Новости за 22.12.2015

Manchester City's 2-1 Premier League defeat by Arsenal last night was "hard to take" but the team were confident they have plenty of games remaining to catch up, right-back Bacary Sagna has said. City fell behind after first-half strikes from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud and while Yaya Toure scored late in the second half, it was in vain as the visitors had their winless streak on the road stretched to five league games. "It's hard to take, I think we started the game really well, we had possession of the ball... Читать дальше...

Some drop a hint of cayenne spice or a jalapeño slice in their juices in the morning, others enjoy these with a bowl of tom yum goong, the Thai chilli soup. To donate money while burning your throat with one of the hottest peppers on this planet, nevertheless, beats all recipes. For the second year BetaPsi, the psychology students association at University have organised the Chilli Challenge as part of the Christmas on Campus initiative. Students volunteered to eat a Ghost Pepper, one of the spiciest... Читать дальше...

Malta has made it to one of the world's most important newspapers, for the wrong reasons. The New York Times reports how an entire industry has emerged to promote a Mediterranean diet that promises to unlock the secrets of Greek and Italian islanders who stay active into their 100s. Then there is Malta. "Throughout the tiny archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean between Italy and Libya, bulging waistlines are a common sight, spilling over at cafes near the vast battlements from where the... Читать дальше...

Long-time convict Alfred Bugeja, known as Il-Porporina, yesterday begged a magistrate to authorise euthanasia for him, soon after he was jailed for a further seven years over a drug deal carried out from his prison cell. “Mr Magistrate, can you order a euthanasia injection, because there’s no point in living any longer,” the 59-year-old Mr Bugeja, who has been in and out of prison for several decades, asked in a resigned voice as the magistrate was walking out of the courtroom. Mr Bugeja was found... Читать дальше...

Arsene Wenger revealed Mesut Ozil defied a chest infection to fire Arsenal to victory over Manchester City as the Arsenal boss resigned himself to being without Alexis Sanchez until the second week of January. Ozil was the Gunners' ringmaster in their 2-1 triumph over their Barclays Premier League title rivals at the Emirates Stadium, setting up first-half goals for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud and presenting Aaron Ramsey with a superb chance after the interval. The Germany playmaker had been... Читать дальше...

The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press. Times of Malta and The Malta Independent give prominence to MIA's €78m project which includes an airport terminal expansion and the building of a second business centre.  In-Nazzjon quotes Simon Busuttil saying he wants to live in a country where people are not scared to express themselves. It also says that the police have a shortage of breathalyzers.  l-orizzont says several cases are showing how the people are paying for delays in the justice system... Читать дальше...

A large fire hit Brazil's Museum of the Portuguese Language in Sao Paulo in a historic downtown district, killing one man who worked as the building's fire-fighter. According to media reports, there were no other casualties as the museum is closed to visitors on Mondays. Thirty-seven fire engines and 97 fire-fighters attended the blaze at the historic Estacao da Luz train station, where the museum is located. Fire-fighters said the blaze started on the first floor and quickly spread through the museum... Читать дальше...

An Oregon woman who intentionally drove her car onto a crowded Las Vegas Strip sidewalk, killing one person and injuring at least 35 others, was homeless and had been living in her vehicle with her 3-year-old child, police said. Lakeisha N. Holloway, 24, was arrested a short distance from the scene of the carnage, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Joe Lombardo said at a news conference. "She didn't appear to be distressed due to her actions," Lombardo said. He said there are no indications Holloway... Читать дальше...

ABELA. On December 20, at Mater Dei Hospital, VICTOR, of Sliema, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church at the age of 61. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Rita née Pullicino, his mother Julia, his brothers Sebastian and Rennie, his sister Miriam, his sister-in-law Rena and their families, his sister- and brother-in-law Carmen and George Pullicino and their families, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today at 1.30pm for the Carmelite parish church... Читать дальше...

The latest unfortunate incidents involving young people call for innovative solutions to address the need for innovative community spaces and a healthy form of entertainment. The vibrant lights of Paceville continuously attract our young nocturnal prowlers in search of adventure and beyond, whereas certain areas in Valletta have suddenly become a mecca to a new subculture of young rebels. These communities are being transformed into a landscape of entertainment facilities that might not necessarily... Читать дальше...

The impression given, by the NAO report and the article ‘No checks made on many benefit claims’ (December 17), that the Department of Social Security is lax in its assessment of applications for means-tested non-contributory social benefits, is not correct. The department exercises due vigilance as far as this is humanly possible. As noted by the NAO, the department, as regulated by legislation, uploads monthly the beneficiaries’ bank account details for the re-assessment of benefits and further investigations warranted. Читать дальше...

A recent report by the Today Public Policy Institute branded the Maltese as the fattest, laziest and most car-dependent people on earth. It pinpoints the sad state of our urban environment as one of the contributors to our ill-health and reliance on the car. We are a nation obsessed with the car. I am as guilty as anyone. Until not so long ago, I would drive to my neighbourhood’s convenience store, even though it is walking distance from my house. And sometimes I would double park right in front of it, too. Читать дальше...

In his contribution ‘Staying Out of Politics’ (December 17), John White concludes that when Archbishop Charles Scicluna said he “will not shut up”, he implied that he will involve himself in areas of a political nature. Such reasoning applies only to those who are biased and prejudiced against the Church. The Archbishop, as head of the Church in Malta, is only interested in safeguarding the dignity of the human person and the good of society as a whole. No area related to the human person can be... Читать дальше...

There is a tendency to be lulled into a false sense of security when money is thrown at a problem. And when the amount runs into the millions, then that tendency risks becoming a foregone conclusion. The Arts Council recently announced that it is getting €10 million to use for artists and cultural organisations for a five-year period, which will help no fewer than 750 projects and beneficiaries. It is part of an investment of €52.2 million for 2016 alone, according to Culture Minister Owen Bonnici... Читать дальше...

The decision to sanction military action is one which weighs heavily on the minds of legislators. Conflict will inevitably lead to potential civilian and military casualties. Moreover, economic costs are likely to be incurred and the long-term consequences of military action cannot be measured from the outset. The partial failure of past military intervention, the ensuing chaos and the lack of appetite for potential nation building has created a climate of distrust and apprehension at the prospect of further international intervention. Читать дальше...

John White (‘Staying Out Of Politics’, December 17) wants to deny Archbishop Charles Scicluna the human right to express his opinion as a citizen, just because he is a bishop. He expects Mgr Scicluna to limit his activities to maintaining the popularity of the Church and totally ignore his duty to give guidance to society as the expert he certainly is on moral and ethical issues. Mr White then subtly promotes contraception and embryo freezing, misinterpreting the Pope’s comments and falsely accusing... Читать дальше...