LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Foreign nationals applying for residence permits in Malta should prepare for stricter scrutiny of their lodging documentation, as Identità agency continues to tighten its verification processes and to combat to fraudulent applications. The new requirement comes in response to a scandal where the Maltese authorities allegedly issued thousands of fake Identity Cards to foreigners in exchange for bribes. A magisterial inquiry into these claims is currently underway, with several cases of suspected identity theft reported by local citizens. The Nationalist Opposition has currently a request for an investigation before the Auditor General, made by the three Nationalist Party members on the Public Accounts Committee, apart from a magisterial inquiry into the Identità agency scandal, initiated by lawyer Jason Azzopardi. Azzopardi revealed the scam within Identità that saw ID cards being issued on the basis of forged documents. He publicly claimed that about 18,000 ID cards were fraudulently issued. The state agency introduced the new requirement for third-country nationals applying for a residence permit, to present a lease agreement that has been officially attested by a notary, lawyer or legal procurator. The national agency stated that this additional verification step, which involves notarised agreements, aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information submitted by applicants. Professionals have so far been unwilling to have their members comply with the new requirement, with both the Notarial Council and the Chamber of Advocates directing its members not to put their signatures on these new forms over verification concerns. However, Identità will allow a “grace period” for applications from third-country nationals, as it remains locked in a stalemate with notaries and lawyers who are refusing to comply with a new requirement in the application for residence permits. Previously, residence permit applicants in Malta only needed to present a lease agreement registered with the Housing Authority. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The NGO Alarm Phone announced that a group of migrants off the Southern coast of Lampedusa are in serious difficulties. The group of 29 people are adrift following their escape from Libya. Alarm Phone confirmed that it has alerted the authorities to take immediate action to rescue the group of migrants who are very exhausted and asked for immediate help. “They report they are out of fuel and there are kids and some sick, together with elderly people onboard. There is no food and no water. They are very exhausted and ask for immediate rescue!”. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has joined other European states in providing assistance to African countries in dealing with the Mpox outbreak. The initiative Team Europe led by DG Health Emergency Preparedness and Response HERA, will see European countries donating vaccines and mobilising resources to assist in slowing down the disease. Around half a million vaccines are being donated by the countries taking part in this initiative. The Maltese government said together European countries, Malta will be donating around half a million vaccines. Laurent Muschel, head of the EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority arrived at the city of Kinshasa in Kongo to deliver the first consignment of vaccines against Mpox. Mpox, also known as Monkeypox, is a viral infection first identified in humans in the 1970s in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly through close physical contact with an infected person, including sexual contact. Mpox made headlines after the rise of the Clade I variant, which spread to a number of African regions, prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern in August.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Following the rescue of 289 migrants on August 31, 2024, the Italian authorities detained the ship Sea-Watch 5 for 20 days. The ship had previously been assigned the port of Civitavecchia, almost 1000 kilometers far, where the rescued people went ashore. The basis for the detention is the so-called Piantedosi Decree introduced in January 2023. On the morning of August 31, the crew of the Sea-Watch 5 was able to save 289 people from drowning in four operations in international waters off Libya. The people had previously been spotted scattered on four unseaworthy wooden boats. After the Italian authorities assigned Civitavecchia, a 17-year-old had to be medically evacuated by Maltese emergency services as his medical condition did not permit the long journey. After landing the remaining 288 survivors, the Sea-Watch 5 was detained by Italian authorities and fined up to €10,000. Italy accuses Sea-Watch of having rescued without permission from the Libyan authorities.
The NGO said: “The accusations made by the authorities are false: Following the 1982 UNCLOS regulation, permission for the rescue is not required under international law. In addition, the state authorities in Italy, Malta and Germany were informed about the sea emergencies and rescues. Although the coordination center in Libya does not meet the necessary international standards, it was also informed by Sea-Watch.” Chiara Milanese, head of operations on the Sea-Watch 5: “Italy is punishing us for complying with international law and our duty to rescue. The price is paid by people on the move who drown with no prospect of rescue. Who will put those responsible for the mass murder in the Mediterranean to court?”

– Foto xf3/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NAIROBI (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The graduation ceremony of the fourth group of entrepreneurs who participated in the E4Impact Kenya acceleration program was held today. This edition of the program, launched in 2018 by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in collaboration with the E4Impact Foundation, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), saw the participation of more than 30 Kenyan entrepreneurs, who were able to improve their activity thanks to the training initiatives offered.
The ceremony, chaired by the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, by the Deputy Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Honourable Susan Mang’eni, which was also attended by the head of AICS Nairobi Giovanni Grandi and the CEO of the E4Impact Foundation Mario Molteni, was followed by a series of round tables. These discussion sessions, which involved representatives of the Italian and Kenyan private sector and international organisations, highlighted the importance of creating new markets and strengthening trade relations between the two countries.
Also thanks to AICS funding, E4Impact’s work continues to represent a significant contribution to sustainable development in Kenya, offering new opportunities for future generations of entrepreneurs.
“Collaboration with Kenya to strengthen the creation of companies and jobs is one of the pillars of the partnership between Italy and Kenya”, Ambassador Natali stressed, adding that “it is through entrepreneurship and innovation that we can contribute to reduce poverty and secure long-term prosperity, also in view of the young average age of the population that will soon face the labour market”.
-photo Create PR-
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Intesa Sanpaolo is once again Europe’s leading bank for relations with institutional investors and financial analysts and for Best ESG Program, according to the 2024 survey by the research firm Extel (formerly Institutional Investor Research). Carlo Messina is the Best CEO in the European banking sector for the seventh year since the ranking was introduced nine years ago, reflecting the votes of both institutional investors and financial analysts. In the other two years, Messina placed second in the European rankings. Intesa Sanpaolòs Board of Directors ranks first among European banks as Best Company Board for the third time, claiming the top spot every year since the category was introduced. Stefano Del Punta – now Senior Advisor to the CEO since April – is voted Best CFO for the eighth consecutive year.
Intesa Sanpaolòs Investor Relations team – led by Marco Delfrate and Andrea Tamagnini – ranked the best in European banking for the seventh year. Marco Delfrate voted Best Investor Relations Professional for the seventh consecutive year. Intesa Sanpaolo ranked first for Best ESG Program among European banks for the fifth consecutive year in recognition of the Group’s ESG strategy, engagement and disclosure.
The rankings by Extel – which are based on a broad survey of around 1,800 institutional investors and financial analysts – underline the international financial community’s strong appreciation for an Italian excellence focused on innovation, social impact and sustainability. The financial community also recognizes the quality of Intesa Sanpaolòs CEO and management team, consistently regarded at the best in Europe by investors and financial analysts. Extel is an independent research provider that for the past 50 years has enjoyed a strong reputation among institutional investors and financial analysts. “The continued recognition of Intesa Sanpaolòs leadership in Europe is a source of immense pride. This is above all thanks to the commitment of our People – who have my deepest gratitude – and to a skilled and cohesive management team, to our unique, well-diversified and resilient business model, and to significant investments in technology. We believe that transparency and responsible communications are vital to our ongoing dialogue with all our stakeholders. Investors and financial analysts appreciate our ability to meet and exceed commitments, along with our sensitivity to ESG issues, positioning us as a global leader in Social Impact”, commented Carlo Messina, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Health Authorities in Malta have confirmed the second case of Monkeypox, while the first case registered last week, has now been identified as Mpox Clade II, which is less severe than Clade I and has a far lower rate of mortality. In the latest case, another Maltese resident resulted positive to Mpox after exposition through sexual activity in Malta. The person is in a stable condition and does not need to be admitted in hospital. The patient is currently isolated and tracing contacts are ongoing in order to contain the virus. Ulterior tests will confirm the classification clade of this second case. Mpox, caused by the Monkeypox virus, has two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. Clade I, which is mostly found in Central Africa, causes far more severe disease with a higher mortality rate.
Clade II, which is however less severe, spreads primarily through sexual contact between humans and is associated with a far lower mortality rate. The first case of Mpox for 2004 is classified under Clade II.
The Maltese health authorities have urged the public to follow preventive measures to limit the spreading of Mpox. Person traveling to countries affected by mpox cases should take the necessary precautions, including by avoiding crowded places, protective sex and refraining from having contact with infected persons. In Malta, 35 cases were investigated in relation to this global outbreak up till 2023.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “I have reflected for a long time on the contents of my conversation with the Holy Father a few days ago and I confess that something intense and profound has remained inside me. Mainly the confirmation of the spiritual depth of Pope Francis, a man capable of uniting every religious barrier by appealing to that human brotherhood that surpasses all divisions”. This was stated by Kamel Ghribi, president of GKSD Investment Holding and vice president of the San Donato Group.
“Precisely this sense of brotherhood”, he added, “should inspire all leaders in this violent and hostile time. It should suggest that wars only bring hatred and devastation, poison the relations between humans and peoples and perhaps not even decades will be enough to forget the tears and blood shed. The sense of brotherhood should always suggest a more humanitarian approach towards children, innocent victims of conflicts out of their control and that cannot understand. Children who are also the first victims of ruthless human traffickers of illegal migration”.
He continued, “The time of responsibility has come for those who are called to decide on peace and war, and in this hour so dramatic, from the bottom of my heart I express the hope that everyone listens to the invocations, prayers and appeals of the Holy Father. I wish Pope Francis every success during the longest journey of his pontificate. The Pope will travel 33,000 kilometres in ten days. The trip will take him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and finally Singapore”.
-photo GKSD-
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

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