VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has formally revoked a national honour awarded to Britain’s former US ambassador Peter Mandelson following controversy over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A notice in the Government Gazette confirmed that Mandelson’s appointment as honorary officer of the National Order of Merit, granted in 2016, has been terminated.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 23(2)(c) of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act, it is notified that the honorary appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to the National Order of Merit has been terminated,” the notice read.

The clause empowers the president, acting on the prime minister’s advice and in consultation with the opposition leader, to revoke honours where conduct is deemed unworthy.

The decision followed calls by political party Momentum for the title to be withdrawn.

Malta’s National Order of Merit forms part of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika honours system, recognising exceptional service by citizens and foreign nationals across four grades.

Mandelson, a former Labour MP and key architect of New Labour, was honoured for his work as EU Commissioner for Trade, including negotiating bilateral agreements seen as beneficial to Malta.

He had been praised for supporting Malta’s European ambitions and its development as a trading nation and financial hub.

However, Mandelson has faced mounting scrutiny over his association with Epstein.

Court documents show he was mentioned multiple times in the so-called Epstein files, including in emails discussing cabinet matters. Records also indicate Epstein transferred $75,000 into accounts linked to Mandelson and sent £10,000 to his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

Photographs of Mandelson in a bathrobe and underwear were also reportedly found among the files.

The controversy has triggered political fallout in the UK, particularly for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson ambassador to Washington despite his past association with Epstein after the financier’s conviction.

Mandelson has since resigned from the House of Lords, been dismissed as ambassador to the United States, and is under investigation by UK police.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – The alleged incident of racism that occurred during the first leg of the Champions League play-offs between Benfica and Real Madrid at the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon continues to spark discussion. This time, Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany spoke out in English at the pre-match press conference for tomorrow’s match against Eintracht Frankfurt, scheduled for 3:30 PM.

He defended Vinicius, but also harshly criticized Jose Mourinho‘s comments. “He says Benfica can’t be racist because their greatest player of all time was Eusébio. Do you know what the players went through in the 1960s?” the Belgian said, also stating that “it’s not right to use his name to discredit Vinicius.”

After this initial attack, there is a desire to restore peace. “I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about José. I understand he fights for his club, but he made a mistake. I hope it doesn’t happen again,” Kompany concluded, after stating at the start of the press conference that “what happened off the pitch is even more serious than what happened on it.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “December could arrive, and with it my desire to retire,” said Neymar Jr. in an interview with CazèTV, reported by Marca. The main topics discussed were not only his physical condition, which is currently recovering, but also everything related to his adventure at Santos, this summer’s World Cup with Brazil, and above all his retirement. “I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know what will happen next year,” said the Brazilian star, who continued by discussing his priorities. This year is very important for Santos and for the Brazilian national team. There’s the World Cup, it’s a very big challenge. Speaking about his fitness, a topic that has sparked considerable discussion following several missed matches against Santos, the former PSG and Barcelona player wanted to clear up any doubts: “I wanted to get back to playing at 100% this season, so I rested for some matches and took better care of myself. Santos helped me a lot in this regard, planning everything.”

“Obviously, I wanted to come back to help my team in the best way possible, but I preferred to wait a bit to be able to get back to 100%, without pain, without fear, without anything, and I managed to come back very well in this last match,” concluded the Brazilian, referring to the match against Rioclarense, a 6-0 win, in which he came on as a second-half substitute. In conclusion, the topic of retirement is inevitable, about which the 1992-born player was very sincere: “I live year by year, I will do what my heart tells me.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s citizenship agency is closely monitoring developments surrounding a Russian national holding a Maltese passport who has been placed on the United Kingdom’s most wanted list.

Earlier this week, it emerged that Alexander Kuksov, 23, who acquired Maltese citizenship through the now-defunct golden passport scheme, is wanted by the National Crime Agency over alleged involvement in a billion-dollar money laundering network.

The Community Malta Agency, responsible for citizenship matters, confirmed that Kuksov’s name has come to the attention of national authorities and said it would “follow any developments in this case closely.”

Citizenship can be revoked if wrongdoing is established, even after naturalisation. “Each case must be examined on its merits. In similar instances, we have always taken a decision when required, and we will not hesitate to take such a decision again,” the agency said.

UK authorities have charged Kuksov with proceeds of crime offences, alleging he was involved in the movement of millions of pounds in criminal cash as part of an organised crime group. His current whereabouts are unknown.

The case follows the October 2025 revocation of Maltese citizenship for his brother, Semen Kuksov, who is serving a five-year UK sentence for laundering more than £12 million. The National Crime Agency described him as operating a “professional banking service for criminals across the world.”

Both brothers and their father, Vladimir Anatolyevich Kuksov, were listed as new Maltese citizens in 2022, weeks before Russians were barred from the scheme after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Malta scrapped its citizenship-by-investment programme earlier this year following a European Court of Justice ruling, replacing it with a discretionary scheme for individuals deemed to have “exceptional merit.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is among two EU member states resisting a proposed blanket ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers, unless it secures backing from the G7. Alongside Greece, Malta is reportedly unwilling to support the measure without endorsement from the G7 group of leading economies — a prospect seen as unlikely. The proposed ban forms part of the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, which the European Commission aims to unveil next week to mark four years since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this month pledged a “full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil,” barring EU firms from servicing tankers carrying Russian oil. The move would deny ships access to European insurance and ports. However, von der Leyen indicated the ban would follow a G7 decision. Nordic and Baltic states are understood to be pushing for the ban regardless of G7 backing. Malta and Greece, which host major ship registries and ports, argue it could damage the bloc’s maritime competitiveness.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Julián Álvarez’s stay at Atlético Madrid is set to end, after just two years. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Argentine journalist Hugo Balassone has confirmed that the Albiceleste striker’s time at the club could end at the end of this season. Despite fairly concrete interest from Arsenal, Balassone reports, Barcelona is ready to finalize the deal, for a fee around €70 million. The 2000-born player “would like to join a team that can compete for titles,” something that, so far, Simeone’s team has been unable to achieve.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – FIFA and the Board of Peace (BoP) have signed a historic partnership agreement to actively seek investment from international leaders and institutions, leveraging football to support recovery, stability, and long-term development in conflict-affected regions. The agreement, signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Yakir Gabay, member of the Gaza Board of Peace, High Representative for Gaza H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, and Commissioner Head of the National Committee for Gaza Administration, Ali Shaath, establishes a long-term framework to build a comprehensive football ecosystem, providing world-class infrastructure, structured community programs, and sustainable economic opportunities in Gaza, Palestine. The BoP, unveiled by US President Trump at the World Economic Forum in January 2026, brings together international leaders and institutions committed to promoting reconstruction and stability in fragile regions. Initially focused on Gaza, the BoP coordinates humanitarian assistance, reconstruction efforts, and long-term stabilization.

“Today, FIFA and the Board of Peace signed a historic partnership agreement that will promote investment in football to support the recovery process in post-conflict areas,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following the signing ceremony held at the headquarters of the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace. “FIFA wants as many people as possible around the world to participate in our sport and benefit from the opportunities it creates. Football unites people and contributes to a more prosperous, educated, equitable, and peaceful world. Together with the support of the Board of Peace, FIFA will lead this partnership, which is built to have an impact at every stage.” The first phase of the collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive recovery program for Gaza, combining physical reconstruction with social and economic activation. The infrastructure plan includes 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches located near schools and residential areas, five full-sized playing fields in different districts, a state-of-the-art FIFA Academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium. In addition to construction, the program prioritizes job creation, workforce training, youth participation, organized championships for girls and boys, community engagement, and the promotion of local businesses.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ITALPRESS) – Arsenal F.C. and Bukayo Saka will remain together for a long time to come. The 24-year-old England international, who had been in negotiations over a renewal for quite some time, has officially signed a contract extension with the Gunners until 2031, as announced in a statement released by the London club.

With this new deal, the 2001-born winger becomes the highest-paid player in the squad and one of the top earners in the Premier League, receiving, according to BBC Sport, a salary of more than £300,000 (around €343,000) per week.

Having joined the club’s academy in 2010, the English winger has worn the red shirt since a very young age, making his first-team debut in 2018. Over the past eight years, Saka has made 294 appearances and scored 77 goals for Arsenal, also becoming a key figure for the England national team.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco has the potential to play a leading role in the production and export of green hydrogen, thanks to its abundant renewable resources and strategic port infrastructure. This is according to an analysis published by the World Bank and relaunched by Le360, which estimates that Moroccan green hydrogen exports could reach between 0.3 and 0.65 million tons by 2030, rising to between 3.4 and 9.5 million tons by 2050. At the same time, this energy source will also help meet domestic demand, particularly in the transportation and chemical industries.

Four port platforms emerge as pillars of the national strategy: Tangier Med, Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and a future port in the Tan-Tan area. According to the World Bank, their complementarity would optimize the entire green hydrogen value chain, from production to storage to export. In particular, Tangier Med—one of the largest container ports in the Mediterranean—could establish itself as a hub for the refueling of green maritime fuels along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Jorf Lasfar, already an industrial hub serving the OCP group, could accelerate the decarbonization of the fertilizer sector through green ammonia. The port of Mohammedia offers competitive advantages for storage thanks to the presence of salt caves, while Tan-Tan benefits from exceptional solar and wind conditions that could enable low-cost, export-oriented production.

In terms of costs, the International Energy Agency estimates that Morocco could produce green hydrogen at between $1.5 and $2.5 per kilogram by 2050, with some even more competitive estimates ranging between $0.6 and $1.3/kg. This trajectory is part of a rapidly growing European demand, particularly under the REPowerEU plan, which envisages the import of over 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030. Meanwhile, the OCP Group aims to produce 1 million tonnes of green ammonia by 2027 and 3 million by 2032, confirming the strategic role of green hydrogen in the energy transition and the Kingdom’s industrial competitiveness.

– Photo Le360 Website –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will not participate in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Robert Abela.

The Maltese Prime Minister had previously indicated that Malta was considering an informal invitation to participate, a position that drew criticism, including from within the Labour Party.

When asked about a possible final decision, Abela stated that the government is still evaluating the situation and awaits the outcome of today’s session.

“We will then take the necessary decisions, particularly regarding Gaza and ensuring lasting peace in the region,” he stated.

The European Commission announced that it will send Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, to the meeting as an observer, attending only the sessions dedicated to Gaza. Abela called the decision “an interesting development.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews