RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, met in Riyadh with the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud. During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Italy and Saudi Arabia.

The Memorandum of Understanding will be valid for five years and aims to strengthen cooperation on energy transition and security, taking into account the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The main focuses of the Memorandum of Understanding concern renewable energy, the reduction of methane emissions, electrical interconnections, hydrogen renewable and low-emission, its renewable and low-carbon derivatives such as ammonia, and systems for capturing, storing, and using CO2.

The Memorandum of Understanding also aims to promote joint projects in third countries, involving national industrial supply chains. “Italy is consolidating its role as an energy hub and bridge between Europe and Africa, with mutually beneficial partnerships based on the strategic role of renewable energy and hydrogen, underlined Minister Pichetto Fratin. “To this end”, he added, “we are well aware of the role of Saudi Arabia in the area to promote the production of renewable and low-emission hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia. Also for this reason, I confirm that Italy can be an entry point for hydrogen and derivatives into the European market that is much closer, more competitive and strategic than other alternatives on the North Sea”. The minister also announced an immediate and concrete operational follow-up to the MoU with Italy’s decision to indicate a permanent representative of the Ministry of the Environment at the International Energy Forum (IEF).

“I know that it is a Forum that has his support”, Minister Pichetto Fratin highlighted to Saudi Minister Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, “and I believe that this will allow us to be even more present in Saudi Arabia, to work closely with his Ministry and with Saudi and international experts who regularly dialogue within the IEF, as well as with OPEC and IEA”. “We want to ensure”, added the Italian minister, “that our countries are increasingly closer to work together on the priority issues of ecological transition, the energy future of our countries and the development of renewable technologies”.

“I consider the Memorandum of Understanding that we are signing today – concluded Minister Pichetto Fratin – a starting point and not an arrival point. I consider it an excellent framework tool that we can use to increasingly profitably strengthen relations between our two countries and, through Italy, between Saudi Arabia and Europe”.

– Photo Ministry for Environment press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Sicilian authorities arrested two Maltese nationals after being found in unauthorised possession of shotguns, ammunition and dead birds while waiting to board the ferry to Malta from Pozzallo.
Ragusa police said the two Maltese, aged 52 and 49 were carrying two shotguns, 50 shotgun cartridges and 39 dead birds, including wood pigeons, a dove, woodcocks, mallards, teals and snipes.
They were not authorised to hunt in Italy. The Ragusa authorities said they have intensified passenger checks at the Port of Pozzallo since this was not the first case of Maltese individuals practising unauthorised hunting in Sicily.
BirdLife Malta thanked the Italian police and the authorities in Ragusa “for the valuable work they were doing to curb this behaviour, which tarnished Maltàs reputation and that of many Maltese who visited Sicily to enjoy the natural environment”.

– Foto: Polizia provinciale Ragusa –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Israeli officials have told their country’s media that a hostage deal is close, pending approval from Hamas; the next few days will be considered “crucial”. Israeli officials said there was a breakthrough overnight, with a potential ceasefire deal for the hostages apparently close if approved by Hamas.

Details of a potential ceasefire deal for the hostages have been agreed, with mediators awaiting final approval from the Palestinian terror group, Channel 12 news reports. The news channel said the development is “dramatic” and that its account has been approved by those tasked to review the agreement. According to Channel 12, the proposal is similar to the three-stage deal discussed last May. The talks largely revolved around a proposed three-phase deal in which “humanitarian” cases, including women, children, men over 50 and those seriously ill would be released first.

Then, on the 16th day of the ceasefire, talks will begin to secure the release of the military-age men, followed by a third phase that will see discussions on governance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

An official involved in the negotiations in Doha told Israel Army Radio: “There is cautious progress; it seems like the direction is positive.”

An Israeli official told Channel 12 that “if Hamas responds soon, all the details can be finalized within a few days.”

The Qatari mediator has handed Israel and Hamas a “final” draft of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement designed to end the war in Gaza, an official briefed on the negotiations told al Jazeera TV.

A breakthrough was reached in Doha after midnight following talks between Israel’s negotiating team, US President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy and Qatar’s prime minister, the official said.

94 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 are still in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas released 105 civilians during a week-long truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that.

The Palestinian group Hamas confirmed that progress has been made towards a ceasefire deal including the release of the hostages. “We renew our commitment to our steadfast and patient people and our heroic prisoners in prisons, and affirm that their freedom is near,” the group said.

The statement comes after a breakthrough was apparently reached in talks in Doha overnight. A Qatari official confirmed that Israel and Hamas had both received a “final” draft of the proposal, although an Israeli official later denied the claim. A potential deal is expected to see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those held on terrorism charges, released to secure the freedom of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Qatar Airways will be operating four weekly flights between Malta and Qatar from July.
This was announced by deputy prime minister and tourism minister Ian Borg, during a visit in Doha, Qatar.

The announcement was made following a high-level meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulraham Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, as well as talks with Ing. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways and Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, the Chairman of Qatar Tourism.

“Air connectivity is a cornerstone for advancing trade and tourism, as well as fostering educational exchange and innovation”, Borg affirmed, as he welcomed this important development.

“These flights will contribute to our economies and strengthen the cultural and social bridges between our peoples. These new direct connections to Hamad International Airport in Doha will also boost Maltàs connectivity with many other regions, including Australia, home to Maltàs largest diaspora, as well many other emerging tourism markets”, he added.

Hamad International Airport, the international hub of Qatar Airways, hosts flights to 197 destinations across five continents.

In a statement, the Maltese government said the discussions with Al-Thani were built on earlier exchangers, including Borg’s visit to Qatar in December 2022, to explore avenues for strategic investments and new collaborations, particularly in financial services, tourism, and renewable energy.

The meeting also underscored the robust relationship between both countries, ahead of the 50th anniversary years since Malta and Qatar established bilateral relations on 18 June 1975.

Borg extended Maltàs invitation to Qatari investors to consider the island nation as a gateway to European markets and a hub for sustainable innovation.

During the meeting, both delegations discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Palestinian territories, the updates in Syria, and a number of topics of common interest.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During a political mission in Damascus, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani met with the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al Shara, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Al Shibani.

During the day, the minister will meet with representatives of the Christian communities in Syria, civil society, NGOs, and humanitarian workers, as well as a representation of co-nationals who are in Syria.

The meetings allowed Tajani to confirm Italy’s commitment to supporting the transition process after the years of civil war and the end of Assad’s brutal regime. “I have indicated to the new authorities and the Syrian people how the Italian government wants to contribute towards conciliation and reconstruction process of the country, within the framework of broader efforts to stabilize the region”, Tajani said at the end of the meeting.

The minister also reminded the leading role that Italy is playing in the transition process, highlighting that Italy is the only G7 country to have an operational embassy in Damascus. An action that was accompanied by a strong diplomatic commitment with the organization yesterday in Rome of a meeting with the ministers of the Quintet in Rome and continuous discussions with regional partners, most recently with the ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

During the meetings, particular attention was paid to the issue of how to promote an inclusive political process, which guarantees the fundamental freedoms of all Syrians and recognizes and enhances the role of Christians as citizens with full rights. The discussions also addressed the issue of the security situation and the socio-economic needs of the country in light of the long civil conflict.

The minister then announced a package of new development cooperation initiatives, which will involve Italian civil society organizations. He recalled that since 2019, Italy has planned an average annual allocation of over 40 million for the Syrian population and refugees in neighboring countries. Finally, Tajani indicated the desire to strengthen coordination with international partners and the United Nations also on the refugee situation, to facilitate their return to Syria voluntarily and in a safe and dignified manner. 

During his mission in Syria, Tajani visited the Umayyad Mosque, one of the most symbolic places in Islam, and will also pay a visit to the chapel of St. Paul in Damascus.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities can start laying down a second interconnector to Sicily after Italy approved the final development permit. This was announced by Miriam Dalli, Maltàs Energy Minister.
The permit, issued by the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security, keeps the project on track for final commissioning in 2026.
The 122km-long high voltage cable will connect Maghtab with Ragusa in southern Sicily and will carry a maximum of 225MW of electricity. The project will cost €300 million with EU funds covering €165 million under the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027.
At least 99km of the cable will be laid on the seabed in the Sicily-Malta Channel. The subsea cable will be buried in a ditch dug into the seabed or where this is not possible be protected by rocks.
This is the second interconnector between Malta and Italy, the first having been commissioned in 2015.
Minister Dalli said a second interconnector will give Malta greater security of supply and enables Malta to export any additional electricity generated by large-scale renewable energy projects. Minister thanked her Italian counterpart Gilberto Pichetto Fratin for the close cooperation.
Interconnect Malta, a Maltese government company that is tasked with the project, has already obtained the development permit from the Maltese planning authorities. The company has also been working on the tendering processes for the various engineering, procurement and construction contracts.
“Following the start of civil works in Malta, with the construction of culverts in Maghtab already underway, this favourable outcome will allow us also to initiate works on the 21km stretch between Marina di Ragusa and Ragusa in Italy and in due course, and the channel between the two states,” engineer Joseph Vassallo said.
– Photo: Enemalta –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Government unveiled radical reforms that would exclude companies from hiring third-country workers in case of a series of indiscriminate dismissals.
This measure represents one of 32 recommendations included in a consultation document on labour migration policy to balance economic needs with growing public concerns about foreign worker exploitation and social cohesion. The public consultation is open until 9 February, with implementation targeted by the end of this year-end, as confirmed in a press conference addressed by the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela.
While presenting the reforms, Home Affairs and Employment Minister Byron Camilleri, announced that small firms with termination rates exceeding 50% would fail the Labour Market Needs Test, effectively prohibiting them from recruiting non-EU workers.
Third-country nationals earn an average of €18,443 annually, significantly below the €22,912 earned by Maltese residents and €25,319 by EU nationals.
According to the new policy, foreign workers who lose their jobs will be granted an extended grace period of 60 days, up from the current month, to secure new employment. The recruitment practices will be regulated, mandating job advertisements on the European Union’s EURES platform.
In a bid to encourage workforce stability, the policy introduces a fee structure for work permits. First-time applications will cost €600, while renewal fees will be reduced to €150 annually. High-skilled workers under specific initiatives will benefit from automatic three-year permit renewals, while others engaging in training or integration efforts will see their renewal periods extended from one to two years.
From this year, all salary payments to third-country nationals must be made via bank transfers to ensure transparency and contract compliance. Employers must now provide detailed evidence of candidates’ qualifications, experience, and language skills. The policy introduces workforce application limits, restricting the number of third-country nationals companies can hire based on a fixed percentage of their current workforce.

– photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The plane carrying journalist Cecilia Sala, coming from Tehran, has landed at Ciampino airport. Cecilia Sala was welcomed by the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri, as well as her mother Elisabetta Vernoni, her father Renato Sala and her partner Daniele Raineri, a journalist at Il Post.

“Ciao, I’m back”, says Cecilia Sala in a voice message sent to colleagues at Chora Media. The phrase also became the title of the episode of the podcast “Stories” which recounts the day of the journalist’s release.

The release of Cecilia Sala by the Iranian authorities was announced by the Office of the Prime Minister shortly after the plane took off from Tehran. “Thanks to intense diplomatic work and intelligence channels, our fellow citizen has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy,” the Office of the Prime Minister underlined.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “gratitude to all those who contributed to making Ceciliàs return possible, allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again.”

The Prime Minister personally informed the journalist’s parents during a phone call. I cried, and she told me “dad, don’t cry, a nightmare that lasted a very long time is over. I am proud, she is a strong woman, and speaking of strong women, the reference is certainly also to a Prime Minister who managed to maintain lucidity, and proactivity that I consider extraordinary. The nightmare was undoubtedly alleviated by the closeness of the country,” Renato Sala, Ceciliàs father, told Tg1.

– Photo X Giorgia Meloni –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The plane taking journalist Cecilia Sala home took off a few minutes ago from Tehran. This was announced by the Office of the Prime Minister.

“Thanks to intense diplomatic work and intelligence channels, our fellow citizen has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy”, the Office of the Prime Minister underlined.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “gratitude to all those who have contributed to making Ceciliàs return possible, allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again”.

The Prime Minister personally informed the journalist’s parents during a phone call a few minutes ago.

She is scheduled to arrive at Ciampino airport in the afternoon. She will be welcomed by her family and, among others, by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has submitted its updated National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission, committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 41% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.
The commitment comes after EU data showed Malta once again topped the rankings for increases in greenhouse gas emissions, with almost a 9% increase compared to the previous year. This made Malta one of only seven countries in the bloc that failed to reduce emissions. “The government remains committed to tackling climate change while promoting sustainable economic growth and, at the same time, keeping its promise not to overburden citizens to achieve these goals”, the Ministry of Energy and the Environment said. Malta will see a 77% reduction in emissions from energy generation compared to 2005, mainly due to the shift from heavy fuel oil to gas and the use of electricity interconnections with mainland Europe. Large-scale battery storage facilities will also be installed, allowing renewable energy to be used at night. Malta has also committed to increasing the share of renewable energy to around 25% of total energy consumption by 2030, exceeding previously set targets. The Maltese government noted that it has just published an international call for proposals to produce wind energy. The Maltese government acknowledged that more efforts are needed in the transport sector, which accounts for 37% of emissions. It said that people will continue to be incentivised to switch to electric vehicles while road infrastructure is improved.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Maltàs Tourism Office-

Source: medNews