VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – S&P Global Ratings has confirmed Malta’s sovereign credit rating at ‘A’ with a stable outlook, citing improving public finances and strong economic fundamentals.

The agency said Malta is likely to exit the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure as its fiscal position strengthens, with the deficit forecast to fall to 2.9% next year.

Public debt is expected to drop below 40% of GDP in the coming years, supported by robust government revenues despite years of elevated spending, notably on energy subsidies.

Economic growth is projected to slow to 3.5% this year, but this remains well above the Eurozone average of 1.3%, underlining Malta’s relatively strong performance.

S&P noted a sharp decline in non-EU foreign workers, from 22,000 in 2022 to 11,000 in 2024, following tighter restrictions, warning that labour shortages could weigh on future growth.

The report highlighted improving fiscal balances after pandemic-era deficits, driven by strong tax income from iGaming and financial services, with the current deficit of 5.1% expected to fall below 3% by 2026.

Interest costs were described as low and sustainable, at 4.1% of government revenue.

However, the agency warned that fixed energy prices remain a significant fiscal risk, while competitiveness in financial services and iGaming, as well as governance standards, will be key to maintaining the rating.

S&P concluded that Malta’s strong external position, supported by tourism and services exports, justifies maintaining the ‘A’ rating with a stable outlook.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LEEDS (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “I’m very disappointed. I’ve done so much for this club, especially last season. I feel like the club has abandoned me”. These were the words of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, speaking to journalists after the Reds’ draw away against Leeds — a match the Egyptian watched from the bench. “From where I stand, it looks like they want to get rid of me, making me out to be the team’s problem”.

Then, regarding manager Arne Slot, he added: “I had a good relationship with him. Suddenly, that relationship was gone. I don’t know why. It seems like someone doesn’t want me at the club”, Salah concluded.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Harry Kane is calling Marc Guehi to Bayern Munich. According to the Bavarian newspaper “Tz,” the English striker is reportedly trying to convince his international teammate, whose contract with Crystal Palace expires at the end of the season, to join him in Bavaria.

This pressure has borne fruit in the past: Kane did the same with Eric Dier, who later moved from Tottenham to Bayern. Guehi is also among Liverpool’s targets, who, according to “Bild,” have also set their sights on the Bavarian club’s Michael Olise.

The Frenchman is reportedly on the Reds’ wish list, along with Juventus player Kenan Yildiz, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest despite growing calls for a boycott over Israel’s participation, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici confirmed.

His statement comes after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia withdrew from the event, following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to hold a vote on excluding Israel over its assault on Gaza.

Several human rights groups have described the Gaza offensive as genocide, prompting cultural and artistic organisations to urge participating states to shun the contest.

Bonnici insisted that Malta’s presence would not hinder efforts toward peace in the Middle East. He argued that cultural platforms help maintain dialogue, even amid conflict.

“We need to be constantly working towards peace,” he said. “Peace is achieved by keeping lines of communication open, and culture contributes greatly to this.”

He acknowledged the “well-intentioned” arguments in favour of a boycott but maintained that withdrawing would not bring an end to the conflict.

Bonnici, who has previously expressed support for the Palestinian cause, said he respected groups that have urged a boycott. He reiterated that Malta and the EU must continue pushing for a two-state solution, noting Malta’s recognition of Palestine as part of this effort.

“I’m not saying peace can be achieved through culture alone, but every little thing helps to foster dialogue,” he said.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The door remains open. On the sidelines of the World Cup draw in Washington, which assigned Brazil to a group with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t avoid yet another question about Neymar, who played a key role in Santos’s survival in recent matches despite a torn meniscus.

“I understand the huge interest in Neymar, and I want to be clear,” said the Brazilian coach. “It’s December, and the World Cup will be played in June. When I announce the squad list in May, if Neymar deserves to play, if he’s fit, and if he’s better than or at the same level as the others, he’ll be in the team. Period. I don’t owe anyone.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayern Munich will be able to count on Luis Diaz for their Champions League match against Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21st. The Colombian’s three-match suspension, handed down after his red card for a rough tackle on Hakimi on November 4th against PSG, has been reduced to two matches. The former Liverpool player will therefore serve his final matchday against Sporting on Tuesday.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The groups for the 2026 World Cup have been drawn. Featuring 48 teams for the first time, World Cup will be played in Canada, Mexico, and the United States next summer, from June 11 to July 19. The 12 groups, with the 42 qualified nations and the six “X”s representing the winners of the play-offs (four European and two intercontinental), were drawn at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The schedule will be announced tomorrow, and will then become definitive in March once the play-offs have concluded.

GROUP A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Play-Off Winner Play-Off D
GROUP B: Canada, UEFA Play-Off Winner A, Qatar, Switzerland
GROUP C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
GROUP D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-Off Winner C
GROUP E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
GROUP F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Play-Off Winner B, Tunisia
GROUP G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
GROUP H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
GROUP I: France, Senegal, FIFA Play-Off Winner 2, Norway
GROUP J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
GROUP K: Portugal, FIFA Play-Off Winner 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
GROUP L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – La Liga is tempting Nico Schlotterbeck. The German defender doesn’t appear to be willing to renew his contract with Borussia Dortmund, which expires in 2027, and the yellow and blacks could put him on the market at the end of the season to avoid losing him for free.

According to “Sky Deutschland,” Schlotterbeck would like to continue his career in Spain, where both Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested: the Blancos are looking for a replacement for Alaba, while the Blaugrana are backing his compatriot Flick his arrival. Between the two options, however, the player has reportedly given priority to Real. Bayern Munich is also in the background, which could lose Upamecano, but Borussia is not giving up and at the end of the season will present a renewal proposal that would make Schlotterbeck one of the highest-paid players in the squad.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – As sporting director Deco anticipated in recent days, Barcelona has secured Eric Garcia: the 24-year-old defender has said yes to a contract extension until 2031. All that’s missing is his signature, which will be signed next Thursday. A product of La Masia and brought back to Barça after his stint at Manchester City in 2021 (he was also loaned to Girona for the 2024-25 season), Garcia is Flick’s most used player, with 1,510 minutes in 20 games, thanks in part to his ability to play in multiple positions: central defender, right or left back, and midfielder in front of the defense.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Strengthening cooperation in the justice sector was the focus of talks held Friday in Rabat between Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Italian counterpart Carlo Nordio. According to Moroccan website Map Express, during the meeting, the two sides reviewed several issues of common interest, while also assessing the status of judicial cooperation between the two countries and ways to further consolidate it, particularly through strengthening bilateral coordination channels.

In a statement to the press following the meeting, Minister Nordio emphasized the mutual trust that unites the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirming Italy’s desire to continue building fruitful and constructive cooperation, particularly in the justice sector, according to Map Express.

This meeting, he stated, demonstrates the depth of friendship and solid cooperation between the two countries, recalling that Morocco and Italy share a common history, strong ties of friendship, and converging interests. For his part, Minister Ouahbi hailed the excellent quality of bilateral relations in various areas, noting that the two delegations discussed numerous joint issues with clarity and transparency. He also expressed hope for a further strengthening of this partnership in the coming months, especially considering Italy’s support for Morocco on numerous issues.

– photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews