ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has lifted the safety advisories issued in 2013 and 2015 concerning Libyan airspace. According to a statement released by Libya’s Government of National Unity on Facebook, this decision marks a significant milestone in restoring the country’s airspace to the international aviation map.

The move comes after more than a decade and follows efforts to modernize airport infrastructure and navigation systems. The government plans to launch a promotional campaign to attract global airlines, encouraging direct flights and the use of Libyan airspace as a corridor between Europe and Africa.

The initiative aims to increase air traffic, boost revenue, and create new economic and tourism opportunities, while Tripoli continues its work toward removing the remaining restrictions on Libyan airlines.

-Photo: IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Jorge Jesus’s preliminary squad list for the Portuguese national team’s upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.

The news was confirmed by ‘A Bola’, following an initial report by the newspaper ‘O Jogo’. While the inclusion of the national team captain on the preliminary list is not surprising—nor does it guarantee his final selection—it is a necessary step for any potential return to the squad.

This follows his departure from the training camp ahead of the match against Denmark—an incident that occurred after the former Juventus star had taken part in the warm-up, despite not having played in the preceding match against Norway.

Ronaldo was initially placed under a precautionary suspension, followed by a 30-day ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee of the Portuguese Football Federation; however, this sanction will expire before the start of the training camp for the national team’s next two fixtures.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will rely entirely on its own electricity generation for around eight days as the electricity interconnector linking the island to Sicily is temporarily shut down for works on a second interconnector. The project is estimated to cost €300 million, with around €261 million financed through European Union funds. The 122-kilometre cable, with a capacity of 225 megawatts, is intended to double Malta’s electricity interconnection capacity and strengthen the security of the island’s energy supply.

Enemalta and Interconnect Malta (ICM) said the existing interconnector (IC1) would be taken out of service for approximately eight days from Tuesday, 27 October.

The shutdown is necessary to allow the next phase of work on the second interconnector (IC2), which will connect Malta to Europe’s energy grid through a new electrical link.

The works will involve connecting a newly installed 220 kV reactor to the hybrid switchgear using high-voltage cables routed through trenches completed earlier this month.

According to Enemalta and ICM, the activities will require heavy construction machinery, specialised lifting equipment and cable-pulling machinery to operate within the terminal station.

The existing interconnector was also switched off earlier this month to allow the completion of cable trenches and modifications to high-voltage infrastructure.

During that shutdown, Malta experienced a widespread power cut on 8 October.

Enemalta maintained that the blackout was caused by human error and was not linked to problems with electricity generation or supply.

-Photo Interconnect Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi will not be in London tonight for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar is certain to be among the top ten, but he has opted to remain in Miami. While this could be a sign that he will not be receiving the ninth Ballon d’Or of his career, his decision was also influenced by the extensive travel he has undertaken in recent days: on Friday—as noted by “La Nacion”—he was in Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award; he then flew to New York for a league match against the Red Bulls, before returning to Miami for the presentation of the second edition of the Messi Cup. Furthermore, Inter Miami has an MLS match scheduled for Wednesday against Cincinnati.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Former Liverpool and Stoke City player Jermaine Pennant, 43, had a frightening experience, requiring 50 stitches in his right leg. The former footballer told “The Sun” that he was out walking his two dogs in North London when he was attacked by a German Shepherd. One of his dogs, King, tried to defend him, but it wasn’t enough to prevent four bite wounds that required 50 stitches.

“I was attacked by a German Shepherd,” he had previously written on Instagram. “I tried to protect King, but the dog latched onto my leg. I ended up on the ground, with the dog still clamped onto my leg and showing no signs of letting go—until King stepped in. He didn’t understand what was happening, but as soon as he got involved, he confronted the other dog and prevented what could have been a truly horrific situation for me. King came away unharmed, save for a small bite on his paw.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Bad news for Barcelona. During the defeat against Real Madrid, Xavi Espart sustained an injury: the 19-year-old defender has suffered “an injury to the syndesmosis of his right ankle” and will be sidelined for seven weeks. He will miss, among other matches, the clash against Atletico Madrid on November 8th; the *Blaugrana* hope to have him back in time for the Champions League fixture against Manchester City on December 8th. For Flick, this represents another defensive setback—adding to the absences of Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Jules Koundé—which had previously forced the German coach to field the same back four both at the Parc des Princes and on Sunday at the Camp Nou.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “We’ll see what happens. I’m not expecting anything.” Michael Carrick does not appear to fear being sacked, despite Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, just days after their 4-1 loss to Como.

The Red Devils have now gone eight games without a win across all competitions, and the position of the English manager is under threat. Carrick took over from the dismissed Ruben Amorim in January and was subsequently confirmed in the role at the end of the season after securing Champions League qualification.

“I’m just trying to take in what happened” Carrick said. “We knew it was an important day to try to make progress, but we didn’t manage to do that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m trying to process everything. The emotions I felt at the end of the match were something I had never experienced before.”

Carrick, who left Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up after the midfielder had criticised the manager following the defeat to Como, went over to acknowledge the fans chanting his name at the end of the game.

“From my side, it wasn’t a farewell,” he clarified. “I appreciate their support.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

COMO (ITALPRESS) – Como have announced the contract extension of striker Tasos Douvikas, who has signed a new deal with the Lariani club until 2031.

Having arrived on the shores of Lake Como during the winter transfer window of the 2024/25 season, the Greek centre-forward has made 68 appearances for the Biancoblù, scoring 27 goals and providing five assists in all competitions.

Last season, Douvikas scored 14 goals, finishing the campaign as Serie A’s second-highest scorer.

This season, the striker has found the net in each of the first three matchdays of the Champions League, a competition in which both he and Como made their debuts.

Commenting on his contract extension, Tasos said: “I am very happy to continue my journey with Como. I have felt at home from the very beginning and immediately sensed the club’s ambition. I have grown a lot since arriving, thanks to coach Fàbregas and his staff. This group is like one big family to me. I want to keep helping the team by giving my very best.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUXELLES (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) – Today, the European Commission launched the T-MED Investment Platform, to mobilise large-scale investment in renewable energy and clean technologies across the Mediterranean. The platform is a key component of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED), a flagship initiative of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The platform was presented by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica during a stakeholder event in Brussels, bringing together European and international financial institutions, private investors and project promoters to identify investment opportunities and projects that could benefit from Commission support.

EU support will include up to €4.5 billion in guarantee capacity under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), helping reduce investment risks, attract private capital and accelerate the implementation of viable renewable energy and clean technology projects across the region. The platform will facilitate cooperation between financial institutions, investors and project promoters, matching promising projects with potential sources of financing and helping turn investment opportunities into concrete projects.

The Mediterranean holds considerable untapped renewable energy potential. The T-MED Investment Platform aims to unlock this potential by supporting investments in renewable electricity generation, renewable hydrogen, electricity transmission and distribution networks, energy storage, cross-border interconnections and clean technology manufacturing.

Beyond financing, the platform will support efforts to improve regulatory frameworks, permitting procedures, grid access and power purchase agreements, while promoting skills development and local clean technology value chains. By addressing these barriers to investment, T-MED will help strengthen energy security, deepen economic cooperation and create new opportunities for sustainable growth across the Mediterranean.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government is expected to continue subsidising energy bills and providing financial assistance to families and pensioners in Budget 2027, maintaining measures that help shield households from rising living costs compared with many other EU countries.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that energy and fuel subsidies will remain in place for another year, with €400 million allocated for 2027 to keep prices stable.

Abela also announced that working parents will receive double the tax benefit under the upcoming Budget.

Further tax cuts for other workers are also expected, as the government seeks to provide additional financial support amid international economic uncertainty.

Budget 2027 will be presented this evening, Monday, 26 October.

The government spent €400 million this year on energy and fuel subsidies, helping households and businesses avoid higher costs despite rising international prices.

Malta continues to record comparatively low fuel prices within the European Union. Petrol costs €1.34 per litre, against an EU average of €1.99, while diesel stands at €1.21, compared with the EU average of €2.14.

Abela said Malta’s economy is growing by around 4%, enabling the government to maintain financial support while safeguarding economic stability.

He also stated that the country’s budget deficit would remain below 3% of gross domestic product, with public debt staying below 50%.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews