VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Transport Minister Chris Bonett has urged government and Opposition to unite behind a national mass transport project that he said will shape mobility for generations.

Speaking during his ministry’s budget estimates on Tuesday, Bonett warned that too much time had been wasted on “puerile arguments” while congestion worsened. He said the proposed system would be Malta’s largest infrastructure project since independence.

The ministry is working with consultancy firm Arup on a metro solution estimated at under €3 billion. The plan differs from the 2021 proposal costed at €6 billion since it combines underground and aboveground routes.

Bonett said the project has entered “an important new stage” involving commercial and geological studies, although he offered no timeline for publication of the plans. He added that legislative and planning policy changes will be required before construction can begin.

He appealed to the Opposition to treat the project as a national priority. His call mirrors that of Opposition leader Alex Borg who recently proposed a cross-party memorandum of understanding to guarantee long term continuity.

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has warned that a metro could burden public finances unless both sides agree on policies that curb car use.

Bonett said government will not wait for the metro to address traffic. A new ferry link will be launched next year, with new services serving the south and north of the island including Valletta.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “This doesn’t seem normal to me; I’ve never experienced anything like this.” That’s how Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, commented on the situation involving Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona star was called up by the La Roja coach for Spain’s upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey, but this morning the Federation announced a surprising update: the 18-year-old is unavailable and his call-up has been withdrawn.

“Everything happened outside the national team; we can’t do anything but accept it. Obviously, I’m as surprised as everyone else. We don’t have details or further information,” the coach told RNE, Spain’s national radio station.

According to a statement from the Spanish Football Federation, Yamal has undergone “an invasive radiofrequency procedure” to treat pubalgia. The decision was reportedly made by Barcelona without, according to the RFEF, informing the medical staff of the reigning European champions.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Serious accusations have been made against Andrés Iniesta, the former Spanish football star and Barcelona legend. One of the greatest midfielders in football history and a 2010 World Cup champion, Iniesta, acting as a representative of NSN South America, is reportedly under investigation in Peru on charges of alleged aggravated fraud. The inquiry was launched following complaints from several local businessmen.

According to infobae.com, the accusations are linked to sports and cultural events that were supposed to receive funding due to Iniesta’s involvement but allegedly never took place. Peruvian entrepreneurs claim they were defrauded of around 600,000 dollars — funds that were intended primarily for the organization of two music festivals and two friendly football matches, one of which was supposed to feature legends from the Spanish and Peruvian national teams.

In reality, only one of the events reportedly took place, but its failure allegedly led to the cancellation of the others, without, according to the accusations, the subsequent reimbursement of the money advanced by the Peruvian businessmen.

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Source: medNews

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – “Yes, I’ll be 41 next year, it will definitely be like that.” During a speech at a tourism event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo jokes about his age and his constant desire to amaze.

“I’m enjoying the moment and not thinking about anything else. And when I said that my retirement will come soon, my soon means in the next 10 years,” CR7 laughs, “and instead people think that I’m talking about a few months. When you reach a certain age, everything passes quickly. I’m 40, but I still score goals, have fun, and enjoy everything. I want to continue like this. I’m physically well, and even with Portugal I score goals and help my national team. I want to win again; this is my life.”, ended the Portuguese Al Nassr player.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Omar Bah, a 40-year-old Gambian resident of Sliema, has appeared before the Criminal Court on charges of possessing cannabis and possessing it with intent to traffic. The case follows a police operation carried out on 12 and 13 December 2014 after officers intercepted a drug shipment traced to Sicily.

The investigation began when Sampson Twene, 20, a Ghanaian living in Sicily, arrived in Malta on a catamaran from Pozzallo. Police discovered roughly one kilogram of cannabis resin in his luggage. Twene was charged with importing the drug and holding it for distribution.

Further inquiries led officers to Bah. He was arrested in Sliema the following day after a surveillance operation. Twene cooperated with police in a controlled delivery near Fortizza, handing over the cannabis to Bah in exchange for €500.

Forensic tests confirmed the drug weighed 801 grams with a purity of 7.2 percent and an estimated street value slightly above €25,000. Bah has pleaded not guilty, insisting he possessed only a small amount for personal use.

Twene admitted his role and was convicted in March 2016, receiving a five-year sentence, a €12,000 fine and subsequent deportation.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Chelsea has joined the race. The finish line is Nico Paz, the star of Cesc Fabregas’ Como, who Real Madrid continues to monitor. According to CaughtOffside, the Stamford Bridge club has inquired about the Argentine jewel, whose value, the English website emphasizes, citing sources close to the agent world, is expected to be around €100 million in the coming years.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have reportedly officially taken the first steps, aware that many other top-tier clubs are interested in the player (in addition to Real Madrid, which has a buy-back clause valid for the next three summers for a fee ranging from €9 to €11 million and a 50% interest in any future sale). In Italy, Inter (there’s talk of a €58 million offer to present to Los Blancos), in the Premier League, Tottenham (Spurs reportedly rejected the first time), and Arsenal, with Arteta ready to do everything to convince the Argentine to move to London to wear the gunners’ shirt.

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Source: medNews

MAINZ (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Last night, after the defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, some Mainz ultras attacked and injured a police officer at the Mainz train station. The perpetrators were subsequently arrested by the police.

The German club announced this, saying it was “shocked by the incident and condemns the incident in the strongest terms. The club wishes a speedy recovery to the officer involved and announced that it will consider all possible sanctions against those responsible.”

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois will miss their respective transfers to Uruguay and Belgium and will remain in Madrid to recover from their injuries and be available to Xabi Alonso for the return match after the international break, when Los Blancos face Elche. The midfielder has been diagnosed with a tear to the semimembranosus muscle in his right leg; the Belgian goalkeeper, on the other hand, has a tear to the adductor longus muscle in his right leg. In both cases, the Spanish press expects a 10-12 day layoff.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Atlético Madrid is becoming a star-spangled club. The club announced they have reached an agreement with the American investment fund Apollo, through Apollo Sports Capital (ASC), to become the club’s majority shareholder in the coming months. The transaction figures were not disclosed, but, according to “El Pais,” ASC will acquire a 57% stake in the club, valuing the entire capital at around €2.5 billion.

The three main shareholders, who together held 70% of the club in Atlético HoldCO, will each sell a portion of their stake while remaining owners. These are Miguel Angel Gil (who owned 50.8% of Atlético HoldCo), Ares (34%), and Cerezo (15.2%). Quantum Pacific (a 27.8% shareholder) will also sell a portion of its stake to ASC. The Apollo Group will provide “new capital to support the club’s long-term plans, including additional investments in Atlético Madrid’s teams and major infrastructure projects.”

“Apollo Sports Capital is a great ally that respects the history, traditions, and identity of Atlético and its fans, while also providing resources and renewed enthusiasm to help us maintain our growth and competitiveness,” Gil said.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – A dive into the past with an eye on the future. Leo Messi paid a visit yesterday to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, “a place I miss with all my heart. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I hope that one day I can return — and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never had the chance to do…,” Messi added, with a hint of regret.

The 38-year-old Argentine left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer, after his contract renewal fell through. He then joined PSG before moving to Inter Miami. It was a painful farewell, as he never had the opportunity to properly say goodbye to the fans who supported him for nearly his entire career.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews