VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Civil society group Occupy Justice has condemned government official Neville Gafà after he was filmed removing tributes to murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia just hours after commemorations marking the eighth anniversary of her assassination.

Hidden camera footage showed Gafà, a staffer in the Office of the Prime Minister, clearing flowers, wreaths and candles from the Great Siege Memorial around 3am on Friday. The items, placed by activists, relatives and foreign embassies, were later found in nearby bins. The memorial was targeted several times overnight. Occupy Justice accused Gafà of misleading followers by posting an earlier video suggesting the tributes had not been replaced. The group questioned whether Prime Minister Robert Abela condones such conduct from a taxpayer-funded employee.

Centrist party Momentum called for Gafà’s immediate dismissal, a transparent investigation, and a public apology from the Prime Minister. Leader Arnold Cassola described the act as “a blatant show of disrespect toward the memory of a murdered journalist.”

Several embassies expressed anger after their tributes were destroyed. The Dutch embassy said it was “appalled,” declaring: “Vandals can destroy our flowers, but not our support for Daphne.” The Irish and German embassies echoed the sentiment.

Gafà, a controversial former aide to ex-premier Joseph Muscat, has faced numerous scandals including migrant pushback operations, a Libyan visa racket, and threats against journalists. Despite past court findings against him, he was reappointed to government in August 2025.

Repubblika president Vicki Ann Cremona said the act “is an outrage to democracy” and urged that both Gafà and his superiors be held accountable.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A migrant monitoring group has accused Maltese authorities of failing to respond to distress calls before a boat carrying about 35 people capsized in Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone, leaving as many as 20 feared dead. Alarm Phone said it had alerted Maltese authorities on Thursday about the vessel in distress but claimed officials “failed to act” before the boat overturned. “We cannot express our anger at yet another group consciously being left to die,” the group said, accusing Malta of deliberate inaction.

At least one person has been confirmed dead and 11 rescued after the incident, which occurred roughly 50 miles southeast of Lampedusa. A major rescue operation, coordinated by Malta, is ongoing with the participation of Italian coast guard vessels, Frontex aircraft, and a merchant ship.

The operation reportedly began when an Italian aircraft spotted the vessel and dropped a life raft. Four survivors were initially taken aboard a merchant ship and later transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel, which also recovered one body. Italy’s coast guard said patrol boats from both Malta and Italy are continuing to assist, while survivors have indicated that around 30 people were on board when the boat capsized.

Alarm Phone’s allegations echo long-standing criticism of Malta’s handling of migrant emergencies in the Central Mediterranean.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – No return to Sevilla. Yassine Bono, the 34-year-old Moroccan goalkeeper and standout performer at the 2022 World Cup, has renewed his contract with Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal until 2028. This puts an end to speculation about a comeback in Andalusia, where Bono played from 2019 to 2023 before being sold to the Saudi club for around €20 million following the UEFA Super Cup against Manchester City.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Planchart says I should think about a new project? He’s right — but I’ll start thinking about it in 2035.” Pep Guardiola responded with humor to comments made by his former assistant, who suggested the Spaniard should consider leaving Manchester City.

“I believe these things happen naturally — from the club, from the coach, or from the players. It will happen in a natural way, especially in a club like this where I have such a close relationship with everyone, from the president to the last staff member. We’re incredibly honest with each other, and when the time comes to take that step, we’ll know. For now, I’m here, and we’ll see what the future holds,” he said.

Now in his ninth season as City manager, Guardiola insists he still feels at home. “I feel good here. There have been many changes in recent years, but we still have the energy and the desire to keep winning. At Barcelona and Bayern, I felt that if I ever became a problem, I would step aside — I don’t want to create problems. But here, I feel we still have the hunger and the energy to try to make every season better than the last.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – The AFE, the Spanish players’ association, wants to make its voice heard. Relations with La Liga are increasingly tense: first the unfulfilled promise to postpone Real Madrid’s league debut given their Club World Cup campaign, then the failure to respect the promised 72-hour rest period between matches, and finally the decision to play Villarreal-Barcelona in Miami without a proper discussion with the association.

For this reason, Spanish media have revealed, the captains of La Liga’s 20 teams are considering a form of protest for the weekend: not playing the first 30 seconds of league matches. A symbolic but forceful gesture, which would not go unnoticed and which would also represent a response to the unfulfilled request for a meeting with the top management of La Liga and of Villarreal and Barcelona to clarify the Miami plan.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economy is projected to remain the fastest growing in the eurozone until 2030, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

While the eurozone’s average GDP growth is forecast at 1.1% by 2030, Malta’s is expected to reach 4.0% — nearly four times higher.

Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed the IMF outlook in a post on X, contrasting Malta’s strong performance with what he called the “dim prospects” of the global economy.

Abela noted that the IMF also projects unemployment in Malta to drop to just 2.5%, adding that “progressive economic policies are the only way.”

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook warns that global economic uncertainty remains high amid tariff hikes, cuts to development aid, and tighter immigration policies in advanced economies.

It also cautions that expansive fiscal policies in several major nations could strain public finances and cause cross-border spillovers.

In a separate assessment earlier this year, the IMF said Malta’s rapid growth and rising population have created infrastructure bottlenecks.

It urged more investment in wastewater treatment, waste management, and transport, calling congestion a “pressing issue.”

The government has pledged to broaden its performance metrics beyond GDP, focusing instead on wellbeing, disposable income, and education outcomes in future planning.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 45-year-old man has been charged in connection with a €9 million cocaine bust following an extensive police investigation between Malta and Gozo.

Croatian national Nenad Kovacic was arrested after several days of surveillance into suspicious activities involving both islands.

On Tuesday, officers intercepted a vehicle at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, where a search revealed 18 kilograms of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

Subsequent searches at Kovacic’s Xagħra residence uncovered a further 58 kilograms of suspected cocaine, bringing the total to 76 kilograms, with an estimated street value of around €9 million.

Police also found several vehicle registration plates linked to different cars, believed to have been used in the trafficking operation.

Kovacic was arraigned in the Gozo court, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges.

He was remanded in custody, as his defence did not request bail. The court also issued a freezing order on all of his assets pending further investigation.

-Photo Police of Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Spain retained their top spot, which they regained last month, while world champions Argentina overtook France to take second place. This is one of the main developments in the October FIFA rankings, compiled after 173 matches including qualifiers and friendlies.

There are other notable changes in the top ten: the Netherlands overtook Ancelotti’s Brazil (now 7th) to move into 6th place, while Germany returned to the top ten, climbing two spots to 10th. Gattuso’s Italy also continued their climb, leaving last month’s 10th place behind to move up to 9th, while Croatia slipped two spots to 11th. England, Portugal, and Belgium remained unchanged at fourth, fifth, and eighth, respectively.

Worth noting are the gains made by Hungary (37th, +4), Scotland (38th, +5), Nigeria (41st, +4), and Romania (47th, +4). The longest jumps came from Niger (108th, +9), Lesotho (144th, +9), and the Faroe Islands (127th, +9). Congratulations also to Kosovo, which reached its best ranking, moving up to 84th place (+7), Syria (86th, +6), and Liberia (138th, +6). On the other hand, Greece (48th, -8) and Sweden (40th, -8) performed poorly.

The next FIFA rankings will be published on November 21, the day of the play-off draw for the last places to be assigned for the 2026 World Cup. These are the top 10 positions:

1. Spain 1880.76 points (–)
2. Argentina 1872.43 (+1)
3. France 1862.71 (-1)
4. England 1824.3 (–)
5. Portugal 1778 (–)
6. Netherlands 1759.96 (+1)
7. Brazil 1759.85 (-1)
8. Belgium 1740.01 (–)
9. Italy 1717.15 (+1)
10. Germany 1713.3 (+2)

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Management Company and part of the MSC Group, proudly participates at the ItalPress Awards and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Gala on October 18, 2025.

The events celebrate Italian excellence and strengthen transatlantic business and cultural ties. CTI is the only Italian Travel Management Company certified with the prestigious IATA – GO Global accreditation, recognizing financial strength, operational excellence, and global reliability. With offices in the United States of America, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Cyprus, and Turkey, CTI continues to expand its international footprint, consolidating its position as a trusted partner for multinational corporations and institutions around the world. This global presence allows CTI to deliver seamless service across markets, ensuring consistency, compliance, and local expertise wherever its clients do business. Its New York office serves as the company’s international hub—a benchmark for business travel management and service quality.

Here, CTI has developed a model of excellence. Here, CTI has developed a model of excellence that combines advanced cost-control and reporting systems with highly personalized assistance. The team is distinguished by an unmistakably Italian approach to problem-solving and an ability to anticipate and adapt to corporate clients’ evolving needs. «CTI is here to manage business travel intelligently, efficiently, and always with a personal touch – says Rosario Mariani, Chairman of CTI U.S. -. We are proud of our heritage, strengthened by our global partnerships, and committed to serving the people and communities on every journey». As part of the MSC Group, CTI manages global travel needs with precision and a personalized approach in an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. The business travel industry is poised for significant growth, with global spending expected to exceed $1.5 trillion this year and to surpass $2 trillion by 2029. Despite a trend toward consolidation, this landscape faces uncertainties tied to geopolitical and economic factors. In 2025, the top 15 markets worldwide for business travel spending are projected to total $1.31 trillion, with the United States ($395.4 billion) and China ($373.1 billion) together accounting for 58% of that total.

Mariani continues: «At CTI, we help companies take control of their business travel needs: keeping costs in check, giving visibility over spending, and ensuring that travelers are supported before, during, and after their business trips». CTI’s participation in the ItalPress Awards and the NIAF Gala highlights its commitment to bridging Italian tradition with global innovation in travel management, supported by a strong international footprint. The company’s global reach enables it to navigate a business travel field that is rapidly expanding and evolving. Beyond corporate travel, CTI designs meetings, incentives, conventions, and group programs, while also offering extraordinary leisure experiences through MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. The company recently welcomed Italian World Champion Jannik Sinner as a global brand ambassador, reflecting CTI’s inspiration for new generations of travelers.

– photo Cisalpina Tours International press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Hansi Flick is more furious with the club than with the player. A Spanish press report claims the Barcelona manager didn’t appreciate the club’s alleged involvement in his decision to omit Lamine Yamal from the starting XI against PSG, after rumors claimed he was late for training.

“I’d like to know where these rumors are coming from. They’re bullshit. It’s not like that,” the manager vented at a press conference. “At this club, I have a very honest relationship with Deco and the rest of the management. They believe in my work, I have their trust, and there’s no need for clarification because what’s being reported is just nonsense. Whoever told these lies is lying.”

The 18-year-old’s private life is also discussed, and Flick quickly puts the matter to rest. “For me, the important thing is that he works hard when he’s here, and from that perspective, I can say he’s perfect. He’s very professional, but what he does on his days off and in his private life is none of my business.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews