VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg has condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states not directly involved in the conflict, urging restraint as tensions escalate across the Middle East.

Borg held separate calls with  the Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the crisis and coordinate support for Maltese nationals in the region.

He said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism is monitoring developments through embassies and consular services, advising Maltese citizens to remain indoors and travellers to postpone trips. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have offered complimentary accommodation to stranded travellers, including Maltese nationals whose lodging arrangements have lapsed.

Ahead of an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, both Gulf leaders urged Malta to maintain talks with Israel and the United States to facilitate the repatriation of EU citizens wishing to leave.

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed the government is working to bring home Maltese and Gozitan citizens caught in the conflict, describing the situation as unprecedented. “Both my office and that of the deputy prime minister are working to protect those Maltese and Gozitans who have been caught outside our shores,” Abela said.

The escalation followed large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf states. More than 1,400 flights to and from Middle East destinations were cancelled on Sunday, complicating evacuation efforts. Borg, speaking from Rome during an official visit with the Maltese President, reiterated Malta’s call for restraint, dialogue and respect for international law. “Malta will continue to advocate for restraint, for dialogue, for international law, and for the full protection of civilians,” he said.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

DORTMUND (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – It’s raining cats and dogs at Borussia Dortmund. After their shock elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atalanta and yesterday’s defeat to Bayern Munich, which effectively ended their title hopes, the Gialloneri are dealing with the serious injury to Emre Can.

The 32-year-old former Juventus player, who came off at halftime of the 3-2 defeat to the Bavarians, underwent tests that revealed a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee.

“Emre’s injury is a tough blow, not just for him, but for all of us,” said sporting director Sebastian Kehl. “He’s our captain, he always puts the team first, and he’s an essential part of our club. Emre will receive our full support over the coming months as he makes a full recovery.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has called for maximum restraint amid rapidly escalating tensions involving Iran and Gulf states, as missile strikes and retaliatory attacks heighten fears of a broader regional conflict. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said the government was “deeply concerned” by unfolding developments across the Middle East, the Gulf and Iran. “We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, respect international law, and allow dialogue to prevail,” Borg said in a statement. He added that Malta’s consular teams, both locally and at embassies across the region, are fully engaged in assisting Maltese citizens.
(ITALPRESS).
Photo: social Ian Borg

Source: medNews

8MEXICO (ITALPRESS) – Mexico is strengthening security measures ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, introducing advanced airspace control systems at the tournament’s main venues. The goal is to prevent potential risks associated with the presence of unauthorized drones during matches and side events that will attract thousands of fans.

The strategy—as announced on the Mexican website Excelsior—will be managed by the First Emergency Response Battalion of the Secretariat of National Defense, which will use state-of-the-art equipment equipped with detection, real-time tracking, and electronic jamming systems.

These technologies will identify and neutralize unmanned aircraft flying over sensitive areas around stadiums and fan fests organized across the country. The security plan specifically concerns the three Mexican cities hosting the tournament matches: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

A total of 13 World Cup matches will be played in Mexico, including the opening match scheduled for June 11 in the capital.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – In 2020, Barcelona knocked on Brescia’s door for Sandro Tonali, but Milan ultimately won. He moved to Newcastle in 2023, but now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barça is ready to return to the hunt for the 25-year-old Italian midfielder. The two clubs will face each other in the Champions League round of 16, and the Azzurri will be under special observation, and perhaps in the meantime the two managements will discuss the matter.

It won’t be easy because other big clubs, such as Arsenal, are also interested in the player. In Italy, Juventus has long been interested in him, not to mention Roma and Napoli. He has a contract with Newcastle until 2028, and a return to Italy wouldn’t be a problem, but the Premier League, with which he already knows his name, and Barcelona remain highly attractive options.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The government on Friday evening unveiled its long-awaited Malta Vision 2050 strategy during a high-profile event outside the entrance of Valletta.

Billed as a comprehensive roadmap for the next 25 years, the strategy aims to shape Malta into a safe and resilient nation that promotes quality of life.

The plan sets out 100 measures and will be accompanied by a dedicated website featuring a public dashboard to track progress. Oversight will be entrusted to a project management office within the Office of the Prime Minister, tasked with coordinating implementation across ministries.

The launch event outlined four main pillars underpinning Vision 2050.

The first focuses on sustainable economic growth, shifting from expansion driven by volume to a model centred on productivity and higher-value industries.

The second pillar seeks more accessible services, including reforms in mobility, healthcare and digital governance.

The third addresses resilience and education in response to technological change, climate pressures and demographic shifts. It includes a €91 million investment to modernise schools, a national skills intelligence system to forecast labour market needs and a €300 million second interconnector to strengthen energy security.

The fourth pillar targets smarter use of land and sea, with commitments to turn three sites into open public spaces.

Six flagship initiatives were highlighted: a mass transit system, an overhaul of public transport, expanded healthcare capacity, education reform, energy sector transformation and regeneration of the Grand Harbour.

While confirming that mass transit will form part of mobility reforms, the government has yet to publish details on its design, rollout and financing.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

OSLO (NORWAY) (ITALPRESS) – Just as Norwegian football is at its peak (Haaland and his teammates at the World Cup, Bodo Glimt in the Champions League round of 16, to name just two examples), a betting scandal has erupted. According to NRK, seven people have been arrested for fixing matches in the Eliteserien, the top professional division of the Norwegian league. Two players from KFUM Oslo were among those arrested, as announced by the club itself.

According to local press, the investigation is ongoing and further developments are expected soon. “What is happening is truly very sad,” said Football Association of Norway general secretary Karl-Petter Løken to NRK, “for everyone involved and for our entire football community. There is zero tolerance for betting on matches in which one is personally involved. The situation becomes even more serious when players are allegedly involved in directly manipulating matches, even if not in the final result.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economy expanded by 6.4% in real terms during the final quarter of last year, maintaining a strong growth trajectory, according to provisional figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The data show that economic growth between October and December was primarily driven by the services sector, alongside solid performances in trade, transport and communications.

In nominal terms, the economy reached €6.3 billion during the three-month period, representing an increase of more than €442 million compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

From an expenditure perspective, both domestic and foreign demand contributed to the expansion. Household consumption rose by more than 3%, while government expenditure increased by over 6%.

International trade also supported growth. Exports climbed by 6.1%, outpacing a 3.9% rise in imports, resulting in a positive net contribution from foreign trade.

Overall price increases remained moderate, indicating that the 6.4% growth reflects a genuine rise in economic output rather than inflationary effects.

Income data show that the €442 million increase in output was distributed widely across the economy. Employee compensation rose by more than €100 million, business profits increased by €140 million, and over €200 million was generated through taxes on production and imports.

The figures confirm that Malta closed the year with sustained economic momentum, underpinned by robust domestic consumption and continued strength in the services sector.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has reacted with sharply divided views after the European Commission ruled that EU member states may voluntarily use existing funds to support access to abortion services across the bloc.

In a decision responding to the “My Voice, My Choice” citizens’ initiative, the Commission said countries could rely on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to finance abortion access, provided this is done “voluntarily and in accordance with their national laws”. However, it stopped short of proposing new, dedicated funding.

The announcement was welcomed by activists in Malta, where abortion remains largely illegal. Campaign organiser Belle de Jong described the move as “more than historic”, arguing it would ensure Maltese women “will no longer be criminals for accessing healthcare”.

Malta is among the most restrictive EU countries on abortion. The procedure remains illegal except in cases where a woman’s life is in danger, following a 2023 amendment prompted by the high-profile case of US tourist Andrea Prudente, who travelled to Spain for a termination after being denied care in Malta.

Posting on X, Maltese MEP Peter Agius criticised the Commission’s stance, stressing that “abortion is a matter to be regulated by Member States” and noting that no specific EU instrument for cross-border abortion had been created. One Maltese MEP described the decision as “a ‘no’ masked as a ‘yes’”.

The European Parliament had previously endorsed the citizens’ initiative, which gathered more than one million signatures and called for a voluntary EU solidarity mechanism to fund safe and legal abortion access for women forced to travel abroad.

European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib defended the decision, saying member states are now able to use EU funds to support women in remote areas or without financial means. She described the step as enabling better access to safe abortion care across Europe.

Activists welcomed the recognition that EU funds can be used for this purpose but expressed disappointment that no additional resources were allocated. They urged the Commission to issue clearer guidance to member states willing to opt in.

The debate has reignited discussion in Malta, which ranks at the bottom of the EU for abortion access, according to the European Abortion Policies Atlas 2025.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona’s midfield continues to struggle. Just as both Pedri and Gavi are ready to return, Frenkie De Jong, another key player in the Blaugrana midfield, has been sidelined. As the club reported on social media, the Dutchman sustained a tear to the distal biceps of his right leg during today’s training session, which will keep him sidelined for approximately five to six weeks.

The midfielder, who scored in Flick’s team’s 3-0 win against Levante, underwent the necessary medical tests, which confirmed his recovery time. Due to this injury, De Jong will miss the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid, for which Barcelona are required to make a sensational comeback (a 4-0 defeat at the Colchoneros’ home stadium), at least five league matches (including the big matches against Simeone’s team and Villarreal), the Champions League round of 16 (both first and second legs) and the hypothetical first leg of the quarter-finals.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews