President elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen assigned former Maltese European Affairs and Equality Minister Dr Helena Dalli with the responsibility of the Equality portfolio in the European Commissioners’ College. The proposed political role still needs the final approval of the European Parliament after a public hearing scheduled for the end of this month and the beginning of October.

Helena Dalli is the first woman nominated by the Maltese Government for such role. Since 2013, as a Minister in the Labour Government, she introduced various laws including rights for gay people with the introduction of the civil union. In 2017, Malta became the 24th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage and Malta is also among just five countries that give LGBT people equal constitutional rights.

Helena Dalli said she is eager to start working for equality in all sectors, once her nomination is approved.

The Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared that the European Commissioner President elect made the perfect choice to implement the ambitious vision for equality. Muscat said that Malta’s positive track record and Dalli’s resolve in this sector are both testament to this. In an official statement, the Maltese Government said added that this portfolio is proof of the positive change implemented in Malta in recent years and as it is described by respected international institutions – is considered as a ray of hope.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

 

Source: medNews

The Basel Institute for Governance has published the Basel AML Index, which measures the risk of money laundering and terrorism financing country by country, elaborating a series of data published by various institutions, including Transparency International, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

The index places Malta among the countries where the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing is lowest, precisely in thirteenth place. The special ranking is led by Estonia, followed by Finland and New Zealand.

The institute elaborates the index taking into account 15 indicators, including the level of corruption, standards adopted by the financial system, application of the rule of law and political openness. A score below 5 indicates a low level of exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing.

 

It is interesting to note that important European countries, such as Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, have obtained lower scores than the archipelago state, which obtained 3.94 as an AML index. Among the European countries where the risk is greatest, there are Cyprus (5.01), Italy (4.99), Hungary (4.90), Latvia (4.89) and the Netherlands (4.86).

In general, a slow improvement emerges worldwide. Only 27% of countries improved their score by over 0.1 points, while only one country (Tajikistan) recorded an improvement of more than 1 point. Furthermore, 16 out of the 125 states analyzed show a negative trend, a worrying future. Another disappointing fact is that 60% of countries continue to be considered at risk, as they have obtained scores equal to or greater than 5.

The five countries with the greatest improvement compared to last year were the aforementioned Tajikistan (from 8.30 to 6.28), Cambodia (from 7.48 to 6.63), Egypt (from 5.35 to 4.55), Indonesia (from 5.73 to 5.13) and Portugal (from 4.66 to 4.10).

Among the countries that have registered the greatest deterioration are Colombia (-1.41), Latvia (-0.91), Finland (-0.60), China (-0.57) and Lithuania (-0.43). However, Finland and Lithuania remain among the countries with the highest overall scores.

Mozambique, Laos, both with scores above 8, are among the last places in the ranking.

The Basel Institute of Governance, an associate institute of the University of Basel, is a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to collaborating with public and private partners around the world to prevent and combat corruption.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

The Maltese Government is proposing that prostitution will be decriminalized according to an official document which was launched today for public consultation.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reform Julia Farrugia Portelli launched a public consultation process and explained that this is part of a reform to address human trafficking and prostitution. She explained that the move was part of the election promise that the Labour Party made in early 2017 election manifesto.

The public consultation will lead to the drafting of the national strategy against human trafficking, as well as making the necessary legal reforms on prostitution.

In the consultation document, the Maltese Government argued that the strategy is aimed to develop the services and other initiatives to be implemented and supported by appropriate measures; thus increasing the protection to victims of human trafficking and at the same time addressing this problem effectively.

The Maltese Government has identified nine legal and political areas in drafting the national strategy: more understanding and strengthening the prevention of human trafficking, setting up an official mechanism for reference, strengthening protection mechanisms, more resources for investigations, improve the laws on human trafficking as well as broader legal aid access and compensation. The document is also proposing adequate regulations to the gentlemen’s clubs and massage parlors.

The public consultation period will end on 31st October. According to The Trafficking in Persons report by the United States Department published last June, Malta does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

Egypt’s Minister of Public Enterprise Hisham Tawfik said Egypt was seeking to cooperate with China to manufacture electric cars, capitalising on China’s experience and its technological advances in the field.

Tawfik’s ministry wants to partner with a Chinese company to build Egypt’s first electric cars factory on the land of Al-Nasr Automobile Company, he said during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador in Egypt Liao Li Qiang and the Chinese Ministerial Commercial Counsellor Han Bing on Monday.

Egypt has a good starting point to delve into this industry to satiate the domestic market and to export to the global market, benefiting from agreements signed with other countries in this area.

 

The minister tapped on preparations for his scheduled visit to China in September. Coordinating with the Egyptian Embassy in China, Tawfik shall be meeting with representatives of China’s Autos Manufacturing Union and a number of electric autos manufacturing companies to stay on top of developments in the industry and explore the possibility of collaboration.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador in Egypt Liao Li Qiang promised full support and cooperation with Egypt’s public enterprise ministry, praising progress in relations between the two countries.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

 

Source: medNews

The Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is back for the third year in a row. This time, the international tennis tournament for children aged nine to 12 is welcoming two new countries alongside the ones from last year, for an overall total of 13 countries playing in 172 tournaments.
The first phase began on 2 February in the town of Alba, in Italy, with the “Tennis Trophy Fit – Kinder+Sport”. The last phase of the tournament took place in Sofia at the Bulgarian National Tennis Center in this days.

The winners of the tournament are:

Vladimir Tsonkov def.  Boris Borisov  4-0
Evgeniya Stoyanova def. Karolina Kostova 4-0
Viktor Atanasov def. Kristiyan Stefanov  5-4
Antoniya Staneva def. Hermina Yanakieva 4-0
Petar Ivanchev def. Martin Latinchev 6-0
Valeria Garnevska def. Sofia Kovacheva 6-0
Daniel Spasov def. Martin Pavlov 6-0
Alisa Borisova def. Tsvetelina Stoyanova 7-5

Then others tournaments will be in Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Malta, Monaco, Poland and the Ukraine.
The winners of these will go on to the International Masters, the finals of which will be held from 17 to 20 October at the exclusive Monte Carlo Country Club, site of the ATP Tour.
As an integral part of Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving – the Ferrero Group international Social Responsibility project set up to get children and families involved in fun-filled motor activity – the Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is more than an athletic competition. The trophy focuses on values like trust in yourself and others, integration, respect and friendship.
The guiding principle of the tournament is that matches are played without referees, so that children can put their honesty and integrity to the test on the court. In keeping with this principle, the Fair Play Trophy is awarded at the end of each national tournament to recognise the young tennis player who has stood out the most for their honesty and good sportsmanship.
The initiative began in Italy in 2006. It was the brainchild of tennis star Rita Grande and Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving. In recent years, it has become more international in scope, helping spread the concept of an active lifestyle to younger generations. In past editions, the finalists also had the opportunity to meet world-renowned tennis idols Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fabio Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Corrado Barazzutti and Nicola Pietrangeli, as well as coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
https://www.tennistrophy.com
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

Source: medNews

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared that Malta will continue using its common sense and be part of the European Union solution to address the migration problem in the Mediterranean. 

He said that the Maltese government is lead by two principles; the protection of human lives and that of the national interest. “Malta has to respect the international law and save people from drowning”. However, Muscat added “Malta cannot carry other countries’ burden”.

The Maltese Prime Minister referred to two recent issues concerning the migration problem. In the case involving the Open Arms vessel, Muscat said “this led to a whole drama in Italy with serious repercussions on the country’s government”. On the contrary, the Maltese Prime Minister added that in the case of the Ocean Viking vessel with 356 migrants on board, the Maltese government engaged into a dialogue with the European Commission and various European governments. The end result was that all migrants will be taken by other European countries; including France which will accept 150 African migrants and Germany will send an aircraft next week to take more migrants who were disembarked from the Ocean Viking vessel.

Meanwhile a Maltese politician from the Opposition party was criticized heavily after he praised the Italian Home Affairs Minister Matteo Salvini. In a Facebook status, Nationalist councillor Justin Schembri, agreed with Salvini for “standing up to the European Union and his own Prime Minister”.

Various officials from the Nationalist Party including the Party’s Executive Committee President and a former deputy leader have distanced themselves from the personal sentiments shared by Justin Schembri. The Leader of the Opposition himself declared that Malta needs to rise above populism where human lives are concerned and should do the right thing by saving the lives of innocent people while an immediate action by EU member states should follow so that migrants are redistributed accordingly.

The Maltese Prime Minister warned that people who use anti-migrant rhetoric must have forgotten the killing of Lassana Cisse Souleymane, what the police in Malta believe to be a racist murder.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared that Malta will continue using its common sense and be part of the European Union solution to address the migration problem in the Mediterranean. 

He said that the Maltese government is lead by two principles; the protection of human lives and that of the national interest. “Malta has to respect the international law and save people from drowning”. However, Muscat added “Malta cannot carry other countries’ burden”.

The Maltese Prime Minister referred to two recent issues concerning the migration problem. In the case involving the Open Arms vessel, Muscat said “this led to a whole drama in Italy with serious repercussions on the country’s government”. On the contrary, the Maltese Prime Minister added that in the case of the Ocean Viking vessel with 356 migrants on board, the Maltese government engaged into a dialogue with the European Commission and various European governments. The end result was that all migrants will be taken by other European countries; including France which will accept 150 African migrants and Germany will send an aircraft next week to take more migrants who were disembarked from the Ocean Viking vessel.

Meanwhile a Maltese politician from the Opposition party was criticized heavily after he praised the Italian Home Affairs Minister Matteo Salvini. In a Facebook status, Nationalist councillor Justin Schembri, agreed with Salvini for “standing up to the European Union and his own Prime Minister”.

Various officials from the Nationalist Party including the Party’s Executive Committee President and a former deputy leader have distanced themselves from the personal sentiments shared by Justin Schembri. The Leader of the Opposition himself declared that Malta needs to rise above populism where human lives are concerned and should do the right thing by saving the lives of innocent people while an immediate action by EU member states should follow so that migrants are redistributed accordingly.

The Maltese Prime Minister warned that people who use anti-migrant rhetoric must have forgotten the killing of Lassana Cisse Souleymane, what the police in Malta believe to be a racist murder.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

L’articolo MIGRATION, MUSCAT “MALTA WILL CONTINUE USING COMMON SENSE” proviene da Italpress.

Source: medNews

Malta, known as an international financial hub in the Mediterranean, is among 17 countries that ended up a victim of the North Korean regime. United Nations experts are investigating at least 35 occasions in 17 countries that suffered from a cyberattack which was carried out by North Koreans to raise money for weapons of mass destruction. 

13 countries suffered from one attack; Malta, Costa Rica, Gambia, Guatemala, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, Tunisia and Vietnam. South Korea suffered most from these attacks, 10 in total. Then there were three attacks in India while Bangladesh and Chile had  two attacks.

An expert report which was presented to the United Nations Security Council North Korea Sanctions Committee says that North Korea illegally acquired $2 billion from online activities against financial institutions and the cryptocurrency exchanges.

The Maltese Government did not issue any official statement but it is believed that the attack on Malta concerns Bank of Valletta. Last February, the Bank systems were hacked and €13 million were stolen. Since then, €10 million were recovered. Sources said that a Federal Bureau of Investigation Team is in Malta investigating this attack in collaboration with Maltese experts from the state IT agency; Malta Information Technology Agency.

Experts said that there are three ways of carrying out these cyberattacks. The first way is by using the Society System for Interbank Financial Telecommunication Around the World (SWIFT) to transfer money between banks, using the computers of employees to send fraudulent messages and then delete the evidence. Another option is by theft of cryptocurrency through attacks on exchanges and users, or using the cryptocurrency as a source of funding for professional branch of the military.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

The Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is back for the third year in a row. This time, the international tennis tournament for children aged nine to 12 is welcoming two new countries alongside the ones from last year, for an overall total of 13 countries playing in 172 tournaments.
The first phase began on 2 February in the town of Alba, in Italy, with the “Tennis Trophy Fit – Kinder+Sport”. The next stop will be held in Sofia at the Bulgarian National Tennis Center from 15 to 17 August. Then others in Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Malta, Monaco, Poland and the Ukraine.
The winners of these will go on to the International Masters, the finals of which will be held from 17 to 20 October at the exclusive Monte Carlo Country Club, site of the ATP Tour.
As an integral part of Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving – the Ferrero Group international Social Responsibility project set up to get children and families involved in fun-filled motor activity – the Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is more than an athletic competition. The trophy focuses on values like trust in yourself and others, integration, respect and friendship.
The guiding principle of the tournament is that matches are played without referees, so that children can put their honesty and integrity to the test on the court. In keeping with this principle, the Fair Play Trophy is awarded at the end of each national tournament to recognise the young tennis player who has stood out the most for their honesty and good sportsmanship.
The initiative began in Italy in 2006. It was the brainchild of tennis star Rita Grande and Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving. In recent years, it has become more international in scope, helping spread the concept of an active lifestyle to younger generations. In past editions, the finalists also had the opportunity to meet world-renowned tennis idols Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fabio Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Corrado Barazzutti and Nicola Pietrangeli, as well as coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

The Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is back for the third year in a row. This time, the  international tennis tournament for children aged nine to 12 is welcoming two new countries alongside the ones from last year, for an overall total of 13 countries playing in 172 tournaments. The first phase began on 2 February in the town of Alba, in Italy, with the “Tennis Trophy Fit – Kinder+Sport”.

The last phase of the tournament took place from 9 to 11 August in the TC Piding in Salzburg. The winners of the tournament are:
U9 1st and 2nd Final HAIDER MAURER LEA against PREVENTED LEONIE 4/0 4/0
U10 1st and 2nd Final PYNDA SOLOMIA against POSCH ANNA 4/2 4/1
U9 1st and 2nd Final KREN KIAN against HANDLECHNER PHILIPP 4/0 3/4 14/12
U10 Final 1st and 2nd BRAMMEN PAUL against RASER FELIX 4/3 4/0 (the latter won the “Fair Play” Award).

Then others tournaments will be in Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Malta, Monaco, Poland and the Ukraine. The winners of these will go on to the International Masters, the finals of which will be held from 17 to 20 October at the exclusive Monte Carlo Country Club, site of the ATP Tour. As an integral part of Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving – the Ferrero Group international Social Responsibility project set up to get children and families involved in fun-filled motor activity – the Kinder+Sport Tennis Trophy is more than an athletic competition. The trophy focuses on values like trust in yourself and others, integration, respect and friendship.
The guiding principle of the tournament is that matches are played without referees, so that children can put their honesty and integrity to the test on the court. In keeping with this principle, the Fair Play Trophy is awarded at the end of each national tournament to recognise the young tennis player who has stood out the most for their honesty and good sportsmanship.
The initiative began in Italy in 2006. It was the brainchild of tennis star Rita Grande and Kinder+Sport Joy of Moving. In recent years, it has become more international in scope, helping spread the concept of an active lifestyle to younger generations. In past editions, the finalists also had the opportunity to meet world-renowned tennis idols Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fabio Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Corrado Barazzutti and Nicola Pietrangeli, as well as coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews