Новости за 25.02.2016

Sai Mizzi will not continue in her role in China once her contract expires in August, her husband, Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi announced today. Mrs Mizzi has been at the heart of controversy ever since  she was appointed as special government envoy to China with a monthly package of €13,000. Dr Mizzi made the announcement after his election as PL deputy leader for party affairs this evening. He said he had consulted Mrs Mizzi before deciding to submit his nomination for PL deputy leader. Читать дальше...

Italy's Senate has voted to grant legal recognition to civil unions, as the last holdout in Western Europe took a compromise step to give some rights to gay couples after a years-long battle. Premier Matteo Renzi described the passage of the bill as "historic". But gay and lesbian groups denounced the legislation as a betrayal because Mr Renzi's Democratic Party sacrificed a provision to allow gay adoption in order to ensure passage. The legislation, which must still pass the lower Chamber of Deputies... Читать дальше...

U.S. Astronaut Scott Kelly says he feels like he's been "camping for a year" after nearly 12 months without running water aboard the International Space Station.   During a press conference from on board the International Space Station, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly  compared his nearly year-long mission to being "in the woods camping for a year" because of the lack of running water and cramped living conditions. But he added that the station is a "magical place" and a journey that he believes more people will be able to take in time. Читать дальше...

One of the most unusual yachts to grace the Mediterranean, the A, sailed out of Grand Harbour today after a paint job at the Palumbo shipyard. The 120-metre-long vessel, which cost $300m when commissioned in 2008, was built by the German shipyard Blohm and Voss. It was designed by Philippe Starck for 36-year-old Russian billionnaire Andrey Melnichenko. He ordered it for his wife Aleksandra, a former Serbian supermodel, hence the name A. Contrary to contemporary vessels, the A is mostly enclosed and with the bow sloping out at waterline level... Читать дальше...

Thirteen families who fled their homes and found refuge in Malta have been taken in by parishes and religious communities across the island in a bid to help them back on their feet. “We believe in insertion, not integration, as we are telling migrants that they are one of us and not just that they can live with us. “Insertion is much more than integration, and the sooner society gets rid of its prejudices, the sooner we can live in harmony,” the director of the Emigrants’ Commission, Fr Alfred Vella said. Читать дальше...

An Italian chef who had come to Malta looking for a job, has been accused of defiling and participating in sexual acts with  the underage daughter of his estranged partner. Roberto Tanzi, 42, who has been living in Msida for a number of years was charged this afternoon before Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech and pleaded not guilty. The court heard how the alleged sexual abuses started when the girl was nine years old and continued till last November when she was 13 years. Until then the accused... Читать дальше...

An unemployed man and his two teenage sons this evening were remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to a long list of charges including attempted burglary at a Marsa lotto office this morning. Sources said the three of them were caught red-handed by the police while trying to break into the shop located at Racecourse Street. The man was allegedly waiting in the car while his sons attempted the break-in. Keith Joseph Mallia, 44, together with his 18-year-old son Mario, and his 16-year-old brother... Читать дальше...

The Mepa Board has approved planning permission for a landscaping scheme at Ta’ Barkat, limits of Xghajra. The landscaping will  improve the adverse visual impact created by the South Sewage Treatment Plant. The landscaping works which will be carried out over a footprint of 6775 square metres and will include the construction of terraced parcels forming an embankment which will be divided by rubble walls. As part of the scheme over 190 trees will be planted which include Znuber, Balluta, Harruba... Читать дальше...

A long-awaited Mepa decision on a proposed petrol station in Magħtab was deferred once again in bizarre circumstances this afternoon after an argument between the Mepa chairman and architect Carmel Caccopardo. Mr Caccopardo, representing Magħtab residents, who have vehemently opposed the development, accused the Mepa planning directorate of a “lack of professional integrity” and claimed it had neglected to bring key facts relating to the proposal to the intention of the board. Chairman Vince Cassar... Читать дальше...

Gordon Campbell Gray, chairman of CampbellGray Hotels, speaks to Anthony Manduca about his plans for the Phoenicia Hotel, which reopens in May. Gordon Campbell Gray describes the €15 million restoration programme of the Phoenicia Hotel as “a dream project”. “It’s a big restoration, we’re taking the hotel back to where we feel it ought to be. We think the Phoenicia should truly be the great hotel of Malta. One of our personal ambitions at CampbellGray Hotels was always to restore a grand old lady. Читать дальше...

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) is eyeing changes to safety laws following the death of a 19-year-old on Tuesday after a fall at a Pietà construction site. OHSA CEO Mark Gauci said the authority is looking to amend the law in order to better safeguard the health and safety of workers. Dr Gauci noted people carrying out construction work often acted as health and safety supervisors instead of having competent and qualified people to do the job. “Unfortunately this is leading to... Читать дальше...

Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 42. Pires started his career with Metz in France, before spells at Marseille and Arsenal, where he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups between 2000 and 2006. He is the last member of the 1998 winning France squad to retire. "I'm 42 years old .... We must say stop and above all must give way to young," Pires said on beIN Sports today. Читать дальше...

Most of the batches of chocolate affected by the Mars recall have not yet made it to Malta, official distributors Francis Busuttil and Sons said. “There are very few items from the batches in question that have already been circulated in the market,” a company spokesman said. The Mars company said on Tuesday it would be recalling chocolate in 55 countries, including Malta, as a precautionary measure after a woman found a small piece of red plastic in a Snickers bar in Germany last month. The plastic... Читать дальше...

Senglea residents have asked for sound sensors to be installed around Palumbo Shipyard if noise and vibrations are to be accurately measured before the yard is issued with an environmental permit. In a letter outlining the measures Mepa should take into consideration before issuing the permit, residents’ representative Anna Spiteri called for “competent noise engineers” to be engaged. These engineers should not make use of hand-held noise meters, she said. “These meters, as are currently used by Palumbo’s noise engineer... Читать дальше...

The MSE Share Index halted a five-day positive streak today as it declined by 0.27% to 4,528.307 points, mainly due to the drop in the share price of MIA. Trading volumes rebounded as nearly €553,500 worth of shares changed hands. The market reacted negatively to the publication of the 2015 financial statements of Malta International Airport plc yesterday evening. The share price dropped 8.9% to an intra-day low of €4.30 before partially recovering to the €4.50 level, which still represents a decline... Читать дальше...

A Hungarian woman allegedly raped by a Libyan man suffered various bruises but no lesions were found in her private parts, a forensic pathologist told a court this morning. However, the victim might not have been in a position to offer any resistance as she was heavily inebriated, the expert added. Forensic pathologist Mario Scerri was testifying in the compilation of evidence against 26-year-old Ezzedin Salem Elaoud, from Tripoli, who is pleading not guilty to rape, assaulting the woman and causing her slight injuries. Читать дальше...

Greece has recalled its ambassador in Vienna after Austria excluded it from a meeting of Balkan states on Europe's migrant crisis. The move to recall the envoy for consultations was designed to "safeguard friendly relations between the states and the people of Greece and Austria", a statement from the ministry said. Ten Balkan states meeting in Austria on Wednesday agreed to coordinate action to limit the migration flow along their countries. As well as triggering a domino effect of national border... Читать дальше...

The Court of Appeal presided over by Mr Justice Anthony Ellul has confirmed a judgement in the libel case filed by Richard Cachia Caruana, former permanent representative to the EU  against Joe Grima. Former Labour Minister Joe Grima, today the Prime Minister’s Tourism Envoy, was found to have libelled Mr Cachia Caruana in comments on Facebook posted in August 2012. The Court of Appeal confirmed the judgment ordering Mr Grima to pay damages of €5,000 to Richard Cachia Caruana as well as pay for all legal costs. Читать дальше...

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami called on the Prime Minister to give full details and the date of when Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi took ownership of a company in Panama. Commenting on the Prime Minister’s declarations that he did not have any problem with Dr Mizzi’s interests in a Panama company, Dr Fenech Adami challenged Dr Muscat for full disclosure on this “secret” company. “We are asking the Prime Minister to state when Dr Mizzi took ownership of a company in the tax haven of Panama. He... Читать дальше...

Registered environmental NGOs will as of next month be available for a grant under the Environment Fund Voluntary Organisations Support Scheme. A sum of €50,000 is being allocated, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said this afternoon, launching funding guidelines. Through the scheme, the government will be offering financial support to the NGOs which are engaged in environmental conservation and promotion in an attempt to further incentivise environmental-beneficial initiatives. After a month-long consultation process... Читать дальше...

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has criticised the Opposition for being hasty in presenting a private member’s Bill to reform the judicial appointments system. At a press conference this afternoon, Dr Bonnici said the Opposition’s Bill could not be debated because it was deemed to be a money Bill. The Opposition cannot propose Bills that have a potential impact on the Budget – money Bills. The Attorney General advised that the proposal tabled by the Opposition was a money Bill. Dr Bonnici also pointed... Читать дальше...

French military advisers have been helping coordinate Libyan forces fighting Islamic State insurgents in the eastern city of Benghazi, where pro-government brigades have been making progress, a senior Libyan military commander said. It was the latest sign of U.S. and European engagement in trying to restore some order and security in anarchic Libya, where Western governments are looking to help local forces stop Islamic State expanding beyond its bastions in Iraq and Syria. "The French military group... Читать дальше...

Animal welfare officers who rescued a lost pigeon in East Lothian were surprised to discover it had a royal owner - the Queen. The Scottish SPCA was called when the exhausted bird was spotted at Traprain Terrace in Haddington on February 2. Staff traced it back to its owner and the racing pigeon has now been returned to the royal loft at Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The charity's animal rescue officer Connie O'Neill said: "I've rescued many pigeons during my career with the Scottish SPCA but this was certainly a first for me. Читать дальше...

Women in countries hit by the Zika virus should breastfeed their babies and there is no proof the virus can spread to their infants that way, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. Zika has been declared a global emergency because of its possible links to a spike in babies born with abnormally small heads in Brazil. The country has more than one million infections and the virus is spreading explosively across the Americas. In guidance issued on Thursday, WHO said while Zika has been detected... Читать дальше...

Australia is warning travellers planning to visit the beaches of Bali and other sites in Indonesia about possible attacks in the southeast Asian nation. It says recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia. The government is urging travellers to exercise a "high degree of caution", but has retained the advisory at level two of four levels On Sunday it issued a similar warning for the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. An officer with Indonesia's... Читать дальше...