LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Armed Forces of Malta has rescued a group of 40 migrants in the Maltese search and rescue area. The group was saved following six days in distress, despite calls for assistance to the Maltese authorities from the NGO Alarm Phone. The migrants will be brought to Malta. According to the European Council for Refugees and Exiles, the number of arrivals in Malta between 2020 and 2021 was low, mostly as a consequence of national policies. “Since May 2020, and throughout 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta drastically decreased rescues at sea. In 2021, the Maltese Government continued to deny disembarkation to individuals rescued at sea, in particular where the rescue was conducted by Ngo vessels”.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese capsule ‘Maleth II’ has found its place in the International Space Station after being fitted on board by Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency. The capsule consists of tissue samples from diabetic persons wounds for bio-medical research in space. Cristoforetti placed the capsule in space with the aim that the Maltese project resumes research on the resistance that viruses may create so that Maltese scientists can plan and provide more personalised and specific medicines to the patients. Professor Joseph Borg from the University of Malta said that different samples from diabetic patients were also included in the rocket with the aim of this mission spreading the research being carried out in Malta and for this to be more beneficial to Maltese students and scientists. This is Maltàs second scientific experiment registered with Nasa in the International Space station. The SpaceX rocket lifted off from the Nasa base at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 15. The SpaceX rocket will start its return voyage from the International Space Centre on August, 18. The project will then resume at the University of Malta by Professor Joseph Borg and the rest of the Maltese researchers team.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The widow of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is contesting the release of 94 million euros from Bank of Valletta to the Libyan state. Safiya Ferkash Mohammed filed an appeal against a decision taken by a Maltese court to release the funds in favour of the Libyan state. The appeal was filed by Maltese lawyer Louis Cassar Pullicino on behalf of the Gaddafi heirs’ lawyer, Charilos Oikonomopoulos and Gaddafìs widow, Safiya Ferkash Mohammed. They are stating that the Maltese courts do not have the jurisdiction and could not decide the case over the funds. The legal dispute started in 2012, a year after the death of former Libyan dictator when it was determined that Mutassim, Gaddafìs fourth son was the owner of Capital Resources Limited, a Maltese registered company with a Bank of Valletta accounts. When in October 2011, Mutassim was captured during the battle of Sirte by anti-Gaddafi forces, and killed along with his father, various credit cards issued by Bank of Valleta were found in his possession. Following various investigations, it was found that Mutassim had failed to declare his full assets as required by the Libyan law, and as an army officer he was barred from taking benefits from business interests. Also, Bank of Valletta was accused by the Libyan state that it failed to carry out the necessary due diligence that should prevented Mutassim from opening a financial account and the Libyan government always argued that the funds under Mutassim’s company were gained illegaly. However, a Maltese court decided in favour of the Libyan state – declaring that nearly 97 million euros held in Bank of Valletta accounts linked to the late son of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi should be passed on to the Libyan state, dismissing the claims of his heirs. In June 2010, Mutassim Gaddafi had opened five accounts with Bank of Valletta, and these accounts were frozen in the wake of the revolution against his father’s regime. Three accounts denominated in euros have a total balance of just over 56,5 million; a Us dollar account with an active balance of 36,8 mln and a Uk pound sterling account with a balance of 3,5 mln. He had also opened a business loan account on August 2010, but this account remained unused and was closed on 28 February 2011, as the Libyan revolution broke out. The other two held a little over 200.000 euros – were opened in the name of Capital Resources Ltd, a company registered on the same day the accounts were opened and ostensibly wholly-owned by Muatasimbllah Muammar Abuminyar – an alias for Mutassim. The Maltese court declared that the millions Mutassim held at Bank of Valletta could in no way be reconciled with his declared annual salary, which amounted to 64,800 Libyan dinars, or 37.500 euros, in 2011. The judge also observed that there was no evidence that Gaddafi had any business interests which would suggest that his wealth was legitimately obtained. The Libyan goverment has been putting pressure on the Maltese government and asked the Maltese authorities to assist in recovering the frozen funds linked to the Gaddafi families, and the issue was always on the agenda during bilateral meetings.
ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese health authorities confirmed that until today, a total of 24 cases of monkey pox have been registered in Malta. The Ministry of Health confirmed that out of the 24 cases, there are 14 that are currently active, with the average age of those infected is 34 years. The first case of monkey pox registered by the Maltese health authories was in May, 28. The infected patient, 38 year old man, was returning to Malta from abroad. The local health authorities are recommending the importance of washing hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after coming into contact with others.
(ITALPRESS).
– credit photo agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two Italian men were accused on Monday afternoon after causing a disturbance on an incoming passenger Ryanair flight to Malta from Parma last night.
Gianpiero Zanzarelli, 29, and Jacobo Paolazzi, 31, were accused with endangering an aircraft. and the passengers onboard. Zanzarelli was also accused with importing cannabis resin for his own use. The court heard that the men caused a commotion, with the pair allegedly play fighting with each other as well as roughing each other up on the flight.
According to the investigators, Zanzarelli and Paolazzi had been sitting to each other and an argument broke out, and one of the men slapped the other. They were asked to calm down but the Italians ignored the cabin crew’s order. The Maltese authorities were subsequently informed. Zanzarelli told the police that the cannabis found in his bag belonged to him and he used it to help him sleep. Both men pleaded guilty, with Paolazzi was fined €200 while Zanzarelli was fined €600.

Foto: agenziafotogramma.it
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The population in Malta stands at 519.562 following an increase of almost 25% in the last ten years. This was confirmed by the National Census published by the National Office of Statistics. While in Malta there are more men than women for the first time with a difference of 65.000, more than one in five people are of foreign nationality. There are 115.449 foreigners, five times more that registered in 2019, with the majority, around 60% are men. According to the report, Malta is the country with the densest population in the European Union, with 1.649 people for every kilometre squared. The European avreage is 109 people for every km squared. The densest locality is Sliema on the east coast of the island with more than 15,000 people for every kilometre squared. St. Paul’s Bay, a town in the Northern region is the largest locality with 32.042 residents.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The public sector in Malta has been confirmed for the second consecutive year as the best in Europe in terms of e-government services. The Maltese government has confirmed that the e-goverment services has been certified first among 35 European countries. According to a report issued by the European Commission, Malta obtained an average score of 96 percent; 28 percent higher than the average, followed by Estonia (90 percent) and Luxembourg (87 percent). Each country was assessed on four dimensions of e-government services: the user centricity of such services, including whether services are accessible through mobile devices; transparency of e-government services; key enablers of such services; and the extent to which e-government services are open to users from other European countries. Malta is above European average in the digitalisation of businesses and their exploitation of online sales channels. The head of the Maltese Public Service, Tony Sultana, said this result certifies the high level of the public services rendered in Malta. He added that such a result would not have been possible without the dedication of the public officers, and the investments made and still to be made so that the Public Service remains at the forefront, with the best digital tools and talent.
– Foto Agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities are under continuos pressure after failing to take action to save two groups of migrants who are currently in distress in Maltàs search and resue zone. The first group of 40 migrants is reported to be in severe distress in Maltàs SAR region after they fled from Libya. The NGO Alarm Phone said that the migrants are extremely exhausted, and they don’t have neither water nor food.
The second group of 45 migrants has been lost at sea for several days in the Maltese SAR zone. The migrants fled from Egypt and were reported to be in difficulties in south of Crete. The NGO Alarm Phone confirmed that the Maltese and Greek authorities were alerted “but while Malta did not confirm if a resue operation was underway, the Greek authrities denied any responsability and requested the NGO to ask for the Maltese authorities to intervene. Alarm Phone asked the Armed Forces of Malta “to fulfil its duty” and “to stop playing with peoplès lives”.
(ITALPRESS).
-credit photo agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Three Maltese football clubs – Hibernians, Hamrun Spartans and Gzira United qualified for the third round of the UEFA Europa Conference League for the first time in local football history. This has never happened before, as Malta has never had one football club that has reached this stage in a European competition.
The Maltese champions Hibernians registered a great success who won with an aggregate of 4-3 against FCI Levadia of Estonia. Hibernians are managed by the Italian Andrea Pisanu who took over the management of the club from the Italian Stefano Sanderra who has just signed an agreement to join S.S. Lazio Primavera in Italy.
The dream of Hamrun Spartans continued with a 1-0 victory, which sealed another step for the Hamrun club with an aggregate of 2-0 over Velez Mostar of Bosnia.
With an impressive performance, Gzira United achieved an important qualification when they defeated Radnicki Nis of Serbia with penalties. Gzira United were always at a disadvantage but forced the penalties to win 3-1.
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the success registered by the three football teams would inspire local sprots to achieve more positive results. Supporters of the three teams gathered in their respective localities celebrating the success registered by their football team.
The three Maltese clubs have an important challenge, with Hibernians facing RFS of Latvia, Gzira United meeting against Wolfsberger AC of Austria while Hamrun Spartans will face Levski Sofia of Bulgaria.
– photo Conference League Uefa –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Debris from an out-of-control massive Chinese rocket are expected to fall on Earth on Saturday and may affect several European countries. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has warned seven European states to be on alert as debris caused by the 25 tonne rocket will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere between next Saturday and Sunday.

Malta, Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Bulgaria have been instructed to put into effect restrictions for a 200km wide area. The debris will fall on Earth in an uncontrolled re-entry and according to space experts, a detailed prediction could be available only a few hours before the impact. However, the probability of it landing in any populated area is extremely low although there is still a possibility for pieces of the rocket to come down over a populated area as happened in May 2020 when properties in Ivory Coast were damaged.
The rocket – a 53 metre long March CZ-5B took off from Hainan Island in China last Sunday and delivered a new module to Tiangong station, Chinàs space station.
NASA called the Chinese Space Agency to design its rockets to disintehrate into smaller pieces upon re-entry, as it is the international norm.

foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews