Новости за 07.10.2017

PD MP Godfrey Farrugia has asked for a meeting on Monday with the Commissioner of Mental Health following his and PD leader Marlene Farrugia’s request for an investigation into management malpractices at a ward in Mount Carmel Hospital. The ward hosts patients who suffer from substance related problems. Dr Farrugia said that although the commissioner has followed the case, a report has not yet been published. In his letter to the Commissioner, Dr Farrugia points out that mental health services had to be addressed by new protocols... Читать дальше...

Lewis Hamilton stormed to pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix as title rival Sebastian Vettel could not get close to the Mercedes. After out-scoring Vettel with an under-performing car in the last two races, Mercedes were back to their dominant best at Suzuka. Hamilton's record 71st pole position was never in doubt and he will be joined on the front-row by the Ferrari of Vettel - who was third fastest but moves up after the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas was hit with a grid penalty. This was Hamilton's maiden pole position at Suzuka... Читать дальше...

A project aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrest in adolescents was launched at Mrieħel Secondary School, St Theresa College. The project, Beat It – Screening for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Maltese Adolescents, brings together the Cardiology Department at Mater Dei Hospital, the Education Ministry, the University, the Malta Heart Foundation, and a number of corporate sponsors.  Beat It aims to identify high risk individuals attending fifth form in all Maltese and Gozitan schools. This age cohort... Читать дальше...

Tropical Storm Nate has strengthened to a hurricane and is expected to reach the US Gulf Coast over the weekend. The National Hurricane Centre said the storm has maximum sustained winds of 80mph and is likely to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico, reaching the US coast near New Orleans later on Saturday. Louisiana and Mississippi officials declared states of emergency and Louisiana ordered some people to evacuate coastal areas and barrier islands ahead of its expected landfall. Evacuations began at some offshore oil platforms in the Gulf. Читать дальше...

Susan Mulvaney died this morning, aged 71. Associated with radio broadcasting for more than 40 years, Mrs Mulvaney started her career as a journalist in 1964 with l-Orizzont and was promoted to sub-editor after a few months. She was employed full time at Xandir Malta in 1981, catering for Woman’s Hour and producing other cultural programmes.

The October 11, 2013 migrant tragedy in which more than 50 people died has been recorded in a feature film by journalist Fabrizio Gatti Un Unico Destino, that will feature first on Sky Atlantic on October 15. The film includes testimony of a Maltese soldier who witnessed the shipwreck, l’Espresso reported. More than 50 people – and possibly up to 200 – died that day when many others were saved by Maltese and Italian forces. A boat full of Syrian and Palestinian migrants capsized after taking in water 60 miles south of Lampedusa. Читать дальше...

Hilton has committed $50 million over the next five years towards the Hilton Africa Growth Initiative to support the continued expansion of its Sub-Saharan African portfolio. These funds are intended to support the conversion of around 100 hotels (roughly 20,000 rooms) in multiple African markets into Hilton branded properties, namely into its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, the upscale DoubleTree by Hilton and the recently launched Curio Collection by Hilton. “Hilton remains committed... Читать дальше...

Two men were injured, one of them grievously, in a fight in Paceville last night. The police said they were informed that two men had been attacked by another in Triq San Ġorġ, St Julian’s at 12.30am. They said that a 26-year-old Lithuanian allegedly used a bottle to attack the victims - two Libyans aged 26 and 37 who live in Birżebbuġa and St Paul’s Bay, respectively. They were taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance. While the 26-year-old was slightly injured, the older man suffered grievous injuries. Читать дальше...

Maltese architect Jonathan Mizzi was a winner in the ‘Outside’ category at the Restaurant & Bar International Design Awards ceremony in King’s Cross, London. Together with his team, Mizzi was recognised for his breathtaking Colicci Coffee kiosk at London’s Westfield Stratford shopping centre. Mizzi Studio’s design for the Colicci kiosk is a mini-manifesto of sculptural form and material manipulation. Its main element is a swelling copper roof, made using a combination of 18th century copper sheathing and computer-aided design. Читать дальше...

The following are the top stories in national newspapers today. Times of Malta says the Ombudsman is questioning once again whether the employment of people from outside the public service on a ‘position of trust’ basis is in line with the Constitution. In another story, it quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat saying he did not agree with the Chief Justice’s ‘interpretation’ of the rule of law in Malta. The Malta Independent says the government and Nationalist Party have locked horns over a legal... Читать дальше...

In conjunction with the airport tour and the Visitors Terrace, Vienna Airport now offers an expanded offering for visitors that conveys the world of flying from spectacular perspectives. Experience the landing approach from a cockpit perspective, undergo the process of baggage logistics on a conveyor belt and enjoy the view from the airport tower: these attractions and much more is offered by the new world of experience for visitors at Vienna Airport. Together with Thomas Brezina, the internationally... Читать дальше...

The Ombudsman is questioning once again whether the employment of people from outside the public service on a ‘position of trust’ basis is in line with the Constitution. In the 2018 Ombudsplan, which was tabled in Parliament earlier this week, the Ombudsman said he had received “authoritative advice” that such employment by the government was “irregular”. According to information tabled in Parliament in past years, a number of government jobs, ranging from dog handlers to cleaners and from maintenance officers to messengers... Читать дальше...

Police stopped an international terror plot to cause bloodshed at New York City concert venues, subway stations and Times Square, officers said. One of the defendants, Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, was arrested after travelling from Canada to New Jersey in May 2016 to stage the attacks, according to police. The capture of the Canadian citizen came after an investigation using an undercover FBI officer posing as an Islamic extremist that also led to the arrests last year of US citizen Talha Haroon in Pakistan and Russell Salic in the Philippines... Читать дальше...

The Malta Band Clubs’ Association has just been awarded the prestigious European Citizen’s Prize for 2017 by the European Parliament. The Maltese members of the European Parliament had nominated it for the prize on the 70th anniversary of its formation in recognition of its promotion of cross-border musical cooperation in EU towns and villages and the encouragement of the values of tolerance and solidarity. Band clubs in this country have a long and largely honourable tradition in the history of towns and villages. Читать дальше...

The word ‘family’ today features at the top of the pastoral, political and social agenda. Often, the family is menaced from without and within, for laws are enacted that go against the values of the family. At international organisations, like the United Nations and the European Parliament, it is not unusual for activities to be schizophrenic, if not hypocritical. On the one hand, they make high-sounding resolutions, but on the other, they attack the very core of the family. There are many instances one may recall in different countries. Читать дальше...

In the Local Sovereign Debt market, the limelight was on the longer-dated bonds as those holding a maturity greater than 11 years registered the highest gains – easing the downward pressure exerted last week. A total of 24 issues were active of which 15 headed north, while nine closed in the red. Total turnover in this market amounted to €9.66 million. For the second consecutive week, the 2.1% MGS 2039 (I) r continued to add to last week’s increase, notching a gain of 0.5 per cent to close at par. Читать дальше...

Frans Ghirxi, spokesman, Ministry of Finance Over the last four years Malta has experienced an economic miracle with unprecedented growth rates, falling unemployment, low inflation and also a budget surplus. The reduction in taxes and in water and electricity tariffs, the increase in pensions and take-home pay all contributed to improving household income. The government was able to meet the dual commitment of greater social justice and social inclusion. This is the present legislature’s starting point. Читать дальше...

CARUANA. On Thursday, October 5, at Mater Dei Hospital, CARMEN, of Msida, aged 81, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children, Josanne, her husband Alfred Mifsud and their son Zachary, and her son Paul, her sisters Joyce Camilleri and Dorothy and her husband Anthony Camoin, her in-laws and their families, cousins, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today, Saturday, October 7, at 8.30am for St Joseph parish church, Msida, where Mass præsente cadavere will be said at 9am... Читать дальше...

Diana Mackintosh’s account of the George Cross award to Malta (October 3) brought to my mind memories of that day which I remember as if it were only yesterday. However, reading through the account, I noted that she was quoted saying that her father “gambled at the Casino Maltese”. I cannot understand how the Casino Maltese came to be described as a gambling house. I had been a member of this ‘casino’ but it was certainly not a gambling house.

The US dollar and government debt yields jumped yesterday after strong gains in hourly wages unveiled in the US government’s jobs report for September boosted the likelihood the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by year’s end. US employment fell in September for the first time in seven years as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma temporarily displaced workers and delayed hiring, the latest sign the storms undercut economic activity in the third quarter. Average hourly earnings increased 12 cents, or 0.5 per cent... Читать дальше...

The Met Opera in Cinema season opens with a new production of Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece, Norma, starring Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role. The soprano has already sung this role to acclaim at the Met in 2013, as well as at the Canadian Opera Company, San Francisco Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu and Lyric Opera of Chicago,  making her one of the world’s leading interpreters of the iconic title character. Joyce DiDonato co-stars as Norma’s colleague and rival Adalgisa... Читать дальше...

One of the last small pretty villages is being destroyed by massive construction. No fewer than three cranes are busy working ruining Bidnija. I have personally bought land to help preserve our village but there is very little backing from the institutions that should be safeguarding our heritage. How can we erect high-rise buildings and, at the same time, destroy our villages? It should be one or the other. If we are going high, then urban sprawl should not be allowed. I would also like to know if these builders have the necessary permits. Читать дальше...

Unifaun Theatre is staging William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged). “Created by the acclaimed Reduced Shakespeare Company, the story goes that this manuscript – of Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play – was uncovered in a parking lot just over a year-and-a-half ago,” says director Chris Gatt. The play has already toured internationally to rave reviews. As for the story itself, most of it revolves around a bitter feud between The Tempest’s Ariel and a Midsummer Night’s Dream’s Puck. The play stars Nathan Brimmer... Читать дальше...

I am a regular visitor to Gozo and, on Sunday, while at Dwejra looking at the sunset I came across this marvellous little conceit – only about 45 centimetres high. I got rather lucky with the photo, the people appearing in the background adding to the optical illusion effect of scale etc.

The fourth edition of the Malta Tattoo Expo is under way. Founded by Damian Allison, the first edition of this event in November 2014 brought together the local tattoo community for the very first time. It started with 30 local artists and 1,500 visitors over three days. Since then, the Malta Tattoo Expo went from strength to strength. The expo hosted 60 artists in its second edition and 90 artists from over 15 different countries last year. Welcoming tattooists of the calibre of Dave Paulo, Neon Judas... Читать дальше...