LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Official statistics released by Eurostat show that the Maltese Government has not found an end to addressing the issue of the cost of living, as inflation and the burden of prices remained much higher than the average of the countries in the EU. Malta saw a slight dip in its annual inflation rate, settling at 2.7%. Although down from February’s 3.0%, it remains notably higher than the 2.4% registered in the euro area. According to statistics, countries such as Latvia, Italy, Denmark, Finland, and Lithuania, all have a better standard of living situation than Malta. Even Cyprus and Ireland registered cheaper prices on various products.
The governments of Germany and the Czech Republic also managed to control the cost of living while France has a cheaper cost of living rate than Malta. In March, the biggest impact resulted from the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index (+1.02 percentage points), mainly due to higher milk prices. The second and third largest impacts were noted in the index of restaurants and hotels (+0.69 percentage points) and the index of accommodation, water, electricity, gas, and other types of fuels (+0.36 percentage points), mainly due to higher prices in restaurant services and rents.
(ITALPRESS).
– photo credsit: Malta Tourism Office –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta deeply regretted the final vote at the United Nations Security Council that denied “the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations” in place of its current “non-member observer state” status, which it has held since 2012. The session of the Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York City was chaired by Malta. The US vetoed Palestinès chance to join the UN as a full member, despite Malta and 11 more countries on the Security Council voting in favour of Palestinès admission. Britain and Switzerland abstained. Security Council chair and Maltàs Permanent Representative to the UN, Vanessa Frazier, said UN membership was a necessary step for the Palestinians to achieve equal footing with the rest of the international community. She said: “The unprecedented turmoil is pushing the Palestinian people to a precipice. We deeply regret that following today’s veto, this legitimate aspiration has not been realised, but we must not lose sight of its legitimate validity. The two-state solution remains the only realistic solution for stability and peace in the Middle East”.
After the vote, the US said its position is unchanged: that the UN is not the venue for recognition of a Palestinian state, which must be the result of a peace deal with Israel.
(ITALPRESS).
– Foto: Ipa Agency –

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “On the issue of migration management, I want once again to thank the Tunisian authorities and President Saied for the work that we try to carry out together against human traffickers. We know that Tunisia cannot become the country of arrival for migrants. Cooperation must be strengthened on this, we want to involve international organizations, work on repatriations but above all on regular flows”. This was declared by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following a bilateral meeting with the President of Tunisia, Kais Saied.
“I believe that much more can be done by Italy on the front of legal migration, but it is essential that we work together to continue to fight the slavers of the third millennium, the mafia organizations that think they can exploit the legitimate aspirations of those who would like a better life to make easy money. It is a job that President Saied and I share and carry forward together, but it is a job that requires development, investments and all the work that Italy carries out having promoted itself at a European level”, concluded Meloni.

– Photo Italian Government –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Belgium considers the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 as “a serious and credible effort on the part of the Kingdom and as a good basis for a solution accepted by the parties”. This is what emerged in the joint declaration adopted during the third meeting of the Morocco-Belgium Joint Partnership High Commission, co-chaired by the Moroccan Head of Government and the Belgian Prime Minister, as reported by the MAP (Agence Marocaine de Presse).
According to the official statement, De Croo reaffirmed “Belgium’s long-standing support for the United Nations-led process for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties and reaffirm the support for UN Security Council Resolution 2703 (2023), which emphasizes on the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic and lasting agreement and a political solution based on compromise.” .
Belgium thus joins the 16 countries of the European Union that recognize the autonomy initiative, including Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, while the Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara has been recognized by many countries including the United States and all Arab countries, except Algeria.
More than thirty African and Latin American countries have opened consular representations in the cities of Layoun and Dakhla in the Sahara territory.

– Photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS) – Milan Bergamo Airport is delighted to celebrate a record number of flights and capacity to North Africa, underscoring its commitment towards emerging markets, as well as fostering and expanding its reach beyond Europe to regions further afield. Nile Air will become the latest carrier to enhance connectivity, initiating three weekly flights between Milan Bergamo and Cairo starting 28 June. Utilising a modern fleet of 164-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, Nile Air will offer passengers a comfortable and reliable travel experience. Flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, providing travellers with increased flexibility when planning their itineraries. This service not only facilitates nonstop travel to Egypt’s historic capital but also offers convenient onward connections to several destinations in the Gulf. North Africa holds immense importance for Milan Bergamo Airport, serving as a thriving market for tourism, family visits, and burgeoning business opportunities. This year, a record number of seven airlines are operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, offering over 660,000 seats to travellers. This figure represents a notable 48% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and is up almost 10% year-over-year, showcasing the robust growth trajectory of the airport’s North African routes. Morocco and Egypt emerge as focal points in Milan Bergamo’s North Africa coverage, with flights catering to diverse travel needs and preferences. While the airport has been facilitating flights to North Africa for decades, the notable growth began in 2008 when Ryanair introduced services to Fez in Morocco. Subsequently, the entry of Air Arabia Maroc with its Casablanca service in 2009 further bolstered connectivity. Served by Air Arabia, Air Arabia Maroc and Air Arabia Egypt, Milan Bergamo is the only airport in Europe to claim all three airlines of the group on its carrier rollcall. This summer, the group has notable coverage of the North Africa region with flights from Milan Bergamo Airport to Alexandria, Cairo, and Casablanca. Air Arabia Egypt will continue to offer the largest number of flights and capacity to Cairo throughout the 2024 summer season. Complementing Nile Air, Ryanair and the Air Arabia group in serving North Africa from Milan Bergamo Airport are AlbaStar, TUI, Neos and Malta Med Air, which provide leisure flights in cooperation with tour operators. Moreover, Ryanair further reinforces its commitment to North Africa by introducing a new two weekly service to Beni Mellal in north-central Morocco, commencing on 1 June. Milan Bergamo Airport offers passengers ten unique destinations across North Africa, including six in Morocco and four in Egypt. Travellers can opt for a nonstop service from Milan Bergamo to Agadir, Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier in Morocco, as well as Alexandria, Cairo, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Giacomo Cattaneo, Director of Commercial Aviation, SACBO, said: “The growing connectivity between Milan Bergamo Airport and North Africa is a testament to the strategic importance of this region for our airport. We recognise the immense potential that North Africa holds in terms of tourism, business, and cultural exchanges. The record number of airlines operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, along with the substantial increase in seat capacity, highlights our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of travellers. We are confident that our partnership with airlines, coupled with the attractiveness of North African destinations, will fuel further expansion in the coming years”. As Milan Bergamo Airport continues to strengthen its foothold in North Africa, travellers can look forward to enhanced connectivity and diverse travel options that fit all types of passengers and budgets. Milan Bergamo Airport will continue to play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel between Italy and North Africa, unlocking new opportunities for passengers, and contributing to the region’s economic development.

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese nationals are among various suspects from Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Jordan, the United States and Venezuela involved in an international Ponzi scheme, which allegedly made money by selling medical cannabis. The scheme defrauded €645 million between early 2020 to July 2022, and had a total of 550,000 participants globally, although only 186,000 transferred money in the scheme. Most of the participants were European.
The medical cannabis platform used was called Juicyfields where investors could invest a minimum of €50 to be linked with producers of medical cannabis. The cannabis would then be sold to authorised sellers. The company pledged returns of 100% or more, but did not reveal how they would accomplish this or be able to guarantee it. It was advertised as connecting investors to producers of medical cannabis.
In July 2022, the company shut down without any explanation. The company’s social media accounts shut down and investors where unable to login and withdraw funds from the platform. When investors tried to contact the company by email, they were alerted that the email address no longer existed.
A number of court cases were filed against the company, and, eventually investigations by various national as well as European authorities. In Germany, France and Spain alone, over 4 500 victims lodged formal complaints with the relevant authorities.
The Malta Police Force, among other authorities including Europol, Eurojust and national authorities from various countries, participated in the investigations.
A Russian national, suspected to have been one of the main organisers of the scheme, was traced to a residence in the Dominican Republic. Officials from the authorities of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the Spanish investigation, search his property to gather evidence.
The investigation led to the freezing or seizure of €4,700,000 in bank accounts, €1,515,000 in cryptocurrencies, €106,000 in cash and €2,600,000 in real estate assets. Several luxury vehicles, works of art, cash and various luxury items, electronic devices and documents were also seized as part of the investigation.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today had a telephone conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
In this regard, the deputy prime minister declared: “I appealed to my Iranian colleague for moderation. We cannot risk an escalation in an extremely volatile phase like the current one. All regional actors must demonstrate responsibility. Italy remains on the front line, also as G7 Presidency, to avoid an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, to decrease the tension and to facilitate dialogue. What we are experiencing is a decisive moment to return to a dynamic peace in the region.”
Tajani also invited his colleague to exercise a moderating influence towards Iran’s allies in the region, thus contributing to the start of a process that can guarantee renewed security and stability in the area.
“Today’s phone call is part of the Government’s broader efforts aimed at avoiding a regionalization of the ongoing conflict. In this sense, the commitment of the Italian troops in Lebanon continues as part of the UNIFIL mission, as well as that made in the Aspides mission to defend the freedom of traffic of Italian ships and of all Italian merchant traffic”, said the statement issued from the Farnesina.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) (ITALPRESS) – A Maltese court has ordered the police in Malta to start extradition proceedings to bring an Italian citizen, G.R., 31, to face drug trafficking charges. Russo, a cafè owner, is from Naples and he was residing in St Paul’s Bay.
G.R. failed to appear for a court session, and this led the Magistrate to order the police to do “anything allowed by law”.
G.R. who is believed is in Italy, was arrested in December 2021 after being found in possession of cocaine and cannabis. He was stopped while driving in Naxxar, and cocaine, cannabis, cash and two mobile phones were found in a bag during police search. The police conducted another search at his house and two garages in Msida, and found some 1.5 kilos of cocaine and 15 kilos of cannabis worth over €450,000. Further €250,000 in cash was also found. The accused pleaded not guilty to trafficking and aggravated possession of cocaine and cannabis as well as other charges including money laundering. He was granted bail in February of 2022 following his third attempt.

– Foto: Polizia Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – While the European Parliament has voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental rights with 336 votes in favour, 163 against and 39 abstentions, the text of the adopted resolution calls on Malta and Poland to repeal their laws and other measures that ban and restrict it. Changing the EU Charter of Fundamental rights to include abortion would require unanimous agreement from all member states. In the run-up to Malta’s accession to the European Union, the then Nationqlist government had negotiated robust safeguards to ensure that such matters would not be forced on the Maltese people against their will, in particular through Protocol 7 to the Accession Treaty. Two Labour MEPs voted against the whole text, as did the Nationalist MEP. Meanwhile, another PL MEP abstained. Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has not participate in votes since becoming EP president. On the specific clause concerning abortion in Malta and Poland, all the Labour MEPs present voted against, as did the Nationalist MEP. Abortion in Malta is still a hotly debated subject. Last year, government tried to pass a bill which would introduce two very limited exceptions to the Criminal Code by which doctors would be allowed to terminate a pregnancy if a woman’s life or health are in danger. Opposition from the Nationalist Party and various NGOs led the government to introduce an amended bill allowing abortion only if the woman’s life is at risk. Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for politicians to take a step back in discusisons on abortion, following President Myriam Spiteri Debono’s statement where she described a referendum as the fairest way forward on the subject. “I believe that the country cannot keep sweeping this discussion under the rug,” said Abela, while urging for a discussion to move forward, “in a structured manner.”

Foto: agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya confirmed that a total of 567 migrants were intercepted and forcibly returned to Libyan shores in the span from March 31 to April 6, 2024. Two days ago, 83 migrants were abducted from Maltàs search and rescue zone. The international NGO Alarm Phone was alerted that a boat was adrift in Maltàs SAR region. Instead of being rescued to safety they were forcibly intercepted by the Libyan coastguard. This situation contributes to the increasing number of migrants who face the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe, only to be turned back to Libya, the very starting point of their desperate voyage. The IOM’s report highlights the continuous and complex crisis in the region, emphasizing the dangerous conditions migrants endure during their sea journeys, as well as the precarious circumstances they encounter once returned to Libya.
The situation has drawn widespread international concern, with human rights organizations and the international community calling for immediate actions to ensure the safety and rights of migrants. The IOM and other humanitarian organizations argue that returning migrants to Libya exposes them to further risks, including human rights abuses, arbitrary detention, and lack of access to basic services and protection. The IOM is monitoring the situation closely, advocating for policy changes and increased support to manage the migration crisis more humanely and effectively. As efforts to find lasting solutions continue, the plight of migrants in Libya remains a poignant testament to the broader challenges facing global migration today.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews