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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of migrants is expected to disembark at the port of Catania after being rescued last night.
The German NGO Sea Watch confirmed that its vessel Sea-Watch 5 rescued 45 migrants who were onboard an unseaworthy boat. “The survivors are safe and cared for by our team on board,” added the NGO. Sea Watch commented that they are on their way to Catania.
– credit photo Sea Watch –
(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The annual rate of inflation in Malta remained steady at 3.7% in January 2024. This is 0.9 percentage points more than the 2.81% registered for the euro area during the same period, that is a slight decrease from 2.9% in December.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s annual inflation rate was 3.1% during the same period. Some EU member states recorded notably lower annual inflation rates, with Denmark and Italy at 0.9%, and Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland at 1.1%.
According to the National Statistics Office, the data highlights significant disparities in inflation rates between Malta and the eurozone, with Malta experiencing higher levels of inflation across various sectors.
The highest annual inflation rates in January 2024 were recorded in food and non-alcoholic beverages, soaring at 10.1%, followed by education at 5.6%.
The contributing factors to Maltàs inflation shows that the surge in food and non-alcoholic beverages prices, particularly vegetables, had the largest upward impact on annual inflation, accounting for a significant increase of 1.80 percentage points.
Increase in restaurant service prices and rents contributed to the upward trend, with the restaurants and hotels Index and the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels Index each contributing 0.69 and 0.44 percentage points respectively.
However, the communications sector, clothing and footwear saw a decline in inflation rates at -9.4% and -0.8% respectively.
The official statistics also show a decrease in mobile phone services, and package holiday prices that led to downward impacts on annual inflation, particularly in the communication, clothing, and recreation and culture indices.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Five individuals have lost their lives and eight others have been rushed to hospital after their 25-foot twin-engined boat capsized during the rescue operation. Despite swift response efforts, tragedy struck as the boat overturned, plunging several passengers into the sea.
According to the latest information, some survivors remain in critical condition, necessitating urgent treatment at Mater Dei Hospital. In some cases, the severity of their conditions has warranted ambulance escorts by Transport Malta officials.
The boat was carrying 34 passengers while crossing the Mediterranean. 21 migrants were successfully rescued and transported to the Ħal Far detention centre. The manned boat was en route to Malta and was located approximately 5 miles off Żonqor, near a fish farm.
Human rights organisations aditus Foundation and the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), said they were “extremely saddened” by news of “yet another tragedy at sea.”
The organizations added: “We are further upset by Malta’s treatment of the survivors. According to news sites that we are unable to confirm, 21 persons were taken to Malta’s main detention centre,” the organisations said.
The two NGOs stressed: “The survivors came within inches of death whilst at the same time witnessing their friends and possibly loved ones drowning around them. No words can possibly describe the mental state they must be in. We therefore strongly urge Malta to offer them all the psychological support they require, particularly to the most vulnerable. This support cannot be provided in detention, but requires a safe and caring space. This is an opportunity for Malta to do what is right,” the NGOs said.
In a separate statement on Friday evening, the government expressed deep regret over the death of the five people. It commended the AFM’s efforts and assistance of medics, and insisted that the tragedy was “the result of human trafficking models that the Maltese government would continue trying to dismantle.”
The asylum seekers hail from various countries, including Syria, Egypt, Ghana, and Eritrea.
An extensive investigation into the incident has been launched by multiple authorities, including the Police. A magisterial inquiry is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Malta has been repeatedly accused of not rescuing migrants in distress at sea as well as of being complicit in unlawful pushbacks.
– photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS)

DUBAI (ITALPRESS/MNA) – On the occasion of GulFood in Dubai, the largest exhibition in the Food and Beverage sector taking place from 19 to 23 February 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Italian talent is widely represented in the United Arab Emirates.

GulFood represents an important platform that attracts thousands of industry exhibitors and visitors from all over the world every year. The event offers the opportunity to explore the latest trends, discover innovations in the agri-food field and establish new business relationships. In addition to the main exhibition, GulFood includes a series of side events such as conferences, workshops, culinary competitions and social responsibility initiatives.

This year, GulFood takes on particular relevance as the agri-food sector faces growing consumer expectations. The event is therefore an opportunity to demonstrate the resilience and creativity of the sector, as well as celebrate its contribution to economic and social recovery.

Certainly, Italy holds a leadership position in the food and drink sector in Europe, with over 60,000 active companies, a turnover of 179 billion euros (corresponding to 31.8% of GDP) and half a million employees.

However, GulFood demonstrates that Italian excellence transcends national borders thanks to the United Arab Emirates who have also conquered this area of interest, allowing Italians to showcase their talents in Dubai, the most showcase sought-after in the world.

This year, GulFood breaks all records, thanks to 5,500 exhibitors from over 127 countries, including numerous Italian companies such as Balocco, Sant’Anna and Amica chips.

The initiative offers an unprecedented platform for Italian businesses to expand globally and consolidate their presence on the international market.

Among the special guests of GulFood 2024 there are two prominent Venetian personalities: Matteo Zoppas, President of the ICE Agency, who underlined that “our entrepreneurs and their successful brands confirm themselves as excellent ambassadors of Made in Italy in the world”, and Daniele Pescara, CEO of the consultancy firm of the same name and President of FenImprese Dubai, who highlighted that “never before has Dubai recorded such high numbers, especially since the event will bring over 12 billion dollars in commercial agreements internationally.”

GulFood 2024 therefore represents a great opportunity for the food and beverage industry around the world, demonstrating that Italian excellence knows no geographical boundaries and confirming Dubaìs role as an absolute global hub for this sector too.

– Photo GulFood press office –

(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At least five migrants died and eight were injured when a boat capsized during a rescue operation three and a half miles off Malta. The boat was carrying 34 people from Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Egypt.
An Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat was dispatched to rescue those aboard the boat. During the rescue, the migrants moved to one side of the boat, causing it to capsize. The boat measured 25 feet in length and was powered by two motors. The Armed Forces of Malta was notified of a boat with several migrants aboard, close to fish farms off ?onqor, south of Malta, at around 10.45 am. The Maltese army deployed an airplane to confirm the location.
The Maltese authorities confirmed five migrants lost their lives, including a woman, while eight were hospitalized. Their condition is unknown. Another 21 were taken to the Safi detention centre.
On Friday afternoon, the Armed Forces of Malta were still searching for other survivors or bodies in the sea.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and police investigations are ongoing.

– Photo Net News –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Israeli leadership took a firm stand with Malta’s permanent representative to the United Nations over the present conflict in Gaza between Israel and the terrorist group of Hamas. During a recent trip to Israel, UN and New York-based Maltese ambassador Vanessa Frazier met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The Israel’s leadership made it clear to that a ceasefire in Gaza was “absolutely out of the question”. Frazier was behind a Malta-led UN Security Council resolution in November which called for humanitarian pauses to allow aid into Gaza in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks, which sparked a war which has left more than 30,000 people dead.
Frazier said: “There was a common message… that a ceasefire is absolutely out of the question. They will go to the end, to the elimination of the last Hamas standing”. She added, “hostage release is not conditional to humanitarian pauses because taking hostages is a crime. So, we cannot put in a resolution that it’s something that can be weaponised or negotiated,” she explained.
However, Frazier stressed that “hindering humanitarian aid in a war is also a crime”. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisia in 2023 intercepted more than 75,000 illegal migrants while they were attempting to enter Europe via the Mediterranean Sea route to Italy. This is more than double the number in 2022, during which more than 35,000 undocumented immigrants were arrested while sailing to Italy off Tunisian coasts, said the report, citing Tunisia’s National Guard spokesman Houcemeddine Jbabli. Meanwhile, the Italian police arrested 12 suspected human traffickers for allegedly organising high-speed transfers for at least 73 illegal migrants from Tunisia to Europe. Expert pilots operated the speed boats crossing from Tunisia to Marsala in Sicily between June and September last year. The traffickers transferred relatively small groups of up to 20 people on each of four trips, charging fees of up to 6,000 euros per person. Six Tunisians and six Italians were detained as part of an investigation coordinated by European police body Europol and the Italian anti-mafia police unit. The investigators identified a Tunisian former police officer as the head of the trafficking organisation. Over the past several months, Tunisian security has intensified the crackdown upon waves of illegal immigration destined for the Italian island of Lampedusa, extending relevant operations from the southeastern province of Sfax to other provinces. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Following more than 100 searches, a European investigation involving authorities from Malta, Italy, France, Germany, Estonia and Latvia concluded how a Maltese financial firm laundered at least €4.5 million in proceeds from criminal activities since the end of 2015.
Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation added, “the total sum of laundered money could amount to tens of millions of euros.”
The operation was against a Russian-Eurasian criminal network and a Maltese-based financial institution allegedly involved in money-laundering services.
Four suspects were detained during an action day supported by Eurojust and Europol. Potential suspects and witnesses were also interviewed in Latvia, Germany, Estonia and Malta. More than 460 police officers were involved in this operation while various bank accounts and properties were seized.
According to Eurojust, the unnamed Maltese financial institution and the organised crime group behind it offered money-laundering services through a network of fake enterprises and individuals who were registered directors, without performing any real business activities. The organised crime group operated mainly from Riga and Berlin.
The Latvian authorities began the investigations in 2021 after they noticed unusual money transfers from Latvia to the Maltese financial institution.
Simultaneously, the German authorities started investigations into suspicious money flows involving the same financial institution.
As a result, Eurojust took an immediate action by setting up a coordination centre of an investigative team between the German and Latvian authorities. This was followed by various coordination meetings and execution of European Investigation Orders in the countries involved. A money laundering expert was sent to Latvia supported by Europol and set up a mobile office at Eurojust’s coordination centre to support the operation.
Wednesday’s operations were carried out by the following authorities: Malta: Financial Crimes Investigations Department and Asset Recovery Bureau of the Malta Police; Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office Rome; Guardia di Finanza, Financial Police Unit Rome (Nucleo Polizia Economica e Finanziaria di Roma); Latvia: Riga Northern Prosecution Office; Riga Judicial Region Prosecution Office; 1st Unit of the Economic Crime Enforcement Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police; Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office Berlin (Staatsanwaltschaft Berlin); State Office of Criminal Investigations Berlin (Landeskriminalamt Berlin); Estonia: Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Estonia and Estonian Police and Border Guard Board; France: Public Prosecutor’s Office and Investigative Judge – Judicial Court of Nice; National Police (DIPN) Alpes-Maritimes Division (Judicial Police Nice; Research and Intervention Brigade; Financial Brigade) – Border Police.

– Foto: agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).