British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced a three-day visit to Italy and Malta, where he will call for closer co-operation on supporting Ukraine and address “illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs”.
Mr Cleverly will meet Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, in Rome to discuss work on preventing migrants from travelling to and around Europe illegally.
Italy is struggling with its own immigration problems as its location makes it one of the main destinations for people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.
During his visit to Malta, Mr Cleverly will urge the island nation to use its position on the UN Security Council to stand up for the rules-based international order after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch are expected in Italy as part of the annual Pontignano forum event.
“Italy and Malta are seen as gateways to Europe for many hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge from conflict and persecution," Mr Cleverly said.
“However, it is important that we stop illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs, and instead ensure there are safe and legal routes.
“Over the next three days, I will discuss with my Italian and Maltese counterparts exactly how we tackle the problems of illegal migration that affect all our countries.
“We will also discuss how we accelerate support for Ukraine over the coming months by providing military, humanitarian and economic assistance.”
Russia and Ukraine conflict latest - in pictures
Malta holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and Mr Cleverly will use his trip to Valletta to welcome the support the country has already provided to Ukraine, including medical assistance and the supply of generators.
The UK and Malta will sign a bilateral co-operation framework outlining a commitment to boost ties in trade, defence and culture.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
A meeting of young minds
The 3,494 entries for the 2019 Sharjah Children Biennial come from:
435 – UAE
2,000 – China
808 – United Kingdom
165 – Argentina
38 – Lebanon
16 – Saudi Arabia
16 – Bangladesh
6 – Ireland
3 – Egypt
3 – France
2 – Sudan
1 – Kuwait
1 – Australia
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
