CITTA’ DEL VATICANO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pope Francis received a delegation from the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Association, represented by the President Monsignor Yoannis Lazhi Gaid, former personal secretary, the President of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital of Rome, the President of Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation, the President of the Italian company RI Group, the President of the Hospitals Without Borders Foundation, the President of the Human Fraternity Foundation in Egypt, representatives of the Teladoc Society and the Butterfly Society and by some members and benefactors who contributed to this initiative.
?Pope Francis blessed the two Mobile Clinics, located in Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, which will be available for the treatment of sick children and victims of war and their families, in places where healthcare facilities are lacking.
?The two Mobile Clinics are part of the initiative called “Salus”, promoted by the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Association, by the Human Fraternity Foundation in Egypt and by the Hospitals Without Borders Foundation.

Pope Francis expressed his joy and blessing towards this initiative: “I thank all the people and organizations who have worked and contributed to the set up of these two Mobile Clinics which will provide assistance and care to numerous children and sick people and reflect the spirit of the Document on Human Brotherhood. I am pleased to see the Bambino Gesù Hospital, Gemelli, the Italian authorities and other associations and foundations cooperating together in this beautiful Salus project. I encourage you to continue to support these concrete charitable initiatives that Don Gaid, with you, is able to carry out. With affection I greet all of you present and the delegations from the USA, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Argentina and Italy. May the Lord bless you and may Our Lady keep you under her maternal mantle and please pray for me!”
?Monsignor Gaid expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father and to all the benefactors who made this project possible which represents a small light in a world shocked by too much pain and suffering and supports the Association’s motto: “All the darkness in the world does not put off the light of a small candle.” An initiative that unites everyone to serve everyone without distinction or preference in the spirit of the Document on “Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Common Coexistence” signed by Pope Francis on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

The news was published in Italy and abroad by journalist Biagio Maimone, Director of Communications for the Bambino Gesù Association of Cairo.
?Fuad Sweiss, President and Founder of (HWB) expressed his joy and gratitude to the Holy Father, assuring the commitment to continue and collaborate on other humanitarian initiatives.
?The other projects of the Bambino Gesù Association of Cairo are the “Oasi della Pietà” orphanage, which was inaugurated on May 5, 2024 in the city of Cairo; the “Human Fraternity Restaurant Chain”, called Fratello, which offers free meals for Egyptian families in need inaugurated on 9 January 2024. Next year, work will begin on the construction of the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Hospital, the first “Popès Hospital” outside Italy.
?The ceremony was also attended by an Egyptian delegation led by Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat and Executive Director of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, Mahmoud Talaat, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Holy See, Enas Mekkawy, Ambassador of the Arab League in Rome, Kais Abu Dayyeh, Ambassador of Jordan to Italy, Luciano Pezzotti, Ambassador of Italy to Jordan.

– Photo Biagio Maimone –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – In its annual country report, the International Monetary Fund has projected that the Maltese economy will grow by 5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, in line with projections made by the European Commission last week. That will be among the highest in the EU. However, the IMF said fixed energy price policies should be phased out and the funds allocated for investment (including green) and productivity-enhancing policies. The energy subsidies account for a fifth of Maltàs financial deficit. However, the finance minister last month declared that the energy subsidies will stay, because they support investment, and their cost as a percentage of GDP and in real terms is well below what it was when they were introduced at the peak of the Covid crisis. The Fund warned once again, that Malta should ensure financial stability by maintaining close monitoring of risks that can arise from banks’ concentrated lending to the real estate sector. The fund said developing a long-term fiscal framework is essential for strengthening Maltàs policy decision-making and aligning fiscal planning with strategic priorities. In other parts of its report, the IMF said Maltàs tourism sector “requires more effective management”.
Malta is experiencing numerous hotel projects and an increase in other types of accommodation. The IMF added tourism may continue to grow significantly, potentially exacerbating labour shortages, infrastructure bottlenecks, and social and environmental concerns, while priority should be given to steadily implementing the Malta Tourism Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to promote sustainable and high-quality tourism.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Tourism Office of Malta-

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The second regular session of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) opened yesterday in Rome, chaired by Youssef Balla, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations agencies in Rome. This session marks an important step at the global level in the fight against food insecurity and for the promotion of resilient and sustainable food systems, Balla said in a statement to Italpress. Morocco, as coordinator of African countries, continues to work to highlight African priorities at the international level, the diplomat assured, specifying that this session will be marked in particular by the adoption and examination of the strategic plans of several countries. During this session, which will continue until November 21, important debates are planned on topics such as resilience, climate change and WFP policies on school meals. Much of the work will also focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the food situation is catastrophic and has reached unbearable levels, Balla said. Under the Moroccan presidency, the WFP Council will approve the report of the working group responsible for examining the governance of this United Nations agency, the ambassador said, stressing that this review is the most important process carried out in the last two decades by the WFP. Morocco has played an active role in this working group, having developed the aforementioned report on the examination of all the recommendations made by the independent advisor on WFP governance, published in May 2023, he added. The WFP Executive Board holds two regular sessions and an annual session every year to discuss strategic documents and approve policies, programs and budgets related to WFP activities at a global level.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: source Map-

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, met the Minister of Economic Development of Greece, Takis Theodorikakos, at Palazzo Piacentini. The conversation focused on bilateral relations between Italy and Greece in the industrial and new technologies fields, and on the state of the main production sectors in both countries. During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in terms of mutual attraction of investments, with particular regard to the typical sectors of the productive machinery. Minister Urso then presented to his Greek counterpart the contents of the non-paper on the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, which in particular proposes to bring forward to the beginning of 2025 the activation of the revision clause of the European regulation on CO2 emissions from light vehicles. While confirming the commitment towards full decarbonisation, the proposal of the Italian government underlines the urgency of common resources to support investments in the sector, while improving the global competitiveness of European companies. The non-paper, an initiative by Italy in collaboration with the Czech Republic, is currently being signed by the member states that share the strategic approach and will be discussed at the next Competitiveness Council scheduled for November 28th in Brussels.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: Mimit press office-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Half of the Armed Forces of Malta soldiers stationed in Lebanon have returned to Malta, while the other half is expected to return this week. A spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Malta has not confirmed the reason for their return. Seven Maltese soldiers, who voluntarily signed up for a six-month peacekeeping mission close to the Israeli border, were stationed in Lebanon. The soldiers were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which has around 10,500 peacekeepers from 50 contributing countries. The Maltese soldiers were stationed in Camp Shamrock with Irish, Polish, and Hungarian troops. Concerns were raised late last month after Israel escalated its conflict with Lebanon, in particular the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah. Home affairs ministers of the EU member states, also part of UNIFIL, held a meeting on 16 October where the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border was discussed.
The Foreign Ministry in Malta insisted on the importance of prioritizing the safety of UNIFIL soldiers.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: Ipa Agency-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – According to a Eurostat study, the average price of a house in the European Union has increased by 48% since 2015.

The highest increase in price has been in Hungary with a staggering 173% increase, and the lowest increase was Finland with just 5%. Malta registered a 53.4% increase in housing prices since 2015. Italy registered one of the lowest rate with 8.3% increase.

The primary factors driving up prices include rising construction costs and mortgage rates, reduced building activity that limit supply, and a growing trend of purchasing properties as income-generating investments.

The renting sector has also been experiencing inflammatory prices with an average rise of 18% from 2010 to 2022 in the EU, due to the increase of short term lets as well as taking houses and flats off the market.

Many Europeans are worried about rising prices, the cost of living, and the overall economic situation. According to the July 2024 Euro-barometer survey, these were the primary reasons that motivated people to vote in the European elections.

In 2021, the European Parliament urged EU countries to recognise adequate housing as a fundamental human right, ensuring equal access to safe, sanitary, and energy-reliable housing. In July 2024, Ursula Von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission and highlighted housing as a key priority, announcing the creation of a new EU commissioner role dedicated to housing.

Later, in October 2024, MEPs discussed wit(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Energy Minister Miriam Dalli expressed her gratitude to the President of the Sicilian Region, Dr. Renato Schifani, for his support following the official approval of the second interconnector project linking Malta and Sicily. The approval of the Intesa Finale signifies Sicily gave the green light for the project and sets the stage for final authorization from Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. Earlier this year, the Ministry completed a consultation process with positive outcomes.
“The second interconnector is a critical enabler of Maltàs electricity vision, aimed at achieving a sustainable energy future. It will help increase renewable energy’s share and drive Maltàs decarbonization efforts,” said Minister Dalli.
The project involves the development of a 122-kilometre, high-voltage alternating current electrical cable interconnection, including a 99-kilometre submarine cable. Once complete, it will double Maltàs electricity connectivity to mainland Europe, ensuring greater energy stability and supporting green initiatives.
Interconnect Malta Chief Executive Officer Ismail D’Amato highlighted the importance of Sicily’s approval, stating, “This positive outcome brings us one step closer to securing the necessary development permit in Italy. It is a key enabler for advancing the execution of the project, which is now entering the implementation phase.”
The project has been designated as an ‘Operation of Strategic Importancè under Maltàs 2021-2027 Programme. It is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with an allocation of €165 million-more than half of the total investment cost of approximately €300 million. The project aligns with EU objectives for clean and fair energy transitions and smart energy systems.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Serbia must accept a future without Kosovo” U.S. General Wesley Clark stated this Thursday on ABC News. The former military leader who spearheaded the 1999 large-scale bombing campaign against Serbia expressed pride in the operation he had commanded, which he claims “brought peace to Kosovo”: “25 years later, the region is largely at peace. I am proud of the people in this region who have achieved this extraordinary outcome”.
“These remarks are deeply hurtful to Serbia, particularly to the Serbian Christian minority in Kosovo which remains oppressed by the Muslim Albanian majority – Serbiàs Government Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy affirms -. Deprived of rights, treated as second-class citizens, Kosovòs Christians live secluded in ghettos, venturing out only at great personal risk, and are occasionally subjected to violent pogroms. From a population of 250,000 in 1999, Kosovòs Serbs now number fewer than 100,000 and the pressure against them continues to mount”.
French humanitarian and founder of the NGO Solidaritè Kosovo, Arnaud Gouillon, who is now serving as Director of the Serbiàs Government Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, has strongly denounced the American General’s remarks: “I fail to see what General Clark can be proud of. For 78 days, NATO, in blatant disregard for international law and the UN, rained bombs down on Serbia, relentlessly targeting civilian infrastructure such as markets and residential areas. The humanitarian situation in Kosovo has been devastating.”
In July 1999, then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented an official report to the Security Council, stating: “NATO airstrikes caused numerous civilian casualties, and the extensive destruction and significant damage to infrastructure and means of production had a devastating impact on industry, employment, the environment, essential services, and agriculture. Among the most vulnerable and overlooked victims are over 500,000 Serbian refugees from the various Yugoslav conflicts from the past. The crisis in Kosovo resulted in the massive, forced displacement and expulsion of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the systematic destruction of property and livelihoods, lawlessness and senseless violence, thousands of confirmed murders, countless unexplained deaths, and untold suffering (…) Regions visited by the Mission in Kosovo witnessed a spree of killings, arson, looting, forced expulsions, violence, revenge attacks, and terror.”
To this day, Serbian Christians in Kosovo remain targets of harassment and violence aimed at their final eradication. Their survival hinges solely on the fragile ties they maintain with Belgrade.
“As Serbia is drawing closer to the EU, as the West is facing strained relations with Russia, and as the United States inaugurates a new president who is expected to address ongoing conflicts, General Wesley Clark’s comments unnecessarily reopen old wounds,” Arnaud Gouillon has emphasised. “These remarks are shocking and irresponsible. Must we really let Kosovòs Serbs perish in order to satisfy the lingering objectives of certain neo-conservatives? Should we remain silent in the face of statements by a former military leader who now acts as a kind of lobbyist for extremist Albanian fractions in Kosovo?”.

– Photo Serbiàs Government Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – As the much-awaited movie Gladiator 2 was released yesterday in the United Kingdom and in Rome, a week before its release in US cinemas, the director of the film, Ridley Scott, praised Malta, in which 96% of the scenes in this film were shot. In a video shared on social media by Malta’s Film Commissioner Johann Grech, Scott is seen commenting on the experience that the Gladiator 2 team had in Malta in recent months.”I love Malta. I keep going back to always find a new space. I love the atmosphere. The life. It’s constantly alive. Maltese people are lovely. Malta is so vibrant”. Paul Mescal, who is playing Lucius, noted that Malta’s facilities allow for the production of big films, saying “Malta is a country that knows how to tolerate big filmmaking”. The set of ‘Gladiator 2’ was also commended by Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, who played Macrinus, who said that the crew did an “amazing, amazing, amazing job.” Washington also said he was impressed by what the local crew were able to contribute. “They built the Colosseum!” he exclaimed. Fred Hechinger, who played Emperor Caracalla, side by side with Joseph Quinn’s, Emperor Geta, said “It was an actor’s greatest playground. That is a testament to the Maltese designers and craftspeople.” “Not only was the legacy continuing with Ridley Scott and his direction, it was also continuing with Malta itself,” he ended. Connie Nielsen, who played Lucilla, said that the shooting went smoothly because it was all well organized. The executive producer, Aidan Elliott, described the film set as “phenomenal” and producer Michael Pruss said that the Maltese people love films. Gladiator 2 will be released in Malta today.
(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Ipa Agency

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “I met the President of the Serbian parliamentary assembly, Ana Brnabic, who was also prime minister. Serbia is a priority country for us. We have a great interest in that Balkan area which is a crossroads of cultures, but also an area of stability, an area of progress and development. We are interested in the Balkans joining the European Union, and Serbia is undoubtedly an important country in that area”. This was declared by Stefania Craxi, President of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Commission, during an interview with Claudio Brachino while presenting Primo Piano aired by Italpress agency.

– Foto Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews