VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Mariah Carey will perform in Malta on December 8 as part of her holiday tour. The American superstar announced the date on social media.

The Malta concert will follow three UK stops in Birmingham, London, and Manchester. Carey rose to international fame in 1990 with her debut album and hits such as “Vision of Love” and “Love Takes Time.” Her most recent studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi, dates back to 2005. Her hits include “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which holds the record for the longest run at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 among Christmas songs.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Closer ties between Canada and the European Union are creating new opportunities for cooperation, including at bilateral level, as Malta’s Foreign Minister Chris Fearne held talks with Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Oliphant, in New York.

The meeting at Malta’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations focused on Malta-Canada relations, with both sides discussing opportunities to strengthen cooperation through trade and investment and increased high-level political contacts.

The talks took place against the backdrop of increasingly close Canada-EU relations, which continue to open avenues for deeper cooperation between Canada and EU member states.

Fearne’s meeting with Oliphant formed part of his programme of engagements during UN High-Level Week, ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Fearne also chaired a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in his capacity as Chair of the Group. The meeting brought together ministers and representatives from Commonwealth member countries and focused on upholding the Commonwealth Charter, human rights and strengthening democratic processes.

– Photo Malta’s Foreign Ministry –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Claiming that referees have it in for Real Madrid means living in another galaxy. This narrative serves as an alibi to conceal other shortcomings, which are already visible to the naked eye in these opening games of the season. It is easier to imagine a conspiracy than to explain what is happening on the pitch.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas wrote this on social media in response to José Mourinho’s accusations, among others, against the referee following Real Madrid’s defeat in the derby against Atlético Madrid.

The head of Spanish football also commented on the controversial incidents from the match in an interview with Spanish daily AS, describing Huijsen’s red card as “beyond dispute”, while arguing that “the other foul did not warrant a red card. It was clear that he touched the ball first,” referring to Cristian Romero’s challenge.

Tebas adopted a more measured tone regarding Kang-In Lee’s studs-up challenge, which could have caused a serious injury to Federico Valverde: “It could have been a red card, perhaps it looked like one, and if it had been given there would have been nothing to argue about. On the other hand, the incident happened so quickly that I understand how things unfolded, that’s all.”

The 64-year-old Spanish football official absolved the referee of any responsibility, arguing that “Real Madrid did not lose because of these incidents.”

At the post-match press conference, José Mourinho had strongly criticised Ortiz Arias, saying that he “is not a great referee” and pointing, with photographic evidence, to the “two clear red cards” that were not shown to Simeone’s Atlético players.

The same line was taken by the Madrid club’s television channel, which Tebas described as an “unfair and cruel way of putting pressure on the referee.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Israel Football Association has accused Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity” over remarks he made last week.

During the announcement of the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, which include two games against Israel on September 27 and October 4, Hallgrimsson said: “We don’t play with genocide, we play against genocide. We play against Israel, not with Israel,” in response to a question about how to keep his players focused ahead of the matches.

Yesterday, the Israel Football Association responded on social media: “We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have yet to find a cure for the stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Irish national team coach. We are not playing against ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity; we are playing against a coach who embodies them.”

The Football Association of Ireland did not respond, but a protest was held yesterday evening outside the hotel where the Republic of Ireland squad is staying, as pressure mounts for a boycott of the matches.

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter promoted by the group “Irish Sport for Palestine” calling for a boycott of the matches against Israel. Ireland is due to face Israel in Hungary on September 27, before playing the return fixture in Serbia on October 4.

The letter states that the FAI, UEFA and the Irish government should have intervened before this stage, but that there is still time to “demonstrate the power of sport to unite”.

Among the signatories are Olympic athlete Ciara Mageean, Ireland women’s international footballer Louise Quinn, former Ireland rugby fly-half Tony Ward, who previously boycotted a team tour of South Africa, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

The Nations League fixtures mark the Republic of Ireland’s return to competitive action following their painful defeat to the Czech Republic in the World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final in March.

Since the penalty shootout defeat in Prague, the team have played four friendlies, beating Grenada and Qatar and drawing with North Macedonia and Canada.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has launched the first vehicles produced by national company Ceer, named “Exobot”. The announcement was reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The initiative represents a concrete step in the Kingdom’s strategy to develop an advanced industrial sector in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position on the global automotive industry map. “The launch of Ceer’s first cars represents another step forward for the Kingdom on its path toward building a sustainable and thriving industrial system and enhancing the automotive sector as a key driver of economic growth, by attracting investment, empowering national talent and strengthening the role of the private sector, with the aim of making Saudi Arabia a regional and global hub of excellence in this field,” the Crown Prince said.

The “Exobot” models, available as a sedan and an SUV, are Ceer’s first vehicles and part of a seven-model range that will be unveiled progressively over the next five years. The lineup will include small- and medium-sized vehicles with different powertrain options, designed to meet a range of customer needs. All models will be manufactured at the Ceer industrial complex within the King Salman Automotive Manufacturing Complex in King Abdullah Economic City.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the facility is the largest in the Middle East and one of the world’s most advanced automotive manufacturing plants. The “Exobot” vehicles feature a distinctive design inspired by the Kingdom’s landscape, rooted in its culture and reflecting its vision. The cars were designed and developed locally according to the highest international standards, further consolidating Saudi Arabia’s role as an emerging power in the regional automotive industry.

According to estimates, the company will contribute more than 30 billion Saudi riyals (approximately 8 billion dollars) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, improve the trade balance by around 80 billion riyals (approximately 21 billion dollars), and create skilled direct and indirect jobs by 2034. The announcement is part of the Public Investment Fund’s efforts to develop an integrated and competitive local ecosystem for the automotive industry, as part of its role as a key driver of economic diversification. PIF launched Ceer in 2022 as Saudi Arabia’s first automotive brand, with the aim of supporting the development of the national industrial base, attracting investment, creating opportunities for the private sector and increasing gross domestic product.

– Photo: Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – The Madrid derby isn’t over yet. Yesterday, during the post-match press conference, José Mourinho heavily criticized the officiating, even bringing along images of two controversial incidents. This attitude did not sit well with Atlético. The club posted a photo on social media showing Mourinho displaying those images, accompanied by a rather telling message: “Enough with the pressure on referees.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – After leading Spain to the top of the world, Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract as head coach until 2032. The news had been anticipated for days, but the 65-year-old manager has now signed the deal, meaning he will lead La Roja at the next two European Championships as well as the World Cup that Spain will co-host with Morocco and Portugal.

“We are talking about the most successful coach in the national team’s history; Luis de la Fuente deserves a long future with us,” said federation president Rafael Louzan. At the helm since 2023, De la Fuente has also won the most recent European Championship with Spain and reached the 2025 Nations League final.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisia’s Civil Protection agency has stepped up preparedness ahead of new weather disturbances expected from Wednesday onwards, following operations carried out between September 17 and 20 to tackle the impact of heavy rains.

Operational units will remain on high alert, with reinforced deployment in low-lying areas and locations prone to water accumulation, where forward response teams will be stationed to enable immediate intervention.

Regional committees for disaster prevention and management are also ready to intervene if necessary. According to forecasts from the National Institute of Meteorology, the rainfall expected starting Wednesday should be less intense than the severe weather experienced in recent days.

Between September 17 and 20, Civil Protection units removed 73 vehicles from flooded roads, carried out 59 water-pumping operations at homes and commercial premises, and conducted 158 site inspections to assess water accumulation. Personnel also assisted 189 people in crossing flooded areas.

Finally, Civil Protection urged the public not to attempt to cross watercourses or flooded zones—particularly in inland regions—and advised motorists to take necessary safety precautions and observe traffic regulations.

-Photo: www.pexels.com-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – First national team call-up for Jean Butez. Zinedine Zidane has had to rule out Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser due to a rib injury and has decided to call up the 31-year-old French goalkeeper from Como in his place; he will join Mike Maignan and another debutant, Guillaume Restes of Toulouse. France has four Nations League matches ahead, including the October 2nd game against Mancini’s Italy.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

GENEVA (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Granit Xhaka has made a confession. The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder, currently under investigation by the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office, admitted via social media that he had previously purchased a fake Covid vaccination certificate. “At the time, I was personally very unsure and harbored major reservations regarding vaccination. I felt a deep mistrust of the vaccine and was overcome by fear and uncertainty. In that turbulent state of mind, I bought a vaccination certificate instead of resolving my doubts through the proper channels.” Xhaka, who expressed regret and a willingness to take responsibility for his actions, will not participate in the upcoming Swiss national team camp.

“The decision was reached by mutual agreement during a discussion between Xhaka and the ASF leadership,” read a statement from the Federation. “Granit Xhaka informed us of the situation last night and also told us that he intended to speak publicly about it and accept responsibility,” explained Federation President Peter Knäbel. “We appreciate Granit’s decision to take this step and address what happened. At the same time, we mutually concluded that it is in the team’s best interest to hold this camp without him.” Amenda and Zakaria have also been dropped from the squad due to physical issues; they are being replaced by Isaac Schmidt (Young Boys), Vincent Sierro (Parma), and Joel Monteiro (Lecce).

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews