VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta International Airport has secured €100 million in external financing to support one of the most extensive upgrades to its facilities since privatisation.

The investment will fund a major terminal expansion project, increasing airport facilities by 26,000 square metres by 2028.

The redevelopment will add 32 new check-in desks, five departure gates and a dedicated crew gate, while also expanding circulation areas, baggage sorting systems and commercial spaces.

Announcing the financing during MIA’s 34th annual general meeting on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Alan Borg said the package includes two loans: €50 million over five years and another €50 million over seven years.

He said the funding would enable the company to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects under its multi-million-euro investment programme while maintaining financial stability.

Borg noted that preliminary site works are progressing on schedule, including excavation below road level, rerouting key building services and creating safe access routes.

Work on the SkyParks 2 development is also advancing steadily, with the hotel expected to be handed over in the final quarter of 2026.

“The backing of a leading local bank reflects shared confidence in our vision for MIA and its role in the future of the tourism industry,” Borg said.

He added that the financing would help preserve liquidity, ensuring the company can continue meeting obligations to employees, business partners and shareholders.

According to a company statement, MIA invested €61.6 million in capital expenditure last year, reinvesting nearly 40 per cent of its annual revenue to strengthen operations, modernise infrastructure and improve the passenger experience.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – An “Italian” derby for Lille’s bench. After securing direct qualification for next season’s Champions League, Bruno Genesio reportedly informed the club of his intention to end his spell in charge of Les Dogues and, according to “RMC Sport”, there are two leading candidates to replace him: Davide Ancelotti and Thiago Motta.

The former, who developed under the guidance of his father Carlo, joined Brazil’s national team staff for the upcoming World Cup after his experience with Botafogo, while Motta has been out of work for almost a year and a half since being dismissed by Juventus.

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(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – As expected, Florentino Pérez has submitted his candidacy for the presidency of Real Madrid. After elections called somewhat hastily to flush out opposition, Pérez submitted the necessary documentation to run for what would be his eighth term. Enrique Riquelme’s formal decision is now awaited, expected today after the Alicante businessman himself informed the electoral board of his intention to step forward.

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Source: medNews

ATHENS (GREECE) (ITALPRESS) – Rafa Benitez will not manage Panathinaikos next season. Hired last October on a contract running until 2027, the 66-year-old Spanish coach — who has managed, among others, Valencia, Liverpool, Inter, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Everton during his career — failed to do better than a fourth-place finish, which secures a spot in the Conference League. As a result, the club announced that it had “ended its collaboration” with Benitez.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – England manager Thomas Tuchel’s decisions continue to spark controversy, with the exclusion of top names such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold from his World Cup squad.

Stepping up to defend the latter was Kyle Walker, the 35-year-old former Manchester City player, currently at Burnley, who shared the England squad with the Real Madrid player. “It’s unheard of for a Real Madrid player not to be in the England team,” Walker said, according to Spanish media reports. “Everyone talks about what Trent doesn’t do well, but we should be talking about what he does well. He’s probably the best right-back in the world for passing, crossing, and assisting. His exclusion is madness,” the Englishman declared.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Cristiano Ronaldo remains the world’s highest-paid athlete, according to the annual ranking published by Forbes. The Portuguese star, currently playing for Al-Nassr, has earned $300 million over the past twelve months, thanks largely to the lucrative contract he signed in Saudi Arabia.

This is Ronaldo’s fourth consecutive earnings and sixth overall, tying Michael Jordan’s record. Boxer Canelo Álvarez is second with $170 million, while Lionel Messi rounds out the top three with $140 million.

Also in the top ten is Lewis Hamilton, currently driving for the Ferrari team, who is tenth with $100 million. Other names include LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and golfer Jon Rahm. Forbes also highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing economic influence on global sports, thanks to investments in soccer, boxing, and the LIV Golf circuit.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged voters to turn out in force at the next election during a Nationalist Party event in Swieqi, stressing that every vote will help shape Malta’s future.

Addressing supporters, Metsola thanked PN Leader Alex Borg for restoring enthusiasm within the party and energising its supporters.

She said the choice facing voters on 30 May would determine the country’s direction for the next five years and beyond.

Highlighting key Nationalist Party proposals, Metsola pointed to solutions for some of Malta’s most pressing challenges, including summer power cuts, traffic congestion and public safety concerns.

“Malta needs parks full of trees, not gravel and cement,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd.

Metsola rejected claims that meaningful change is unattainable, insisting that practical solutions are within reach.

She also called for a more united political culture, saying politics should not be seen as “us versus them” but as a collective effort to build the country’s future.

With early voting set to begin on Saturday, Metsola reminded voters of the impact their choices have on everyday life.

She urged supporters to encourage others to fulfil their civic duty and help decide the nation’s path forward.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta ranks second from the bottom among all European Union member states in spending on preventive healthcare relative to gross domestic product (GDP), according to new statistics published by Eurostat.

The Preventive Health Care Expenditure report shows that Malta spends significantly less on health prevention measures than every other EU country except Romania. Preventive healthcare includes initiatives designed to stop illness before treatment or hospitalisation becomes necessary.

In the report’s main chart, Malta is placed second last in the EU rankings, with expenditure well below the European average.

Eurostat figures show that in 2023, Malta’s spending on preventive healthcare amounted to just 0.08% of GDP—one of the lowest levels in Europe. By contrast, countries such as Germany allocated 7%, Austria 7.4%, and Finland 6.4% of their GDP to preventive health measures.

The figures indicate that while several European countries are increasing investment in screening programmes, vaccinations, prevention campaigns, and routine health check-ups, Malta is dedicating a significantly smaller share of its resources to this area.

Preventive healthcare includes initiatives such as cancer screening programmes, immunisation, anti-smoking campaigns, chronic disease monitoring, and other services aimed at detecting illnesses early or preventing them altogether.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I am very grateful to the players for what we experienced. I tried to do my best for Real Madrid. There were some disagreements with the players, but that’s normal, and we resolved them with respect. I leave without regrets, with many friends and with gratitude towards the club. I hope to be able to return one day.” Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed on the eve of the match that tomorrow’s match against Athletic Bilbao will be his last match as Real Madrid coach. “I hope it’s a goodbye, I’ve always considered Madrid my home,” the Spanish coach emphasized. “I’ve been part of Real Madrid for 20 years, it’s my home. It will be my last match this season, I don’t know if it will be the last of my life as Real Madrid coach, you never know. I’ll try to enjoy it and focus on winning.”

There had been talk of the possibility of Arbeloa remaining as Mourinho’s assistant, but the person in question cut it short: “Mou has a fantastic technical staff . If he comes here, he’ll come with his group, as is right. There’s no chance I’ll be part of his staff. I’ve spent these four months thinking about Real Madrid, from now I’ll think about myself. I feel ready for new challenges.” Then a joke about Laporta, who called Perez’s press conference on the Negreira case “grotesque”: “We continue to wait for a resolution on a serious case that has stained Spanish football. Many referees from that era are still here, and we have the same feeling. It’s not normal.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – There’s no longer any doubt: Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City. Sunday’s match against Aston Villa will be the Catalan manager’s final game in charge, thus closing his ten-year spell at the Etihad. “Don’t ask me why I’m leaving,” Guardiola said. “There’s no specific reason, but deep down I know it’s time. Nothing lasts forever: if it did, I’d still be here. What will last forever, however, are the feelings, the people, the memories, and the love I feel for my Manchester City.”

Guardiola, who had one year left on his contract, arrived at City in July 2016 and led the club to 20 trophies. His connection with City Football Group will not end as he takes on the role of global ambassador. In this new role, he will provide technical advice to the group’s clubs and work on specific projects and collaborations. “We worked, we suffered, we fought. And we did things our way. Our way,” Guardiola said. “Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me.” The manager recalls being interviewed by Noel Gallagher upon his arrival. “Noel, I was right: it was bloody fun. I love you all.” And speaking of the Gallagher brothers, Guardiola quipped: “As my time here comes to an end, be happy. Oasis is back.”

“Over the past ten years, honesty and trust have been the foundation on which we have approached every situation with Pep,” said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the club’s president. “Today, the right decision for Pep is to end his tenure as Manchester City manager. There were times when he could have stopped, but he always found new energy and new ways to continue winning.”

“We had the privilege of working with him for 10 years,” paid tribute to him, CEO Ferran Sorian. “His legacy is extraordinary and will continue to influence the club for generations. We are also happy that he will remain with the team and we will be able to use his experience at other clubs.”

Guardiola has won six Premier League titles, one Champions League title, three FA Cups, five League Cups, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, and three Community Shields. Among his records, he won the Premier League in 2018 with 100 points and 106 goals.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews