Новости за 26.06.2021

UK health secretary Matt Hancock has resigned after admitting to breaking Covid rules during a newly-revealed affair with a close aide. Opposition parties had demanded Hancock's resignation, accusing the government of hypocrisy over breaches of lockdown rules which have seen many members of the public slapped with fines. Hancock conceded he had let the public down but insisted he was staying on, after The Sun newspaper published a security camera still obtained from a whistleblower showing him kissing the aide in his office on May 6. Читать дальше...

Florida officials continued to hold out hope Saturday for survivors of a high-rise apartment building that partially collapsed three years after an engineer had warned of "major structural damage." But fire was complicating the increasingly desperate effort to find 159 people still unaccounted for more than two days after part of the building pancaked into a mountain of debris. "We're facing incredible difficulties with this fire," Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters early Saturday. Читать дальше...

A 10-month-old juvenile horse was seized by Animal Welfare this week and surrendered to a horse rescue NGO after being found in a severe state of neglect. Speaking to Times of Malta, Corinne Farrugia, who runs the voluntary organisation RMJ’s Horse Rescue, said that the foal was found in a “complete state of neglect”, looking severely underweight, riddled with ticks and maggots as well as two sizeable injuries that require serious medical attention. “He was in such a bad state that we could not bear to refuse him,” Farrugia said. Читать дальше...

The Vatican said Saturday it was investigating an influential aide to late pope John Paul II, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, following allegations of abuse cover-ups. Its embassy to Poland said the Holy See had sent Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco to Poland from June 17 to 26 to look into the matter. The visit's "goal was to verify reports, including those made public, of negligence on the part of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz during his tenure as Krakow archbishop (2005-2016)," the Apostolic Nunciature... Читать дальше...

With tourism season in full swing, 369 passengers have been sent to a government-approved 'quarantine hotel' upon their arrival in Malta, according to the health ministry.  Between the 1 to 23 June, 1.2 per cent of total passengers arriving in Malta did not have a required PCR test upon arrival, a spokesperson for the ministry said.  Since the start of the month, passengers arriving in Malta without the necessary coronavirus documentation have been forced to pay €120 for a PCR test and €100 for... Читать дальше...

World Championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull produced the quickest lap in qualifying on Saturday to claim pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix.  Mercedes’ Valterri Bottas was second quickest but drops to fifth on the grid because of a three-place penalty imposed on Friday, leaving teammate Lewis Hamilton to start on the front row with Verstappen. McLaren’s Lando Norris produced the performance of the day, pushing the front runners all the way and finishing fourth, meaning he will start from third. Читать дальше...

Thirteen Bangladeshi nationals were jailed for six months each on Saturday after they were caught trying to enter Malta with fake passports they had purchased from Greece.  Magistrate Joe Mifsud heard police Inspector Karl Roberts explain how the group arrived at Malta International Airport on a flight from Athens. The airport staff checked their Pakistani documents which seems to have some tampered details.  The inspector said that when interrogated by the police, the men admitted that they had... Читать дальше...

Newly-promoted Serie A club Salernitana announced Saturday they are are seeking a buyer to allow them to take their place in the Italian top flight next season. According to Italian Football Federation (FIGC) rules two clubs under the same ownership cannot play in the same division. And the club based in Salerno, south of Naples, is co-owned by Lazio boss Claudio Lotito.  Salernitana clinched a top flight place after finishing second in Serie B.  To play a third Serie A season in their history... Читать дальше...

A plane door defect involving an inflated evacuation slide stopped the Czech Republic on their way to a Euro 2020 knockout game against the Netherlands in Budapest, the team said Saturday. The Czechs, who qualified as the third best team in Group D, are facing Group C winners the Netherlands at the Puskas Arena in a last-16 tie on Sunday evening. The players were already sitting on the special plane on Saturday morning, but they had to get off over the defect. “I have experienced delayed flights... Читать дальше...

Ultra-distance swimmer Neil Agius has announced a change to his plans to swim from Tunisia to Sicily on Saturday, changing to route to start from Linosa, a small island north of Lampedusa and finishing in Malta.  Agius announced he will be taking a plunge from the Sicialian Island on Monday evening and is expected to arrive in Malta on Wednesday in what should be a 50 to 55 hour non-stop journey.  Neil and the Wave of Change team are attempting to set the world record for the longest continuous... Читать дальше...

Last September, in Cologne, Ford launched the all-new Puma ST; an exciting car model which acclaims Ford Performance driving dynamics to the compact SUV segment for the very first time in Europe. The Puma is the first small Ford to use hybrid power, in the form of a 48V system bolstering a three-cylinder petrol turbo engine. This new and sensational car model is now in Malta and exclusively at the showroom of GasanZammit in Mrieħel. The new compact SUV Ford Puma, features a larger frontal area, a higher centre of gravity and more weight. Читать дальше...

Valletta FC are in talks to sign Ghana midfielder James Arthur and Czech Republic forward Milan Jurdik, the Times of Malta can confirm. The Citizens are working hard in their efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season as they look to rejuvenate their squad after a disappointing 2020-21 season which saw the team fail to qualify to European football. Last week, Valletta FC have reached an agreement to sign Italian goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone and Brazilian winger Caio Prado, who... Читать дальше...

Manhole covers for the entrances to the newly-discovered World War II shelter in Sliema’s Annunciation Square have been requested by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to ensure its future accessibility. The shelter was discovered during government roadworks earlier this week and the SCH, which conducted an inspection on Friday morning, has also requested a detailed survey to map out its full extent to be drawn up by the architect responsible. Friday's onsite visit was held to assess the... Читать дальше...

Birkirkara are closing in on a major transfer coup when they reached an agreement in principle to sign Brazilian midfielder Diego Venancio from Floriana. Young defender Zak Cassar is expected to head to the other direction as Floriana completed a second swap deal with a fellow Premier League club in the space of a week. Venancio was subject to interest from Floriana’s neighbouring rivals Valletta last week, but the Greens pulled out of negotiations. Birkirkara immediately entered the race to... Читать дальше...

Russia’s Euro 2020 host Saint Petersburg on Saturday reported the country’s highest daily Covid-19 toll for a city since the start of the pandemic, data showed. Official figures said the city, which has already hosted six Euro 2020 matches and is due to host a quarter final on Friday, recorded 107 virus deaths over the last 24 hours.  Russian news agencies said this was the highest toll of any Russian city since the start of the pandemic. Saint Petersburg was where dozens of Finland supporters... Читать дальше...

ADPD has redoubled its calls for Central Bank governor Edward Scicluna to be moved aside following Malta’s FATF greylisting debacle.  “Government should embark on a deep and proper clean up instead of shedding crocodile tears,” ADPD – the Green Party chairman Carmel Cacopardo said during a press conference on Saturday.  “Today’s pompous words in favour of good governance contrast with what has been said and done over the past years,” he said, noting that Prime Minister Robert Abela served as a legal adviser to his predecessor... Читать дальше...

Three new COVID-19 cases were announced on Saturday by the health ministry.   Two patients recovered overnight while the virus death toll remained unchanged at 420.  As a result, the number of active virus cases in the country stood at 30 as of Saturday.  A total of 2,360 swab tests were administered during the previous 24 hours, Health Ministry data showed.  Vaccination Healthcare workers administered 3,760 vaccine doses on Friday, with more than 307,500 people now fully vaccinated.  Health... Читать дальше...

Hong Kong's new police chief called for a fake news law on Saturday and blamed the media for plunging trust in his officers in the politically polarised finance hub. His call comes as authorities carry out a sweeping crackdown on dissent and just days after outspoken newspaper Apple Daily was forced to fold following the freezing of its accounts under a tough new national security law. Surveys show the police have been the least popular disciplinary service in the city since Hong Kong was rocked... Читать дальше...

A local beach club is giving chefs the chance to host diners in the sort of outdoor venue that their own establishments are lacking.  The idea is intended to help restaurants whose seating capacities have taken a hit due to COVID-19 social distancing rules and which are unable to offer outdoor seating.  Chef OpenAir, as the idea has been dubbed, began at the Tigne Beach club in Sliema on Friday, June 18. The two sit-down meals it has organised so far have both been sold out.  Briju chef Rafel... Читать дальше...

Vaccine certificates issued by the UK and EU member states will be accepted as valid for entry into Malta as of July 1, health authorities have said. The clarification, issued by the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate on social media on Saturday, clears up confusion about whether or not incoming tourists would be able to use their domestically-issued COVID-19 passes to enter Malta. Malta currently only recognises locally issued vaccination certificates as valid. Times of Malta... Читать дальше...