VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s government recorded a deficit of €178 million during the first five months of 2026, widening by more than €30 million compared with the same period last year, according to National Statistics Office figures.

The increase came despite recurrent revenue reaching a record €3.53 billion, up 17.2% or €517.5 million, driven mainly by higher income tax and VAT receipts.

Total expenditure rose even faster to €3.71 billion, increasing by €549.4 million as capital investment and recurrent spending accelerated.

Capital expenditure climbed by €169.9 million to €395.2 million, reflecting investment in road projects, the second electricity interconnector with Sicily and hospital infrastructure.

Recurrent spending also increased by €369.6 million, largely due to higher social security benefits, healthcare costs and Malta’s contributions to the European Union.

Social protection remained the largest spending category at €1.24 billion, while health expenditure rose 21.6% to €501.7 million.

Interest payments on public debt totalled €127.7 million, or about €814,000 a day.

Central government debt reached €11.84 billion by the end of May, up €956.6 million from a year earlier, driven mainly by higher Malta Government Stocks.

Reacting to the figures, the Opposition said the government had borrowed more than all previous prime ministers combined, warning debt could exceed €14 billion by 2028. The government has defended its economic record, citing strong GDP growth, low unemployment and Malta’s exit from the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – His contract with Bayern Munich expires in a few days, yet Leon Goretzka has not yet found a new club. The 31-year-old German midfielder—currently with the national team for the World Cup—has been linked in recent weeks first to AC Milan and then to Juventus, but according to AS, he has now also been offered to Atlético Madrid.

Los Colchoneros have made former Lecce player Morten Hjulmand their top target, but it is unlikely Sporting will settle for less than 40–45 million euros. This is why Atlético might consider signing Goretzka on a free transfer—a player they had already contemplated acquiring last January. However, there is the issue of his salary, which reportedly stands at around 15 million euros gross per season—a figure beyond the Spanish club’s financial limits.

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Source: medNews

BREST (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The show must go on. Ten days after the death of Eric Roy following a long illness, Brest has announced its new head coach: Julien Laucher, who had served as Roy’s assistant since his arrival at the helm in January 2023. The 49-year-old French coach—whose journey with Brest began in 2005 as a goalkeeper before he joined the coaching staff upon his retirement in 2010—has signed a two-year contract and will begin work as early as next Thursday, at the start of the pre-season training camp.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Food safety officials have seized and will destroy a large consignment of food products brought into Malta illegally from Albania via Sicily, the Food Safety and Security Authority (FSSA) said.

The consignment was intercepted after the Tax and Customs Administration alerted the FSSA on Friday evening about a van arriving on the ferry from Sicily.

An inspection found meat, yoghurt, cheese, snacks, olive oil, soft drinks, beans, eggs, alcohol, salt and juices that failed to comply with food safety regulations.

According to the FSSA, the products had been transported at inappropriate temperatures, lacked the required labelling and were not accompanied by essential traceability documents.

The authority also said it had not received the mandatory prior notification of the consignment’s arrival, as required under Maltese legislation.

The products were immediately sealed and will be destroyed to safeguard public health, ensure food safety and protect the integrity of the local industry.

The FSSA reminded traders that they must register with the authority and notify it at least 48 hours before importing animals, food, feed or plants into Malta, including consignments originating from within the European Union.

The authority thanked the Tax and Customs Administration for its collaboration and warned that it would continue taking firm action against operators who fail to comply with notification requirements.

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Source: medNews

SEATTLE (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “This has been a disastrous World Cup, a complete disaster. FIFA should have resolved all these problems, but that hasn’t happened. Gianni Infantino came to see us after the first match and told us we were only at the beginning, but the group stage ends tomorrow and our logistics staff still aren’t here. They couldn’t join us because they haven’t been granted visas.” Those were the words of Mehdi Taremi following Iran’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle.

The result leaves Team Melli with a chance of reaching the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams, but their qualification hopes remain in serious jeopardy.

Taremi, the former Inter striker, who missed a penalty with Egypt leading 1-0, expressed his frustration over the restrictions affecting the Iranian national team. Because of visa issues, Iran has been forced to establish its base camp in Mexico and return there immediately after every match played in the United States. Several members of the team’s support staff have been unable to join the squad.

“We’re professionals, and in a competition like the World Cup this simply isn’t acceptable. If FIFA believes these conditions are fair, that’s their opinion, but they’re certainly not fair for us. Nobody is helping us,” Taremi said.

Asked whether he felt there were people hoping for Iran’s elimination, the striker replied: “All I know is that we have to fight against everything and everyone. I don’t know whether people want us to go home, but from our perspective, it certainly feels that way.”

Speaking after the match in comments reported by A Bola, Taremi concluded: “I’m disappointed, but we haven’t lost hope. We’ll continue giving everything we have for our people because we want to make them proud. We want to send a message of peace—not only to the Iranian people, but to everyone, including FIFA. Unfortunately, we don’t feel that same spirit of peace is being shown toward us.”

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) – Roberto De Zerbi has made his decision. According to TEAMtalk, the Italian manager has informed Tottenham’s hierarchy that Antonín Kinský will be his first-choice goalkeeper.

The Czech shot-stopper has established himself as the club’s No. 1 since De Zerbi’s arrival, overtaking Guglielmo Vicario, who is now reportedly available for transfer and could be set for a return to Italy, with Juventus and Napoli said to be the clubs showing the strongest interest.

The 23-year-old Kinský endured a difficult spell last season, including high-profile errors in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid and being substituted after just 17 minutes under then-Tottenham manager Igor Tudor. However, under De Zerbi he has been given a fresh opportunity, impressing with a series of strong performances that have earned him the starting role as well as a contract extension.

Tottenham have also moved to strengthen their goalkeeping department by signing Martin Dúbravka from Newcastle United as the backup goalkeeper.

With Kinský established as De Zerbi’s preferred option and Dúbravka arriving as his deputy, there appears to be no future for Vicario in north London, with a return to Serie A looking increasingly likely.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
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Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) – Two wins and an inconsequential defeat to Turkey were enough for the United States to reach their first milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing qualification for the Round of 32 as group winners.

Much of the credit goes to Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge of the U.S. men’s national team in 2024 after spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. His work has reportedly impressed the U.S. Soccer Federation to such an extent that, despite the World Cup still being underway, he has been offered a contract extension through 2030.

According to The Athletic, negotiations have been ongoing for several months. Pochettino’s current deal expires at the end of the tournament, and both sides are expected to resume talks after the World Cup to decide whether to continue their partnership for another four-year cycle.

The federation is said to have wanted to send a clear message of confidence, particularly as Pochettino could be tempted by a return to club management. Before the appointment of Rúben Amorim, he had also been linked with AC Milan.

The prospect of leading the United States at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, working from the national team’s new $250 million training center in Atlanta, and guiding the team into another World Cup cycle could persuade the Argentine coach to stay. The federation may also be prepared to improve his current salary, which is reportedly between $5 million and $6 million per year.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Bruno Guimarães’ future could soon change. The Newcastle midfielder, one of Brazil’s standout performers at this World Cup, has found himself in Arsenal’s sights, determined to bolster their midfield with one of Europe’s most complete players. According to “Globo,” the Gunners have already submitted an initial offer of €60 million.

However, this offer wasn’t enough to convince Newcastle, who are intent on retaining one of their star players, who also has a contract until 2028.

Despite the refusal, the London club doesn’t seem ready to give up and is reportedly preparing a new push in the coming weeks. Sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly pushing hard for the Brazilian’s arrival.

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Source: medNews

COMO (ITALPRESS) – Nico Paz is increasingly close to remaining a Como player. Confirmation has arrived, unofficially for now, from the Como club, which responded to Real Madrid’s move with a counter-offer. The Spanish club, which holds the buy-back right, accepted the offer, but also granted Como a preferential path, both in terms of timing and financial terms, to secure their number ten.

A positive response arrived within hours, silencing all other potential transfer rumors surrounding Paz. Details of the deal will become clearer in the coming hours: work has begun on the €60 million requested by Real Madrid, but Como will most likely pay less, instead working on the figures for the new buy-back right that Real Madrid will still retain.

For now, therefore, Inter appears to be out of the running for the Argentine talent, who is playing at the World Cup with Argentina.

-Photo IPA Agency-
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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The atmosphere in the Uruguay camp is far from calm on the eve of the match against Spain. According to the newspaper El Espectador, internal tensions have recently emerged between head coach Marcelo Bielsa and some of the squad’s leaders. Sergio Rochet, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Federico Valverde reportedly voiced their concerns and engaged in a direct confrontation with the Argentine coach.

At the heart of the dispute is the tactical plan prepared to face the Spanish national team: the players would prefer a more cautious approach—featuring a deeper defensive line and a strategy focused on counter-attacks—rather than the aggressive, high-pressing style advocated by Bielsa. However, this is not the only source of friction. Some squad members have also expressed dissatisfaction with the training workloads, which they consider excessively intense given the proximity of such a demanding match. This situation threatens to further complicate Uruguay’s preparations for a fixture that is already a delicate challenge.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews