VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – President Myriam Spiteri Debono used her Christmas message to highlight the pressing challenges Malta faces, warning that economic success alone is not enough to secure the common good. While acknowledging strong economic growth driven by hard work, the president said the country must confront growing concerns about quality of life. She pointed to work-life balance, the rising cost of living and mental health as major preoccupations affecting many families.

Environmental degradation, poverty, homelessness and addiction were also cited as issues requiring urgent attention. Spiteri Debono stressed that these challenges cannot be ignored and must be addressed collectively through open and honest dialogue. She said both government and non-government organisations have a shared responsibility to find solutions that put people at the centre of policy.

The president expressed hope that Malta would remain an island of peace and solidarity, while continuing to promote these values internationally. She urged the public to support future generations and ensure that the spirit of solidarity associated with Christmas endures throughout the year. “By working together,” she said, “we can overcome the obstacles and challenges that we face.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The government has once again pushed back the introduction of free HIV prevention medication, announcing that a tender for the medicines will only be issued in 2026, despite a continued rise in HIV cases in Malta.

Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela confirmed that the tender will cover Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), two internationally recognised treatments used to prevent HIV transmission.

Abela was speaking after figures published in parliament showed that 721 people are currently living with HIV in Malta. He confirmed that 125 new cases were diagnosed up to November 28, 2025, adding that the overall number of patients could change as people move into or out of the country.

The delay has drawn criticism from NGOs and activists, who have long been calling for free access to PrEP and PEP. They argue that the government has failed to act with sufficient urgency at a time when HIV infection rates are climbing.

In its long-awaited sexual health strategy, first released as a white paper in December 2024, the government committed itself to providing free PrEP for people considered at high risk of contracting HIV.

In December 2024, Abela had said that the treatment would be introduced in 2025 after funds were allocated in the national budget. However, the latest announcement means the actual provision of the medicines will be delayed even further.

The minister said the free provision of PrEP and PEP would cost €1.6 million over a three-year period, a figure he described as sustainable within the health budget.

PrEP is a preventive medication taken by HIV-negative individuals and, when taken consistently, reduces the risk of sexual transmission of HIV by about 99 per cent. It is also highly effective in lowering the risk of infection among people who inject drugs.

PEP, on the other hand, is taken after a potential exposure to HIV, usually within 72 hours, and is continued for 28 days. Medical studies estimate its effectiveness at around 80 per cent when taken correctly.

The postponement comes as Malta continues to register alarming HIV statistics. Last week, the HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe Study reported that Malta’s per capita rate of new HIV diagnoses had risen to the highest level in a decade and remained the highest in Europe for the second consecutive year.

The study noted that while most European countries have seen a steady decline in new HIV infections, Malta recorded its highest infection rate since 2015.

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Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “He will be out for a couple of months. It’s a big blow both for him and for us, he was getting back to being the player we had seen at Newcastle.” Arne Slot confirms reports regarding Alexander Isak’s recovery time after the fractured fibula he suffered in the match against Tottenham.

An injury caused by “a reckless challenge. Van de Ven’s tackle — if you do it ten times, I believe ten times there’s a serious chance a player suffers a severe injury,” said the Liverpool manager, pointing the finger at the Spurs defender.

The English tabloids have already started naming possible attacking reinforcements to cope with Isak’s absence, above all Semenyo. “But I’m only thinking about the next two matches, two difficult games,” Slot replied. “This is the moment for the players who are available to do what they’ve already done many times: roll up their sleeves. They have to give everything they’ve got, just like the fans usually do. That’s where my focus is.”

As for the possibility of recalling Elliott early from his loan at Aston Villa, Slot shut the door: “He’s expected to stay there for the whole season. Any questions about him should be directed to Aston Villa.”

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – For the second time in his career, Luis Enrique has been named Club Manager of the Year by the IFFHS, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

For the PSG manager, who had already won the award in 2015 while at Barcelona, ​​it was an almost predictable victory, given that he won six trophies during the year: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, French Super Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup, and Intercontinental Cup.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Barcelona manager Hansi Flick rounded out the podium. Two other Italians finished in the top 10: Antonio Conte, sixth, and Simone Inzaghi, seventh.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Real Madrid is against everyone, against Barcelona, ​​against the referees, with a narrative aimed at making people believe that what’s happening today, with some refereeing errors, is the consequence of what happened in 2019 or 2017.” Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, points the finger at Real Madrid and the strategy adopted in recent weeks by Florentino Perez, who has made the Negreira case his personal battle. “This discussion will create tension all weekend,” Tebas claims. “They’re trying to build a narrative that referees are influenced these days. It’s very dangerous, because that’s not the case.”

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will support San Marino in preparing for integration into the EU’s Single Market under a new Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries’ parliaments.

The agreement aims to help San Marino establish best practices in its legislative processes as it prepares to implement EU rules ahead of its planned entry into the Single Market.

San Marino has been negotiating an Association Agreement on participation in the Single Market since 2015, alongside Andorra and Monaco.

The MoU is understood to include guidance on scrutinising EU legislation and transposing it into national law.

A joint parliamentary committee made up of representatives from both countries met on Monday, alongside the signing of the agreement.

San Marino’s foreign affairs committee chair Michele Muratori described the agreement as a “great day” for the country’s parliament.

Labour MP Edward Zammit Lewis said such joint committees were important because they also engage citizens on key challenges facing the European Union, including the rule of law, fundamental rights and market access.

Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami said Malta and San Marino could “achieve a lot together”, noting that the two countries have much to learn from one another.

“I hope this agreement will serve to strengthen collaboration between the two countries,” he said.

The EU’s Single Market allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital and people among participating states.

While it is a cornerstone of EU membership, the Single Market also includes non-EU countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as well as Switzerland, which has partial access.

Malta has been part of the Single Market since joining the European Union in 2004.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Manchester United is ready to act in January to give Ruben Amorim at least a midfield reinforcement. English sources have reported that one of the hot names is Ruben Neves, whose contract with Al Hilal expires in June. The Saudis, to avoid losing him for free, are willing to negotiate, and the Portuguese former Wolverhampton midfielder would gladly return to the Premier League, provided he accepts a salary far from his current one (over €24 million).

But Neves, also in Newcastle’s sights, isn’t the only name on the Red Devils’ agenda, who may also be considering a double move given the injury to Bruno Fernandes: according to “Talksport,” the Old Trafford area is also considering Conor Gallagher, formerly of Chelsea and now at Atletico Madrid. The Colchoneros, however, have reportedly announced that they will only part with the 25-year-old midfielder permanently (he’s valued at around €40 million), while United would prefer a loan deal, thus giving them more leeway in the summer transfer window.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Rafinha retires from football at 32. The Brazilian, who grew up at Barcelona, ​​where he won the treble in 2014, and who also played for Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, PSG, and Inter, announced his retirement on social media. Rafinha had been sidelined since the summer of 2024, when his contract with Al Arabi expired in Qatar.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MONTE CARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Takumi Minamino’s season has come to an early end. The 30-year-old Japanese midfielder for Monaco, who was injured against Auxerre in the French Cup, has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The injury will also rule him out of the World Cup with the Japanese national team, as well as depriving Monaco of a player who had so far stood out with 4 goals and 3 assists in 21 appearances.

The Principality side will face Juventus on January 28, on the final matchday of the Champions League league phase.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s fiscal watchdog has endorsed the government’s latest fiscal forecasts, but warned that the country is unlikely to fully comply with EU fiscal rules under current projections.

In its latest report, the Malta Fiscal Advisory Council (MFAC) said Malta has significantly exceeded its expenditure commitments under the excessive deficit procedure opened by the EU in 2024.

While the council found the government’s fiscal projections for 2025 and 2026 to be within an “endorsable” range, it cautioned that exceptional spending in 2024 has pushed expenditure well beyond agreed limits.

The latest forecasts now project a 5.8% rise in net expenditure, despite Malta benefitting from the most flexible EU spending limits available.

As a result, cumulative deviations from the agreed expenditure path are expected to reach 2.19% of GDP in 2025 and 1.44% in 2026, leading the council to conclude that full compliance with EU fiscal rules is not expected.

The MFAC also warned that while risks to the 2025 deficit appear broadly balanced, 2026 carries a higher risk of a larger-than-projected deficit due to weaker revenue and upward pressure on spending.

The council urged the government to rein in expenditure, pursue sustainable deficit reduction, address long-term structural challenges, and urgently update national legislation in line with the revised EU fiscal framework.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews