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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Statistics Office, Eurostat, said that in the second quarter of the year, Malta together with Lithuania and Portugal had the largest growth rate in employment among the twenty-seven countries of the European Union. The growth rate in Malta of 1.3 percent was five times more than the average in the Euro Zone of 0.2 percent. Eurostat said that the biggest decrease was recorded in Estonia at 1.5%, Romania at 0.8 percent and Croatia at 0.7 percent.
The European Statistics Office added that in the second quarter of this year, Malta registered the fourth largest increase in economic growth among the countries of the European Union.
The Gross Domestic Product in Malta between last April and June increased by 1.1 percent and reached 3.9 percent compared to the same three months last year.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Key European officials in various EU institutions were alerted about an organized criminal racket implicating Maltese government officials and Labour Party activists in helping hundreds of people illegally get disability payments to which they were not entitled in the months and years preceding the 2022 general election. Nationalist MEP David Casa has presented the case to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice-President Vera Jourovà, and to the Chair of the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group within the European Parliament. Former Labour MP Silvio Grixti allegedly conspired with ministers, aides, and high-ranking government officials to help hundreds of people illegally get disability payments to which they were not entitled. Casa said “the facts of this case are simply revolting and Prime Minister Robert Abela has shown where his priorities lie in the fight against corruption”. Casa added that the criminal enterprise is not to be seen in isolation, but “joins a list of incessant, unresolved cases of wrongdoing, which the Maltese public has to endure on a daily basis.” He added, “the only way this could have been accomplished was through government services being completely hijacked and systemically compromised so as to allow the fraud to proceed without question.”
Slamming the concerted criminal effort to defraud the taxpayer and manipulate elections, which has cost the taxpayer millions of euro, Casa said that while hundreds of criminals were being quietly exposed, the big fish continued to elude prosecution two years after the racket was first detected. So far, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela declared that he immediately took action after receiving reports of the allegations. Former Labour MP Grixti resigned from parliament in December 2021 after questioning by police, however he has not been charged yet.
A number of people involved have claimed to have been referred to Grixti, a family doctor, by government ministers and their aides, Labour MPs, and even customer care officials from the Office of the Prime Minister. However, a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister has denied the latter claim. Former Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi claimed that the Office of the Prime Minister defrauded the country between €20 to €25 million in social benefits, by issuing false medical certificates to pass a medical board. Emails from the a “high-ranking” official at the Office of the Prime Minister allegedly confirming the involvement of the higher officials in power were also published. According to the social policy ministry led by Michael Falzon, some 141 people have been ordered to return a total of €2.1 million in severe disability assistance benefits they were not entitled to. However, the ministry has only recouped €330,000 to date.
This is expected to be even higher as officers continue to investigate all 761 applications that were awarded the benefit between 2019 and 2022, the ministry said. The majority have admitted to fraud charges and agreed to pay back the financial benefits that they have received and were given suspended sentences by the Court. However, independent candidate Arnold Cassola and rule of law NGO Repubblika have urged the police to prosecute the government officials and Labour Party activists who orchestrated and organised this criminal activity.

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international NGO Alarm Phone once again accused the Maltese authorities of ignoring a group of migrants who was in distress, and as a result the migrants were sent back illegally to Libya. The incident occurred on 2 September, when some 16 migrants were in distress in Malta’s search and rescue area and were pushed backed illegally to Libya.
In a post on X, the NGO said that after informing the Maltese authorities of the boat’s position – some 270km south of the island, “RCC Malta did not react to our alert. Shortly after we lost contact to the group. We were worried as authorities kept silent about their fate for several days”. Alarm Phone added that on Thursday it was informed by the asylum seekers’ relatives that the group was not rescued “but illegally forced back to Benghazi in Libya!”. Malta is often accused by NGOs and human rights advocates of coordinating illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers to Libya, which the United Nations already declared it is not a safe port of disembarkation. Despite repeated warnings and an ongoing case at the International Criminal Court, the Maltese authorities are persisting with the coordination of pushbacks of asylum seekers at sea to ensure that they are intercepted and returned to Libya. According to statistics compiled for the European Council of Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), Malta failed to rescue no less than 7,459 people in distress in 2022 alone. According to the Asylum Information Database (AIDA), Malta was involved in 14 pushbacks involving a total of 789 migrants during the same period.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – EuroPride activities kicked off in Malta with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela describing the event as “it is not just a celebration, but also sends a strong message of love and equal rights for all.”
However, the participation of Israeli singer and former Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai was met with messages of protests, with Netta describing the event at the end of her performance by thanking the audience “for your love… and hate.”
EuroPride is a pan-European international event dedicated to LGBTQ+ pride that is hosted by a different European city each year. The organisers are promising various events from discussions on a number of LGBT+ issues to theatrical productions, from musical events to other entertainment events.
The Maltese Premier stated despite Maltàs accomplishments in civil liberties, there is still much to be done. “Equality is not static, it is something that must be adapted to new realities,” adding “we have to keep working, we want every individual to keep realising their dreams.”
He said activists played a central role in the civil liberties “revolution” and the LBTIQ+ community will always find an ally in him and his government, because he truly believes that love wins over hate.
EuroPride is being organized in Malta for the first time. The opening ceremony was followed by an after-party with the participation of Israeli singer and former Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai.
Just before Barzliai was due to start her performance, members of the audience pulled out flags of Palestine, a poster reading ‘Free Palestinè and started chanting “free Palestine” and “Queer pride not apartheid”.
News of Barzliaìs participation was met with controversy with activists arguing her support of Israeli ‘apartheid’ made her unsuitable for the event.
Organisers rejected calls and declared that the singer had a longstanding history of performing at Pride events across the world.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has disclosed an urgent need for $3.7 million dollars, to address the pressing necessities of migrants in Libya. Especially in light of rapid developments in neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Niger, and at the border with Tunisia.
The UNHCR pointed out that the additional funds would assist approximately 600 migrants directly, and provide for another 10,000 in shelter centers. The support would include essentials such as bedding, blankets, hygiene supplies, and other basic relief items. Furthermore, UNHCR plans to enhance the healthcare services offered at primary health centers, and clinics that cater to migrants. They highlighted the severe shortage of medicines and treatments in Libya, which has led to minor medical conditions becoming life-threatening situations.
In collaboration with the local Libyan authorities and communities, the UNHCR aims to expand into more projects in Libya which will focus on education, health, strengthening local communities, sports, and infrastructure. Approximately 20,000 individuals are expected to benefit directly from these programs.
It is also devising programs to enhance the skills and capacities of workers across various governmental agencies. This includes the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Immigration, and the Coast Guard.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – According to official statistics presented by Maltàs Regulator for Energy and Water Services to the European Commission, the peak energy demand in Malta has increased by 42%, from 408 MegaWatts in 2013 to 581MW in 2022. Moreover, the share provided by solar energy to cater for spikes in energy demand during peak load days has also soared from just 6% in 2015, to 21.3% in 2022. However, the report does not include the provisional figures for 2023. The energy demand in 2023 reached a new record high of 649MW on 17 July, during the latest power outrage. This represents an increase of 12% from 2022, and of 59% over 2012. Although renewable energy accounted for more than one-fifth of energy demand on the day with the highest energy demand, overall renewables still account for 7.2% of the fuel mix injected in the grid. All peaks in energy demand occurred in summer, particularly in July and August, months characterised by a greater influx of tourists and by widespread use of air-conditioners. Malta, il picco della domanda energetica aumentato del 42%, le rinnovabili hanno fornito il 21%

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Marine Protected Areas of the Egadi Islands, Ustica and Gozo, the Department of Mediterranean Fisheries of the Sicily Region and the Maltese Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture are participating in this project. International cooperation, exchange of good practices, development of sustainable artisanal fishing and measures to protect the Marine Protected Areas of the Mediterranean were the themes at the centre of the discussion during the Steering Committee meeting which took place from 1 to 4 September in Gozo and Valletta in Malta, as part of the “AMPPA – Marine Protected Areas and Artisanal Fishing” project – Integrated management through awareness-raising and environmental education” financed by the INTERREG V-A Italy-Malta Programme.
An Italian delegation of technical experts and representatives from the participating islands met with the Maltese representatives to take stock of the actions with the aim to contribute for the protection and safeguarding of the marine and terrestrial biodiversity of the MPAs (on the islands of Sicily and Malta) through the creation of systems and services for the protection and restoration of transboundary biodiversity.
This is the twelfth Steering Committee of the AMPPA project which is reaching its final phase. Many actions have been carried out including territorial animation activities (educational workshops and environmental awareness days) and experimental fishing campaigns. Some are ongoing or in the implementation phase such as the drafting of a common regulation, useful for the rational management of small-scale professional fishing activities, with a view to safeguarding the local environmental and cultural heritage.
Also present was the general manager of the Mediterranean Fisheries Department of the Sicilian Region, Alberto Pulizzi, who underlined how fundamental is the cooperation between countries to guarantee the protection of protected marine areas but also of artisanal fishing: “we need to systematize everything that emerge from these important exchanges, in order to create a common strategy, capable of carrying forward these activities in the best possible way”.
“We have reached the final stages of this project – stated Salvatore Livreri Console, director of the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area -. Three years of intensive work with continuous exchanges of information among those involved in the fishing activity surrounding the Sicilian and Maltese coasts. We have carried out a whole series of dissemination and information activities, met the fishing communities, we are working on a common regulation and we are also testing new types of nets together with the Maltese partners, capable of allowing more sustainable fishing but also more advantageous for the operators. We hope that all the work done can be useful and be an example for other marine protected areas”.
The AMPPA project continues with many other activities: the events are in the municipalities of Gharb and Ghajnsielem on the island of Gozo and on the islands of Ustica, Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo with many events, festivals, workshops for children and the creation of three environmental education.

– foto Amppa –
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international NGO Alarm Phone confirmed that a group of migrants who were in distress are on their way to the port of Trapani. The migrants were saved by the crew onboard the rescue ship ‘Louise Michel’ following 12 hours of searching in the central Mediterranean.
Alarm Phone confirmed that the migrants were onboard a very unstable rubber boat. “It was a massive relief when the boat was finally spotted by Frontex aircraft Osprey 2, who called the Louise Michel. Our crew is now on its way to our assigned safe port, Trapani.”
The NGO added: “several people are suffering from fuel burns from the gasoline in the boat. As the weather is getting worse, we are more than glad that all survivors are now safely on board our ship and can hopefully rest a little bit.”
Alarm Phone added, “after informing the Italian authorities, they instructed us to look for the boat. Late at night, they retracted their order and told us to abandon the search for the boat as it was not at sea anymore.”
The NGO has also issued a warning to all migrants trying to escape from Northern Africa to Europe. “A severe storm is currently in the north Aegean and the Ionian seas. Extreme rain and winds will pose a threat to life. The storm is already moving west towards Italy and Malta”.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).