RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Bolivia has announced the suspension of its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic. According to Map Express, the decision was announced in a statement issued following a telephone conversation on Monday between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Bolivian counterpart, Fernando Aramayo.

According to the statement, “the Plurinational State of Bolivia, acting in full compliance with Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) and reaffirming its support for the political process conducted under the auspices of the United Nations, has undertaken a sovereign review of its foreign policy”.

Following this review, Bolivia decided to suspend diplomatic relations with the entity known as the “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)” and to cease all official contact with it, noting that it is not recognized as a member state of the United Nations. The decision, the statement continues, is part of Bolivia’s desire to contribute constructively to international efforts aimed at reaching a realistic, pragmatic, and lasting political solution, based on compromise, in accordance with the parameters established by the United Nations.

-Photo Map-
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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening coordinated international action on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

During Monday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg joined EU counterparts in discussions on intensifying pressure on Russia over its continued military attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Marking four years since the start of the war, Malta stressed the need for sustained diplomatic collaboration between the European Union and global partners to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people.

“It is essential to maintain coordinated communication and enhanced international collaboration to protect Ukraine and to safeguard the unity and democratic resilience of the EU,” Dr Borg said. “When we work together, the EU carries far greater weight than any single member state acting alone.”

While expressing support for ongoing peace negotiations, Dr Borg underlined that diplomatic efforts must be reinforced through increased pressure on Russia, in line with international law.

He said the EU should explore further restrictive measures and expand engagement with a broader range of stakeholders to weaken Russia’s capacity to sustain its aggression. This includes disrupting sanctions evasion networks, such as the so-called “shadow fleet”, without placing disproportionate burdens on member states and citizens.

Turning to the Middle East, Dr Borg called for de-escalation in the West Bank, warning that recent developments in land administration risk further instability and undermine prospects for a Two-State Solution.

He also addressed the implementation of the Gaza peace plan, noting that Hamas’ refusal to relinquish its weapons remains a major obstacle to reconstruction and increased humanitarian assistance.

Borg stressed the urgency of rebuilding basic infrastructure and essential services in Gaza to promote sustainable peace, stability and long-term social and economic resilience.

– Photo DOI –
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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta remains one of Europe’s demographic outliers, combining a relatively young population with one of the slowest ageing rates in the European Union, according to new figures from Eurostat.

Data show Malta’s median age fell slightly from 40.4 years in 2015 to 40.0 years in 2025, making it — alongside Germany — the only EU country to register a decline.

Across the bloc, the median age rose from 42.8 to 44.9 years, underlining a wider continental shift towards older populations.

Median ages vary widely, from 39.6 years in Ireland to 49.1 years in Italy. The sharpest ageing since 2015 was recorded in Slovakia and Cyprus, both up four years.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Dick Advocaat has resigned as coach of the Curacao national team. The Caribbean island team, after surprisingly securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, has lost its leader.

“I’ve always said that family comes before football, so this is a natural decision for me,” Advocaat said in a statement. The 78-year-old Dutch coach decided to step down as Curacao coach due to the health of his daughter, who is currently ill.

“That said, I will miss Curacao and its people greatly. I consider the qualification of the world’s smallest national team for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I’m proud of my players, my staff, and everyone who believed in us. Now, however, I have to look after my daughter,” Advocaat said.

His replacement is expected to be another Dutch coach, Fred Rutten, former coach of Schalke 04, PSV, Feyenoord, and Anderlecht.

-Photo IPA Agency-
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Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to the Champions League Round of 16. A standard objective if your name is Inter, extraordinary if you are Bodø/Glimt. Perhaps that is why the eve of the second leg is particularly tense, with the Norwegians holding a 3–1 advantage from the first match — a game which, according to the Inter camp, was influenced above all by the fact that it was played on an artificial pitch.

“I can’t do anything about it. City (beaten 3–1 in Bodø in the group stage, ed.) didn’t mention the pitch,”replied coach Kjetil Knutsen. “We’re not used to San Siro either, but I’m focused on other things.” The reference is to Manchester City, who were defeated in Norway earlier in the competition.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – The Vinicius–Prestianni case, which erupted last Tuesday during the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid, shows no sign of fading. After a week of intense controversy, a temporary suspension has been handed to the Argentine player (for the second leg of the play-offs), who has been accused of directing racist insults at Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger.

Following various statements made in recent days, mainly by those involved in the match and by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Benfica midfielder was suspended ahead of the return leg, as stated in an official communiqué issued by UEFA: “The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has decided to provisionally suspend Gianluca Prestianni for the next match.”

For their part, the Portuguese club released an official statement acknowledging the decision and declaring that “the club regrets being deprived of the player while the proceedings are still ongoing and will appeal this UEFA decision,” while also admitting that “it is unlikely that the relevant deadlines will have any practical effect on the Champions League play-off second leg.”

At the end of the statement, the club coached by José Mourinho once again firmly reiterated “its ongoing commitment to the fight against all forms of discrimination, in line with the values that are part of its historic identity and reflected in its daily actions.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The United States is significantly accelerating the Western Sahara issue by convening a third meeting today and tomorrow (February 23 and 24), with the goal of signing a framework agreement as early as May in Washington, based on Morocco’s autonomy initiative. El Confidencial reports, citing confidential diplomatic sources.

The new round of negotiations convened in the federal capital represents the third meeting in less than a month, following the late January session in Washington and the February 8-9 round in Madrid, and signals the American resolve to resolve a decades-old dispute. According to consistent sources, the current process is aimed at establishing a limited technical mechanism composed of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the United States, with the contribution of UN and international experts, charged with refining and implementing Morocco’s autonomy proposal. The American push is part of Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls on the parties to negotiate without preconditions on the basis of Morocco’s autonomy plan.

The text marked an evolution in the negotiating framework, emphasizing a realistic and compromised political solution. Diplomatic circles also emphasize that Algeria’s participation in the process is now considered inevitable, after years of reservations regarding the format of the Geneva round tables launched in 2019. Several factors explain this shift: the new framework outlined by Resolution 2797; Washington’s growing pressure on the issue, with threats to declare the Polisario a terrorist group or impose sanctions on Algeria; Algeria’s regional isolation following the loss of support from its historic allies, such as Iran, Venezuela, Syria, South Africa, and Cuba.

The US administration’s stated goal is to reach a framework agreement by spring that would allow the dispute to be resolved in 2026. This new phase is being closely followed in Europe, where the stability of the Sahara is increasingly being linked to regional security, maritime routes, and the management of migration flows.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is positioning itself to tap into the rapidly expanding global space economy, as policymakers and industry leaders gathered for a specialised conference exploring the sector’s impact on financial services.

Representatives from banking, insurance, legal and government sectors discussed how space technology — particularly satellite data — is reshaping regulatory compliance and risk management within the European market.

Discussions also focused on opportunities emerging through collaboration with the European Space Agency and the European Union, as the industry continues to grow.

Dr James Catania, Director of the Space Science Malta unit, outlined progress on the Malta Space Activities Act, which has reached its final stages and is set to be presented to Cabinet following revisions.

The legislation will regulate the use of space-related data, registration processes and other activities linked to the sector.

Steve Stivala of KPMG said Malta could benefit significantly even from a modest share of the global market, currently valued at around €600 billion and expanding at a rate of 9 per cent annually. “Even a small fraction of this market would generate added value for Malta,” he noted.

Finance Malta Chairman George Vella highlighted the sector’s potential to create specialised jobs and reinforce the country’s regulatory framework.

Dr Bernice Buttigieg stressed that space represents a niche yet promising field, particularly for financial services seeking to maintain competitiveness.

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti said the space economy is no longer a distant vision but a realistic avenue for sustainable, high-value investment.

– Photo DOI –
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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Joan Laporta spoke again just minutes before the match against Levante, addressing the media at the stands set up around the stadium for the signature collection linked to his candidacy, touching on several topics: from the election campaign to the team’s situation, as well as comments on the refereeing decisions involving Real Madrid in the match played in Pamplona.

Laporta first took stock of the signature-gathering phase required to formalize his candidacy. “We are doing well. We are receiving many expressions of gratitude and people are giving us their support with their signatures. Others say they will vote for us on the 15th. We are happy with how this phase is going, which is still that of the pre-candidates. We are satisfied with how we have organized the campaign and with the response from the members.”

The former Blaugrana president also reiterated the reasons driving him to run again for the club’s presidency. “I am running to be re-elected. We must continue the work that is being done. There are many Barcelona supporters who think the same. With the experience and knowledge we have, the ‘Let’s Defend Barça’ proposal is the one that benefits the members.”

Laporta then spoke about the atmosphere within the team and his relationship with the management and coaching staff. “I know the dressing room. I have a great relationship with both Deco and Flick. I know how they felt in those difficult moments. That is precisely when you need to be present, and they understand when I encourage them. They know what they have to do and they need calm in order to do it.”

He did not miss the chance to take a swipe at the refereeing in Real Madrid’s match against Osasuna in Pamplona, a topic that has fueled debate in recent hours. “Yesterday they should have rescinded Budimir’s yellow card and it was a VAR penalty. Madrid have been awarded thousands of penalties like that. And the goal was not offside at all. I don’t see what the problem is. For once they weren’t given a penalty for one of their players diving, they shouldn’t complain. It was crystal clear and they lost because there are no easy matches. We expected them to have problems in Pamplona.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has formally revoked a national honour awarded to Britain’s former US ambassador Peter Mandelson following controversy over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A notice in the Government Gazette confirmed that Mandelson’s appointment as honorary officer of the National Order of Merit, granted in 2016, has been terminated.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 23(2)(c) of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act, it is notified that the honorary appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to the National Order of Merit has been terminated,” the notice read.

The clause empowers the president, acting on the prime minister’s advice and in consultation with the opposition leader, to revoke honours where conduct is deemed unworthy.

The decision followed calls by political party Momentum for the title to be withdrawn.

Malta’s National Order of Merit forms part of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika honours system, recognising exceptional service by citizens and foreign nationals across four grades.

Mandelson, a former Labour MP and key architect of New Labour, was honoured for his work as EU Commissioner for Trade, including negotiating bilateral agreements seen as beneficial to Malta.

He had been praised for supporting Malta’s European ambitions and its development as a trading nation and financial hub.

However, Mandelson has faced mounting scrutiny over his association with Epstein.

Court documents show he was mentioned multiple times in the so-called Epstein files, including in emails discussing cabinet matters. Records also indicate Epstein transferred $75,000 into accounts linked to Mandelson and sent £10,000 to his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

Photographs of Mandelson in a bathrobe and underwear were also reportedly found among the files.

The controversy has triggered political fallout in the UK, particularly for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson ambassador to Washington despite his past association with Epstein after the financier’s conviction.

Mandelson has since resigned from the House of Lords, been dismissed as ambassador to the United States, and is under investigation by UK police.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews