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Internal taxation in the EU’s internal market : is Article 110 TFEU all about protectionism?
Get PDFThis paper looks at the evolution of Article 110 TFEU through the Court of Justice of the
European Union’s main cases. Such a phenomenon often occurs through the imposition
of discriminatory taxation upon goods originating in another Member State with the
intent and effect of promoting the locally produced good. Situations are reminiscent of
the latter circumstances and can thus impede one of the four freedoms central to the
proper functioning of the European Union, proving a hindrance to the free circulation
of goods between the Member States. Thus, mechanisms preventing the application of
such discriminatory measures through internal taxation are imperative. At face value,
the wording of the article prevents discriminatory indirect taxation upon goods that
are either similar or capable of competing. This said internal taxation may nonetheless
be differential yet not discriminatory. The latter applies when there is an objectively
justifiable reason for imposing a higher tax on goods originating in another Member
State than that imposed upon the domestic product. Finally, the paper compares and
contrasts jurisprudence to examine if an element of protectionism is needed for a
national measure to be caught up by Article 110 TFEU.peer-reviewe
Influence of effluent discharge on Maltese shore biotic assemblages
Get PDFEffluent discharges in coastal areas are a growing problem in a constantly developing world, with rocky shores being some of the
most impacted by coastal development worldwide. The present study was aimed at establishing whether effluent discharge, having
low nutrient levels, influences attributes of the associated biotic assemblages. Results indicated a significantly higher number and
abundance of macroinvertebrate taxa, but lower diversity and evenness at effluent sites compared to reference sites. Therefore,
even at low levels, nutrients in discharged effluent have a significant effect on shore biotic assemblages, but this impact is
restricted to the vicinity of the effluent discharge point.peer-reviewe
Scavenging megabenthos below tuna cages in Malta
Get PDFThe population density of megabenthos below tuna pens in Malta is significantly higher (ANOVA; p < 0.05) when compared to
reference sites, particularly for the echinoids Stylocidaris affinis and Centrostephanus longispinus. Population density is highest
during the peak period, and in some cases remains high during the fallow period, compared to equivalent reference sites without
pens. Overall, there appears to be no gross degradation of the benthic environment.peer-reviewe
In-niggieża tan-narrattiva : il-proża politika
No full textIl-Baruni tar-Rabat tal-lmdina' hija waħda minn sensiela ta' novelli mifruxin f'erba' volumi, miktuba minn Mary Meylak li jdawruna ma' nħawi differenti f'Malta u f'Għawdex. Din in-novella tirrakkonta l-istorja ta' siġra kbira tat-tin li kibret fil-ġnien ta' villa ta' Baruni. Ir-rakkont jibda bil-baruni josserva t-tfal li jiġru mat-toroq jixxennqu meta jħarsu lejn il-ġnien mimli frott tiegħu u, għax qalbu tajba, jordna lill-ġardinari tiegħu biex iħawlu siġar tal-frott b'tali mod li jibdew jarmu fuq barra tal-ġnien ħalli t-tfal ikunu jistgħu jaqtgħu kemm frott iridu. It-tina li titħawwel tant tikber li tarmi dell fuq ħafna toroq fir-Rabat u l-Imdina u ssir leġġendarja. Jum fost l-oħrajn, tiġri x-xniegħa fost in-nies tal-lokal, li kienu ġejjin tas-sanità biex iqaċċtu s-siġra. U hawn għoddu jqum irvell għax in-nies ma ridux lill-awtoritajiet iqaċċtulhom is-siġra leġġendarja tagħhom. L-awtoritajiet ma jqaċċtuhiex imma xi ħaġa tiġri fil-fatt u s-siġra tibda tmajna. Xejn donnu ma seta' jirranġa s-sitwazzjoni, lanqas l-aqwa ġardinari ta' Malta. Imma jum fost l-oħrajn, jitfaċċa tfajjel li, anki b'sogru kbir għal ħajtu, iħaffer madwar is-siġra, jinżel fil-fond u jintebaħ li s-siġra kien naqsilha l-ilma tal-qiegħ u jinnaviga b'tali mod li jibda jiskula l-ilma mill-ġdid lejn l-għeruq biex is-siġra tirpilja minnufih u r-Rabat u l-Imdina, anzi Malta kollha, terġa' tibda tgawdi mill-benna tat-tina.peer-reviewe
[Book review] Health, plague and society in early modern Malta
No full textIn his book "Historical Research: A Guide" (2002),
W.H. McDowell defines historical research as representing: "... ... a
systematic enquiry into the past and an attempt to separate true from
fictionalized accounts of historical events, based upon the examination
of a wide range of relevant source material. " Prof Cassar with his recent
academic work "Health, Plague, and Society in Early Modern Malta"
has given us another excellent view into the past. His book serves as an
effective time-machine taking the reader back to a period when medical
science was striving to break the bonds of Medieval restrictive thought
and embrace the freedom of thought which was brought about by the
Renaissance. Medical concepts at the beginning of the sixteenth century were still rudimentary being based more on a philosophical perspective
of Galenic Theories with very little being based on scientific observation
and experimentation. There was certainly no 'evidence-based medicine'
which today serves as the buzzword for medical research and practice.peer-reviewe
'Bagasce di funnaco' - morale sessuale e giustizia criminale nella Cefalù del XVII secolo
Get PDFLa giustizia episcopale conobbe uno sviluppo impetuoso dopo
ii Concilio di Trento, in linea con ii suo programma di disciplinamento
del clero. Sebbene i tribunali vescovili fossero attivi gia in precedenza
nella persecuzione di taluni reati, l'attivita correzionale dei fori diocesani
crebbe vertiginosamente nei decenni del secondo Cinquecento.peer-reviewe
An investigation of the psychodynamic conceptualisation and treatment of moral masochism in substance use disorder
Get PDFThe current study aimed at investigating the manner in which psychodynamic therapists conceptualise and
treat moral masochism in patients suffering from substance use. Therapists’ perceptions of the possible role
moral masochism play in the cause and perpetuation of substance use and its implications for treatment
were explored. Psychodynamic therapists’ diverse ways of conceptualising moral masochism were
compared and contrasted, and the manner in which they deal with the particular transferential challenges
faced when treating such patients was investigated. A qualitative methodology was adopted, in which five
in-depth, semi-structured interviews with psychodynamic psychotherapists, whose work is informed by
diverse psychodynamic theories and who have experience working with Substance Use Disorder, were
conducted. Data was analysed by means of Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA), in accordance with the
guidelines provided by Braun and Clarke (2006, 2016, 2021). The study yielded several key findings,
including the existence of common factors linking moral masochism and substance use-related behaviours.
Some of these common factors include dependency and feelings of inadequacy, the presence of aggression
towards the self and others and the presence of a sense of disconnection and emptiness. Possible motives
underlying the behaviours of patients suffering from moral masochism and engaging in substance use were
also elicited as themes from the data, which shed light on how patients use such behaviours as coping
strategies, defence mechanisms and as ways of achieving a temporary sense of control. Results also
elucidate patients’ need to expiate guilt, including religious guilt, which participants believed contributes
to this behaviour. Essential considerations for therapists treating this patient group were also highlighted,
including the relevance of recognising the self-sustaining cyclical nature of morally masochistic and
substance use-related behaviours within patients. The key role of considering patients’ full biopsychosocial
context and how this may be feeding into their behaviours was also highlighted. Implications for treatment
of this patient group included helping patients to develop ego strength and an internal locus of control,
addressing guilt and helping patients relationally reconnect to themselves and others by encouraging
personal growth and helping them to find meaning in their lives. The importance of reflexive practice in
order to help navigate specific issues of transference and countertransference was also emphasised.peer-reviewe
The European Trauma Course : transforming systems through training
No full textThe European Trauma Course (ETC) exemplifies an innovative approach to multispecialty trauma education. This initiative was started as a collaborative effort among the European Society for Emergency Medicine, the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery, and the European Society of Anaesthesiology under the auspices of the European Resuscitation Council. With the robust support of these societies, the project has evolved into the independent European Trauma Course Organisation.
Over the past 15 years, the ETC has transcended traditional training by integrating team dynamics and non-technical skills into a scenario-based simulation course, helping to shape trauma care practice and education. A distinctive feature of the ETC is its training of doctors and allied healthcare professionals, fostering a collaborative and holistic approach to trauma care. The ETC stands out for its unique team-teaching approach, which has gained widespread recognition as the standard for in-hospital trauma care training not only in Europe but also beyond. Since its inception ETC has expanded geographically from Finland to Sudan and from Brazil to the Emirates, training nearly 20,000 healthcare professionals and shaping trauma care practice and education across 25 countries. Experiencing exponential growth, the ETC continues to evolve, reflecting its unmet demand in trauma team education.
This review examines the evolution of the ETC, its innovative team-teaching methodology, national implementation strategies, current status, and future challenges. It highlights its impact on trauma care, team training, and the effect on other life support courses in various countries.peer-reviewe
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence for education
No full textEducation today faces a range of challenges, but also unique opportunities, vis-à-vis the evolution of digital technologies. Traditional teaching methods struggle to meet the diverse needs of students, as classrooms comprise learners at different levels. The Education AI project represents an initiative aimed at integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the classroom to address the diversity of students and the challenges faced by traditional teaching methods. The project's core objective is to enhance student learning outcomes by providing an adaptive and personalised learning experience, thereby making education more equitable and effective. This paper evaluates the project's impact on student learning, teacher workload, and its broader applicability in education.
The study's methodology combines quantitative and qualitative data, employing a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Education AI system's effectiveness. Preliminary findings indicate a notable improvement in student performance, particularly among low and medium-performing students, with quantitative data revealing an average improvement of 23% in assessments for low-performing students. The system's user-friendly interface, gamified elements, and immediate feedback mechanisms have been well-received, with a majority of students reporting enhanced engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts. Teachers have also reported positive experiences, highlighting the system's role in reducing their workload and facilitating personalised and adaptive teaching and learning. Qualitative feedback from interviews with teachers and students provides further insights into the system's impact, emphasising its varied and engaging question types, adaptivity, and the shift from paper-based to digital learning. The feedback also reveals a desire for expansion to other subjects and enhancements in the system's analytics for more targeted support.
The Education AI project demonstrates the transformative potential of AI in the classroom, with significant improvements in student performance and positive reception from both students and teachers. The study highlights the importance of addressing technical challenges and expanding the system's capabilities for broader application. The project offers valuable insights into the future of education, where technology and human expertise converge to create a more personalised, adaptive engaging, and effective learning experience for all students. This initiative, underpinned by the transformative potential of AI for education, aims and informing and guiding future innovations in educational technology.peer-reviewe
Care for the elderly persons in Church and religious residential homes in Malta : ethical guidelines
Get PDFThe ethical guidelines on
the care for elderly persons
presented in this publication
are inspired by the vision and
mission of pastoral ministry
of the Church for senior
citizens residing in Church and
Religious homes in Malta.
Throughout the centuries, the
Church in Malta has played a
pivotal role in the history of
the elderly care and services.
Today, the Church in Malta
still considers social work and
care for the elderly as one of
its main pillars of diakonia.
Inspired by the conviction
that older people have dignity
and fundamental rights, the
Church in Malta is committed
to promote an excellent quality
of care, spiritual support,
compassionate accompaniment,
and sound ethical guidelines in
the decision-making process
in order to uphold the quality
standards of its residential
homes for the elderly.
The values endorsed in these
guidelines serve as a reminder
that old people, despite their
frailty and vulnerability, should
not be regarded as a burden
to society, as promoted by the
so-called throwaway culture of
today, but as the “messengers
of tenderness ... and wisdom
of lived experience”, as Pope
Francis recently remarked. Care
institutions for the elderly are
called to create an environment
that would let them “live to the
full” by respecting, unreservedly,
their dignity and rights.
Promoting a holistic care for
the elderly is the epitome of a
sense of gratitude to God for
the gift of life. Moreover, it is
an acknowledgement that the
quality of society and civilization
in which we live depends on
the sensitivity to the needs of
the elderly and the vulnerable.
Our elderly people deserve
the utmost respect and high-
quality services and care in
our residential homes for they
bear the scars of the struggles
of life, the wisdom gained
through time, and the grace
that comes from perseverance.
Their lives are not to be merely
prolonged, but honoured,
cherished and celebrated in a
caring environment that does
not only add years to life, but
more decidedly life to years.
This guidebook is an invaluable
resource for chaplains,
caregivers, families, and all those
who accompany the elderly
in the last stages of their life
journey. It explores the complex
ethical, spiritual, pastoral, and
clinical challenges that arise
as our loved ones approach
the end of their earthly life.
The insights on geriatric care
enshrined in this booklet are
grounded in compassion,
informed by the latest
developments in bioethics and
healthcare professional ethics,
and deeply anchored in the
Christian understanding of the
human person and the Christian
perspective on life and death.
My hope and prayer is that
everyone who reads this
document will be inspired
to see Christ in the elderly,
and to provide the highest
quality of care and support
that they so rightly deserve.
May those engaged in elderly
care, who are continuously
navigating through thorny
bioethical challenges, chart the
journey of elderly healthcare
with a deep sensibility and
respect for a culture and
civilization of life open to every
human being at all stages of life.peer-reviewe