ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Angola is the protagonist of peace and stability in the African continent.” This was stated by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, in the presence of the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to Rome. “Knowing how much he is a protagonist of some peace initiatives, I asked President Lourenço for his analysis” regarding “the tensions in the Great Lakes region and in Sudan” and “it was of great interest to me to listen to his opinion.”
“We also talked about the need for growing collaboration between Angola and the European Union, examining the various steps and Italy’s commitment to push within the Union to increase this collaboration with Angola,” Mattarella underlined.
“We talked about all the wars in the world and the one caused by Russia in Ukraine, registering a common will of Angola and Italy for peace, international collaboration, respect for all states, their independence and sovereignty and growing collaboration with sign of multilateralism”, continued the head of state.
“We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our support for Romès bid for
Expo2030. Italy can count on the support of Angola”, said the president of Angola, Joào Lourencoll.
He then reiterated “the condemnation of the invasion and annexation of part of Ukrainian territory” by Russia, whose aggression has caused “the biggest energy and food crisis ever seen. Italy and Angola hope that the conflict will end and that a ceasefire can be reached as soon as possible, achieving a lasting peace not only for Ukraine and for Europe, but for the whole world”.

– photo press office Quirinale –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Three boats carrying over 1,000 migrants are in distress in the Central Mediterranean region. This was announced by the international NGO Alarm Phone on twitter asking the relevant authorities to take action immediately to save the migrants. Alarm Phone said that it was alerted by a large boat in distress. The people reported that they fled from Libya several days ago and that their engine has stopped. Alarm Phone informed the authorities and urged them to take action as rescue efforts are needed urgently and without delay”. “The people reported that a lot of water entered the lower deck of the drifting boat, forcing them to move to the upper one. So far, no rescue is in sight, and authorities are silent about any efforts to rescue this boat in acute danger,” said Alarm Phone, adding “the people are asking for immediate rescue. The NGO confirmed this morning that the 500 people survived one more night at sea, however, the situation is still the same with the engine is still not working and the migrants are still adrift. “They continue to urgently call for help,” said Alarm Phone, while asking “how long do they have to wait for rescue?” Alarm Phone urged the authorities to not further delay rescue efforts. Meanwhile, during last night, at about 1am, Alarm Phone was alerted that a second large boat is in distress with about 500 people. They fled from eastern Libya, and are in the shared SAR zone of Malta and Italy. It was confirmed that the authorities were alerted and were asked to take action without delay. One hour before, shortly after last midnight, Alarm Phone was alerted that another boat carrying 27 people was struggling in bad weather conditions in international waters. The authorities were urged to send a rescue mission as soon as they were informed.

foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is seriously considering to start exporting tuna to China and change its exportation policy which at the moment depends on Japan. This was confirmed in Parliament by the fishing minister Anton Refalo. He declared that almost all tuna reared in Maltese fish farms is exported to Japan. He added that Malta needs to explore new countries where to export its tuna product. “Currently, 95% of Maltàs tuna goes to Japan, Refalo said,” describing the situation as problematic for this industry. While adding that in most occasions Japan re-exports Maltese aquaculture products to China for much higher prices,” Refalo declared that it should be Malta that exports its tuna to China. He also said that Malta should rear more fish species in its fish farms to further diversify the industry, adding that fish feed should also be organic for the industry to be more sustainable. Seven aquaculture operators in seven locations are operating in Malta. A total 16,410 tonnes of fish worth €210 million were sold by Maltese fish farms in 2021, according to the National Statistics Office.

Foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne was elected as President of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Chris Fearne received an unanimous vote from the 194 Member States of the World Health Organisation (WHO) after he was nominated for this position for the European Region. Deputy Prime Minister Fearne is the first Maltese to hold this prestigious position. His official duty is to chair this annual Assembly, which is considered a major event for WHO leadership, where Member States determine the priorities and policies of the Organisation for the coming year.
Chris Fearne emphasized that during his term, he will focus on the need for new medicines to be accessible to all people worldwide at the same time. “We are seeing smaller countries at a disadvantage when it comes to the introduction of these innovative medicines in the local market. Therefore, Malta will be at the forefront to make an impact on the health of people worldwide,” said Fearne. He described that this year as important for the World Health Organisation as it marks its 75th anniversary since its establishment. “With political, economic, social, and environmental situations worsening around the world, health services and the health of people worldwide are being affected more. Therefore, the World Health Organisation needs to be more vocal and present,” stated Chris Fearne.
Chris Fearne already held talks with the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the Deputy Minister of the National Health Commission of China, Dr. Cao Xuetao.
He will serve as the President of the World Health Assembly for a one-year term while continuing his work as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health in Malta.
(ITALPRESS).
– photo credit Who-

Source: medNews

BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission has today made a fourth payment of 1.5 billion euros under the Macro-financial Assistance (MFA)+ package for Ukraine, worth up to €18 billion. With this instrument, the EU seeks to help Ukraine cover its immediate funding needs, with stable, predictable and sizeable financial support in 2023.
This support will help Ukraine to keep on paying wages and pensions and maintain essential public services running, such as hospitals, schools, and housing for relocated people. It will also allow Ukraine to ensure macroeconomic stability and restore critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia in its war of aggression, such as energy infrastructure, water systems, transport networks, roads and bridges.
Today’s payment comes after the Commission on the 23 April had found that Ukraine continued to make satisfactory progress towards implementing the agreed policy conditions and complied with reporting requirements, which aim to ensure the transparent and efficient use of the funds. Ukraine has notably achieved important progress to strengthen the rule of law, enhance financial stability, improve the functioning of the gas system and promote a better business climate. This finding will also enable the disbursement of a further monthly payment of €1.5 billion in June.
Overall, since the start of the war, the support to Ukraine and Ukrainians amounts to around 70 billion euros. This includes financial, humanitarian, emergency budget and military support to Ukraine from the EU, Member States and the European financial institutions, as well as resources made available to help Member States cater for needs of Ukrainians fleeing the war.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Ukraine is fighting back bravely against Russiàs war of aggression. Europe continues to stand by this country. Since the start of this year, we have paid €7.5 billion in macro-financial assistance. This funding is contributing significantly to covering Ukrainès immediate financial needs. And more will come”.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities are searching for an Italian national accused with drug trafficking and is thought to have escaped from Malta.
V.P. 37, has failed to appear before a Maltese court last Friday, leaving the Maltese authorties to seek Europol’s help to find the Italian man who is also accused with the involvement in a criminal organisation.
V.P. was arrested together with A.S., 38, by Maltàs police force following information received in November 2020, that a fishing vessel named ‘Lucy B’ would be importing drugs.
On the 25th of November two persons were observed on a boat which entered the Marsascala harbour. Upon searching the boat, the police found 44kg of cannabis. Potenza turned out to be captaining the vessel which had departed from Sicily.
V.P. was arraigned on the 27th November, and was later released on bail.
The accused, both resident in Malta, were apprehended by the Police authorities in a combined operation between the Anti-Drug Squad and the Rapid Intervention Unit, when the Police surrounded the vessel in Marsascala.
The Police also arrested another Italian national, a 54-year-old, who had been waiting for them on the jetty.
The cannabis was discovered in several plastic bags which were in six cloth sacks concealed in various parts of the launch. The market value of the drug is about 750,000 euro. Searches also carried out at the Italians’ residence yielded a small amount of the cannabis plant and a white substance, allegedly cocaine.

– foto: polizia maltese

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Passengers travelling from Malta to Catania had their flights cancelled for today and tomorrow as Europès most active volcano, Mount Etna, has shut down Cataniàs airport after a fresh eruption on Sunday.
The flights have been suspended until it is safe to resume after the airport’s runway was covered in volcanic ash.
Air Malta flights to and from Catania have been cancelled and, in a statement, Air Malta said it had to cancel the flights which were schediled on Sunday and Monday due airport closure.
Passengers are asked to either rebook to travel on an alternative flight or to receive a full ticket refund Air Malta said it regretted any inconvenience caused which is completely beyond the airlinès control.
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, observed that cloud cover on a rainy Sunday was impeding views of the eruption. The institute said that the ash also fell on at least one town on Mount Etnàs inhabited slopes. Explosions could reportedly be heard in Adrano and Biancavilla to the southwest.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Italy continues to be the most popular destination for the Maltese. According to the National Statistics Office, 35.4 percent of those travelling abroad choose Italy as their preferred destination.
During the first three months of this year, over 56,000 Maltese visited Italy, an increase of over 23,500 when compared to the same period of last year. Malta and Italy are only 273 km apart, and for Maltese tourists, Italy offers a diverse range of experiences, and the accessibility and short travel distance contribute to the popularity of this destination.
The Maltese tourist is spending more during holidays abroad. According to official statistics there was an increase of 6% during the first three months of this year when compared to period from January to March of 2022. The average spending per holiday was €832 this year, compared to €782 last year. The total expenditure of Maltese tourists who travelled to places outside Malta surpassed €131.6 million.
According to the National Statistics Office, there was an increase of 79 percent in Maltese tourists travelling abroad during the first quarter of this year; more than 158,000 between January and March this year when compared to just over 88,000 people travelled in the first quarter of last year.
Half of all those travelling were aged between 25 and 44, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Unfortunately, there are some in the world and here, among you, who turn a blind eye towards prisoners of war and illegal annexations”. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who was speaking at the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“I had a meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Said, announced Zelensky
on Telegram, adding “I thanked him for the invitation to join the Arab League summit as a guest of honor”. Zelensky said that during the meeting, bilateral relations and global issues were discussed in detail. “I informed him about the situation of security in our country and the fight against the Russian aggression. I also talked about the main elements of the Ukrainian peace plan. I noted the successful participation of Saudi Arabia to return 10 foreign prisoners of war from Russian captivity. We are interested in continuing the united efforts to liberate the people”.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (ITALPRESS/MNA) – 48 migrants were rescued by a container ship off the coast of Libya and will be brought to Pozzallo. This was confirmed by the international NGO Alarm Phone.
The NGO announced that it was relieved that the container ship ‘Cape Franklin’ rescued the boat in distress. The MRCC in Rome coordinated the rescue operation.
Alarm Phone said that during the night, the NGO established direct contact with the group of migrants. “Moments ago, they called us in panic, reporting high waves and saying that their boat was about to sink!” Alarm Phone released an immediate appeal to the authorities “don’t let them drown!” and to rescue the migrants to safety without delay.
A relative informed Alarm Phone about the boat with 48 migrants on board a boat that left from Benghazi and had problems with the engine and that a storm with heavy winds was expected.
– photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews