LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has agreed to renew a sponsorship deal with the English Premier League Manchester United to promote the country as a tourist destination for the coming five years. The Maltese have been long time supporters of Manchester United. The Tourism Ministry said that through this partnership agreement, the VisitMalta brand will benefit from strong exposure during home matches and digital marketing channels, social media and on printed media worldwide.”
Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo, the ministry’s permanent secretary Anthony Gatt and the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority Carlo Micallef did not divulge how much will this promotion will cost. The first agreement was signed in September 2009 for a period of three years just six months before the Covid-19 pandemic forced all airports to close down. Minister Bartolo said that the deal would boost Maltàs image in America, Asia and the Middle East. “I am optimistic that this partnership agreement will cement Maltàs prospects in establishing itself as a central hub for sports tourism excellence in the years to come.”

foto: Autorità del turismo maltese

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese man who is wanted by the Italian authorities over drug trafficking accusations was released on bail by a Maltese court following the start of new proceedings for his extradition.
The bail was granted under various conditions including the deposit of 20,000 euros, a personal guarantee of 30,000 euros and an order to sign a bail book every day at the police station in Zurrieq.
The new legal process started following a decision by the Court of Magistrates, rejecting a request for extradition by the Italian authorities because of lack of documentation.
J.S., 56 was arrested in June from his private residence in Qrendi and arraigned following the issue of a European Arrest Warrent. After being informed by the court that the Tribunal of Catania was seeking to prosecute him for drug trafficking and conspiracy, chose not to surrender voluntarily to the Italian Authorities.
The extradition request by the Italian authorities is in connection with a large-scale Ndrangheta drug trafficking operation of about 430kg of cociane and cannabis from Albania and the Italian regions of Puglia and Calabria, that were to be trafficked in Sicily and Malta.
Eventually, the drugs were confiscated last year by the Italian Guardia di Finanza during raids which largely were targeting inidviduals from prominent mafia families following four years of investigation. 15 Italian nationals were arrested by the Italian authorities as part of an ant-drug operation nicknamed ‘Operation La Vallettà.
Lawyers defending J.S. claimed that the evidence presented by the prosecution was not enough for J.S. extradition to Italy. They also declared that Spiteri suffered injustice when he was kept in prison for 60 days. According to the defence, the European Arrest Warrant did not satisfy the requirements established by the European law, there was no proof that a domestic arrest warrant was issued in Italy and the extradition document issued by the Attorney General did not satisfy the legal requirments. The defending lawyers also requested the court to hear the testimony of lawyer Gianluca Giulini, the legal representative of J.S. in Italy. They argued that Giulini has information that would explain more Spiterìs role in this case.
The case was adjourned for August 24 when the judgement is expected to be delivered by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech.

– foto: ufficio stampa Guardia di Finanza

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The police in Malta concluded its investigations following the arrest of a Bulgarian national, 28, who was found in possession of around 38kg of various drugs with an estimated value of 1.5 million euros. The Bulgarian was arrested in Malta on his arrival from Sicily. Although he pleaded not guilty, a Maltese court decided against the Bulgarian and ordered to be detained in prison.
A student with no fixed address in Malta, was stopped by the police who inspected his van on his arrival from Pozzallo. During the search, sniffer dogs traced the drugs which were placed in different compartments. The compartments were hidden into the sawdust which the Bulgarian declared he was transporting.
The police confirmed that the drugs – 5kg of cocaine, 29kg of cannabis and 4kg of heroin were found in circumstances for trafficking purposes.

– foto: Polizia maltese

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – European Union inspectors, including Maltese inspectors started fishing inspections between an area of 12 and 25 miles, and outside the Maltese territorial water zone to ensure compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. During the inspections, checks are carried out in specific areas such as Sicily, for tuna, swordfish and lampuki among others depending from the fishing season. However, certain inspections can be carried out on all countries such as Tunisia and Libya. The EU inspectors left from Malta on board the ‘Lundy Sentinel’ and are expected to deliver inspections in connection with the fishing of lampuki, now that the month of August has begun. Year after year, Maltese fishermen face problems with Tunisians fishing on Maltese nets. Such inspections help to ensure that the law which applies to fishermen coming from EU countries like Malta, will also applies to other countries outside the EU. The European Fisheries Control Agency has the right to issue the necessary reports and to issue fines in respect of those who do not observe the rules. Vessels or boats that are caught breaking the law can be placed on the blacklist if they keep repeating the same violation. The ferry is rented by the European Fisheries Control Agency that carries out inspections on both European and non-European fishing vessels in various seas including the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Film Commission has launched a new attraction throughout the country – dinosaurs from ‘Jurassic World – Dominion’ – a film that was recently shot in Malta and debuted in the cinemas last June. These large dinosaurs will serve as attractions in various local towns where the film was shot, namely in Valletta, Birgu and Mellieha . These dinosaurs will be in the mentioned places until the end of the summer. Around 1,000 Maltese and foreign individuals worked on the film ‘Jurassic World – Dominion’, and in this film Malta is appearing in a number of scenes with the official trailer showing various well-known places. Dinosaurs are seen jumping on the roofs and domes of Maltese churches, running through the streets of Valletta and even in St Georgès Square, infront of the Presidential Palace. This initiative is being considered as an opportunity for Malta to continue to promote itself as an excellent destination in the world of cinema and tourism related to the world of films.
– Photo Department of Information (DOI) –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Armed Forces of Malta has rescued a group of 40 migrants in the Maltese search and rescue area. The group was saved following six days in distress, despite calls for assistance to the Maltese authorities from the NGO Alarm Phone. The migrants will be brought to Malta. According to the European Council for Refugees and Exiles, the number of arrivals in Malta between 2020 and 2021 was low, mostly as a consequence of national policies. “Since May 2020, and throughout 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta drastically decreased rescues at sea. In 2021, the Maltese Government continued to deny disembarkation to individuals rescued at sea, in particular where the rescue was conducted by Ngo vessels”.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese capsule ‘Maleth II’ has found its place in the International Space Station after being fitted on board by Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency. The capsule consists of tissue samples from diabetic persons wounds for bio-medical research in space. Cristoforetti placed the capsule in space with the aim that the Maltese project resumes research on the resistance that viruses may create so that Maltese scientists can plan and provide more personalised and specific medicines to the patients. Professor Joseph Borg from the University of Malta said that different samples from diabetic patients were also included in the rocket with the aim of this mission spreading the research being carried out in Malta and for this to be more beneficial to Maltese students and scientists. This is Maltàs second scientific experiment registered with Nasa in the International Space station. The SpaceX rocket lifted off from the Nasa base at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 15. The SpaceX rocket will start its return voyage from the International Space Centre on August, 18. The project will then resume at the University of Malta by Professor Joseph Borg and the rest of the Maltese researchers team.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The widow of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is contesting the release of 94 million euros from Bank of Valletta to the Libyan state. Safiya Ferkash Mohammed filed an appeal against a decision taken by a Maltese court to release the funds in favour of the Libyan state. The appeal was filed by Maltese lawyer Louis Cassar Pullicino on behalf of the Gaddafi heirs’ lawyer, Charilos Oikonomopoulos and Gaddafìs widow, Safiya Ferkash Mohammed. They are stating that the Maltese courts do not have the jurisdiction and could not decide the case over the funds. The legal dispute started in 2012, a year after the death of former Libyan dictator when it was determined that Mutassim, Gaddafìs fourth son was the owner of Capital Resources Limited, a Maltese registered company with a Bank of Valletta accounts. When in October 2011, Mutassim was captured during the battle of Sirte by anti-Gaddafi forces, and killed along with his father, various credit cards issued by Bank of Valleta were found in his possession. Following various investigations, it was found that Mutassim had failed to declare his full assets as required by the Libyan law, and as an army officer he was barred from taking benefits from business interests. Also, Bank of Valletta was accused by the Libyan state that it failed to carry out the necessary due diligence that should prevented Mutassim from opening a financial account and the Libyan government always argued that the funds under Mutassim’s company were gained illegaly. However, a Maltese court decided in favour of the Libyan state – declaring that nearly 97 million euros held in Bank of Valletta accounts linked to the late son of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi should be passed on to the Libyan state, dismissing the claims of his heirs. In June 2010, Mutassim Gaddafi had opened five accounts with Bank of Valletta, and these accounts were frozen in the wake of the revolution against his father’s regime. Three accounts denominated in euros have a total balance of just over 56,5 million; a Us dollar account with an active balance of 36,8 mln and a Uk pound sterling account with a balance of 3,5 mln. He had also opened a business loan account on August 2010, but this account remained unused and was closed on 28 February 2011, as the Libyan revolution broke out. The other two held a little over 200.000 euros – were opened in the name of Capital Resources Ltd, a company registered on the same day the accounts were opened and ostensibly wholly-owned by Muatasimbllah Muammar Abuminyar – an alias for Mutassim. The Maltese court declared that the millions Mutassim held at Bank of Valletta could in no way be reconciled with his declared annual salary, which amounted to 64,800 Libyan dinars, or 37.500 euros, in 2011. The judge also observed that there was no evidence that Gaddafi had any business interests which would suggest that his wealth was legitimately obtained. The Libyan goverment has been putting pressure on the Maltese government and asked the Maltese authorities to assist in recovering the frozen funds linked to the Gaddafi families, and the issue was always on the agenda during bilateral meetings.
ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese health authorities confirmed that until today, a total of 24 cases of monkey pox have been registered in Malta. The Ministry of Health confirmed that out of the 24 cases, there are 14 that are currently active, with the average age of those infected is 34 years. The first case of monkey pox registered by the Maltese health authories was in May, 28. The infected patient, 38 year old man, was returning to Malta from abroad. The local health authorities are recommending the importance of washing hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after coming into contact with others.
(ITALPRESS).
– credit photo agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two Italian men were accused on Monday afternoon after causing a disturbance on an incoming passenger Ryanair flight to Malta from Parma last night.
Gianpiero Zanzarelli, 29, and Jacobo Paolazzi, 31, were accused with endangering an aircraft. and the passengers onboard. Zanzarelli was also accused with importing cannabis resin for his own use. The court heard that the men caused a commotion, with the pair allegedly play fighting with each other as well as roughing each other up on the flight.
According to the investigators, Zanzarelli and Paolazzi had been sitting to each other and an argument broke out, and one of the men slapped the other. They were asked to calm down but the Italians ignored the cabin crew’s order. The Maltese authorities were subsequently informed. Zanzarelli told the police that the cannabis found in his bag belonged to him and he used it to help him sleep. Both men pleaded guilty, with Paolazzi was fined €200 while Zanzarelli was fined €600.

Foto: agenziafotogramma.it
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews