Iraq's judiciary issued arrest warrants on Saturday for four former officials who are accused of facilitating the theft of $2.5 billion in public funds in one of the country's biggest-ever corruption scandals. An investigating judge in Baghdad has "issued arrest warrants for four senior officials of the former government", the government's anti-corruption agency said in a statement. The four men, who include a former finance minister and staff members of former prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, are all living outside the country, according to an official at the agency who spoke on condition of anonymity. The warrants do not name any of the officials, but according to the official, they are former finance minister Ali Allawi, the director of cabinet Raed Jouhi, personal secretary Ahmed Najati, and adviser Mushrik Abbas. Allawi, a respected politician and academic, resigned in August last year. When the scandal broke a few months later, he denied all responsibility. Al-Kadhemi defended his record on fighting corruption, saying his government had discovered the case, launched an investigation and taken legal action. The case, which has been dubbed "the heist of the century",...

Requiem Mass On the trigesima die of the death of MARISA FARRUGIA, née Camilleri, wife of Raphael, who went to meet the Risen Lord on February 4, 2023, today’s 6.30pm Mass at Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema, will be offered for the repose of her soul. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Obituaries AQUILINA. On March 1, MARY, née Borg, of Xagħra, Gozo and residing in Msida, passed away at the age of 78. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Joseph, her son Victor and his wife Marion, her daughter Joanne and her husband Chris, her grandchildren Kylie and Kieran, her brothers and sisters in Gozo and Australia, her in-laws, other relatives and friends. Mass præsente cadavere will be said at Xagħra parish church, Gozo, on Monday, March 6, at 10am, followed by interment in the family grave at the locality’s cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest. BALZAN DEMAJO. On March 1, CLARA, née Demajo, widow of Luigi Anthony Balzan, passed away peacefully at the venerable age of 91, comforted by the rites of Holy Mother Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her beloved children, her daughter, Jacqui and her husband Ian Zammit, and her only son, Claude; her grandchildren Francesca...

The whole nation was shocked by footage circulated on social media showing large blocks of stone falling beyond a boundary wall and crashing onto busy Psaila Street, in Birkirkara close to a school, during demolition works carried out by Polidano Brothers Ltd. Miraculously, no one was injured. The Building and Construction Authority had taken no prior corrective measure despite having been alerted by several area residents that dangerous methods were allegedly being adopted in the days before the incident. It was only after the incident occurred that the BCA halted the excavation works and declared that they were not in conformity with the approved method for execution of the project submitted by the site architect on behalf of major developer Joseph Portelli. Surprisingly, this architect was none other than the chairperson of the BCA, Maria Schembri Grima (who has since resigned), who wore the hats of both regulator and applicant at the same time. Despite being a relatively unknown architect, Schembri Grima was appointed as the first chairperson of the BCA in 2021 and her appointment was renewed with effect from May 31, 2022, following the direct intervention of Prime Minister...

If you’re rolling your eyes at the title, then this article is for you, most especially. Read it even if you don’t read another word I write. Ever. How many times have you heard us chanting this slogan at vigils and protests, seen it written it down in articles, seen it as a hashtag on our social media posts and hear it said, maybe even to you, about the many scandals Daphne Caruana Galizia uncovered and wrote about until she was assassinated for our right to know? “Oh look, so Daphne was right after all,” was my first, visceral, instantaneous reaction when I heard Mr Justice Franco Depasquale read out the damning judgment in the Vitals case instituted by the former leader of the opposition, Adrian Delia. Of course, most of us do not need a court judgment to convince us that Daphne was right about the theft of our public hospitals but it’s great that a judge has codified this swindle in legal terms and, thus, in a way, ratified that what she had written all those years ago was not the figment of her imagination or “because she hated Labour” or any other deflecting spin the 2019 recipient of the global prize for corruption or organised crime bleats from his washroom in...

After more than three years since Brexit came into effect, a big step forward has been made to normalise the UK’s relations with the European Union. The Windsor Framework replaces the infamous Northern Ireland protocol negotiated in a hurry by former prime minister Boris Johnson. The threat of a trade war with the EU was the last thing British people needed – what they badly need now is to see improvement in their economic prospects. It is tempting for political analysts to dissect the Windsor Framework to determine which party made more concessions. In the end, it was a pragmatic compromise that should help the people of Northern Ireland to safeguard the peace they have enjoyed since the signing of the Good Friday agreement in 1998. The Windsor Framework ensures that no hard border will be reintroduced between Northern Ireland and the Republic. It enables people in the north of Ireland to identify themselves as Republicans, Unionists or both and live in peace in a diversified community. It also ensures that trade rules apply equally in all parts of the UK and that people in Northern Ireland will have access to the same goods in shops throughout the rest of Britain. The new...

Transformation has become a buzzword for businesses and organisations in general, and even for society. We no longer talk of initiating, promoting and managing change and innovation, but we talk of the need to transform. So, businesses are not evolving or being redeveloped but are being transformed. The mantra has become that if businesses want to compete more effectively, they need to transform themselves. Gradual change is not enough but they need to change completely the way they go about their affairs. Traditionally, organisations used to talk of transformation when they went through mergers and acquisitions. The new ownership structure would demand a completely new way of doing things. They also used to talk of transformation when new regulations came into force. Malta experienced this when it joined the EU in 2004 and a whole new set of legislation transformed the local business landscape. Otherwise, changes in society, in markets and even in technology happen more gradually and with some foresight, one can usually prepare for them. Eventually, this would result in a radical change, but done in a very ‘quiet’ way. Business transformation is radical but not so quiet. One...

A voluntary organisation that works to help cystic fibrosis patients has acquired two high-tech vests designed to help people with the condition avoid infection.  CF Fundraising will be using the airway clearance vests, which cost over €10,000 each, to provide free home physiotherapy sessions to those suffering from the condition and who could benefit from using them.  The vests are designed to help patients move and expel retained secretions which, if not removed, can lead to respiratory infection, hospitalization and reduced lung function. They are not available through the state healthcare system and until now there was no way for a cystic fibrosis patient to access one.  They were purchased through support from the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme, which is managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.  "We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which is allowing us to provide vital services to people with CF," said CF Fundraising spokesperson Josette Falzon.  "Airway clearance vests and home physiotherapy are essential for maintaining lung function and quality of life for people with CF, and we are proud to be able to offer these services for free. We are...

Two men were injured in separate crashes on opposite ends of the island on Friday night, the police said in a statement on Saturday. The first incident happened at 8.45pm on Triq Triq Birżebbuġa in Birżebbuġa, when a 25-year-old Albanian pedestrian was hit by a BMW driven by a 21-year-old from the locality. Around two hours later, at 10.45pm, a 37-year-old Hungarian motorcyclist was injured when he skidded with his Yamaha motorcycle and crashed on the Coast Road. Both men were taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance, where they are receiving treatment for grievous injuries. The police have launched separate investigations into the incidents.

Gozitan artist, Marvic Muscat, is exhibiting his works at the Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria. In the exhibition, PAUSE2SAVE, the artist invites everyone to pause and save inherited landscapes, scenes, traditions and folklore before it is too late. On display, one can admire Maltese landscapes, seascapes, moods of weather… all with a timeless message and an uncontaminated way of life. Paintings include Għar Lapsi, Dgħajsa tal-Latini leaving Mgarr, A Typical Morning near St Joseph chapel in Victoria, The Shepard at Mtaħleb, Heading to Mdina at Dusk, Old Xlendi Bay, The Maltese Archipelago, Before the Last Storm and Fireworks at Mnarja Feast Nadur. Muscat is a multi-talented artist with an innate drive to express himself in stone-sculpting, painting and design in several mediums, including watercolour, pastels, acrylics and ink. The artist exhibited various works in solo exhibitions and collectives. His work is found in private collections, locally and abroad. The exhibition is on until March 26; open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2.30pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to noon. Entrance is free.

These are the leading stories in local newspapers this Saturday. Times of Malta leads with news that a police officer is being investigated for kicking a man who was lying on the floor while being arrested. Despite the ongoing investigation, the officer has not been suspended from his duties. The newspaper also quotes the daughter of Baron Francis Sant Cassia, who says she is aghast that the trial of the man accused of killing him has yet to begin, 35 years later. The Malta Independent writes that there are plans to develop 100 apartments, maisonettes and penthouses in a green lung in St Julian’s. The newspaper also writes that there were over 15,000 traffic accidents last year. L-Orizzont leads with the upbeat sentiment within the tourism sector, which says it is seeing consistent hotel bookings during shoulder months. The newspaper also carries an article citing Robert Musumeci, in which he insists that the government ‘will not be solely judged’ by the Vitals-Steward sentence. In-Nazzjon leads with Bernard Grech meeting people in Siġġiewi and vowing to “continue developing our politics with the people”. The newspaper also says that enthusiasm is growing for a PN-led protest...

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are prepared to “suffer” and “sacrifice” at a hostile Anfield as they seek a win against Liverpool that would keep them on the fringes of the Premier League title race. Victory on Sunday would keep alive United’s slim hopes of catching leaders Arsenal while defeat would bolster Liverpool’s hopes of a late push for the top four. “I’m looking forward to it, the ambience, the atmosphere,” said Ten Hag, fresh from winning the League Cup last weekend to end the club’s six-year trophy drought. More details on SportsDesk. 

A police officer is being investigated after a video surfaced on the internet showing him kicking a man lying on the ground as he was being arrested, the police have confirmed. Sources told Times of Malta the officer has, however, not been suspended from his duties. The internal investigation could take up to two weeks and could lead to internal disciplinary action or even criminal charges being issued against the officer, they said. The incident was first reported by Newsbook after a video emerged on social media earlier this week, showing four police officers arresting a man in St Julian’s on Sunday. Video shows the officer kicking a man on the ground. Video: Newsbook The video shows three of the officers detaining him as he lay on the ground. The fourth officer stands by and, at one point, bends over and appears to be helping them but it remains unclear what he was doing at that moment. He then stands up and kicks the arrested man. Man was being handcuffed The man was clearly lying on the ground when he was kicked and was likely being handcuffed because, seconds later, the officers pulled him off the ground in handcuffs. In reply to questions, a spokesperson for the police...

The Malta Football Association organised a special event at the Rabat Primary School (St Nicholas College) to commemorate World Obesity Day, on Friday. In line with its commitment towards contributing for a healthier Maltese society, the Malta FA made sure to meet local children and shed light on the importance of sports. The participant class from the Rabat Primary School is one of the three that is part of the newly-launched Fun Fit Five pilot project that includes also classes from Pieta’ and Żejtun. More details on SportsDesk. 

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja is to release his first-ever sacred music album, ‘Ave Maria’. The album, released on Decca Classics, features traditional favourites as well as a stunning rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s Ave Maria. Calleja’s seventh album for the prestigious label – containing no less than four Ave Marias (by Mascagni, Massenet, Schubert and Bocelli) – sees the renowned tenor singing alongside the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan. The tenor - one of the world's most acclaimed singers - performs at some of the world's most prestigious venues and has been described as "arguably today's finest lyric tenor" by US National Public Radio.   Calleja said: “I have wanted to record a sacred music album for many years and I am immensely proud that we could produce ‘Ave Maria’ in Malta, which is renowned the world over for its immensely rich religious and cultural heritage.”  Decca Classics Label Director Dominic Fyfe said: “‘Ave Maria’ celebrates Joseph’s 20th anniversary on Decca and what better way to mark that milestone than to have him partner with the Malta Philharmonic for the first time on record. This album is proudly...

Japan is to open an embassy in Malta, the government announced on Saturday. The decision was communicated to Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg by his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi during a bilateral meeting the two held in New York last week. Both Malta and Japan are currently serving terms as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.  In a statement announcing the Japanese decision, Malta’s foreign affairs ministry said that Japan has allocated funds to set up a Maltese embassy, following local efforts to bolster diplomatic ties between the two countries. Borg met with Hayashi in September 2022 and also attended the state funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated while delivering a speech last July. During that visit, Borg said that it appeared Japan was “showing commitment” to opening an embassy in Malta.   On Saturday, he said that he was gratified to see that diplomatic efforts are paying off. “I’m convinced that having a Japanese Embassy in Malta will give bilateral relations and trade between the two countries a solid basis to grow further,” he said. Malta’s main trade with Japan is in fish, with the local fish farming...

Top officials from Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain convened in Malta on Saturday in the hopes of presenting a united front when EU member states discuss a common migration policy next week.  Ministers and other high-level officials were greeted by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, who is hosting the Med5 Summit at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Italian home affairs minister Matteo Piatendosi, Greek Migration minister Notis Mirarchi, Spanish Migration minister Fernando Grande Marklaska and Cypriot permanent Secretary Costas Constantinou are all at the summit. Also in attendance is the director of EU border Agency Frontex and Sweden’s Migration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Sweden currently presides over the EU Council. Camilleri emphasises strong repatriation policy Speaking before the event, Camilleri emphasised the importance of member states being equipped to return failed asylum seekers to their home countries. Return mechanisms, he said, were a “key pillar of a just migration policy” and he said he wanted to see Frontex do more to help member states repatriate people “who do not have the right to asylum”. Byron Camilleri placed an emphasis...

Teams engaged in the race towards European football and the relegation battle face some crucial match-ups as the BOV Premier League returns this weekend after making way for the FA Trophy quarter-finals last week. The relegation battle takes centre stage on Saturday when Santa Lucia and Pietà Hotspurs, the two teams occupying the last two places in the standings, go head-to-head at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Then third-from-bottom Żebbuġ Rangers will have the chance to further distance themselves from the automatic-relegation spots when they face Sirens at the Centenary Stadium. Read full story on www.sportsdesk.com.mt

The MSE Equity Total Return Index lost 1.2% during the week and closed at 7,506.844 points. Sixteen equities were active, as 11 lost ground while two gained. A total turnover of €0.9m was registered as a result of 117 deals. The equity index was dragged lower mostly by the declines experienced by Malta International Airport plc, International Hotel Investments plc and PG plc. The MSE MGS Total Return Index recovered 0.3%, to end the week at 877.328 points. A total of seven bonds were active - one advanced while five declined. The best performing government bond was the 2.3% MGS 2029 which experienced an increase of 4.2%, to end the week at €98. On the contrary, the 4.5% MGS 2028 suffered the largest decline, as it dropped by 2.2% to end the week at €105.16. The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index closed the week 0.4% higher at 1,120.428 points. Out of 60 active bonds, 23 recorded an increase, whereas 18 declined. The 4.8% Mediterranean Maritime Hub Finance plc Unsecured € 2026 ended the week as the best performer with a gain of 4.2%. The price at the end of yesterday’s session read €99. On the other hand, the 4.25% CPHCL Finance plc Unsecured € 2026 suffered the biggest drop,...

British tennis chiefs are set to abandon their controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian players ahead of this year’s Wimbledon championships, it was reported Friday. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the UK’s governing Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) came under pressure from the British government to impose a ban. Russian and Belarusian players were eventually barred from all five ATP tournaments staged by the LTA, including the longstanding Queen’s Club event in London. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which runs Wimbledon, imposed a similar suspension. But Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported Friday: “All expectations suggest that the AELTC will lower the ban on Russians and Belarusians”. Read full story on www.sportsdesk.com.mt

DS may still feel like a relatively new car firm, but it has actually been with us for a number of years now. The DS 3 has always been a core model for the luxury-orientated firm and it’s one which has evolved and changed as time has passed. This new electric model, which ditches the ‘Crossback’ name to become just ‘DS 3’ has now been updated with a tweaked exterior but, more importantly, some considerable changes to the battery and electric motor. But the EV segment is a hotly contested one, which means that the DS 3 has to hit the ground running if it wants to hack it against rivals. You’d be hard-pressed to work out what has changed if you took the DS 3 at face value. As we’ve mentioned, it has dropped the ‘Crossback’ term, but now this crossover-shaped model gains a slightly more aggressive front-end design and some interior tweaks. Read the full test-drive at timesmotors.com