Новости за 16.12.2017

Government spending shot up by 12 per cent in October 2017 compared to the previous year, statistics released by the Central Bank of Malta show. According to the Central Bank's December economic update, the consolidated fund balance registered a deficit of €52.5 million, an increase of €10.9 million compared with the deficit registered in October last year. This was due to government expenditure outpacing revenue, the Central Bank said. As a result, the primary deficit widened by €9.1 million to €33.4 million... Читать дальше...

Manchester City eased to a 16th consecutive Premier League win with a 4-1 rout of Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino's side would have hoped to have provide a stern test of City's magnificent form but they were powerless to resist the attacking verve of Pep Guardiola's side. The opening goal was a horror show for Spurs, with Ilkay Gundogan left unmarked to head in Leroy Sane's corner.  Kevin De Bruyne drilled in a powerful second in the 70th minute and City could afford for Gabriel Jesus to miss a penalty before Raheem Sterling netted a brace. Читать дальше...

Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a free kick which went through the defensive wall to break Gremio's brave resistance and give Real Madrid a 1-0 in the Club World Cup final on Saturday. Ronaldo's 53rd-minute strike gave Real their third world title in the last four seasons and ended the South American champions' hopes of pulling off what would have been a huge upset. The European champions, enjoying the backing of most neutrals at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, dominated the final as expected but Gremio's... Читать дальше...

Udinese called time on Inter's unbeaten start to the Serie A season and left them vulnerable to surrendering top spot after winning 3-1 at San Siro. The Nerazzurri - boasting 12 wins and four draws from their opening 16 games - were a point clear of Napoli and another beyond reigning champions Juventus heading into Saturday's clash. But Inter failed to heed the lesson they should have learned in midweek when third-tier Pordenone almost pulled off a shock Coppa Italia result in Milan - the minnows only fell after penalties. Читать дальше...

Social enterprises have been left waiting for Parliament to discuss a White Paper for over two years, after the Economy Ministry closed a public consultation in April 2015. The Social Enterprises White Paper, launched that same year, has been languishing on the shelf and has not been discussed in Parliament, prompting outrage from the NGO Kopin (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali). Social Enterprises are organisations that work in favour of humanitarian or environmental causes. They are often not given their deserved importance, Kopin explained. Читать дальше...

France's National Front leader Marine Le Pen has described the European Union as "a disastrous organisation" that is "killing Europe" as she met with other heads of far-right parties from different countries. Le Pen addressed the other leaders at a conference in Prague, held on Saturday to discuss ideas for Europe's future. Geert Wilders, founder of the Dutch anti-Islam Party for Freedom, said Europe should follow the example of US president Donald Trump and impose travel bans to restrict immigration. Читать дальше...

Rumours of the looming death of newspapers have been greatly exaggerated, according to a researcher. Marc Edge was referring to Mark Twain’s famous response to an American newspaper that had mistakenly printed his obituary. When Mr Twain heard about the obituary from a reporter, he promptly quipped: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Reports of the impeding end of print media were similarly false, Prof. Edge insisted. His research into newspapers and their financial success challenges... Читать дальше...

Ħamrun Spartans fended off Tarxien Rainbows' late rally to register a precious win. The Spartans looked to be well in command when they surged into a two-goal lead inside the opening hour. But Ricardo Faria's late penalty for Tarxien set up a tense finale with the Spartans just doing enough to bag the three points.  Ħamrun made all the early running and they deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes. Thiago Espindola's delivery from a free-kick was met by Tiago and the Brazilian headed the ball into the net. Читать дальше...

MOSTA         0                      VALLETTA 1 Denni 5 After last week’s defeat to Gżira United, Valletta bounced back to winning ways as they overcame a resilient Mosta side courtesy of an early Denni’s goal to lift them just one point behind leaders Balzan. Valletta went all guns blazing from the start, seeking an early lead which would enable them to dictate the game. Three minutes into the game, Raed Salah failed to connect on an inviting cross of Joseph Zerafa but moments later, the Citizens broke the deadlock. Читать дальше...

Paris' Eiffel Tower has been transformed into a winter wonderland, all decked out for the holidays with Christmas trees and giant penguins. The first floor terrace of the 324-metre-high monument opened its doors to tourists on Friday for the holiday season. Visitors are welcomed by a family of shiny penguin sculptures and a replica of the Eiffel Tower with silver mirrors, surrounded by a "forest" with sparkling pine trees and ice floes. One of France's most visited monuments, the Eiffel Tower gets about seven million visitors a year. Читать дальше...

SENGLEA ATHLETIC      3                      T. Vella 8; 75 P. Sammut 48 SLIEMA WANDERERS    0 Senglea Athletic secured their second straight win after dismantling Sliema Wanderers 3-0 at the Hibs Stadium. It was Senglea who took the lead when on eight minutes, skipper Terrence Vella let fly a cross-shot towards the box which no one managed to capitalise on and ended up into the lower corner of the net for 1-0. Paolo Favaretto’s clan upset Sliema with a second goal when four minutes into the second half... Читать дальше...

BALZAN          0 NAXXAR         0 Premier League leaders Balzan dropped precious points as they could only manage a goalless draw against Naxxar Lions. Balzan could not find a way through the Lions defence, the closest they came was from a first-half drive from Bojan Kaljevic which produced a smart save from Christoph Nicht. Balzan made all the early running and should have taken the lead on the first quarter of the hour mark, when  Kaljevic threaded a pass into the path of Alfred Effiong who side-footed wide of the far post. Читать дальше...

A committee has been set up to launch the process of that would lead to a public consultation process on the migration to cleaner transport. The committee was set up by Environment Minister José Herrera. Following wide consultation, the country would be able to identify the year by when internal combustion engine vehicles would be prohibited, he said. He added that this step required several infrastructural, environmental and legal challenges. The committee would be led by Environment and Resources Authority official Anthony Aquilina... Читать дальше...

Coastguards have rescued a boatload of at least 270 migrants, including women and children, off Libya's eastern coast. The Arab and African migrants were taken to a navy base in the capital, Tripoli, said a Libyan naval official. Sudanese migrant Omar Yusef said: "We were lost and didn't know where to direct our boat." "We called the coastguard and a helicopter came and guided us." Libya has become a frequently used but perilous route to Europe for people fleeing poverty and civil war in the region... Читать дальше...

Mass was held on Saturday at the chapel in Bidnija, just up the road from where the bomb that killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia went off. The Mass, two months to the day of the murder, was organised by #occupyjustice activists. It was open to the public and attended by members of Ms Caruana Galizia’s family. Read: A month since Daphne's murder: Banners with her last words in Malta's streets Mass, #occupyjustice led the congregation to the location where the explosion took place. They placed... Читать дальше...

The provider of the new fast-ferry service to Gozo will have to take over the traditional channel crossing too, unless Gozo Channel manages to find a partner to provide the fast-ferry service itself – but time is running out, with just one month to go to the closing date, the Times of Malta has learnt. Gozo Channel issued an invitation to find a partner last May but has not yet reached an agreement, sources said. The partner would need to reach an agreement with the Gozo Channel Group in enough time for a bid to be submitted by January 31. Читать дальше...

Udinese called time on Inter's unbeaten start to the Serie A season and left them vulnerable to surrendering top spot after winning 3-1 at San Siro. The Nerazzurri - boasting 12 wins and four draws from their opening 16 games - were a point clear of Napoli and another beyond reigning champions Juventus heading into Saturday's clash. But Inter failed to heed the lesson they should have learned in midweek when third-tier Pordenone almost pulled off a shock Coppa Italia result in Milan - the minnows only fell after penalties. Читать дальше...

Updated at 6.55pm: Adds PN statement The Nationalist Party shall on Monday be moving an amendment to a motion to halt the extension of hunting and trapping hours at Majjistral Park. The motion was moved by Partit Demokratiku’s Godfrey Farrugia. In its amendment, the PN is calling for a wide consultation with all interested parties to be embarked upon. This, it says, should lead to a solution being found with the involvement of all parties concerned. The party invited the government to agree with... Читать дальше...

Birdlife has urged MPs to prove that they had the courage to put their national interest first and foremost on Monday during a debate on the extension of hunting and trapping hours. The debate against the extension will be on a motion moved by Partit Demokratiku’s Godfrey Farrugia. In a statement, Birdlife said that extending hunting and trapping hours at such a site went against the very concept of a national park where many went to enjoy the beauty of nature. It said it expected all political... Читать дальше...

Slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been awarded an honorary Deutscher Reporterpreis for Investigative Journalism by Reporter-Forum in Berlin. The presentation took place at an awards ceremony this week attended by over 300 reporters and editors from German newspapers including Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and Suddeutsche Zeitung. In his laudatory speech for Ms Caruana Galizia, undercover reporter Günter Wallraff said: “People long for truth and truthfulness. Especially... Читать дальше...

The approved Marsalforn masterplan was launched by the Gozo Ministry on Saturday. The ministry led and finalised the masterplan, approved by the Planning Authority, following the submission of the relative application and a consultation process with all stakeholders. The masterplan covers a 12,850 cubic metre zone including Triq il-Port, Triq il-Forn, Triq San Ġużepp, Triq ir-Rabat and Misraħ Sir Michelangelo Refalo. Its aim is to create a synergy for all operators in the zone to have clear guidelines... Читать дальше...

The St Monica Choir, under the direction of Sr Beniamina Portelli, will keep its yearly appointment with the public today. Carols – some traditional, some less known – will be  performed. The concert will be held at the Mellieħa parish church at 7.30pm today.  Entrance is free.  A retiring collection will take place in aid of Hospice Malta.

A group of 96 recruits became police officers today after successfully concluding a 12-week course. During their course, they received intensive physical and academic training on subjects related to fundamental rights and ethics, laws, regulations and policies, criminal investigations, traffic regulations, cybercrime, economic crime and community policing. Recruit Sarah Apap, who came first in academic training, was awarded best recruit. The ceremony was presided by Home Affairs Minister and Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar.

Tens of thousands of Romanians joined European royals on Saturday to pay their respects to late King Michael as a state funeral got under way in Bucharest. Michael, who ruled Romania twice before being forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947, died in Switzerland this month at the age of 96. Britain's Prince of Wales, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and Spain's former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, were among those at a pre-funeral service at the Royal Palace where Michael's... Читать дальше...

Built in 1947, the mechanical crib at the Institute and orphanage of Jesus of Nazareth in Żejtun is the oldest of its kind in Malta. It depicts the story of the nativity of our Lord including other scenes from the five Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The crib will be open from tomorrow to Thursday, January 4 from 9.30am to 12pm and from 4 to 7pm. During this period, there will also be a bazaar open in the adjacent hall.