PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “I’m still young and I think I can return to Europe without any problems in the future.“ Former AC Milan full-back Theo Hernandez, now under contract with Al-Hilal, said this in an interview with AS a few days before his France team’s World Cup debut, scheduled for June 16 at 9 p.m. against Senegal.

“People think that the level of players in Saudi Arabia inevitably drops. But if you analyze the players, that’s not the case. Now the level is even higher and continues to rise. I don’t think my level will drop,” the winger added. France is dreaming of World Cup glory:

“Everyone says we’re the favorites to win, but winning a World Cup is not easy at all. There are many teams playing at a very high level. We have to take it one step at a time,” he added.

It will be Didier Deschamps’s last World Cup as coach, and the future of the Bleus bench is likely to be led by Zinedine Zidane: “I had him at Real Madrid. I think he’s a great coach and a good person. We’ll see what happens,” concluded Theo Hernandez.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has revealed that discussions are underway to establish direct flights between Malta and China, as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s global connectivity and attract new economic opportunities.

Speaking about Malta’s aviation strategy, Abela said the talks with Chinese stakeholders are part of broader efforts to open the island to emerging international markets. He stressed, however, that the recently launched direct air connection with New York already represents a significant milestone for the country.

Abela said the government remains committed to improving air links with key global destinations, adding that greater connectivity is essential for sustaining economic growth and enhancing Malta’s competitiveness on the international stage.

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Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Former UEFA President Michel Platini has initiated civil and criminal proceedings against FIFA and its current president, Gianni Infantino, in relation to corruption allegations from 2015 that, according to the former France and Juventus player, compromised his candidacy for the world federation’s leadership. The criminal complaint, filed in French courts, accuses Infantino and two former FIFA officials of “malicious persecution,” according to the BBC. In a separate civil action, Platini, 70, is seeking financial compensation from FIFA for alleged attempts to obstruct his election as president.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Denzel Dumfries is a Real Madrid player, but the official announcement, expected very soon, was not made by the Madrid club, but by VV Smitshoek, the Dutch full-back’s first team.

The club, currently playing in the fourth tier, posted a photo on Instagram with a young Dumfries in the orange and black jersey: “From Smitshoek to the Santiago Bernabéu. He took his first steps in the world of football at VV Smitshoek, playing for eight years with our youth academy and dreaming of reaching the highest level. Today, Denzel Dumfries signs for Real Madrid. A wonderful milestone in an already impressive career and an inspiration to all the young players who train and play with us every week. Dreams begin somewhere. For Denzel, it started here, at VV Smitshoek. We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and wish him all the best in Madrid!”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission has concluded that Malta should strengthen key aspects of its radiation safety regulatory framework while recognising several areas of strong performance.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, carried out at the request of the Maltese Government, took place between 24 May and 3 June and was hosted by the Commission for the Protection from Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation (RPC).

The review was conducted by six international experts and two IAEA staff members, who assessed Malta’s regulatory system against international safety standards.

Malta uses radiation sources in healthcare, industry and other sectors but does not operate nuclear power plants or research reactors. The RPC serves as the national authority responsible for overseeing radiation safety and protecting the public.

During the 11-day mission, the team met government officials, RPC board members and regulators, and observed inspections at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre and the Centralised Radioactive Waste Storage Facility.

Mission leader Elefteria Carinou said the review provided an opportunity to assess Malta’s framework against international standards and exchange good practices that help strengthen national systems.

The team praised the close cooperation between the RPC and Government, the multidisciplinary composition of the RPC board, and the authority’s comprehensive criteria for recognising radiation protection experts.

However, the review identified the need for a national policy and strategy to ensure a resilient regulatory infrastructure that reflects current and future uses of radiation sources.

Among its recommendations, the mission urged the Government to safeguard the RPC’s independence, strengthen staffing and competence development, and maintain separate management of the radioactive waste storage facility.

The final IRRS report, containing detailed recommendations and suggestions, will be submitted to the Maltese Government in the coming months.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) – Brazil’s Wilton Sampaio will referee the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday, a Group A match. Sampaio, 44, will be assisted by his compatriots Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia. Paraguayan Juan Gabriel Benítez will be the fourth official, while his compatriot Eduardo Cardozo will serve as reserve assistant referee. Colombian Nicolás Gallo, Chilean Juan Lara, and French assistant referee Jérôme Brisard will be in charge of the VAR room.

Italian referee Marco Di Bello will also be included in FIFA’s selections for the opening matches: Di Bello will support the VAR for the match between South Korea and the Czech Republic.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s new direct air link with New York is expected to attract more American visitors while strengthening tourism flows to neighbouring Sicily.

Many American passengers arriving on the inaugural flight said they were eager to visit both Malta and Sicily. Several discovered Malta while planning trips to Sicily and decided to add the island to their itineraries because of its proximity, history and culture.

At a press conference marking Delta Air Lines’ inaugural service between Malta and John F. Kennedy International Airport, Prime Minister Robert Abela encouraged visitors to view Malta as more than a holiday destination, urging them to explore opportunities to invest in startups, relocate businesses or work remotely from the island.

The Prime Minister said Malta remains resilient despite regional tensions in the Middle East, noting that the country has secured sufficient gas and aviation fuel supplies to ensure energy stability and uninterrupted aviation operations.

Highlighting Malta’s economic performance, Abela cited Eurostat figures showing GDP growth of 4.3% in the first quarter, making Malta the European Union’s fastest-growing economy.

Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg said more than 90% of seats on Delta’s first direct flight were occupied, describing the service as a promising step towards attracting a new wave of North American tourists.

Borg called on tourism stakeholders to deliver high-quality visitor experiences and pledged the airport’s full support to ensure the route’s long-term success

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Jurriën Timber will miss the 2026 World Cup.

The Arsenal full-back has not fully recovered from a groin injury and, for this reason, “in agreement with the medical staff, it has been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-tournament training camp in New York after the match against Uzbekistan,” the Dutch Football Association said in a statement.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has therefore called up Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida as his replacement.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Olivier Giroud has extended his contract with Lille for another season.

“I am very happy to continue this adventure here. I feel at home and have discovered the warmth of the people in this region, which I did not know before. The welcome I received truly impressed me,” the former Milan striker told the club’s official channels.

The forward will now work under Davide Ancelotti, Lille’s new head coach.

“I don’t know him personally, but the fact that he is a young coach is a very positive thing. A new chapter is beginning, and I am sure that if the club approached him, it is because he is ready to take on this challenge. I am convinced he has a lot to offer the club, and I can’t wait to work with him,” Giroud added.

“I don’t like looking too far ahead, but this will most likely be my last season. The last dance, as they say,” concluded the striker, who will turn 40 in September.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Current Como coach Cesc Fabregas is the leading candidate to replace Hansi Flick when the latter leaves Barcelona, ​​AS reports. Barcelona’s interest is so strong that, according to the newspaper, a few months ago the Blaugrana sent a representative to Como to make the coach an offer valid from 2028, when Flick’s contract expires. According to Marca, it was Alejandro Echevarría, Joan Laporta’s right-hand man and Deco’s assistant, who made the initial contact with Fabregas.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews