VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Food safety officials have seized and will destroy a large consignment of food products brought into Malta illegally from Albania via Sicily, the Food Safety and Security Authority (FSSA) said.

The consignment was intercepted after the Tax and Customs Administration alerted the FSSA on Friday evening about a van arriving on the ferry from Sicily.

An inspection found meat, yoghurt, cheese, snacks, olive oil, soft drinks, beans, eggs, alcohol, salt and juices that failed to comply with food safety regulations.

According to the FSSA, the products had been transported at inappropriate temperatures, lacked the required labelling and were not accompanied by essential traceability documents.

The authority also said it had not received the mandatory prior notification of the consignment’s arrival, as required under Maltese legislation.

The products were immediately sealed and will be destroyed to safeguard public health, ensure food safety and protect the integrity of the local industry.

The FSSA reminded traders that they must register with the authority and notify it at least 48 hours before importing animals, food, feed or plants into Malta, including consignments originating from within the European Union.

The authority thanked the Tax and Customs Administration for its collaboration and warned that it would continue taking firm action against operators who fail to comply with notification requirements.

– Photo FSSA –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SEATTLE (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “This has been a disastrous World Cup, a complete disaster. FIFA should have resolved all these problems, but that hasn’t happened. Gianni Infantino came to see us after the first match and told us we were only at the beginning, but the group stage ends tomorrow and our logistics staff still aren’t here. They couldn’t join us because they haven’t been granted visas.” Those were the words of Mehdi Taremi following Iran’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle.

The result leaves Team Melli with a chance of reaching the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams, but their qualification hopes remain in serious jeopardy.

Taremi, the former Inter striker, who missed a penalty with Egypt leading 1-0, expressed his frustration over the restrictions affecting the Iranian national team. Because of visa issues, Iran has been forced to establish its base camp in Mexico and return there immediately after every match played in the United States. Several members of the team’s support staff have been unable to join the squad.

“We’re professionals, and in a competition like the World Cup this simply isn’t acceptable. If FIFA believes these conditions are fair, that’s their opinion, but they’re certainly not fair for us. Nobody is helping us,” Taremi said.

Asked whether he felt there were people hoping for Iran’s elimination, the striker replied: “All I know is that we have to fight against everything and everyone. I don’t know whether people want us to go home, but from our perspective, it certainly feels that way.”

Speaking after the match in comments reported by A Bola, Taremi concluded: “I’m disappointed, but we haven’t lost hope. We’ll continue giving everything we have for our people because we want to make them proud. We want to send a message of peace—not only to the Iranian people, but to everyone, including FIFA. Unfortunately, we don’t feel that same spirit of peace is being shown toward us.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) – Roberto De Zerbi has made his decision. According to TEAMtalk, the Italian manager has informed Tottenham’s hierarchy that Antonín Kinský will be his first-choice goalkeeper.

The Czech shot-stopper has established himself as the club’s No. 1 since De Zerbi’s arrival, overtaking Guglielmo Vicario, who is now reportedly available for transfer and could be set for a return to Italy, with Juventus and Napoli said to be the clubs showing the strongest interest.

The 23-year-old Kinský endured a difficult spell last season, including high-profile errors in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid and being substituted after just 17 minutes under then-Tottenham manager Igor Tudor. However, under De Zerbi he has been given a fresh opportunity, impressing with a series of strong performances that have earned him the starting role as well as a contract extension.

Tottenham have also moved to strengthen their goalkeeping department by signing Martin Dúbravka from Newcastle United as the backup goalkeeper.

With Kinský established as De Zerbi’s preferred option and Dúbravka arriving as his deputy, there appears to be no future for Vicario in north London, with a return to Serie A looking increasingly likely.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) – Two wins and an inconsequential defeat to Turkey were enough for the United States to reach their first milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing qualification for the Round of 32 as group winners.

Much of the credit goes to Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge of the U.S. men’s national team in 2024 after spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. His work has reportedly impressed the U.S. Soccer Federation to such an extent that, despite the World Cup still being underway, he has been offered a contract extension through 2030.

According to The Athletic, negotiations have been ongoing for several months. Pochettino’s current deal expires at the end of the tournament, and both sides are expected to resume talks after the World Cup to decide whether to continue their partnership for another four-year cycle.

The federation is said to have wanted to send a clear message of confidence, particularly as Pochettino could be tempted by a return to club management. Before the appointment of Rúben Amorim, he had also been linked with AC Milan.

The prospect of leading the United States at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, working from the national team’s new $250 million training center in Atlanta, and guiding the team into another World Cup cycle could persuade the Argentine coach to stay. The federation may also be prepared to improve his current salary, which is reportedly between $5 million and $6 million per year.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Bruno Guimarães’ future could soon change. The Newcastle midfielder, one of Brazil’s standout performers at this World Cup, has found himself in Arsenal’s sights, determined to bolster their midfield with one of Europe’s most complete players. According to “Globo,” the Gunners have already submitted an initial offer of €60 million.

However, this offer wasn’t enough to convince Newcastle, who are intent on retaining one of their star players, who also has a contract until 2028.

Despite the refusal, the London club doesn’t seem ready to give up and is reportedly preparing a new push in the coming weeks. Sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly pushing hard for the Brazilian’s arrival.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

COMO (ITALPRESS) – Nico Paz is increasingly close to remaining a Como player. Confirmation has arrived, unofficially for now, from the Como club, which responded to Real Madrid’s move with a counter-offer. The Spanish club, which holds the buy-back right, accepted the offer, but also granted Como a preferential path, both in terms of timing and financial terms, to secure their number ten.

A positive response arrived within hours, silencing all other potential transfer rumors surrounding Paz. Details of the deal will become clearer in the coming hours: work has begun on the €60 million requested by Real Madrid, but Como will most likely pay less, instead working on the figures for the new buy-back right that Real Madrid will still retain.

For now, therefore, Inter appears to be out of the running for the Argentine talent, who is playing at the World Cup with Argentina.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The atmosphere in the Uruguay camp is far from calm on the eve of the match against Spain. According to the newspaper El Espectador, internal tensions have recently emerged between head coach Marcelo Bielsa and some of the squad’s leaders. Sergio Rochet, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Federico Valverde reportedly voiced their concerns and engaged in a direct confrontation with the Argentine coach.

At the heart of the dispute is the tactical plan prepared to face the Spanish national team: the players would prefer a more cautious approach—featuring a deeper defensive line and a strategy focused on counter-attacks—rather than the aggressive, high-pressing style advocated by Bielsa. However, this is not the only source of friction. Some squad members have also expressed dissatisfaction with the training workloads, which they consider excessively intense given the proximity of such a demanding match. This situation threatens to further complicate Uruguay’s preparations for a fixture that is already a delicate challenge.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – More than 60% of first-time drug treatment entrants in Malta sought help for cocaine use, according to the European Drug Report 2025. The report, published by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), found cocaine accounted for 42.5% of all treatment entrants, narrowly ahead of opioids at 41.8%, while amphetamines represented just 0.2%. Cannabis remained the most seized drug in Malta, with authorities confiscating 4,315.7kg, followed by 2,249kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin.

The report recorded 13 drug-induced deaths in Malta in 2024, all involving men, with 11 victims aged between 15 and 64. Cocaine featured in the majority of overdose deaths. High-risk opioid use was estimated at between 3.3 and 4.9 cases per 1,000 people aged 15 to 64 in 2023. A total of 826 people received opioid agonist treatment, while 45.6% of opioid treatment entrants reported injecting drugs. No HIV cases linked to injecting drug use were recorded. Cannabis accounted for 24% of first-time treatment entrants and was the main drug for 309 treatment cases, including 119 first-time entrants. Adult lifetime cannabis use stood at 5.9%, rising to 11% among students aged 15 and 16. MDMA remained marginal, accounting for eight treatment entrants, or 0.4% of all cases.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Qatar reportedly paid to have fans in the stands supporting its national team at the World Cup. This is the claim made in an investigation by The Telegraph. The Arab team’s journey in the competition ended in the group stage following a defeat against Bosnia (3-1), yet they were able to count on the support of several hundred fans. The British newspaper estimates that around 2,000 people received gifts from Qatar to support the Qatari national team against Bosnia. The emirate reportedly offered packages to ordinary fans that included hotel accommodation, match tickets, and—where necessary—airfare; these gifts were worth several thousand euros. Furthermore, the “fans” reportedly received a package containing a Qatar jersey, sunglasses, a scarf, and a Qatari flag prior to the matches. Some of these fake fans reportedly never even set foot inside a stadium.

For the entire group stage, Qatar reportedly mobilized around 1,000 people—with all expenses paid—to support the national team from the stands. This figure reportedly rose to approximately 2,000 for the match against Bosnia, with the possibility that American and Mexican fans would also come to support Qatar at the wealthy oil state’s expense. Initially, the Qatari federation intended to invite die-hard supporters as well as Qatari students studying in the United States and Mexico, but the program appears to have been significantly expanded. It was a mobilization driven by big spending, yet one that ultimately brought Qatar no luck.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The announcement was made during the second half of the match between Germany and Ecuador (1-2) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when the stadium’s big screens displayed the new all-time attendance record: 3,605,357 spectators, sparking a standing ovation from the crowd.

Yesterday, the 2026 World Cup became the most attended in the tournament’s history, surpassing the record set in 1994 of nearly 3.6 million spectators. This figure—certified by FIFA—could nearly double the 1994 record (also set in the United States) given the many matches still to be played; notably, the 1994 tournament consisted of only 52 games, compared to 104 today. The stadiums boast an average occupancy rate exceeding 99%, despite widely criticized high ticket prices; furthermore, travel restrictions imposed on certain countries by President Donald Trump’s administration prevented many would-be attendees from coming to the tournament. However, the unsold seats were quickly snapped up, helping to make this World Cup historic.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews