BEIJING (CHINA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Xi Jinping has been re-elected president of the Peoplès Republic of China for the next five years. This is the third term considered as an unprecedented situation. The nearly 3,000 members of the National Peoplès Congress – the legislative branch of the Beijing parliament – unanimously voted for the 69-year-old Xi, who was the only candidate.
With the same result, the country’s leader – already indicated as president by the Communist Party congress in October – was also confirmed at the helm of the Central Military Commission and will therefore remain commander-in-chief of the Peoplès Liberation Army.

– photo agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TEL AVIV (ISRAEL) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahùs government should abandon proposed legislation to overhaul the country’s judiciary in favor of a model with broad national support.
Herzog has been mediating between the government and protesters.
“There are agreements over most issues, yes, not all, but the vast majority. Certainly enough to abandon the legislation currently proposed and bring in its place for discussion,” Herzog said in a televised address.
Despite the declaration by the Israeli President that a compromise in the government’s judicial overhaul plan could be imminent, protests against the reform continued to spread with tens of thousands of protesters returned to the streets.
Protesters have blocked roads and attempted to stop the prime minister flying out the country before taking off to Rome. Vehicles obstructed access roads to Ben Gurion airport. In Tel Aviv, thousands of protesters, many waving Israeli flags and carrying signs with slogans against the reforms, marched towards an intersection close to the city’s busiest road, the Ayalon highway. The protests are some of the biggest Israel has ever seen.
Local media circulated a letter by 10 former air force chiefs to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of the “grave and tangible” threat posed by the judicial overhaul plan, a day after reservists said they would not turn up for training in protest. Netanyahu criticised the threats to refuse military service, which he said endangered Israel’s existence.
The plans by the hard-right government led by Netanyahu to pass a legislation that will cause a judicial overhaul has sparked uproar in Israel and alarm among the country’s Western allies. If the proposal passed, it would mean greater government control and influence in selecting judges and limit the power of the Supreme Court to strike down legislation.
Critics say the reforms will undermine democracy but the government is saying that the planned changes are better for the electorate.

– photo press office Quirinale –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is expected to attract more film productions in the future with the authorities pledged to attract more hopefuls to pursue a career in film.
Film Commissioner Johann Grech said he was pleased with the great interest from people aspiring to work in this sector, which is growing and attracting more local talent. Over 2,500 people applied to join Maltàs film industry. Last year, the Maltese film industry left €85 million in the Maltese economy – the largest economic effect in a decade. In 2022 alone, 24 productions were produced in Malta. During a conference which brought together all those who have applied for and aspired to pursue a career in cinema, those present had the opportunity to ask questions about the free courses offered by the Commission.
Grech said “a lot of film work is coming and that is why we want more Maltese and Gozitans to be trained in this work so we can see this film industry continue to grow and where everyone can enjoy the world of cinema”. The Maltese government has significantly increased funding to distribute to foreign film companies in a bid to attract more blockbusters. The new payment system will see large-scale film and TV productions go from an injection of up to €200,000 to cover the cost of cinematic talent to a new high of €5 million.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit Maltese Film Commission-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has received the first payment of 52.3 million from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
The Maltese government is expected to receive a total of 258.3 million in aid through the RRF after various targets were met, including introducing facilities that permit civil servants to work remotely and appointing new magistrates and judges.
Through these funds, the Maltese government is expected to adopt a new strategy to reduce construction waste, reform industrial research and investments, launch a strategy against corruption, and reform the digitization of the judiciary system.
The European Commission said that the funds were granted following submissions made by Malta last December. Last January, the Commission accepted the preliminary analysis and described it as positive for Malta.
The Minister for Economy, European Funds and Lands, Silvio Schembri, said that these funds confirm the effort made by Malta to implement a number of projects which are helping the Government to make a difference in peoplès lives, and at the same time having a more resilient economy.
The Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Chris Bonett, said that the government is committed to using these funds for more projects and investments that will benefit Maltese and Gozitan families.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During the night the cities of Kiev, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Odessa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia came under heavy Russian missile attacks. This was confirmed on Telegram by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“It has been a difficult night. A massive rocket attack across the whole country. Attacks on critical infrastructure and residential buildings. Unfortunately, there are dead people and others injured. My condolences to the families,” Zelensky explained while noting that
despite the attacks all services are working, the energy system is being restored and restrictions have been imposed in all
regions.”
“The enemy fired 81 missiles in an attempt to intimidate the Ukrainians again, returning to its miserable tactics,” emphasized the Ukrainian President while adding “the occupants can only terrorize civilians. That’s all they can do. But it won’t help them. They won’t avoid responsibility for all they have done. We thank the guardians of our skies and all those who help to overcome the consequences of the occupier’s attacks”.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

KIEV (UKRAINE) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Russian forces are controlling the entire eastern part of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukrainès Donetsk region. This was announced by the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. According to a spokesman for the region, small groups of Ukrainian troops are retreating along country roads. While speaking to reporters in Stockholm on the sidelines of the meeting of the defense ministers of the EU countries, the NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg said: “we cannot rule out that Bakhmut may eventually fall into the coming days”, and urged not to “underestimate” Russia and continue to “support” Ukraine.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Hundreds of Sub-Saharan migrants already left Tunisia and many others are being urged by their governments to return to their home country following anti-migrant declarations made by the President of Tunisia Kais Saied in an official speech two weeks ago.
Saied called for ending the flow of migrants, describing them as “hordes of illegal immigrants” from sub-Saharan Africa into his country, saying irregular migration aims to change Tunisiàs demography and it’s a threat to the country.
Many African countries including the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali and Gabon are organizing charter flights to assist their citizens to leave Tunisia as they have been the target of an increase in racist attacks. Scores of African migrants are waiting outside the International airport of Tunis together with their belongings waiting for the repatriation flights organized by their respective governments. Many others have been queueing at their nations’ embassies, hoping to return to their country.
In various Tunisian cities there were reports that the police have detained hundreds of African migrants, including women and children, others were beaten, stabbed, verbally assaulted, and evicted by landlords. Some are staying in makeshift tents outside the headquarters of the International Organization for Migration.
Meanwhile, the World Bank halted future collaboration work with the government of Tunisia and the African Union has postponed a conference that was scheduled in Tunisia this month.
There are only around 21,000 Black migrants in Tunisia out of a population of 12 million people; about 0.17 percent.

– foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne announced in Parliament that the most common cause of death in Malta during 2021 was due to circulatory system diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. In total, 1,230 people died due to circulatory diseases.
Cancer followed as the second top killer, leading to the death of 997 persons.
Respiratory diseases came third with 449 victims, closely followed by dementia with 341.
There were a further 230 deaths related to diabetes.
Covid left 209 victims. During the same year, 66 persons died due to infections, including those related to the respiratory system.
Another 104 deaths were classified as accidental, and included falls from a height and drowning.
8 babies died due to complications during pregnancy.
35 people have committed suicide while one person was murdered.

– photo Mater Dei Hospital, Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A decision by the Maltese goverment to revoke unexpectedly a scheme without any reason that used to give migrants the opportunity to acquire an indentity card for a minumum of two years left around 1,000 rejected asylum seekers stuck in a legal uncertainity. This situation is making the life of these asylum seekers more difficult because they cannot really plan their future.
The issue was also raised recently in Parliament by the Opposition asking the governement to work on a coherent policy on rejected asylum seekers. A number of rejected asylum seekers had been in Malta for many years, with some residing also in Malta for over a decade without having adequate legal protection. These undocumented persons do not enjoy full legal rights and consequently, they are left vulnerable to unscrupulous exploitation.
The scheme was launched on 15 November 2018, known as the Specific Residence Authorisation granted active contributors residing in Malta for more than five years the ability to obtain an identity card. Each qualified asylum seeker had the right for a residence permit valid for two years with the possibility of renewal, essential welfare benefits, employment licences, education and training, medical care and travel privileges. This means that these individuals cannot be married, will never be eligible for unemployment benefits and in case they have children, they will struggle to receive a basic education.
The NGO Aditus referred to the situation in Europe where many EU governments offer regularisation schemes because it is in their national interest to provide documents to asylum seekers as this prevents crime, combats poverty, stimulates economic sectors and fights racism. The NGO is urging the Maltese government to take action in order to regularise all rejected asylum seekers who have lived in Malta for five years or more and have not been returned to their country through no fault of their own.

– photo xf3/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A search over a commercial ship in Misrata seaport that was coming from Malta led to the seizure of 12,000 weapons which were being smuggled to Libya.
The Misrata Port Customs Centre and the Joint Operations Force assisted the custom officers to stop and seize the 20-foot container with 12,000 pistols. Following inspections, the Port Customs Centre confirmed that the shipment contained household items to hide the weapons.
“Customs officers were able to detect and seize this container. It arrived at the port of Misrata on board the ship ‘Biltaky’, which carries the flag of the State of Liberia, and was coming from Malta, via the CMACGM shipping line”, the Port Customs Centre said in a statement.
This seizure is only one of several seizures made by the center during 2023, as part of the framework for combating smuggling and drugs.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior in the Libyan Parliament-designated government, Faraj Qaim confirmed that a committee was formed by the armed forces and the Ministry of Interior, with the help of trained dogs and advanced weapons detection devices.

– photo Videvo.net –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews