Новости за 30.07.2016

The next time you speed past a cyclist ahead of you, think also of his or her relatives and children, Shirley Micallef, whose husband was killed in a hit-and-run seven years ago, is urging. “The consequences are there for a lifetime. They will never go away… Life remains at a standstill for some years and then you start picking up the pieces, patch up and do your utmost to carry on,” she told this newspaper in her latest effort to raise awareness about safety for all road users. Cliff, her 45-year-old husband... Читать дальше...

Studies promised to the Planning Authority more than two years ago on the LNG floating storage unit to be based in Marsaxlokk Bay have yet to be published, the Times of Malta is informed. Sources close to the private consortium building the new gas-fired power station told this newspaper no information had been made available yet on a maritime risk assessment in connection with having a big vessel berthed permanently in the area. The Prime Minister will be flying to Singapore where the Armada LNG Mediterrana... Читать дальше...

Two people were injured in a fireworks explosion at Marsaxlokk this evening, where the feast of Our Lady of Pompei is being celebrated. One was taken away from the site on a stretcher, the other could walk on his own. Sources said that a large amount of fireworks went off on the ground close to the power station simultaneously causing the explosion. A woman who was dining at a restaurant nearby described the explosion as "huge" and said it was felt by all patrons. Reader Kimberly Mifsud was dining... Читать дальше...

Cultural heritage NGO Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is objecting to the proposed demolition of a World War II defence post in San Ġwann. In an official objection to a planning application filed with the Planning Authority, the NGO has taken a stand against the destruction of the fortification which developers want to replace with garages and residential units. “The building is a first-rate WWII defence post disguised as a traditional Maltese rural structure to fit in with the then surrounding rural setting,” the NGO said. Читать дальше...

Sliema residents have been forced again to deal with rowdy teenagers who take to the streets vandalising cars after a night out. Resident Chris Micallef said yesterday he woke up to realise that his car’s mirror had been badly damaged. He said a group of young tourists residing in one of the apartments in Don Rua Street, just off the Sliema Front, went on a rampage in the early hours of the morning, damaging the mirrors of about five cars. Frustrated residents took to social media to complain about the situation... Читать дальше...

Extensive works at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, including a rooftop viewing platform and panoramic lifts, are to be presented for approval to the Planning Authority despite some concerns over the visual impact. Individual objectors have highlighted the visual impact of several aspects of the project, including the viewing platform and glass railing at roof level. According to the plans, the railing will be receded and should not be visible from the street. However, it is still... Читать дальше...

Despite Malta not receiving any irregular migrants by boat for the past two years, the Maltese are still “very troubled” with immigration issues, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published yesterday. Conducted by Misco last May, the results of the survey show that half of the 510 Maltese respondents mentioned immigration as one of the major problems facing the island. In second place by far, at 19 per cent, they mentioned the rising cost of living and inflation as a ‘big’ problem. According to the EU-wide survey... Читать дальше...

Updated There appear to be no survivors after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught fire and crashed in central Texas, authorities said. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that investigators are determining the number of victims and their identities. Lynn Lunsford with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in an earlier statement that the accident happened shortly after 7.40am local time on Saturday near Lockhart, Texas, when the hot air balloon crashed into a pasture. Читать дальше...

Pegasus, the winged, white stallion of Ancient Greek mythology, may have been the equine world's first frequent flyer, but today's Olympic horses are the real globetrotters racking up the air miles. The biggest and heaviest competitors in the Games are heading for Rio on charter flights from Europe and North America that can take 40 horses at a time. Most have done such journeys many times before. Vets and grooms travel with them. Team GB Eventing Team Vet Liz Brown said, "Going on a plane, they... Читать дальше...

The authorities should have thought twice before authorising the closure of arterial roads around Santa Venera this year, since congestion is already rife due to the Kappara junction project, traffic expert Simon Micallef Stafrace believes. Fireworks, part of celebrations to mark St Venera’s feast, are being let off between 10pm and 11pm tomorrow. As a result, the Santa Venera tunnels, from the slip road from Psaila Street towards Marsa, the Marsa bypass from the tunnels up to the area known as Salib tal-Marsa... Читать дальше...

Pope Francis encouraged Catholic priests and nuns to leave their comfort zones and tend to the needy as he celebrated a mass on Saturday in a Polish church dedicated to St John Paul II, the Polish pontiff whose staunch defence of workers' rights in the 1970s and 1980s challenged his nation's then-Communist rulers. Francis said Jesus wants the church "to be a church on the move, a church that goes out into the world", as he gave his homily in a new monumental church dedicated to John Paul on the outskirts of the southern Polish city of Krakow. Читать дальше...

Eurobarometer results showed that the Maltese had the greatest confidence in their national government when compared to all EU citizens, the government said in a statement. It noted that while in 2012 34 per cent of the Maltese said they trusted the government and 52 per cent said they did not, the latest survey showed that 55 per cent now trusted the government, while 32 per cent did not. The government said the survey confirmed the optimism that existed among Maltese families regarding the economy. Читать дальше...

The worlds of law and planning clashed yesterday when the chair of the planning commission and a lawyer went head-to-head over a proposed development. Commission chairwoman Elizabeth Ellul raised eyebrows as she accused lawyer Massimo Vella of “showing off with the law”, when he made a legal point during a heated hearing. Dr Vella in turn asked Ms Ellul to withdraw from the proceedings after taking umbrage at her comments, only for her to inform him that she had the power to ask him to leave the sitting. Читать дальше...

Clashes between riot police and supporters of gunmen from an opposition group barricaded inside a police station in Armenia's capital left 75 people injured and more than 20 in custody on charges related to the unrest, officials said. The clashes broke out late on Friday when several hundred people tried to approach the Yerevan police station, which is cordoned off by security forces and where there have been periodic exchanges of fire since the armed takeover. The police station was seized on July 17 by about 30 gunmen... Читать дальше...

Home favourite Nico Rosberg will start on pole for tomorrow's German Grand Prix after edging out his title rival Lewis Hamilton. Rosberg, six points behind Hamilton in the championship, had been fastest in all three practice sessions at Hockenheim, and he made it count where it matters to secure his second pole in as many grands prix. Daniel Ricciardo qualified third for Red Bull while his team-mate Max Verstappen will start from fourth.

An 18-year-old Swiss man was seriously injured today when he jumped into the sea at St Peter's Pool, police said. The young man was assisted by the Armed Forces of Malta and a medical team before he was transferred to Mater Dei hospital. Although serious, his life is not in danger, police said.  The accident happened at around noon.

Dozens of families have started leaving besieged rebel-held neighbourhoods in the Syrian city of Aleppo after the government opened safe corridors for civilians and fighters who want to leave. State TV showed dozens of women and children arriving in the Salaheddine neighborhood. State news agency SANA said civilians later boarded buses and were taken to shelters set up by the government on the western side of Aleppo. SANA said some fighters came forward to government forces where they handed over their weapons and surrendered to authorities. Читать дальше...

Times of Malta presents a selection of its photographers' choice of their best photos over the past days.

Kristina Chetcuti tries her hand at wheelchair basketball to help break the taboo surrounding the sport. This is definitely the most challenging upper-body workout ever. And I am not at a fully-stocked super gym, nor am I heaving my pair of mismatched dumbbells.No. The credit goes to a sweaty, tough session of wheelchair basketball at Ta’ Qali. In 30 minutes, the intensive workout has boosted my back, arms and shoulders and I can feel my muscles being sculpted in manner of Lara Croft. When Sue Debattista... Читать дальше...

Law Commissioner and former Nationalist MP Franco Debono has hinted that he would consider contesting the next election as a Labour Party candidate.  In a Facebook post, Dr Debono said that he appreciated the many Labourites who were urging him to contest the election on the PL ticket. Dr Debono wrote that were he to contest, he would work alongside his "childhood friends" Joseph Muscat and Edward Zammit Lewis and the rest of the PL to "keep Malta at the forefront of Europe". Dr Debono's comments... Читать дальше...

50 years ago today, England were on their way to World Cup glory as Alf Ramsey's men beat West Germany 4-2 to win the Jules Rimet trophy on home soil, as 96,924 fans cheered them on.  Half a century on, the 30 July 1966 victory remains England's only taste of footballing glory at international level.  The video above relives the key moments of those 120 final minutes at Wembley stadium, with footage painstakingly improved to up the resolution and add colour. Watch part 2 of the final highlights in the video below.

Marina Road, Pieta' has been temporarily closed to traffic in one direction following a traffic accident.  The accident happened at 11.50am, police said, with a Citroen C2 driven by a 64-year-old Pieta' woman and Toyota Vitz driven by a Żejtun man, 25, involved. A 22-year-old Fgura resident who was seated in the Vitz's passenger seat has been taken to hospital for treatment. The extent of her injuries is not yet know.  The Sa Maison accident has caused gridlock for traffic heading towards Ta' Xbiex... Читать дальше...

Updated 12.35pm Norman Darmanin Demajo has been reconfirmed as the president of the Malta Football Association after winning a vote of approval during the association’s Annual General Meeting at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, in Floriana. Darmanin Demajo was uncontested for his seat but asked for a vote of approval by the club delegates during yesterday’s meeting. The MFA chief was given a resounding backing from the delegates present when he received 116 votes in favour while there were 18 against and... Читать дальше...

A €12 million investment in Xewkija's Gozitano complex to turn it into a gastro-tourism destination would have a knock-on effect on the island's farmers, MEP Miriam Dalli said today.  The project, which investors say will end up employing 80 people, will showcase Gozitan foods and take tourists through the process by which they are made. It will be the first such gastro-tourism destination in Malta.  Dr Dalli commended the entrepreneurs behind the project, saying "traditional sectors should modernise... Читать дальше...

Captain Mehmet Karabekir's body was not washed before burial. Nobody recited prayers from the Koran before he was laid to rest in a hastily dug hole near an animal shelter, denied all Muslim rites. He is among the dozens of Turkish soldiers accused of trying to overthrow President Tayyip Erdogan and the government in a failed military coup this month, his fate a sign of the fury felt over a night of bloodletting that killed more than 240 people. Karabekir lies with no tombstone next to three other... Читать дальше...