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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – Malta has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases for this year. The local health authorities confirmed that 791 new cases were recorded during the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of active cases to 6,495 – the highest since December 2021.
Meanwhile, the health authorities confirmed another death caused by the virus. The number of patients who lost their life due to the pandemic increased to 639.
According to statistics published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as of last week Malta had the lowest rate of Covid-19 patients receiving treatment in intensive care within the European Union.
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – Pope Francis has arrived in Malta for an apostolic voyage of two days. In his first speech while addressing the President of Malta George Vella, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Diplomatic Corps at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, Pope Francis likened Malta to the “heart of the Mediterranean” due to its geographical position.
Pope Francis highlighted the importance of strengthening shared roots and values which forged the Maltese society and explained that sound social coexistence requires that the foundations of life in society, which depends on law and legality. “Honesty, justice, a sense of duty and transparency are the essential pillars of a mature civil society. May your commitment to eliminate illegality and corruption be strong, like the north wind that sweeps the coasts of this country. May you always cultivate legality and transparency, which will enable the eradication of corruption and criminality, neither of which acts openly and in broad”.
Referring to the issue of migration, Pope Francis said the Mediterranean needs co-responsibility on the part of Europe, in order to become a new theatre of solidarity and not the harbinger of a tragic shipwreck of civilization, as he referred to St Paul’s last journey when he unexpectedly came to Malta.
“Today, when those who cross the Mediterranean in search of salvation are met with fear and the narrative of “invasion”, and safeguarding onès own security at any price seems to be the primary goal, let us help one another not to view the migrant as a threat and not to yield to the temptation of raising drawbridges and erecting walls,” Pope Francis said.
While Malta was preparing to receive Pope Francis, 106 asylum seekers including 22 unaccompanied minors, remain stranded at sea on a vessel operated by German humanitarian NGO Sea-Eye after local authorities have refused to offer the vessel a port of safety.
While refering to the growing migration emergency with a particular reference to the situation of refugees from war-torn Ukraine, Pope Francis called for a broad-based and shared response: “Some countries cannot respond to the entire problem, while others remain indifferent onlookers. Civilized countries cannot approve for their own interest sordid agreements with criminals who enslave other human beings. May Malta, the heart of the Mediterranean, continue to foster the heartbeat of hope,
care for life, acceptance of others, yearning for peace, with the help of the God whose name is peace”, Pope Francis said.
The Holy Father urged the Maltese authorities to protect the environment saying that the its protection and the promotion of social justice prepare for the future, and are optimal ways to instil in young people a passion for a healthy politics and to shield them from the temptation to indifference and lack of commitment. Pope Francis warned against rapacious greed and avarice: “It must therefore be kept safe from rapacious greed, from avarice and from construction speculation, which compromises not only the landscape but the very future.”
In his speech, the President of Malta George Vella who spoke before the Pope, mentioned the war in Ukraine and argued that it was unacceptable that 75 years after the end of World War 2, another war started in Ukraine. He promised Malta would continue promoting peace amongst the other nations and that it would offer aid to migrants that come to Malta. President Vella recognised the importance given by the Pope to the issue of migration, “We all feel your pain and disillusionment whenever dead bodies are washed on our shores and when migrants arrive in pitiful situations”, he said. “Malta has never shied away from its commitments and obligations to save lives.” However, the Maltese President asked for the support of other, better-resourced countries, when handling migrants. Aside from action plans and documents, solidarity, Vella said, had to be put into actual practice. He also made a heartfelt plea to protect the environment. “Our planet is sick, angry and tired. Yet we keep ignoring its manifest signs of environmental degradation, climate change and exploitation of its resources”. The President of Malta also touched on the sensitive issue of abortion and declared “we should above all respect the sanctity of life, from its beginning to its natural end.”
Following the meeting with Maltàs highest authorities, accompanied by the President and the Prime Minister, Pope Francis saluted the crowd from the Palace Balcony in Valletta.
Hundreds of Maltese and Gozitan youths have gathered since early morning in St Georgès Square to welcome Pope Francis. Many of the youths carried yellow and white flags that represent the symbol of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis arrived at around 10.00am at the Malta International Airport. He was met at the airport by the President of Malta George Vella and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, among other dignitaries who included the Apostolic Nuncio to Malta Mgr Alessandro D’Errico and Maltàs Archbishop Charles Scicluna. He was offered flowers by two children aged 3 and 6 who were waiting for him. Maltàs President George Vella was given by Pope Francis a medal depicting Saint Paul that was made Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia.
(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government announced that it has started the process to revoke the Maltese citizenship to a Russian national following a decision by the government of the United States to add 13 individuals and 21 entities to its sanction list. One of the 13 individuals is Evgeniya Vladimirovna Bernova who holds Maltese citizenship and has connections to the Russian Intelligence services.

The Ministry for Home Affairs stated that “this is being done in accordance with the Maltese Citizenship Act and the respective Subsidiary Legislation, as these provide that the responsible minister may deprive persons who have been registered or naturalised with Maltese citizenship in those circumstances established by the same legal provisions.”

Bernova is linked to Malberg Ltd, one of the companies on the sanctions list, through her shareholding in Djeco Group Holding Ltd. The United States government said Bernova is an associate of the Serniya network and operates Malberg Ltd through a multinational web of shell companies. “Malberg has worked to deceptively acquire dual-use equipment on behalf of Russian end-users,” the statement said.

Bernovàs network includes Malberg’s Director, Nikita Aleksandrovich Sobolev, UK-based Djeco Group LP, Malta-based Djeco Group Holding Ltd, Malta-based Maltarent Ltd, and France-based SCI Griber. In addition, Moscow-based Sernia-Film Co Ltd, where Bernova has served as a director, has facilitated the export of equipment by Malberg to intended government users in Russia. Djeco Group Holding Ltd and Maltarent Ltd were also placed on the US sanctions list.

Sobolev, who serves as a director of the Malta-based firm and is a Maltese resident, was also added to the US sanctions.

The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control described the sanctioned individuals as “operators in the Russian technology sector” that helped Russia illicitly procure dual-use equipment and technology for its defence sector.

“Russia not only continues to violate the sovereignty of Ukraine with its unprovoked aggression but also has escalated its attacks striking civilians and population centers,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “We will continue to target Putin’s war machine with sanctions from every angle, until this senseless war of choice is over.”

The European Commission is urging the Maltese to withdraw Maltese citizenship acquired by Russian and Belarussian nationals who bought EU citizenship through the golden passport scheme. Last month, Malta gave into international and national pressure and suspended the golden passports scheme for Russian and Belarusian applicants.
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is ready to welcome Pope Francis with great enthusiasm and joy, the fourth papal visit to the Mediterranean island and the first in 16 years. Pope Francis is expected to land in Malta on Saturday morning for a two-day visit.

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi said the Popès visit is “a message of hope for the challenges we face” and a message of love for the most vulnerable in society. “We hope that this visit will sow a seed of love, hope and faith which the country can reap in the future.”

Following the arrival ceremony at the Malta International Airport at 10am, he will be driven to the President’s Palace in Valletta, to meet President George Vella. A meeting is also scheduled with the new-elected Prime Minister Robert Abela. Pope Francis will also be meeting with the highest authorities of Malta and the diplomatic corps.

On Saturday afternoon, the Pope will depart the Grand Harbour aboard a fast ferry which will take him to Gozo where he will lead a prayer meeting at the The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Tà Pinu.

On Sunday morning, after a private meeting with the Jesuits at the Apostolic Nunciature, the Pope will visit St. Paul’s Grotto in St. Paul’s Basilica in Rabat. In St. Paul’s Grotto, which was visited by previous popes, Pope Francis will recite a special prayer related to the theme of his 36th apostolic journey, ‘They Showed Us Unusual Kindness’ – inspired by the welcome St Paul was given when his boat was shipwrecked and washed upon Maltàs shores in 60AD.

At 10:15am, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in Floriana which will also include the Angelus prayers. As many as 12,000 people had registered to attend the mass.

Before leaving Malta, Pope Francis will visit migrants at the Peace Laboratory in ?al Far. Pope Francis will be hearing the testimony of migrants and later recite prayers and give his blessing. The visit is taking place upon the Popès own request to meet migrants during his visit to Malta.

Pope Francis will then be driven to the Malta International Airport where a departure ceremony will be held before the Pontiff will fly back to Rome. The visit was originally planned for 2020 but had to be postponed because of the global pandemic.

(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During the last 24 hours, the Maltese health authorities recorded 760 new cases of Covid-19 following yesterday’s 717 cases and the 353 cases recorded last Sunday.
While no new deaths were registered, the health authorties confirmed that there have been 303 recoveries in the past 24 hours. This situation brings the total number of active cases to 5,640 while the number of patients who lost their life due to the pandemic remained 638.
The local health authorities confirmed that the lifting of some of the Covid-19 restrictions and the increase in public mobility are the main reasons for the increase in the daily cases of Covid-19. Most of the new registered cases like anywhere in Europe are from omicron subvariant.
Despite the increase in the new cases, the new Maltese government has decided to lift all anti-Covid restrictions in the coming weeks.
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has unveiled his new Cabinet few hours before the swearing in of the new ministers and parliamentary secretaries on Wednesday afternoon.

The official list consisting of 18 ministers and 4 parliamentary secretaries – a total of 22 members in the Cabinet excluding Prime Minister Abela – was published before the ministers took their oath in office during a ceremony presided by the President of Malta George Vella at the Presidential Palace in Valletta.

A number of Ministers have retained their portfolio, and others have been given new responsibilities. The new Cabinet includes six new politicians, all elected for the first time in last Saturday’s election. Four of these have been appointed Parliamentary Secretaries with responsibility for various sectors, including Social Dialogue, Local Councils, European Funds and Youths, Research and Innovation. The three women elected on behalf of the Labour Party in Saturday’s election have all been included in the Cabinet.

The Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement that as promised during the electoral campaign, Prime Minister Robert Abela has selected a Cabinet that includes a mix of experience and new blood. It adds that the main aim of this Cabinet is to implement the electoral manifesto on which the Government was elected, an electoral manifesto based on the need for a better Malta, equal opportunities for everyone and a better quality of life.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said in a statement that he will consider other appointments, in light of the need to boost feminine representation within the executive, just as it is being boosted in Parliament.

Former Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis and former Broadcasting Minister Carmelo Abela have been left out of the new Cabinet. Both Ministers found themselves at the centre of seperate controversies during the previous legislature. Zammit Lewis is widely considered as a close friend of Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused as the mastermind behind the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Meanwhile, former Minister Abela was implicated by the Nationalist Opposition with his involvement in the notorious attempted hesit of HSBC’s headquarters in 2010. Carmelo Abela denies having any accusation related to the HSBC heist.
(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At the end of today’s general audience, Pope Francis declared that he is looking forward to his pastoral visit to Malta this weekend, describing it as a “luminous island” and referring to his journay “in the footsteps of the Apostle Saint Paul” who was warmly welcomed with such humanity after being shipwrecked at sea on his way to Rome.

The head of the Catholic Church said that this visit will offer him a unique opportunity to live the Christian experience that has shaped Malta for thousands of years.

Pope Francis praised Maltàs commitment to welcome those in need of refuge, while appealing to all Maltese and Gozitans to accompany him in his prayers.

Pope Francis’ visit to Malta as part of his 36th apostolic journey is set to take place this weekend, where the theme of ‘They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” will be prevalent throughout the visit.

The trip, which was postponed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, serves to highlight the plight of migrants crossing the Mediterranean toward Europe, while promoting evangelization in the country.
(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta continued to register an increase in COVID-19 cases with a record number of 717 new positive cases to be confirmed for the last weeks.

The Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci explained that 86% of the new cases are the result of the more contagious subvariant of Omicron. With 216 recoveries, the number of active cases has increased to 5,783.

Meanwhile, three people diagnosed with the virus died in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of deaths since the begining of the pandemic to 638.

100 patients are being treated for Covid-19 in hospital, with four patients are in the intensive care unit. However not all the 100 patients who had been admitted to hospital suffered complications due to Covid-19.

Following a five-week election campaign in which Covid-19 restrictions and measures were unobserved, especially in political mass activities, Malta is back at the top of the European Union’s Covid-19 concern list.

Last Sunday, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that his new government is ready to lift all restrictions, leaving it up to the people to choose how to safeguard best their own well-being and health. Associations representing the tourism sector said it was time to return to normality despite the recent spike on Covid cases over the past three weeks.
(ITALPRESS).