ROME (ITALPRESS) – Granit Xhaka is officially a new Sunderland player. The Swiss, who has also been linked with AC Milan in recent weeks, arrives from Bayer Leverkusen.

“I’m very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I sensed their energy and mentality. It’s been a long wait, but now I’m here and I can’t wait to get started,” said the midfielder, who has signed a three-year contract.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia is interested in Robert Lewandowski. As Mundo Deportivo reports, several clubs in the Saudi Pro League have expressed interest in the Barcelona center forward, coming off a season that saw him score 42 goals in 52 appearances.

The striker is happy in Barcelona, and the Blaugrana club would like to keep him. According to the newspaper, however, Laporta’s club would not oppose the transfer if the Polish player—who turns 37 on August 31st—were to ask to leave.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – In the Throne Speech delivered Tuesday evening, King Mohammed VI of Morocco reiterated his outstretched hand to Algeria to resolve the bilateral crisis that has lasted 50 years due to Algeria’s dispute over Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara.

Mohammed VI affirmed his “unwavering attachment to the policy of outstretched hands towards our brothers in Algeria,” emphasizing Morocco’s continued willingness to engage in a “frank and responsible,” “fraternal and sincere” dialogue on the unresolved issues between the two countries. “The Algerian people are a brotherly people united by centuries-old human and historical ties with the Moroccan people, particularly through language, religion, geography, and a common destiny,” the Sovereign declared, according to the MAP news agency. The King stated that this commitment arises from “the firm conviction we hold within us regarding the unity of our peoples and our common ability to overcome this deplorable situation.” He renewed his call to “build bridges, not walls” and to work for a future in which “reason and the superior interests of both peoples” prevail.

Referring to the construction of the Maghreb Union, Mohammed VI emphasized that it cannot be achieved “without a sincere and joint commitment from Morocco and Algeria,” along with the other states in the region. The Moroccan sovereign also welcomed the positive momentum surrounding the Sahara Autonomy Plan proposed to the UN in 2007 and defined it as “the only realistic solution” to the regional dispute. “We express our thanks and consideration to the friendly United Kingdom and the Portuguese Republic for their constructive positions in support of the Autonomy Proposal, within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” he stated. Finally, Mohammed VI reiterated the need for a “consensual” solution “in which there are neither winners nor losers,” confirming Morocco’s willingness to pursue a peaceful and mutually acceptable outcome. To date, 123 UN member states have recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara or supported the Autonomy Plan, including 24 members of the European Union.

– photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Luis Diaz is officially a new Bayern Munich player. The Colombian striker has signed a four-year contract with the German club, which paid £65.5 million to Liverpool to secure the player’s registration.

“I am very happy to be part of Bayern Munich, because it is one of the most important clubs in the world. I want to help my new team with my style of play and my personality. My goal is to win every title possible, and we will work every day to achieve that,” explained Diaz, who will wear the number 14 jersey.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Edward Scicluna has been reinstated as Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, a year after stepping aside amid criminal charges related to the Vitals scandal. In a statement, the government confirmed that Scicluna had requested reinstatement from Prime Minister Robert Abela and Finance Minister Clyde Caruana. His request was accepted following consultation with the European Central Bank, which raised no objections.

Scicluna voluntarily suspended himself in July 2024, though he initially resisted calls to step down after being charged with alleged dereliction of duty. The charges relate to his time as Finance Minister, during which he was accused of enabling the fraudulent privatisation of three public hospitals. Known as the Vitals scandal, the case involves a controversial concession granted to Vitals Global Healthcare to run St. Luke’s, Karin Grech, and Gozo General hospitals. The government had previously described Scicluna’s suspension as being “in the national interest.” However, a government statement said that the Cabinet had been informed of recent developments and welcomed Scicluna’s return.

– photo Department of Information –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Facebook that Malta will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. The timing of the statement came just minutes after hundreds protested in Valletta, demanding urgent action and chanting “Free Palestine” in protest of Israel’s blockade and starvation tactics in Gaza. The crowd banged pots and pans outside the Prime Minister’s office.

“Our position reflects our commitment to efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East,” Abela wrote on Facebook. He added the decision would be formalised by Permanent Secretary Christopher Cutajar. But protesters and activists were sceptical, recalling two prior unfulfilled commitments on Palestinian recognition.

Activist Andre Callus urged the government to stop enabling “a genocidal and apartheid state,” while former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca made a searing speech denouncing global silence on Gaza. “If you are silent now, you are complicit,” she said, describing Palestinian children dying of hunger or missile attacks. Joana Ejbali, speaking for organisers Moviment Graffitti, called attendees “warriors of peace” and demanded sanctions on Israel and an end to weapons shipped via Maltese-flagged vessels.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – James Trafford is a new Manchester City player. The English club announced the news in a statement, specifying that the 22-year-old goalkeeper arrives from Burnley, signing a five-year contract until June 2030. For the goalkeeper, this is a return to City, as Trafford spent nearly eight years in the Citizens’ Academy before moving to Burnley in 2023.

“This is a truly special and proud moment for both me and my family,” said Trafford. “I’ve always dreamed that one day I could return. This is the place I call home: it’s a truly special football club, with fantastic people who make it a unique place to work and play. I’m truly thrilled and honored to have had the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola and a group of world-class players. I’m still very young and I’m eager to continue learning and improving, and I know there’s no better environment to help me.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Kylian Mbappé becomes Real Madrid’s new number 10. The Spanish club revealed this news on their website, updating the former PSG player’s number. The French striker ace previously wore the number 9, as the 10 was worn by Modric, who has now moved to AC Milan. The number 9 is now available, but Gonzalo Garcia and Endrick are already the main candidates to inherit it.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) -
A large protest erupted outside Malta’s parliament in Valletta on Monday evening, as environmental activists demanded the government immediately withdraw two controversial planning reform bills.

Led by Moviment Graffitti, demonstrators insisted there could be no negotiation or compromise. “Withdrawal is our only demand,” a spokesperson declared, calling it a matter of democratic principle. The protest was fuelled by growing public outrage after Prime Minister Robert Abela dismissed criticism of the proposed legislation earlier in the day, suggesting that opponents had misunderstood the reforms.

Protesters displayed banners reading “Stop the destruction” and “Government hijacked by developers,” accusing the government of serving private interests at the expense of the public. Critics warn the proposed reforms would grant the Planning Authority sweeping discretionary powers, restrict court appeals, and allow ministers to revive lapsed development permits — all without adequate public consultation. Several opposition MPs attended the protest in a show of solidarity, joining calls for the immediate withdrawal of the bills.

Tensions flared when Abela arrived at parliament and was directly confronted by activists, who accused him of evading consultation and acting on behalf of developers.
“You want to take the people for a ride,” said one protester, challenging Abela’s defence that the legislation was being misunderstood.

Activist Andre Callus of Moviment Graffitti pressed the prime minister on why civil society had been ignored during the drafting process. Abela responded curtly, “We will talk to you,” before walking away — twice — as frustrations mounted. Under mounting pressure, Abela eventually said the bills would not be voted on until talks with civil society had taken place, though he stopped short of pausing the parliamentary process.

Environmental groups have condemned the reforms as disastrous, while opposition figures argue they would severely erode judicial oversight and democratic safeguards in Malta’s planning system. As the protest came to a close, activists remained adamant: unless the bills are withdrawn, resistance will only intensify.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille are in pole position to sign Neymar. According to Argentine website Tyc Sports, the Brazilian’s adventure at Santos is now coming to an end.

Since his return in January, the 33-year-old has played only 16 of Santos’ 27 matches this season due to injuries. The team lost to Corinthians in the Paulista semifinals, was eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by second-division Regatas, and is currently seventeenth in the Brasileirao, in the relegation zone, with 15 points.

Neymar could therefore leave Brazil, and according to Tyc Sports, Marseille, eternal rivals of PSG, the former team of the 1992-born player, are interested in the player.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews