Новости за 04.06.2016

Staff videographer Mark Zammit Cordina captured sunset in Gnejna last night. Watch the video above.

Muhammad Ali was an "angel" and a "god-sent blessing to this Earth", his brother Rahman said following the boxer's death at the age of 74. The three-time world heavyweight champion, who had battled Parkinson's disease for 32 years, died in Phoenix, Arizona, after being admitted to hospital with a respiratory condition earlier in the week. His family's spokesman Bob Gunnell confirmed he died on Friday evening local time. Ali's younger brother Rahman Ali, who was also a heavyweight boxer, said he was a "sweet... Читать дальше...

The law on inciting racial hatred would be updated to include comments made against people overseas, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said. He told the Times of Malta he would be looking at a recommendation recently made by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja who called upon legislators to widen the law’s definition after a prison warder was acquitted despite posting a comment online saying he hoped refugees were burning inside a shelter. Magistrate Bugeja noted that the phenomenon of racism was not tied to a particular... Читать дальше...

The Broadcasting Authority has been advised to “go slow” until the Prime Minister nominates new board members to replace two who resigned more than a month ago. Government sources told the Times of Malta the authority’s board had not met for the past two weeks following legal advice that no “major or controversial” decisions should be made until the two new members were appointed. “Although the authority’s legal counsel, Ian Refalo, did not say that the authority is not constitutionally constituted... Читать дальше...

Muslims in Indonesia visit cemeteries and shop for garments and food stocks as they make final preparations ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Nathan Frandino reports.

Roads in the St George’s Bay area can hardly cope with existing demand let alone when high-rise buildings appear on the skyline, the Pembroke mayor said. Dean Hili said the existing road infrastructure was inadequate, with all cars exiting Paceville having only one road out of the locality, leading to tailbacks on the roundabout outside the Hilton. With at least seven high-rise buildings being planned for the St George’s Bay and Paceville areas, Dr Hili was reflecting concerns raised by residents... Читать дальше...

Former parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon’s employment as a consultant was based on his skills as a lawyer, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation chairman Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said yesterday. “After evaluation, we saw that the experience and competence that Michael Falzon has as a lawyer would fit the corporation’s purposes, particularly in various strategic decisions we will be taking in the near future,” he said. The Times of Malta reported on Wednesday that Dr Falzon has been employed... Читать дальше...

The concrete diving boards structure at the national pool in Tal-Qroqq is in a pitiful state, with parts of it in danger of collapsing, forcing the authorities to cordon off the area, the Times of Malta has learnt. Access to the area around the structure was sealed off and clearly marked with warning signs while studies are carried out to establish the extent of the damage. “The structure is not in a good state.  SportMalta closed it completely from being used while a feasibility study is conducted... Читать дальше...

None of the 80 people working for Malta’s BHS franchise will lose their jobs despite the winding up of operations in the UK, a spokesman for Camilleri Establishments Limited told the Times of Malta yesterday. The decision was taken on Thursday to wind down British Home Stores in the UK, resulting in 11,000 job losses after administrators failed to find a buyer for the 88-year-old chain. But operations in Malta will continue “as normal”, according to the directors of Camilleri Establishments Ltd, the local franchise holders for BHS... Читать дальше...

Pope Francis has established new legal procedures to remove bishops who botch the handling of sex abuse cases, saying they can be kicked out of office if the Vatican finds they were negligent in doing their jobs. In a law published on Saturday, Pope Francis answered a long-running demand by victims of abuse and their advocates to hold bishops accountable for failing to protect their flocks from paedophiles. Victims have long accused bishops of covering up for abuse, moving rapists from parish to parish rather than reporting them to police. Читать дальше...

Twenty-five people aged between 18 and 41 were arrested following drug busts in several localities last night, the police said. All are Maltese. The police said they were found in possession of ecstasy and cannabis. In some cases, the amounts they were carrying showed the drugs were aimed for trafficking.

Kasco Ltd, owned by Keith Schembri, was last year awarded a tender worth €85,000 to supply Enemalta with photocopy paper for two years. At the time, the State energy company was under the political wing of Minister without Portfolio, Konrad Mizzi, who then was responsible for health and energy. Asked whether it was normal for the government-controlled energy provider to buy such large amounts of paper, a spokesman for Enemalta said it was “normal”. “The indicated framework agreement was reached following... Читать дальше...

A number of illegal billboards were removed from the north of Malta last night, the Planning Authority said. It said in a statement the operation started from Mriehel and moved along the arterial roads leading through the Rabat and Mgarr area, along Mellieha and up to Cirkewwa. The authority with the assistance of officers from the Enforcement Unit of Transport Malta and the police Administrative Law Enforcement section removed 11 billboards. A number of other illegal structures, which the authority had also targeted to remove along the route... Читать дальше...

The water level of the Seine river in Paris is starting to decrease after reaching its peak overnight, the highest in nearly 35 years, French authorities say. But they warned it could take up to ten days for the river to return to its normal levels after the flooding that swelled the river to about 4.5 metres above average in Paris. Floods due to heavy rains have inundated parts of France, Germany and Belgium this week. More than 17,000 homes were still without electricity on Saturday in the Paris region and centre of France. Читать дальше...

The setting up of the Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) whose temporary leader is independent MP Marlene Farrugia, was announced this morning. In a statement, the party said that never had the need for new political voice been felt as much as at present. “We are a group of people who are answering the country’s call… the time for tribalism and traditional parties is past.” “We have cropped up from among you because like you we have understood that for the country to rid itself of bad practices... Читать дальше...

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has withdrawn its directives to nurses following an agreement with the health authorities on issues at Mater Dei and Mount Carmel hospitals, Health Minister Chris Fearne said this morning. In a tweet, the minister said: “Agreement reached w MUMN on way forward w issues at Mater Dei as well as at Mount Carmel. MUMN withdraws directives." Agreement reached w MUMN on way forward w issues at Mater Dei as well as at Mount Carmel. MUMN withdraws directives. pic.twitter.com/vRbv2dnjfJ ... Читать дальше...

From the Italy vs Scotland football match to painting the town pink at the Pink Fashion Show, Times of Malta presents a selection of its photographers' choice of their best photos over the past days.

Shi'ite militia evacuate hundreds of Iraqi civilians from an area near the Islamic State-held city of Falluja, as the battle to recapture the city rages. Natasha Howitt reports.

The Planning Authority has launched, through the publication of a legal notice, the new Development Notification Order (DNO) with a significantly downsized range and types of development which will be exempt from requiring a development planning application. Unlike the notice it is replacing, the new notice does not include the reservation of public land for the placing of tables and chairs was entirely removed. This essentially means that a permit for this will be required. The new DNO, which is... Читать дальше...

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) delivered nutritional and educational supplies to the besieged Syrian town of Daraya on June 1. It was the first UN aid mission to the town in four years. The trucks got through on the day when the Syrian government faced a deadline to admit aid by road or risk having air drops imposed by the countries of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), which includes Syria's ally Russia. The Unicef aid to Daraya contained nutrition items for children and... Читать дальше...

Liat Cohen will not be able to arrive in Malta for the concert due this evening at Bir Miftuħ due to unforeseen circumstances, Din -Art Ħelwa said. Din l-Art Ħelwa, the Israeli Ambassador and Mme Cohen regret any inconvenience caused and donations will be refunded.

Owners of illegal ‘boathouses’ in Armier have carried out extensive refurbishment during the winter months, it has emerged, making their structures more permanent. The beach houses were connected to the electricity grid last year after being fitted with smart meters and while the move had caused public uproar, the government insisted this would help clamp down on illegalities. However, sources who spoke to this newspaper said that the move has only served to further encourage owners to make their structures more permanent... Читать дальше...

At least eight people were taken to hospital after lightning struck a rock festival in western Germany for the second year running. Police spokesman Lars Brummer said at rescuers had to revive one person who was struck by lightning at the popular the Rock am Ring festival near Mendig, about 62 miles west of Frankfurt. Mr Brummer said a severe thunderstorm moved over the festival site at a former airfield shortly after 8pm on Friday. Organisers warned fans to seek shelter during the storm. Spiegel magazine... Читать дальше...

Women who suffer from migraines may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems like myocardial infarction and stroke, according to a US study. Researchers analysed data from 115,541 female nurses aged 25 to 42 who entered the study in 1989 and were followed through June 2011. Initially, 17,531 women said they had a diagnosis of migraine from a doctor. Another 6,389 reported a migraine diagnosis during the 20 years of follow up. During that time, there were also 1,329 cardiovascular events... Читать дальше...

A team of four men aged between 25 and 28 have set off from London's Tower Bridge on a 2,000-mile non-stop rowing race around Britain. Totally unaided, the crew will face dangerous and fast turning tides and cross the world's busiest sea lanes, avoiding car ferries and industrial fishing trawlers. The route is known as the world's toughest rowing challenge and more people have landed on the moon than completed it, organisers say.