VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest despite growing calls for a boycott over Israel’s participation, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici confirmed.

His statement comes after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia withdrew from the event, following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to hold a vote on excluding Israel over its assault on Gaza.

Several human rights groups have described the Gaza offensive as genocide, prompting cultural and artistic organisations to urge participating states to shun the contest.

Bonnici insisted that Malta’s presence would not hinder efforts toward peace in the Middle East. He argued that cultural platforms help maintain dialogue, even amid conflict.

“We need to be constantly working towards peace,” he said. “Peace is achieved by keeping lines of communication open, and culture contributes greatly to this.”

He acknowledged the “well-intentioned” arguments in favour of a boycott but maintained that withdrawing would not bring an end to the conflict.

Bonnici, who has previously expressed support for the Palestinian cause, said he respected groups that have urged a boycott. He reiterated that Malta and the EU must continue pushing for a two-state solution, noting Malta’s recognition of Palestine as part of this effort.

“I’m not saying peace can be achieved through culture alone, but every little thing helps to foster dialogue,” he said.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The door remains open. On the sidelines of the World Cup draw in Washington, which assigned Brazil to a group with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t avoid yet another question about Neymar, who played a key role in Santos’s survival in recent matches despite a torn meniscus.

“I understand the huge interest in Neymar, and I want to be clear,” said the Brazilian coach. “It’s December, and the World Cup will be played in June. When I announce the squad list in May, if Neymar deserves to play, if he’s fit, and if he’s better than or at the same level as the others, he’ll be in the team. Period. I don’t owe anyone.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayern Munich will be able to count on Luis Diaz for their Champions League match against Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21st. The Colombian’s three-match suspension, handed down after his red card for a rough tackle on Hakimi on November 4th against PSG, has been reduced to two matches. The former Liverpool player will therefore serve his final matchday against Sporting on Tuesday.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The groups for the 2026 World Cup have been drawn. Featuring 48 teams for the first time, World Cup will be played in Canada, Mexico, and the United States next summer, from June 11 to July 19. The 12 groups, with the 42 qualified nations and the six “X”s representing the winners of the play-offs (four European and two intercontinental), were drawn at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The schedule will be announced tomorrow, and will then become definitive in March once the play-offs have concluded.

GROUP A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Play-Off Winner Play-Off D
GROUP B: Canada, UEFA Play-Off Winner A, Qatar, Switzerland
GROUP C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
GROUP D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-Off Winner C
GROUP E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
GROUP F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Play-Off Winner B, Tunisia
GROUP G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
GROUP H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
GROUP I: France, Senegal, FIFA Play-Off Winner 2, Norway
GROUP J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
GROUP K: Portugal, FIFA Play-Off Winner 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
GROUP L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – La Liga is tempting Nico Schlotterbeck. The German defender doesn’t appear to be willing to renew his contract with Borussia Dortmund, which expires in 2027, and the yellow and blacks could put him on the market at the end of the season to avoid losing him for free.

According to “Sky Deutschland,” Schlotterbeck would like to continue his career in Spain, where both Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested: the Blancos are looking for a replacement for Alaba, while the Blaugrana are backing his compatriot Flick his arrival. Between the two options, however, the player has reportedly given priority to Real. Bayern Munich is also in the background, which could lose Upamecano, but Borussia is not giving up and at the end of the season will present a renewal proposal that would make Schlotterbeck one of the highest-paid players in the squad.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – As sporting director Deco anticipated in recent days, Barcelona has secured Eric Garcia: the 24-year-old defender has said yes to a contract extension until 2031. All that’s missing is his signature, which will be signed next Thursday. A product of La Masia and brought back to Barça after his stint at Manchester City in 2021 (he was also loaned to Girona for the 2024-25 season), Garcia is Flick’s most used player, with 1,510 minutes in 20 games, thanks in part to his ability to play in multiple positions: central defender, right or left back, and midfielder in front of the defense.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Strengthening cooperation in the justice sector was the focus of talks held Friday in Rabat between Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Italian counterpart Carlo Nordio. According to Moroccan website Map Express, during the meeting, the two sides reviewed several issues of common interest, while also assessing the status of judicial cooperation between the two countries and ways to further consolidate it, particularly through strengthening bilateral coordination channels.

In a statement to the press following the meeting, Minister Nordio emphasized the mutual trust that unites the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirming Italy’s desire to continue building fruitful and constructive cooperation, particularly in the justice sector, according to Map Express.

This meeting, he stated, demonstrates the depth of friendship and solid cooperation between the two countries, recalling that Morocco and Italy share a common history, strong ties of friendship, and converging interests. For his part, Minister Ouahbi hailed the excellent quality of bilateral relations in various areas, noting that the two delegations discussed numerous joint issues with clarity and transparency. He also expressed hope for a further strengthening of this partnership in the coming months, especially considering Italy’s support for Morocco on numerous issues.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

THE HAGUE (NETHERLANDS) (ITALPRESS) – The Netherlands stated that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most viable solution to definitively put an end to this regional dispute”. This position was expressed in the Joint Statement adopted by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Dutch Foreign Minister David Van Weel at the end of their meeting on Friday in The Hague.

The Joint Statement also clarified that the Netherlands welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and expresses its full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate and conduct negotiations based on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, with the aim of reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution, as recommended by the relevant Security Council resolutions.

– photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An international police operation coordinated by Europol has dismantled a sophisticated criminal network running fake cryptocurrency investment platforms across Europe.

The operation followed years of investigation into a ring that lured thousands of victims with polished online advertisements promising high returns. Among them were four Maltese investors who collectively lost €493,750 after being deceived by impostor financial advisers.

Malta’s Blockchain Analysis Unit identified the cases, revealing that victims were instructed to use remote-access tools and hand over personal documents. The stolen funds were routed through banks, credit cards and cryptocurrency channels.

The fraudsters relied heavily on aggressive online marketing, including deepfake videos featuring fabricated endorsements from celebrities and politicians. Once users showed interest, they were targeted by call centres that used pressure tactics and fake profit statements to secure more payments.

In October, coordinated raids in Cyprus, Germany and Spain resulted in nine arrests. Authorities seized €800,000 in bank accounts, €415,000 in cryptocurrency, €300,000 in cash, digital devices and luxury watches.

A second phase in November targeted companies behind fraudulent advertising campaigns, with actions in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany and Israel.

Investigators uncovered more than €700 million laundered through cryptocurrency exchanges, exploiting digital anonymity to hide illegal transactions.

Authorities from eight countries, including Malta, continue to track the network’s assets as the investigation widens.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TURIN (ITALPRESS) – “The surgery went well. Thank you for all your kind messages and for the support. I love you all, see you soon.” With these words on Instagram, Dusan Vlahovic updated fans after undergoing surgery yesterday in London for the “repair of a left adductor tendon avulsion.” The Juventus striker is now expected to be sidelined for around three and a half months.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS),

Source: medNews