19 15 13 6 A 31 31 25 26 P 14 14 13 6 VALERENGA START ODDS BK MOLDE SANDNES G 12 12 12 12 12 F 13 15 10 15 9 A 19 23 14 17 16 P 13 13 11 10 10 TROMSO SOGNDAL LILLESTROM SARPSBORG HONEFOSS G 12 12 12 12 12 F 18 15 18 16 14 BROMMAPOJKA. HALMSTAD OSTER SYRIANSKA DJURGARDEN G F A P 10 11 20 9 10 8 12 8 10 10 16 8 10 6 16 8 10 7 22 8 fin ATVIDABERG NORRKOPING HACKEN AIK STOCKHOLM GEFLE G 10 10 10 10 10 F 13 15 14 15 11 JARO ROVANIEMI LAHTI JYVASKYLA G F A P 8 11 11 11 9 9 12 10 8 5 10 6 8 5 14 3 HONKA TURKU MARIEHAMN KUOPION G 9 8 9 9 A 31 30 33 44 P 66 63 59 52 G 10 10 10 9 9 10 F A 20 8 17 9 18 9 12 8 16 9 16 16 P 25 22 20 18 17 16 Odds RANHEIM SANDEFJORD BODO GLIMT HODD HAM KAM STABAEK PAOK ATROMITOS CRUZEIRO CRICIUMA SAO PAULO GREMIO FLUMINENSE CORITIBA VASCO DA GAMA THUN SION YOUNG BOYS LUZERN G 34 34 34 34 F 42 36 46 35 LAUSANNE SERVETTE G F A P 34 28 47 30 34 29 55 26 P 15 14 13 13 10 STROMMEN FOLLO ULLENSAKER KISA V. HAUGESUND ELVERUM G 10 8 10 10 10 P 7 ASTER. TRIPOLIS G F A P 4 4 6 5 ATLETICO PR PORTUGUESA BAHIA NAUTICO PONTE PRETA GOIAS G F A P 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 A 42 50 47 49 P 47 45 42 36 A 9 11 15 12 15 Norwegian 2nd BRYNE KRISTIANSUND KONGSVINGER MJONDALEN FREDRIKSTAD G 9 10 10 10 9 F 16 13 13 10 14 F 9 10 10 11 10 A P 14 10 18 6 18 6 21 5 23 5 Greece Play-offs G F A P 4 4 4 10 4 6 4 7 bra Finnish 1st G 9 8 9 8 BASEL GRASSHOPPERS ST GALLEN ZURICH F 59 42 53 58 gre Swedish 1st G HELSINGBORG 9 IFK GOTHENBURG 10 10 ELFSBORG 9 MALMO 10 KALMAR 10 MJALLBY Team Swiss 1st G 34 34 34 34 no2 Norwegian 1st se1 HELSINKI MYLLYKOSKI INTER TURKU VAASA P 21 19 19 17 1.30 --4.25 12.00 --9.00 4.6 MILLION 1.3 MILLION 2.7 MILLION swi A 9 16 24 21 Team GROUP H ENGLAND MOLDOVA MONTENEGRO POLAND SAN MARINO UKRAINE 4,600,000 CORRECT PREDICTIONS F 18 20 25 15 ------------Odds ANDORRA ESTONIA HOLLAND HUNGARY ROMANIA TURKEY MANTORPRACE TRACK CORRECT PREDICTIONS G SHAMROCK ROV. 15 LIMERICK 15 DROGHEDA 15 CORK CITY FORAS 15 Odds SATURDAY 1ST JUNE CORRECT PREDICTIONS Irish Premier League G 15 14 15 14 Team GROUP D 1.15 V75 JACKPOT O TUESDAY 28 TH MAY SE1 19:00 Team GROUP C FRANCE GEORGIA SCANDINAVIAN LEAGUES MATCHES HIGHLIGHED IN PINK Code Team TV TV Team 003 Odds 1.40 2.30 1.35 2.45 5.00 150.00 150.00 250.00 500.00 40.00 75.00 35.00 EVENT CODE GROUP WINNER Code Odds Team PAS GIANNINA G F A 4 4 4 Brazilian 1st G F A 1 5 0 1 3 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 INTERNACIONAL VITORIA BAHIA BOTAFOGO CORINTHIANS FLAMENGO SANTOS ATLETICO MG G F A 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 P 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1.55 NOTE: All odds subject to fluctuation. 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Point of Sale. 22 TIMES OF MALTA | 23 Tuesday, May 28, 2013 International A sexually graphic love story, La Vie d’Adele - Chapitre 1 & 2 by French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche, wins Palme d’Or in a watershed year for gay rights Lesbian romance scoops top prize at Cannes Belinda Goldsmith and Alexandria Sage An intimate lesbian love story by French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche won the top prize at Cannes on Sunday, and the film festival’s director immediately urged the large crowds protesting against gay marriage in Paris to go and see it. La Vie d’Adele - Chapitre 1 & 2 (Blue is the Warmest Colour) was chosen from a field of 20 films exploring sex, violence and emotional anguish that were vying for the Palme d’Or, one of the most coveted film awards after the Oscars. Critics picked the three-hour film as a possible winner at the 66th Cannes festival, but wondered if its explicit lesbian sex scenes – one lasting up to 10 minutes – would deter the jury deciding the awards led by US filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In an unusual move, Spielberg said the award would be shared between Kechiche and his two lead actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux as they were central to the film’s success. Actress Uma Thurman poses during a photocall after the closing ceremony. “I think it will get a lot of play... I think this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message,” Spielberg told journalists. “It was the perfect choice between those two actresses and this incredible very sensitive and observant film-maker.” Spielberg said he supported same-sex marriage, but downplayed any suggestion the award was to promote this cause. Festival director Thierry Fremaux said the film was timely, as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators marched in Paris on Sunday to protest France’s recent legalisation of same-sex marriage. “Everyone who is against samesex marriage or love between two people of the same sex must see the film,” he told Reuters. Kechiche, a Tunisia-born actor who made his directorial debut in 2000, was virtually speechless as he accepted the award, which he dedicated to the youth of France and Tunisia who, during the Arab Spring, “wanted only to live, speak and love freely”. La Vie d’Adele is an emotional tale of love and sexuality centred on 15-year-old Adele (Exarchopoulos) and her lover Emma (Seydoux) that follows the course of their tumultuous relationship. Critics had also considered as a forerunner Inside Llewyn Davis about a struggling New York folk singer by the American Coen brothers Ethan and Joel, which was named as runner-up. The third prize went to Japanese director Kore-Eda Hirokazu for the baby-swapping drama Soshite Chichi Ni Naru (Like Father, Like Son) while the best director award went to Mexico’s Amat Escalante for his brutal look at Mexico’s drug war, Heli. American Bruce Dern, 76, won a best actor award in Alexander Payne’s road trip film Nebraska, beating Michael Douglas, who was widely praised for his performance as flamboyant pianist Liberace in Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra. French actress Berenice Bejo (The Artist) won the best actress award in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s tense domestic drama Le Passe (The Past). Director Alexander Payne receives the Best Actor award on behalf of actor Bruce Dern for his role in the film Nebraska, from actress Laetitia Casta. Everyone who is against same-sex marriage or love between two people of the same sex must see La Vie d’Adele, an emotional tale of love and sexuality Before the ceremony, stars including Kim Novak and Laetitia Casta signed autographs and posed for photographers on the red carpet in blazing sunshine, a contrast to the festival’s opening ceremony on May 15 when umbrellas took over in the rain. The awards ended the 2013 edition of the world’s largest film festival, where up to 40,000 film professionals also bought and sold titles on the bustling marketplace hidden away from the glitzy promotional circuit of parties and stunts. (Reuters) Director Abdellatif Kechiche with actresses Lea Seydoux (left) and Adele Exarchopoulos after he received the Palme d’Or for the film La Vie D’Adele (Blue is the Warmest Colour) at the closing ceremony of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. Jury member actress Nicole Kidman arrives on stage during the closing ceremony. The main prizewinners Palme d’Or: La Vie d’Adele Chapitre 1 & 2 (Blue is the Warmest Colour), Abdellatif Kechiche (France) Grand Prix : Inside Llewyn Davis, Ethan and Joel Coen (US) Jury Prize: Soshite Chichi Ni Naru (Like Father, Like Son), Kore-Eda Hirokazu (Japan) Camera d’Or : Ilo Ilo, Anthony Chen (Singapore) Best director: Heli, Amat Escalante (Mexico) Best screenplay: Tian Zhu Ding (A Touch of Sin), Jia Zhangke (China) Best actress: Berenice Bejo in Le Passe (The Past ) (France) Director Anthony Chen poses with his Camera d’Or award for the film Ilo Ilo. Best actor: Bruce Dern in Nebraska (US) Short film: Safe , Moon Byoung-Gon (South Korea)