MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “There are still 36 points available and we are four points behind, not eighteen. And no matter what happens, this is Real Madrid and as long as we can still fight mathematically, we will do it. And if a moment ever comes when even mathematically we cannot fight anymore, we will keep doing it anyway.” Álvaro Arbeloa is trying to lift the mood around the club, which has fallen into gloom after two consecutive defeats against CA Osasuna and Getafe CF. Those losses pushed Real Madrid from the top of La Liga—where they had a two-point lead over FC Barcelona—to second place, now four points behind the Catalan side.

“The league season is still long and we will fight in every match to take the three points. I understand that at Real Madrid defeat is always difficult to handle, but right now the only thing we are thinking about is tomorrow’s game.” The risk of ending the season without trophies is looming, but Arbeloa does not want to hear talk of failure: “I’m only thinking about the match against RC Celta de Vigo. That’s the only thing on my mind right now. There is no point explaining why you lost. Here at Real Madrid the only thing that matters is winning the next match. I know the team can play better, that we have the players to do it, to fight more, compete more and have a more ambitious mentality, one that reflects what this badge represents. And until the last day I am here, I will fight and work to make that happen.”

Still without Kylian Mbappé (“but I speak with him every day and it’s all good news, he’s getting better every day”), Arbeloa also defended Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono, who have become scapegoats for the recent defeats.

“I remember what people were saying when Vinícius Júnior first arrived—look where he is now: he has won two UEFA Champions League titles and is one of the best players in the world. I think we need to have a lot of patience with players not only of that potential but of that level. Playing for Real Madrid is different from playing for any other team in the world. They have my full confidence. I believe they have great ability and that they will be very important, not only for the future but also for the present of Real Madrid.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – No alarm bells. Harry Kane will miss tomorrow’s Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but his presence on Tuesday in Bergamo against Atalanta BC in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 does not appear to be in doubt.

“He took a knock to his calf and hasn’t fully recovered yet,” said Vincent Kompany, who also confirmed the return of Manuel Neuer for tomorrow’s game and the absences of Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies. “It’s just a knock, nothing serious at the moment, but we probably needed another day for him to be ready to play. We’re quite relaxed. Of course, we would have liked to have Harry available, but these things happen.”

The victory over Borussia Dortmund seems to have almost wrapped up the Bundesliga title race, but the Belgian coach remains cautious: “We’ve already had an 11-point lead and we know how quickly things can change. We’re only looking at our performances and our wins. The standings are good, but the only thing that matters right now is Gladbach. It may sound like a cliché, but for me it’s a way of life.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Parliament has unanimously approved legal amendments allowing police to conduct roadside drug tests for the first time.

Under the new law, officers will be able to carry out the tests without requiring reasonable suspicion or a court order, mirroring the system already used for alcohol checks.

The measure aims to strengthen road safety and deter drivers from getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.

The amendments also introduce mandatory prison sentences for anyone found guilty of causing a death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, even if the death was unintentional. Courts will no longer be able to issue suspended sentences in such cases.

Penalties for driving under the influence have also been increased, including in cases where the offence results in serious or very serious injuries.

In addition, prosecutors will now have the power to request the suspension of a driver’s licence while a case is ongoing.

The law further introduces aggravating factors for offences such as hit-and-run incidents, speeding, and driving without a licence or insurance.

A new offence has also been created for the distribution of material that promotes dangerous driving.

Minister for Home Affairs Byron Camilleri described the amendments as a stronger enforcement tool designed to deter reckless behaviour on the roads. He said the changes send a clear message that no one should risk another person’s life through irresponsible driving.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TEHRAN (IRAN) (ITALPRESS) – Iran’s participation in the next World Cup is in doubt, but Iraq is also at risk of not participating. According to the Guardian, the Baghdad Football Association (IFA) has received a letter from Iraqi Airways and the Ministry of Transport stating that the country’s airspace will be closed for “at least four weeks.”

This situation would jeopardize the intercontinental play-offs Iraq will compete in later this month in Mexico, with coach Graham Arnold—who is meanwhile stuck in Dubai—possibly having to withdraw 40% of his squad.

The only alternative would be a grueling 25-hour bus journey to Turkey, but even this option could be ruled out for security reasons. Furthermore, following the outbreak of conflict between the US and Iran, many embassies in the Middle East have been closed, and several players and staff members have not yet obtained visas for Mexico or the US, where the national team was initially scheduled to go on a training camp.

“We’re spread across the world right now and are trying to prepare as best we can. We need to plan the transfer as if the match were actually played, but at the moment that doesn’t seem likely,” an IFA source told the Guardian. “We’re talking to FIFA, who want the match to go ahead, but there are many hurdles to overcome. At some point, they’ll have to make a decision.”

Iraq, which would compete for a World Cup spot on March 31st with either Bolivia or Suriname, had also been tipped as the leading candidate to replace Iran in the event of a playoff defeat and Tehran withdrawing.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – MLS can wait. Antoine Griezmann has decided to put his overseas move on hold for now. “Le Petit Diable,” who turns 35 on March 21, has rediscovered his star power at Atlético Madrid, and with a chance of winning the Copa del Rey after eliminating Barcelona, ​​he’s no longer convinced he’ll leave the club during the season.

An offer from Orlando City is on the table, but it expires at the end of the month and at this point it seems destined to remain there, with Griezmann aiming to win another trophy with Atlético, not to mention the Champions League, where Simeone’s team is still in contention, before leaving Spain.

Meanwhile, the signing of former Inter, Liverpool, and Barcelona player Philippe Coutinho with the Los Angeles Galaxy has fallen through: in recent weeks, the 33-year-old Brazilian had decided to terminate his contract with Vasco da Gama and seemed close to reaching an agreement with the Californian franchise. According to “As”, however, the parties did not reach an agreement, so much so that the Galaxy decided to focus on Erik Thommy.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A charter flight will bring stranded Maltese nationals home from the United Arab Emirates in the coming days, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg announced.

Around 215 Maltese citizens living across the Middle East have contacted Malta’s Consular Directorate seeking assistance after the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent escalation in the region.

In a video address, Borg said the government had secured a private airline to repatriate those currently in the UAE, where 169 of the Maltese who requested help are based.

“If everything goes to plan and safety is guaranteed, the flight will leave in the coming days from Dubai airport,” Borg said, adding that affected individuals would receive further details directly.

“Our priority is that all Maltese citizens are safe and return as soon as possible,” he said.

Prime Minister Robert Abela later confirmed that the government will cover the cost of the charter flight, ensuring affected families will not have to pay for the arrangements. The price of the operation was not disclosed.

More than 1,650 Maltese nationals are currently living across the Middle East.

According to aviation analytics company Cirium, more than 20,000 of the 36,000 flights scheduled to depart from or arrive in the Middle East since Saturday have been cancelled amid the conflict.

While some airlines have resumed limited operations from major hubs such as Dubai and Riyadh, governments worldwide have been chartering aircraft to repatriate citizens stranded by the disruption.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) (ITALPRESS) – Following the wave of violence following the killing of drug trafficker Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” the Mexican government, at the urging of President Claudia Sheinbaum, has organized a meeting with FIFA to discuss security for the upcoming World Cup.

National Security Director Omar García Harfuch announced that the meeting was attended by Interior and Foreign Ministers Rosa Iela Rodríguez and Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Defense Minister General Ricardo Trevilla, and Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles, as well as representatives of Mexico City, Jalisco, and Nuevo León, the three states hosting the tournament.

The meeting examined the “intelligence, prevention, and operational deployment protocols” that will be implemented during the event. The aim is to ensure, through joint work among various stakeholders, the safety of the population and those visiting the country during the World Cup. A total of 13 matches will be played in Mexico—hosting a World Cup for the third time after the 1970 and 1986 editions—spread across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Rome’s Sapienza University is looking to expand its digital footprint in Malta through its online branch, UnitelmaSapienza.

The Malta Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed this week in Rome, establishing “a structured framework for enhanced cooperation” between the two nations.

The MoU was signed by Professor Bruno Botta, Rector of UnitelmaSapienza, and Malta’s Ambassador to Italy, Daniel Azzopardi, in the presence of Minister Ian Borg and other officials.

The agreement follows Professor Botta’s visit to Malta last year, where he met with Minister Borg in Valletta to discuss future collaborations.

According to the ministry, the MoU “sets out a structured approach to explore the possible establishment of a Sapienza presence in Malta, the provision of academic and professional services in sectors relevant to the Maltese economy, and cooperation in education and training, including areas of interest to Maltese diplomats and public officials.”

Minister Borg praised UnitelmaSapienza, EducationMalta, and the Maltese Embassy in Rome for swiftly building on last year’s discussions.

“This agreement will advance the development of academics and students in our countries and beyond. Quality education is the most effective pathway to equality, resilience, and prosperity,” Borg said, urging both sides to create tangible opportunities that contribute to socio-economic growth.

Professor Botta highlighted that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening academic and institutional ties between Malta and Italy.

Present at the signing were UnitelmaSapienza’s Director General, Mauro Giustozzi; Vice Rectors Rosella Castellano and Pier Luigi Petrillo; and the Head of the Internationalisation Office, Maria Grazia Semilia.

The MoU paves the way for future collaborations in education, training, and professional services, signaling a new chapter in Maltese-Italian academic cooperation.

-Photo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Malta-flagged container ship, the Safeen Prestige, was struck off Oman’s coast Wednesday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel alerted Maltese authorities around 1 p.m. Malta time after being hit by an unknown projectile above the waterline.

The impact caused a fire in the engine room, but no crew members were injured. Sailing from Sharjah, UAE, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the ship was expected to arrive Sunday.

This was the fourth attack in Gulf waters within 24 hours, with projectiles striking or near-missing three other vessels off Oman and the UAE.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed full control of the Strait and warned of risks from missiles and drones.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Renato Gaucho is the new coach of Vasco da Gama. After the dismissal of Fernando Diniz, the Rio de Janeiro club has decided to take on the 63-year-old Brazilian, a former Roma striker, who has signed a contract until December. This is Renato’s third stint at Vasco, following his stint between 2005 and 2006 and his first return in 2008.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews