News

Crosetto in Kuwait “Let’s work together against common threats”

KUWAIT CITY (ITALPRESS) – The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, concluded his visit to Kuwait, during which he met his counterpart, Fahad Al Sabah and visited the Italian contingent.
Talks focused on cooperation between Italy and Kuwait in the fight against Daesh and in promoting regional stability. “Italy and Kuwait are actively engaged in countering the threat of Daesh and promoting regional stability. Today’s meeting intends to give common initiatives even with greater determination and effort. Italy and Kuwait will continue to work together to address common threats, in a period of great instability,” declared Minister Crosetto.
Regarding the crisis in the Middle East and the terrorist attacks by the Houthis on ships transiting the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, Crosetto underlined: “They are an act of physical and hybrid war which affect the economies of some countries, facilitating others, whose ships are not intentionally attacked. To counter these attacks, Italy participates in the European Aspides Mission, recently approved by Parliament, of which it holds the Tactical Command”.
Crosetto added that cooperation in the defense sector is also of great interest. “It is fundamental”, stated Minister Crosetto, “to face emerging challenges and guarantee the safety of our citizens. There are many joint activities and sectors in which the Armed Forces of our countries collaborate: education, training and meetings, useful for sharing the lessons learned from their respective operational experiences. A commitment that confirms the friendship between Italy and Kuwait, essential to increase further the solid and lasting bilateral relations”.
During the visit, Minister Crosetto met the soldiers of the Italian National Contingent Command Air (IT NCC AIR). While addressing them, he stated: “The Nation is grateful to you for what you are doing, for your precious contribution to peace and regional stability. On behalf of the institutions and my staff, I thank you for the professionalism and commitment with which you work, for the spirit of service and for the sacrifices you face every day. Be aware that what you do for international security is useful to Italy and strengthens its role at an international level”.
The contingent is part of Operation Prima Parthica with the aim of ensuring the necessary conditions in order to continue the stability process in Iraq and support the Security Forces in the fight against Daesh.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma-

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

77 migrants to disembark in Crotone, 70 others assigned Reggio Calabria

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The NGO SOS Humanity said that the Italian authorities have assigned the port of Crotone instead of Bari, as the place of safety for the 77 survivors who were rescued over the weekend, after the captain asked the Italian authorities for a closer port for their disembarkation. The 77 migrants were saved following a dangerous maneuver by a patrol boat of the Libyan Coast Guard during which the Libyan officials opened fire while rescuing migrants from three overcrowded boats. The Coast Guard allegedly interrupted the rescue operation and fired live ammunition into the water, causing panic among the migrants. At least one migrant drowned and others were forced back to Libya in violation of international law. Meanwhile, the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 operated by the German NGO Sea-Watch rescued 70 individuals in two operations. “While the Italian authorities assigned Reggio Calabria as a port of safety, 4 meters waves block our northward path, and it’s not safe to proceed,” confirmed the NGO added that it is seeking shelter near Lampedusa as their only option.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma


Source: medNews

Middle East, progress towards truce in Gaza

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Hamas mediators and envoys have made “significant progress” towards a truce in Gaza. This was reported by Egyptian state television as the talks in Cairo enter their second day.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States have pushed for a ceasefire in the nearly five-month war between Israel and Hamas. Israel did not send a negotiating team to Cairo after receiving an unsatisfactory response from Hamas on the latest framework drawn up in Paris last weekend.

The Palestinian organization has refused to respond to Jerusalem’s request to provide a list of living hostages and to set the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel must release for each hostage released, an Israeli official said.

An unnamed Hamas official told the Wall Street Journal that while there is slow progress toward an agreement on a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal, it appears unlikely to be reached before the start of Ramadan on the 10th March, and instead it could be completed by the end of the month, i.e. the first weekend of the Muslim holy month.

Egyptian and Qatari officials say there has been no contact with Hamas’ Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar for at least a week.

Anonymous officials quoted by “Channel 12”, “Ynet” and other Israeli media said that Jerusalem suspects that Sinwar has no intention of reaching an agreement in the coming days and hopes to intensify violence during Ramadan. In such a scenario, Israel fears an escalation not only along the borders with Gaza and Lebanon, but also in the West Bank, where tension is high, as well as in Jerusalem, where clashes over the Temple Mount and access to sacred sites are widely anticipated.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, cardiovascular disease the main cause of death in 2022

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Cardiovascular disease was Maltàs leading cause of death in 2022, taking 1,211 lives. According to information tabled in parliament, the vast majority of those who died from cardiovascular disease were 65 years old or older, as the elderly make up 1,080 of the total victims. Meanwhile, 117 people aged between 45 and 64 years old died from the same cause. The second leading disease in 2022 was cancer, which claimed the lives of 1,037 people. Similarly, elderly people made up the majority of the victims, with 836 deaths. Cancer also claimed the lives of 180 people aged between 45 and 64 years old. Meanwhile, four people aged between one and 24 years old died from the disease, while 17 people between 25 and 44 years old fell victim to cancer. Respiratory diseases killed 517 people in 2022, with 481 of them being 65 years old or older.
Dementia was the cause of death of 352 people, with five people aged between 45 and 64 dying of the disease. The remaining 347 were 65 years old or older. When it comes to diabetes, 160 elderly people died from the disease. The information tabled in parliament also included the amount of babies that died due to complications before, during or after birth. These totalled 13 babies. 2022 was the deadliest year with regards to traffic accident deaths, with 29 in total. Ten of these were elderly people, as five victims were aged between one year old and 24 years old. 113 deaths were caused by accidents including drowning and falling. During the final pandemic year, there were a total of 201 deaths due to Covid-19. Of these deaths, 177 people were elderly, 20 were between 45 and 64 years old and three were between 25 and 44 years old. The statistics also show that one person who died from Covid-19 who was aged between one and 24 years old.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –


Source: medNews

Thousands at funeral of Navalny “Russia will be free”

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Thousands of people attended the funeral of Alexei Navalny in Moscow, the Russian dissident who died in prison on 16 February. The funeral took place in a church on the outskirts of the capital. As Alexei Navalny’s coffin was carried out of the place of worship at the end of the funeral, some people in the crowd threw flowers on the hearse and shouted “Russia will be free”, as reported by the BBC. The activist’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who risks prison if she returns to Russia, did not attend the funeral. “I don’t know how to live without you, but I’ll try to make you up there proud of me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to bear it or not, but I’ll try,” writes the widow in a post on social media. The ambassador of the European Union to Russia was also present at the funeral. “Alexei Navalny remains a shining example of what Russia could and should be”, the US Embassy in Moscow wrote on X.
“His death is a tragic reminder of how far the Kremlin will go to silence its critics. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, supporters and all those he inspired to work for a better future”.
“Today there is Navalny’s funeral, we sent our charge d’affaires to place flowers on his grave, a very clear message from Italy in favour of freedom of expression, democracy and the defense of human rights in the Russian Federation”, said the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, during a press conference at the Farnesina.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, two hitmen reveals the involvement of two ex-ministers in two HSBC heists

 

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two brothers who are currently serving a 40-year jail term each for the role in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have told the court under oath that both former government minister Chris Cardona and present government MP Carmelo Abela were involved in the botched HSBC heist in Qormi 14 years ago. The two brothers, Alfred and George Degiorgio were testifying in the libel proceedings initiated by former government minister Carmelo Abela against lawyer and former Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi. Abela sued Azzopardi for libel over a Facebook post in which he had claimed that the former government minister had helped the mastermind behind the botched 2010 robbery. Azzopardi also claimed that Abela had received a €300,000 payment for his role in the plot. The former Labour minister categorically denied the allegations. Alfred Degiorgio confirmed the authenticity of a declaration he wrote after they asked for a presidential pardon and the police ignored them. The declarations states: “Cases where bombs were planted, and other homicides, with the involvement of politicians, among whom and not only former ministers Carmelo Abela and Chris Cardona, as when these two gave instructions on the HSBC heist, and in which certain police officers, lawyers and people in important roles”. The Degiorgio brothers had asked for a presidential pardon in the Caruana Galizia murder as well as for the botched HSBC heist. They had asked for pardon before their trial by jury, and subsequently made several other declarations in a bid to secure pardon. In court, George Degiorgio also confirmed the contents and the veracity of the declaration on oath. As Degiorgio stepped off the stand said: “we’ll soon spill the beans on Balzan soon” in an apparent reference to another heist on HSBC branch in Hal Balzan in 2017 were some €1 million was stolen by five robbers. Following the court proceedings, the Nationalist Party questioned what actions will be taken by prime minister Robert Abela and police commissioner Angelo Gafà. “The Nationalist Party expects the highest standards from our public representatives,” it said.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma


Source: medNews

EU, Von der Leyen “We must be on guard, we need common defense”

STRASBOURG (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “We must start working on the future of the European security framework. In all its dimensions and with all the necessary speed and political will. Because the truth is that we have not only been living with conflict since 2022, but for much longer.” This was said by the President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen during the plenary session at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

“Threats to our security, our prosperity and our way of life come in many different forms, and we are all familiar with them. Some of them are obvious, others are more confusing on the surface”, continued Von der Leyen, while explaining, “whether it is addressing political interference by reducing our dangerous dependencies – a policy I have called risk reduction – or eliminating hostile actors from those who criticize us. We Europeans must be on our guard. It’s not just about defeating bullies on the battlefield, but throughout our society.”

Von der Leyen added, “the good news is: we have already started much of this work. Indeed, recent years have not only served to shatter some European illusions. But they also shattered many illusions about Europe. That our unity would not hold up in the face of a war on our continent. Or that our regulations and divisions would prevent us from providing massive financial, military and political support”.

The President of the EU Commission said: “Over the last two years Europe has shown and demonstrated that it will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. And we have also demonstrated that a more sovereign Europe is not just wishful thinking. At this point I would like to be clear: European sovereignty will make our partnerships stronger. This will never affect the importance and necessity of our NATO alliance. Indeed, a more sovereign Europe, particularly in the field of defence, is vital to strengthening NATO. That’s why I’m delighted with the news that Sweden will soon become a NATO ally”.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta with the least use of renewable energy in the Eu

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A report published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, shows Malta at the bottom of the European classification in respect to the increase in its share of renewable energy. According to the new data, there was little progress since 2020, when 9.5% of Maltàs energy was generated through renewable sources. Only 10.1% of Maltàs energy came from renewable sources such as solar or wind energy in 2022, according to the most recent year for which data is available. This means that its share only grew by just over half a percentage point in three years, after growing more steadily in most previous years. This is comfortably the lowest rate in Europe, well behind Hungary, Czechia and Luxembourg who are all at 15%. It is also far below the EU-wide average of 41%.
The vast majority of renewable energy generated in Malta, some 97.5%, consists of solar energy generated through photovoltaic panels. Malta faces a race against time to beef up its investment in renewable energy, with the EU last year warned the Maltese government that it will force an end to the country’s blanket energy subsidies if it does not increase its sources of renewable energy soon. Authorities are banking heavily on Maltàs offshore capabilities and a national policy for offshore renewable energy which would allow floating wind or solar farms in six zones in Maltàs surrounding waters was also published. An expression of interest is expected to be published early this year.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –


Source: medNews

Rescued migrants on their way to Catania

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of migrants is expected to disembark at the port of Catania after being rescued last night.
The German NGO Sea Watch confirmed that its vessel Sea-Watch 5 rescued 45 migrants who were onboard an unseaworthy boat. “The survivors are safe and cared for by our team on board,” added the NGO. Sea Watch commented that they are on their way to Catania.
– credit photo Sea Watch –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Maltàs inflation remains above the EU and eurozone rates

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The annual rate of inflation in Malta remained steady at 3.7% in January 2024. This is 0.9 percentage points more than the 2.81% registered for the euro area during the same period, that is a slight decrease from 2.9% in December.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s annual inflation rate was 3.1% during the same period. Some EU member states recorded notably lower annual inflation rates, with Denmark and Italy at 0.9%, and Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland at 1.1%.
According to the National Statistics Office, the data highlights significant disparities in inflation rates between Malta and the eurozone, with Malta experiencing higher levels of inflation across various sectors.
The highest annual inflation rates in January 2024 were recorded in food and non-alcoholic beverages, soaring at 10.1%, followed by education at 5.6%.
The contributing factors to Maltàs inflation shows that the surge in food and non-alcoholic beverages prices, particularly vegetables, had the largest upward impact on annual inflation, accounting for a significant increase of 1.80 percentage points.
Increase in restaurant service prices and rents contributed to the upward trend, with the restaurants and hotels Index and the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels Index each contributing 0.69 and 0.44 percentage points respectively.
However, the communications sector, clothing and footwear saw a decline in inflation rates at -9.4% and -0.8% respectively.
The official statistics also show a decrease in mobile phone services, and package holiday prices that led to downward impacts on annual inflation, particularly in the communication, clothing, and recreation and culture indices.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

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