LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – It was a thrilling experience on Wednesday night for a record enthusiastic crowd of around 34,000 that was present for the first ever concert given by English singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran. Sheeran opened the concert in Tà Qali grounds greeting the cheering fans. “This is my very, very first time in Malta and I’m so glad to be here,” he said, followed by his first track “Castle on the Hill”, accompanied by a show of lights and fireworks. He took the crowd on a whirlwind of hits from his Mathematics series of albums. In-between tracks he spoke about his music career and personal experiences from turning up to pubs in England where “no-one cared” to “travelling the world”. Ed Sheeran involved the crowd throughout the concert with songs like ‘Give Me Lovè, ‘Lego Housè and ‘Galway Girl’.
A particular emotional moment was when he spoke of the death of his best friend in 2022, before introducing the song ‘Eyes Closed.” “It only hit me when I put dirt on his grave that he was not coming home,”. Sheeran recalled.
One of the highlights was a medley of songs like “River”, “Beautiful People” and “I Don’t Care”. Another crowd pleaser was “Thinking Out Loud”.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, Ed Sheeran appeared on stage wearing a Malta football shirt, describing Malta as a “lovely place”, he told the crowd how “it’s been a wonderful gig”.
Malta, year after year, keeps on attracting artists of the highest standard in the entertainment world.
Ed Sheeran participated at the Lucca Summer Festival by two gigs on 8-9 June. Seven percent of tickets for Sheeran’s concerts have been bought by overseas fans.

– photo xf3/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta recorded three deaths and 83 hospitalisations due to COVID-19, a health ministry spokesperson has confirmed. There were 232 notified cases of COVID-19 in the past four weeks, but no hospitalised patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The health authorities confirmed that Malta has registered an upward trend since mid-May, reflecting what is happening in the rest of Europe.
The dominant variants circulating are KP,KS and JN which are mutations of Omicron BA.2.86. Precautions are being taken at Maltàs main general hospital over the rise in cases. Persons admitted to Mater Dei hospital with symptoms suggestive of respiratory infection are tested through a respiratory screen and positive cases are isolated in line with ECDC protocols.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Q8 Italy and Fox Petroli today signed the final deed of purchase by Q8 of 50% of Eco Fox S.r.l., a company totally controlled by Fox Petroli.

Eco Fox has been operating in the biogenic fuel market in Italy since the 1990s, producing a range of advanced biodiesel and by-products for industrial use. It has a factory located in Vasto with a production capacity of 200,000/tons, a fiscal warehouse of 30,000 m3 of storage and supporting logistics capable of receiving and shipping products by sea and land.

The acquisition of the company shares by Q8 was approved by the Directorate General for Competition of the European Union, by the Competition and Market Authority and subjected to the Golden Power regulations (Law 21/2012 and subsequent amendments).

The first Eco Fox Board of Directors meeting was also held today and is made up of two Managing Directors, represented by the two shareholders and five Board Members, of which 3 appointed by Ecofox and 2 by Q8 Italia.

Fadel Al Faraj, Executive Vice President Marketing of Kuwait Petroleum International described this agreement as a “particularly important acquisition”, representing a starting point for the Q8 group in implementing its vision of becoming a leading player in the production of sustainable biofuels in Europe.

“This year in which the Q8 brand celebrates 40 years in Italy, our history is intertwined with the evolution of our supply chain to guarantee customers sustainable mobility, integrated into our business model, which also ensures the value of the company in the long term and facilitates a fair and sustainable energy transition,” said Al Faraj, describing it, “a complex challenge but achievable with the support of our precious ecosystem of stakeholders”.

– Photo Q8 press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki proposed a strategic partnership with Italy on four priority sectors during a bilateral summit with the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso. Also present during the summit representatives from large Italian companies. Renewable energy, water, manufacturing and infrastructure for road, rail and port development were listed as the priority sectors for the economic and productive development of Eritrea. Discussions were also focused on new and further collaborations into mining, agriculture and livestock, tourism and air transport for the recovery of Asmara. Healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors were also on top of the agenda. “The desire for Italy emerges everywhere and it shows the awareness that our country can play a fundamental role today for the development of Eritrea and for the stability of the area”, stated Minister Urso on the sidelines of the summit, while visiting some companies and production plants in the Asmara region. During the official visit to Eritrea, Urso is accompanied by an Italian delegation made up of the director of Enel Grids & Innovability, the managing director of the Fincantieri Infrastrutture Polo, the International Affairs manager of Ferrovie dello Stato, and the International Agronomic director of Ferrara land reclamation. This morning the delegation visited some production sites, together with the Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed, the economic advisor Hagos Gebrehiwet and the Minister of industry and trade, Nesredin Bekit. The delegation visited the Asmara station, from where the railway connection to Massawa was built by the Italians; the glass factory another project built by the Italians which was abandoned for decades, an important dam recently built with a photovoltaic system, and an agricultural area recently converted into plantation. “Italian companies have a natural predisposition to work in Eritrea, as demonstrated by the consolidated relationships developed over the years and the tangible presence of Italy wherever there is a production site, clearly still visible in the machinery and know-how”, commented Urso.
Also present was the head of telemedicine of the Polyclinic “Agostino Gemelli”, who delved deeper into the possible forms of healthcare collaboration at the local hospital in Asmara.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Mimit press office –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The court ruled that there are sufficient evidence to merit the indictment of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, former Minister Konrad Mizzi and former Chief of Staff at the Office of the Prime Minister, Keith Schembri for crimes relating to the fraudulent three state hospitals’ concession.
A prima facie decree was issued by the Magistrate as the compilation of evidence against the former Prime Minister, the former Minister for Health and former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, who form part of the group of 14 persons and nine companies facing criminal charges, amongst them corruption, fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, in connection with the sale of three State hospitals to Vitals Global Healthcare.
The sale had been declared fraudulent by the courts and declared null in 2023 following a legal case opened by the Nationalist Opposition.
Earlier this year, the conclusions of a magisterial inquiry that had been launched in 2019 following a request by NGO Repubblika, had recommended that they should be prosecuted.
All of the defendants are pleading not guilty to the charges.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A new “Morocco-branded” humanitarian operation to bring humanitarian medical aid to the population of Gaza was launched today, as explained in a statement released by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
King Mohammed VI, as president of the Al Quds Committee (Jerusalem), has in fact given instructions to launch the second humanitarian operation aimed directly at the Palestinian population of Gaza. Forty tons of health products containing, in particular, devices for the treatment of burns and surgical and traumatological emergencies, and top quality medicines intended in particular for children and the elderly, we read in the press release. Last March, Morocco was in fact the first country in the world to bring humanitarian aid directly to the population of Gaza by land, through Ben Gurion airport since the outbreak of hostilities. Also in this second operation, Moroccan aid will be transported via the same land route, explains the statement, underlining how the sovereign will take charge of a large part of this aid from personal funds.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Map –

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The President of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani received Miriam Dalli, Maltese Minister for the Environment, Energy and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour this afternoon at Palazzo d’Orlèans.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the construction of the second interconnector between Sicily and Malta. The interconnector will be build between Ragusa, in Sicily, to Maghtab, in Malta, for the transfer of electric energy.
Ismail D’Amato, CEO of Interconnect Malta, a government owned company, was also present during the discussions.
President Schifani greeted Minister Dalli with a ceramic trinacria, and in exchange, Minister Dalli presented a reproduction of a small silver sailing ship.

– Foto: ufficio stampa Regione Siciliana –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities uncovered €13 million worth of cannabis resin concealed within industrial ovens destined for Libya.

The discovery followed a thorough risk assessment, leading customs officials at the Malta Freeport Terminal to scan and examine a container originating from Morocco and destined for Tripoli, Libya.

Initial scans of the six induction ovens within the container revealed substantial inconsistencies, prompting further investigation. Subsequent scans confirmed the presence of irregular material concealed within the ovens.

The extraction of the drugs was a complex process, spanning over two days. The operation involved the Customs canine teams, the Police narcotics squad, and members of the Civil Protection Department.

Upon dismantling the panels, officials found 4,300 kg of cannabis resin embedded within the inner parts of the induction ovens. This substantial quantity, notable even by international standards, highlighted the elaborate and deceptive construction designed to evade detection.

This seizure follows another significant interception last week, where customs officials confiscated 50 kg of cocaine from a container that had arrived from Ecuador and was destined for Slovenia.

Duty magistrates have been informed of both cases, and inquiries have been appointed to further investigate the incidents.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Dogana di Malta

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Haftar family is consolidating its power in eastern Libyan, as the strongman Khalifa Haftar has named his son, Saddam Haftar, as the new chief of the Haftar-controlled Libyan Arab Armed Forces. Two other Haftar sons also have military posts.

In view of the latest developments, the rival western government in Tripoli is under pressure about the rise of this private family army in the east and who control eastern and parts of southern Libya.

In 2019, Haftar tried to take Tripoli. He failed and while he has lost some of his backers, including the U.S., he is a top priority on Russia’s list, and a key stomping ground for Wagner mercenaries and operations that extend beyond Libya.

Recently the Italian law enforcement carried out the operation at the request of the United States authorities and seized weapons worth millions of dollars allegedly bound for Benghazi in Libya. The large merchant vessel MSC Arina departed from Yantian, a port district in Shenzhen, China on April 30. US authorities decided to seize the arms shipment and requested Italian intervention upon its arrival in the southern port of Gioia Tauro, in Calabria. The cargo ship was destined for forces loyal to Russia-backed warlord Khalifa Haftar. The specific military equipment on board remains unclear, but some analysts suggest it could include armed drones.

The recent event underscores the growing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and Russia. Washington has been closely monitoring Haftar since his visit to Moscow in September. US intelligence officials suspect that the Kremlin wants to build its military port in Tobruk, which is controlled by Haftar in Libya.

The US is keen to prevent Russian expansion in the Mediterranean, especially in Libya, which has strategic importance due to its proximity to Europe and its resources. Russia’s potential establishment of a military base in Tobruk would significantly enhance its influence in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

A Russian military presence in Libya would also be a direct security concern for the EU, particularly given its proximity to the EU’s southern borders. This would not only disrupt the balance of power in the region but could also affect EU interests, including migration routes and energy supplies.

Meanwhile, the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed concern about Russian naval missions delivering military equipment to Libya.

On June 18, the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the arrival of two Russian warships at the Tobruk naval base for a “working visit.” The ships, the missile cruiser “Varyag” and the frigate “Admiral Shaposhnikov,” are intended to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Libyan and Russian navies. This visit aims to improve training, maintenance, technical and logistical support, and maritime security expertise.

The US State Department has expressed its concerns about recent reports that naval vessels belonging to Russia were unloading military equipment in Libya, considering that Moscow was seeking to use Libya as a base to destabilize the Sahel region.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told Al Hurra TV on Friday that the Russian move “comes five years after the deployment of Russian mercenaries who destabilized Libya and the region.” Miller said that Moscow “did not hide its ambition to deepen its foothold in Libya and use it as a base to further destabilize the Sahel region,” noting that there are approximately 1,800 members of a Kremlin-backed force currently in Libya. “The US will continue to respect Libyan sovereignty and the dialogue facilitated by the United Nations with the aim of unifying the country through political means only.” He added.

Libya has been a focal point of international conflict and intervention since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country has since been divided between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by different foreign powers.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

Malta launched a new initiative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with the aim of strengthening the participation of young people in the discussions and decisions taken by the politicians to address climate change.

During a conference on climate change, 

the Chairperson of the OSCE, the Minister for European Foreign Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, stressed that the urgency to take immediate action has never been so great.

The conference was held in Malta, which is currently in charge of leading the OSCE, the largest security organization in Europe

Malta launched the new initiative with the aim of strengthening the participation of young diplomats and technical experts in the discussions and political decisions that are being taken on climate change.

The initiative was brought by the Permanent Representation of Malta to the OSCE to the representatives of the 57 countries within this Organization, during a high-level conference of the Maltese Presidency of the OSCE on Climate Change.

The Special Representative for the Maltese Leadership of the OSCE on Climate Change, Ambassador Simone Borg, said that this initiative will help to train new diplomats with aspects that deal with climate change, about energy, water and the impact on nature. The fight against climate change requires diplomats who can steer agreements in the direction that make a difference. Training will also be given to young people in areas such as transport and agriculture who will train and learn how to address emissions from their sector.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairperson of the OSCE Ian Borg said that the conference was being held at a time when the Mediterranean region is facing challenges linked to climate change, including heat waves, droughts and floods.

He described the launch of the initiative as significant to have officials, especially young people, who meet and train so that even in embassies, in international organizations each country has those experts which can lead to solutions.

The Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli said governments should incentivize new technologies to push forward measures to combat climate change. She said that climate change was becoming more of a threat and extreme weather is intensifying, with great risks for people. Dalli emphasized the importance of research and said that in Malta researchers were coming up with innovative ideas that can be implemented in Malta.

Source: medNews