Новости за 22.12.2016

Hillary Clinton received nearly 2.9 million more votes than president-elect Donald Trump in this year's US election - the largest popular vote margin of any losing American presidential candidate. According to analysis by The Associated Press, certified results in 50 states and the District of Columbia show Mrs Clinton winning nearly 65,844,610 million votes, or 48%. Successful Republican candidate Mr Trump won 62,979,636 million votes, or 46%. Mrs Clinton is the fifth presidential candidate in... Читать дальше...

A chance encounter with a traditional grocer in the tranquil village of Safi three years ago led to the production of a coffee-table book: Disappearing Malta – Crafts, Trades & Traditions 360°. Featured in the book are 28 characters who were photographed by Enrico Formica in their workshops while they were at their jobs. The crafts and trades covered include tinsmiths and blacksmiths; a fisherman and rope splicer, a silversmith, the last maker of caps for uniforms, a shoemaker, a bazaar owner and model makers. Читать дальше...

On Saturday night, Zackiel is going to leave the roof door ajar and have a hand torch handy, just in case Santa Claus decides to drop by to leave him a present. The seven-year-old, who admits he was not well-behaved all year, wrote to Santa to ask for forgiveness and to assure him that he will leave him some cookies and fresh milk, and some carrots for Rudolph the reindeer. Zackiel is one of hundreds of children in Malta who this month wrote to Santa to convince him that they are deserving of presents... Читать дальше...

New technology continues to take its toll on the telecommunications sector, with a sharp drop in text messages over the first six months of the year and the number of television subscribers also dropping. The Malta Communications Authority, in its market review for January to June 2016, gave a run-down of the four telecommunications sectors – mobile, fixed line, fixed broadband and TV – as well as the postal sector. More people are taking up mobile subscriptions, bringing the number of subscriptions to over half a million... Читать дальше...

A Bulgarian woman who admitted she stole from a couple who welcomed her into their home after she ended up on the streets was condemned to a six-month prison term suspended for two years. Krasimira Dimitrova, 32, was arraigned before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale and charged with having been in possession of costume jewellery stolen from the couple's home. The woman was also charged with disturbing public peace during a heated argument with her partner out on the street in Marsaxlokk, and using foul language... Читать дальше...

When children start questioning the existence of Father Christmas, they can be ‘let in’ on the secret and shown how to become a giver and not just a receiver. Sometimes, parents found it harder to accept their children’s readiness to stop believing in Santa, clinical psychologist Charlene Aquilina told this newspaper. This could be because parents start coming to terms with the fact that their children are growing up and they too will have to say goodbye to the fantasy of Santa Claus. “When the truth is out... Читать дальше...

A huge fire that spread to about 140 buildings in a small city on Japan's western coast has been brought under control after authorities called in extra firefighters to tackle the blaze. The fire started at a ramen shop in Itoigawa city, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Fanned by winds gusting up to 35mph per hour, the fire had reached about 140 houses and other buildings by mid-afternoon. Fire and rescue units from nearby prefectures were brought in to help and the blaze was finally... Читать дальше...

An actual car will be seen flying above the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre stage during MADC’s pantomime Un-Believe it! this year. Un-Believe it! is based on childhood classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, so the team needed a battered, old version of the flying automobile,” Alan Montanaro, Dame Vera Tastee, said. Car collector David Arrigo loaned three Fiat Barchettas, with the third being a drivable one for promotion purposes. The next challenge was to get the Barchetta to sprout wings and fly. Director... Читать дальше...

Pope Francis today ordered an investigation into the ousting of the deputy head of the ancient order the Knights of Malta, who an Italian newspaper said was sacked for promoting the use of condoms in the developing world. A Vatican statement said a five-member committee had been tasked with looking into the ousting of Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, whose official title was Grand Chancellor. The statement did not elaborate. The ancient chivalric order, which today runs charities, hospitals and disaster relief in about 120 countries... Читать дальше...

Following yesterday’s losses, the share index today rebounded slightly by 0.11% to 4,569.678 points reflecting the gains registered in the share prices of RS2, GO and HSBC. Meanwhile, six other equites closed the day unchanged. RS2 Software advanced 1.1% to the €1.72 level after briefly trading at a new three-month high of €1.79,8. A total of 31,000 shares changed hands today. Also among the large companies, a single deal of just 1,150 shares pushed the equity of GO to a new seven-month high of €3.26... Читать дальше...

The government has announced a Strategy for Valletta whose core purpose is to encourage more people to live in the city, while balancing the capital’s role as a capital, a hub for business and administration and a place of residence. The document was prepared by the Office of the Principal Secretary, headed by Mario Cutajar, after months of public consultation and input from various sectors involved in Valletta. “The strategy will lead to social regeneration by encouraging people to go and live in Valletta,” the Office said. Читать дальше...

A Gozitan who caused a commotion during the Regional Tribunal sitting by threatening the Justice Commissioner has been jailed for six months and fined €2,000. Carmel Galea, 60, from Kercem was accused of having insulted and threatened Mario Xerri who was presiding over the sitting on July 22, 2016 at the NGO centre at Xewkija. The man also refused to obey the police officers who sought to restore order when the violent interlude broke out. The court in Gozo, presided by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud,... Читать дальше...

A woman was seriously injured late yesterday when two vehicles crashed head-on on the road which links Victoria to Żebbuġ in Gozo. The police said the crash took place at about 11.15pm between a Hyundai Tucson driven by a 45-year-old man from Victoria and a Hyundai Excel driven by a 54-year-old man from Żebbuġ. The seriously injured woman, 52, was a passenger in the Excel, whose driver was slightly injured.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has signed an application to become an organ donor. "(It) takes so little to make a difference," Dr Muscat wrote on twitter. A National Organ Donation Register was set up earlier this week after approval of a new law. The register is open to all those aged over 16. In terms of the law, the decision of the donor as laid down in the register is binding and cannot be changed by relatives. Parents have the final say where children are involved. More information at https://health.gov.mt/en/hcs/Pages/organ-donor.aspx

Britain's Prince Charles said the rise of populist groups across the world had deeply disturbing echoes of the fascism of the 1930s, and warned against a repeat of the "horrors of the past" to prevent religious persecution. The heir to the British throne, who plans to take the title Defender of Faith when he becomes King in an effort to unite all religions, said on BBC Radio there had been a rise in aggression towards those who adhered to a minority faith. "All of this has deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s," he said. Читать дальше...

Those caught in the “benefits and poverty trap” can enrol in a supported employment scheme run by the Leap project, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said this morning. The Leap project was initially aimed at targeting those families that needed assistance, offering them food packages funded by the EU. In October, Dr Farrugia had announced that the government would be providing some 41,000 food packages to deprived families. Through the family profiling carried out to identify those who needed assistance... Читать дальше...

A truck driver damaged 41 vehicles during a police chase in Thailand's capital Bangkok, leaving three people injured, local police said. The suspect drove into a bus lane and did not stop when the police intervened, according to local media reports. The rampage continued for about five kilometres from Phetchaburi Road to Ekamai Road, when police shot out the tyres. Facebook user Petch J. Twezinn shared footage captured by a camera mounted on his car's dashboard, showing the six-wheeled white truck driving against the traffic flow. Читать дальше...

Temperatures around the North Pole surged close to melting point today as a freak blast of warm air blanketed an Arctic region usually deep frozen in mid-winter darkness, scientists said. Air temperatures at the North Pole were an estimated minus 4 degrees Celsius around midday with light snow, according to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, against a more usual temperature close to -30 degrees Celsius. There are no weather stations at the Pole itself but a buoy floating in the Arctic Ocean... Читать дальше...

A restaurant fire has spread to at least 140 buildings in a small Japanese coastal city. The blaze started in the morning at a ramen shop in Itoigawa city, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Fanned by winds gusting to 35mph, the blaze had reached about 140 houses and other buildings by mid-afternoon. There were two reports of minor injuries: one woman who inhaled smoke and another who fell, the fire and disaster agency said. Authorities issued an evacuation advisory for about 300 households. Читать дальше...

The Christmas market in Berlin, which was attacked on Monday evening, reopened to the public today amid tightened security. A truck veered into crowds at the annual market killing 12 people and injuring scores more. Concrete blocks were set up at its entrance this morning in order to prevent further attacks. "I think it is very good that the Christmas market is open again. That makes us look stronger, not weaker," said Sema Ozcan, a Berlin resident from Turkey who was visiting the market. German... Читать дальше...

Less than three years after raising the age of criminal responsibility from nine to 14 years, the government is acknowledging that the change has created legal “lacunae”, saying it wants to explore ways to address it. Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela announced this yesterday during the inauguration of an interactive children’s area at the police headquarters in Floriana. The facility is intended to provide an informal setting in which Vice Squad officers can interview underage victims of abuse. Читать дальше...

The contribution of Gozo and Comino to national Gross Domestic Product at market prices last year accounted to 4.3 per cent or €396.3 million, from €361.474 the previous year. All industries in Gozo and Comino registered increases compared to the previous year. The main increases resulted in information and communication, professional, scientific, technical, administrative and support service activities and construction. Almost all industries in Malta (alone) registered increases, with the exception of the manufacturing industry. Читать дальше...

One of the effects of a strengthening dollar is the shift of capital flows out of emerging markets. There are two factors that influence the dynamics of this shift. The first is a reversal of capital flows. This is important because some emerging markets are heavily reliant on foreign inflows to fund fiscal or current account deficits. The IMF says that between 2009 and 2013, emerging markets received about US$4.5 trillion of gross capital inflows, representing roughly half of all global capital flows in that period. Читать дальше...

Foreign Minister George Vella has had talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry. They discussed bilateral and regional issues including developments in Libya, Syria and Iraq, the Middle East peace process and Malta’s priorities for the upcoming EU presidency. Speaking at a press conference, Dr Vella highlighted the important role that Egypt plays in the Mediterranean, in particular with regards to Libya and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He also underlined... Читать дальше...

Emirates is to re-route its daily service between Dubai and Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus, from February 1. The current five-days-a-week Dubai/Tunis/Malta/Dubai route will be changed to Dubai/Larnaca/Malta/Larnaca/Dubai, the same as the current flight operating every Monday and Wednesday. The Malta route allows travellers to book tickets between Malta and Cyprus. The service will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration, with eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class... Читать дальше...