ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Samir Al-Shalabi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Tripoli, met with Carmen Sakhr, Head of Mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Libya.

According to an official statement released by the Syrian Embassy, the talks focused on developments regarding voluntary repatriation and ways to facilitate procedures for the return of Syrian nationals to their homeland.

These efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relevant Libyan government authorities and UNHCR.

The parties also examined possible mechanisms to address the issue of missing Syrians, with a view to supporting and facilitating the voluntary repatriation process.

For her part, Sakhr provided a comprehensive briefing on the assistance that UNHCR has provided and continues to provide to Syrians registered with the agency, outlining the humanitarian and legal services available to them.

-Photo: IPA Agency-

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona has secured additional funding to complete the renovation of the Camp Nou stadium.

The club has announced the issuance of a €300 million bond, approved by the assembly of delegate members, which will enable the stadium redevelopment works to be completed. Goldman Sachs will be responsible for arranging the bond issue.

On September 19, Barcelona’s board of directors had received approval for another €210 million bond, backed by television rights. That issue was subsequently completed last month.

Construction work on the stadium roof is scheduled to begin at the end of the season. The project is expected to take several months to complete. As a result, Hansi Flick’s team will have to return temporarily to playing at the Montjuïc stadium.

Barcelona’s full return to the Camp Nou, with all renovation work completed, is expected in January–February 2028.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Third-country nationals (TCNs) coming to Malta will face significant increases in government fees from January 1 under measures introduced in Budget 2027.

The changes, outlined in Bill 15 tabled by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, will see several application fees increase, with some rising as much as sixteenfold.

International students will be among those hardest hit. Study visa fees will rise from €100 to €300 for standard processing and from €150 to €400 for extended services. Student residence permits will increase from €50 to €500, while renewals will cost €150.

Students must also pay an annual €400 infrastructure contribution, bringing their minimum government fees to around €1,200, compared with approximately €200 previously.

Other increases will affect family reunification applications, which will rise from €50 to €800. Residence permit applications for non-EU partners of Maltese residents will also cost €800, while long-term residency fees will double to €1,000.

The measures also introduce an €83 monthly charge for non-EU nationals holding a Maltese driving licence. Employers bringing new foreign workers to Malta will face an additional €200 in application fees, taking the total to €800.

Caruana has defended the measures, arguing they are intended to reduce Malta’s dependence on foreign labour and encourage businesses to invest in technology and capital.

However, the changes have attracted criticism from business organisations and trade unions over their potential impact on workers and employers.

The TCN Alliance described the measures as a “slap in the face” for thousands of foreign workers struggling with the cost of living.

Malta’s business chamber said higher fees could discourage employers from recruiting foreign workers but questioned the lack of incentives for investment in productive capital.

– Photo Pexels –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – The match against Denmark will not be an ordinary one for Portugal, as it will mark the beginning of the post-Ronaldo era.

Before the squad was announced, the Portuguese striker and captain revealed his decision to retire from international football, 23 years after making his debut for the national team.

Tomorrow, in Braga, ahead of the Nations League match, all Portuguese players will take to the pitch wearing the number 7 shirt as a tribute to him.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the initiative was agreed upon by Portuguese Football Federation president Proença, head coach Jorge Jesus, and captains Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.

A symbolic tribute will also take place in the seventh minute of the match, allowing the fans to join in the celebration, with UEFA’s approval.

Furthermore, given that this is the first national team training camp without CR7, the Portuguese Football Federation has decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo’s usual room vacant at the Cidade do Futebol – Portugal’s equivalent of Coverciano – in the Casa dos Atletas residence.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Two final matches as head coach of the United States, then a return to England to manage Manchester United. The Old Trafford club has announced that “Mauricio Pochettino has accepted the position of first-team manager, effective November 18. The club has reached an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation to allow Mauricio and his staff to be released from their commitments to the United States national team.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keeping energy prices stable through public subsidies, asserting that Malta is “the only country” where energy remains affordable “despite the uncertainties” in international markets.

According to local media reports, Abela emphasized that affordable prices are essential for economic competitiveness and the energy transition.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The former Italian Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco, has been awarded the Wissam Alaouita in the rank of Grand Officer—a prestigious honor conferred upon him by King Mohammed VI at the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in the Kingdom.

As reported by the news agency MAP, the decoration was presented on Thursday in Rome by the Moroccan Ambassador to Italy, Youssef Balla, during a ceremony held at the Moroccan ambassador’s residence. In his remarks, Balla emphasized that this high royal honor serves as recognition of Barucco’s contribution to strengthening the friendship between Morocco and Italy, consolidating political and institutional dialogue, and developing the bilateral partnership. The Moroccan ambassador also praised the Italian diplomat’s commitment to promoting economic cooperation and cultural exchange between the two nations.

“Morocco and Italy share a long tradition of friendship, nurtured by history, culture, and a common vision of the Mediterranean as a space for dialogue, peace, and prosperity,” Balla stated. For his part, Barucco expressed his profound gratitude to King Mohammed VI for this prestigious distinction, noting that he felt deeply honored following more than four years at the helm of the Italian diplomatic mission in Rabat.

The former ambassador also acknowledged the significant progress Morocco has made across various sectors, highlighting the positive momentum that characterizes the relationship between Rome and Rabat.

The ceremony was attended by numerous prominent figures from the Italian political and diplomatic spheres, including the former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and former Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini; former Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Marina Sereni and Emanuela Del Re; as well as senior representatives of the Italian diplomatic service.

-Photo Map-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – With Liverpool since 2018, wearing the captain’s armband and serving as an Anfield icon, 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk is a symbol of the “Reds”—yet his contract is expiring, and his future remains uncertain. “Let’s see what the season brings. It’s been an extraordinary experience at this club so far. If there’s an extension, great; if not, I’ll move on elsewhere,” the Reds’ captain said, as reported by BBC Sport.

Liverpool is keen to avoid repeating the mistake made with Salah (who could leave on a free transfer), while also wishing to respect the wishes of a champion who has contributed so much to the club.

Starting in January, Van Dijk will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club; according to BBC Sport, both AC Milan and Juventus are monitoring the situation.

There is also interest from Turkish clubs, but Liverpool is prepared to open renewal negotiations, aiming to extend the long-standing partnership with the Dutch central defender.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – A magical evening. Harry Kane was the undisputed star of the match between England and Croatia—a game the “Three Lions” won 2-1, securing their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals. The winning goal, unsurprisingly, came from a Kane penalty, but it was the surrounding atmosphere that made the night at Wembley truly special.

Before kick-off, he showcased his recently won Ballon d’Or, while a massive image of the England captain was displayed inside the iconic London stadium, alongside the number 126—marking the Bayern Munich striker’s total appearances for the national team (surpassing the legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton). It was a magical evening, filled with intense emotions that are hard to put into words.

“It’s hard to find the words to describe what it means to become England’s all-time most-capped player,” Kane wrote on social media following the night at Wembley. “As a child, I always dreamed of representing my country. To have had the honor of being captain, leading the team onto the pitch, representing England at the World Cups, and now becoming the player with the most appearances ever… I have truly lived my dreams.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty chaired a meeting with senior ministry officials to oversee preparations for the sixth edition of the Aswan Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, scheduled to take place on November 21–22 in the city of Aswan.

The event will see the participation of government ministers, high-ranking United Nations officials, and representatives from regional and international organizations. During the meeting, Abdelatty reviewed the progress of organizational and substantive preparations for the Forum, urging continued coordination to ensure the initiative’s success and to highlight Egypt’s role in promoting peace, security, and development across Africa and the region. Finally, Abdelatty reaffirmed the Forum’s function as a platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning peace, security, and development.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews