VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has launched a Pre-Market Consultation for the first phase of the Grand Harbour regeneration project, marking an early step in a long-term national redevelopment plan aimed at transforming key areas around one of the country’s most historic maritime zones.

The international consultation will focus on the largest initial phase of the project, which also includes the site of the former Marsa power station and the Customs area.

The process will remain open for four months and is being coordinated by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation with technical support from Grant Thornton.

Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Minister Miriam Dalli said the initiative carries national importance and is intended to attract investment while safeguarding the identity and character of the Grand Harbour.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Alisson Becker could return to Italy. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who played for Roma from 2016 to 2018 before moving to Liverpool, is liked by Juventus and has already indicated that he would welcome the move. According to English sources at TEAMtalk, the 33-year-old goalkeeper, under contract with the Reds until 2027, is ready to say yes to the two-year deal (with an option for a third season) offered by the Bianconeri.

Liverpool, according to the English website, is reportedly not very keen on the alleged contact between Juve and the Brazilian, but anything could be resolved during the negotiations stage, given that, TeamTalk assures, the Anfield club values ​​Michele Di Gregorio, who has also been monitored in the past. The Reds have already signed Georgian Giorgi Mamardashvili, the possible arrival of the current Juventus goalkeeper would guarantee Slot (or his successor) two reliable players. According to TeamTalk, Juventus has also evaluated De Gea (now at Fiorentina), but Alisson is the top target.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Xavi Simons will miss the World Cup. The 23-year-old Dutch midfielder injured his knee during Tottenham’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, was stretched off the pitch (including a heated argument with rival fans) and then received the worst news possible: a torn anterior cruciate ligament. This injury will therefore keep him out for the rest of the season, with De Zerbi’s Spurs battling to avoid relegation and watching the World Cup only on TV.

“They say life can be cruel, and today it was. My season ended abruptly and I’m trying to come to terms with it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. This doesn’t make sense,” wrote the Oranje talent, formerly of PSG, PSV, and RB Leipzig, on his Instagram account. Simons was destined to be one of the stars of Ronald Koeman’s Dutch national team at the World Cup, despite Tottenham’s disappointing season.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – World Aquatics has taken control of a betting scandal investigation involving Maltese water polo, instructing the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) to halt independent action. The move follows concerns over “weak” internal structures within the ASA.

The probe stems from a report by the Malta Gaming Authority, which identified six national team players, club-linked individuals and a youth coach as having placed bets on Malta’s matches during the European Championship finals in Belgrade last January.

The report found prima facie evidence of betting activity by individuals closely involved in the sport.

Both World Aquatics and European Aquatics, organisers of the tournament, have launched a joint investigation and requested all evidence from Maltese police.

Although six players were dropped from the national squad earlier this month, no formal suspensions have been issued, with some still competing in the ASA Winter League.

The ASA has maintained that it is investigating the case but said the conduct “does not appear to constitute match-fixing.”

The World Aquatics’ intervention has boosted confidence in the integrity of the process.

ASA Integrity Officer Herman Mula confirmed the global body is leading the probe but insisted the ASA remains involved.

He said discussions with World and European Aquatics resulted in a joint investigation framework, with the international body taking the lead on potential charges and sanctions.

– Photo IPA Agency –
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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has introduced sweeping emergency measures to shield its agricultural sector from a fast-spreading strain of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) detected in Cyprus and Greece.

The Food Safety and Security Authority said the restrictions took effect on 21 April, following a warning issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health on 15 April 2026 urging heightened vigilance across Europe.

At the centre of the response is the SAT1 serotype, considered the most serious animal health threat to reach Europe in decades. Previously confined to sub-Saharan Africa, the strain has expanded rapidly since 2025, with European livestock lacking natural immunity.

Under the new rules, all ruminants and swine entering Malta from EU countries must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the owner’s expense, while imports from non-EU countries are banned entirely.

Strict movement controls have also been imposed domestically, with the transport of such animals prohibited unless authorised by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Farms are required to implement enhanced biosecurity protocols, and petting farms hosting susceptible animals must close to the public.

Additional restrictions target potential transmission routes. Vehicles that have passed through designated risk zones are barred from entering Malta with animals, while animal products from those areas are prohibited. Travellers arriving from affected zones are banned for 14 days from visiting farms or similar facilities.

Authorities have also tightened waste disposal rules, requiring food waste from ships and aircraft to be incinerated or kept out of Malta altogether.

The measures follow 33 confirmed outbreaks in Cyprus since February and Greece’s first case in 25 years, reported on Lesvos in March.

FMD causes fever, painful lesions and sharp drops in productivity, often proving fatal in young animals. EU policy mandates immediate culling of infected herds, with outbreaks typically triggering major trade bans.

Officials warned that an uncontrolled outbreak could inflict severe economic losses, particularly during peak livestock movement periods, and urged full public compliance.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “VAR should only intervene in the case of clear and obvious errors, not as happens in some cases in La Liga or the Premier League, where matches are interrupted for ten or fifteen minutes.” This is the opinion of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, speaking in Madrid at a forum organized by Apollo Sports Capital, Atlético’s new majority shareholder.

“Sometimes fans don’t understand the different interpretations of the rules from one match to the next, and I understand them. I don’t understand them anymore either,” Ceferin added, also focusing on the handball rule: “Nobody understands it. Is it a penalty or not? Was it intentional or not? How can you know? We’re not psychiatrists,” he said, as reported by “L’Equipe.”

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Chris Hughton, 67, former manager of Brighton and Newcastle, underwent surgery for prostate cancer in May last year. Hughton himself revealed the news only today to the “Daily Mail.” “The news certainly didn’t scare me,” he revealed. “I know everyone is different, but my first thought was, ‘I’ll be fine.’ I didn’t immediately think, ‘It’s probably going to kill me.’ I just thought, ‘OK, we’ll have to do what’s necessary.’”

A former Tottenham full-back, with whom he won a UEFA Cup and two FA Cups in the 1980s, he gained promotion to the Premier League with Brighton and Newcastle and also managed Birmingham, Norwich, and Nottingham Forest. His last assignment was as coach of Ghana between 2023 and 2024.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Bernardo Silva will end his glorious spell at Manchester City at the end of the season, but his future is still unclear. Linked to Barcelona and Juventus, according to “As,” the 31-year-old Portuguese has also been offered a move by his agent, Jorge Mendes, to Real Madrid. However, at the moment, the Blancos, despite appreciating the player, are not interested.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Switzerland considers the “autonomy initiative” presented by Morocco “to be the most serious, credible, and pragmatic basis” for resolving the regional dispute surrounding the Sahara. This is according to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that this position was expressed in a joint statement adopted by Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Foreign Minister, on a working visit to Bern.

In the same statement, Switzerland also welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, stating that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute one of the most feasible solutions.” Switzerland also reiterated its support for the central role played by the United Nations and the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Our energy and confidence have increased. We couldn’t know better what we have to do: there are five games to play, tomorrow is the first, all in and we’re off.” The defeat against Manchester City and the draw at the top of the table by Guardiola’s team don’t worry Mikel Arteta, who is convinced that his Arsenal will fight to the end, both in the Premier League and in the Champions League, where they face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals. “There are five games to go, four weeks, two big competitions to fight for, and everything still up for grabs. If someone had told us at the start of the season, we would have signed. And if we win tomorrow, we’ll be much closer. I have faith in our players, our people, and our will to achieve what we want.”

The title could also be decided by goal difference, which currently sees Arsenal and City perfectly tied, with both having a 37-point lead. “We’re just talking about hypotheses. Then, depending on how the situation develops, we can start thinking about other things. We have to give everything in these five games and make what we want happen.” Arteta, among other things, won a league title on goal difference as a player, against Rangers in 2003: “I took the penalty and we won the league by just one goal. You couldn’t ask for anything better. One of the best feelings of my career. When you win like that, it’s even more special.”

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews