VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has defended new budget measures targeting third-country nationals (TCNs), reiterating the need to curb population growth and prevent the total number of inhabitants from reaching 800,000.

Starting January 1st, non-EU citizens will be required to pay for childcare services that were previously free.

Fees for the renewal of work permits will also increase. Additionally, monthly contributions of 83 euros for car usage and 33 euros for public transport are being introduced.

These measures have sparked protests from businesses, activists, industry stakeholders, and the Church, all of whom are concerned about the potential for discrimination against foreign workers. The budget also raises the environmental tax on tourist stays.

From January 1st, this levy will increase to 8 euros per day for hotels—capped at 64 euros—and to 10 euros for short-term rentals, up to a maximum of 80 euros. This increase will also apply to Maltese citizens vacationing within the country.

While acknowledging that Malta’s economy relies on its current population size, Caruana ruled out further growth at the pace seen in recent years.

He argued that future development must focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and automation, rather than on expanding the workforce.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Birmingham could prove to be just a stepping stone.

In his first season with Aston Villa following two years at Parma, Zion Suzuki is showcasing his full potential and demonstrating why PSG and Juventus were already interested in signing him last summer.

According to British website TEAMtalk, the European champions managed by Luis Enrique continue to monitor him closely, alongside Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham.

The 24-year-old Japanese goalkeeper has successfully taken over from Dibu Martinez (now at Chelsea) without feeling the pressure of the role. He has attracted attention for “his ability to operate as a sweeper-keeper and to build play from the back”.

According to the British website, Aston Villa are not concerned about losing their prized asset. Suzuki joined the club from Parma last summer for £30 million (approximately €36 million) and signed a five-year contract.

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Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced positive results from the drilling of the Nassim-1X natural gas exploration well in the Taiba concession area in the Mediterranean Sea.

The preliminary assessment has identified a gas-bearing formation, with an estimated initial volume of approximately 200 billion cubic feet.

The discovery comes as part of efforts to strengthen research and exploration activities.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The draft budget for the Tunisian National Defense mission for 2027 includes allocations totaling 5,628.249 million dinars—equivalent to approximately 1.68 billion euros—representing a 12% increase over 2026. This was announced by the Minister of National Defense, Khaled Sehili, during a hearing before two joint parliamentary committees.

According to the Minister, investment expenditures will see a 15% increase, accounting for 28% of the total budget. The draft budget aligns with the 2026–2030 Development Plan and the Ministry’s ten-year strategy for 2021–2030, which aims to strengthen the operational readiness and response capabilities of the armed forces against both traditional and non-conventional threats.

During the session, the Minister highlighted the role of the armed forces in combating terrorism, crime, smuggling, and irregular migration, as well as in securing borders and supporting civil authorities, in accordance with legal provisions.

Members of Parliament also addressed issues concerning military training, healthcare, scientific research, digitalization, and the development of the defense industry. Discussions further touched upon the entry into service—on October 15—of the naval vessel “Kairouan,” which parliamentarians cited as a significant achievement for Tunisia in the field of military production.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Victor Osimhen has undergone surgery on his left knee following an injury sustained during the Champions League match against Stuttgart, which Galatasaray won 2-0.

The Istanbul-based club announced that the former Napoli striker had “undergone surgery” and that his condition “will be monitored through daily assessments, with his treatment continuing under the supervision of our medical staff”.

During the Champions League match against the German side, the Nigerian striker suffered “a hyperextension of his left knee”. He subsequently underwent an MRI scan, which “revealed a loose fragment”.

The surgery was performed today by the club’s doctor, Yener Ince.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta channelled more than €5.16 million towards the European Union’s Ukraine Facility in 2025, bringing its support for the bloc’s assistance to Ukraine to a figure exceeding its separately reported humanitarian spending for the year.

Foreign Minister Chris Fearne disclosed the contribution in a parliamentary reply.

He said part of the funding was allocated to measures aimed at mitigating the humanitarian impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, while also supporting efforts to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion in Ukrainian society.

The €5,159,221.11 contribution formed part of EU support financed through the bloc’s general budget and classified as official development assistance.

It was approximately €1 million higher than Malta’s separately reported humanitarian assistance expenditure of €4,156,131 for the same year.

Fearne cautioned that the humanitarian spending figures remained provisional and were subject to discussion and validation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The breakdown included €75,042 in humanitarian assistance specifically allocated to Ukraine, separate from Malta’s contribution to the EU Ukraine Facility.

The largest portion of the humanitarian expenditure, amounting to €3.09 million, represented Malta’s share of EU spending across various countries.

A further €279,676 was channelled through the United Nations to support targeted humanitarian operations.

Among individual countries and territories, the Palestinian territories received the largest allocation, at €368,684.89.

Haiti and Sudan each received €75,000, while Congo was allocated €50,000 and Yemen €40,000.

Jamaica and Cuba each received €35,000, followed by Pakistan with €20,000 and Libya with €12,728.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) is backing Gianni Infantino in his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. The CFU, which brings together Caribbean football associations and is affiliated with CONCACAF, stated that “following a formal consultation process, the 25 FIFA-affiliated CFU member associations have expressed their unanimous support for the re-election of Gianni Infantino as president of the world football governing body in the 2027 elections. The CFU offers its support with the expectation that FIFA will continue to uphold the highest standards of governance and promote the necessary reforms to ensure that every member association is represented and receives fair treatment.” The elections are scheduled for March 18, 2027, and the CFU’s support secures 25 votes for Infantino.

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Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Things did not go as Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and—most notably—Leandro Paredes had hoped. FIFA’s Appeal Committee has upheld the 10-match suspension handed down to the Boca Juniors midfielder.

There is better news, however, for Nahuel Molina: the Roma and ‘Albiceleste’ defender has seen his suspension reduced from seven matches to four, with his fine also lowered from $77,000 to $60,000.

The suspensions stem from a brawl that broke out following the final, which Argentina lost to Spain. Molina was penalized for punching Rodri during Spain’s celebrations, while Paredes was sanctioned for pushing and striking Eric Garcia, as well as for an altercation with Gavi. For Paredes, the 10-match ban and $90,000 fine remain in place.

The AFA has announced that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the decision on Paredes’s suspension, as well as the sanctions imposed on the federation concerning alleged racist chants.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – He turned down a call-up from Belgium head coach Mark van Bommel due to a lack of playing time; however, at AC Milan, he has found opportunities and—despite some ups and downs—has managed to stand out, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

According to the British outlet ‘CaughtOffside’, the 24-year-old central defender—formerly of Genoa—is also on the radar of Newcastle, Tottenham, Leeds, and Brentford; in short, nearly half the Premier League.

The specialized British site further reports that, in addition to De Winter, both United and Chelsea are closely monitoring Jacobo Ramón—a Spaniard currently playing for Como—who has just received his first call-up to the Spanish national team (the reigning world champions).

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Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Six players currently playing in the Italian league have been included in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Roberto Mancini’s Italy (on the 12th at San Siro) and Turkey (on the 15th in Bordeaux).

Pablo Pagis, a 23-year-old forward for Paris FC, receives his first-ever call-up to the senior national team, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has been called up for the first time under Zidane. The other five players based in Serie A are Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Andy Diouf (Inter), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), and both Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot (Milan). France currently leads the group with 10 points—the result of three wins and one draw (against Italy)—and needs just one point from their final two matches against Italy and Turkey to secure a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Here is the full list of Zidane’s “Les Bleus”:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens).

Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Leny Yoro (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Desiré Doué (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Pagis (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter).

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews