medNews

Greece, Mitsotakis starts second term as premier

ATHENS (GREECE) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Kyriakos Mitsotakis was sworn in for his second term as Greek Prime Minister, after the electoral victory of his party, New Democracy. “No opposition, absolute domination by Mitsotakis,” read the headline of the centrist newspaper Ta Nea. Hailing the “strong mandate”, Mitsotakis said “major reforms would proceed rapidly,” adding that he had “ambitious” goals for his next four years in power that could “transform” Greece.
His pledges include boosting funding to the country’s public health system – which has been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic – and improving rail safety after 57 people died in a train collision last February which was Greecès worst train disaster.
Congratulations came quickly from world leaders after Mitsotakis’ victory. “I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on shared priorities to promote regional prosperity and security,” said US President Joe Biden. French President Emmanuel Macron has also promised cooperation for “a stronger and more sovereign Europe”. The Italian Premier sent her congratulations too. “I congratulated Mitsotakis on his electoral success. I sent him warm wishes for a good job. Italy and Greece together can achieve important results for the benefit of our peoples, our nations and our continent”, wrote Giorgia Meloni in a tweet, while the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defined the re-election by Mitsotakis “a sign of political stability that is good for all of Europe”.
The 55-year-old former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate had already achieved a resounding victory in the May elections following two consecutive years of strong economic growth but having failed to form a majority of one-party government for only five seats in parliament. He refused to try to form a coalition, effectively forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the polls. The gamble paid off, with his New Democracy party consolidating its victory following the 21 May vote, while its closest rival, the left-wing Syriza party of former premier Alexis Tsipras, lost dozens of thousands of voters compared to just a month ago.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Central Med, 40 migrants confirmed dead, 22 in distress

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – While several boats packed with migrants left the Tunisian shores towards Italy during the last days, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that about 40 people are feared dead after their boat capsized in strong winds. The international NGO Alarm Phone confirmed that lately several boats left from Tunisia and were facing difficulties, but could not be reached. However, around 140 African migrants were rescued successfully by the Tunisian Coast Guard and Naval Units. The migrants were saved off the coast of Sfax in southern Tunisian coast.
Meanwhile, 22 migrants who fled from Libya are also in distress. The group is on a rubber boat south of Lampedusa. According to Alarm Phone who made contact with the migrants, there are two sick pregnant women and are asking for urgent help. Alarm Phone informed both the Italian and Maltese authorities but so far nobody launched a rescue mission. However, it is being reported that the Maltese authorities requested a cargo ship MANTA ZUHAL to rescue those on board and take them to Libya.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS)


Source: medNews

Malta, sicilian held under arrest following drug bust

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 48-year-old man of Catania but living in St Paul’s Bay has been held in custody after pleading not guilty to a charge of possession of about 54 kg of cannabis with a street value of around 880,000 euros.
The accused was also charged with trafficking of cannabis. The drug was found in circumstances indicating it was not for his exclusive use.
Prosecuting Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca explained that in recent weeks the Police had been carrying out inspections in a building in St Paul’s Bay. When the officers went there, they found the accused with his family, and a search resulted in various sizeable packages, allegedly containing cannabis.
The Court upheld a request by the Prosecution for freezing of the accused’s assets and confiscated all financial assets and property belonging to the accused.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, concerns on abortion addressed by new legal amendments

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government will present to the Parliament significant amendments to the controversial bill amending Maltàs criminal provisions on abortion with the intention to address the key concerns of those fearing it could legalize abortion.
Both Health Minister Chris Fearne and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard emphasized the necessity of the bill to amend Maltàs existing criminal provisions on abortion which are “over 150 years old”. The Maltese government felt the need to introduce the amendments after 38-year-old American citizen Andrea Prudente was denied a request for abortion in Malta after suffering the symptoms of a miscarriage.
The new amendments specify that Maltàs criminal provisions on abortion do not apply when a woman’s health is in “grave jeopardy which can lead to death,” a change that legalizes the current situation faced by medical practitioners and alters the scope and wording of the original bill presented in Parliament.
The original wording had been a key concern for pro-life activists and others opposed to the legal provision of abortion, leading a group of academics to propose an amendment that removed references to “grave jeopardy” entirely.
The new amendments have been welcomed by pro-life activists even though Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, initially said that his government will not take up their proposal. However, pro-choice group Doctors For Choice said the bill went “from a law that would have protected women’s health to a law that could cost women their lives”. The Archdiocese of Malta has welcomed the government’s decision describing it as a “positive outcome that promotes right to life.”
In cases where a complication places the health of a woman in “grave jeopardy which may lead to death,” but not in imminent risk of loss of life, the decision whether to terminate a pregnancy would be taken by a team of three medical practitioners that would include two obstetricians or gynecologists – including the obstetrician that would carry out the intervention – and a specialist in the condition which the pregnant woman is suffering from. No timelines are specified in the bill.
The bill clarifies that the termination of a pregnancy is only considered in the case of fetuses that are not “capable of living outside the uterus according to current medical practices;” any that are would have to be delivered before any medical intervention is carried out.
It also specifies that procedures that may lead to the termination of a pregnancy may only be carried out in a licensed hospital.
The new amendments will now be discussed in a parliamentary committee session before it is voted upon in its third and final reading.

foto: DOI
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, world Caravaggio experts request an urgent investigation

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – International renowned Caravaggio experts are requesting an urgent investigation into the impact of the ongoing works on the Italian painter’s work at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.
Art historian and Caravaggio expert Keith Sciberras brought the attention that the tapestry hall under construction will permanently obstruct a window that overlooks Caravaggiòs The Beheading of St John.
However, the cathedral’s representatives countered that the window is kept permanently shuttered, saying that the works will not have an impact on the painting or the viewing experience.
But 28 leading Caravaggio scholars and top art curators signed a letter of protest sent to St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation President Monsignor Emmanuel Agius, expressing their concern over the impact that this will have on the painting. They say that the works will “obliterate the original line of light that Caravaggio took into account” when working on the painting, insisting that “such impact cannot be permitted under any grounds within such a major historic space”. They added that the plans to permanently block the window is “scandalous and outrageous”.
Those who signed the letter include the directors of the National Gallery in London and Romès Galleria Borghese, high-ranking figures at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Frick Collection in New York as well as renowned Caravaggio scholars from several universities in Europe and North America, among others.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage were also informed on the matter.

– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, 72 migrants relocated to other EU countries

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of 72 immigrants left Malta to be relocated to other EU member states where they will continue with the process to obtain international protection. The immigrants of various nationalities entered Malta irregularly, and their relocation was co-financed by the EU under the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF).
The relocation forms part of the Mechanism for Voluntary Solidarity established in June 2022 for a period of one year, which is intended to lessen the burden of irregular immigration on border countries. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that relocation is the most effective way for other European and EU countries to lessen the burden of irregular immigration on border countries, especially in the case of Malta because of its size and geographic position. He explained that through its prevention, return, and relocation strategy, in the first half of 2023, Malta managed to reduce arrivals and managed to return and relocate the same number of immigrants who had arrived since the beginning of the year.
Minister Camilleri added “the Government has continued to work on prevention, including cooperation with Libya, to reduce the possibility of more deaths, which has also led to considerably fewer arrivals by irregular immigrants while returning people who did not require protection”. He said that this work is being reflected in the statistics over the last two years where the number of irregular immigrants returned to their country increased and arrivals decreased substantially.

– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Two groups of migrants at risk in central Mediterranean

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – 50 migrants are in distress and risking dying following their escape from the Libyan coast. This was confirmed by the international NGO Alarm Phone. It said that is in contact with the group of migrants. According to the migrants, the engine stopped working, the boat is adrift and water is entering the boat. Alarm Phone confirmed that the authorities were alerted and urged that a fast rescue is needed to save the migrants to a place of safety.
Meanwhile, another group of 14 migrants who left Libya is in distress in the Central Mediterranean region. Alarm Phone confirmed that it has established contact with the migrants who are on a rubber boat in the Maltese Search and Rescue zone. The Maltese authorities are informed about the situation, however until now, no rescue operation was launched to save the migrants.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta agrees with Libya on joint interconnector

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta agrees with Libya on joint interconnector An agreement between Malta and Libya will secure the connection of an interconnector between both countries. The agreement was signed between Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah at the end of bilateral talks in Tripoli. The agreement focuses on further bilateral cooperation on a renewable energy project, benefiting not only Malta and Libya but also European and the Mediterranean. The Libyan Prime Minister insisted on the need for a combined effort between Malta and Libya for the necessary investment for this project, which will be able to supply renewable energy at a time in which the region is facing an energy crisis due to current circumstances.
The Maltese Prime Minister stated that this opportunity for Malta not to be fully independent of European countries. “I believe in Libya as a place where solar energy can be generated. Then, the energy generated over here is transported to Malta, and apart from meeting Maltàs renewable energy demand, energy will also be transported to other European coasts, with Malta acting as a bridge between the European and the African continents.” Both Prime Ministers discussed the issue of migration, with Libya confirming that it is taking measures to stop migrants from leaving its shores, and at the same time save the lives of those who face difficulties at sea.
The Maltese Prime Minister added that Malta has maintained the issue of migration at the top of the European agenda, and emphasized that Malta has always been a voice for Libya during meetings between European leaders for concrete actions to be taken, in particular with measures that prevent immigrants from leaving the Sahel countries in Africa. “We cannot leave or expect Libya to solve this problem alone, the same way that the problem cannot be faced by Malta or Italy alone. I believe in the need for a European presence and the presence of other countries on the coasts of Libya, Tunisia, and other countries,” stated Robert Abela, adding “this needs to be a coordinated effort which requires funds, not just European funds, but also those of other countries, which are being impacted by this phenomenon.” Both leaders discussed other bilateral issues, including economic opportunities, more flights between the two countries, as well as the importance of political stability, with a Libyan government elected by the people and for the people.

– photo Doi –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta hosts one of the largest conferences in the igaming sector

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta hosts one of the largest conferences in the iGaming sector Malta is hosting one of the largest international conferences in the iGaming sector. The conference has drawn 4,000 delegates, 200 speakers, and a sizable number of participants from 70 countries. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the conference and observed that the administration of iGaming NEXT, which is also established in Malta, has continued to strengthen its position as a main platform in this sector. Robert Abela who was accompanied by the company’s founder, Martin Petterson, met a number of company representatives from the iGaming sector and was briefed on opportunities and careers currently being created through such conferences. The Office of the Prime Minister stated that events such as iGaming NEXT celebrate the spirit of Maltàs economic vision, and are testimony to the positive reputation enjoyed by Malta in this sector. In the past 3 years, workers in this sector increased by 34%, from 11,747 in 2019 to 15,774 by the end of 2022. The iGaming sector also contributes to other economic sectors, including those in professional services. This led to an increase of 5.8% in the added gross value from this sector, while the country also saw an increase of 50 companies operating actively from Malta during the past three years. The iGaming NEXT conference continued to strengthen Maltàs position in the gaming sector and registered strong economic results in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

– photo Doi –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Putin “We will soon deploy new nuclear missiles”

MOSCA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “About half of the units of the Strategic Missile Force are now equipped with the latest Yars systems. Rearming with modern missile systems carrying Avangard hypersonic warheads is underway”. This was stated by Vladimir Putin in a meeting with graduates of military academies, according to local press reports.
Putin stressed that the strengthening and development of the army and reliable security of the country has always been and remains an unconditional priority. “In light of the new challenges, we will continue to improve the military in every way we can,” he declared.
-foto agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

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