ROME (ITALPRESS) – The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting Malta’s energy transition by strengthening the island’s electricity infrastructure, enhancing security of supply, and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.

In this context, EIB Vice-President Marek Mora and Malta’s Minister for Finance, Clyde Caruana, today announced the signing of a €100 million financing agreement to support the construction of a second electricity interconnector between Malta and Italy (IC2).
The project involves the construction of a 122-kilometre submarine electricity transmission line, with a rated voltage of 220 kV in alternating current, a frequency of 50 Hz, and a transmission capacity of 225 MW. The cable will connect Enemalta’s terminal station in Magħtab, Malta, with the Italian Terna substation located in Contrada Cimillà, Ragusa.
The project has also benefited from technical advisory support provided by the EIB during its preparation phase, including the assessment of its financial and economic sustainability. This support contributed to ensuring the project’s maturity, eligibility for financing, and compliance with relevant European Union requirements.

Malta’s Minister for Finance, Clyde Caruana, commented: “The second interconnector represents a significant investment for Malta’s long-term economic stability. By strengthening our energy infrastructure, we reduce vulnerability to external shocks, improve security of supply, and support more stable energy prices for households and businesses.”

The interconnector, expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2027, will increase electricity interconnection capacity between Malta and Italy, enabling the import of electricity from the EU market. It will also enhance supply security and grid stability, helping to meet rising demand and support the integration of renewable energy, in line with the country’s decarbonisation objectives.

EIB Vice-President Marek Mora added: “Electricity interconnectors are essential for a secure, integrated, and decarbonised European energy system. By supporting Malta’s second interconnector with Italy, the EIB strengthens energy security, facilitates cross-border electricity trade, and promotes the integration of renewable energy sources, while ensuring that growing demand can be met reliably and sustainably. The project reflects the EIB’s key role in supporting strategic energy infrastructure across Europe.”

The total cost of the project, estimated at €296.68 million, will be financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund with €165.78 million, with the remaining amount covered by the EIB loan and Malta’s national resources.

The EU bank is also providing advisory services through JASPERS, a joint initiative between the EIB and the European Commission, offering assistance in project design, procurement, and implementation to ensure technical robustness and smooth delivery of this strategic infrastructure.

The Government of Malta will retain ownership of the project. Interconnect Malta, a fully state-owned company, is responsible for procurement, implementation, and operation of the interconnector under a public service obligation. The full capacity of the interconnector will be made available to Enemalta, Malta’s electricity distribution system operator, under a capacity agreement that includes an annual usage fee.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid lose Arda Güler and Éder Militão. Both players suffered hamstring injuries during the match against Alavés (right leg for the former, left for the latter), and their season is over, although they could recover in time for the World Cup, which they are expected to play with Turkey, coached by Vincenzo Montella, and Brazil, led by Carlo Ancelotti, respectively.

According to the Spanish press, the player at greater risk regarding the World Cup is the Brazilian defender, as this is his third muscle injury of the season.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s government deficit fell significantly to €237.2 million, or 2.2% of GDP, by the end of 2025, according to national statistics, down from €750.4 million, or 3.4% of GDP, a year earlier.

Data released for the fourth quarter showed stronger revenue performance and reduced expenditure contributing to the improved fiscal position.

Between October and December, government revenue reached €2.46 billion, an increase of €311 million compared to the same period in 2024. The rise was driven largely by higher tax intake, particularly from production and imports, income and wealth, and social contributions.

Expenditure during the same period totalled €2.69 billion, marking a decline of €156.4 million year-on-year. The drop was mainly due to lower capital transfers, alongside reduced spending on wages and subsidies.

Adjustments to align public accounts with EU accrual-based standards further reduced the deficit by €333.6 million in the final quarter.

Government debt stood at €11.4 billion by December, equivalent to 46.4% of GDP, up from €10.6 billion a year earlier. The increase was primarily driven by higher long-term and short-term debt securities.

Meanwhile, guaranteed government debt fell to €905.6 million, or 3.7% of GDP.

Looking ahead, economic projections indicate gradual growth in GDP and a potential budget surplus by 2029 and 2030. However, these forecasts exclude the potential impact of a planned mass transport system.

Speaking at a press conference, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said the project remains at feasibility stage and is unlikely to begin before the end of 2026, warning of the financial risks involved.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged to prioritise the transport project after the next general election, though revised plans—now estimated to cost around €3 billion—have yet to be published.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona is trembling, but Spain is also trembling, especially Spain, which may have to do without Lamine Yamal for the World Cup. The striker was injured during the match against Celta Vigo, after scoring the penalty that effectively decided the match. Spanish media are talking about a possible hamstring injury in his left thigh, but more will be known in the next few hours: Yamal is currently expected to be out for four to six weeks.

But Dr. Pedro Luis Ripoll, one of Spain’s leading sports medicine specialists, has warned about the risks of a hasty return: “This type of injury has a recurrence rate of 30%, so we must be very careful.” And precisely for this reason, considering that there are 50 days to go until the start of the World Cup, “it seems difficult to me to call him up.”

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Source: medNews

TEHERAN (IRAN) (ITALPRESS) – We will be at the World Cup. This is, in short, the message sent today by Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, in a statement released to state broadcaster IRIB. Iran, therefore, despite the war with the United States (currently under a ceasefire), will regularly play the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the government spokesperson, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has guaranteed that the national soccer team will have everything it needs to perform at its best in the World Cup. This statement comes a few days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino reassured Iran that the team will be placed in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand and expected in Los Angeles and Seattle. Iran had requested to play their matches in Mexico, a decision FIFA has made impossible.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Liam Rosenior’s term at Chelsea has already ended. The club announced the dismissal of the manager who replaced Enzo Maresca as manager of the team on January 6th. In his place, Calum McFarlane has been appointed as interim manager.

“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Liam and his staff for their dedication during his time with the club. Liam has always stood out for his integrity and professionalism, since his appointment mid-season,” Chelsea wrote on their website. “This was not a decision taken lightly, however, recent results and performances have not been up to the required standards, and the season is not over yet.” Calum McFarlane will lead the team until the end of the season “with the aim of achieving qualification for European competitions and advancing in the FA Cup,” the club’s statement emphasizes.

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Source: medNews

KYIV (UKRAINE) (ITALPRESS) – Serhiy Rebrov is no longer the head coach of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Football Federation has announced that it has terminated the contract with the former striker, who will nonetheless remain within the federation as vice president and a member of the Executive Committee.

“We thank Serhiy for his work and his contribution to the development of young players. Today we must move forward and make new decisions that will form the foundation of the future national team,” said federation president Andriy Shevchenko, a former AC Milan player.

Rebrov took charge of Ukraine in 2023, securing qualification for the European Championship via the play-offs, but failed to qualify for the next World Cup after losing the play-off against Sweden.

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Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Austria today expressed its support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), stating that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute one of the most viable solutions” to the regional dispute over the Sahara. This is according to a statement issued by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, specifying that the position was enshrined in a joint communiqué adopted at the end of the meeting in Vienna between the Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, and her counterpart Nasser Bourita, on a working visit to Austria.

In the joint statement, according to the Moroccan note, Austria also welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797, which fully supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to “facilitate and conduct negotiations on the basis of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution.” In this context, Austria expressed satisfaction with “Morocco’s willingness to clarify how autonomy within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty could be implemented,” the joint statement reads.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Manchester United are set to strengthen their midfield this summer, and one of the names gaining traction at Old Trafford is Aurélien Tchouaméni. Although the Red Devils would prefer to invest in a player already familiar with the Premier League—given the positive impact of Cunha and Mbeumo this season—Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is seeing his chances diminish, as he has characteristics similar to Kobbie Mainoo, who is close to renewing his contract.

This has led to the Tchouaméni option: the former Monaco midfielder is under contract with Real Madrid until 2028. The parties have already begun discussing a renewal, but changes are expected at the club this summer, and in the face of a significant offer, Madrid could give the green light.

Moreover, BBC Sport notes that the contracts of Casemiro and Sancho will expire in June, while Rashford could be signed permanently by Barcelona, significantly reducing the wage bill.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – European Commissioner Jessika Roswall visited WasteServ facilities in Malta, praising significant progress in the country’s waste management reforms and its transition toward a circular economy.

The visit, held with Minister for Energy and the Environment Miriam Dalli, and WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca, included a tour of major operational sites such as the ECOHIVE Complex in Naxxar.

During the visit, officials outlined key infrastructure projects already completed and others in development, with particular focus on the ECOHIVE Project. Once fully implemented, the project is expected to transform Malta’s waste management system by significantly reducing reliance on landfilling and turning waste into valuable resources.

The delegation reviewed how ongoing investments and operational improvements are reshaping the sector, combining advanced facilities with long-term planning to support sustainable practices nationwide.

Roswall described the reforms as “inspiring,” noting that circular economy strategies are critical for Europe’s resilience amid growing global competition for raw materials. She pointed out that the EU depends heavily on imports for critical resources and stressed the importance of increasing recycling rates.

She also confirmed that the European Commission will present a Circular Economy Act later this year, aimed at creating a stronger single market for circular materials across the bloc.

Minister Dalli said Malta’s recent investments and policy direction are delivering tangible results, positioning waste as a resource while improving efficiency and environmental outcomes.

Bilocca added that WasteServ remains focused on delivering the country’s long-term waste strategy through continued investment and innovation.

The visit also highlighted progress on a €37 million project to convert a former waste facility into 24,000 square metres of public green space.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews