Malta has registered its first case of coronavirus. The patientis an Italian girl who lives in Malta with her family.

The Maltese government announced that the 12-year-old girl’s family infected with coronavirus had followed the advice of the local health authorities and decided to self-quarantine when they returned from a vacation in Italy. Thecontact with other people was minimal.

Speaking during a press conference, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that the girl was being supervised after a sample was taken last night and tested positive this morning.

The girl’s parents had informed the health authorities when the girl started showing symptoms of the virus after the family returned from a vacation in Trentino on a flight from Rome between late February and early March.

According to official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Turkey hosted 51.9 million visitors in 2019, reaching a record number, an increase of 13.7% compared to the previous year. The country hosted foreign visitors for 86.2% and Turkish citizens residing abroad for the remaining 13.8%. According to statistics, tourism revenues reached $ 34.5 billion in 2019 compared to $ 29.5 billion in 2018, an increase of 17%. Average per capita spending stood at $ 666 in 2019, compared to $ 647 in 2018.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

In Malta, there have not been any registered case of COVID-19 as yet (the Coronavirus from China) but three persons have been quarantined as a precautionary measure, and are being followed by the public health authorities. This was confirmed by the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne.

The three Maltese nationals have been placed in quarantine upon their arrival to Malta after being on a cruise liner where passengers were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus. The Maltese were passengers on the cruise liner MS Westerndam that was refused harbour from five different countries in 11 days until the ship was allowed in Cambodia on 13th February.

Meanwhile a national centre in Luqa, close to the airport, was set up for persons who arrive in Malta from countries that are considered as hazardous for spreading the disease COVID-19. These persons would be examined, with the test results being provided in two hours time. The screening of passengers coming from high-risk areas is also available at the cruise liner terminal in Valletta. An isolation unit with 12 beds has been set up in a building outside Mater Dei Hospital and the number of beds in the hospital’s own isolation unit have been increased.

However, the Minister of Health declared that the coronavirus will eventually hit Malta, but added that Malta is well prepared for any eventuality. “Malta is not immune to the virus as we are part of the world and we are no different from other countries. I cannot say if the virus will hit us tonight or what will happen tomorrow or next month. Malta is part of the world and yes there is the possibility for our country to report cases of coronavirus. I cannot say Malta will not be hit by this virus.”  He continued explaining that for the virus to be transmitted it is very easy and we cannot ban people from travelling to Malta. Information campaigns with recommendations on personal hygiene soon will follow, according to the Minister of Health.

He said that Malta has prepared for every eventuality if a coronavirus case is reported and that health officials are also taking all the measures and precautions so that we limit or better eliminate the risk for the virus to hit Malta. Health authorities are monitoring closely cases of people who have recently travelled to China by asking them to check their temperature twice a day. Also, health authorities are following up with daily phone calls.

Meanwhile, regular communication is being kept with the World Health Organisation, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU Health Security Committee. Malta Public Health authorities are also participating in regular teleconferences for all EU member states where updates are given and advice on actions to take.

Leading the fight against the coronavirus is a Maltese physician, Dr Gauden Galea who is the World Health Organisation’s representative to China since April 2018. He says that although the number of coronavirus cases are dropping down, there is no certainity that the outbreak is contained until the incubation period is over.

The University of Malta is recommending that visits from academic staff and researchers from China be postponed in light of the new virus from China. The University of Malta is advising staff and students against travel to China due to the coronavirus outbreak. “We also recommend that planned visits, particularly short-term visits by academic staff and researchers from China are postponed for the time being,” said the University.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

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Source: medNews

Cyprus is among Europe’s top 10 countries for using renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, latest Eurostat figures show.In 2018, renewable energy accounted for 21% of the total energy used for heating and cooling in the EU, it was much higher in Cyprus at 37%.Among EU countries Cyprus was eighth for using renewable energy in this field while it was 30% in Greece (13th).According to Eurostat, the total EU share has increased steadily since the beginning of the data collection in 2004, when the share was 12%.Cyprus has also steadily introduced a higher share of renewable energy as 10 years ago it was only 14.47%.Increases in industry, services and households have all contributed to the growth in renewable energy used for heating and cooling.Sweden stood out among EU states with almost two thirds (65%) of the energy used for heating and cooling in 2018 stemming from renewable sources.More than half of the energy used for heating and cooling came from renewable energy sources in Latvia (56%), Finland (55%) and Estonia (54%).
In contrast, renewable sources contributed the least to heating and cooling in Ireland and the Netherlands (both 6%), Belgium (8%) and Luxembourg (9%).Renewable energy also includes derived heat and heat energy (from air, ground or water) captured by heat pumps. In 2018, such heat energy contributed more than one quarter (27%) of the energy from renewable sources used for heating and cooling.

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Source: medNews

Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta in the coming weeks. This visit will be the fourth visit of a Pope to Malta in the last 30 years. The visit will take place possibly before the summer and the official programme of the visit will include stops in Malta and Gozo.

Recently Pope Francis spoke twice about Malta. It is understood that the visit of Pope Francis will not be so long this time. The official announcement is expected imminently. Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Pope Francis talked about this visit when they met on the 30th of January.

Two weeks ago, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said in an interview he hoped that one day the Pope accepts an “open invitation” to visit Malta.

The Archbishop’s Curia said that the Maltese Bishops, are moved by the warm words towards the people of Malta which Pope Francis has recently uttered in various occasions.

The first Papal visit to Malta was in 1990 when St John Paul II spent almost 3 days in Malta.  This was followed by another visit by Karol Woytilain 2001 when he beatified Dun Ġorġ Preca, Sr Adeodata Pisani and Blessed Nazju Falzon. In 2010, Malta was again blessed by another papal visit, this time by Pope Benedict XVI, who, in 2007 had canonised St Ġorġ Preca.

(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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The Malta Football Association has signed an agreement with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), rubberstamping the long-standing partnership between the two national associations.
The sharing of knowledge and expertise on technical and organisational matters underpin the Memorandum of Understanding which falls within the paramaters of both FIFA and UEFA. It is intended to facilitate collaboration between the two national associations through exchange programmes involving managers and officials, technical experts, coaches, referees and players in several sectors, including:
• competitions organised by the respective organisations
• technical and educational initiatives
• exchanges of experience and expertise in the areas of construction and management of sports facilities, organisational procedures, sports science and sports medicine (focusing on football)
• women’s football
• youth football
• futsal
• football for persons with disability
• match officials
The MOU was signed by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo and General Secretary Dr Angelo Chetcuti, and Gabriele Gravina and Marco Brunelli, the President and General Secretary of the FIGC, at the Italian football federation’s headquarters in Rome. Francesco Ghirelli, the President of the Lega Pro, was also present for the signing of the MOU. Vassallo, the Malta FA President, hailed the signing of the MOU with the FIGC as an important development.
“I’m very pleased that we have finalised this MOU with the FIGC,” Vassallo said. “The Malta FA has always had a very good relationship with the FIGC and this agreement further strengthens this co-operation which should provide tangible benefits, in the process helping us to improve the level of our operations in several key areas. “It will provide new learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities for stakeholders from different sectors, both technical and organisational, with the ultimate aim being to enhance the skills and expertise of our workforce”.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina shared Vassallo’s views. “This is an important document which rubberstamps the friendship between two national associations but also between two presidents,” Dr Gravina said. “We share Bjorn Vassallo’s approach to football development which also means a lot to us. This collaboration agreement will consolidate the relationship between our associations, two nations that have a common denominator… the willingness to do well and the desire to promote the footballing values”. The MOU provides for the creation of an exchange programme whereby Malta FA personnel will be given access to the expertise, courses and facilities of the FIGC in Rome and especially the FIGC Technical Centre in Coverciano. FIGC personnel will receive the same learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities in events and initiatives organised by the Malta FA. In addition, the two parties will engage in reciprocal consultation about specific issues and international relations, particularly those within FIFA.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Despite apparent failure to meet eco targets set by the EU for 2020, Nicosia is optimistic that it will achieve its 2030 goals with a 10-year roadmap on energy and the environment drafted by ministries.Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis is optimistic that the National Strategy Plan drawn up with the Energy Ministry will go a long way in overturning Cyprus’ poor performance.The plan, after receiving the go-ahead from the Cabinet, was sent to Brussels for evaluation and approval.The European Commission’s answer is expected within the coming weeks. “The 2020-2030 plan is so ambitious that it gives the working space to achieve the targets set at a national and European level,” said the Minister.Kadis noted that with the implementation of the measures that have been decided Nicosia is expected to largely meet the target of reducing greenhouse gases set for Cyprus, so it will not be paying any more fines for CO2 emissions exceeding the target.The government will be spending some 1.3 bln on two sets of measures.”Most of the measures will have to do with the transport sector. We want to implement sustainable mobility plans while increasing the use of electric vehicles.”Kadis said increasing the use of electric vehicles in transport would only make sense if there is an increase in the percentage of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy production mix. As he noted the government is to further promote the use of RES in electricity production while investing in the energy efficiency of state buildings and better waste management.The ambitious two-pronged plan aims to facilitate Cyprus’ EU 2030 goals which include reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by 40%, for which a pollution rights exchange market does not exist.According to EU targets set for 2030, Cyprus is legally obligated to reduce emissions of these gases by 24%.Cyprus is legally obliged to increase the percentage of RES contribution to the gross final energy consumption by 2030 to 23%. The target for RES contribution to transport is 14% from 10% in 2020.Cyprus will also have to increase its energy efficiency by 32.5% by the end of the decade.One of the state’s obligations is to refurbish public buildings, enhancing their energy efficiency. EU targets for 2020 should have seen Cyprus revamp 3% of its public buildings every year.The plan, being more ambitious than what the EU has asked for, foresees that Cyprus will save some 243,04 Ktoe more than obliged to during the decade. The country is also obligated to contribute to the EU target for 15% of electricity interconnection between the Member States. And promote Projects of Common Interest that promote regional cooperation and contribute to the completion of the EU’s internal energy market, also 15% of transmitted energy should be produced from RES.Cyprus’ target will be met by the EuroAsia Interconnector project, connecting the electricity grids of Cyprus with Israel and Crete, but remains to be seen how much of that transmitted energy will be generated from RES.It is included in the 4th Union List of projects of common interest (PCI), that will lift Cyprus from energy isolation.It also makes EuroAsia eligible for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility and complies with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘Green Deal’ of cutting back on the use of fossil fuels, boosting RES consumption and utilising electricity interconnectors, which should account for 20% of all energy supply.Cyprus will also have to establish an appropriate regulatory framework that will help develop the market and facilitate competition in favour of consumers.”The plan also provides that focus will be on increasing energy security by diversifying energy and supply sources, utilizing indigenous renewable energy sources and adopting measures to address supply difficulties,” said Kadis. Source: Financial Mirror.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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New car sales in Lebanon took a severe hit in 2019 as the number of registered vehicles plunged by 33.4 percent compared to the same period of 2018, according to data compiled by the Association of Car Importers. The association said that registered passenger cars stood at 21,991 in 2019, falling by 33.4 percent from a total of 33,012 in 2018.It attributed this decline in new car sales to the prevailing macro situation in Lebanon, the suspension of car loans, impossibility of opening documentary credits to import cars and spare parts, increase of interest rates, difficulty of converting cash collected in Lebanese pounds into U.S. dollars in the bank to pay the suppliers and the risk of seeing thousands of employees losing their job.In a look at the regions, Japanese cars took over the highest share of newly registered cars in 2019 with a total of 8,630, down by 35.7 percent from 2018. Korean cars took over the second place with a total of 5,495 cars, down from 9,357 cars in 2018.European cars took over the third place with a total of 5,023 cars in 2019, down by a yearly 21.8 percent.
Korea’s Kia ranked first in terms of new car registration during 2019, with a total of 3,205 cars against a total of 5,012 cars during the previous year.It was followed by Japan’s Toyota with a total of 2,479 newly registered cars in 2019, against 4,155 cars in 2018.Japan’s Nissan came in the third position with a total of 2,349 newly registered cars in 2019, compared to 3,995 cars registered in 2018. These were followed by Korea’s Hyundai with a total of 2,272 newly registered cars in 2019, compared to a total of 4,319 cars registered in the year earlier.
Source: The Daily Star.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

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While addressing for the first time members of the diplomatic corps at Auberge de Castille in Valletta, the newly appointed Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela declared that the institutional reforms will be a top priority to enhance the rule of law and good governance in the country. Referring to Malta’s relations within the European Union, Robert Abela declared that he is ready to work with the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Robert Abela referred to the civil rights in Malta, and said that the country strengthened its top ranking on the International Lesbian and Gay Association-Europe Rainbow Map. “With an overall rating of 94%, Malta remains the leading European country in protecting LGBTIQ people in areas of equality and non-discrimination, hate crime, hate speech, legal gender recognition and bodily integrity, civil society space and asylum”. The Maltese Prime Minister referred to the turmoil in Libya, and declared that the government of Malta believes that only through diplomatic initiatives rather than military intervention, there will be a solution to the conflict and the political crises. “Malta continues to stress the need for a comprehensive and durable ceasefire, the effective implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution imposing an arms embargo on Libya, and for the strengthening of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. We must achieve results, for the benefit of the Libyan people first and foremost, and for regional peace, security, stability and prosperity.” Abela declared that under his leadership, Malta with its geographical position in the Mediterranean will be a bridge-builder between countries and will take an active role in international fora.
He spoke about the present situation in the Middle East with particular reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Syria. “Malta reiterates its long-standing position in support of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, as well as a commitment to the parameters established by the United Nations security council resolution.” Referring to Syria, the Maltese Prime Minister spoke about the importance of ensuring the unity and the territorial sovereignty of the Syrian state, together with the welfare of the Syrian people. Malta is expected to open its first new embassy in Japan, with Prime Minister Abela declaring this is an example on how Malta is putting more effort to consolidate further its bilateral relationships. Infact he mentioned that Malta is considering the possibility of opening its first diplomatic mission in Latin America. He concluded his speech by declaring that Malta whose aspirations are that of promoting peace, prosperity and equality, will be seeking election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations security council for the term 2023-2024.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

L’articolo MALTA, ABELA “INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TOP PRIORITY” proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews