MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) –  “On Thursday I will announce Real Madrid’s first major signing.” This was stated in an interview with El Español by Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid and candidate in the club elections scheduled for June 7, where he is seeking re-election against Enrique Riquelme.

According to Marca, Real Madrid has already reached an agreement with Denzel Dumfries and is prepared to activate the €20 million release clause included in the Dutch defender’s contract with Inter Milan.

Another player on Pérez’s radar, according to the Spanish newspaper, is Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract with Liverpool is nearing its expiration.

“I have always generated excitement throughout my 23 years as president. Those who know me are aware that the best players will be at Real Madrid and that we will win the Champions League,” added the president of the 15-time European champions.

There is still no official confirmation regarding José Mourinho’s return as Real Madrid manager. Pérez limited himself to saying: “I will soon announce who the new coach will be.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A study by engineer Marco Cremona estimates that traffic congestion costs Malta €1.13 billion annually, a figure roughly equal to the country’s national capital expenditure for 2025.

Speaking recently during a transport presentation organised by the political party Momentum, Cremona said the issue is not private cars themselves but the growing number of vehicles on Maltese roads.

His calculations show that around 400,000 commuters lose a total of 60.8 million hours each year in traffic congestion. Based on a value of €10 per hour, the lost time alone amounts to hundreds of millions of euros.

According to the study, the average commuter wastes about 152 hours annually in traffic, equivalent to more than six full days. Nationally, this translates into 166,667 hours lost every day, with each minute of congestion costing the country approximately €67,000.

The report also estimates that Malta’s 331,000 passenger cars consume fuel worth €518 million annually, based on average travel distances and current petrol prices.

Cremona described the figures as conservative, noting that they exclude several additional costs, including time spent searching for parking, environmental damage, public health impacts and delays to emergency services.

He also highlighted the extensive land occupied by roads, parking areas and garages, estimating its value at between €6 billion and €13 billion.

Malta ranks among the world’s most congested countries and has one of Europe’s highest car ownership rates. Official statistics show there were more than 457,000 licensed vehicles in Malta by the end of 2025, with passenger cars accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total.

This study is the first to combine both time and fuel costs into a single estimate, underlining the economic burden of congestion on the country.

– Photo Joseph Galea Inline image –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Marco Silva is reportedly close to leaving Fulham to return to Portugal. According to a report in the Telegraph, the Cottagers’ manager is close to reaching an agreement with Benfica, ready to appoint him as coach of the team.

The Lisbon club has reportedly offered a contract worth over £4 million per season to convince the Portuguese manager, identified as José Mourinho’s successor. Mourinho, again according to rumors, is set to begin a second spell as Real Madrid coach.

Fulham have attempted in recent weeks to extend Silva’s contract, which expires this summer, but negotiations have yet to reach an agreement. The 48-year-old has been in charge of the London club for five years and has contributed significantly to the team’s rise to the Premier League.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Switzerland has departed for the World Cup in the United States, but without one of its 26-man squad. Striker Breel Embolo was unable to fly due to entry issues.

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) announced the news, explaining that the player’s entry was initially approved, but that US authorities later announced that the application is still under review.

Born in Cameroon, the Monaco striker has made 85 appearances and scored 23 goals for Switzerland. The 2026 World Cup could be his third. The Swiss are in Group B alongside Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Qatar and are aiming to improve on their all-time best finish, reaching the quarterfinals.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – It’s official: Oliver Glasner is no longer Crystal Palace’s manager. The English club has published an open letter on its website from the Austrian coach, written after the Conference League victory in Leipzig against Rayo Vallecano.

“I’m writing these lines the morning after the magnificent evening in Leipzig, which many of you will have enjoyed both here and at home, and I hope you still have a big smile on your face, just like us,” reads the letter from Glasner, who is in contention for the AC Milan bench.

“It’s difficult to explain how I feel leaving Crystal Palace after these two years, but I have to say it has been a privilege to work for this club. It’s a time I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Addressing the fans, Glasner concluded: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared this incredible journey with all of you during my time here. Together, we believed there was nothing this club couldn’t achieve, no opponent we couldn’t defeat. We created a competitive mentality. I want to thank you for your incredible support, your tenacity, and above all, your trust. I will continue to follow your progress and anticipate further success: you deserve it.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in April, reaching its highest level in eight months as the number of jobless people increased by more than 3,000 since August 2025.

Figures published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) after the general election showed that 12,400 people were unemployed in April, up from 9,123 in August, an increase of 36%.

The unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points from March and by 0.6 points compared with April last year.

Youth unemployment remained a major concern, climbing to 9.1%, more than three times the 3.0% rate recorded among people aged 25 to 74. Young people accounted for 21.9% of all unemployed persons.

Female unemployment increased to 3.5%, while the rate for men remained unchanged at 3.6%.

The release of the figures reignited criticism of the NSO after it postponed publication until two days after Labour secured a fourth consecutive term in government.

The statistics office said the delay was intended to safeguard “integrity, neutrality, ethics and sound statistical governance” because the original publication date fell on the election campaign’s day of reflection.

Critics argued that previous economic data had been published during election periods and accused authorities of selectively withholding information that could have reflected negatively on the government.

Throughout the election campaign, Prime Minister Robert Abela repeatedly cited Malta’s low unemployment rate as evidence of economic success, describing the country as having one of the lowest unemployment levels in the European Union.

The latest figures, however, show unemployment has been rising steadily since August last year.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged an “ambitious programme” of economic and social reforms after securing Labour’s historic fourth consecutive electoral mandate.

In a pre-recorded televised address on the national television network on Monday evening, Abela thanked voters for renewing their confidence in his leadership and described the election result as an unprecedented moment in Malta’s political history.

“The people decided they want to entrust their confidence to me and the team I lead,” Abela said, noting that no political movement had previously won four consecutive terms in government.

Abela said Labour’s election manifesto would now become the government’s work programme, aimed at making life “easier, more beautiful and better” for citizens.

He highlighted a series of flagship initiatives, including the regeneration of the Grand Harbour, the Malta in Motion transport plan, a new energy strategy, investment in public healthcare, and development projects in Gozo.

“Your dream is our project,” he said, presenting the government’s agenda as a reflection of the aspirations of the Maltese people.

The prime minister also stressed the role of economic growth in providing stability and security, saying the government would continue to act as a “shield” for citizens during uncertain times.

Throughout the address, Abela repeatedly called for national unity while reaffirming Labour’s campaign message, “I believe in you, because you are Malta.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Robert Abela was sworn in as Malta’s Prime Minister for a third term on Monday after leading the Labour Party to victory in the 2026 general election with a majority of more than 21,000 votes.

The oath of office was administered by President Myriam Spiteri Debono during a ceremony at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.

Hundreds of Labour supporters gathered outside the palace, with party flags, flares and chants. Abela was welcomed by supporters as he arrived with his wife Lydia and daughter Giorgia Mae.

The Labour Party secured 51.8% of the vote, compared with 44.7% for the Nationalist Party, earning a comfortable parliamentary majority despite a reduced margin from the 2022 election.

The result marks Labour’s fourth consecutive electoral victory and the first time any party in Maltese history has achieved such a feat. The party has remained in government since 2013.

Addressing supporters before taking the oath, Abela thanked voters and later pledged loyalty to the Maltese people and the Constitution.

“We made history together today,” he said, describing the result as a strong mandate and promising to work in the interests of all Maltese and Gozitans.

Following the ceremony, Abela appeared on the palace balcony before undertaking the traditional walk to Auberge de Castille, where he resumed his duties as head of government.

Earlier, Electoral Commissioner Joseph Camilleri formally presented the official election results to President Spiteri Debono at San Anton Palace.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Antonio Rudiger will remain a Real Madrid player next season. His contract expires at the end of the month, according to “Sky Deutschland,” the 33-year-old German defender has already signed a contract extension until 2027, but the official announcement will have to wait for the presidential elections. Having arrived from Chelsea in 2022, Rudiger has since made 182 appearances for Real Madrid.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Davide Ancelotti is the new coach of Lille. The 36-year-old Italian, son of Carlo, has signed a two-year contract and replaces Bruno Genesio. Having worked alongside his father at PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid again, Ancelotti Jr. will embark on his second coaching stint after his time at Botafogo. Davide Ancelotti will lead Lille in the league and the Champions League.

“Davide is a great professional, with all the qualities of a modern coach,” said Lille president Olivier Letang, who met him during their time together at PSG. “I have followed his growth to the highest levels, alongside the great coach Carlo Ancelotti. We have been impressed by his energy, determination, and maturity. We are convinced he is ready for our project.”

“I’m very proud and happy,” commented Davide Ancelotti, who will follow his father, Brazil coach, to the next World Cup before starting this new adventure. “The Lille project represents me: a clear identity, hard work, ambition. It’s an honor.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews