The United States urged all nations to enforce sanctions on North Korea, saying it violated UN Security Council resolutions with a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. "The United States strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its test of an intercontinental ballistic missile," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, confirming South Korea's account of the launch Thursday local time.  She said that President Joe Biden and his national security team were "assessing the situation in close coordination with our allies and partners."  State Department spokesman Ned Price said the launch, which follows a volley of missiles the day before, marked a "clear violation" of United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit ICBM launches.  The launches show North Korea's threat to "its neighbours, the region, international peace and security and the global non-proliferation regime," Price said. "This action underscores the need for all countries to fully implement DPRK-related UN Security Council resolutions, which are intended to prohibit the DPRK from acquiring the technologies and materials needed to carry out these...

Surnames of Sicilian origin I am no expert on Maltese surnames (‘What’s in a surname?’, John Galea, October 30) but the first question I would have about their coats of arms is whether these were “invented” in Malta or whether they are of Sicilian/Italian origin? I ask this because when you visit Sicily and southern Italy, you notice that most of our surnames are not only of Sicilian or southern Italian origin but also that, somewhere along the way, we have dropped the last letter or two from some of the original ones.  So, just north of us, you’ll find Zammitti, Zammitta, Agiusa, Mangione, Attardi, Attardo, Stilone, etc. We have also slightly altered the name of some villages. In some old maps, my village of Attard is labelled Attardo. Albert Cilia-Vincenti – Attard Lights off at danger point The pedestrian traffic lights bet­ween Fortizza and Preluna on Sliema’s Tower Road have been out of action for two weeks now.  This is a heavily used pedestrian crossing, being the only safe point to get across Tower Road between the lights at Fond Għadir and the next crossing beyond the Regina Hotel construction mess further along Tower Road. Moreover, in this tourist dependent country,...

Over the last two decades, practically every EU country has seen the price of property increase at a faster rate than wages. One of the undesirable consequences of this phenomenon has been an increase in the number of young people who cannot afford to put their foot on the first rung of the property ladder. High property prices also affect – perhaps even more adversely – lower-income workers who can only afford to rent basic accommodation. A study by KPMG has found that households on a median income could only take out a mortgage that financed 76 per cent of the median asking price for apartments. This is shocking news to all who fret about our society’s well-being and are worried about the welfare of future gene­rations. Not everyone has parents or grandparents who can fork out enough money to help them put down a deposit on their first home. However, everyone does have a right to aspire to be a homeowner, irrespective of their financial means or the prosperity of their families. The reasons behind the shortage of affordable housing vary. In many countries, strict development restrictions, especially in large cities, create a supply bottleneck even if demand is not...

Where’s the Holy Inquisition when you need it? The online lampuki pie recipe I’d just come across called for processed peas. I stopped reading immediately and pronounced my anathema by closing the window with a contemptuous flick of the finger.  I’m not alone in being doctrinal about what should go into the pie. The dolphin fish (or dorado) may be found across the Mediterranean, and indeed the world, but we Maltese have strong proprietary feelings about it.  In divulging my own recipe (to be precise, the matrilineal family recipe I strive to be worthy of), I have encountered many a “hmm” from older matrons, priestesses of other kitchens. Yes, of course no marjoram! But, what, no mint? Did you just say eggs? They purse their lips with just a hint of a quizzical eyebrow and narrowing of a sceptical eye. It’s a stony politeness rarely seen outside the exchange of signs of peace during Mass.  One well-meaning reader has tried to save me from myself. On learning I intended to write about the pie, she warned: “Steer clear of giving a recipe! You have no idea what they’ll dig up and throw at you.” (“They” self-evidently being the latter-day Bogumils, Cathars, Waldensians and Hussites,...

What’s this year’s GDP level? What is the GDP forecast for next year? It’s a constant referral on the PBS news channel thumped out as good news. But does a country’s GDP convey reality on its streets? It is an indication of economic activity but it says absolutely nothing about inequality of wealth. On budget day, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said the years of Nationalist rule that ended in 2013 had “destroyed the economy”. So I did a study of Malta’s GDP per capita (GDP/PC) to try and see what really happened. In 1986, Malta’s GDP/PC was $4,194 with the population at 342,000. It rose to $22,527 in 2012 with the population at 397,000. In 2021, the GDP/PC rose to $33,257 with the population now at 516,000 (data source World Bank). The above statistics show a GDP/PC that, in the period 1987 to 2013, had increased nominally by more than 500 per cent, compared to the last nine years period where the GDP/PC increased by 50 per cent. In other terms, also factoring in the population exponential, the former saw an average increase of 20 per cent per annum while the latter Muscat/Abela machine managed a smaller but respectful five per cent per annum rate. These figures assume that the...

The following are the top stories in Malta's newspapers on Thursday. Times of Malta leads with comments by Prime Minister Robert Abela who on Wednesday said Joseph Muscat’s consultancy to the head of the construction lobby is "his own prerogative". The newspaper also reports that a male official at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra who admitted to sexually harassing a colleague has been suspended with half pay. The Malta Independent also refers to Abela's comments about Muscat's consultancy. It separately reports on a warning by a magistrate on Wednesday who viewed prosecutors as unduly dragging out a money laundering case involving an official of Pilatus Bank, and undermining the judicial process.  In-Nazzjon refers to the official inauguration of a Caritas flagship centre, set up by the Church, government and private sector. Also on its frontpage, the newspaper refers to a PN press conference on Wednesday during which party spokespeople called for better direction within the health sector.  L-orizzont also reports on the Caritas centre, while it separately reports on the government's promise of a rollout of free contraceptives next year.

The government’s welfare services are predicting a steep increase in human trafficking reports over the next two years, in contrast with the relatively small number received last year. This is because cases are currently underreported, according to the chief executive of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, Alfred Grixti. The foundation’s annual report showed that last year the foundation received 18 reports of human trafficking. They included six cases of labour exploitation – such as employers promising foreign workers a certain package but paying them peanuts once in Malta – as well as five allegations of sexual exploitation and four claims of domestic servitude.  A typical case of domestic servitude would be employing a Filipino carer and retaining their documentation.  “We are sure there is more and there is huge underreporting,” said Grixti. He explained that human trafficking reports had dropped from 48 cases in 2018 and 2019 to 26 cases in 2020 and only 18 last year. One factor behind the decline is that the COVID pandemic forced many foreigners to leave Malta. Record use of social services The annual report, released earlier this month, showed that in 2021 a...

Stefano Pioli said AC Milan were just taking their first steps back into the big time after guiding the Italian giants into the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in nine years. Pioli’s week started in the perfect fashion by extending his Milan contract to 2025 on Monday and he rewarded the club with a 4-0 win over Salzburg on Wednesday which ensured second place in Group E behind Chelsea. Milan’s arrival in the last 16 of Europe’s top competition crowns a resurgence under Pioli from also-rans to Serie A champions, but the 57-year-old wants his team to aim even higher. “It’s only the first step, we can’t stop. If we want to be successful in Europe we can’t be satisfied with getting to the last 16 but trying to go further,” Pioli told reporters. Click here for full story

The Sliema ferries landing terminal is expected to be up and running by next year following a two-year delay, according to Infrastructure Malta. The upgrading of the terminal on the Strand is part of a €5 million project and was announced in 2018. The project also includes the building of a new ferry landing site in Cospicua. Work on the new quay in Sliema began in April 2019, with plans for the project to be completed by 2020. However, two years on, the new terminal is still being built. An Infrastructure Malta spokesperson said the ferry landing services will be completed and running by the third quarter of 2023. He said the delay in the project was due to the rough sea and a contractor not meeting established deadlines. The project includes the construction of complex quay structures going down almost three storeys underwater, supported on concrete piles drilled even deeper into the seabed. The new ferry landing areas will include a sheltered waiting area and safer embarkation ramps. Another factor which caused the project to be delayed was weak seabed material. This led to further geotechnical studies and Infrastructure Malta had to alter the original construction...

Italy's new far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets European Union chiefs in Brussels Thursday for the first time since her election, with the energy crisis expected to dominate the agenda. Nationalist Meloni has vowed to put Italy's interests first, and the trip will be closely watched amid fears of turbulent relations ahead between the populist government in Rome and the bloc's powerhouses. "Brussels should not do what Rome can do best," Meloni was quoted as saying in a book to be published Friday, slamming "a Europe that is invasive in small things and absent in big matters". On her first international trip since taking office, Meloni meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council chief Charles Michel and European Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola. It will be the first face-to-face encounter since von der Leyen angered Italy's right-wing parties ahead of the September general election by warning of consequences should the country veer from democratic principles. But Italy's first woman prime minister, head of the most far-right government since World War II, will land in the Belgian capital on a diplomatic rather than war footing, political...

Manchester United and Arsenal go into the last roll of the Europa League group stage dice seeking wins to ensure fast track entry to the last 16. United will avoid the play-offs if they emerge from their trip to Real Sociedad the winners by two goals or more. Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford were among the scorers in United’s 3-0 win against Sheriff Tiraspol last week which left manager Erik ten Hag feeling upbeat. Click here for full story. 

Malta BNI (Business Network International) is holding its first post-COVID in-person national event to highlight how it is helping its present and future members in generating business referrals. As the world's leading business referrals organisation, BNI creates billions of euros of opportunities for its members worldwide each year to keep their businesses strong and growing. Malta BNI is now hosting a national Visitors’ Day on November 4 and is inviting growth-oriented businesses to join this in-person meeting, being held at The Victoria Hotel, in George Borg Olivier Avenue, in Sliema (next to St James Hospital) from 7am to 10am. Parking is available right under the hotel. Every participant is recommended to allow more time after this morning meeting to meet other prospective business contacts. Participants will also learn about the tools, training and technology available to BNI members that come with their membership − at no extra cost. "While many businesses have come to a complete stop during the pandemic, BNI members around the world, and also in Malta, have helped each other along the original and unique BNI concept of  ‘Givers’ Gain’. When businesses join BNI’s network,...

On Thursday afternoon, after a two-decade battle, a panel of three people will decide the fate of Ħondoq Bay.  Ahead of the Environment Planning Review Tribunal decision, Ivan Martin tracks key developments in the long-running saga.  The acquisition Back in 1988, Gozo Prestige Hotels, which is owned by businessman Victor Bajada, acquired a stretch of land known as Ħondoq ir-Rummien from the Dominican Order for just €23,000 (Lm10,000). The full sale price would rise to €1.5 million should the company be awarded a development permit for what it hoped would be a large yacht marina development.  At the time, big business was eyeing stretches of Maltese coastline for developments such as the Portomaso marina, in St Julian’s. The application Nearly 15 years later, in July 2002, an application was filed to develop “a destination port” which was to include a hotel, yacht marina and a tourist village. The entire project would eat up 103,000 square metres with a building footprint of more than 13,000 square metres. The developers applied to build private roads, a marina promenade and a public wharf. Some 15,000 square metres of agricultural land and another 23,000 square metres of...

The Israeli army on Thursday lifted a weeks-long lockdown on the West Bank city of Nablus, as troops shot dead a Palestinian in clashes elsewhere in the occupied territory, officials said. "In accordance to a routine situational assessment in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), it has been decided that the general closure that was imposed on the entrances and exits to Nablus will be lifted," a statement from the army said. A military spokesperson told AFP the lockdown had been lifted at 4am (0200 GMT). The army had sealed the city on October 11 after Palestinian gunmen of the Lions' Den group, a loose coalition of fighters not aligned with established Palestinian factions, killed an Israeli soldier near the settlement of Shavei Shomron. The group was behind approximately 20 attacks on Israeli troops and civilians over the past month, according to the army. The army intensified raids inside the city as Israel pursued Lions' Den members, with an October 25 operation killing five people, including what Israel said was the group's leader.  Reports said other members handed themselves over to Palestinian security forces in recent days. The sweeping closure of Nablus had restricted...

Ten people were found to be living in Malta without proper residency documentation during "security" inspections in Xewkija by police officers, Transport Malta officials and Armed Forces personnel on Wednesday.  The police said in a statement on Thursday that the 10 people were eventually escorted to detention centres. During the inspections in Xewkija, officers also stopped several cars and fined a number of people for breaking traffic rules, including not being in possession of a driver's license, road license or insurance coverage. Some were also driving vehicles without wearing safety belts. A Polish man was also found in possession of a truncheon, pepper spray and a penknife. The police said they will be issuing charges against the man, who was driving a  Mercedes Sprinter. Photo: Malta Police Force

The Żurrieq Half Marathon returns on the athletics calendar this month after an absence of two years as the 2020 and 2021 editions were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, November 13 and race organisers have been boosted by the news that Express Trailers have again renewed their three-year sponsorship of the race for another three years. “Express Trailers are delighted that for the third time, they are pledging their main sponsorship to this very popular race, which they have been supporting and watching its popularity grow for the past six editions,” a statement said. This year’s event will mark the 23rd edition and this will effectively see Express Trailers supporting this race in the run up to its 25th edition in two years’ time. Click here for full story

Former Labour minister Carmelo Abela told a court he “did not know” that the Degiorgio brothers had named him in a letter they wrote to the European Commissioner for Justice claiming they had information implicating him and a previous minister in past crimes.  “I don’t know that they mentioned me, but I know that there was a letter to [Justice Commissioner] Reynders,” said Abela when cross-examined.  Abela was testifying in libel proceedings instituted against Jason Azzopardi over a Facebook post in April last year, in which the former PN MP claimed that Abela had aided the mastermind behind a botched armed robbery at the HSBC headquarters in 2010.  Azzopardi further claimed that Abela had received a €300,000 payment for his role in the planned heist.  Abela categorically denied those allegations as “lies” and promptly sued Azzopardi for libel.  The Degiorgio brothers, Alfred and George, were last month handed a 40-year jail term after admitting to their role as hitmen in the 2017 car bomb murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.  “It was in the newspapers,” Azzopardi’s lawyer, Joseph Zammit Maempel, pointed out in reference to the brothers’ letter to the commissioner.  “The newspapers...

Dumped cars, diggers, tyres and scrap metal are being removed from what the Planning Authority say is Gozo's largest illegal scrapyard. The action began early on Thursday at the 15,000 square metre agricultural site in Xewkija. Trucks laden with scrap metal. Several enforcement notices were issued at the Triq Tal-Kanal site before direct action was taken, a PA spokesperson said.  Pristine views of Mġarr Ix-Xini serve as a backdrop to the operation. Scrap metal lines a country road in Xewkija A spokesperson for the planning authority said the site was Gozo’s largest illegal scrapyard and had been operating for years.  Police officers were also on site.   Trucks laden with scrap metal. Two weeks ago, the PA took similar steps in Siġġiewi, clearing 10,000 square metres of agricultural land, which had also been illegally converted into a scrapyard.   On the day the man responsible for the site was arrested by police on the scene as he became aggressive and threatened PA officials. 

A driver has been injured in a traffic accident after he appeared to lose control of his car, which smashed into a tree in St Julian's, police said. The 35-year-old man is being treated in Mater Dei hospital for serious injuries. Police said the incident happened at around 6.15am on Triq Mikiel Anton Vassali in the locality. The man, from Xgħajra, was driving a Ford Fiesta. Police are investigating.  

Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Stephen Curry were among the global high-profile investors named Wednesday as backers of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s technology golf venture to start in 2024. Woods and McIlroy unveiled plans in August for their new company, TMRW Sports. TGL will feature golf shots by top players at a virtual layout in a custom-made venue in 18-hole, two-hour made-for television matches. Six three-man teams will compete in a regular season and playoffs starting in January 2024. Click here for full story.