LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Former Ministers Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna have been placed under a bill of indictment in connection with the concession of the three state hospitals to Vitals Global Healthcare and, eventually, Steward Health Care. Magistrate Leonard Caruana stated that the Prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for former Deputy PM and former Health Minister Chris Fearne and former Finance Minister, today occupying the role of Governor of the Central Bank of Malta Edward Scicluna, together with thirteen other defendants, to stand trial. They were arraigned in Court on a series of charges, on the recommendation of a magisterial inquiry. They are being accused of fraud exceeding five thousand euros and making fraudulent gains. Chris Fearne, Edward Scicluna, former Permanent Secretaries Alfred Camilleri and Joseph Rapa, and Permanent Secretary Ronald Mizzi who resigned yesterday, are also being charged with misappropriation of funds. Apart from this, Camilleri, Rapa, and Mizzi are charged with committing a crime that they were duty-bound to prevent. Other charges against the accused are about participation in a criminal organization and fraud. Chris Fearne had resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and asked for his nomination for European Commissioner to be withdrawn. The failure of Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna to object to cabinet decisions on a controversial hospitals deal was one of the key reasons the court ruled they should face trial. The criminal case should also continue against 13 other lawyers, civil servants, officials, and a company linked to the deal, which could probably only have happened with the support of a “web” of individuals, the court said. Chris Fearne has confirmed that he will not be seeking another term as Labour deputy leader after the court determined that there was enough evidence for him to stand trial in connection with the fraudulent hospitals concession. In a statement published on Facebook, Fearne asserted his innocence and said that he was certain that the court would ultimately confirm the truth. On his part, his co-defendant – Central Bank of Malta governor Edward Scicluna appears to be staying put in his post. He had said that only the European Central Bank could force him to resign. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela indicated that Edward Scicluna should resign from his position as Central Bank of Malta Governor. In an interview with Times of Malta, Abela stated that “the role of central bank governor is a sensitive one” while acknowledging Sciclunàs integrity and “how he always prioritized the national interest”. Scicluna was the finance minister when the government controversially negotiated the Vitals hospitals privatization deal in 2015. In January 2021, he was appointed governor of the Central Bank. The Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech said that the government was approaching its end, and many people were rallying around the Nationalist Party, seeing it as the only means to get the country out of its current limbo. Speaking on the party’s radio station, Grech said the country was rudderless, with the prime minister consistently absent or failing to take decisions that put Malta first. The people, Grech said, were fed up and getting increasingly angry and frustrated at how the country was being harmed because of the interests of the few. The PN, Grech said, had a duty to rally the people and work with the social partners to ensure that no further harm was caused to the country. It needed to prepare itself for the change the people were seeking so that a fresh direction could be set for a better future for the country and a better quality of life for its people.

– Photo Doi (Dipartimento per l’informazione) –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose”. Speaking to the US Congress Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s war in Gaza is “not a clash of civilizations. It’s clash between barbarism and civilization”. “We meet today at a crossroads in history. Our world is in turmoil. In the Middle East, the Iranian axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends”. “I am fully committed – he adds – in the intense efforts to ensure the release of the hostages” in Gaza. He paid tribute to Joe Biden, thanking him for “half a century of friendship with Israel” and for “tireless efforts for the hostages”.
-photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Yemen’s internationally recognized government has reached an agreement with the Houthis, facilitated by Saudi Arabia, to lift economic sanctions and increase the number of Yemenia Airways flights from Sanaa, controlled by the rebels.

The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said both sides agreed to ease economic hostilities by reversing the most recent actions taken against banks in areas controlled by the Houthis and pledged to suspend all such measures in the future.

They agreed to increase the frequency of national airline Yemeniàs flights from Sanaa to Jordan from one to three a day and to introduce daily flights from the capital to Cairo and India. Additionally, the two sides will discuss administrative, technological and budgetary issues related to the airline.

They will also hold talks on humanitarian and economic challenges under a peace plan proposed by the United Nations known as “the road map”.

After the surprise announcement, Grundberg said the UN stands ready to work with all parties to implement the agreed measures. He also “recognized the significant role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the implementation of this agreement.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – New data published by the European Union shows that the Maltese are twice as likely to face long flight delays as travellers in other EU countries.

30% of Maltese said that their flights were delayed by at least two hours, more than any other country in the EU and twice as high as the bloc’s average of 16%.

One in ten said that they arrived at their destination more than three hours later than expected, second only to travellers in Sweden.

Two-hour flight delays in Malta have more than doubled from the 13% recorded when the survey was last held in early 2019. At the time, Maltàs delay rates were comfortably below the EU average.

Before Air Malta ceased its operations, Maltàs national airline had long been plagued by delays as a result of shortage of aircrafts, technical issues and industrial actions.

Travellers have also been hit by other delays across several airlines, caused by a myriad of factors, from air traffic control issues to wayward drones and, earlier this month, volcanic explosions in Sicily.

The data reveals that people in Malta have faced several other unexpected obstacles in their trips, from flight cancellations (8%), to lost or delayed luggage (7%) and finding that their flight had been overbooked (1%).

The survey asked thousands of people across the EU, including 507 people in Malta, about their travel habits. The survey was carried out throughout January and early February this year.

– Photo Malta International Airport –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Flights between Malta and the Sicilian city of Catania have been cancelled or diverted after Mount Etna erupted for the second consecutive time in a month. The 3,300 metre volcano erupted early on Tuesday morning, firing an eight kilometre column of ash into the area over the island.
Three flights have been impacted between Catania and Malta International Airport. Flight FR367 from Malta to Catania at 1.35 pm, departed to Trapani instead, and passengers had to travel by coach from Trapani to Catania. The return flight from Catania, FR368, is cancelled. Another flight, FR1565, was due to travel from Vienna to Catania but was instead rerouted to Malta, landing at 11.07am. The flight then departed Malta at 1.10pm, en route to Palermo.
This is the second time this month, that Mount Etnàs eruption impacted flights to and from Catania.
“Due to eruptions and ash emissions, it has been decided to suspend flight operations,” Catania airport operator wrote on X, inviting passengers to contact their airline for flight information.
– foto Ipa –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Union’s latest taxation report for 2023 said that corporate income tax remains one of Maltàs most significant sources of revenue at almost 15% of its total tax income. Malta ranked third in the EU, after Cyprus (18.1%) and Ireland (21.5%) where corporate income tax forms a significant proportion of its state revenues. Malta still has the highest top statutory tax rates on business profits at 35%, followed by Portugal (31.5%) and Germany (29.9%), while the lowest can be found in Bulgaria (10%) and Hungary (9%). However, Maltàs statutory income tax rate masks the rebates that lead to an effective tax rate of 5% for companies that are owned by non-residents, or by residents without domicile in Malta. Malta has refunded over €13 billion in income tax to corporate shareholders in the last 14 years under its refundable tax credit system. Every year since 2008, Malta refunded an average of 14.2% from the tax owing from these eligible companies. Currently there are 8,012 companies actively registering for tax refunds under the refundable tax credit system. In 2023, finance minister Clyde Caruana said Malta would not be immediately introducing a new minimum tax rate for companies as agreed in the OECD. EU countries can delay the introduction of the new 15% minimum tax by up to six years. The rules apply to companies that have a global income of more than €750 million. This would impact around 660 multinational companies that have a base in Malta, which however employ some 20,000 people.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Malta’s “product” risks to collapse unless the Maltese government takes drastic action to stop the strain on infrastructure and invests heavily to stop the chronic power cuts. Meanwhile, tourists visiting the island of Gozo have asked the hosts for certain refunds or left their self-catering accommodation earlier than planned as a power outage continues to plague the sister island. At this time of the year, both locals and tourists alike flock to Gozo to soak up the sun and relax. During the same period, the different localities are also celebrating their village feasts. All of this means that restaurants, bars and other businesses in the hospitality sector should be buzzing with activity. Malta’s constituted bodies and social partners issued a stark warning as power cuts continued for the second summer. They added that the situation is harming businesses and residents, inflicting heavy costs in damage, and denting the country’s economic development, they said.

Enemalta, the state-owned energy firm, has now installed 14 diesel-powered generators in various localities around Malta to cope with another power-cuts crisis amid a heatwave.

Poor planning, excessive construction and overpopulation were singled out as the main reasons for an infrastructure on its knees.

The warnings from employer organisations were blunt: “Due to the adverse effects on the quality of service, the private sector may have to curtail its own investment going forward until the government catches up,” said Marthese Portelli, CEO of the Malta Chamber of Commerce. She said the fact that power cuts are significantly affecting residential areas is largely due to the construction of more housing units, hotels and restaurants without the necessary infrastructure to support them. Portelli said that the government needs to commit to a five to 10-year plan of investment in infrastructure, developed in serious consultation with the private sector and with clear milestones and deliverables based on realistic growth projections considering the available skills. “These suggestions and proposals are not new, but they have been systematically and repeatedly ignored. Now even the public is realising the extent to which lack of planning impacts its well-being and quality of life.”

Tony Zahra, president of Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, is concerned that the lack of investment and cohesive planning to address the growing population of residents and tourists in Malta is taking a toll on ‘Product Malta’. He insisted that decisions regarding Malta’s future over the next 15 years must be made now and communicated clearly to all stakeholders.

“The general upkeep and cleanliness of Product Malta is a continuing cause for concern,” he added.

Meanwhile, Michelle Muscat, president of the Association of Catering said she has been inundated by calls from restaurateurs reporting power cuts from all over the island.

Complaints have ranged from restaurateurs forced to throw away stocks to damaged appliances. Muscat said: “We are also losing clients. People are calling restaurants to check whether the power is on or not before booking. Then they go to the restaurant to find that after a few minutes, the power goes off again.” Muscat said her members are helpless because nobody knows how long this situation will persist. “Friday night was the worst. Restaurants were affected in Sliema, St Julian’s, Gzira, Hamrun, Santa Venera, Mosta, Naxxar. Gozo experienced regular power cuts for a day-and-a-half. This is not on.”

Paul Abela, president of the Malta Chamber of SMEs said that the situation was “very complex”. “Before green-lighting new projects, the authorities should start asking themselves whether the infrastructure will hold.”

The Gozo Business Chamber said businesses in Gozo are worried as they can no longer provide the guarantee that their operations will not be affected with the next power cut. “The businesses cannot plan. At the same time, they cannot offer the touristic products to those visiting and are experiencing damages to their appliances and the product itself.”

The Gozo Business Chamber also underlined, “The persistent outages, the huge damage between the Malta-Gozo cable as well as the energy insecurity are all affecting the business confidence,”underlining that operators are no longer sure that they can open their doors to clients while others are opting to foot extra costs by leasing out a generator.

Over 70% of the accommodation in Gozo consists of farmhouses and at this time of the year they would be fully booked. The Gozo Business Chamber added various localities have been hit by power cuts, and in some cases the interruption of the water. It added this is causing considerable damages, loss of customers, consumables, and working hours, and added costs to sustain the power supply in some cases.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: xf3

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Italian Admiral Valentino Rinaldi has taken command of the European Union’s “Operation IRINI,” succeeding Admiral Stefano Turchetto. This naval operation enforces the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, a country mired in conflict since the 2011 uprising that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Italy’s Chief of Defense, hailed Rinaldi’s appointment as a “strong message of confidence” from the EU, emphasizing Italy’s vital role in Mediterranean security.

Admiral Rinaldi’s leadership marks a new chapter for Operation IRINI, emphasizing robust maritime surveillance and enforcement. The operation’s success is crucial for the EU’s foreign policy goals in the Mediterranean, seeking to foster a stable and secure environment that will eventually support political dialogue and reconciliation in Libya.

Operation IRINI is a crucial element of the EU’s strategy to stabilize Libya. The mission has inspected thousands of vessels, monitored 1,480 suspicious flights, and conducted checks at 25 airports, 16 seaports, and numerous oil facilities. These efforts aim to prevent weapons from fueling the ongoing conflict in the war-torn country.

In a recent decision, the European Union extended the enforcement measures of the arms embargo on Libya for another year. This extension authorizes EU member states to inspect vessels in international waters off the Libyan coast suspected of violating the UN arms embargo.

Libya’s strategic location and significant oil reserves have attracted regional and international powers, intensifying the conflict. Persistent instability has enabled various factions, supported by different foreign actors, to compete for control.

Launched in March 2020, Operation IRINI is part of a broader international effort to support peace and stability in the region. The mission not only enforces the arms embargo but also aims to curb the illicit export of petroleum, train the Libyan Coast Guard, and disrupt human trafficking and smuggling networks.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: EUNAVFOR MED

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Several localities across Malta and Gozo are experiencing long interruptions to their electricity supply. Portable generators are appearing across Malta as summer power cuts continue to leave residents sweltering in their homes with temperatures of above 35 degrees Celsius are hitting Malta. Tourist sought localities like Gzira, Sliema St. Julian’s, Bugibba and St. Paul’s Bay were also hit by electricity outages. Residents are left in the dark as the authorities are not providing an estimate of when residents and businesses in affected areas could expect power to return.
Enemalta the only Maltese energy company that provides energy services and is entrusted with the distribution of electricity, and the development of the national electricity distribution network said problems in affected regions were due to high voltage faults.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said, “The infrastructural work needed to bring Maltàs electricity distribution network up to scratch will have to be done in phases. She remarked, “I promised the biggest ever investment into electricity distribution, and €55 million has already been spent on improving the infrastructure,” she said. “However, you cannot carry out these works across the whole country at the same time. I wish it were possible but it must be done in phases.”
Enemalta, the state-owned energy firm, said problems were due to faults on its high-voltage cable network and that alternative energy supplies were being used where possible.
A National Audit Office report concluded that Enemalta investment on the distribution network was lacking for several years until 2023, when a series of nationwide power cuts sparked by an abnormally long heatwave forced the government and Enemalta into action.
As social partners demanded action, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela pledged to double investment in electricity infrastructure to €30 million a year. That pledge came just one year after Dalli, as energy minister, had said Enemalta was accelerating its investment in energy Infrastructure. But despite itensified works to improve Maltàs high voltage infrastructure, problems with power supply consistency have continued to plague Malta this summer.
A €37 million emergency power station will be functional as a fallback in case one of Maltàs main sources of energy generation developed problems.
Enemaltàs forecasts last year were that power demand would rise by 3%, when in reality demand rose 14%.
Enemalta confirmed that temporary generators were the power company’s second plan. “That plan includes transporting large generators directly to substations and feeding electricity to households through portable generators.”
Enemalta has installed 14 diesel-powered generators in various localities around Malta to cope with another power-cut crisis amid a heatwave. “More generators are on the way after a tender was awarded. These units will be on standby and will be used only if necessary.”

foto: xf3/Italpress

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Foreign and local travelers at Malta International Airport faced up to 10 hours delay in a crowded departure lounge as a global IT outage led to a series flights delays.
Some 85% of all flights at the Malta International Airport have been impacted by a global IT outage, with passengers looking out for a space to sit in the airport, which is already operating at maximum capacity this summer.
In a statement, Malta International Airport said multiple airlines were experiencing “network disruptions” affecting numerous airports worldwide, including in Malta. “As a result, delays are expected. Please be assured that we are working diligently to manage the situation with minimal disruption,” it said.
Airlines, banks, TV channels, and other businesses worldwide were scrambling on Friday to deal with one of the biggest IT crashes in recent years, caused by an update to an antivirus program.
Around 85% of yesterday’s flights to and from the airport have been affected, resulting in delays to process passengers for their flight or subsequent slot changes,” the Malta International Airport said.
Although MIA’s IT systems were not affected by the outage, the IT team was monitoring the situation closely with the impacted airlines to ensure their systems become operational as soon as they are restored.

– Photo xf3/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews