German airline Lufthansa said on Friday that it returned to annual profit in 2022 after two years of pandemic-related losses, but worries lingered over the prospect of another chaotic summer season. The group reported a net profit of €791 million after a loss of €2.2 billion in 2021 and €6.7 billion the previous year. "Lufthansa is back," said the company's CEO Carsten Spohr, who was appointed to another five-year term this week after steering the group through the coronavirus crisis. "In just one year, we have achieved an unprecedented financial turnaround," he said. The group's adjusted operating profit came in at €1.5 billion, in line with analysts' expectations. When the coronavirus brought global air travel to a halt, Lufthansa suffered massive losses and had to be bailed out by the German government in 2020.  But as vaccines were rolled out and countries began lifting travel and other restrictions, the airline – one of Europe's biggest – benefited from pent-up demand and has bounced back faster than expected.  The profits came despite surging costs, particularly for fuel, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and were underpinned by record performances from the group's...

Nurses have been told to expect industrial action as of next week, with their union livid at having been “humiliated” by the government's response to sectoral negotiations. The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses informed its members on Friday that it would be declaring an industrial dispute and issuing directives across the entire health and elderly care sectors next week. Its decision stems from the government’s response to its proposals for a new sectoral agreement. MUMN officials presented health authorities with 37 pages of proposals some months back. This week, the government reverted with a two-page document. MUMN told its members that the abridged reply came as a “complete shock.” “MUMN had anticipated that allowances would have to be negotiated but MUMN never expected that a 2 page document be presented with most allowances not even being considered. “This 2 page document must have broken every world record for the shortest, insignificant document to the Nursing & Midwifery profession world wide,” the union said in an email to members seen by Times of Malta. MUMN president Paul Pace said that government negotiators had told the union that there were “no extra financial...

Dutch prosecutors demanded a two-year prison sentence for  former Netherlands international footballer Quincy Promes at the start of his trial Friday over the stabbing of a cousin. The 31-year-old Spartak Moscow forward is alleged to have attacked the victim at a family birthday party in Abacoude, near Amsterdam, in 2020 in what is thought to have been a row over a stolen necklace. Promes, who pleads not guilty, did not attend the opening of the trial in Amsterdam as he is in Russia fulfilling his contractual obligations to his club, his lawyer said. More details on SportsDesk. 

Barcelona’s versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto has renewed his contract by a year until 2024, the La Liga leaders announced Friday. “The buyout clause has been set at 400 million euros ($424 million),” said Barcelona in a statement, with the player’s previous contract set to expire in June. The 31-year-old is one of Barca’s captains, making his debut in November 2010 after joining the club’s youth academy in 2006. More details on SportsDesk. 

A driver who was racially abused and physically threatened after beeping his horn at a Maltese driver who was blocking his way acted in self-defence when he broke the other man’s jaw, a court has ruled.  Shane Kayde Rowe was heading to work when he stopped to refuel at the Skyparks service station at the Malta International Airport on August 3, 2020. He later recounted that he had honked his horn at a driver who was blocking access to the fuel pumps, but finally manoeuvred past the car and stopped near the second pump further down. As he sat in the car looking for his wallet, he heard a “very loud and frightening sound,” realizing that it was the other driver, 52-year-old Mario Spiteri, who had slapped the car window on his side very hard.  The accused stepped out of his car, facing the other man who threatened to punch him, flinging racial slurs directed at his skin colour. “I am not scared of you because you are black. You guys think you are so special with your black lives matter ,” Spiteri said. The accused told Spiteri not to touch him.  But soon, heated words gave way to blows as Spiteri struck Rowe on the shoulder with his “two index fingers.” Rowe reacted by punching...

The MSE Equity Price Index moved up by 0.44% to 3,605.564 points as the gains in BOV, MIA, and Farsons outweighed the decline in APS. Meanwhile, three other equities closed unchanged as overall trading activity amounted to €0.15 million.  Bank of Valletta plc was the most actively traded equity for the fifth consecutive session as 75,000 shares changed hands. BOV moved up 1.1% by to the €0.93 level. Malta International Airport plc climbed 2.7% to the €5.65 level on two trades totalling 1,500 shares. A single deal of 254 shares pushed the share price of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc 0.7% higher to the €6.90 level. Notable trading activity took place in HSBC Bank Malta plc as it closed unchanged at the €1.03 level after opening at a low of €1.01 (-1.9%) across five trades totalling 55,178 shares.. BMIT Technologies plc traded flat at the €0.44 level on volumes totalling 10,900 shares. MIDI plc held the €0.27 level on a single deal of 7,000 shares. APS Bank plc lost 0.8% to the €0.61 level on one trade of 10,000 shares. APS will publish the results for the 2022 financial year on Thursday, March 9. The directors will also consider the declaration of a dividend, subject to regulatory...

Interim Brazil coach Ramon Menezes omitted injured superstar Neymar from his squad on Friday as he called up fresh young talent to face Morocco in a March 25 friendly. The match in Tangier against the surprise World Cup semi-finalists will be the first for the five-time world champions since the disappointment of their quarter-final exit against Croatia at the World Cup in December. Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar suffered a right ankle injury against Lille two weeks ago and “will not be in the right condition to join us” in time for the Morocco friendly, national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told a news conference. More details on SportsDesk. 

The Australian betting scene could be set for another shake up with both Ladbrokes Australia and Betr making early moves in 2023 including a potential merger between the latter and PointsBet. Ladbrokes were the first of the betting sites to declare a move in February when announcing the acquisition of the Full House Group, which has a presence in more than 1,000 venues nationally and will now operate under the banner of Entain Venues. Entain, of course, is the owner of Ladbrokes Australia and the ground-breaking move gives them access to leading in venue poker, trivia and sports and racing products from brands like QuizzaMe, InnQUIZitive, APL, SportsPick, Game On and DJ Bingo. Mark Sturdy, GM of Entain Venues which was launched in 2022, said the move continues the company’s speedy expansion into new areas. He said: “Having just entered the venue market late last year, it’s important for Entain that we are creating real value for venues every day of the week and not just through key trading periods. “Our ambition when we set out was to be Australia’s leading venue entertainment provider, and the acquisition of Full House Group provides a comprehensive venue entertainment brand...

Artist JP Migneco’s new exhibition Irregularity opens this week, with a body of work that explores the relationship between natural and artificial environments. Migneco seeks to reinterpret landscapes found near coastal areas in Malta, through the use of photography, drawing, digital media and painting. He maps and traces images of landforms to extract different shapes and tones to form fragmented compositions that combine elements of the natural and the artificial. This process involves the use of irregular polygonal grids which derive inspiration from models of fractal terrain and biomorphic architecture. Migneco works on Pixxina Naturali. Irregularity delves into notions related to urbanisation and the advancement of technology, with Migneco seeking to evoke thought and discussion related to human-environment interaction in the digital age. The exhibition follows Migneco’s 2021 exhibit Virtuality and 2018’s Chromo Terra, which also used interdisciplinary methods to combine the artist’s interests in landscapes, geometric abstraction and colour theory Irregularity opens at Valletta Contemporary, East Street Valletta on Friday March 3 at 6pm. The exhibition will run until May 6.

A man who failed to turn up to a court hearing has ended up in court after police who searched him following that missed appointment caught him with a small amount of cocaine. Luke Orsini, a 24-year-old Zejtun resident, was targeted by an arrest warrant after failing to attend a hearing concerning a criminal case he is facing. The presiding magistrate had ordered him to be escorted to the following sitting under arrest. When Orsini went to his hometown police station to sign the bail book, as required by his bail conditions, police arrested and searched him. That was when police discovered a sachet in his possession, containing some 0.3 grams of cocaine. Orsini was arraigned on Friday, pleading not guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine, breaching bail as well as relapsing. His lawyer, Matthew Xuereb, argued that the accused had landed back in court after he went to sign the bail book to abide by court orders. During the separate proceedings which had been going on for a year and a half, the accused had only missed one sitting. In spite of a difficult background, the accused had managed to make significant improvements in his life, got a fixed job and had a steady...

Studjurban, a leading architectural and urban design boutique consultancy firm is launching its brand-new website www.studjurban.com, a compendium of the studio’s best work to date, its research projects, as well as its forthcoming new developments. “As architects, we strive for visual perfection and therefore, the best way to showcase our work was always going to be through a website that gives a visual representation of who Studjurban is and what we stand for,” explained perit Antoine Zammit, founder of Studjurban who personally oversaw the year-long project. The newly refreshed website, launched as part of the firm’s 10th anniversary commemoration, features Studjurban’s newest projects, accompanied by professional photography and compelling descriptions within a context that offers improved navigation and engagement. “We are a highly trusted studio because we are transparent in the way we work, and in the research we put into all our projects. This is why we wanted our newly designed platform to be not only more intuitive and engaging but also a platform that showcases our culture, our values and what we can achieve for our clients.” “Most importantly, I believe that this new...

Graham Potter said he was frustrated by Chelsea’s failure to turn performances in training into results, but insisted spirits remain high despite their current slump. The Blues, who host relegation-threatened Leeds on Saturday, have not won in the Premier League since beating Crystal Palace on January 15 and are 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham. Their terrible run of just one win in 11 matches in all competitions has come despite an enormous outlay of more than £300 million ($359 million) in the January transfer window. More details on SportsDesk. 

Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. It’s like with having too much choice. Which is why most diners will go to a buffet thinking they will sample every dish – but end up tasting a few menu items.  It’s the same with online casinos. Such has been the growth of the online gambling industry in recent years that the latest research shows its value at more than $63 billion. The same research shows that the global online gambling market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7 per cent, from 2023 to 2030.  And that translates into thousands of online casinos – all vying for custom through attractive offerings, great bonuses, thrilling slots and realistic live dealer rooms.  To help navigate this complex – and busy – scenario, here are some tips to find the right Sweden casino.  Comparison sites The easiest way for players to find the right casino that matches their budget and taste is to visit a review or comparison site such as Casinostund. The site is helpful in giving readers information about what bonuses and free spins online casinos give their players, what licence they have and which casinos offer the fastest withdrawals. There is also a Frequently...

A crowd of pedestrians and cyclists gathered in Valletta on Friday evening to campaign for climate change.  Protesters marched from Triton Square to Parliament, demanding an end to fuel subsidies, increased commitment to renewable energy sources and better provisions for cyclists and pedestrians on the country’s road infrastructure.  The group also want to reduce carbon emissions by keeping fossil fuels in the ground, they said. Activists played musical instruments and chanted slogans including “no more coal, no more oil, keep the carbon in the soil.” Activists march into Valletta. Video: James Cummings Demonstrators held placards reading “Climate is changing, why aren’t we?” and “You'll die of old age, we'll die of climate change”. The event was held in solidarity with other international organisations as part of a Global Climate Strike, with Friday’s theme entitled ‘End Fossil Finance’.   'Fossil fuel investments while world is on fire' In a speech delivered to protesters outside the parliament, organiser Dawn Sammut blamed world leaders for their “inaction” to address the climate crisis. “The climate crisis is being funded by their investments in fossil fuels, meanwhile the...

Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina lawyer, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the murders of his wife and son on their hunting estate in a case whose twists and turns drew global attention. Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh, scion of an elite family of judges and attorneys, to consecutive life terms without parole for the June 7, 2021 murders of his son Paul and his wife Maggie. Dismissing Murdaugh's claims of innocence as "not credible," the judge told the disgraced attorney he must "see Paul and Maggie during the night times when you're attempting to go to sleep." "I'm sure they come and visit you," the judge said. US lawyer Alex Murdaugh will serve a life sentence. Photo: AFP "All day and every night," replied the lanky red-haired Murdaugh, who was dressed in a tan prison jumpsuit and wearing handcuffs and ankle shackles. A jury in Walterboro, South Carolina, deliberated for less than three hours before finding Murdaugh guilty on Thursday after a six-week televised trial that gripped the nation. Netflix and HBO rushed out documentaries on the case before it was even over. Craig Moyer, a carpenter who served on the jury, told ABC News that Murdaugh came...

Lionel Messi is set to make his first appearance for Argentina since lifting the World Cup after he was called up by coach Lionel Scaloni on Friday for friendly matches later this month. Scaloni named a 35-man squad that included all 26 players that won the World Cup in Qatar in December, beating France on penalties after a sensational final that ended 3-3 after extra-time. Recent £100 million Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United’s combative center-back Lisandro Martinez and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who was earlier this week named the best goalkeeper for 2022 by FIFA, are also in the squad. More details on SportsDesk. 

The WHO on Friday urged all countries to reveal what they know about the origins of COVID-19, following US claims of a Chinese lab leak and furious denials from Beijing. FBI director Christopher Wray told Fox News television on Tuesday that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation had now assessed the source of COVID-19 pandemic was "most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan". The first infections with the new coronavirus were recorded in late 2019 in the Chinese city, which hosts a virus research laboratory. Chinese officials have angrily denied the FBI claim, calling it a smear campaign against Beijing. "If any country has information about the origins of the pandemic, it's essential for that information to be shared with WHO and the international scientific community," said the World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Not so as to apportion blame but to advance our understanding of how this pandemic started so we can prevent, prepare for and respond to future epidemics and pandemics. "WHO has not abandoned any plans to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic," he told reporters. WHO urges transparency In 2021, the UN's health agency...

Roberta Metsola returned to Ukraine on Friday, making her second visit to the war-torn country in the past year. The European Parliament president arrived in the country on Friday evening, in an unannounced visit.  Metsola’s visit to Ukraine will continue on Saturday, but a spokesperson was unable to provide any further details. “Good to be back in Ukraine,” the EP president tweeted on Friday evening. “With those brave people who inspired the world. With those heroes who refuse to give in. With those who sacrificed everything for our values. With Europeans whose home is in our European Union.” Her visit to Ukraine comes less than a month after Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament in person, and just days after the country marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. That invasion shows no signs of letting up: Russian troops continue to attack Ukrainian positions, towns and villages and Kyiv continues to push for additional aid to help repel the attackers. On Friday, the USA announced a new $400 million security aid package for Ukraine that includes a variety of ammunition types. EU countries have been more reluctant to commit to...

The planning commission has granted permission for two more floors to be built on a landmark building in Sliema’s Dingli Street, prompting a stinging reproach of Maltese architects and the heritage watchdog from a leading NGO. Palazzina D’Amico, located in Triq Norfolk c/w Triq Sir Adrian Dingli, was designed by architect Giuseppe Cachia Caruana around the mid-1930s. Application PA/07004/21, filed by Malcolm Cassar, was for the demolition of two washrooms on the third floor and its extension, as well as the construction of a fourth floor, a receded floor on the fifth and two washrooms. It had been recommended for refusal but permission was granted last week, prompting strong condemnation from heritage and environment NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar. It described the Dingli Street building as a “landmark” due to its integration of British colonial architecture with the Maltese architectural idiom and its unique façade that includes an iconic turret. “When architect Elena Borg Costanzi applied to add a further two storeys, which would effectively erase the turreted skyline, violating the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development, and Design Guidelines 2015, it was...

Blood donation There is currently an advert on Radju Malta to encourage people to donate blood. It ends with the words: it’s better to donate it than to spill it on the roads. Whoever wrote this must think themselves very clever  but this is very insensitive, almost crude. People who unfortunately spill their blood on the roads, a daily occurrence, do not do so as an option and no amount of blood donation would prevent it; for all we know, they may be donors themselves. It should be withdrawn. Joseph Muscat – Attard Let’s do a good job A sunken manhole. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli We are now at last doing something about our roads, drains and water services but, still, our contractors do not know how to lay a manhole cover flat with the road surface, so it does not bang, bang, bang every time a vehicle rides over it. Is this so hard to perfect? Cannot someone go outside our own borders to see how other countries manage to set their covers properly, if they are unable to do this simple job themselves? Why must we constantly have to be confronted with these bangs and uneven road surfaces, even after a new surface has been laid? I was under the impression we had all the modern...