VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Prime Minister has suggested that the country’s electricity subsidies, in place since 2022, could eventually be reduced once a gas pipeline linking Malta to Sicily is completed.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview, the Prime Minister said the subsidies were introduced to cushion households and businesses from high energy costs and to offset Malta’s structural disadvantages as an island state dependent on imports.

However, he indicated that such support could not remain permanent and may be reconsidered only after Malta secures alternative energy supply infrastructure.

Central to those plans is a long-proposed gas pipeline connecting Malta to Sicily, aimed at improving energy security and reducing reliance on liquefied natural gas shipments.

The project, known as Melita TransGas, would consist of a 160-kilometre subsea pipeline linking Gela in Sicily with Delimara in Malta.

The pipeline is estimated to cost around €300 million, with approximately €165 million expected to be financed through European Union funds, subject to approvals.

Energy officials believe a direct gas connection to Sicily could lower electricity generation costs, potentially allowing the government to gradually phase out subsidies in the longer term.

For now, the Prime Minister stressed that any reduction in subsidies remains years away and dependent on the successful delivery of the pipeline project.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayern Munich loses its captain. The Bavarian club announced that Manuel Neuer sustained a right thigh injury during yesterday’s match. The recovery time has not been disclosed, but it is certain that the 39-year-old German goalkeeper will only be available again after the winter break.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The Movement for the Self-Determination of the Berber Region of Kabylia (MAK) proclaimed its independence from Algeria during an event held on December 14 in Paris, attended by activists and members of the Kabyle diaspora.

The declaration, announced by movement leader Ferhat Mehenni, envisions the creation of a “Federal Republic of Kabylia.” The initiative, with strong symbolic and political significance, was rejected by the Algerian authorities, who consider the MAK an illegal separatist movement.

According to the movement, however, the proclamation is primarily intended to draw the international community’s attention to the situation of the Kabyle people’s political, cultural, and identity rights, denouncing years of marginalization, criminalization, and repression of peaceful claims, as well as the failure to recognize their linguistic and cultural diversity.

The MAK affirms that its action is part of the right of peoples to self-determination, enshrined in international law, and urges international actors to closely monitor the developments in Kabylia.

-Photo Facebook page of the movement for the self-determination of Kabylia-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SAN SEBASTIAN (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Pellegrino Matarazzo‘s chances as Real Sociedad’s next manager are rising following the dismissal of Sergio Francisco and the appointment of Jon Ansotegi as interim manager. According to “Mundo Deportivo,” the former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart manager is in pole position and has beaten out Thiago Motta, partly due to the Italian-Brazilian coach’s financial demands.

Garcia Pimenta is also reportedly in the running, and Marco Rose and Mauricio Pellegrino have also been explored. “AS,” however, has also mentioned Raul Gonzalez Blanco, currently unemployed after his stint with Real Madrid’s second team, which ended in June.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Upamecano’s renewal is not easy for Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old French defender’s contract expires in June and, according to “Bild,” he has put forward his demands for a renewal: 20 million euros gross salary and another 20 million as a signing-on bonus.

These figures could also deter other suspects—Real Madrid and PSG are also interested—though the Bavarian sporting director, Christoph Freund, is preaching calm: “He’s very happy with us, it’s not just a question of money. The discussions we’re having are very intense but very constructive, I’m confident we’ll reach an agreement. The when isn’t important; what’s important is that it happens.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Dusan Vlahovic has been excluded from Barça’s squad to replace Lewandowski because he’s close to reaching an agreement with AC Milan.

According to Catalan newspaper “Sport,” the Blaugrana had also considered the 25-year-old Serbian striker, whose contract with Juventus is expiring, to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is set to leave the club in June, but ultimately decided to evaluate other options.

There are several reasons, starting with Vlahovic’s performance this season, which doesn’t justify his high salary, and the injury he suffered against Cagliari, which will keep him out for at least three months, which doesn’t play in the Serbian’s favor. But above all, according to “Sport,” the former Fiorentina player is close to reaching an agreement with AC Milan, the club that has shown the most interest recently.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Joao Cancelo is back in the news for incidents that have little to do with football. Footage of the former Inter and Juventus player, now at Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal, losing his temper on a plane is circulating online.

The Portuguese full-back approaches a passenger who was filming him and grabs him by the arm, interrupting the video with a slap. The images immediately sparked outrage on social media.

In fact, a longer clip posted on TikTok shows Cancelo smiling and joking with the same passenger, who appears to be none other than his teammate, Ali Al Bulayhi. The Portuguese full-back then posted a couple of Instagram stories from the clip, confirming it was a joke: “Pure arrogance,” Cancelo quips, tagging his teammate. In the ensuing exchange, the Portuguese full-back teases him, saying he’s filming him all the time because he needs money.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Suriname will have a new head coach ahead of the intercontinental play-offs for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Following the resignation of Stanley Menzo, the federation announced the appointment of 71-year-old Henk Ten Cate, former Ajax manager and former assistant to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona and later to Avram Grant at Chelsea.

Ten Cate, who also served as assistant to then head coach Winter in 2023, will lead Suriname on March 26 in Monterrey against Bolivia in the first round of the play-offs. The winner will face Iraq five days later for a place in Group I, which includes France, Norway and Senegal.

Menzo had stepped down after the defeat to Guatemala on the final matchday of the Concacaf qualifiers, a loss that denied Suriname first place in Group A and direct qualification.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BENGHAZI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international company GKSD has proposed the construction of two municipal solid waste recycling plants in Benghazi, designed to generate electricity through waste-to-energy conversion. The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, reduce ecological impact, and support the transition toward clean energy sources, according to the Libyan news website alwasat.ly.

The proposal was presented during a meeting between the Director General of Libya’s Development and Reconstruction Fund, Belqasem Khalifa Haftar, and GKSD Chairman Kamel Ghribi, a meeting seen as a prelude to the signing of concrete contracts in the health, environmental, and clean energy sectors.

Also attending the meeting were several department directors from the Fund, the Director General of the Benghazi Medical Center, the Director General of the Pediatric and Pediatric Surgery Hospital, and the Deputy Director General of the National Cancer Treatment Center in Benghazi.

In the healthcare sector, GKSD presented integrated technical and operational proposals for the maintenance, modernization, development, management, and operation of the Benghazi Medical Centre in line with the highest medical and administrative standards. The company also outlined plans for the management of the National Oncology Centre, the new pediatric and obstetrics-gynecology hospitals, and the Al-Marj Teaching Hospital, with the goal of enhancing healthcare service quality and operational efficiency.

The Fund described the meeting as a “crucial milestone” marking the transition from discussion and planning to practical implementation and contract signing. The objective is to consolidate effective strategic partnerships to develop healthcare infrastructure, achieve sustainable growth, and support environmental and clean energy solutions.

“We want to contribute decisively to the success of this extraordinary country. We are able to offer experience and expertise capable of supporting a modern and efficient development vision,” said Kamel Ghribi, Chairman of GKSD, in comments to Italpress at the conclusion of the meetings held in Benghazi. “We will do so with conviction and enthusiasm because we believe in this nation and its people. Healthcare, energy, and infrastructure are key to a country’s transformation, and these are precisely the pillars of our action.”

– photo GKSD –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Mohamed Salah was very dangerous, a threat to the opposition. With the first ball he touched, he almost provided an assist for Mac Allister. He was constantly involved in our play. It was nice to see him, but not a surprise.” This was what Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said after the 2-0 home win against Brighton, regarding the situation surrounding the Egyptian striker, who came on in the 26th minute of the first half after Joe Gomez’s injury.

“It was an easy decision to bring him on. I’ve said many times that what was said between us will stay between us. We needed him, and he provided the assist for Ekitike’s 2-0, which is positive for us.” Salah will obviously be busy with his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations in the coming days. “This means losing another player for us,” said Slot. “But we already knew this before the start of the season. In the meantime, we hope that one or two players can recover from injuries.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews