LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Travelers heading to Sicily will soon have a new maritime option, as Ragusa XPress is set to launch a ferry service connecting Malta and Sicily starting May 18. The announcement was made on the Marina di Ragusa e Dintorni Facebook page.

The new service will operate with a 51-metre ferry capable of carrying 400 passengers and 18 small vehicles. The ferry will dock at the Marina of Ragusa, a small yacht port on Sicily’s southern coast. A recent test run of the route has already been completed.

Despite the upcoming launch, some travel agents remain cautious and have yet to begin bookings, citing concerns about a potential false start. The service was originally scheduled to begin in June 2023, but was delayed due to permit issues with Sicilian authorities.

Fare details have yet to be announced, but the route is expected to compete directly with existing services operated by Virtu Ferries, which currently travel to Pozzallo and Catania. The Malta–Sicily route remains one of the busiest maritime connections in the region. In 2022 alone, other ferries completed 1,414 crossings between the two islands.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – From May 8 to 18, the exhibition “Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia” will be on display at the Parliament of Malta. This initiative by the City of Palermo is held in collaboration with the Parliament of Malta, under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Malta and with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta. After the Malta debut, the exhibition will continue its international tour.
“Hosting the Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia exhibition in the heart of the Maltese Parliament is more than just a gesture of cultural hospitality,” said Anglu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives. “It is a profound act of recognition of a history that belongs to us, a devotion that has transcended centuries and seas. Santa Rosalia is not only the patron saint of Palermo but also a symbol of Mediterranean rebirth, shared faith, and collective resilience. In this spirit, I warmly invite both Maltese and international audiences to visit this extraordinary exhibition, which weaves together art, memory, and identity in a living dialogue between our two sister islands. It is a rare opportunity to breathe in the beauty of a shared heritage that continues to bloom from Palermo to Valletta.”
The exhibition Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia is curated by Sandro Follari, Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia, Valentina Falletta, and Claudia Giocondo. It is part of the events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the relics of Santa Rosalia in July 1624, patron saint of the city.
“We are honoured that our exhibition is being hosted within such a prestigious institutional venue as the Parliament of Malta,” said Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla. “This is the second stop on an international tour through which we are telling the story of Palermòs rich historical, artistic, and cultural heritage via its most famous tradition: the Festino di Santa Rosalia, held each year on July 14-15 and attracting millions of visitors. The spectacularity of last year’s edition, represented in the photos and videos on display, earned us the bronze medal at BEA WORLD 2024 as Best International Event, under the artistic direction of Marco Balich. We will continue this tour in Beijing, London, and the United States, and into 2026, recounting the cult and story of the ‘Santuzzà, known around the world.”
The exhibition features works by professional photographers and photojournalists captured during the Festino on July 14, 2024. These offer a powerful visual narrative of Palermo and its iconic tradition. The images were selected by a prestigious panel including Roberto Gueli (President of the Order of Journalists of Sicily), Gianfranco Marrone (Professor of Semiotics at the University of Palermo), and Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia (Director of the Gallery of Modern Art in Palermo).
“I am honoured to contribute to this exhibition, which is a valued initiative to strengthen Maltàs ties with Italy and Sicily and reinforce the already exemplary bond between our two peoples,” said Italian Ambassador to Malta Fabrizio Romano.
“It is a great joy to host such an artistic project here in Malta, a country where the Festa – the ensemble of liturgical and folkloric celebrations held across the archipelago – has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO,” said Serena Alessi, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta. “Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia tells the story of a region, not just a time of year, and does so through the exceptional talent of photographers. It’s a special artistic event that the Italian Cultural Institute of Malta is proud and pleased to promote.”
The exhibition is organized by the City of Palermo in collaboration with its Department of Culture. It is presented by Civita Sicilia with support from the Western Sicily Port System Authority.
Also on display: a video of the Festino produced by the Albamedia communications agency and a video offering aerial views of Palermo with immersive scenes of some of the city’s most evocative historic sites, produced by Aerial Film Studios.
The exhibition is free to the public and can be visited at the Parliament of Malta from May 8 to 18 during the following hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

– Photo by Andrea Vagni –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNISI (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisian President Kais Saied met with the Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, to reiterate Tunisia’s firm position on irregular migration and express concerns over growing human trafficking networks across the region.

At the start of the meeting, President Saied made clear that Tunisia refuses to act as a transit or host country for irregular migrants, describing the surge in migration as anything but spontaneous. “No one can believe that thousands of people, including women, pregnant mothers, and those carrying infants, would travel thousands of kilometres on foot only to be directed to specific cities in Tunisia, such as Jebeniana and El Amra, without prior criminal coordination,” the President said, pointing to what he described as organized human trafficking and organ trade networks.

In a statement released by the Presidency, Saied emphasized that no sovereign state could accept any part of its territory operating outside the rule of law. He underlined that while Tunisia has treated migrants with respect to humanitarian law and moral values, especially during recent evacuations of migrant camps, the country cannot bear the burden of international failures alone.

“These migrants were no less vulnerable before, but the magnitude of this phenomenon has increased dramatically,” Saied said, attributing the root causes of displacement to systemic global economic injustices. “If they are now seeking safe havens, it is because they are victims of an unjust global economic system — a system that Tunisia itself suffers from.”

Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Nafti echoed these sentiments during separate talks with Pope. He highlighted “relative progress” in a national initiative aimed at encouraging voluntary returns of irregular migrants and reaffirmed Tunisia’s readiness to assist in repatriation efforts in line with its humanitarian commitments.

Pope, in turn, commended Tunisia and the broader international community for their efforts in managing migration flows. She acknowledged “tangible progress” in IOM’s cooperation with Tunis, particularly in initiatives aiming to regulate migration through legal and humane channels.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg refused to confirm or deny media reports that the Israeli government had asked Malta to block access to the humanitarian vessel Conscience before it was allegedly attacked by drones. Borg, describing the matter as “sensitive”, told the Times of Malta that the government would make official announcements on the matter when it deems appropriate.

“This is a sensitive issue and therefore we need to be cautious”, he said. The Conscience, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was on its way to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it was allegedly hit by drones on Friday 2 May. Following an inspection by a Maltese government-appointed marine surveyor, authorities announced that the Conscience suffered only minor damage and is considered seaworthy.

The inspection found no significant humanitarian aid on board, other than a limited amount of food and water intended primarily for the crew. The vessel was also carrying 32 tonnes of fuel. Despite the limited damage, Malta continues to refuse entry to the vessel into its ports. The Government has indicated that it will support the repairs needed for the vessel to continue its journey — thus allowing Malta to maintain a non-involvement stance while avoiding directly hindering the vessel’s humanitarian mission.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Starting this month, vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea are required to switch to cleaner fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10%, down from the previous limit of 0.50%.

The move marks the official implementation of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), a major environmental milestone expected to significantly reduce air pollution across the region.

Malta, home to the largest shipping registry in the EU and located on a key maritime route between Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, is particularly impacted by the new rules. Hundreds of commercial vessels and cruise liners that pass through Maltese waters will now be required to burn cleaner fuel, reducing pollution near the island.

The change affects traffic to both the Malta Freeport and Valletta’s Grand Harbour, reinforcing Malta’s role as a strategic maritime hub and a focal point for regional environmental compliance.

-Photo Valletta Cruise Port-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LYBIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdelsadeq, held high-level talks with Malta’s Ambassador to Libya, Charles Saliba, to deepen bilateral ties and explore new avenues for cooperation in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.

The meeting comes as Libya seeks to reinvigorate its energy industry and attract fresh foreign investment. According to a statement from Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, discussions centered on Libya’s ongoing licensing round for oil and gas exploration, which offers new opportunities for international companies.

Both sides emphasized the potential of leveraging long-standing Libya-Malta relations to open up fresh horizons for collaboration in the energy space. Minister Abdelsadeq reiterated Libya’s openness to foreign investors, noting that the National Oil Corporation (NOC) aims to raise national oil output to two million barrels per day.

“This ambitious target,” he said, “presents significant opportunities for global partners looking to engage in Libya’s energy revival.” In a move to solidify economic collaboration, Abdelsadeq invited the Maltese embassy to coordinate with private sector entities in both countries to host a joint economic forum.

The proposed event is expected to provide a platform for experience-sharing, networking, and forming strategic partnerships within the energy industry. The talks follow Libya’s recent announcement of its first public bidding round for exploration and drilling since 2007. Launched in March by the NOC, the round includes 22 blocks—11 offshore and 11 onshore—spread across central and southern Libya.

The initiative is seen as a critical step in revitalizing the country’s oil sector and reaffirming Libya’s position as a key energy player in the Mediterranean region. The ongoing Libya-Malta dialogue underscores growing international interest in Libya’s untapped energy resources and highlights the country’s efforts to reemerge as a reliable energy partner on the global stage.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – There are numerous opportunities for collaboration between Italy and Saudi Arabia in the field of infrastructure. This was the key takeaway from a meeting between Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, and the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh Al-Jasser.

“Even now, several Italian entities are directly involved in major railway and metro projects, as well as in the construction of iconic architectural works,” the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) stated in a press release. “Among these, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Museum, designed by Studio Schiattarella and inaugurated on November 25, and the Al-Ula concert hall, designed by Studio Giò Forma together with Black Engineering, which hosted the High-Level Roundtable during the visit of the Italian Prime Minister.”

Here are Riyadh’s main infrastructure initiatives:
* NEOM Megacity: Aiming to boost its population by 2045, the project includes The Line, the industrial city of Oxagon, and Trojena. One goal is to build the elevated stadium for the 2034 World Cup final.
* Red Sea Global Development: A $16 billion investment featuring luxury hotels, marinas, and a cruise terminal. The focus is on ultra-luxury and regenerative tourism. Nearly all major international luxury hotel chains are participating.
* Qiddiya Entertainment City: A $20 billion development including six theme parks and a new stadium.
* King Salman International Airport: A $33 billion project.
* Diriyah Gate: Valued at $22.1 billion.
* New Murabba Centre: Featuring the Mukaab, the largest building in the world, at the center of a $50 billion project.
* ROSHN Residential Development: Aims to deliver 400,000 housing units by 2030.

Other major projects in the capital include the $2.7 billion King Salman Park (one of the world’s largest urban parks), the 135-km Sports Boulevard (completion expected in 2026), and the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), which is operational but not yet fully running. The Transport Minister also launched a Special Logistics Zone in Riyadh, with Apple as its first major investor.

Saudi Arabia’s railway network, which currently transports 25 million tons of goods per year, includes four main lines: SAR East, SAR North trunkline, Haramain High-Speed Railway, and the Mecca Metro. Plans are in place to expand the network from 5,000 km to 8,000 km of track, with 50% of logistics and transport funding allocated to rail improvements.

Regarding ports:
* Jeddah Port handles 65% of the country’s maritime imports.
* King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam is the largest Gulf port.
* King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu is the largest in size and capacity, primarily serving the hydrocarbons sector.
Saudi Arabia has 26 airports, including seven international hubs:
* King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) is the largest and busiest, with a terminal dedicated to Hajj pilgrims.
* King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) is the second largest.
* Dammam Airport is the third largest and the main gateway to Gulf states.
* Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina serves mainly pilgrim traffic.
The aviation sector aims to increase passenger capacity from 100 million to 330 million by 2030, anchored by the $33 billion King Salman International Airport project, which aims to serve 120 million passengers annually. In addition, the new NEOM Airport aims to handle 20 million passengers by 2030.
Italian companies are particularly interested in:
* The extension of Metro Line 2 (valued at about $3 billion) and the construction of new Line 7 (valued at about $20 billion). Riyadh’s metro, officially inaugurated remotely by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 28, currently has six lines and is the longest driverless metro system in the world. In its first two months of operation, it exceeded 18 million passengers, with the Financial District (KAFD) station, designed by Zaha Hadid, alone seeing 3 million passengers.
* Q-Express, a high-speed rail line linking Riyadh Airport with Qiddiya.
* Extension of the Landbridge rail project linking Jeddah to Jubail.
* New Riyadh International Airport.
* NEOM developments (The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena).
* Railway connections to the King Salman Energy Park, an industrial city developed by Aramco in the Eastern Province.

Salvini reiterated to his counterpart Saleh Al-Jasser “Italy’s willingness to collaborate and leverage the expertise, both public and private, that our country offers.” He also emphasized “MIT’s commitment to other sectors such as housing and water.”

– photo press office ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese surveyor has been allowed aboard the humanitarian vessel Conscience following a suspected drone attack, Prime Minister Robert Abela informed Parliament on Monday. In a briefing ahead of the afternoon plenary session, Abela said officials from Transport Malta and representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition held discussions on Sunday to address the situation after the ship was left disabled by what activists described as a drone strike.

The Conscience, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it reportedly came under attack on Friday. The strike left the ship severely damaged, without electricity, and taking on water. Activists aboard have said the vessel is unable to navigate and in urgent need of repairs.

According to Abela, representatives of the vessel initially demanded automatic entry into Malta as a condition for allowing a Maltese surveyor aboard — a request that was refused. A second proposal, to permit a surveyor on board if the ship was allowed to enter Maltese waters, was also denied.

A third proposal involved the boarding of three unrelated individuals in exchange for the surveyor’s access, but that too was not accepted. Ultimately, the vessel’s representatives agreed to allow the surveyor aboard under conditions set by the Maltese government.

– photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has seen a significant increase in tax revenue, with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announcing that €650 million more in income tax was collected last year compared to the previous year. Of this, €400 million was attributed to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the fight against tax evasion.

During an interview on the national tv station, Minister Caruana highlighted how the AI system has helped streamline tax collection efforts and crack down on those attempting to evade taxes. He explained that the system is capable of identifying potential tax evaders, both individuals and businesses, before they can exploit any loopholes. The minister emphasized that this initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure that all due taxes are collected.

– Photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation following a reported drone attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship in international waters near Malta early Friday morning.

The vessel, named Conscience and organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza Strip when it was allegedly struck, sparking a fire onboard and prompting a distress call. However, according to the Saudi Al Arabiya news channel, which cited a Western security source, the ship was arranged by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The authorities in Malta, Greece, and Turkey had subsequently warned that they would seize the Conscience if it attempted to dock in their ports, citing concerns about its alleged affiliation with Hamas. Meanwhile, the captain of the vessel has approved the Maltese Government’s request, made through Transport Malta, to permit a Maltese maritime surveyor on board to evaluate any damage. The surveyor will conduct the inspection while the ship stays outside Maltese territorial waters.

-Photo Department of Information Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews