Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/501315
Events 27 maltatoday, Sunday, 26 april 2015 Suad Amiry, the author of 'Sharon and my mother-in-law' arrived in Malta for the launch of 'Sharon u l- Kunjata', the Maltese translation of her best seller at St. James Cavallier Valletta. Amiry was presented with a copy of 'Sharon u l-Kunjata' by Jean Paul Borg, who translated the book into Maltese. Her book has been trans- lated into 20 languages, the last one in Arabic which was a best seller in France and was awarded the pres- tigious 'Viareggio Prize' in Italy . The cover of the Maltese publica- tion shows an authentic 2002 pho- tograph of a newly wed Palestinian couple running for safety in the oc- cupied Palestinian town of Ramal- lah in the presence of armed Israeli soldiers. Based on diaries and e-mail cor- respondence that Suad Amiry kept between 1981-2004, 'Sharon and My Mother-in-Law' presents the frustrations and downright misery of daily life in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Amiry writes with elegance and humor about the enormous diffi- culties of moving from one place to another, the torture of falling in love with someone from another town, the absurdity of her dog receiving a Jerusalem identity card when thou- sands of Palestinians could not, and the presence of having her ninety- two-year-old mother-in-law living in her house during a forty-two-day curfew. Amiry recounts an original, ironic, and firsthand glimpse into the ab- surdity — and agony — of life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. A lovely breeze accompa- nied the Vivian Corpo ra- tion guests to a charming setting for the Fichera Li- queurs product launch at Hay wharf. People from various restaurants, cafes, & ho- tels sipped their cocktails at sunset, consisting of Fichera liqueurs whilst listening to some smooth chillout tunes. Fichera Si- cilian Liqueurs such as the Amaro Vulcano, Fuoco Dell' Etna & Limoncello Dell' Etna all showed their versatile nature, in the form of a perfect after- dinner liqueur, an aperi- tif (Vulcano & tonic) or a fantastic cocktail such as the Mojito Siciliano or the Fuoco Passion For trade enquiries email Vivian Corporation on info@viviancorp.com, get in touch via Facebook on w w w.facebook.com/ vivianfood or call on 2134 4610/6 Following the publication of the Cruise Casino Regulations by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), wherein cruise liners are to ob- tain prior approval from the MGA, cruise liners will now be able to op- erate their onboard casinos while berthing in Malta and its territorial waters. These regulations are a result of the policy announced by Govern- ment last November during the 2015 Budget speech. The regulations aim to regulate casino operations on board cruise ships, which are either berthed in Malta, Gozo or within Maltese territorial waters. The MGA's Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri said that the MGA introduced the Cruise Liner Casino Regulations to ensure that fair play and player protection processes on board cruise ships are in place. "Through the Cruise Liner Ca- sino Regulations, we will be able to safeguard both the interests of pas- sengers on board cruise ships, as well as those of the Maltese gaming industry. "Cruise ships that are issued with the necessary approval by the MGA will be able to operate their casinos in line with the stipulated condi- tions whilst berthed here," added Cuschieri. "Valletta Cruise Port welcomes the publication of the new casino regu- lations, following our instigation of the process in recent years. "These regulations make Malta a more attractive proposition for cruise liners particularly those which do opt to call at Malta for an overnight stay. "This is undoubtedly an incentive to encourage cruise liners to include both Malta and Gozo in their Medi- terranean itinerary. Valletta Cruise Port has already starting promot- ing these regulations, and feedback from the cruise liner industry has been positive," commented Stephen Xuereb, Chief Executive Officer of Valletta Cruise Port. The Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth José Herrera stated that through the introduction of these regulations the Government has taken into consideration the pri- vate sector to incentivise these two industries: gaming and the cruise liners. This measure being implemented by the Government was announced during the last budget. As such this secretariat has already accomplished three important propositions from their announcement in the budget: the Authority's branding, the launch of GamingMalta and the new regu- lations for the cruise casinos, said Jose' Herrera. José Herrera praised the Malta Gaming Authority's commitment that is increasingly being pro-active in its efforts to promote job op- portunities and investment on our shores. "Through the implementation of these new regulations, cruise liner operators can apply for approval to operate their onboard casinos. The Authority will be assuring the best principles of fair play and player protection. Therefore the need to regulate arises, to ensure that we build upon the good reputation that our jurisdiction holds," said the Par- liamentary Secretary. The government reiterates its com- mitment to improve these industries to create more quality job opportu- nities for our country. The Regulations lay down that a formal application for this purpose must be submitted to the MGA, which, in turn, issues such approval once it is satisfied that gaming on board the cruise liner casino shall take place in accordance with the fundamental principles established by the Authority. Once approval is granted, cruise liner casinos will be allowed to op- erate for the duration of their stay, in line with the conditions stipulated in these new regulations. The conditions attached to the ap- proval, stipulate, for instance, that only those persons listed on the pas- senger manifest of that particular voyage can gamble at the vessel's casino, and that the casino is only operated during the time window specified in the MGA approval. The Cruise Casino Regulations (S.L. 400.03) are being issued under the Gaming Act (Chapter 400 of the Laws of Malta). For more information on these regulations, contact the Authority by calling +356 2546 9000 or send- ing an email to info@mga.com.mt. Suad Amiry in Malta Fichera Liqueurs launched at Haywharf MGA to allow casinos on cruise liners to operate while visiting Malta As part of its corporate social r e s p o n s i b i l i t y programme, the WasteServ Sports and Social Com- mittee organised a blood donation event at Waste- Serv's Visitors Centre. On the day the Mobile Blood Donation Unit parked at the Visitors' Centre, where it was ac- cessible to both employees and the general public. The aim of this event was to en- courage employees and visitors to come together and donate blood. Over 55 employees responded to this positive initiative. The management of WasteServ and National Blood Transfusion Service expressed their gratitude and their satisfaction towards the good turn-up of WasteServ em- ployees (mostly first time donors) for this cause. WasteServ blood donation event at WasteServ's Visitors Centre Suad Amiry admiring a copy of her book translated into Maltese Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera speaking about the cruise liner regulations