Новости за 15.01.2021

WhatsApp on Friday postponed a data-sharing change as users concerned about privacy fled the Facebook-owned messaging service and flocked to rivals Telegram and Signal. The smartphone app, a huge hit across the world, cancelled its February 8 deadline for accepting an update to its terms concerning sharing data with Facebook, saying it would use the pause to clear up misinformation around privacy and security. "We've heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update," WhatsApp said in a blog post. Читать дальше...

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that all arrivals to the UK will have to quarantine and show negative virus tests as from next week, after hospitalisations and deaths continued to soar. The measures which enter into force early on Monday come after Britain banned all arrivals from South America and Portugal on Friday over fears of importing a new coronavirus variant from Brazil. "This means that if you come to this country you must have proof of a negative Covid virus test that... Читать дальше...

The Labour Party confirmed on Friday that Oliver Scicluna, chairman of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, will be co-opted into Parliament. Scicluna will be replacing Gavin Gulia, who resigned from parliament minutes after being sworn in as MP on Wednesday.  Times of Malta first reported that Scicluna was expected to replace Gulia on Wednesday. Late on Friday, the PL said in a statement that it was Prime Minister Robert Abela who put Scicluna's name before the party's parliamentary group. Читать дальше...

The banking and financial authorities are urging HSBC to reconsider the introduction of a new monthly fee which the Consumers Association believes could impact low earners and pensioners. The Central Bank of Malta and the Malta Financial Services Authority have kicked off discussions with HSBC over the charge for banking services which it is planning on introducing in April. On Thursday Times of Malta reported that the bank was notifying consumers whether they will have to bear the burden of the €5 monthly fee. Читать дальше...

The World Health Organization's emergency committee urged countries on Friday to take measures that ensure safe travel during the pandemic, but not to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for arriving travellers. "Given that the impact of vaccines in reducing transmission is yet unknown, and the current availability of vaccines is too limited, the committee recommended that countries do not require proof of vaccination from incoming travellers," it said in a statement. Malta is among the countries... Читать дальше...

The art of gambling is a sport that’s carried itself through time, still seemingly as popular as ever in the 21st century.  With the first casino dating back to 1638, today’s modern times have seen the rise of hundreds of gaming establishments worldwide. What’s more, as we progress, there’s been an influx and a need for online casinos allowing players to access these platforms from anywhere in the world, take Japan for example.  With the famous Pachinko gambling game originating from here, it’s interesting... Читать дальше...

A gang member arrested in the summer of 2018 over a spate of thefts from residences has landed a four-year jail term for participating in two of the robberies.  Elguja Bzikadze, a 32-year-old Georgian national, had told police that he had travelled to Malta in mid-August, on a one-way ticket, in search of a job. He opted to live in a leased vehicle rather than book a room at some hotel.  Following a tip-off about a suspected robbery at a Balzan home on August 29, the police had kicked off investigations... Читать дальше...

Singer has revealed its latest Porsche 911 restoration project, which has seen a customer’s aircooled sports car overhauled to become a World Rally Championship-inspired racer. Called the All-Terrain Competition Study – or ACS for short – the 911 evokes memories of classic Safari models that would compete on the wildest terrain in motorsport. [attach id=1014462 size="large" align="left" type="image"](Singer)[/attach] California-based Singer is better known for creating beautiful, high-end end road-going restorations of classic Porsches... Читать дальше...

US prosecutors now believe supporters of President Donald Trump planned to "capture and assassinate elected officials" in their siege of the Capitol building last week, according to a new court filing. The filing, submitted by Justice Department lawyers, sought the detention of Jacob Chansley of Arizona, the QAnon conspiracy theorist pictured in the riot dressed as a horned shaman at the desk of Vice President Mike Pence. "Strong evidence, including Chansley's own words and actions at the Capitol... Читать дальше...

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that Pfizer's CEO had guaranteed the delivery of all doses of the coronavirus ordered by the bloc for the first quarter of 2021.  "I got, like many of you, the news today that Pfizer announced delays," von der Leyen said at a press conference in Portugal.  "I immediately called the CEO of Pfizer and he explained that there is a production delay in the next weeks, but he reassured me that all guaranteed doses of the first quarter will be delivered in the... Читать дальше...

Tonio Portughese will be chairing the Employment Relations Board, the government said on Friday. Portughese, whose appointment comes months after he was replaced as PBS chair, will represent the government within the board together with new appointees Cory Greenland, Desiree Cassar and Charles Cassar. This consultative board brings together the government, representatives of employers and unions to discuss issues pertaining to industrial relations, conditions of work and workers. Minister within... Читать дальше...

Gavin Gulia will have to be vetted by a parliamentary committee before he can be reinstated as chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority. Gulia, who was elected as an MP to replace Edward Scicluna only to resign a few minutes later last Wednesday, has said that the prime minister wants him to stay on as MTA chairman, a role he has fulfilled since 2013.  Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo confirmed on Friday that Gulia would have to face parliamentary scrutiny before being reinstated.    “A few moments after Gulia’s resignation from parliament... Читать дальше...

The company that manages three major hospitals in Malta has dismissed claims that it will no longer run the Gozo General Hospital from next month.  On Thursday, Nationalist MP Chris Said claimed that Steward Health Care was leaving Gozo by the end of the month, describing it as "a victory for the Gozitans and the PN." However, on Friday Steward Health Care Malta rebutted the claims, saying they were "purely speculative". "As is common knowledge, Steward Health Care Malta has been engaged in active... Читать дальше...

Elderly people in line to receive a COVID-19 vaccine were left confused and frustrated on Friday as tensions soared at health centres. Healthcare workers are currently vaccinating people aged 85 and over who live within the community, with those eligible for a vaccine receiving appointments in the post.  But that appointment system has run into logistical problems, with complaints about delays, no-shows and poor organisation at health centres. [attach id=1015044 type="video"]Video: Joe Paolella[/attach]... Читать дальше...

British singer Marianne Faithfull has been left with fatigue and breathing problems months after being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, the Guardian newspaper reported on Friday. Faithfull, 74, said she had suffered with lingering symptoms after contracting the virus duing the first wave of the pandemic in Britain in April last year. "Three things: the memory, fatigue and my lungs are still not OK – I have to have oxygen and all that stuff," she told the paper, adding that the side-effects were "strange" and "awful". Читать дальше...

A man who allegedly harassed his former girlfriend, threatened to plant a bomb in her car and caused an unnecessary headache to the bomb disposal unit, has been remanded in custody. Omar Djelassi, a 23-year old Cospicua resident, was escorted to court on Friday, charged with harassing the woman and her mother, threatening them through phone calls and messages, causing them to fear violence as well as breaching previous bail conditions.  “The victims are too scared to sleep, especially after the car... Читать дальше...

Two men, charged with stealing tools from a Qormi construction site on Thursday evening, have been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty. Joseph Galea, a 30-year old unemployed Żebbuġ resident and Emanuel Degabriele, a 31-year old furniture mover from Attard, landed in police custody following a tip-off about a suspect theft that was taking place from a residence under construction in Triq il-Ġdida. Officers who went on site found a Kia Avella close by, with the allegedly stolen tools stacked inside. Читать дальше...

German logistics company DB Schenker is temporarily suspending deliveries from the European Union to Britain because of bureaucratic hurdles brought on by Brexit. The transport giant is experiencing “considerable problems” in customs formalities in the movement of goods between the UK and EU, it said in a statement on Friday. Only “around 10 per cent” of deliveries are accompanied by the complete and correct paperwork, it added. DB Schenker, owned by Germany’s state-owned rail giant Deutsche Bahn... Читать дальше...

The economic impact of the COVID pandemic is 50 times greater than the 2008 recession, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said on Friday.  Addressing a business event, Caruana said the government was doing its utmost to ensure that the interests of Maltese and Gozitan families were safeguarded in the coming months and years. Caruana said that contrary to other European countries, unemployment levels remained stable and the government was not seeking to increase public revenues by raising taxes. He put... Читать дальше...

Aston Martin has announced plans to break the 200mph (322km/h) barrier in one of its classic concept cars. Back in 1981, the Aston Martin Bulldog concept hit 191mph (307km/h) during testing at the MIRA proving ground, but development was called off before it had a chance to find the final 9mph that would have made it the fastest production car of its time. Now, Darren Turner – one of the firm’s racing drivers – will get behind the wheel for one last go. Last year, the concept was handed over to Classic Motor Cars in Bridgnorth... Читать дальше...

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed he had taken part in a Cabinet decision to deny a presidential pardon to one of Daphne Caruana Galizia's alleged hitmen.  Abela had said he would be seeking advice on whether to recuse himself, as he had in the past legally represented one of the brothers that Vincent Muscat was willing to implicate in criminal activity. In a sweeping request, Muscat, known as il-Koħħu, had asked for a pardon for his involvement in the journalist’s murder as well as other crimes... Читать дальше...

A total of 193 new COVID-19 cases were detected between Thursday and Friday and one patient died, according to figures released by the health authorities. The new cases were detected from 3,602 swab tests, meaning 5.46% of the people tested were positive. With 143 recoveries registered overnight, there are currently 2,643 active cases in Malta In all, 15,272 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since March and 236 people have died. [attach id=1014525 size="large" align="left" type="image"][/attach]... Читать дальше...

Health authorities will start providing the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered every day as of next week, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said on Friday. Gauci said vaccination numbers would be included with each day's infographic detailing virus statistics, released by the Health Ministry on its Facebook page each day.  Follow Gauci's briefing in the video below.  Vaccinations Vaccination numbers are rising rapidly, Gauci said. Around 130 vaccines had been administered by December 28... Читать дальше...

A year after the last COVID-free catwalk shows in Milan, men's fashion week begins on Friday, but without the buzz of its traditional audience of buyers, bloggers, celebrities and media. As the pandemic continues to upend Italy's crucial luxury sector nearly 12 months after it first swept through the country, fashion houses have turned to technology to showcase their fall/winter 2021-22 collections. Shows will be broadcast live on the fashion houses' own websites or be replaced with pre-recorded presentations... Читать дальше...

France insisted on Friday it would not agree to a €16-billion takeover of supermarket giant Carrefour by Canada’s Couche-Tard convenience store chain because it could jeopardise food security, an even more important consideration in the coronavirus pandemic. “My position is a polite, but clear and definitive ‘No’,” French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told BMTV and RMC. “Food security is a strategic consideration for our country and one does not just hand over one of the large French distributors like that,” Le Maire said. Читать дальше...