LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United Nations Security Council is poised to extend its mandate this September, to allow its member states to continue inspecting and seizing ships off the Libyan coast to combat the increase in human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the Mediterranean region. This decision comes as the latest UN report reveals a sharp 51% increase in the number of migrants attempting to reach Europe, with a significant number of these perilous journeys originating from Libya. Nearly 45% of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in the past year have left from Libyan shores. The Mediterranean crossing has claimed over 3,000 lives between 2022 and 2023, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding on Europès southern border. These have heightened the urgency for international intervention, as the Security Council seeks to address the ongoing challenges posed by Libyàs strategic role in the migration crisis. The mandate, originally was designed to curb the illegal flow of arms into Libya during its civil war, but it has evolved over time to address the broader issues of migrant smuggling and human trafficking. It grants member states the authority to board, inspect, and, if necessary, seize vessels in international waters that are suspected of being used for smuggling operations. This extension reaffirms the international community’s commitment to disrupting the networks that exploit vulnerable migrants and endanger lives for profit. Libyàs position as a key gateway for migrants from Africa and the Middle East, coupled with its ongoing internal instability, has made it a focal point in the Mediterranean migration crisis. The country’s fractured political landscape, plagued by competing militias and weak governance, has allowed trafficking networks to flourish, turning Libya into a major departure point for desperate migrants seeking refuge in Europe. The Security Council’s decision to renew the mandate highlights the persistent nature of the challenges in the region. While the naval inspections have played a crucial role in intercepting smuggling vessels, the root causes of the migration crisis-such as poverty, conflict, and lack of economic opportunities in migrants’ home countries-remain unaddressed. The international community recognizes that these inspections are just one part of a broader strategy needed to tackle the complex web of factors driving the migration flow.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA-ITALPRESS) – The rescue ship Sea-Watch 5 operated by the German NGO Sea-Watch is heading to Civitavecchia after rescuing 289 migrants. The NGO said that the port assigned by the Italian authorities is almost 1000 km away. “The assigned, unnecessarily distant port puts extra strain on guests and crew. It deliberately keeps us from rescuing,” declared the NGO, adding, “one boy already had to be medically evacuated.” It urged the Italian authorities to assign a closer port. The crew of the Sea-Watch 5 rescued 289 people from distress at sea on Saturday. They were recovered from overcrowded wooden boats in a total of four operations. Among those rescued are 38 children and minors, some of them unaccompanied. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Sea-Watch

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) has evacuated one of its bases in Ukraine after it was struck by Russian weapons in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The attack left some of its staff with minor injuries and two of its ambulances damaged, the organisation said in a statement. Expensive medical equipment and medical supplies were destroyed in the fire.
19 medical staff and other personnel in the building at the time moved to the building’s bomb shelter, with “minor injuries sustained from flying debris.” Eight other staff members of the NGO were out on call at the time.
The blast, which the NGO said could have been caused by a rocket or drone attack, detonated “just three metres away from the building,” smashing windows and causing a large fire in several of the rooms.
It is not yet clear whether the attack was intentionally or by mistake. Another four targets also came under fire in the same town during the attack.
MOAS stressed it was just the latest in a series of incidents affecting its medical staff, who it said were “facing more injuries from the frontline” as Russiàs offensive in eastern Ukraine continued. However, it was the first time the NGO had been directly hit after around two and a half years operating on the frontlines, where it undertakes evacuations of wounded soldiers and transports them to hospital.
MOAS founder Christopher Catrambone called the incident an “unfortunate setback” for the organisation, but said it “strengthens our resolve” to continue operating in the conflict.
“Our thoughts are with our brave medics and personnel – and their families – who have risked their lives daily, for the past two and a half years, to help give a fighting chance to some of the most seriously wounded victims of this war”, he said.
The organisation has assisted more than 45,000 seriously wounded soldiers in Ukraine and more than 200,000 worldwide since its inception in 2014, it said.
– credit photo MOAS –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese health authorities have announced the detection of an imported case of mpox in Malta. The case, which was sexually transmitted, marks the first confirmed instance of the virus in Malta since the global outbreak in 2022. Health officials have assured the public that the patient is stable and does not require hospitalization. The individual has been placed in isolation, and contact-tracing efforts are underway to prevent further spread of the virus.
The Health Ministry has issued a set of preventive measures for the public, emphasizing the importance of safe sexual practices and open communication between partners about sexual health. They also advise avoiding close contact with individuals exhibiting Mpox symptoms and maintaining good hygiene habits. Maltese health authorities have stated they will continue to monitor the situation closely and update the public as necessary.
The World Health Organization recently declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern for the second time in two years, primarily due to outbreaks in several African nations.
The current outbreak is concentrated in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and involves two strains: clade 2b, which caused the 2022-2023 outbreak, and clade 1, including a recently identified subvariant, clade 1b. Cases have also been reported in Burundi, Nigeria, and Kenya, with travel-associated cases in Sweden and Thailand.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by the monkeypox virus and is spread through close contact, including kissing, touching, and sexual activity. Symptoms include a rash or lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has been asked by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to change its nominee for European Commissioner.
Glenn Micallef, who stepped down as the prime minister’s head of secretariat last May, was nominated for the post last month by Prime Minister Robert Abela. Micallef, a 34-year-old EU policy expert, has extensive EU experience, having led Maltese government briefs in Brussels for years, and it is understood that von der Leyen is not questioning his competence on EU affairs. But his lack of political experience, coupled with Maltàs relatively minor clout within the EU, is complicating matters for Maltàs nominee.
According to the Times of Malta, Von der Leyen is understood to be pressuring the Maltese government to nominate a woman in Micallef’s stead, as she pushes for a more gender-balanced commission. The newspaper quoted sources, saying that the EC President is also targeting Malta because Micallef is among the least experienced of the nominated commissioners.
Sources in Brussels told Times of Malta that von der Leyen has suggested keeping Maltàs existing EU Commissioner, Helena Dalli, for a second term, something the government is understood to be reluctant to do.
A spokesperson from the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed, “The engagement process is ongoing and the president is speaking to member states.”
The deadline for nominees closes on Friday, however, von der Leyen has roughly another week after that date before she formally assigns portfolios to her commission-in-waiting.
Malta had originally nominated former deputy prime minister Chris Fearne to the post, but those plans were dashed when a court last month ruled that Fearne should stand trial for fraud over the hospitals’ scandal.
Maltàs outgoing EU commissioner is Helena Dalli, who held several ministerial roles before being nominated in 2019. Von der Leyen’s reported willingness to have Dalli for a second term could be a sign that she has a bigger portfolio for her in mind.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The German NGO Sea-Watch said that its aircrew encountered two dramatic distress cases, 120 migrants at sea, both adrift, one without an engine. The NGO added that the engine was stolen, a situation that made it very dangerous for the migrants, 50 nautical miles off Lampedusa. The NGO said that the migrants need to be rescued, while the authorities are entirely neglecting their plight.
Furthermore, Sea-Watch confirmed that a boat sank on the Mediterranean. While the authorities were informed, the German NGO Resqship conducted a search and rescue operation, and saved 12 migrants who have been in the sea for over two hours, likely to reduce weight and protect the four children on board. Sea-Watch confirmed that there was no rescue effort by the authorities, despite its calls for assistance.
Meanwhile, another NGO – AlarmPhone confirmed that a boat with 53 people are in distress in the central Mediterranean. The boat is in Maltàs Search and Rescue zone. The NGO said that it has alerted the relevant authorities and a rescue operation is needed before it is too late. Through another distress call, a group of 20 migrants confirmed that they are in serious difficulties in the central Mediterranean.
AlarmPhone confirmed that its crew was alerted by the migrants who are adrift out at sea. “They are totally exhausted and need immediate rescue and care. We alerted relevant authorities and urged them to intervene.”

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Several Maltese NGOs has condemned the government’s crackdown on third country nationals in Malta, stating that such actions “create a climate of fear and insecurity” and violate the fundamental principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This comes as dozens of Ethiopian nationals who have lived and worked legally in the country for up to 19 years are facing sudden arrest and deportation. This action, part of a broader crackdown on third-country nationals, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and legal experts who warn of potential human rights violations and a disturbing shift towards authoritarian practices. Many of those affected have built families and contributed to the Maltese economy for nearly two decades. One Ethiopian community member, who arrived in Malta as an unaccompanied minor in 2005, expressed his distress: “Malta is my home. We have worked, paid our taxes and not caused trouble. Now we are being treated like criminals. Like animals”. A coalition of NGOs has expressed deep concern over the State’s treatment of these vulnerable individuals. In a joint statement, the NGOs condemned the arrests, arguing that such actions create a “climate of fear and insecurity” not only among the Ethiopian community but also among other marginalised groups in Malta. The NGOs underlined that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1, clearly states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” They assert that the treatment of these Ethiopians is a direct violation of this fundamental principle. The coalition has called on the Maltese Government to “immediately halt these inhumane practices” and to uphold the basic human rights of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. The Office of the Commissioner for Children has urged the government to “proceed with caution,” emphasising that children born or raised in Malta “only know Malta as their home” and should not live in fear of deportation. The Commissioner called for the regularisation of status for settled migrant families to safeguard children’s fundamental rights. The government’s actions appear to be driven by public opinion rather than sound policy. Prime Minister Robert Abela recently admitted that the clampdown on third-country nationals was a response to public concerns, despite previous government claims about the need for foreign labour to meet market demands.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Libyan Parliament, Issa Al-Araibi, voiced his full support behind the Libyan government’s decision to declare a state of force majeure on all oil fields and ports.
The government, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, made the announcement citing security threats as the reason for the shutdown. In a televised statement, Prime Minister Hammad stated that the decision was in response to recent attacks on leaders, employees, and departments of the Central Bank of Libya. These attacks were reportedly carried out by groups acting outside the law, with alleged backing from the Presidential Council, which the Benghazi-based government accuses of acting without legitimate authority. Libyan Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar underscored the importance of respecting the Central Bank of Libya and cautioned against illegal interference in its operations. During a meeting with Stephanie Khoury, the acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Haftar reiterated his stance on protecting the integrity of the Central Bank of Libya, emphasizing that any actions undermining the institution would not be tolerated.
This sudden development has had an immediate impact on the global energy markets. The global oil prices jumped by 3%, sparking concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
The head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Libyan Parliament Al-Araibi stated that the force majeure declaration is a necessary reaction to the Presidential Council’s recent unilateral decisions, which he believes endanger the country’s security. The House of Representatives has not only endorsed the government’s move but also acted to annul the Presidential Council’s decrees, a stance supported by the judiciary. He criticised the Presidential Council’s unilateral actions as illegal and perilous, stressing that resolving the current crisis requires a fair distribution of Libyàs oil revenues across its three main regions: Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan.
Libya, home to some of the largest oil reserves in Africa, has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains divided, with rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi both claiming legitimacy. This political division has frequently spilled over into the oil sector, the lifeblood of Libyàs economy. The force majeure declaration, which halts oil production due to extraordinary circumstances, underscores the deepening conflict between Libyàs rival factions.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The General Administration for Coastal Security in Libya confirmed that it has rescued 51 irregular migrants near the coast of Qarabulli, located in the northwest of the country. The boat “Wadi Kaam 300p” rescued the migrants, who hailed from various nationalities, after their boat came to a halt. The migrants were brought ashore at the Shaab Port Point, which is part of the Tripoli branch, where legal procedures were undertaken, and they were handed over to the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration. Furthermore, the Coastal Security reported the rescue of 123 irregular migrants, who were on board a dilapidated boat off the coast of Zuwara.
Separately, the Libyan National Army conducted a successful operation that led to the liberation of over 1,000 migrants, including women and children, from a human trafficking ring near Al-Shuwayrif. The Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade carried out the raid, which led to the rescue of the migrants. Colonel Khalifa Al-Abidi, Director of the the Libyan National Army’s Media Office, stated that most of the rescued individuals were of African origin and had been held in a large human trafficking compound strategically located between Misrata and Sebha. In addition to rescuing the migrants, the operation resulted in the arrest of the traffickers responsible for these illegal activities. The rescued individuals have been relocated to a safe area, where they are receiving necessary care, including shelter and medical assistance. The raid also uncovered significant quantities of narcotics, highlighting the gang’s involvement in broader criminal activities.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The Ukrainian community in Malta has marked the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence by gathering in Valletta. The event was held as part of the global campaign “Stand with Ukraine – Help defend our independence” organised by the Ukrainian World Congress. Several performances featuring singing, dancing and live music took place followed by speeches from diplomatic representatives from the United States of America in Malta, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Australia and international volunteers. All reiterated their countries’ unwavering support and continued assistance to Ukraine in its defence of the national integrity, sovereignty and independence.
“Today, Independence Day for every Ukrainian stands as a symbol of the great unity of all Ukrainians standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of the whole world in defence of peace, justice, sovereignty and the right to self-determination!” the Ukrainian community said in a statement after the event. “This year, Ukrainian Independence Day simultaneously brings sadness and pride. Sadness for the lost lives of those who were part of the Ukrainian future. And pride for the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people to defend their freedom and future. For the third year in a row now, this holiday is not only Ukrainian anymore…” said Olena Khylko, Policy Director, GLOBSEC Ukraine and Eastern Europe Programme. On 24 August 1991, the Ukrainian blue-yellow flag flew for the first time since 1920 on the flagpole at the Kyiv City Council. On the same day, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR adopted the Act of Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine. It was confirmed on December 1, 1991, at the All-Ukrainian Referendum.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Jacob Sammut

Source: medNews