ROME (ITALPRESS) – Argentine forward Julian Alvarez has stated that he wants to leave Atletico Madrid to “realize my dream.” The 26-year-old striker—as reported by the BBC—has reportedly attracted interest from Barcelona and PSG, while Los Colchoneros rejected a €150 million offer from rivals Real Madrid earlier in June. Alvarez is currently competing with Argentina at the World Cup; after recovering from an ankle injury, he came off the bench in the first two matches of Group J against Algeria and Austria. “I spoke with the people at Atletico I needed to speak with, and a transfer is the best thing for everyone. I want to realize my dream,” Alvarez declared after Argentina’s World Cup victory over Austria. “Now isn’t the time to talk about it, but I can’t hide it either. I try to be an honest person.”

Alvarez moved to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City for over €94 million in the summer of 2024 and scored 49 goals in 106 matches—in addition to providing 17 assists—for Diego Simeone’s team. After scoring 17 goals in his first La Liga season, the former River Plate forward netted only eight in the 2025–26 campaign. He scored 10 goals in the most recent Champions League, helping Atletico reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Arsenal.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela reaffirmed Malta’s opposition to any EU-wide taxes, insisting that fiscal sovereignty must remain the responsibility of individual member states.

Addressing parliament following last week’s European Council summit in Brussels, Abela said Malta would not accept bloc-level taxes aimed at financing the European Union’s next long-term budget.

His comments come as EU leaders begin negotiations on the upcoming budget framework, with proposals including gambling taxes and digital levies under discussion. Member states remain divided between the Friends of Cohesion group, which includes Malta, and countries opposing increased cohesion spending.

Abela stressed that cohesion policy should continue promoting development, progress and competitiveness across the EU. He noted that Malta coordinated its position with other Friends of Cohesion countries ahead of broader budget talks.

The prime minister said reforms linked to the EU budget should reflect citizens’ aspirations and national interests, adding that changes must be agreed through dialogue rather than imposed.

On energy, Abela highlighted Malta’s stability, citing a new LNG supply agreement with BP, while noting that high energy prices remain a concern across Europe.

He also called for a measured EU response to global economic challenges, urging the bloc to remain open to international trade.

Addressing migration, Abela said tangible progress had been achieved after 18 months of discussions among member states. He welcomed the adoption of the revised Return Regulation and called for its swift implementation with adequate funding.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – In less than two months, the city of Basra has made remarkable progress in the field of open-heart surgery. At Al-Sayyab University Hospital, operated by GSD–GKSD under the leadership of Chairman Kamel Ghribi, 33 highly specialised and complex cardiac procedures have been successfully performed.

The achievement marks a significant step toward localizing advanced medical care within Iraq, allowing patients to receive treatment in their own country while generating savings of up to $50,000 per procedure.

The milestone has received strong institutional support. Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani visited the hospital to check on the well-being of six children whose surgeries were successfully completed. He was accompanied by Dr. Hanan Al-Fatlawi, Professor Bahaa Al-Araji, and the Director General of the Basra Health Department.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, Professor Tammam Youssef is leading an intensive training initiative for five Iraqi surgeons and medical residents. The goal is to perform 200 pediatric cardiac surgeries and 120 adult procedures by the end of 2026, transforming Al-Sayyab Hospital into a globally recognised centre of excellence and laying the foundations for a stronger healthcare future in Iraq.

– Photo: GKSD Press Office –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Moving forward with Vincenzo Montella. Having returned to the World Cup after 24 years, Turkey has already been eliminated after losing its first two matches, against Australia and Paraguay, but the Italian head coach is not under discussion.

Reaffirming confidence in Montella before training at Arizona Athletic Grounds was Turkish Football Federation president Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu.

“I want to thank our players. They are the ones who brought us here; they are the ones who reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship, who took us into Nations League A, and who, after 24 years, brought us back to the World Cup. Many of them are around twenty years old and, in the coming years, they will be able to play in three or four major tournaments. They need to be supported. And alongside them is our coach, Montella. We will support both him and his players,” he insisted.

“This is not a club team. Even at club level, when there is no continuity, failure follows. You cannot get rid of 15 players and replace them with another 15. You cannot dismiss the coach and immediately hire someone else. If this coach and these young men have achieved the successes of the last two years, then we must support them.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Alejandro Grimaldo is on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid for the upcoming season, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca. After the deal for Marc Cucurella fell through—derailed by a lightning-fast move from Real Madrid that upended Sporting Director Mateu Alemany’s plans—*Los Colchoneros* have set their sights on the Bayer Leverkusen full-back. There is strong optimism coming from Spain that the deal could be finalized for a fee of around 20 million euros, including bonuses. Atlético Madrid is aided significantly by the Spaniard’s contract situation; with his deal expiring in a year, the German club is forced to lower its financial demands. For his part, Grimaldo welcomes the move to Spain, driven by a desire to establish himself in his home country.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bad news for Germany in the midst of the World Cup. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann will have to do without Nico Schlotterbeck for the remainder of the tournament. According to Sky Sport Germany, the Borussia Dortmund center-back—who started in the matches against both Curaçao and Ivory Coast—sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament of his left ankle during the most recent game. The estimated recovery time is around eight weeks, effectively ending the German defender’s World Cup campaign. To replace him, Nagelsmann is expected to turn to Antonio Rüdiger, who came on during the second half of the match against Ivory Coast and recently extended his contract with Real Madrid.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has intensified measures against irregular immigration, with 213 people apprehended since the beginning of the year in a series of checkpoint operations.

The checks, carried out by police with the support of the Malta Agency for Detention Services on buses and in public spaces, involved citizens from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Authorities reported that those apprehended will be held in a detention center pending repatriation.

Police also confirmed the recent expulsion of two men from an unspecified East African country for illegal immigration. Both were subject to removal and repatriation orders, detained prior to their return to their country of origin, and banned from re-entering the Schengen area. The operations represent the latest in a series of enforcement measures launched following the re-election of the Labour government on May 30 and the appointment of Glenn Bedingfield as Home Affairs Minister.

– photo Police of Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TURIN (ITALPRESS) – “I’ve seen very little of the World Cup, but I’ll do so after the round of 32. The schedule doesn’t help old hands like me. One thing you notice is that good teams now come from all over the world. We don’t discover new great players because we already know them through European competitions. One thing I liked was the player presentations. Having everyone on the course adds prestige and grandeur.” This was stated by Michel Platini at a press conference on the sidelines of the “Vialli and Mauro Golf Cup” event at Royal Park I Roveri in Fiano Torinese (Turin).

“On paper, France is the favorite for me because they have very strong attacking players,” added the former Juventus and French national team star. “Regarding the number of teams, I also wanted to do something. The huge difference in numbers between European and non-European teams made sense many years ago, but not now. Many non-European teams are now as good as those from the Old Continent. The question was whether to reduce the number of European teams or increase the total number. But politically, it was the right thing to do to open up to the world.”

-Foto IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LOS ANGELES (USA) (ITALPRESS) – As technical negotiations continue between the US and Iran on the war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the Middle Eastern country’s soccer team left a message in the locker room of Los Angeles Stadium, the site of yesterday’s 0-0 World Cup draw against Belgium.

“From ancient Persia to today’s civilized Iran, the spirit of Iran remains alive and well. We came here with pride, competed with honor, and we leave with dignity. Thank you to Los Angeles for your welcome, and thank you to every Iranian citizen who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran these 180 minutes (also referring to the opening draw against New Zealand, ed.). May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations,” read the statement left by the Iranian team.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has secured a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with BP that will guarantee fuel for the Delimara power station until the end of May 2027, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced.

Abela described the agreement as a competitive and reliable deal that ensures continued energy security after the expiry of Malta’s current LNG contract in August. He did not disclose the price agreed.

The new agreement, signed by the national energy provider – Enemalta, follows a competitive process involving seven international bidders and was selected on the basis of value and security of supply.

Abela said negotiations would continue in parallel to secure a longer-term supply arrangement and thanked Energy Minister Miriam Dalli for her work on the deal.

The existing 10-year LNG supply agreement with SOCAR Trading, which expires on 13 August, had become a key political issue amid concerns that Malta could face uncertainty over future gas supplies.

Global gas prices have risen significantly this year, complicating efforts to secure favourable long-term contracts. However, recent declines in European gas prices following easing tensions in the Middle East have improved market conditions.

Enemalta said the new agreement links pricing to the Title Transfer Facility (TTF), Europe’s main natural gas benchmark, and is designed to allow Malta to benefit from expected improvements in market stability. The company added that preparations are already under way to secure gas supplies beyond May 2027.

– photo Enemalta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews