Новости за 02.11.2017

The number of employees in a small department at the Gozo Ministry increased inexplicably in the few months that the Auditor General was conducting a review, a report showed. Although in March, ministry officials told National Audit Office representatives “there was no staff shortage” in the department’s two sections responsible for road maintenance, a head count four months later found that the personnel had increased by 14, it emerged from the report tabled in Parliament. This exercise and about... Читать дальше...

An application to construct an eight-storey complex in Mellieħa has been filed for a site previously earmarked by the locality’s council for a community centre. The project, which includes 120 apartments, a hotel, shopping complex and an underground car park is spearheaded by three development companies, including the one entrusted to build the Mercury Towers in Paceville, Located next to the former Belleview bakery, the site is made up of two large adjacent plots with a combined footprint of 3,600 square metres. Читать дальше...

Updated 8.45pm Jesmond Xerri, 52, who was reported missing yesterday, has been found, the police said.

Jesmond Xerri, 52, has been reported missing, the police said. They said he was last seen at 8pm yesterday in Balzan. Mr Xerri was wearing grey trousers, a red top, and black, white and brown shoes. He is 5’8, has dark brown eyes and greyish hair. Anyone who might have information about his whereabouts should contact the police on 2122 4001 or 119.

Abuse victims are increasingly facing more vicious attacks as perpetrators continue to be treated with impunity, support workers believe, as recently published figures show assaults are on the rise. So far this year, five people have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with the use of a weapon, including a firearm or utensil, figures tabled in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia show. The minister was replying to a parliamentary question from MP Glenn Bedingfield. Last year... Читать дальше...

The Institute of Maltese Journalists has encouraged investigative authorities to keep regular contact with the media on developments regarding the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Ms Caruana Galizia was assassinated in a car bomb near her home in Bidnija last month. In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, being celebrated today, the institute appealed to the authorities to embark on discussions on the importance of providing protection for journalists... Читать дальше...

A 41-year-old motorcyclist from Msida was grievously injured today following a traffic accident in Paola. The police said the biker was riding a Kymco which was involved in a collision with a Suzuki Baleno that was being driven by a 61-year-old man from Żejtun. The accident happened in Triq l-Isqof Buhaġiar, Paola at 2.30pm. The motorcyclist went to a health centre where he was later certified to be suffering from grievous injuries.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to protest at the jailing of nine former members of the regional government following an appearance at Spain's National Court for questioning in a probe over Catalonia's push for independence. Eight of the nine were jailed without possibility of bail while they are investigated on possible charges of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement following the regional parliament's declaration of secession from Spain last week. Bail of €50,000 was set for the ninth. Читать дальше...

A Spanish judge has ordered nine ex-members of the government in Catalonia jailed while they are investigated on possible charges of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement. Investigative magistrate Carmen Lamela issued the ruling on Thursday at the request of prosecutors who are pursuing a criminal case stemming from the declaration of secession the Parliament of Catalonia made on Friday. The judge set bail for one of the nine former members of the Catalan Cabinet, saying he would be freed if he pays €50,000. Читать дальше...

Since the launch of the Tallinja Ferry Service a month ago, 10,000 passengers holding a tallinja card enjoyed reduced rates when paying for their journey on the Sliema to Valletta and the Three Cities to Valletta ferries. Route 133, the Valletta circular route, now also connects both ferry quays at Marsamxett and at Lascaris, further improving the connectivity between the ferry quays and the centre of the capital. Daniel Grech, commercial director for Malta Public Transport, said “Our company is... Читать дальше...

MIDI’s revised masterplan for the restoration and redevelopment of Manoel Island seeks to ensure that the island’s important heritage buildings and sites, foreshore and significant green park spaces are restored and preserved for the whole community to enjoy, the company said this evening. It said in a company announcement on the Malta Stock Exchange that its revised plan had been submitted to the Planning Authority for consideration and to Environmental and Resources Authority for Environmental Impact Assessment evaluation. Читать дальше...

The European Commission has been asked to investigate the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and the independence of the media in Malta. The request was made by the heads of eight of the world’s largest news organisations in a letter to Frans Timmermans, the first vice-president of the commission. Reporting about the request, The Guardian, whose editor in chief Katharine Viner is one of the signatories, said the letter described the murder as “shocking” and an “appalling reminder”... Читать дальше...

The negligence of a victim in a traffic accident led to the acquittal of the police officer charged with having knocked down the pedestrian on a busy thoroughfare in Naxxar. Constable Matthew Azzopardi, 39, was accused of having involuntarily caused his victim grievous bodily harm, which offence he was duty bound to prevent. The incident took place in September 2014, when the officer was riding his police bike through Parish Street. Switching on the blue beacon light, the officer approached the slow-moving vehicles... Читать дальше...

A racket involving fake asylum documents was unearthed by the police while they were investigating a serious crime, the Times of Malta has learnt. Police sources said the racket could be linked to the so-called dirty oil fuel smuggling scam the Italian authorities uncovered. Third-country nationals residing in Malta are thought to be involved in the racket, and at least one white-collar Maltese citizen is also among the suspects. “This is information that just got to us during an investigation into an unrelated matter. Читать дальше...

An Indian court today sentenced to life in prison two Indian men who were convicted of raping their 10-year-old niece in a case that caused a global furore when the girl was denied an abortion and had to give birth earlier this year. A fast-track court in the northwestern city of Chandigarh also imposed a fine of 350,000 rupees ($5,416) each on the two men, who are brothers. "This is an appropriate punishment for such a heinous crime and should be a strong deterrent," said Sangita Vardhan, head of... Читать дальше...

Asphalting works in Triq Manwel Dimech and Qormi junction will be carried out tonight between 8pm and 5.30am. During works, the road will be completely closed to traffic, including public transport. Drivers should avoid the area and use alternative routes. Officials will be on site to assist in traffic management.

A nursing aid who slapped a 92-year old patient has been sentenced to two years in prison by a court which described his behaviour as “inexplicable and altogether condemnable”. George Michael Spiteri, 45, was faced with criminal action over an incident which took place two years ago when through his actions he placed the victim’s health in danger, slightly injured the latter and caused him suffering, all this in breach of his duties as a public servant. The accused had been assigned constant watch over the elderly patient at St Vincent de Paul.

Sol & Mar squid in sunflower oil, garlic or paprika flavour has been recalled by the health authorities which said the product must not be consumed since it may contain salt crystals, called struvite crystals. These crystals form naturally during the production of canned fish products when proteins react with sea water. They may seem like glass and can cause scratches. The product, which comes in a metal can, has a durability date of December 31, 2023.

The luxurious Silver Cloud liner, which offers exclusive Antarctic expeditions starting at €14,000, has sailed out of Palumbo Malta Shipyard after undergoing a complex two-month conversion. The Maltese shipyard was singled out for the job from among top international yards based on its competence, skilled team, state-of-the-art facilities and the ability to execute the Silver Cloud’s overhaul from a standard liner to an ice-class expedition cruise ship within such a short timespan. “This job has... Читать дальше...

The Maltese professor suspected of being a link between Russia and the Donald Trump campaign made repeated visits to Russia in recent years, including participating in conferences at a Russian think tank favoured by President Vladimir Putin. Joseph Mifsud has been identified as the unnamed London professor who offered to set up meetings with Russian officials who could provide "thousands of emails" with damaging information about Mr Trump's rival, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. He is a vocal... Читать дальше...

Professionals have to be morally upright and uphold strong ethical values, a magistrate said in a judgement which aquitted a notary from being party to a fraud to the detriment of the public coffers. Notary Antoine Agius was facing criminal action after the declared value on a deed of sale, drawn up by him in December 2003, was found to have been lower than that originally declared in the promise of sale, and this for the purpose of tax evasion. In a lengthy and detailed judgment, based on over 700 pages of evidence... Читать дальше...

Police in Colorado are hunting today for a man who calmly walked into a suburban Denver Walmart and fatally shot three people before driving away. Authorities named the suspect as Scott Ostrem, 47, and released a surveillance camera photograph of a middle-aged white man wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. They also published a photo of the red four-door hatchback he is believed to have fled in. Ostrem "nonchalantly" entered the store in Thornton, about 16km northeast of downtown Denver, and opened... Читать дальше...

Malta was among 20 destinations chosen by Architectural Digest magazine’s travel experts as worth of a visit in 2018. The publication’s experts explored the ‘hottest new cultural institutions and hotels opening’ and looked around the globe for the ‘most exciting emerging destinations’. In a short write-up describing the reason behind the choice of Malta, the publication referred to the fact that Valletta is the 2018 European Capital of Culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its 16th-century... Читать дальше...

The share of tax revenue from taxes on income and wealth has increased substantially in the past 20 years, from 8.2% of GDP in 1995 to 13.9% of GDP in 2016. Last year, direct taxes were equivalent to 14.1% of GDP compared to the share of indirect taxes which stood at 13.1% of GDP. In 2016, the tax burden for Malta was 32.6% of GDP, which is slightly higher when compared to the total tax burden recorded in 2015 (32% of GDP). The overall tax burden denotes the total amount of taxes and actual social contributions... Читать дальше...

The odds of having a healthy baby are similar after a fresh or frozen donor egg in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle, according to a large retrospective study. The study also supports the practice of single-embryo transfer during IVF to improve the likelihood of having a healthy baby. The data were presented November 1 at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) annual meeting. Existing literature suggests comparable embryo development between fresh and cryopreserved donor eggs, but data... Читать дальше...