LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – A group of 112 migrants are expected to disembark in the port of Livorno this morning following their rescue by the humanitarian rescue vessel Ocean Viking, operated by NGO SOS Mèditerranèe. The migrants were rescued in two separate operations off the Libyan coast, the organisation said. In the first operation on Saturday night, the ship rescued 25 people, including three women, one of whom was pregnant, and minors. The following day, working with Italian authorities, the vessel saved an additional 87 people from a double-deck wooden boat. The rescued migrants, primarily from Bangladesh, Somalia and Egypt, are being transported to the port of Livorno in Tuscany, approximately 1,000 kilometres from the rescue location. Meanwhile, the NGO Alarm Phone confirmed that 57 migrants are in distress in the Central Mediterranean. The NGO said it is in contact with the group in distress on a rubber boat close to Lampedusa. “They say that they have run out of fuel and that water is entering the boat.” Alarm Phone added that the authorities are informed, and urged not to delay the rescue operation.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Sos Mediterranee

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “I welcome with enormous satisfaction the concrete desire of the United Arab Emirates to invest 40 billion dollars in Italy. It is one of the most impressive investments for our nation, an extraordinary demonstration of trust for Italy. We have concentrated this collaboration on strategic assets, we want the cooperation to be part of a long and stable vision”. This was stated by Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, while speaking at the Italy-United Arab Emirates Business Forum.
“It is a day that I consider historic,” continued Meloni, adding, “We often use this word to define something, sometimes we do it inappropriately but this is one of the cases in which using the word “historic” is not inappropriate. We have signed over 40 agreements and this underlines how bilateral cooperation is at a level never reached before, a work that does not intend to end here”.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “It is the first state visit of a president of the United Arab Emirates to Italy and I am grateful for making it happen. It is also a sign of the friendship that exists between the United Arab Emirates and Italy and of the desire to intensify collaboration in many aspects”. This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, during the meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, at the Quirinale. “It is a pleasure to welcome you and the delegation that accompanies you. Again, your presence in Rome is an honour for the Republic of Italy and it is a source of great joy for me to have you at the Quirinale again this morning. Thank you for our exchange of views last night over lunch and for what we have just had. You will soon meet the Prime Minister and it will be an opportunity to further explore the meaning of this visit, for which I thank you”.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “Good leaders are those who understand instinctively how to navigate the uncertain waters of geopolitics without ever losing sight of their principles or their nation’s best interests”, says entrepreneur and philanthropist Kamel Ghribi about the moment of particular global political instability.

The Italy-United Arab Emirates Business Forum opens tomorrow in Rome, and according to Ghribi “Great leaders are those willing to take bold action to stand up for their national interests; even in times when they have no option but to follow the current, they nonetheless have the courage to stand like a rock – steadfast and true to their country’s interests in the ever changing waters of global uncertainty”.

Photo GKSD

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Parliamentary Deputy Giulio Centemero is the new president of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. This was announced a short while ago during the final session of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly held at the Chamber of Deputies which brought together around 250 delegates from over 30 countries in Montecitorio. The Assembly was opened yesterday by the President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana. The PAM is the international organization established in 2006, and the result of fifteen years of cooperation between the states of the Euro-Mediterranean region, in the framework of the process known as the “Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean – CSCM”, launched in Malaga in 1992.

– Photo Camera dei Deputati –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The Malta Medicines Authority and the Agenzia Italiana Del Farmaco (AIFA) signed a collaboration agreement which aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector in both countries. The agreement was announced in a statement, which said that the agreement aims to enhance cooperation between Malta and Italy and to achieve shared goals in European pharmaceutical policy. Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela presided over the signing of the agreement in Rome, Italy, and explained how the agreement will provide an opportunity for the two countries to keep advancing in the regulatory science of medicines. He also said the agreement will improve security and access to medicines while promoting innovation and sustainability across the Mediterranean and the EU. The agreement will ensure both countries will enjoy an exchange of information and best practices in regulatory sciences, foster the adaptation of innovative methodologies including digitalisation, regulatory automation and AI to improve regulatory decision-making and efficiency. “It is important that Malta and Italy benefit from a collaboration whose primary goal is to better serve our patients,” Abela said. In Rome, Abela also met with the Italian Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, where they discussed various areas of further cooperation between Malta and Italy, including access to medicines, transplants, screenings, blood transfusion services, and the training of healthcare professionals.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Doi

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The joint operation ‘Air Bridge for Gazà was successfully concluded, through which over 10 tons of materials intended for the Palestinian civilian population were transported.?
The operation, which began last January 28 with the participation of personnel and air assets from Jordan and Italy, made it possible to provide the population of the Gaza Strip with basic necessities, powdered milk, medicines and personal hygiene products.
The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, declared: “This initiative is a further demonstration of the attention and commitment of the Government, the Defense Ministry and Italy towards the civilian population of Gaza. Concrete help to bring hope to those who live in extremely difficult conditions, to those who continue to suffer the drama of war. There is still a lot to do, and Italy is committed on multiple fronts to put an end to these atrocities”.
The humanitarian initiative is the result of the joint commitment of the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The operation was coordinated by the Joint Top Operational Command (COVI) and made possible thanks to the Levante Defense Task Force, operating from the King Abdullah II air base in Zarqa in Jordan. The crews of the Army’s NH-90 helicopters, belonging to Task Group Griffon deployed in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, have operated since January 28 together with 14 Jordanian UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Furthermore, an Air Force C-130J aircraft was made available by the Defense Ministry to ensure supplies and the transport of spare parts for the helicopters for the entire duration of the operation.
This mission adds to the numerous initiatives promoted by Italy to support the population of Gaza, such as the healthcare provided by the Military Navy’s ship ‘Vulcanò and the transfer to Italy of Palestinian children in need of hospital care on board military aircrafts, the last of which landed at Ciampino airport on 13 February with 45 people, including children and carers, coming from the Gaza Strip and in need of medical assistance.

– Photo Defence Ministry press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta issued an average of 120 new residence permits per day, with a total of 44,007 new documents issued in the year between the end of December 2023 and the end of December 2024. This information was presented in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri regarding the number of first-time residence permits issued to Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in 2024. According to data provided by the relevant authorities, in addition to the total of 4,741 permits issued to TCNs for the first time, Identity Maltàs records show that last year, a total of 33,455 residence permits were issued. Of these, 4,073 were related to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), the Malta Residency and Visa Programme (MRVP), and the NOMAD scheme. Byron Camilleri explained that residence in Malta provides a “migration pathway” for Third Country Nationals of good conduct, allowing them “to invest in Malta or work remotely for companies or clients based outside Malta.”
He noted that in 2024, Identity Malta generated over €132 million for the Maltese economy. The Minister highlighted that the investment-based residence programme-the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)-received 1,500 applications last year and generated: €46 million for the Consolidated Fund, €50 million in rental contracts over five years, and €36 million in property purchases. The Minister further stated that during the same period, 25,433 residence permits for TCNs expired or were revoked, while 52,661 were renewed. Camilleri also noted that when comparing figures from 31 December 2023 to 31 December 2024 and the previous year, the net increase in valid residence permits for non-EU nationals in 2024 was 668. For individuals from EU countries, a total of 5,811 new residence documents were issued last year, while 6,662 permits expired or were revoked, and 4,310 were renewed. “The residence permits for foreign nationals-both EU and non-EU-have stabilised,” he added. He explained that this trend reflects government policies, including decisions related to the reform of temping agencies and regulations concerning food couriers and taxi drivers. “During this period, there was a higher retention and renewal rate of residence permits, while the number of new applications from foreign nationals decreased.” He also highlighted that the recently introduced Malta Labour Migration Policy aims to establish “greater control, higher retention, and stronger measures to combat labour exploitation”.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Ipa Agency-

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Six lines along 176 kilometres, 90 stations served, and a transport capacity of up to 1.1 million passengers per day. The first metro has commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the FS Group is following the project. Engaged in the works since 2018, in partnership with Ansaldo STS (Hitachi Rail STS) and Alstom as part of the FLOW Consortium, the Group has been awarded the operation and maintenance services of lines 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Riyadh metro for 12 years.
At the beginning of this year, line 3, the Orange Line, was inaugurated. It is the longest with over 40 kilometers, and its iconic Qasr Al Hokm Downtown station which was designed by Crew, a company that forms part of the FS Group.
The station was created as an urban square with a large stainless steel canopy that provides shade to the surrounding public spaces and channels daylight toward the subway station below. The steel canopy rests on a conical reinforced concrete wall that defines the internal architecture of the station. With its distinctive triangular entrances, designed to interpret the history and architecture of Saudi Arabia, it provides a strong and solid connection between the modern metro network and the historical context.
The new public transport project in the Saudi area will promote the transition from individual to collective mobility, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. This sustainable model will transform the city of Ryadh into an example of innovation that can also be applied to other metropolises.
In Saudi Arabia, significant plans are being developed to upgrade infrastructure and public transport services, both locally and for long distances. In this context, the FS Group is present through the engineering companies Italferr and Italcertifer, the latter specializing in railway certification of both infrastructure and transport carriers. Intending to expand its activities in the MENA area (Middle East and North Africa), in 2019 FS Italiane established the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Saudi Arabia for a land transport company in Riyadh, to operationally support FS Holding in the management of the Riyadh metro project. Furthermore, the FS Group constantly monitors local initiatives to evaluate any development opportunities.

– Photo Fs press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – According to the 2024 Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Malta has fallen 10 places to its lowest-ever position, scoring 46 out of 100. This is the first time Malta registered the 50-point score. The report categorises Malta as a “flawed democracy” and explicitly states that its rule of law is in “breakdown”.

Countries are ranked on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Maltàs score places it alongside Kuwait, Montenegro, and Romania, and behind Saudi Arabia, and Rwanda. Regionally, only Bulgaria and Hungary ranked lower. The Western Europe and EU average is 66, with Denmark (90) topping the regional and global list as the least corrupt and Hungary (41) perceived as the most corrupt EU country.

Malta achieved its best results in 2015 – scoring 60 and ranking 34th. Since then, the country has witnessed an overall gradual decline in its corruption performance.

Referring in particular to the rule of law in Malta as being in a state of breakdown, the report highlighted the criminal charges against former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and others about the fraudulent hospitals deal. “High-level officials in Malta abused their power to benefit private interests, putting public health at risk… the former prime minister, and former ministers and officials, are currently facing criminal charges relating to corruption,” it said.

The index measures the perception of corruption within the public sectors of 180 countries and territories using data from 13 independent sources that consult with country experts and those in business. Examples of public sector corruption include bribes or the use of political connections to win government contracts or obtain licenses, according to Transparency International. Transparency International said there was “systemic corruption in public procurement in several EU countries,” while citing “gaps in legal frameworks and poor enforcement” as being among the issues facing countries in the region.
Transparency International chair François Valèrian said corruption was “an evolving global threat” leading to “declining democracy, instability and human rights violations.” Calling tackling the problem a “top and long-term priority,” he said the dangerous trends revealed in this year’s index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Ipa Agency

Source: medNews