Новости за 26.07.2017

An extension to a fireworks factory in Għargħur can go ahead as planned, because no appeals were filed during the time allowed by law, this newspaper was told. The decision to grant the development permit to San Bartolomeo Pyrotechnic Society of Għargħur stirred controversy, particularly among neighbours, but neither the local council nor any of the residents appealed. The permit was issued a day before the last general election. The only objection, which will not lead to an official appeal, was filed by Maria Rita Vella... Читать дальше...

Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against a California teenager who livestreamed a car accident on Instagram that killed her younger sister. The Merced County District Attorney's Office charged 18-year-old Obdulia Sanchez, from Stockton, with vehicular manslaughter and drink-driving. Sanchez recorded herself driving and then losing control of a car that rolled over on Friday north-west of Fresno, authorities said. In the video, she is seen leaning over the body of the girl, trying to shake her awake and saying she was sorry. Читать дальше...

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca today embarked on a historic official visit to Ghana. She was welcomed by her Ghanaian counterpart Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with whom she had a private tête-à-tête. President Coleiro Preca said that she was very positive about the mutual understanding that there was much more to be done to further explore the potential of both countries, deepen opportunities, and enhance the excellent bilateral relations in the socio, political and economic areas. President... Читать дальше...

Maltese researchers have joined forces with experts from Italy, Croatia and a number of international institutions to investigate the impact of marine protected areas on fish stocks. The initiative aims to address issues which have emerged following the decision to use larger mesh trawls to avoid catching juveniles of certain species, like hake (merluzz) and red mullet (trilja). The decision came at a cost, as it led to reduced catches of valuable, small, commercial species such as the giant red shrimp (gamblu aħmar)... Читать дальше...

The 2017/2018 Serie A season draws will be released in few minutes and you can check them live on the stream below. The new campaign will commence on August 20 and will conclude on May 20, one month before the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, on August 13, Juventus and Lazio will face each other for the first silverware of the season, the Italian Super Cup. Next season there will be three match days which will be played during the week, Wednesday September 20, Wednesday October 25 and Wedensday April 18... Читать дальше...

The accounts of some 400,000 customers at Italy's largest bank have been hacked. The bank, UniCredit, said hackers breached the system through an unidentified external commercial partner. The system was first compromised last September and October, followed by incursions in June and July. The first breach was not previously disclosed. The bank said no passwords appear to have been jeopardised, but that personal data, including names and birth dates, along with account numbers "might have been accessed". Читать дальше...

As if hurricanes were not menacing enough, small Caribbean islands risk losing their entire way of life unless they urgently strengthen defences against a raft of future disasters, according to a climate change official. "You don't even need to have a hurricane to get extensive damage .. a tropical storm or depression, it comes and sits over a particular island or territory and it deposits rain," said Ulric Trotz, deputy director at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). "For us small island nations... Читать дальше...

Federica Pellegrini has won the gold medial in the 200m freestyle at the Swimming World Championships in Budapest, with a time of 1.54.73. Following this result, Pellegrini has become the first swimmer of both genders to get podium for seven consecutive World Championships in the same event.  Meanwhile, American Katie Ledecky placed second alongside Australian Emma McKeon who shared the silver medal, with Russian Veronika Popova claiming bronze. This was the first time that Ledecky has not won in 14 individual finals at major internationals. Читать дальше...

Several arterial roads will be closed between 9.30 and 11.30pm on Saturday for a fireworks display on the occasion of the feast of Sta Venera. The closed roads will be:• The Mrieħel bypass towards Marsa (from near the MFSA offices); • The Marsa bypass tal-Marsa from Aldo Moro Road (the hill next to the Police Dog Section); • The Marsa bypass, towards the Sta Venera tunnels and the Mrieħel bypass. • St Joseph High Road, Sta Venera and part of St Joseph High Road, Ħamrun. • Canon Road, Sta Venera.... Читать дальше...

One heartbroken mother today testified about the final moments before her son died after he was stabbed in a violent scuffle which broke out in Giovanni Barbara Street, Ħamrun on a Sunday evening last April. Lisa Pace was today testifying in the compilation of evidence against Kurt Grech, 23, known as ‘in-nemes’ and his father Joseph, 53, both from Pietà, currently standing charged with the murder of Brandon Pace. Taking the witness stand, the grieving mother recalled how she had planned to accompany her son... Читать дальше...

Following the minimal declines registered in the previous two trading sessions, the share index rebounded by 0.35% today to an over four-month high of 4,744.232 points as the gains in the share prices of six equities outweighed the small dip in GO. However, trading volumes were weak as only €0.13 million worth of shares changed hands. Ahead of the publication of its interim financial results due this afternoon, Malta International Airport advanced 0.2% to a near four-month high of €4.21 on volumes totalling 5,800 shares. Читать дальше...

A 30-year old barman has been remanded in custody after denying his role in the theft of an iPad, a computer and two suitcases belonging to a foreign resident. French national Salah M’Raoui was arraigned today over charges of being part of an aggravated theft which took place on July 20. The man was further charged with permitting a Hyundai car to be driven without a valid insurance cover. Defence lawyer Francine Abela, assisting the accused, filed a request for bail which, however, was strongly... Читать дальше...

Activist group Front Ħarsien ODZ will be formally objecting to plans to build a university campus on virgin land in Żonqor.  In a statement, the group said that the proposed project was still in breach of planning policies including the local plan, which earmarked the proposed site for inclusion in a national park.   “We are calling on the government to include the land presently earmarked for a massive car park, student halls and sports facilities in the Inwadar park. It simply does not make sense... Читать дальше...

Imam Mohammad Elsadi denied speculation that he is testing the waters on the possibility of setting up an Islamic party with the aim of having the first Muslim MP in five years’ time. The head of the Maltese Muslim community issued the denial when the Times of Malta sought clarification regarding a Facebook post in which he urged Muslim residents with the right to vote to furnish him with their personal details. Mr Elsadi insisted the “project” was aimed to determine the strength of the Muslim community for “lobbying purposes”. Читать дальше...

In Fallout 4, H1Z1, or The Forest, the player must survive in different hostile environments, whether prehistory, a desert island, a post apocalyptic world, or zombies. What drives us to want to prepare for the end of the world? Sociologist Bertrand Vidal and Trinity explain how these games tap into our most fundamental impulse: the will to survive.

Updated 5.58pm President Donald Trump said today he would not permit transgender people to serve in the US military, citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption," an action condemned by critics as "raw prejudice" and a political stunt. It was not the first time Trump had targeted transgender people since taking office in January. The Republican president in February rescinded protections for transgender students put in place by his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, that had let them use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity. Читать дальше...

The Republic Hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, on Friday hosted ballet, play and musical performance The Crystal Palace. Held as part of the 50th anniversary of Russian-Maltese diplomatic relations, the show included a recreation of the atmosphere of the 18th century using original Baroque decorations and costumes, based on historical archives. The music on the night was of the famous contemporary composer Alexey Shor, which was specially selected for this performance. Mr Shor... Читать дальше...

Libya's Tripoli-based government has invited Italian war ships into its territorial waters to support the fight against human trafficking, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said. Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Seraj, who heads a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, had refused access to the European Union's anti-trafficking sea mission Sophia, hobbling its efforts to stop smugglers since patrols began in 2015. Seraj's change of heart was announced a day after he agreed a conditional ceasefire... Читать дальше...

A Sicilian passenger travelling to Malta on the catamaran last Monday was today fined and forced to forfeit almost €13,000 in favour of the public coffers after being found in possession of a substantial amount of undeclared cash. Modica-born Enrico Borrometi, 40, was stopped by customs officials at the Valletta Deep Water Quay after getting off the MV Jean De La Vallette last Sunday shortly before midnight. Driving his grey sports Range Rover, the passenger was taken aside by customs officials to have his vehicle scanned. Читать дальше...

Three wild rabbits have managed to escape rising floodwaters in New Zealand by clambering aboard a flock of sheep and surfing to safety on their woolly backs. Ferg Horne, 64, who has been farming since he left school at 15, said he had never seen anything quite like it. He was trudging through pelting rain to rescue a neighbour's sheep from the floodwaters at their South Island farm near Dunedin on Saturday, when he spotted some dark shapes from a distance. He was puzzled because he knew his neighbour... Читать дальше...

A 71-year-old man who forced his wife to watch porn while inserting objects into her private parts will be spending the next year behind bars.   In an arraignment which verged on the surreal, the court heard how the man subjected his wife, 68, to the humiliating treatment last night while watching a pornographic film on TV.  When the victim finally managed to break free, she rushed out into the darkened street naked, crying out for help. Dragged to court this morning, the husband wearing bermudas... Читать дальше...

Mariano Rajoy today denied any knowledge of an illegal financing scheme within his conservative People's Party (PP) as he became the first sitting prime minister in Spain to give evidence in a trial, prompting calls for his resigination. Rajoy's appearance at the corruption trial as a witness turns the spotlight back on the long-running graft scandals that have tainted his party at a delicate time as he no longer enjoys a majority in parliament. He is not accused of wrongdoing. Allegations of a PP... Читать дальше...

Updated 5.50pm  Current trapping arrangements of seven species of wild finches do not respect Malta's obligations under EU law, according to an Opinion issued today by the Advocate General at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. In her opinion, Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston stated that Malta's finch trapping regulations were in breach of the EU's Wild Birds Directive. She further declared that the court should rule that by opening a trapping season for finches, Malta clearly failed to... Читать дальше...

Kenneth B. Micallef has been confirmed as president of the Institute of Financial Services Malta (ifs Malta) for another year. The committee also welcomed two new members: Jean Paul Attard and Christian Farrugia. The ifs Malta Committee for 2017-2018 is composed as follows: president: Kenneth B. Micallef; vice-presidents: Peter Calleya and Mark Agius; honorary secretary: Anatoli Grech; honorary treasurer: Joseph Ricca; members: Jean Paul Attard; Roberto Apap Bologna; Joseph Bugelli; Christian Farrugia;... Читать дальше...

Acquatic sport correspondent Alex Vella passed away on Tuesday, aged 75. Vella had been a loyal correspondent for the Times of Malta for the past 30 years, covering all major waterpolo and swimming events with great professionalism. During his time with the Times of Malta he also acted as football correspondent for Premier League matches. In the last years, he was forced to quit football reporting after he was employed by the Malta Football Association to form part of its media department, where he contributed in their publications. Читать дальше...