SEVILLE (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Isco Alarcon has suffered another injury. The Spanish attacking midfielder for Betis, in the last pre-season test against Malaga, suffered “a fracture to his left fibula. This is a new traumatic injury, unrelated to the previous one. The player will undergo conservative treatment in the coming weeks and his return will depend on the progression of the disease,” according to the Seville club’s medical bulletin, which did not provide any details on his recovery time.

According to the Spanish press, however, he will be out for approximately three months. Isco has already undergone two surgeries in the past in the same area. Meanwhile, Betis, having taken the blow, according to “AS“, could return to the market in search of a replacement, and the name at the top of the list of possible reinforcements is Dani Ceballos, with a deal with Real Madrid reportedly worth around 15-20 million euros.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) vessel is patrolling waters near Sicily to tackle illegal lampuki fishing, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Ministry announced. The operation follows a Maltese request for increased enforcement in known hotspots, with the EFCA vessel having made port in Malta in June before resuming inspections in the Strait of Sicily.

The Ministry stressed that these efforts have been ongoing for years, not just during lampuki season, and reflect strong cooperation between Malta, EFCA, and the EU’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). European Fisheries Commissioner Kostas Kadis visited Malta in June, meeting local fishermen to discuss their challenges.

Lampuki fishing, regulated by EU law and GFCM recommendations, is only permitted from 15 August. While Malta is urging the EU to review this date due to climate-related shifts in migration patterns, authorities insist they will not condone breaches.

After footage emerged on 1 August of early lampuki catches, Malta alerted EFCA, which swiftly deployed the Ocean Sentinel for targeted patrols. The Ministry said this demonstrates Malta’s effectiveness in securing EU enforcement and in upholding regulations championed by MEP Thomas Bajada to penalise illegal fishing.

Fisheries Minister Anton Refalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to both fishermen’s livelihoods and long-term sustainability, while Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said highlighted climate change as a factor in reduced catches last year. A scientific study is underway to support Malta’s case with data.

The Ministry urged fishermen to report illegal activity with footage, coordinates, and boat details to strengthen enforcement ahead of the GFCM’s November meeting.

However, Nationalist MEP Peter Agius accused the government of failing to protect Maltese lampuki, alleging it did not report illegal fishing to Brussels despite knowing of abuses in Sicily and Tunisia last year. He warned this risks forcing Malta to import lampuki, further harming consumers and the industry.

Earlier this week, Bajada also called for urgent EU action after social media footage showed Italian and Tunisian fishers allegedly catching lampuki weeks before the legal season.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Benjamin Sesko is officially a Manchester United player. The Old Trafford club has signed the Slovenian striker until 2030, a major transfer coup. According to the BBC, Man Utd paid £73.7 million (about €85 million) to Leipzig.

The 22-year-old, who was also a target for Newcastle, explains the reasons that led him to choose United. “The history of this club is truly special, but what excites me are the plans for the future. When we discussed it, I immediately understood that we are working to continue to grow and to compete for major trophies again as soon as possible. Since my arrival, I have been able to feel the positive energy and family atmosphere the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place for me to reach the highest level and realize all my ambitions. I can’t wait to start working with Amorim and my teammates,” Sesko said.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg has urged Israel to abandon its planned occupation of Gaza, warning it would deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Israel’s security cabinet recently approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, drawing sharp condemnation from multiple nations. In a post on X, Borg cautioned the move “will worsen the humanitarian crisis and cruel conditions in which hostages are being held,” while renewing calls for a ceasefire.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – He missed last night’s friendly against Bayer Leverkusen (2-0 to Maresca’s Blues) and has already asked the club to listen to potential transfer offers. A split between Chelsea and Nicolas Jackson is rumored, and the English club has no intention of standing in the way of the Senegalese striker’s departure. Newcastle are reportedly the top contenders for the 24-year-old, but according to the Daily Mail, other Premier League clubs, including AC Milan and Juventus, are also among the top contenders.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NAPLES (ITALPRESS) – Talks continue between Atlético Madrid and Napoli regarding Giacomo Raspadori. The parties now appear to be closer. Marca reports, specifying that the player “is already preparing to pack his bags.”

The Colchoneros have reportedly made significant progress in the negotiations in the recent hours. Napoli are valuing Raspadori at around 30 million. Atlético reportedly started with an offer of 20 million and is now offering 25 million plus bonuses for the player’s transfer. Furthermore, Napoli has reportedly given approval to a “diluted” payment plan. For this reason, according to “Marca,” the striker could join the Colchoneros’ training sessions under Diego Simeone as early as next week.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERGAMO (ITALPRESS) – While we wait to see how the tug-of-war between Ademola Lookman and Atalanta, now at loggerheads, in addition to Inter, Arsenal are also reportedly interested in the Nigerian striker.

“The Sun” reports, specifying that the London club has been following Lookman for several months and is now monitoring the situation. The player could be useful to the Gunners if their top transfer target for that position, namely Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, were to disappear. Arsenal could therefore present Atalanta with an offer of around 45 million pounds (52 million euros) to try to convince the Bergamo club to part with Lookman.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has been officially classified as having arid climate conditions for the first time in recent history, following a record-breaking dry year.

A new report by the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) reveals that the hydrological year from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 was the driest on record. Rainfall was so scarce that the islands experienced conditions typical of desert regions.

The findings are based on the Aridity Index (AI), which measures dryness by comparing annual rainfall to water lost through evaporation and plant use. Areas falling into the arid category face major challenges in sustaining water resources and agriculture.

For nine of the last ten years, Malta experienced semi-arid conditions. However, 2023–2024 marked a shift to aridity, placing the country in the same category as the Sahara Desert, Chile’s Atacama, and arid parts of southern Europe such as Spain and Greece.

Traditionally semi-arid, Malta’s climate change to arid poses significant risks to farming, food security, and long-term water management. The EWA warns that without urgent measures, the country could face worsening shortages in both water supply and agricultural output.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Siġġiewi local councillor for the Nationalist Party has been denied bail after being accused of embezzling more than €2.3 million from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), where she worked as a finance manager.

Francine Farrugia, 31, faces charges of fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, and computer misuse. She allegedly issued herself duplicate salary payments and diverted other employees’ salaries into her own accounts over nearly two years.

Police say Farrugia transferred €422,420 to traditional bank accounts and €1.9 million to Revolut, using the funds to buy property, multiple luxury cars, and on a €113,000 shopping spree at Harrods.

Her arrest at MCAST on Wednesday led to a search of her home, where police found “a huge amount” of designer handbags, jewellery, and other luxury items. Inspector Wayne Rodney Borg told the court the seized goods could have “filled up the courtroom.”

The prosecution opposed bail, warning she could tamper with witnesses, particularly MCAST employees who have yet to testify. Magistrate Nadine Lia also issued a freezing order on her assets.

Farrugia, who pleaded not guilty, appeared distressed and requested a psychiatric assessment. Her lawyers sought a publication ban, but the court refused, noting her identity was already public.

The Nationalist Party confirmed Farrugia resigned from both the party and her local council seat following her arraignment. The PN said it expected “the highest standards” from its representatives.

Education Minister Clifton Grima expressed anger at the case, praising police and MCAST’s administration for acting quickly. He pledged reinforced oversight at the college to safeguard public funds.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews