Новости за 20.07.2016

A Pokemon Go player took his desire to "catch them all" a step too far while behind the wheel when he crashed into a police car - and the whole incident was caught on an officer's camera. Officers were standing on the pavement in Baltimore on Monday when the Toyota RAV-4 hit their car, which was just feet away from them, at speed. The driver admitted he was looking down playing Pokemon Go on his mobile phone when he hit the vehicle. In the video, the driver steps out and shows the officers his phone... Читать дальше...

A speech writer for Donald Trump's company has said she made a mistake and apologised for using passages from a 2008 Michelle Obama speech in the Republican party convention speech delivered by Melania Trump. In a statement issued by the campaign, Meredith McIver took the blame but made it clear that Mrs Trump knew the passages were from the first lady's speech. "A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama," Ms McIver said of Mrs Trump. "Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs Obama's speech as examples. Читать дальше...

Sam Allardyce will be appointed the new England manager within 24 hours, Press Association Sport understands. The 61-year-old Sunderland boss arrived at Victoria Park for his club's first pre-season friendly against Hartlepool shortly after 6pm this evening as the news emerged that he is likely to be announced as Roy Hodgson's successor following a Football Association Board meeting tomorrow. It is a dream appointment for the former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager, who was beaten to the post by Steve McClaren 10 years ago. Читать дальше...

The Association of Magistrates and Judges this evening welcomed the unanimous approval by parliament of legislation on the appointment of the members of the judiciary, the granting of a pension to retired members of the judiciary, and new powers for the Commission for the Administration of Justice. It said the legislation would strengthen the administration of justice, not least because it recognised the vital role of the judiciary in a democratic society.  The association said it would continue... Читать дальше...

MPs are to have the maximum length of their parliamentary speeches limited to 30 minutes instead of 40 minutes as at present. Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said in parliament that the government had wished to limited the maximum time to 20 minutes but it eventually agreed with the opposition about reducing the time by 10 minutes to 30 minutes. He said this measure would serve to reduce repetition and provide more time for debate in the House. There will be exceptions to this general rule, such... Читать дальше...

The authroities do not know the source of foam-like material which has appeared on the coast in St Paul's Bay on several days. Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes told Nationalist MP Censu Galea in Parliament that tests were being made to establish what the material was and its source. It was not known whether the material came from nearby fish-farms or other sources, he said. Samples were being tested in laboratories. Once the nature of the material and its source were established, the appropriate enforcement action would be taken... Читать дальше...

The Auditor-General, Charles Deguara, has rejected calls by former Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon for addenda to his report on the Gaffarena property expropriations process, saying in a letter to the Speaker that any required clarifications had been made in meetings of the House Business Committee. Reacting to a speech in parliament by Dr Falzon earlier this month, the auditor stood by the report and those involved in drawing it up. He stressed that the impartiality of his Office was a sacred... Читать дальше...

A man is being held under armed police guard in central Brussels after wires were spotted hanging from his coat. Several hours after police were alerted to the man, he remains under guard near a library adjacent to Royal Monnaie Opera. A bomb squad is being kept on standby nearby. The incident comes as Belgium remains on high alert after 32 people were killed in suicide blasts at Brussels Airport in March. After the Bastille Day attack in Nice that left 84 people dead last week, security in Brussels... Читать дальше...

State electricity company Enemalta spent more than €66,000 to convene a board meeting in China last year, official records show. An 11-member delegation attended the meeting in Shanghai, including Minister Without Portfolio Konrad Mizzi, who at the time was responsible for health and energy, and former Enemalta chairman, Labour MP Charles Mangion. Four Maltese government representatives sit on the board. When the Times of Malta reported in April about the board meeting in China, Enemalta refused to give details on the costs. Читать дальше...

Around 6,500 employees of Turkey's education ministry have been suspended, a Turkish official said, as a probe launched after a failed coup into the military, civil service and schools gathers pace. The latest suspensions came a day after the same ministry suspended 15,200 personnel and also revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions across Turkey. So far about 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended, detained or are under investigation... Читать дальше...

Subscriptions for Midi's €50 million 4% secured bonds 2026 closed shortly after opening last Monday after applications exceeded €100 million. CEO Luke Coppini said said this was a vote of confidence in the company’s future prospects. The company will be announcing the allocation policy in the coming days.

The Nationalist Party today proposed the introduction of a weekly prime minister's question time in Parliament, as well as the abolition of parliamentary privilege. Addressing a press conference, PN deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco said the party is proposing that the first 30 minutes of every parliamentary sitting on Wednesdays should be dedicated to PMQs. This would serve to better guarantee transparency as well as generate more interest in Parliament, he said. (Prime Minister's... Читать дальше...

The struggling Sauber Formula One team announced a long-awaited change of ownership on Wednesday, with founder Peter Sauber retiring and handing over control to the Swiss investment firm Longbow Finance. The Swiss team, based in Hinwil, said its name would stay the same and Monisha Kaltenborn will remain as principal and chief executive. Longbow president Pascal Picci will replace Sauber, 72, as chairman of Sauber Holding, the company that controls the team and group. "It is Longbow Finance S.A.'s... Читать дальше...

Two Gozitans have been ordered to perform community work by a court after being found guilty of handling stolen goods. However, both men were acquitted of stealing €25,000 worth of items from Kempinski resort in San Lawrenz. The case dates back to April 2013, when Anthony Fenech, 38, from Victoria who worked as a handyman at the hotel, and Rodney Joe Farrugia, 26, from Għajnsielem were accused of stealing two watches including a gold Rolex, a Hermes bracelet, a wallet and cash from an apartment at the resort. Читать дальше...

A man was acquitted of drug trafficking today in a court case which goes back 13 years. Aaron Rodney Pavia was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence. The delay in the conclusion of the case was partially due to the destruction of documents in a fire in part of the law courts building in 2004. Mr Pavia had been accused of associating himself with other persons to traffic cannabis and of breaching a condition imposed by an appeals court. Mr Pavia had been arrested following a tip off, whereby... Читать дальше...

Members of Parliament who are absent for a whole parliamentary day without leave of absence shall be liable to an administrative penalty of €50, a motion which will be debated in parliament today establishes.  The measure will apply to all MPs including ministers and parliamentary secretaries.  The penalty will be paid to the Clerk of the House, who may also demand it as a civil debt. The motion also says that MPs will be excused from service in the House or on any committee of the House when they have leave of absence from the Speaker. Читать дальше...

A 28-year-old woman has died after her parachute failed to open when she attempted a Base jump from an electricity pylon in Holland. Dutch police spokesman Dennis Janus said the woman, who has not been identified, jumped from the pylon last night near the eastern village of Afferden. Three other parachutists were unhurt in the incident. Mr Janus said police have seized the parachutes for their investigation. Climbing electricity pylons is illegal in Holland, but Mr Janus said the three other parachutists will not be charged. Читать дальше...

A drug addict was back behind bars today after stealing a choker worth €600 from an 82-year-old woman in Vittoriosa. Johan Xerri, 32, of Valletta appeared before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale and filed a guilty plea. The theft occurred yesterday morning in Vittoriosa. Mr Xerri said he stole because he had no money with which to pay off his debts after losing his job. The stolen item has been returned to its owner. The court pointed out that it made no sense robbing Peter to pay Paul. “Take this... Читать дальше...

Wakeboarders are using a secret storm drain below the English city of Sheffield as their playground. See video above.

Two brothers of former Nationalist minister Chris Said, who served as mayors of Nadur between 2013 and last April, granted 139 contracts to another of their brothers, Labour deputy leader Chris Cardona said this afternoon.  He insisted at a press conference that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil needed to take action over the case and over the way how the Auditor General found that Chris Said, when responsible for local councils, had interfered in the allocation of funds to the councils. He said the... Читать дальше...

Motorists who bought their car in 2005 and are entitled for a VAT refund have to submit a form they received from Transport Malta by July 29.  In order to apply for the grant, vehicle owners who received the notification by Transport Malta must confirm their personal details, sign and return the application form to Transport Malta in order to accept the conditions stipulated in the grant. Forms may be sent to: Grant Scheme, Transport Malta, A3 Towers, ArcadeStreet, Paola, or Grant Scheme, Ministry for Gozo... Читать дальше...

Sliema Road in Gżira, between Kappara roundabout and Triq il-Madonna tal-Ġebla, will be closed for a number of weeks starting on Friday. Vehicles will not be able to access Gżira from the Kappara junction.  Transport Malta said the closure was needed because of the Kappara junction project. It is making the final arrangements for alternative routes. Diversion signs will be uncovered on Friday morning. Videos, google maps and other information on the alternative routes can be seen on http://news.transport.gov.mt/... Читать дальше...

Actress Shannen Doherty has shaved her head amid a battle with breast cancer, Fox News reported. She posted several pictures on Instagram showing her in various stages of cutting off her hair. She preceded the series of photos with one showing hair clippers, a cupcake pan and a box of chocolates. In the caption she added, "#cancersucks." Doherty's cancer was revealed last year in a lawsuit filed against her former business managers. She claimed they mismanaged her money and allowed her health insurance to lapse. Читать дальше...

Divers this morning removed underwater metal spikes which posed a danger to people walking to Qawra Point pool. The danger was highlighted in a video which went viral earlier this week. (See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160718/local/watch-why-qawra-point-pool-is-no-place-to-swim.619212 ) The footage by Raniero Borg showed the dangers bathers faced every time their feet touch the ground along a submerged path to the popular spot.  After the video was uploaded, Mayor Graziella Galea... Читать дальше...

Two teenage boys who in recent weeks targeted elderly persons and forcefully stole their wallets and handbags have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them, but ended up in jail after not requesting bail The defendants whose names cannot be published by court order, are a Belarus-born 17-year-old from Birkirkara and a 16-year-old from Ta' Xbiex. Sources told Times of Malta that the teenagers were arrested after being identified from security camera footage near one of the crime scenes. Читать дальше...