When it comes to online shopping Cyprus is near the end of the EU queue with only 32% of Cypriots making a virtual purchase, according to a Eurostat survey.
There was an increase in the number of online shoppers in the EU as 60% of people aged between 16 and 74, used the internet to purchase at least one item in 2018 compared with 32% in 2008.
But Cyprus consumers seem to be bucking the trend of buying from online shopping platforms or shops, as less people have purchased an item online in 2018 than 2017 when 39% of Cypriots had made an online purchase.
Only Romania (20%) and Bulgaria (21%) had a lower percentage than Cyprus for people had bought at least one item online over the year.
Cypriot shoppers (56%) used the internet mostly to shop for clothes and sporting goods.

The least popular purchases are food and groceries at 6%, as there appears not to be no culture or the infrastructure for such purchases.
And only 9% of online shoppers bought an electronic gadget while just 11% bought a book online in 2018.
Cyprus was bottom of the EU when it came to shop online for household goods (11%) and electronics (9%).
The highest proportion of internet users who shopped online were in Denmark (84%), the United Kingdom (83%), Netherlands (82%) and Sweden (78%).
Eurostat published the online shopping data on the occasion of Black Friday.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo CYPRUS IS THIRD FROM BOTTOM IN EU FOR ONLINE SHOPPING proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

The main suspect in the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, entrepreneur Yorgen Fenech testified in court that the former chief of staff of the Maltese Prime Minister, Keith Schembri, had kept him constantly informed of the progress into the investigations of Daphne’s murder.

Fenech, who is accused of the murder, said that Joseph Muscat’s former chief of staff informed him that his phone had been intercepted and gave him all the details about the presidential pardon which in the end was granted to the intermediary suspect Melvin Theuma.

He also said that Schembri informed him in advance before the arrest of the brothers George, Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat in December 2017.

Fenech was speaking during a constitutional case he had filed against the head of investigations Keith Arnaud to bew removed. He said that Arnaud used to keep Schembri up to date on the case and that when [Fenech] was arrested, the inspector told him to be responsible when involving and mentioning people. Fenech asked Arnaud if he was referring to Schembri and the inspector replied that he really was.

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the relatives of the assassinated maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia presented a formal complaint to the French Financial Prosecutor’s Office to investigate businessman Yorgen Fenech, the ex Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Keith Schembri and ex-Minister Konrad Mizzi.

The complaint brought by lawyer Emmanuel Daoud on behalf of RSF and the Caruana Galizia family says that there is a real suspicion that Fenech was using proceeds from assets in France to bribe Schembri and Mizzi to win a big public contract, which Daphne Caruana Galizia was investigating prior to her death, and to finance the car bomb that killed her on 16 October 2017.

After the latest developments, RSF and family Caruana Galizia discovered that Fenech had large assets in France including Evian-lesBains Hilton Hotel. He also has stables for horse racing in France which have rendered hundreds of thousands in profits between January 2015 and December 2017.

In view of this, they are asking the main prosecutor in France will open or judicial preliminary investigation.

The secretary general of Reporters Without Borders Christophe Deloire said that since these assets in France are owned by the mastermind behind the murder who is under arrest, the French judicial authorities should investigate so that the truth comes out.

The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has canceled a private lunch with the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Muscat will be in Rome tomorrow for the Mediterranean Dialogues, an international event to discuss the situation in the region.

There is no official confirmation from the Italian government that this decision was taken due to the current situation of political crisis in Malta. Muscat has already stated that next January he will resign but local reports say that there is a chance that Muscat will leave his office next week.  Meanwhile, there have been changes regarding the official visit of Joseph Muscat to Pope Francis. This will only be a private audience and not an official one. Muscat will be accompanied by his family but will not be accompanied by the Maltese Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela and the Maltese Ambassador for the Holy See Frank Zammit. This development happened in view of the critical situation in Malta and the protests that reached the Holy See from the Maltese civil society opposing the meeting of Muscat with the Holy Father.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo CARUANA GALIZIA, FENECH “SCHEMBRI INFORMED ME ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS” proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

At the end of the meeting with the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Valletta, a delegation from the European Parliament expressed concern about the current state of the Muscat leadership as the Premier of an EU member state. Even the European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova insisted that the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia must be concluded without any political interference. She made this statement in a phone call with Justice Minister Owen Bonnici. The European Parliament delegation arrived in Malta last night. The country is in a political crisis caused by the arrest and accusations of the entrepreneur Yorgen Fenech in relation to the murder of the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galicia; along with the close relationships that existed between Keith Schembri, Yorgen Fenech and Joseph Muscat. In the last few days a photo of Schembri has emerged with Melvin Theuma, the middleman in the murder; while today a handwritten letter by Theuma was published, revealing Fenech and Schembri as the masterminds of the murder. In court, the lawyers of Yorgen Fenech implied that Keith Schembri put pressure with the help of third parties to prevent Fenech from giving incriminating information to the police. “There is no longer a basis of trust between Malta and the European Union,” Dutch MEP Sophie Int Veld told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning. “We have made it clear that there is a problem. Now it is a problem between Malta and the EU, not only between the Prime Minister and the Maltese people. That trust has been seriously damaged. Justice and truth are coming out, and this is the most important thing, “Int Veld said. German MEP Sven Giegold said that Muscat admitted that he knew that Yorgen Fenech was somehow involved in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galicia. “He refused to say exactly when he knew … but he realizes he made a mistake. It was a tense meeting. I can only say that this government does not respect the EU.” Before the meeting with the European delegation, angry protesters gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s office. They threw eggs at the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Justice Minister Owen Bonnici. Minister Bonnici was hit by one of the eggs. Another meeting was with Laurence Cutajar, the police commissioner. The European delegation noted that the Maltese police with the help of Europol is doing professional work, but stated that a name like the one of Keith Schembri, mentioned on numerous occasions throughout the investigation, is now free and not under arrest. In a court, Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family asked magistrate Nadine Lia to abstain or refuse to preside over the investigations into the alleged masterind behind the murder, Yorgen Fenech. According to the Daphne’s family, Nadine Lia must abstain from the case because the magistrate’s father-in-law, Paul Lia, is very close to the Labour Party and the Labour government. Paul Lia was also the defense counsel of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and of the former Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s office, Keith Schembri and various parliamentarians or Labour representatives. Yorgen Fenech is also opposing for the same reason. The Italian Ambassador to Malta Mario Sammartino said that Malta is currently at a crossroads and the Maltese are in a moment of reflection. “I am convinced that some good will come out of this difficult situation. Italy remains close to the Maltese people,” said Sammartino. The Church in Malta and Gozo have called for unity in these “difficult times” for the country. The civil society and all social partners are calling for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. They want an interim Prime Minister to be appointed before the elections take place for a new Labour leader and Prime Minister scheduled for 8 and 12 January. Meanwhile, the civil society met in front of the Police Headquarters, in Floriana, in another protest asking the Poliice Commissioner to investigate Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Keith Schembri.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo MALTA, TRUST WITH THE EU SERIOUSLY DAMAGED proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

In a televised message to the Maltese people, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that he will remain at the helm of the country until mid-January. This is the latest development in the political and constitutional crisis in Malta after the events of the last days concerning the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galiza two years ago and the arrest of entrepreneur Yorgen Fenech who yesterday was accused of having planned and organized the assassination of Caruana Galizia with the involvement of a criminal group.

In the television message, Muscat announced that he will remain as Prime Minister until a new Labour Party leader is elected after an internal electoral process that will start on January 12th. He promised he would resign as prime minister as soon as a new Labour leader was chosen.

His television message was recorded in the last few days, and aired tonight on the national tv station, and after the biggest demonstration organized by the nationalist opposition and the civil society against Prime Minister Muscat, and in favour of justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia. During the protest there were also present representatives from the Italian journalism union.

Muscat stated that the investigations into the assassination of Caruana Galicia are still ongoing and no one is above the law. Muscat said he kept his word to resolve this murder during his term in office.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo MALTA, MUSCAT WILL RESIGN IN JANUARY proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

At the end of an emergency meeting of the Malta Labour Parliamentary group, there was
no indication that the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will resign immediately as indicated before in relation to the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. This led to thousands of protesters taken out to the streets of the capital Valletta demanding justice for Daphne and insisting with the resignation of Muscat from Prime Minister.

In the morning, the Labour Parliamentary Group has agreed to leave Muscat to decide any political decision and has reaffirmed confidence in him, despite there were ministers and parliamentary secretaries in recent days who had wanted Muscat’s resignation immediately.

A statement released by the Labour Party this afternoon confirmed that the Maltese parliament will discuss the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galicia as a result of yesterday’s developemnts when entrepreneur Jorgen Fenech was accused of having planned and organized the assassination of Caruana Galizia with the help of a criminal group.

Muscat has decided that after all these developments, he reinstated Chris Cardona as minister of the economy but Konrad Mizzi’s resignation is still in force.

These developments have caused more anger and disappointment within the nationalist opposition and the civil society. Late this afternoon another national protest was organised in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Valletta. Thousands were present calling for the Prime Minister to resign and to ensure justice into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. This Sunday was the eight time in 12 days that the people have protested over the killing of the Maltese journalist two years ago.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo MALTA, ANGER AND DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER MUSCAT DECIDED NOT TO RESIGN proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning called for an emergency meeting of his cabinet to discuss and decide on the future of the country after yesterday evening entrepreneur Yorgen Fenech was accused with the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Muscat is under pressure to resign, not only from the nationalist opposition and the civil society, but also from within his parliamentary group and from sections of the Labour party.

A group of Labour MPs is disappointed and angry and is insisting with Muscat to quit immediately and they want the President of Malta George Vella to appoint the deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne as an interim prime minister until the Labour leadership elections take place on 8 and 18, January 2020.

Muscat is also under pressure for another reason. The majority of Labour MPs want the Maltese police to re-arrest Keith Schembri, the former head of the prime minister’s office in connection with the assassination of Caruana Galizia. There are doubts that Schembri has written a letter that was distributed by the investigators. The letter seems to have the intention of blaming former economic minister Chris Cardona who was interrogated by the police and then, decided to suspend himself from the parliamentary group.

The meeting of the Labour cabinet is taking place in the prime minister’s summer residence in Girgenti.

L’articolo MALTA, MUSCAT CALLS AN URGENT CABINET MEETING proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

Prominent Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, 38 years was charged this evening in relation to the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. He was accused of promoting or financing a criminal organisation, participating in criminal activities organised by this criminal organisation, with the complicity in the murder, conspiring with people with the intention of committing a crime and being an accomplice to the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The assassination of Caruana Galizia took place on 16th October 2017. Fenech pleaded not guilty. Fenech’s lawyers did not request bail for their client but asked the court to explain the police’s request to freeze Fenech’s assets. The court has accepted the prosecution’s request.
Fenech was taken away from court in a police van straing to the Corradino prison.
Replying to a question by Fenech’s lawyer Gianluca Caruana Curren, the prosecution confirmed that Keith Schembri, the ex-Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s office did feature during the investigations. Thursday evening, the Police freed Keith Schembri who was under interrogation for several days.
All the family members of Daphne Caruana Galizia were present in court including her husband, her three children together with Caruana Galizia’s brothers, sisters and parents.
Outside court, Corinne Vella, one of Daphne’s sister said “we now expect the Prime Minister to leave office and parliament with immediate effect to allow free and full investigation into his and Keith Schembri’s role in Daphne’s assassintion”.
Yorgen Fenech was arrested by the Maltese police on 20 November, when he was trying to escape from Malta with his yacht and was intercepted by the Armed Forces of Malta as soon as he left the Portomaso marina in St Julians. His arrest was among others in connection with the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Inspector Keith Arnaud confirmed before court that Fenech’s movements were being noticed before he was arrested 10 days ago.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo YORGEN FENECH ACCUSED WITH CARUANA GALIZIA’S MURDER proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

A new Labour leader in Malta will be elected on the 18th of January 2020. The Labour Party Electoral Commission has met this morning to discuss the way forward after yesterday it was made public that Joseph Muscat will resign imminently as Labour Leader and Prime Minister of Malta.
The Labour delegates will be asked to vote on the 8th of January if there will be more than two candidates, and a final vote will take place ten days later.
According to reports, Joseph Muscat will keep on hanging to his post as Labour Leader and Prime Minister after the final vote as scheduled by the Labour Party Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, the civil society is calling Muscat to resign immediately. Tomorrow is scheduled another national protest infront of the Prime Minister’s office.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo NEW PREMIER FOR MALTA IN JANUARY 2020 proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

During a press conference, after a long cabinet meeting that took six hours, the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said he is not ready to quit, despite the protesters’ calls outside his office in Valletta to leave the office. In fact, another demonstration is scheduled for this evening in front of the Prime Minister’s office. Muscat reaffirmed that his obligation is to see justice will be done with the Caruana Galicia family.

Also present during the cabinet meeting were the Maltese Police Commissioner and the Attorney General who gave the Labour Government Ministers advice not to recommend the presidential pardon to entrepreneur Yorgen Fenech. Fenech is under arrest for the murder of the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 16 of two years ago. However, the legal advisers representing Fenech, declared that their client is ready to reveal all the truth about the alleged involvement of Keith Schembri and two ex-Labour Ministers Konrad Mizzi and Chris Cardona.

Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar and Attorney General Peter Agius declared with the Government Ministers that there was no valid reason after the interrogations, for the approval of a presidential pardon to Fenech. After this official declaration, the Ministers decided to approve the recommendation. By this time, Muscat was not present and left his ministers to decide freely.

Meanwhile, during the Cabinet meeting, the Maltese police released an official statement in which it was declared that Keith Schembri was a free man because there is no connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galicia. One of the sons of Caruana Galizia, Matthew, reiterated that the institutions are still protecting Schembri and this situation is completely outrageous. During the press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed that Keith Schembri will not be asked to head his office at Auberge de Castille.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo THE MALTESE PRIME MINISTER WILL STAY… FOR NOW proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

“The Alpine crown, seen from space, appears as one of the largest water reserves in Europe, a unique and extremely important territory for all of us. We must decide now to act, all together, to make a difference “. This is stated by Paolo Nespoli, an astronaut who has three space missions and who takes part in the 3RD EUSALP ANNUAL FORUM in the panel ‘Shaping. Future. Toghether. With the next generation ‘meeting dedicated to the relationship between new generations and the environment. “From space we see how we human beings are in every corner of the globe and how our presence is now highly impacting on the environment” says the astronaut on the eve of this meeting. “Measuring, understanding and modifying this impact is fundamental to being able to make informed and responsible choices, in order to coexist in harmony precisely with that environment that allows us to exist on this planet”. And the message he is sending is very clear: “We must decide to become aware and act, all together now, to make the difference”

L’articolo EUSALP, NESPOLI “THE ALPS ARE EUROPEAN WATER RESERVES” proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews