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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Hundreds of people including environmental activists and politicians from all the political spectrum gathered in Valletta in a national protest objecting against the planning policies while demanding the protection of Maltàs environment and increased enforcement. Crowds marched through the capital city as they shouted slogans among which “Xebbajtuna” (Wève had enough).
The national protest was organised by various NGOs, however, a former Labour leader and a number of former Labour Ministers supported the protest. Various outspoken local Labour majors were also present. Two of them addressed those who were calling for a change in policies, a radical reform of all institutions responsible for environment, planning and lands, as well as a change in the economic model to one which seeks a better quality of life for everyone instead of endless economic growth based on the profits of the few.
Andre Callus, representing Moviment Graffitti who organised the national protest told those present “We are fighting against big monsters, against the monsters of greed, corruption and injustice.” While referring by name to at least five big developers, he alleged that “planning policies were designed by developers and for developers and they exist to facilitate more profits for big business, and not to safeguard the common good.”
Callus accused politicians and Labour Prime Minister Robert Abela of hiding behind policies. “To the prime minister I say – the ultimate responsibility for the rapid environmental destruction of our country lies on your shoulders. All that is happening is not the result of the negligence of some individual in some authority, but the result of a political direction that seeks to sell Malta for the benefit of the few.”
G?ira mayor Conrad Borg Manchè while acknowledged that more mayors from other localities were at the protest, there are others who “are all hurt about what is happening in their localities, but they are hurting in silence.” He declared “As a socialist, I am disgusted by Maltàs environmental degradation,” while referring to the negative impacts on peoplès physical and mental health. He declared his mistrust of the authorities, highlighting his struggle in a bid to protect G?ira and remarked that he felt that they were not safeguarding the common good.
Another outspoken Labour mayor, Paul Buttigieg, urged people to protect Gozo irrespective of their political beliefs. He observed that high earners had chosen to live and work in Gozo, but had decided to leave when they saw how Gozo was being built without control. “We cannot stand witnessing detrimental decisions being taken following pressure from big developers who are only motivated by money and business,” he said.

foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Another group of migrants is in distress in Maltàs search and rescue area, however, there is no sign of assistance to reach the group yet. Alarm Phone confirmed that 105 migrants are in serious difficulty following a night with strong winds. Confirmed that last night, it received a call from the boat. The migrants said that they do not have drinking water and needed urgent rescue. Alarm Phone stated urged the authorities to send help soon. Meanwhile, confirmed that a boat with 671 migrants was recued. “There were even more people on board than initially thought, 671 instead of 500 people,” said the NGO. It added that the migrants were all rescued and disembarked in two groups, in Reggio Calabria and in Messina.
credit photo agenziafotogramma.it
(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The President of Malta George Vella appealed for innocent people often caught in wars, conflicts, and hunger not to be harmed and injured.

President Vella was addressing a debate in the Security Council of the United Nations in New York, adding that the world depends on the work and leadership of this Council to protect the most vulnerable. The debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict was organized by the Swiss Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

President Vella declared that the connection between conflict and hunger is evident, as millions are battling various hunger levels resulting from wars and armed conflicts. He reiterated Maltàs position that civilians are not and should never be targeted while he claimed that humanitarian workers and volunteers who help in countries affected by conflicts and wars should not be targeted.

The President of Malta urged for an increase in funding for humanitarian situations, as the world’s military expenditure was the highest in 2022 with 2.4 trillion dollars. He mentioned that the UN humanitarian response plans which need 51 billion dollars for 2023 are still struggling to be funded.

In New York, President Vella met with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antònio Guterres, who praised Malta for its work in the Security Council of the United Nations where it currently has a seat as a non-permanent Member.

Guterres referred in particular to the way the Maltese Presidency of the Security Council last February managed to address very sensitive areas with great success.

– Photo UN –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Customs intercepted 270 kilograms of cocaine in two containers which were loaded with bananas. The containers were found at the Malta Freeport on their way from Ecuador to Slovenia. The containers were inspected following a profiling exercise. Customs officials selected several container units for X-ray scanning, two of which showed inconsistencies. Police officers from the Drug Squad and Customs officers unloaded the cargo and retrieved 170 packets from one container, and another 100 packets from the second, weighing 1kg each, and containing suspected cocaine.
The containers were in transhipment from Ecuador to Koper in Slovenia. The port of Koper is considered as one of the most popular maritime routes for drug trafficking. Criminal local and foreign gangs, especially Albanians, operate in the port-city and amongst others, they supply drugs to customers from Slovenia and Italy.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit Maltese Customs-

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Angola is the protagonist of peace and stability in the African continent.” This was stated by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, in the presence of the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to Rome. “Knowing how much he is a protagonist of some peace initiatives, I asked President Lourenço for his analysis” regarding “the tensions in the Great Lakes region and in Sudan” and “it was of great interest to me to listen to his opinion.”
“We also talked about the need for growing collaboration between Angola and the European Union, examining the various steps and Italy’s commitment to push within the Union to increase this collaboration with Angola,” Mattarella underlined.
“We talked about all the wars in the world and the one caused by Russia in Ukraine, registering a common will of Angola and Italy for peace, international collaboration, respect for all states, their independence and sovereignty and growing collaboration with sign of multilateralism”, continued the head of state.
“We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our support for Romès bid for
Expo2030. Italy can count on the support of Angola”, said the president of Angola, Joào Lourencoll.
He then reiterated “the condemnation of the invasion and annexation of part of Ukrainian territory” by Russia, whose aggression has caused “the biggest energy and food crisis ever seen. Italy and Angola hope that the conflict will end and that a ceasefire can be reached as soon as possible, achieving a lasting peace not only for Ukraine and for Europe, but for the whole world”.

– photo press office Quirinale –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Three boats carrying over 1,000 migrants are in distress in the Central Mediterranean region. This was announced by the international NGO Alarm Phone on twitter asking the relevant authorities to take action immediately to save the migrants. Alarm Phone said that it was alerted by a large boat in distress. The people reported that they fled from Libya several days ago and that their engine has stopped. Alarm Phone informed the authorities and urged them to take action as rescue efforts are needed urgently and without delay”. “The people reported that a lot of water entered the lower deck of the drifting boat, forcing them to move to the upper one. So far, no rescue is in sight, and authorities are silent about any efforts to rescue this boat in acute danger,” said Alarm Phone, adding “the people are asking for immediate rescue. The NGO confirmed this morning that the 500 people survived one more night at sea, however, the situation is still the same with the engine is still not working and the migrants are still adrift. “They continue to urgently call for help,” said Alarm Phone, while asking “how long do they have to wait for rescue?” Alarm Phone urged the authorities to not further delay rescue efforts. Meanwhile, during last night, at about 1am, Alarm Phone was alerted that a second large boat is in distress with about 500 people. They fled from eastern Libya, and are in the shared SAR zone of Malta and Italy. It was confirmed that the authorities were alerted and were asked to take action without delay. One hour before, shortly after last midnight, Alarm Phone was alerted that another boat carrying 27 people was struggling in bad weather conditions in international waters. The authorities were urged to send a rescue mission as soon as they were informed.

foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is seriously considering to start exporting tuna to China and change its exportation policy which at the moment depends on Japan. This was confirmed in Parliament by the fishing minister Anton Refalo. He declared that almost all tuna reared in Maltese fish farms is exported to Japan. He added that Malta needs to explore new countries where to export its tuna product. “Currently, 95% of Maltàs tuna goes to Japan, Refalo said,” describing the situation as problematic for this industry. While adding that in most occasions Japan re-exports Maltese aquaculture products to China for much higher prices,” Refalo declared that it should be Malta that exports its tuna to China. He also said that Malta should rear more fish species in its fish farms to further diversify the industry, adding that fish feed should also be organic for the industry to be more sustainable. Seven aquaculture operators in seven locations are operating in Malta. A total 16,410 tonnes of fish worth €210 million were sold by Maltese fish farms in 2021, according to the National Statistics Office.

Foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne was elected as President of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Chris Fearne received an unanimous vote from the 194 Member States of the World Health Organisation (WHO) after he was nominated for this position for the European Region. Deputy Prime Minister Fearne is the first Maltese to hold this prestigious position. His official duty is to chair this annual Assembly, which is considered a major event for WHO leadership, where Member States determine the priorities and policies of the Organisation for the coming year.
Chris Fearne emphasized that during his term, he will focus on the need for new medicines to be accessible to all people worldwide at the same time. “We are seeing smaller countries at a disadvantage when it comes to the introduction of these innovative medicines in the local market. Therefore, Malta will be at the forefront to make an impact on the health of people worldwide,” said Fearne. He described that this year as important for the World Health Organisation as it marks its 75th anniversary since its establishment. “With political, economic, social, and environmental situations worsening around the world, health services and the health of people worldwide are being affected more. Therefore, the World Health Organisation needs to be more vocal and present,” stated Chris Fearne.
Chris Fearne already held talks with the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the Deputy Minister of the National Health Commission of China, Dr. Cao Xuetao.
He will serve as the President of the World Health Assembly for a one-year term while continuing his work as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health in Malta.
(ITALPRESS).
– photo credit Who-