Driven by Redent Magro, Antoine Du Bourg won Sunday’s major event at the Marsa Racetrack. This was a class Premier race held on a long distance of 2640m and which formed part of the 46th meeting of the year consisting of ten races all for trotters. Sunday’s programme included also four heats from the Johnnie Walker Cup Championship for class Gold trotters on a short distance of 2,140m. From these heats 20 horses made it to the semi-final stage. Thirteen horses lined up for the class Premier races. As expected Antoine Du Bourg (Redent Magro) was the fastest horse at first and immediately opened a small lead from Dunbar (Cliferty Calleja) and Dandy De Godrel (Zairen Magri). Antoine Du Bourg was unchallenged during the 2,640m distance and managed to take its impressive seventh win of the year from Aster Des Caillons (Charles Degiorgio) and Dandy De Godrel. Diablo d’Herfraie (Rodney Gatt) ended in fourth place. The winner clocked an average time of 1.15.3” per kilometre. Click here for full story

Udinese came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Atalanta on Sunday in an exciting clash between Serie A’s two surprise packages. Gerard Deulofeu’s beautiful free-kick in the 67th minute and a header from Nehuen Perez 11 minutes later gave Andrea Sottil’s side a draw which kept them a point from the Serie A summit. “It’s a really big point for us, it’s important to collect points at home. After going two goals down it was a different match but we played well,” said Perez to DAZN. Atalanta stayed top as they ended Udinese’s winning streak at six matches but Gian Piero Gasperini will be disappointed with the way his 300th match as coach of the Bergamo club ended. His injury-hit team were comfortably ahead 11 minutes after half-time through an Ademola Lookman tap-in and Luis Muriel’s penalty, and the draw means Napoli can claim the outright league lead if they win at promoted Cremonese later on Sunday. Click here for full story

PIETA’ HOTSPURS           2            Yamaguchi 50, Morita 60 BALZAN                          3            Raso 22, Satariano 54 Kaljevic 56’ PIETÀ HOTSPURS D. Alampasu-5.5, S. Okoh-6, C. Bangura-6 (87 A. Belibi), T. Ojo-6 (87 P. Lapira), J. Ghio-6.5 (76 K. Briffa), A. Amadu-6, A. Schembri Wismayer-6 (88 S. Mizzi), Z. Leonardi-6, G. Ogunugbe-6.5, S. Camara-5.5 (52 Y. Morita), T. Yamaguchi-6.5. BALZAN R. Briffa-5.5, I. Bozovic-6, S. Arab-6, P. Fenech-6, U. Ljubomirac-6 (89 A. Bradshaw), M. Zlatkovic-6.5, S. Jalu-6 (58 B. Mladenovic), A. Satariano-6, N. Braunovic-6 (58 M. Grima), M. Raso-6.5, B. Kaljevic-6.5 (76 M. Souza). Referee: Daniel Casha. Yellow cards: Z. Leonardi, I. Bozovic, J. Ghio. BOV Player of the Match: Bojan Kaljevic (Balzan). Balzan returned to winning ways as they beat Pietà Hotspurs by the odd goal in five. These three points enable Oliver Spiteri’s side to move fifth, two points behind the duo in third place, Gudja United and Gżira United. Pieta’ Hotspurs, on the other hand, remain anchored at the bottom of the table without any points after six matches. The Hotspurs had two changes from their last outing as they welcomed back Clinton...

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday blamed Ukrainian secret services for the huge blast a day earlier that ripped through Russia's Crimea bridge, which he described as a "terrorist act". "The authors, perpetrators and sponsors are the Ukrainian secret services," Putin said during a meeting with the head of the investigation committee, according to a video shared by the Kremlin. "There is no doubt this is a terrorist act aimed at destroying critical Russian civilian infrastructure," Putin added. A truck bomb on Saturday ignited a massive fire on the road and rail link between Russia and the annexed Crimea peninsula, killing three people. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the explosion. The bridge is logistically crucial for Moscow -- a vital transport link for carrying military equipment to Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. It is also hugely symbolic. Putin personally inaugurated the structure in 2018 -- even driving a truck across it -- and Moscow had maintained the link was safe despite the fighting.                   

Bukayo Saka’s double sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League after a 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday that further dented the Reds’ title aspirations. The Gunners led three times at the Emirates as Gabriel Martinelli struck within a minute and Saka scored in first-half stoppage time. Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino replied for Liverpool either side of half-time, but Jurgen Klopp’s men are now 14 points adrift of the leaders after winning just two of their opening eight league games. Worse could be to come for Liverpool as they face Manchester City at Anfield next weekend. Arsenal restored their one-point lead over City and further strengthened their case to be considered serious title contenders after beating Tottenham in the north London derby last weekend. Mikel Arteta’s men sped out of the blocks as Martinelli exposed the space in behind under-fire Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to sweep home the opener. Click here for full story

Giovanni Simeone helped give Napoli command of Serie A on Sunday with the crucial goal in a 4-1 win at Cremonese which moved his team two points clear at the top. Unbeaten Napoli had been leading the league on goal difference heading into this weekend’s matches, but they took advantage of Atalanta throwing away a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw at Udinese with a club-record eighth straight win in all competitions. Simeone struck Napoli’s second of a tight match with 14 minutes remaining when he met Mario Rui’s deep cross with an unsaveable close-range header. It was Simeone’s fourth goal in nine matches since arriving from Verona in August — only one of which he has started — after a positive start to life in southern Italy in which he has developed an immediate connection with Napoli supporters. “I feel a bit like them, a bit Argentine and a bit Italian,” said Simeone to DAZN. Click here for full story

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the 700th club goal of his career as Manchester United came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park on Sunday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was again left on the bench by Erik ten Hag but was handed an early introduction by an injury to Anthony Martial. By that stage it was already 1-1 as Antony cancelled out Alex Iwobi’s opener for Everton. Ronaldo took his chance just before half-time to give United a deserved three points from an error-strewn game by both sides. Victory takes Ten Hag’s men up to fifth and within nine points of leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. The Red Devils were seeking a response to being thrashed 6-3 by Manchester City last weekend but got off to the worst possible start. Click here for a full story

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We still remember the court of justice case concerning high profile lawyers accused of an alleged attempt to corrupt a journalist and influence his manner of reporting. The prosecution did not appear to have a difficult task to prove the accusation. There seemed to be no undue contestation by the accused on basic features of the case. Consensus seemed to prevail that money was offered to the journalist by the lawyers, allegedly in return for less negative reporting on a prominent client of theirs. The client in question is currently facing accusations in connection with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Perhaps it is not correct to talk of an open and shut case since the presumption of innocence in our legal system is sacred and paramount. To many it appeared that the due process of justice would start and proceed to an eventual court sentence. Unfortunately, it was not to be as it resulted that, perhaps, the Attorney General’s Office ill advised the police, who proceeded to advance their prosecution case on an incorrectly selected section of the law. On the basis of this error, the prosecution’s case was thrown out. The due law process stumbled, the accused were not...

The shady agreement entered into by Heritage Malta for the use of Palazzo Vilhena, in Mdina as a restaurant is another example of the lack of transparency through which this government chooses to operate. I immediately called upon Heritage Minister Owen Bonnici to publish the contract between the two parties, which he did but, instead of reassuring us, it raised many more questions. Bonnici said the agreement is similar to others which are “regularly made” while peculiarly adding that its scope was to establish whether a public call for future initiatives should be made. I am not against the concept of our heritage sites encompassing a holistic experience including catering facilities but procedures need to be transparent and not reduced to hidden deals. This is the crux of it all. Under a Labour government everything happens under a shroud of secrecy and, if exposed, we get the usual myriad of damage control excuses. The minister has also refused to make public the income and expenditure statement of the agreement, nor has he clarified whether HM was paid €50 per day or eight per cent of the sales made by the operator and, if the latter, how much the turnover was. But this is...

Immunity or impunity? During the pandemic, we heard a lot about ‘herd immunity’. In the local scene, we are hearing more and more about a certain ‘herd impunity’. Carmel Sciberras – Naxxar Killing roads The carnage on our roads continues. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli The comments made by Qrendi mayor David Schembri to Times of Malta (September 29) following the terrible car accident in his locality is not just a voice in the wilderness. It reflects and resonates the voice of the majority who have good reason to believe and conclude that the relevant authorities have lost the will to stop the carnage on our roads. Driving a vehicle involves an element of risk but now it has also become increasingly unsafe for pedestrians to cross the road, walk on the pavement or, for that matter, wait on a bus stop. Never before have there been so many entities whose mission includes that of keeping some sort of order and driving civility on the roads. These comprise the ‘normal’ police, the community police, the traffic police, RIU, LESA and a very grossly staffed Transport Malta department, all on a payroll borne by the taxpayer. Yet, never before has there been so much arrogance, indiscipline,...

Obituary HILI. On October 8, ROSE, widow of Joseph, at St James Capua Hospital. She leaves to mourn her loss Hector Naudi, widower of her daughter Marika, Beppe and his partner Kathia, Marin and his wife Erika, Paul and his wife Angela, Lilla and her husband Gino Cutajar, Melo and his partner Karen, and her daughters-in-law Edith and Fiona, her grandchildren Karl and his wife Nadine, Bianca and her husband Daniel Anastasi, Dirk and his wife Frederica, Michela and her husband Philip Borg, Edward and his wife Audrey, Alexia and her husband Michael Borg Olivier, Tina, Michael and his partner Jade, Miguel and his wife Robin, Kira and her husband David Curmi, Keith and his partner Emma, Annabel and her partner Yannick, Peter and his wife Michaela, and Mark, her great-grandchildren Martina, Michael, Amy, Max, Paula, Zach, Leah, Maia, Jack, Laila, Joe, Polo, Alec, Ana, India and George, her carer Mae, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St James Capua Hospital tomorrow, Tuesday, October 11, for Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Balluta, where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 8.30am. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi,...

The government is considering roping in the private sector to run the Gozo ferry service between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr as the EU grows impatient over what it views as a lack of observance of competition laws. The matter was briefly discussed on the fringes of a special cabinet meeting at Villa Francia, the prime minister’s official residence, on October 1. Sources said Prime Minister Robert Abela discussed the future of the service with a few ministers during a private meeting. However, they said a decision before the end of the year was “unlikely”. Abela is facing pressure from the European Commission to bring the ferry service contract in line with competition rules after years of extending an outdated arrangement. The service was run by private companies until the 1970s when the government took it over and set up the Gozo Channel Line in 1979. Following Malta's accession to the EU, Gozo-Channel has been running the service on the strength of a so-called public service obligation contract, which enables the government to funnel money into it as a form of state aid allowed by the EU for essential services.  However, the PSO contract expired in October 2017 and the government has...

Repairs on a road that passes through Chadwick Lakes are set to start in the coming weeks, a full year after the road collapsed last October following heavy rains. The authorities were unable to assess the damage before the summer because a dam beside the road was filled with rainwater and draining it would have caused ecological damage, a spokesperson for the Energy and Water Agency said.   “The water could not be removed without doing extensive damage to the ecological system of the valley and, hence, the stretch of road was blocked off, also to ensure safety,” the spokesperson said. A dam runs across the water channel next to the road. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER As the dam dried up, a study on the road started last August. Clearance was given for repair works to begin by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Planning Authority following its conclusion. “Weather permitting, interventions on site are planned to start in the coming weeks and will be monitored by ERA,” the spokesperson said. “Emergency repairs will first be undertaken to reinstate safe viability along the road, with additional interventions to conclude the intervention being planned for 2023,” she...

The Gozo cathedral is tomorrow marking the 306th anniversary of its dedication. Today, Bishop Anton Teuma will preside over sung vespers with the Cathedral Chapter at 6pm. Tomorrow, he will lead a pontifical concelebrated mass at 6.30pm. On January 11, 1693, a severe earthquake hit the island and the medieval Matrice church within the Citadel was irretrievably damaged. Preparations for the building of a new church had started in earnest almost a decade before, so the tremor hastened the project. But then, the project was earnestly taken in hand by archpriest Nicolò-Natale Cassia-Magri and on September 21, 1697, he laid the foundation stone of the cathedral. It was at this time that the remains of the Roman temple were discovered beneath the medieval church. The new church was built around the old church which continued to be used for worship for some years. The premature death of architect Lorenzo Gafà, in 1703, did not interrupt construction of the new church. In fact, the old church was eventually dismantled and the new church was blessed and inaugurated on the eve of Santa Maria in 1711. Slowly, but progressively, the church was embellished with works of art on Sunday,...

Air France and Airbus will go on trial Monday on charges of involuntary manslaughter over the fatal 2009 crash of a jet heading to Paris from Brazil, killing all 228 people aboard. Victims' families and some aviation experts say the pilots were insufficiently trained to handle a loss of speed readings caused by crucial equipment freezing over in a storm. Flight AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro plunged into the Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of June 1, 2009, after entering a zone near the Equator known for strong turbulence. The Airbus A330 was carrying 12 crew members and 216 passengers. It was the carrier's deadliest crash. It took nearly two years to locate the bulk of the fuselage and recover the "black box" flight recorders. Air France and Airbus were charged as the inquiry progressed, with experts determining the crash resulted from mistakes made by pilots disorientated by so-called Pitot speed-monitoring tubes that had frozen over in thick cloud. But investigating magistrates overseeing the case dropped the charges in 2019, a decision that infuriated victims' families. Prosecutors appealed the decision and in 2021 a Paris court ruled there was sufficient evidence for a trial...

Repairs on a road that passes through Chadwick Lakes are set to start in the coming weeks, a full year after the road collapsed last October following heavy rain. The authorities said they were unable to assess the damage before the summer because a dam beside the road was filled with rainwater and draining it would have caused ecological damage, a spokesperson for the Energy and Water Agency said.   “The water could not be removed without doing extensive damage to the ecological system of the valley and, hence, the stretch of road was blocked off, also to ensure safety,” the spokesperson said. A dam runs across the water channel next to the road. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER As the dam dried up, a study on the road started last August. Clearance was given for repair works to begin by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Planning Authority following its conclusion. “Weather permitting, interventions on site are planned to start in the coming weeks and will be monitored by ERA,” the spokesperson said. “Emergency repairs will first be undertaken to reinstate safe viability along the road, with additional interventions to conclude the intervention being planned for...

The following are the top stories in Malta's newspapers on Monday Times of Malta reports that the government is considering private sector involvement in the running of the ferry service between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr. It also reports on the arraignment of two police constables, accused of abducting and assaulting dark-skinning foreigners.  The Malta Independent and l-orizzont focus on the arraignment of the two police constables accused of racist attacks on dark-skinned foreigners. In-Nazzjon reports that €151,158 were raised in a PN fund-raising marathon on Sunday. It also quotes PN leader Bernard Grech expressing concern that there isn't a single government contract without a whiff of corruption.   

Some argue that the baby boom generation is the wealthiest and most wasteful of all ages. Early boomers, born bet­ween 1946 and 1955, are probably already living in retirement. Late boomers born bet­ween 1956 and 1965 are on the verge of retirement, navigating the new socio-economic realities that most ignore. The baby boom generation is unique. There will never be another generation like it. Baby boomers’ parents were mostly part of the Great Generation, also known as the GI generation, which includes those born between 1901 and 1927. They were shaped by the Great Depression and were the primary participants in World War II. The GI generation did not retire. They worked until they dropped to survive in the hardest of times. Baby boomers led the post-war economic revival based on a voracious appetite for consumerism, travel and adventure. Many accumulated con­siderable wealth they hoped would serve them well to live the best years of their lives in comfort. They aspired for a life without all the stress of a demanding job and suffering vicissitudes of the corporate world. Few acknowledge that the cost of this material success was the depletion of the world’s finite resources at...

England manager Gareth Southgate expects to lose more players to injury before the start of next month’s World Cup due to a packed schedule over the next few weeks. Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips face a race against time to be fit for Qatar after undergoing surgery on groin and shoulder injuries respectively. Southgate will have little time to prepare his squad for their first game against Iran on November 21, just eight days after the Premier League comes to a halt. England have reached the Euro 2020 final and semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup under Southgate and he rejected the suggestion the team will be better served by a mid-season tournament than at the end of a draining campaign. “I never bought the theory it’s better for us to be playing in the middle of the season than the end because we haven’t had a problem playing at the end,” said Southgate. “I always felt that was a bit of a myth. Click here for full story