LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 48-year-old man of Catania but living in St Paul’s Bay has been held in custody after pleading not guilty to a charge of possession of about 54 kg of cannabis with a street value of around 880,000 euros.
The accused was also charged with trafficking of cannabis. The drug was found in circumstances indicating it was not for his exclusive use.
Prosecuting Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca explained that in recent weeks the Police had been carrying out inspections in a building in St Paul’s Bay. When the officers went there, they found the accused with his family, and a search resulted in various sizeable packages, allegedly containing cannabis.
The Court upheld a request by the Prosecution for freezing of the accused’s assets and confiscated all financial assets and property belonging to the accused.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government will present to the Parliament significant amendments to the controversial bill amending Maltàs criminal provisions on abortion with the intention to address the key concerns of those fearing it could legalize abortion.
Both Health Minister Chris Fearne and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard emphasized the necessity of the bill to amend Maltàs existing criminal provisions on abortion which are “over 150 years old”. The Maltese government felt the need to introduce the amendments after 38-year-old American citizen Andrea Prudente was denied a request for abortion in Malta after suffering the symptoms of a miscarriage.
The new amendments specify that Maltàs criminal provisions on abortion do not apply when a woman’s health is in “grave jeopardy which can lead to death,” a change that legalizes the current situation faced by medical practitioners and alters the scope and wording of the original bill presented in Parliament.
The original wording had been a key concern for pro-life activists and others opposed to the legal provision of abortion, leading a group of academics to propose an amendment that removed references to “grave jeopardy” entirely.
The new amendments have been welcomed by pro-life activists even though Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, initially said that his government will not take up their proposal. However, pro-choice group Doctors For Choice said the bill went “from a law that would have protected women’s health to a law that could cost women their lives”. The Archdiocese of Malta has welcomed the government’s decision describing it as a “positive outcome that promotes right to life.”
In cases where a complication places the health of a woman in “grave jeopardy which may lead to death,” but not in imminent risk of loss of life, the decision whether to terminate a pregnancy would be taken by a team of three medical practitioners that would include two obstetricians or gynecologists – including the obstetrician that would carry out the intervention – and a specialist in the condition which the pregnant woman is suffering from. No timelines are specified in the bill.
The bill clarifies that the termination of a pregnancy is only considered in the case of fetuses that are not “capable of living outside the uterus according to current medical practices;” any that are would have to be delivered before any medical intervention is carried out.
It also specifies that procedures that may lead to the termination of a pregnancy may only be carried out in a licensed hospital.
The new amendments will now be discussed in a parliamentary committee session before it is voted upon in its third and final reading.

foto: DOI
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – International renowned Caravaggio experts are requesting an urgent investigation into the impact of the ongoing works on the Italian painter’s work at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.
Art historian and Caravaggio expert Keith Sciberras brought the attention that the tapestry hall under construction will permanently obstruct a window that overlooks Caravaggiòs The Beheading of St John.
However, the cathedral’s representatives countered that the window is kept permanently shuttered, saying that the works will not have an impact on the painting or the viewing experience.
But 28 leading Caravaggio scholars and top art curators signed a letter of protest sent to St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation President Monsignor Emmanuel Agius, expressing their concern over the impact that this will have on the painting. They say that the works will “obliterate the original line of light that Caravaggio took into account” when working on the painting, insisting that “such impact cannot be permitted under any grounds within such a major historic space”. They added that the plans to permanently block the window is “scandalous and outrageous”.
Those who signed the letter include the directors of the National Gallery in London and Romès Galleria Borghese, high-ranking figures at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Frick Collection in New York as well as renowned Caravaggio scholars from several universities in Europe and North America, among others.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage were also informed on the matter.

– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of 72 immigrants left Malta to be relocated to other EU member states where they will continue with the process to obtain international protection. The immigrants of various nationalities entered Malta irregularly, and their relocation was co-financed by the EU under the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF).
The relocation forms part of the Mechanism for Voluntary Solidarity established in June 2022 for a period of one year, which is intended to lessen the burden of irregular immigration on border countries. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that relocation is the most effective way for other European and EU countries to lessen the burden of irregular immigration on border countries, especially in the case of Malta because of its size and geographic position. He explained that through its prevention, return, and relocation strategy, in the first half of 2023, Malta managed to reduce arrivals and managed to return and relocate the same number of immigrants who had arrived since the beginning of the year.
Minister Camilleri added “the Government has continued to work on prevention, including cooperation with Libya, to reduce the possibility of more deaths, which has also led to considerably fewer arrivals by irregular immigrants while returning people who did not require protection”. He said that this work is being reflected in the statistics over the last two years where the number of irregular immigrants returned to their country increased and arrivals decreased substantially.

– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – 50 migrants are in distress and risking dying following their escape from the Libyan coast. This was confirmed by the international NGO Alarm Phone. It said that is in contact with the group of migrants. According to the migrants, the engine stopped working, the boat is adrift and water is entering the boat. Alarm Phone confirmed that the authorities were alerted and urged that a fast rescue is needed to save the migrants to a place of safety.
Meanwhile, another group of 14 migrants who left Libya is in distress in the Central Mediterranean region. Alarm Phone confirmed that it has established contact with the migrants who are on a rubber boat in the Maltese Search and Rescue zone. The Maltese authorities are informed about the situation, however until now, no rescue operation was launched to save the migrants.

– foto: agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta agrees with Libya on joint interconnector An agreement between Malta and Libya will secure the connection of an interconnector between both countries. The agreement was signed between Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah at the end of bilateral talks in Tripoli. The agreement focuses on further bilateral cooperation on a renewable energy project, benefiting not only Malta and Libya but also European and the Mediterranean. The Libyan Prime Minister insisted on the need for a combined effort between Malta and Libya for the necessary investment for this project, which will be able to supply renewable energy at a time in which the region is facing an energy crisis due to current circumstances.
The Maltese Prime Minister stated that this opportunity for Malta not to be fully independent of European countries. “I believe in Libya as a place where solar energy can be generated. Then, the energy generated over here is transported to Malta, and apart from meeting Maltàs renewable energy demand, energy will also be transported to other European coasts, with Malta acting as a bridge between the European and the African continents.” Both Prime Ministers discussed the issue of migration, with Libya confirming that it is taking measures to stop migrants from leaving its shores, and at the same time save the lives of those who face difficulties at sea.
The Maltese Prime Minister added that Malta has maintained the issue of migration at the top of the European agenda, and emphasized that Malta has always been a voice for Libya during meetings between European leaders for concrete actions to be taken, in particular with measures that prevent immigrants from leaving the Sahel countries in Africa. “We cannot leave or expect Libya to solve this problem alone, the same way that the problem cannot be faced by Malta or Italy alone. I believe in the need for a European presence and the presence of other countries on the coasts of Libya, Tunisia, and other countries,” stated Robert Abela, adding “this needs to be a coordinated effort which requires funds, not just European funds, but also those of other countries, which are being impacted by this phenomenon.” Both leaders discussed other bilateral issues, including economic opportunities, more flights between the two countries, as well as the importance of political stability, with a Libyan government elected by the people and for the people.

– photo Doi –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta hosts one of the largest conferences in the iGaming sector Malta is hosting one of the largest international conferences in the iGaming sector. The conference has drawn 4,000 delegates, 200 speakers, and a sizable number of participants from 70 countries. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the conference and observed that the administration of iGaming NEXT, which is also established in Malta, has continued to strengthen its position as a main platform in this sector. Robert Abela who was accompanied by the company’s founder, Martin Petterson, met a number of company representatives from the iGaming sector and was briefed on opportunities and careers currently being created through such conferences. The Office of the Prime Minister stated that events such as iGaming NEXT celebrate the spirit of Maltàs economic vision, and are testimony to the positive reputation enjoyed by Malta in this sector. In the past 3 years, workers in this sector increased by 34%, from 11,747 in 2019 to 15,774 by the end of 2022. The iGaming sector also contributes to other economic sectors, including those in professional services. This led to an increase of 5.8% in the added gross value from this sector, while the country also saw an increase of 50 companies operating actively from Malta during the past three years. The iGaming NEXT conference continued to strengthen Maltàs position in the gaming sector and registered strong economic results in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

– photo Doi –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MOSCA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “About half of the units of the Strategic Missile Force are now equipped with the latest Yars systems. Rearming with modern missile systems carrying Avangard hypersonic warheads is underway”. This was stated by Vladimir Putin in a meeting with graduates of military academies, according to local press reports.
Putin stressed that the strengthening and development of the army and reliable security of the country has always been and remains an unconditional priority. “In light of the new challenges, we will continue to improve the military in every way we can,” he declared.
-foto agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MALTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Shocking statistics compiled in a new report entitled “Victims of Maltàs Construction Boom” by The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation show the cost of human life in Maltàs modern construction industry. The report shows a clear correlation between Maltàs building boom and construction fatalities: as planning permit approvals spiked, so did construction site tragedies. While 10 construction workers died in the four years between 2010 and 2013 and a further 10 died between 2014 and 2017, there were 29 such deaths between 2018 and 2022, the report found. Falls from height were, by far, the most likely cause of death: of the 49 deaths recorded between 2010 and 2022, 25 occurred due to such falls. The average fine given by the Criminal Court for a construction worker fatality from 2010 to 2022 was low at €7,030, with the minimum fine being €1,000 and the maximum only €11,650. Compiled data reveals 68% of construction fatalities remain open in Maltàs justice system. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), out of 49 fatal accident cases involving construction workers since 2010, 32 are still unresolved, dating back as far as 2010. The trend also shows that the gap in unresolved cases continues to widen each year, leading to a pile-up of unresolved cases.
Only 15 cases have been closed. Of these, five resulted from court decisions, while the rest were closed due to the impossibility of prosecution.

– foto di angenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MALTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The number of asylum seekers brought to Malta were down by 46.9% in 2022 when compared to the previous year. The majority were citizens of Asian countries (90.6%), while the remaining 9.4% were citizens of African countries.
The National Statistics Office said that last year 10 boat disembarked in Malta, with 445 migrants being brought to Maltese shores, including persons air lifted at sea. September 2022 saw 176 migrants; the highest recorded, brought to Malta, followed by arrivals in November and August, at 116 and 84 individuals, respectively. So far this year only 92 people, including an unaccompanied child, were brought to Malta after being rescued at sea. Meanwhile in 2022, a total of 1,318 applications for asylum were submitted to the International Protection Agency (IPA), a decrease of 17.4% over the previous year. Slightly over half of the applicants were from African countries (54.5%), while the single largest country of origin by applications was Syria, with 21.2% of the total applicantions. This was followed by Eritrean and Sudanese citizens, at 8.5% and 7.9%, respectively. Slightly over half of the applicants (56%) were males aged between 18 and 34. At the end of 2022, there were 2,974 pending decisions on applications for asylum, a decrease of 25.9% from the previous year. During 2022, the International Protection Agency processed a total of 1,271 applications for international protection; with 15.1% granted a positive decision at first instance, while the remaining applications were rejected. Meanwhile, 258 persons were residing at open centres at the end of 2022, a decrease of 64.1% when compared to the preceding year. Syrian citizens made up the highest share of residents at 17.1%, followed by Eritrean citizens at 16.7%. As of December 2022, there were 1,516 persons benefiting from temporary protection in Malta, with 99.3% being Ukrainian citizens.

– photo agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews