Новости за 06.03.2016

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has denied suggestions by the U.S. ambassador in Rome that Italy could send up to 5,000 troops to Libya, saying conditions were not in place for military intervention in the former Italian colony. Renzi was speaking on a TV talk show on the day that two Italian hostages freed in Libya after two fellow captives were allegedly killed by Islamic State militants were flown back home. "As long as I am prime minister, Italy will not go to Libya for an invasion with 5,000 men," Renzi told Canale 5 television. Читать дальше...

Cancer expert Stephen Brincat has sought to allay concerns that the use of Johnson & Johnson talcum powder may be linked to ovarian cancer. The American multinational was last week ordered by a Missouri state jury to pay €65 million in damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades. Contacted by The Sunday Times of Malta, Dr Brincat said: “From a medical scientific... Читать дальше...

A man allegedly involved in the importation of a large quantity of cocaine has been awaiting trial since 2002, official figures show. He is one of 71 defendants currently on the trial by jury waiting list. Although most of them have been granted bail, legal experts believe that waiting for so long for the conclusion of one’s criminal process is “torture”. “It’s true, you’re out and about, but the fact that one day you might find yourself in jail is always there at the back of your mind, so you’re... Читать дальше...

Valletta restored their four-point advantage over Hibs at the top of the Premier League after beating Sliema Wanderers 3-0.Jhonnattann was the star of the show for Valletta as the Brazilian rounded a fine performance with a brilliant goal at  time when Sliema Wanderers were increasing their efforts in search of an equaliser. The first half produced few scoring chances but Valletta's first flowing move yielded a goal after 17 minutes.Llywelyn Cremona's perfect pass released Umeh Calistus who raced... Читать дальше...

QORMI 0 MOSTA 1 Mensha 18 A Mosta victory against Qormi, the basement team in the Premier League, was deemed a foregone conclusion. The reality could not have been more different as Mosta, could only scrape a 1-0 win over their troubled opponents who suffered their 11th consecutive defeat. Mosta showed the better ideas early on. Godwin Mensha’s shot was partially cleared and James Brincat’s ensuing grounder was easily blocked by Andreas Vella. The Blues’ brighter start was rewarded on 18 minutes... Читать дальше...

Nancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and her husband's Alzheimer's disease, died today at age 94, the Reagan library said. Michael Reagan said on Twitter he was saddened by his stepmother's death. "She is once again with the man she loved," he wrote. Reagan became one of the most influential first ladies in U.S. history during her Republican husband's presidency from 1981 to 1989... Читать дальше...

Ten-man Sassuolo dealt AC Milan a heavy blow in their bid to qualify for Europe by defeating the Rossoneri 2-0. The Neroverde started the day six points behind sixth-placed Milan but will now look to overtake them after goals from Alfred Duncan and Nicola Sansone secured an impressive victory for the Mapei Stadium side. Eusebio Di Francesco's men even managed to dominate the final exchanges despite losing Gregoire Defrel to a late red card. With time running out in Milan's mission to secure Europa League football... Читать дальше...

Ahead of U.S.-South Korean military drills, North Korean TV says the U.S. will be "held accountable for igniting war."   "We have cutting-edge attack methods to beat up the U.S. mainland at anytime and from anywhere. Also we have diligently developed and deployed Juche (self-reliant) weapons in the era of the Workers' Party of Korea, which enables us to fire strong artilleries," North Korean TV said. "If a war breaks out on the Korean peninsula, the U.S. will be held accountable for igniting the... Читать дальше...

Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for a truck bombing at an Iraqi police checkpoint south of Baghdad that killed at least 60 people and wounded more than 70 others.  The fuel tanker that exploded was packed with explosives, leaving the nearby police station and dozens of houses destroyed. Hospital officials said among the injured were many burn victims. The hardline Sunni IS militants called the attack a "martyr's operation". It hit the capital of Babylon province, a mostly Shi'ite region with some Sunnii presence. Читать дальше...

Christian Benteke's last-gasp penalty completed 10-man Liverpool's fightback against Crystal Palace to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish. Substitute Benteke was awarded the spot-kick after a challenge by Damien Delaney deep in injury time and coolly slotted home to add to Robert Firmino's equaliser on 72 minutes. James Milner's red card for a second yellow on 62 minutes put Liverpool on the back foot, but Firmino took advantage of a scuffed clearance from Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy... Читать дальше...

ST ANDREWS 3 Perez Cuestra 6, Nwoko 86, Desira Buttgieg 90 PEMBROKE ATHLETA 1 Laudisi 16 pen Two goals in four late minutes by substitutes Kyrian Nwoko and Matteo Desira Buttigieg propelled St Andrews to a 3-1 victory over Pembroke Athleta. Just as the game looked to be heading for another draw with four minutes to go, substitute Nwoko made the most of a quick Saints break to put them back in front, while four minutes later Desira Buttigieg curled in a superb shot. St Andrews in bright-yellow opened... Читать дальше...

NAXXAR LIONS-0, HIBERNIANS-8Hibernians bounced back to winning form with a bang after thrashing relegation strugglers Naxxar Lions 8-0. As the scoreline clearly indicates, the game was a one-way affair as the champions dominated throughout to maintain their title push, narrowing the gap on leaders Valletta to one point before the latter's game against Sliema Wanderers this afternoon. This game was as good as over after 24 minutes as Hibs surged into a three-goal lead. They opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Читать дальше...

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this afternoon called on the prime minister to dismiss minister Konrad Mizzi and his own chief of staff Keith Schembri and said that any government contract which they had handled should be investigated. Dr Busuttil made his call during a protest against corruption held in Valletta. Dr Busuttil also said he had made the fight against corruption his new priority after having seen Malta join the EU and he was calling on all people of good will to join in the fight.  The protest... Читать дальше...

A Chinese maintenance crew were detained after a woman was found dead in a lift that had its power cut off a month earlier. Two maintenance workers turned off the power source on January 30 in a residential building after they were called to check on a fault, but they failed to check if anyone was inside the lift. The Gaoling district government in the north-western city of Xi'an said the maintenance crew found a female corpse there on March 1 when they returned to carry out the repairs. It says... Читать дальше...

Foreign Minister George Vella has had talks in Teheran with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. The Foreign Ministry said that Mr Zarif described the meeting, the first between the foreign ministers of the two countries, as a milestone in relations between the two countries. He thanked Malta for supporting the negotiations that led to the lifting of sanctions on Iran, and expressed the Iranian government‘s interest in deepening cooperation with Malta. Dr Vella said that Malta looks forward... Читать дальше...

Had the scandal involving Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri taken place while Eddie Fenech Adami was prime minister, the two would not have lasted more than five minutes in their posts, Fenech Adami's former chief of staff, Richard Cachia Carauana, said today.  In a Facebook post, Mr Cachia Caruana said that in March 2013 he decided to move on and do different things. "I am not currently involved in any political structures, strategies or meetings and have not been for three years." He said that since... Читать дальше...

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning that Labour needed to understand those who genuinely asked questions and who felt disappointed by recent developments, but the government had nothing to be ashamed of. This government's ministers had not taken €500 a week, he said while speaking in Gozo, amid the Panama trust scandal which prompted a protest in Valletta this afternoon. He asked whether the government should be ashamed for boosting the economy, creating record employment, saving Enemalta... Читать дальше...

A 46-year-old man was remanded in custody today after being charged with trafficking some 2.5 kilograms of cannabis as well as the aggravated possession of cocaine, possession of an unlicensed weapon and money laundering. Standing in the dock surrounded by some eight sobbing family members and friends, Agostino Agius, who is from Marsa but who resides in Attard, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought before him. Prosecuting officer Kevin Pulis told the court that the police were tipped off that... Читать дальше...

It is being claimed that our honourable Prime Minister is favouring the other most honourable minister Konrad Mizzi by not firing him. Muscat had fired the hounourable Manuel Mallia and Michael Falzon and so he seems to prefer Mizzi to all the rest. Hold your horses please and remember Mallia and Falzon were only fired, or asked to resign, when the Prime Minister had no other choice. He did it to save face not because he really felt they had done anything wrong. In fact with both of them he orchestrated—or... Читать дальше...

Over 100 people are this morning walking from Floriana to Sliema to raise awareness on breast cancer as part of activities to mark International Women’s Day, celebrated on Tuesday. The event was organised by Europa Donna Malta, which offers support to breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. The group also works on raising awareness on the illness and on the importance of getting regular check-ups. “We have been doing this walk for the past 10 years. It serves as an expression of solidarity... Читать дальше...

Road checks by the police in St Julian's last night netted seven drivers who were found to have an alcohol content over the limit. The police said 90 cars were stopped and inspected. Seven drivers were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol which exceeded the prescribed limit and several others were stopped for contraventions such as using mobile phones while driving, not wearing seat belts and driving a vehicle without number plates among others.

The age old tradition of conch shell blowing is alive and well in Key West, Florida. Nearly 30 participants took part in an annual competition to make music with the giant seashell that stretches back over 50 years. Hundreds of spectators watched as conch blowers of all abilities took their shot at the crown. Participants were judged on criteria such as loudness, duration and how novel a sound they could produce. Corey Fritz wowed the crowd with what he said was an original composition, and he took home top prize in the men's category. Читать дальше...

An Azeri billionaire described by the US State Department as a very close “collaborator” of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev set up various companies in Malta soon after Joseph Muscat visited the country, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt. On December 23, 2014, Manuchehr Ahadpir Khangah registered Mulsanne Investments Ltd together with BTI Management Limited, a company owned by Nexia BT. The new company shared the same registered office as Nexia BT in San Gwann. The Azeri businessman set up the company... Читать дальше...

Ann Fenech, president of the PN executive council, insisted again this morning that she does not own a company in Panama. "The latest attempt to link me to ownership of companies in Panama by the Labour Party is completely futile and is no doubt engineered to divert attention away from Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri who are embroiled in the biggest ever political scandal in our country," Dr Fenech said in a statement. "I do not have, nor have I ever had a company in Panama, unlike... Читать дальше...

Is this a new ‘no topless bathing sign’ in Sliema? Or is it a new washing line? Or a protest? Charles Azzopardi took this picture of the Sri Chinmoy monument this morning. mynews@timesofmalta.com