LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pressure is piling up on the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg to to recall Malta’s Ambassador Cecilia Attard Pirotta from Tel Aviv due to the increase of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza and for what they described as crimes against humanity by Israel. The request was made officially by more than 150 activists, including President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. They reiterated their believe that justice and equality bring peace and security, and that Malta’s traditional support for the Palestinian people is more relevant now in front of the genocide being committed by Israel. They added that their request for Malta to withdraw its Ambassador to Israel is being made in the wake of the repeated breach of international law by Israel. The activists stated that Malta has to lead by example and take a decisive position at the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, according to reports, Malta’s ambassador to the United Nation, Vanessa Frazier, has circulated a new resolution among the Council members for consideration and a potential vote, hoping to finally pass a resolution focusing on the situation children are facing during the war on Gaza.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese traditional festa could make it to UNESCO’s world list of intangible cultural heritage if an international body approves a technical committeès positive recommendation. The final decision on Maltàs bid will be taken during UNESCO’s conference to be held in Botswana in December. Maltese Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said in Parliament, “we trust that the recommendation, which praises the work done in preparation for the bid, should be approved without difficulty.” He added, “it is good news that the Maltese festa, which is the fulcrum of celebrations in our communities and squares, and which provides a strong cultural element, is being considered for this nomination for all its positive values and attributes”.

– Foto: Autorità maltese per il Turismo (VisitMalta) –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has registered the highest increase in breast cancer screening among the EU member states between 2011 and 2021. According to statistics published by Eurostat,
Maltàs breast cancer screening rate increased by more than half, the largest increase in the EU. While in 2011, the country registered a screening rate of 51%, this had increased to 78% ten years later. The increase classified Malta in the fourth place, with only Denmark, Finland and Sweden registering higher screening rates of 83%, 82% and 80% respectively. The breast cancer screening rate is of women between 50 and 69 years. In Malta, around 300 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
The lowest rates in 2021 were recorded in Bulgaria (21%), Cyprus (25%) and Slovakia (26%). “Compared with 2011, breast cancer screening rates increased in six of the 20 EU countries with available data, with the largest increases observed in Malta, Lithuania and Estonia”, the report said.
According to the report, breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and a leading cause of death amongst the female population.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on preventative healthcare and screening programme. Official statistics presented in Parliament showed the number of breast screenings reduced from nearly 13,300 to 7,300 between 2019 and 2020.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The first concert in Malta by the international artist Ed Sheeran is scheduled to take place on June 26, at Tà Qali.
Ed Sheeran’s chart-topping hits have earned him a special place in the hearts of millions worldwide.
According to the organizers, this concert will be an opportunity for fans to witness his incredible talent live, with a performance that promises to be unforgettable.
The organizers also expressed their thrill at bringing this great talent to Malta, as well as their belief that this concert is set to be a landmark event.
The event is supported by Visit Malta and The Ministry for Tourism, highlighting the significance of this concert in showcasing Maltàs cultural and entertainment appeal on a global stage.
Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo stated that Ed Sheeran’s concert is a testament that Malta has become a staple for all artists worldwide.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A memorandum of understanding on the management of migratory flows between Italy and Albania was signed today in Palazzo Chigi between the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama. “Albania will give Italy the opportunity to use some areas of the Albanian territory where Italy will be able to create with its own expenses to set up centers for the management of illegal migrants.”
“Initially – added Meloni -, the structures will be able to welcome up to three thousand people who will stay as much time is needed to carry out the asylum application procedures and possibly repatriation. The agreement does not concern minors, pregnant women and other vulnerable people. It could reach up to 36 thousand people. The protocol we signed today with Albania brings further collaboration on a political and legal level, which will be followed by regulatory provisions and the necessary work to prepare the structures. We plan to make the centers operational for spring 2024”.
For the Italian prime minister, this is an agreement that enriches “one historical friendship, ours is a strategic partnership that will develop through commercial relationships of absolute excellence. Italy is Albaniàs first trading partner and ours trade is worth around 20% of the Albanian GDP, but also through exchanges between our communities in Italy and Albania. There are intense cultural and social relationships. It’s a very close collaboration that already exists in the fight against illegality. Today’s agreement enriches this collaboration with a further initiative”.
For Meloni it is “an innovative solution that demonstrates that new ideas can arise from friendship and cooperation, and trust me that tomorrow I can also become an example and model to follow for other collaboration agreements of this type. I consider this to be a European-wide agreement and it shows that yes, we can collaborate 360 degrees on the management of migration and it can be done with other European nations.”
She observed “mass illegal migration is a phenomenon that the EU and its Member States cannot face it alone,” adding “from this point of view the collaboration between EU and non-EU states can be decisive. This is why we wanted to strengthen and relaunch this cooperation. Not only Albania confirms itself as a friend of Italy, but also a friendly nation of the EU. Despite Albania is not yet formally part of the EU, it acts as if it already was. That’s one of the reasons why the Albanians are proud of the fact that Italy has always been one of the largest supporters of the entry of Albania and the Western Balkans as EU member states. I don’t like to call it enlargement but reunification, I don’t think that the EU is a club and I believe that the Balkans and Albania are all European countries”, concluded Meloni.
The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declared, “I don’t think we will ever be able to pay this debt that we have with Italy for what the institutions have done for us from the first day we arrived in Italy to find refuge, escape from hell and imagine a better life.”
If Italy calls Albania, it’s there,” Edi Rama underlined and assured that “giving a hand means helping to manage a difficult situation for Italy. The truth is that geography has become the curse of Italy because when you enter Italy you enter Europe, but when it comes to managing the migration flows, as Europeans we know very well how things go”, concluded Rama. (ITALPRESS).

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta had the second lowest unemployment rate among all the European Union countries, and the fourth least unemployment rate among young people during September.
Malta and Poland had the second lowest unemployment rate at 2.8%. The Czech Republic had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7%.
On the other hand, the highest unemployment rates were registered in Spain (12%), Greece (10%) and Sweden (7.8%).
Maltàs unemployment rate of 2.8%, was 3.7% less than the euro zone average. The unemployment in the euro zone remained at 6.5%, an increase of 0.1% over last August. The rate of unemployment in the EU was 6%.
The Eurostat said that in September, 14.3% or just over 2.7 million Europeans under 25 years were seeking employment within the EU.
According to the figures, at 5.8% Germany had the lowest unemployment rate in this category, followed by Lithuania at 8.6%, the Netherlands at 8.8% and Malta at 9%. The highest rates were registered in Spain at 27.8%, followed by Sweden and Italy at 21.9%.
-foto Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and China signed an agreement on the exporting of bluefin tuna grown in Malta. A new importation agreement was signed by Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg with China Vice Minister Wang Lingjun during Borg’s visit to China. In a statement, Borg said that discussions have been ongoing for a number of months and that the signing continues to strengthen the Maltese product to grow. Malta already exports tuna to Japan and even South Korea. 95% of Maltàs tuna is exported to Japan. The bluefin tuna that is caught, or farmed in our country, is one of the most sought-after products in the international markets. Between 2020 and 2023, Malta exported between 16,000 and 20,000 tonnes of tuna to various countries, including Japan, Europe and America. Foreign Minister Ian Borg said that the government aims to extend this type of agreement with other countries to continue contributing and encouraging Maltese and Gozitan businesses abroad.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit Foreign Office of Malta –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Organization for Migration revealed that 430 migrants, including 10 women and 20 children, were intercepted at sea, and subsequently returned to Libya. Additionally, the IOM reported the tragic discovery of one deceased migrant within the past week. Throughout the current year, the IOM has documented that 13,065 migrants have been successfully rescued, and brought back to Libyan shores. 933 more migrants have lost their lives, and 1,233 have been reported missing while navigating the perilous Central Mediterranean route, near Libya.
Comparatively, in the year 2022, the IOM recorded that 24,684 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 529 lost their lives, and 848 were reported missing along the same treacherous route.
Following the collapse of the regime of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has transformed into a major transit hub for predominantly African migrants aspiring to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Many migrants and refugees originate from sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing poverty, conflict, and persecution, with the hope of finding a better life in Europe.
Libyàs strategic geographic position, with its long Mediterranean coastline, makes it an attractive departure point for these desperate journeys. The European Union has faced criticism for its cooperation with Libyan authorities in intercepting and returning migrants, where they are often exposed to dire conditions. Detention centers in Libya are notorious for overcrowding, abuse, and a lack of basic necessities.
International organizations, including the IOM and UNHCR, have been vocal about the need for humane treatment of migrants and the importance of providing safe and legal pathways for migration. Despite the risks, migrants continue to embark on these perilous journeys, and the Central Mediterranean route remains one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Warm weather continued to hit Malta with the first day of November recorded the highest temperature ever registered.
The Meteorological Office confirmed that the peak temperature was of 29.1°C as stable weather conditions contributed to the record high temperature.
The unusually warm weather has led some schools to postpone the annual change to winter uniforms until later this month.
The record-breaking temperature was significantly higher than the maximum average temperature for November, which traditionally stands at 20.8°C.
“Wednesday started with a minimum temperature of 18.9°C, which is nearly 4°C above the average minimum climate norm for November,” a spokesperson for the Meteorological Office said.
The Meteorological Office said that temperatures are expected to fall to 25°C on Friday and then to 22°C on Saturday.
A mixture of sunny and partly cloudy conditions is expected over the next week, with temperatures hovering around 25°C from Sunday.
Last month was the driest October for over hundred years with farmers are struggling to battle insects and a lack of water.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Foreign Ministry in Malta said that it is assisting the collection of donations for the civil population in Gaza, which will go to several humanitarian organisations in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Ministry confirmed that it has doubled its annual contribution to the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), which works to assist vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said it has been following with extreme concern the daily humanitarian developments emanating from Gaza, which it said heading into a humanitarian catastrophe.
“The Ministry immediately condemned the act of terrorism perpetuated against Israel by Hamas but reiterated the importance of always distinguishing between Hamas and Palestinian civilians”, foreign minister Ian Borg said.
The ministry will now assist members of the public who wish to donate funds for Gaza, by facilitating a collection of funds that would be divided equally between UNRWA, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is also addressing the urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews