LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A delegation from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority visited Misrata International Airport to evaluate the security and operational procedures adopted at the airport and the extent of their compliance with international operating standards. This visit, which lasted for two days, came as part of the preparations for the start of operating flights between Misrata Airport and Italian airports, according to a statement by the Airports Authority on its Facebook page on Wednesday. A meeting was held during the visit between the Italian delegation and the Director General of the Airport, in the presence of his assistant and the Head of the Airport Security Department in the Standards Conformity Department at the Airports Authority and the Aviation Security and Facilities Office at the Civil Aviation Authority, in addition to the Airport Security Director. The delegation resumed evaluation work at the airport, and reviewed the various equipment available there as well as the extent of their compliance with the required quality standards. They inspected all airport facilities, with the aim of verifying the extent to which these procedures comply with civil aviation security standards. All these efforts are part of the Airports Authority’s plans to raise the level of services provided at airports, to ensure compliance with international standards and enhance the safety and security of flights. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey for 2023 revealed a concerning situation for the Maltese households. The survey indicates that 6.7% do not afford regular social gatherings with friends or family for a drink or meal, and 11.1% unable to participate in leisure activities regularly. 30% of respondents declared their inability to afford a one-week annual holiday away from home. Despite Malta has registered one of Europès biggest economic growth, some 16% of the Maltese residents declared that their household would not be able to settle an unexpected financial expense of €770 and over. The latest survey revealed that the material and social deprivation rate stood at 9.2% while the severe material and social deprivation rate stood at 4.1%.
The EU-SILC survey aims to collect comparable data on income, health and disability, employment, and material deprivation. It assesses households’ perceived capacity to afford a set of 13 standard items, providing insights into material and social deprivation indicators.
Additionally, 6.8% struggled to keep their homes adequately warm in winter, and 5.7% faced arrears on mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, or other loan payments.
Furthermore, personal indicators highlighted that less than 5.7% of the surveyed population could not afford basic needs such as replacing worn-out clothes with new ones or owning two pairs of properly-fitting shoes. Notably, 5.6% of children and 3.7% of adults aged 18-64 were living in severely materially and socially deprived households.
Moreover, households reported problems with their main dwellings, with pollution and noise being the most frequently cited issues. Among these households, 45.6% reported at least one problem, indicating a rise compared to the previous year.

– photo: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Cairo between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) represented by President Teodoro Valente and the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA), represented by CEO Sherif Mohamed Sedky, in the presence of the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, who is also responsabile for aerospace policies Adolfo Ursi.

The MoU has as its main objective the strengthening of collaboration in the space sector between Italy and Egypt in order to encourage long-term investments and partnerships. The collaboration between ASI and EgSA will, in fact, facilitate investments in the space sector also by the industries involved in this sector, which together with the space agencies, could develop projects and initiatives of common interest at a Mediterranean level, in Africa and internationally.

“Italy can be a protagonist in supporting the African continent in the space sector, considered a priority in the context of the initiatives envisaged by the Mattei Plan”, declared the Minister of Business and Made in Italy with responsibility for aerospace policies Adolfo Urso. “The agreement signed today is strategic for the development of innovative technologies that will spread through more industrial sectors. Africa, the continent of the future, is central to the development of the space sector, as demonstrated by our base in Malindi which could potentially be used by African countries, which finally also want to compete in one of the most important sectors of the future society”.

“The agreement signed today,” stated the president of ASI Valente, “represents a bridge between Europe and Africa, a corridor between Italy and Egypt in the space sector. In this way, ASI continues its commitment to consolidating privileged relationships with African countries entering the sector, within the framework of the initiatives promoted by the Italian Government in the context of the Mattei Plan for Africa”.

Egypt is one of the African countries that are consolidating their space policy: the setting up of EgSA in 2019 testifies the government’s interest in broadening interest in the sector, which for several years has concentrated mainly on science and remote sensing.

The Memorandum of Understanding highlights the intention of Italy and Egypt to intensify cooperation in space sciences and technologies and to promote collaboration between universities, research institutes and companies of the two countries.

Further areas of cooperation could include Earth Observation and Remote Sensing, space applications, capacity building projects and specialist training initiatives. Earth Observation, with reference to the monitoring of the variables and effects of climate change on society and the national economy, could constitute an important area of potential collaborations and joint projects capable of involving Italian companies that can boast specific expertise.

– Photo MIMIT Press Office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Parliament Office in Malta has called for the immediate suspension of a directive issued by the Malta Broadcasting Authority, which effectively censors reports about European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

The directive issued by the Malta Broadcasting Authority mandates caution in reporting about the President of the European Parliament, focusing only on the news value of the story. This featured in the Broadcasting Authority’s new regulations governing radio and television programmes and advertisements aired throughout the European election period.

The European Parliament Office in Malta expressed concern over potential impairment of media coverage of the upcoming European Elections, and demanded the suspension of the regulation to allow it “to consult with the European Parliament Legal Service, in order to ensure that the rights of the institution in Malta are protected, as the Directive could impair the work of the media in covering the incoming European Elections”.

The European Parliament Office in Malta added that “it is of essence to ensure that all EU citizens are provided with information on the importance and the stakes of these elections to come and that the role of its President in liaising with EU citizens, in all Member States, is ensured”.

The directive has sparked outrage from Metsolàs party, the Nationalist Party which labelled the directive as anti-democratic and shameful. “No democratic country has ever issued such regulations against the democratically elected European Parliament or its President,” said the Narionalist Party.

The directivès order to censor Metsolàs coverage is perceived as discriminatory against her Maltese identity, the Party argued, adding that Metsolàs work should be recognised and reported, and her Maltese heritage should be celebrated, not suppressed.

The Broadcasting Authority’s decision, the PN said, is a flagrant breach of democratic values and infringes on freedom of the press and broadcasting.

The Nationalist Party called for the immediate withdrawal of the directive, insisting that in other European countries, the President of the European Parliament is openly discussed and reported by the media.

The Broadcasting Authority, comprising nominees from the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party, while the chairperson is handpicked by the prime minister, has been criticised for its lack of impartiality and fairness in broadcasting.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Official statistics released by Eurostat show that the Maltese Government has not found an end to addressing the issue of the cost of living, as inflation and the burden of prices remained much higher than the average of the countries in the EU. Malta saw a slight dip in its annual inflation rate, settling at 2.7%. Although down from February’s 3.0%, it remains notably higher than the 2.4% registered in the euro area. According to statistics, countries such as Latvia, Italy, Denmark, Finland, and Lithuania, all have a better standard of living situation than Malta. Even Cyprus and Ireland registered cheaper prices on various products.
The governments of Germany and the Czech Republic also managed to control the cost of living while France has a cheaper cost of living rate than Malta. In March, the biggest impact resulted from the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index (+1.02 percentage points), mainly due to higher milk prices. The second and third largest impacts were noted in the index of restaurants and hotels (+0.69 percentage points) and the index of accommodation, water, electricity, gas, and other types of fuels (+0.36 percentage points), mainly due to higher prices in restaurant services and rents.
(ITALPRESS).
– photo credsit: Malta Tourism Office –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta deeply regretted the final vote at the United Nations Security Council that denied “the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations” in place of its current “non-member observer state” status, which it has held since 2012. The session of the Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York City was chaired by Malta. The US vetoed Palestinès chance to join the UN as a full member, despite Malta and 11 more countries on the Security Council voting in favour of Palestinès admission. Britain and Switzerland abstained. Security Council chair and Maltàs Permanent Representative to the UN, Vanessa Frazier, said UN membership was a necessary step for the Palestinians to achieve equal footing with the rest of the international community. She said: “The unprecedented turmoil is pushing the Palestinian people to a precipice. We deeply regret that following today’s veto, this legitimate aspiration has not been realised, but we must not lose sight of its legitimate validity. The two-state solution remains the only realistic solution for stability and peace in the Middle East”.
After the vote, the US said its position is unchanged: that the UN is not the venue for recognition of a Palestinian state, which must be the result of a peace deal with Israel.
(ITALPRESS).
– Foto: Ipa Agency –

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “On the issue of migration management, I want once again to thank the Tunisian authorities and President Saied for the work that we try to carry out together against human traffickers. We know that Tunisia cannot become the country of arrival for migrants. Cooperation must be strengthened on this, we want to involve international organizations, work on repatriations but above all on regular flows”. This was declared by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following a bilateral meeting with the President of Tunisia, Kais Saied.
“I believe that much more can be done by Italy on the front of legal migration, but it is essential that we work together to continue to fight the slavers of the third millennium, the mafia organizations that think they can exploit the legitimate aspirations of those who would like a better life to make easy money. It is a job that President Saied and I share and carry forward together, but it is a job that requires development, investments and all the work that Italy carries out having promoted itself at a European level”, concluded Meloni.

– Photo Italian Government –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Belgium considers the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 as “a serious and credible effort on the part of the Kingdom and as a good basis for a solution accepted by the parties”. This is what emerged in the joint declaration adopted during the third meeting of the Morocco-Belgium Joint Partnership High Commission, co-chaired by the Moroccan Head of Government and the Belgian Prime Minister, as reported by the MAP (Agence Marocaine de Presse).
According to the official statement, De Croo reaffirmed “Belgium’s long-standing support for the United Nations-led process for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties and reaffirm the support for UN Security Council Resolution 2703 (2023), which emphasizes on the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic and lasting agreement and a political solution based on compromise.” .
Belgium thus joins the 16 countries of the European Union that recognize the autonomy initiative, including Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, while the Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara has been recognized by many countries including the United States and all Arab countries, except Algeria.
More than thirty African and Latin American countries have opened consular representations in the cities of Layoun and Dakhla in the Sahara territory.

– Photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS) – Milan Bergamo Airport is delighted to celebrate a record number of flights and capacity to North Africa, underscoring its commitment towards emerging markets, as well as fostering and expanding its reach beyond Europe to regions further afield. Nile Air will become the latest carrier to enhance connectivity, initiating three weekly flights between Milan Bergamo and Cairo starting 28 June. Utilising a modern fleet of 164-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, Nile Air will offer passengers a comfortable and reliable travel experience. Flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, providing travellers with increased flexibility when planning their itineraries. This service not only facilitates nonstop travel to Egypt’s historic capital but also offers convenient onward connections to several destinations in the Gulf. North Africa holds immense importance for Milan Bergamo Airport, serving as a thriving market for tourism, family visits, and burgeoning business opportunities. This year, a record number of seven airlines are operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, offering over 660,000 seats to travellers. This figure represents a notable 48% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and is up almost 10% year-over-year, showcasing the robust growth trajectory of the airport’s North African routes. Morocco and Egypt emerge as focal points in Milan Bergamo’s North Africa coverage, with flights catering to diverse travel needs and preferences. While the airport has been facilitating flights to North Africa for decades, the notable growth began in 2008 when Ryanair introduced services to Fez in Morocco. Subsequently, the entry of Air Arabia Maroc with its Casablanca service in 2009 further bolstered connectivity. Served by Air Arabia, Air Arabia Maroc and Air Arabia Egypt, Milan Bergamo is the only airport in Europe to claim all three airlines of the group on its carrier rollcall. This summer, the group has notable coverage of the North Africa region with flights from Milan Bergamo Airport to Alexandria, Cairo, and Casablanca. Air Arabia Egypt will continue to offer the largest number of flights and capacity to Cairo throughout the 2024 summer season. Complementing Nile Air, Ryanair and the Air Arabia group in serving North Africa from Milan Bergamo Airport are AlbaStar, TUI, Neos and Malta Med Air, which provide leisure flights in cooperation with tour operators. Moreover, Ryanair further reinforces its commitment to North Africa by introducing a new two weekly service to Beni Mellal in north-central Morocco, commencing on 1 June. Milan Bergamo Airport offers passengers ten unique destinations across North Africa, including six in Morocco and four in Egypt. Travellers can opt for a nonstop service from Milan Bergamo to Agadir, Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier in Morocco, as well as Alexandria, Cairo, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Giacomo Cattaneo, Director of Commercial Aviation, SACBO, said: “The growing connectivity between Milan Bergamo Airport and North Africa is a testament to the strategic importance of this region for our airport. We recognise the immense potential that North Africa holds in terms of tourism, business, and cultural exchanges. The record number of airlines operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, along with the substantial increase in seat capacity, highlights our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of travellers. We are confident that our partnership with airlines, coupled with the attractiveness of North African destinations, will fuel further expansion in the coming years”. As Milan Bergamo Airport continues to strengthen its foothold in North Africa, travellers can look forward to enhanced connectivity and diverse travel options that fit all types of passengers and budgets. Milan Bergamo Airport will continue to play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel between Italy and North Africa, unlocking new opportunities for passengers, and contributing to the region’s economic development.

 

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese nationals are among various suspects from Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Jordan, the United States and Venezuela involved in an international Ponzi scheme, which allegedly made money by selling medical cannabis. The scheme defrauded €645 million between early 2020 to July 2022, and had a total of 550,000 participants globally, although only 186,000 transferred money in the scheme. Most of the participants were European.
The medical cannabis platform used was called Juicyfields where investors could invest a minimum of €50 to be linked with producers of medical cannabis. The cannabis would then be sold to authorised sellers. The company pledged returns of 100% or more, but did not reveal how they would accomplish this or be able to guarantee it. It was advertised as connecting investors to producers of medical cannabis.
In July 2022, the company shut down without any explanation. The company’s social media accounts shut down and investors where unable to login and withdraw funds from the platform. When investors tried to contact the company by email, they were alerted that the email address no longer existed.
A number of court cases were filed against the company, and, eventually investigations by various national as well as European authorities. In Germany, France and Spain alone, over 4 500 victims lodged formal complaints with the relevant authorities.
The Malta Police Force, among other authorities including Europol, Eurojust and national authorities from various countries, participated in the investigations.
A Russian national, suspected to have been one of the main organisers of the scheme, was traced to a residence in the Dominican Republic. Officials from the authorities of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the Spanish investigation, search his property to gather evidence.
The investigation led to the freezing or seizure of €4,700,000 in bank accounts, €1,515,000 in cryptocurrencies, €106,000 in cash and €2,600,000 in real estate assets. Several luxury vehicles, works of art, cash and various luxury items, electronic devices and documents were also seized as part of the investigation.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews