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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Union confirmed it would continue to support non-governmental organizations for recovery projects after the floods disaster in eastern Libya, where Strom Daniel and ensuing floods killed thousands in last September.
The EU said it had assigned 5.7 million euros to provide health, education, water, and sewage services, in addition to developing the systems of rapid response to disasters in Libya.
The EU ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, and members of the EU delegation were participating in the opening of the second edition of an exhibition aims to support local organizations, where a number of youth civil action leaders were present.
According to the EU’s statement, the exhibition aims to support organizations, raise their capabilities in social contribution, and encourage their local development initiatives in comprehensive development, capacity building, and community wellbeing.
The EU praised the role of Libyan civil society in building the state and improving the lives of citizens. Orlando added during his speech at the opening of the exhibition that “it is wonderful to meet with many heroes of Libyan civil society at the annual Tripoli exhibition for non-governmental organizations.”
He stressed that the EU is a proud partner and supporter of many organizations that make Libya a better place for its citizens every day.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has registered the highest increase in greenhouse gas emissions in all of the EU. According to a study by Eurostat, Malta registered an increase of 7.7% in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to the second and the same quarter in 2022.
The study looked into these emissions in the second quarter of 2023 and compared them to the same quarter in 2022 – it also considered quarterly socio-economic data – like gross domestic product (GDP) and employment – in conjunction with greenhouse gas emissions.
The EU registered a decrease of 5.3% compared to 2022 while its GDP remained more-or-less stable with a minor variation of a 0.05% increase in 2023.
Alongside greenhouse gases, Malta also registered an increase of 3.9% in GDP in comparison with the same quarter of last year.
Following Maltàs increase in emissions are Latvia at 4.5%, Ireland at 3.6%, Lithuania at 3.0, Cyprus at 1.7%, and Croatia at 1.0%. Meanwhile, Croatia, Cyprus, and Lithuania also registered increases in their GDP at 2.6%, 2.2%, and 0.7% respectively.
The largest reductions in greenhouse gases were reported in Bulgaria at -23.7%, Estonia at -23.1%, and the Netherlands at -10.3%.
Out of the 21 EU members that decreased their emissions, 10 recorded a decline in their GDP – Estonia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Sweden, Austria, Czechia, Poland, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Italy maintained its GDP at the same level as the second quarter of 2022 and decreased its greenhouse gases emissions. Ten EU countries; Denmark, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Romania, and Greece managed to decrease emissions while growing their GDP.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is expected to register an economic growth of 4% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2025 according to a forecast by the European Commission. This will put Malta as the EU country with the largest growth and the lowest unemployment during this period. In its autumn forecast for Malta, the European Commission remarked that private consumption slowed down slightly due to higher inflation and a decrease in investment. Inflation is still projected to reach 5.7% in 2023 and then moderate to 3.3% in 2024 and 3.1% in 2025. EC economists said that energy prices in Malta are set to remain unchanged until 2025 due to government measures.
The general government deficit is expected to decrease gradually from 5.7% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2022 to stand at 4.1% in 2025. Meanwhile, the public debt is forecast to reach 57% of GDP in 2025.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Tourist Office of Malta –

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – The various authorities in the Mediterranean were alerted by the international NGO Alarm Phone about 11 boats full of migrants, mostly in the area between Tunisia and Lampedusa.
Alarm Phone added that eight of the boats are still in serious conditions. The NGO added that even though during the night, the authorities were alerted about the difficult situation the migrants are facing, so far there was no response for an urgent rescue.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is taking an active diplomatic role in the context of the Gaza war by coordinating resolutions within the ambit of the United Nations Security Council. This was stated by the Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg in Parliament, adding Malta is using its seat at the UN Security Council to try to come to a decision on a resolution.
Minister Borg declared “Malta cannot turn a blind eye when international treaties are blatantly being breached.” He said Malta expects everyone to respect the territorial sovereignty. He added that while the Maltese government condemned the Hamas aggression against Israel, it warned that the Israeli response should be in line with international law.
More than 11,000 people were killed in Gaza after a surprise attack in Israel on October 7 when Hamas terrorists killed 1,400 people.
Malta favours a two-state solution in conformity with the UN Security Council, with Jerusalem being the capital of two nations who can live side by side.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MPA) – During the third quarter of this year over 248,000 residents of Malta travelled abroad for holidays; an increase of 28.35% over the same period last year and the most popular destination remained Italy.
According to the National Statistics Office, close to 39% of all travelled to Italian cities. It also emerges that travel by the Maltese to European Union countries increased by 26.5%, while travel to countries beyond the continent increased by 35.1%.
Between January and September, the Maltese spent close to 539 million euros during their holidays abroad. 50.1% more than that registered during the same period in the previous year.
During the summer months of July and September, the total spending by the Maltese during their holidays abroad increased by 37.1%. This means 241.4 million euros, an average of 973 euros per person.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Ggantija temples, a Unesco World Heritage site in Gozo almost one thousand years older than Egypt’s oldest pyramid is attracting public outcry and scrutiny following a decision by the Planning Authority to grant the approval for a controversial 22-apartment block and 20 basement garages. The approved development will be situated less than 200 meters from the Ggantija Temples. This decision has drawn attention and criticism, especially considering the sitès proximity to the ancient temples, which hold significant cultural and historical value. The controversy has also generated hundreds of objections from concerned individuals, citing potential repercussions on the Ggantija Temples’ World Heritage status.
Despite Unescòs request for a heritage impact assessment, the decision by the Maltese planning authority has sparked criticism and concerns about the potential impact on the historic site. The Planning Board stated that the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage did not request the Planning Authority to mandate the assessment. They cited statements from the SCH and the Unesco World Heritage Sites Technical Committee, indicating no objection to the proposed building’s volume and massing. The Unesco World Heritage Centre had underlined the need for a Heritage Impact Assessment in line with operational guidelines. The Planning Commission had initially suspended a decision on the application, awaiting the assessment. Although NGOs argued that the site falls within the buffer zone of the temples, the Planning Authority said that it lies in an area of archaeological importance but outside the formal buffer zone.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Heritage Malta –

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pressure is piling up on the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg to to recall Malta’s Ambassador Cecilia Attard Pirotta from Tel Aviv due to the increase of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza and for what they described as crimes against humanity by Israel. The request was made officially by more than 150 activists, including President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. They reiterated their believe that justice and equality bring peace and security, and that Malta’s traditional support for the Palestinian people is more relevant now in front of the genocide being committed by Israel. They added that their request for Malta to withdraw its Ambassador to Israel is being made in the wake of the repeated breach of international law by Israel. The activists stated that Malta has to lead by example and take a decisive position at the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, according to reports, Malta’s ambassador to the United Nation, Vanessa Frazier, has circulated a new resolution among the Council members for consideration and a potential vote, hoping to finally pass a resolution focusing on the situation children are facing during the war on Gaza.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma