Climate change impacts battering vulnerable countries threaten to outstrip efforts to adapt to global warming, the UN warned Thursday, with international funding help up to ten times below what is needed.   Many emerging economies least to blame for the fossil-fuel gases that stoke global warming, are also among the most exposed to climate impacts, such as worsening drought, floods and cyclones. Funding to help them adapt to accelerating impacts and curb emissions is one of the thorniest issues at UN climate negotiations, which will begin their latest round in Egypt on Sunday.  Wealthy nations have failed to provide all of a pledged $100 billion a year to developing nations, reaching just $83 billion in 2020. Only a part of that -- $29 billion -- was for adaptation, which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned in a new report was five to 10 times below the estimated needs.   "Climate change is landing blow after blow upon humanity, as we saw throughout 2022: most viscerally in the floods that put much of Pakistan under water," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.  "The world must urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the impacts of climate...

Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris Masters in the second round on Wednesday after losing in three sets to American Tommy Paul, boosting Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the year as world number one. Nadal, who received a bye as second seed, was playing his first singles match in two months after spending time at home in Mallorca with his wife and newborn son. The 22-time Grand Slam champion shook off an early break in the opening set by winning five of the next six games. Click here for full story. 

Born in 1873 in a poor neighbourhood in Naples, Enrico Caruso conquered the world with his singing voice. At the age of 27, he got a contract at the Scala in Milan, and his already considerable popularity skyrocketed thanks to the invention of the gramophone. He sold millions of records, and garnered international acclaim. In 1903, he moved to New York to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera, in the role of Radames. But his riches and fame attracted the attention of the Mafia, who started blackmailing him. He felt trapped by his fame and died at just 48 years old. Biographer Francesco Canessa, music critic Jürgen Kesting and the composer Micha Hamel explain the ups and downs of the man behind the timeless Italian voice.  

Cristian Javier led Houston pitchers in an unprecedented World Series combined no-hitter Wednesday as the Astros beat Philadelphia 5-0 to level Major League Baseball’s championship showcase. Javier threw six innings without surrendering a hit and relief pitchers Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly kept the door firmly closed as the Astros knotted the best-of-seven title series at two games apiece. One day after the Phillies belted a World Series record-equalling five home runs in a 7-0 game three victory, Javier’s fastball flummoxed the host hitters. Click here for full story. 

President Joe Biden warned US voters that the future of democracy was at stake in next week's midterms, with the steadfast refusal of some Republican candidates to accept election results opening a "path to chaos in America". With conservatives hammering his administration over the state of the economy, the 79-year-old Democrat aimed squarely at Republicans who have cast their lot with former president Donald Trump in denying Biden's 2020 election victory. "There are candidates running for every level of office in America... who won't commit to accepting the results of the elections they're in," Biden said in a televised address to the nation. Their goal, he said, was to follow Trump's lead and try to "subvert the electoral system itself" - noting there are more than 300 Republican election deniers on the ballot in races across the country this year. "They've emboldened violence and intimidation of voters and election officials," he charged - less than two years after a mob of Trump supporters ransacked the US Capitol to try to overturn the 2020 result. "That is the path to chaos in America," he said. "It's unprecedented. It's unlawful. And, it is un-American." Biden's dire...

Infrastructure Malta is in talks with 54 local councils over the rebuilding of 60km of roads in residential areas every year for the next three years, the government said on Thursday. Last month Times of Malta reported that local councils are being told they will be given help if they identify key roads they believe could be turned into pedestrian-friendly ones, in a major shift steered by Infrastructure Malta. The state-run roads agency has asked councils to list roads they believe need to be rebuilt, with each locality handed a tailor-made square metreage of road rebuilding it is eligible for. It has also committed to developing the equivalent of at least 10 per cent of each locality’s allocated metreage into alternative mobility roads, with segregated paths for pedestrians or cyclists. The agency's CEO Ivan Falzon had insisted on the need to build bridges with local councils and plan projects together. On Thursday, Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia also noted Transport Malta would ensure details of roadwork by government entities and local councils are laid out on road signage. Project details including the entity responsible for the works, and how long the project is...

Jeep has revealed its first EV – the Avenger – in full at the Paris Motor Show, with the brand announcing new details about the model. Slotting underneath the Jeep Renegade, the Avenger will arrive in 2023 as the brand’s most compact model. Designed primarily for Europe, it is based on a platform called ‘e-CMP2’, and will be produced at a factory in Tychy, Poland, alongside a range of models from parent company Stellantis – including the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka-e. Its electric motor develops 154bhp and 260Nm of torque, and is paired with a 54kWh battery that allows for a range of 249 miles. It can also be rapid charged at up to 100kW, with a 20 to 80 per cent charge said to take just 24 minutes. Read the full story at timesmotors.com 

The United States men’s national team will begin its road to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with January friendlies against Serbia and Colombia in Los Angeles, USA Soccer announced Wednesday. Barely a month after the conclusion of this year’s Qatar World Cup, the Americans will face Serbia on January 25 and Colombia three days later. Canada and Mexico will serve as co-hosts along with the USA for the 2026 World Cup. All three nations will compete in the World Cup that starts later this month. Click here for full story. 

The mother of a man killed in August's hit-and-run in Żejtun, had filed a missing person’s report at the local police station just an hour before her son’s lifeless body was spotted by a passer-by, the morning after the fatality.  That passerby told a nearby resident who, in turn, alerted the police about the discovery of the body, later identified as Antoine Degabriele whose mother had reported his absence when he failed to return from work the night before, on August 4.  That discovery set in motion a series of events leading up to the arrest of Dean Donovan Frendo, the 23-year-old driver who is pleading not guilty to involuntary murder after allegedly running down Degabriele in Triq President Anton Buttigieg that night.  When proceedings continued on Thursday, prosecuting Inspector Shaun Pawney testified that the victim’s body was found lying face up on a slope that tilted downwards from the road to a field, not visible at street level.  The victim, hands raised upwards, had a visible bloodied wound on the right side of his ribs. Given the heat of the morning, the corpse had already developed a darkening of the skin, making it rather difficult to make out the blood...

The Malta Book Festival will be held for the second year running at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali, opening its doors to the public over five days from Wednesday, November 23, till Sunday, November 27. Here you will find all the information you need to make the best of these five days celebrating the world of books, publishing, and reading. The events programme features more than 100 activities aimed at children, families, publishing professionals and the general public which include numerous book launches and presentations, meetings with authors, book-signing sessions, seminars, thematic discussions and film screenings. The festival’s events are being organised by the National Book Council in collaboration with participating publishers, authors, booksellers, student associations, NGOs and government agencies. At the core of the festival will be a record number of 50 exhibitors, who are all linked to the book industry and many of whom are organising numerous events populating the festival programme. A wide range of books, including the winners of the National Book Prize 2022, will be available to the public. Book launches and presentations remain a staple...

Bank of Valletta has reported a pre-tax loss of €55.7 million between January and September, the bank said in a company announcement.  Meanwhile, the bank's nine-month profit amounted to €47.8 million, up by three per cent compared to the same period last year. This figure excluded the effect of the settlement of the Deiulemar claim which was settled in May. BOV had reached a €182.5 million out-of-court settlement over the long-drawn-out Deiulemar bankruptcy case in Italy. Shareholders of the collapsed shipping giant were found guilty of fraud and seven members of the company's founders were jailed by an Italian court in 2014. BOV had taken over a trust that held €363 million in the company's assets in 2009.  In the latest announcement, BOV said revenue for the first nine months of 2022 stood at €202.3 million, which marked an improvement of 16.8 per cent and reflected the increase in Eurozone interest rates coupled with a rise in volumes in the retail sector.  The bank's operating costs rose at a slower rate, by 6.7 per cent, compared to the same period in 2021. "This increase was in good part due to human capital requirements in specialised areas, growth in average salaries,...

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in the foot at a political rally on Thursday but he is in a stable condition, an aide said. "He is in a stable condition," Raoof Hasan, a senior Khan aide told AFP, adding: "This was an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him." More to follow.

Auditor General Charles Deguara warned of "consequences" if parliament's watchdog offices are left vacant on Thursday.  Parliament has failed to appoint a new standards commissioner and ombudsman as both sides of the house are yet to reach an agreement.  Former Standards Commissioner George Hyzler left his post at the beginning of October and joined the European Court of Auditors (ECA).  Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud has remained in the role past his term as he waits for a replacement.  The heads of the parliamentary watchdogs are appointed by a minimum of two-thirds of parliament and therefore need the support of the two political parties.  Auditor General, Charles Deguara warned of "consequences" if the roles remain vacant.  "We know what this reality can be like, this position [auditor general] had remained vacant for a year which led to certain consequences," he said. In 2007, a disagreement between both political parties on who should take up the position meant that the outgoing auditor general Joe Galea had to stay in the role for an extra year. However, the constitution prohibits a caretaker to fulfil the full duties of the role. "We all agree that these positions need to be...

Canada coach John Herdman says the absence of defender Scott Kennedy for the World Cup due to a shoulder injury is a “big loss” to his team. The 25-year-old central defender picked up the injury playing in Germany on Saturday for his second division club, Jahn Regensburg. Herdman told reporters on a conference call on Wednesday that he had spoken to the Calgary-born player and that there was no way he could be fit in time for this month’s tournament in Qatar. Click here for full story. 

A driver who ran over an elderly pedestrian in Luqa on Tuesday was handed a suspended sentence and fined after he turned himself in at the police station and admitted to his wrongdoing in court.  Javier Presmanes Serrano, a 27-year-old Spanish engineer working in Malta, admitted to grievously injuring the 85-year-old victim through dangerous and reckless driving. The incident took place in Triq Censu Decandia, Luqa at around 5.30am. The injured man was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and was subsequently certified as suffering grievous injuries.  The driver of the vehicle, a Nissan model, fled the scene, however he later turned himself in. His car was later found parked on Triq il-Kunsill tal-Ewropa, Luqa where the suspect lived.  On Thursday the man pleaded guilty to the charges which also included involuntary damage to two third-party vehicles, a Daihatsu Terios and a Mazda Demio. Presmanes Serrano was also charged with refusing to take a breathalyser test, driving without insurance cover and failing to stop after being involved in a traffic accident.  Assisted by an interpreter, the man admitted to the charges and confirmed his admission after being given sufficient time...

A planning tribunal has shot down developers’ appeal to forge ahead with development in Ħondoq bay, closing the chapter on a 20-year saga.  Gozo Prestige Hotels, the landowners of a massive tract of land in Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Qala, have long had plans to develop the 103,000 square metre site, which included a hotel, parking facilities, 25 villas, 60 apartments and 200 multi-owner properties.  In 2016, the Planning Authority reached a unanimous decision not to grant the permit, however, shortly after developers filed an appeal, claiming that their right to a fair hearing had been breached.  On Thursday, the Environmental and Planning Review Tribunal voted against the appeal. The decision was read out in a virtual hearing, in which the tribunal said it was rejecting the appeal and confirming the Planning Authority's decision to deny the application. Gozo Prestige Hotels said they were treated unfairly as they were only given 15 days to prepare for the PA hearing. Despite this being above the minimum legal timeframe, lawyers for the developers argued that this was insufficient to bring forward experts who had conducted studies to support the planning application.  The hotly...

Ethiopia's government and the rebel authorities in the Tigray region said they had signed a deal to cease hostilities after two years of brutal conflict. Here are some of the reactions from around the world: 'Welcome first step' United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres heralded the announcement as a "welcome first step" in ending the fighting. "It is very much a welcome first step, which we hope can start to bring some solace to the millions of Ethiopian civilians that have really suffered during this conflict," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. 'Extraordinary efforts' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also hailed the agreement, as well as the "extraordinary efforts" of African Union mediators in bringing it about.  "We welcome the momentous step taken in Pretoria today to advance the African Union's campaign to 'silence the guns'," he said in a statement. Hinting at improved relations with Ethiopia, Blinked added that he shared Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's "desire for an enhanced partnership to support reconstruction and development for all communities... affected by the conflict". 'Persevere' African Union president and Senegalese President Macky Sall...

Reigning champions Birkirkara are the new 2022/2023 Assikura Women’s League leaders after defeating Mtarfa 8-0 in Matchday 5. Meanwhile, Hibernians joined Raiders Lija in second place after clinching the direct encounter with a 2-0 victory whereas Mġarr United and Swieqi United cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate. Veronique Mifsud grabbed a hat-trick for Birkirkara as she scored one in the first half before grabbing a brace after the interval. Click here for full story. 

Nineteen-year-old Lukas Seifert is known as “the Maltese guy” among his peers at Oxford University where he is an elected member on the standing committee of the Oxford Union Society, the student-led debating society. “I feel proud to be representing Malta here but I would like to see more Maltese,” says Lukas. “I love the Oxford Union since it’s all about freedom of speech and making a difference. I know many people my age in Malta who would be interested in this sort of thing. However, I feel we don’t see a lot of it and it’s about the way ambition is pushed in people. “While the potential is there in our community, there may not be the right framework in place. Young people are mostly drawn towards more traditional jobs which, while highly important, may result in less opportunity to pursue alternatives.” The Oxford Union Society was established in 1823 to uphold the principle of free speech. Every term, the society’s committee works to curate a programme of debates and speaker meetings in a forum that promotes critical thinking and encourages debate. It was at the Oxford Union that Gerry Adams proposed the reunification of Ireland while still banned from appearing on...

A gourmet charity event in which all proceeds will go towards Women for Women Foundation and Dar Merħba Bik is being held on Monday, November 7. The event is hosted by Elsa Andrea Messi, local and international food journalist and founder of the independent food guide What's Cooking Malta? (currently due for a relaunch). Located at Ivy House in Pembroke, guests will be treated to a canapé and prosecco reception, 10 generous delectable small dishes prepared by five of Malta's top chefs and restaurants (in a flying buffet format) with free-flowing wine. The 10-course charity event will see all proceeds going towards Women for Women Foundation and Dar Merhba Bik Foundation. At this stand-up event, chefs include Cliff Borg from Rosami At The Villa (part of the Xara Collection), Tom Peters (Gracy's Brasserie), Charles Pintonino, Ritianne Bondin (Harlequin), and Terence Saliba (Grotto Tavern). Independent food guide What's Cooking Malta? Attendees can expect a number of live performances throughout the evening. The dress code for women is black while men are encouraged to wear black and pink.  Sponsors include Ivy House, P.Cutajar & Co Ltd, Greens Supermarket, La Boucherie, Benna,...