VALLETTA (MALTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – President Myriam Spiteri Debono has warned that declining voter turnout is a troubling signal that Malta’s electoral system needs reform. In an interview broadcast on national television, the President said any reform should be undertaken after the next general election and only when “the environment is right”.

The current legislature runs until 2027, unless Prime Minister Robert Abela calls an early election. Spiteri Debono said she hoped both the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party would commit to electoral reform in their upcoming manifestos, adding that the start of a new legislature would be the ideal moment for change.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “It was a surprise.” Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, does not hide his disappointment over the Dro Fernandez case. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, a product of La Masia, is set to sign for PSG.

The deal is worth €8 million — the release clause was €6 million, but by paying a bit more the French club will be able to spread the payment over several installments — and Barça effectively had no means to oppose the move.

“We had an agreement to renew the contract once Dro turned 18 and, to our great surprise, his agent informed us that they had changed their mind. It’s an unpleasant situation,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

Dro, who turned 18 on January 12, had made just five appearances for the first team so far and is now expected to sign with PSG until 2030.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The Chinese group Shandong Yongsheng Rubber, through its subsidiary Goldensun Tire Morocco, has begun construction of a large industrial complex for tire production in the Betoya Industrial Acceleration Zone, in the province of Driouch.

The project involves an investment of approximately 6.7 billion dirhams (approximately €620 million) over a 52-hectare area, with an estimated production capacity of 18 million tires per year, primarily for international markets. The facility is expected to become the largest of its kind in Africa and is expected to create over 1,700 direct jobs, as well as numerous indirect jobs. The project also includes logistics infrastructure and units dedicated to industrial research, and benefits from its proximity to the port of Nador West Med, strengthening Morocco’s attractiveness as an industrial and export hub for Europe and Africa.

– Photo Ledesk –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Nearly 20 million international tourists visited Morocco in 2025, marking an increase of approximately 14% compared to 2024, according to data from UN Tourism, the United Nations agency responsible for promoting tourism worldwide. This growth is despite a global context marked by high inflation in tourism services and geopolitical tensions.

Africa’s tourism sector as a whole saw an 8% increase in international travel, with Morocco at the center of this momentum. The country also achieved record tourism revenues, reaching 124 billion dirhams (12 billion euros) by the end of November 2025, a 19% increase over the previous year. The Moroccan government aims to attract 26 million tourists by 2030, confirming tourism as a strategic driver of the national economy.

– Photo Yabiladi –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes has resigned from his post following mounting allegations over his links with major contractors and revelations that Maltàs anti-money laundering agency, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), had flagged business ties involving his close family and an Italian contractor. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed on late Saturday evening that he had accepted Galdes’ resignation. No replacement was announced. In a resignation letter published by the Office of the Prime Minister, Galdes denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “synchronised attacks” aimed at destroying his political career and extending to personal attacks on his family. He said he was “serene and tranquil” and insisted he was stepping down to avoid tarnishing the work of the government and the Labour Party. Galdes has been under sustained scrutiny in recent months over his extensive property portfolio and a series of highly favourable deals with major developers, including Joseph Portelli. These included the 2021 purchase of a duplex penthouse, complete with garage and airspace, for €140,000, as well as a property swap involving land in Gozo with the same developers. Galdes owns multiple properties and parcels of land in Italy and Sicily, acquired while he held senior responsibility for the housing sector. The controversy intensified following accusations by former Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi, who alleged that Galdes “hobnobbed” with social housing contractors and interfered in the operations of Malita Investments, the government-majority-owned company responsible for financing and constructing social housing projects. Mizzi claimed she was removed as chairperson after resisting his alleged interference. Galdes has denied the claims.
Further questions were raised after reports that the FIAU had flagged potential red flags in 2021 related to subcontracting arrangements on multi-million-euro social housing projects in Siggiewi and Msida. According to FIAU analysis, works were subcontracted to LAM Projects, a company set up in 2018 and owned at the time by Italian contractor Lorenzo di Pinto. Although Galdes’ younger brother, Malcolm Galdes, was neither a shareholder nor a director of LAM Projects, the FIAU described him as a “close business partner” of di Pinto. Corporate records show the two had previously been involved together in other business ventures. The FIAU also raised concerns over cash deposits into accounts controlled by Malcolm Galdes. Under anti-money laundering legislation, family members of public officials are subject to enhanced scrutiny due to the risk of being used as conduits for public contracts and funds. The FIAU noted that di Pinto formally relinquished his shares in LAM Projects in May 2020 but continued to exert a degree of financial control over the company for several months thereafter. The FIAU declined to comment on case-specific information, while a spokesperson for Galdes has consistently denied any suggestion of wrongdoing. Opposition leader Alex Borg said the resignation should have taken place “weeks and months ago,” arguing that Malta had a housing minister more concerned with personal property interests than with addressing the country’s housing affordability crisis. Galdes becomes the fourth minister to resign from Prime Minister Robert Abelàs Cabinet, following the departures of Justyne Caruana, Clayton Bartolo and Rosianne Cutajar.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Doi

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Jean-Philippe Mateta will almost certainly remain at Crystal Palace. Linked to Juventus and Aston Villa, who ultimately focused on En-Nesyri and Abraham respectively, the French striker will remain under the orders of Oliver Glasner, who is far from surprised. “He has never asked to be sold, nor have we received any offers to date,” he said. “Every player has a price at which the club, taking into account his age and contract, says OK and negotiates his transfer, but there have been no offers for Mateta. He hasn’t asked to be sold, so he will regularly play on Sunday.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “The chances of catching Arsenal? Right now, they’re the best team in the world. Look at the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup. They’re the best team right now. Hopefully, we can get closer, improve more and more, and that they give us a chance to catch them.” Pep Guardiola makes it clear that it will be tough to close the seven-point gap to the Gunners, although this weekend’s schedule—City hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers while Arteta’s team faces Manchester United—could help Haaland and his teammates.

Citizens are called upon to turn over after losing their last two games, the derby in the Premier League and against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. “I know why we’re struggling right now. I know, 100%, what’s happened to the team. I know. Just try to give us a little time. But fragility can’t be solved simply by the arrival of just one player, because fragility doesn’t just affect one player. It would be nice, but it’s not just that. I know the solution to avoid this fragility, and the players know it too.” And on the schedule: “I always believe that there should be four days between one game and the next, but that’s not happening. There’s travel, there’s a lot of things, nothing will change.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Tammy Abraham is set to return to the Premier League. After spells in Italy with Roma and Milan and a move to Turkey last summer to Besiktas, the 28-year-old English striker is close to joining Aston Villa.

According to Sky Sports UK, the parties have reached an agreement worth around €30 million in total, including €21 million in cash and the transfer rights of Turkish defender Yasin Ozcan. Aston Villa are set to recall Ozcan from his loan at Anderlecht before sending him on to Besiktas.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Tottenham are making a move for Andy Robertson. According to the BBC, Spurs are in negotiations with Liverpool for the 31-year-old Scottish left-back, whose contract expires in June.

Robertson has started just four Premier League matches this season and, with the World Cup approaching, is keen to secure more regular playing time—hence his openness to a move to Spurs. The Scot has made 363 appearances for the Reds since joining in 2017, but he is currently the only alternative to Kerkez. Should he be sold, Liverpool may consider recalling Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews