VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A juror who acquitted Yorgen Fenech of involvement in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia wrote “not even her children mourn her” in a WhatsApp group chat with fellow jurors, according to messages uncovered by police.

The comment was posted hours before thousands gathered in Valletta to protest Fenech’s acquittal.

The group, named The Line of Truth (Il-linja tal-verità), was created by the nine jurors two days after the September 2 verdict.

Another juror responded with a message apparently mocking murder middleman Melvin Theuma’s declarations of trust in God.

The messages, alongside the jurors’ past social media activity, are expected to support the prosecution’s arguments for a retrial.

Police discovered the WhatsApp group following the arrest of four jurors last month.

The juror who made the remark was investigated for failing to disclose negative social media posts about Caruana Galizia and the case.

In a 2013 post, she criticised police for being stationed outside the journalist’s home, claiming this allowed her to attack innocent people from the comfort of her home at taxpayers’ expense.

She also shared a 2020 post referring to Theuma and Fenech and their alleged “lies” about a sitting judge.

Another juror had shared a Facebook post in 2021 opposing compensation for Caruana Galizia’s family. The post criticised the journalist for her reporting on former prime minister Dom Mintoff and the Egrant affair, alleging that her reporting had relied on falsified documents and had harmed others. The allegations reflected the views expressed in the post, rather than an independently established finding about Caruana Galizia’s reporting.

The post followed a public inquiry that held the state responsible for the journalist’s death.

A reserve juror had also written on social media in March 2023 that he could not stand the sight of Caruana Galizia’s face.

Jurors had been instructed to declare social media posts concerning the case to identify potential bias against either Caruana Galizia or Fenech.

At the start of the trial, Judge Edwina Grima stressed that jurors must set aside pre-existing opinions and decide the case solely on the evidence presented in court.

During the 55-day trial, jurors heard graphic accounts of how Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in October 2017.

The prosecution alleged that Fenech ordered and financed the €150,000 assassination plot, citing evidence that included secret recordings. Fenech denied involvement, while his defence blamed Keith Schembri, the former prime minister’s chief of staff.

Caruana Galizia’s sons, Matthew, Paul and Andrew, have spent nine years pursuing justice for their mother.

Matthew described to the jury the devastation he encountered when he arrived at his mother’s burning car minutes after the explosion.

Speaking at a recent protest, he warned that years of hostility towards his mother had poisoned public opinion, including that of the jurors entrusted with delivering the verdict.

A public inquiry found that the Labour Party had treated Caruana Galizia as a political adversary rather than a journalist, exposing her to a sustained campaign of hatred, personal attacks, harassment and stalking.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – The Portuguese Football Federation has opened disciplinary proceedings against Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been provisionally suspended, after he left the Portuguese national team’s training camp without authorization on the eve of the match against Denmark.

However, Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, has extended an olive branch to the player. Ronaldo has, in fact, publicly apologized for his behavior, although he also criticized head coach Jesus, and has assured the federation of his availability for upcoming matches.

“This is a time for calm and serenity, a time for all of us to sit down together around a table,” Proença said. “We are all very eager to have our captain back.

“The normal disciplinary procedure will take its course, and the relevant bodies will assess the situation in complete independence. What we wish to emphasize for the time being is the desire, expressed in particular by our head coach, to see the captain return to the team soon.

“This is the time to call on everyone to remain calm.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission has approved an €8 million state aid scheme to help maritime operators running scheduled passenger and cargo services between Malta and Sicily cope with soaring fuel costs.

The measure will provide direct grants covering up to 70% of eligible additional fuel expenses incurred between 1 March and 31 December 2026.

The scheme follows an 86% increase in marine fuel prices in Malta in March compared with January, driven by the impact of the Middle East crisis on energy markets.

The funding aims to ease the financial burden on short-sea shipping operators and maintain vital maritime connections between the two islands.

Aid will be granted under the European Commission’s Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework, adopted on 29 April 2026 to allow member states to support businesses affected by the crisis.

The Commission said the measure was “necessary, appropriate and proportionate” to support economic activity without adversely affecting trading conditions within the European Union.

Operators seeking compensation will be required to provide declarations of fuel consumption, which authorities will verify as part of the assessment process.

Funding may be awarded until the end of 2026, with all payments required to be completed by 31 March 2027.

Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett described the approval as “significant”, saying it would help prevent additional costs from being passed on to consumers.

Fuel prices have risen since February amid disruption to key shipping routes and energy supplies, including restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The situation has been further complicated by disruption to Saudi Arabian exports through the Red Sea and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “The bond between Italy and the United States represents an extraordinary asset, built over centuries of history, shared values, and a deep friendship between our peoples. It is a relationship we must continue to cherish and strengthen, as it forms one of the fundamental pillars of our shared future.” This statement was made by Kamel Ghribi, founder and Chairman of GKSD and Vice President of the San Donato Group, on the sidelines of the Columbus Day celebration hosted at the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“It was a truly special occasion to meet President Trump on such a significant day. Every time I return to the United States, I rediscover the extraordinary energy of a country that has made freedom, individual initiative, and the opportunity to realize one’s ambitions some of its core values,” Ghribi stated.

“Columbus Day recalls a pivotal moment in history—Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492—and also serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Italians have made over the centuries to the growth and development of the United States,” he continued.

According to Ghribi, the transatlantic relationship remains vitally important today, particularly in terms of economics and international cooperation. “Italy and the United States share not only a history of friendship but also significant opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as innovation, healthcare, infrastructure, and investment. In a world undergoing profound transformation, strengthening these ties means creating new avenues for growth and contributing to the stability and prosperity of our communities. Columbus Day reminds us that great undertakings are born from the courage to look beyond known horizons. It is with this spirit of confidence, initiative, and openness to the future that we must continue to nurture the friendship between Italy and the United States,” Ghribi concluded.

– photo Gksd –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LENS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Lyon and Juventus are concerned about Loïs Openda. The 26-year-old Belgian forward—who is still owned by the Bianconeri but is on a straight loan to the French club—left the pitch in the 60th minute of last night’s match in Lens following a rough sliding tackle by Ganiou. The player initially got back up but collapsed a few seconds later, clutching his lower right leg. Openda then left the field supported by two members of the medical staff, unable to put weight on his foot. He will undergo medical tests in the coming hours to determine the extent of the injury.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Cole Palmer has further committed his future to Chelsea. The 24-year-old English attacking midfielder has extended his deal with the Blues by another year, pushing the expiry date from 2033 to 2034. Increasingly a leader in the dressing room, Palmer joins Erling Haaland and teammates Joao Pedro and Quenda as one of the four Premier League players with the longest contracts, all running until 2034. “Chelsea means a lot to me and I think the club is moving in the right direction, so I am happy to sign,” said the player, who arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for £42.5 million.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh to strengthen strategic cooperation in electricity interconnection, energy exchanges and railway connectivity.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Energy and Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Al Suwaidi. Its aim is to maximise mutual economic benefits in the sectors concerned.

The memorandum establishes the general principles governing electricity interconnection and the exchange and sale of electricity between the two countries. It also provides for technical, economic and environmental studies, as well as coordination with other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to expand the regional electricity interconnection system, in accordance with the existing general agreement. The aim is to improve the efficiency of energy systems and strengthen regional ties.

The agreement also sets out the general principles for bilateral railway connectivity for the transport and transit of goods in both directions. The objective is to enhance logistics integration, improve supply chain efficiency and support opportunities for economic development and regional integration, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

– Photo: Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – After this afternoon’s match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Tottenham will head to Marbella for a training camp, with their next fixture scheduled for October 19 against Coventry.

The decision was made by Roberto De Zerbi in an effort to bring the squad closer together following a disappointing start to the season, with just two points from five matches and the team sitting bottom of the table.

The Italian coach has organised extended training camps during the season in the past. At Marseille, he took the team to Mallemort, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in November 2024, and then to Rome in April 2025.

This time, the destination will be southern Andalusia.

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS) – Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves reached a new record of $57.35 billion at the end of September, rising by $134 million compared with August, according to data released by the Central Bank of Egypt.

The increase was supported by improved performance across key sources of foreign currency, including exports, tourism revenues, remittances from Egyptians living abroad and proceeds from the Suez Canal.

In the first eight months of 2026, tourist arrivals reached 12.7 million, up 4.1% year-on-year, while tourism revenues rose to $12 billion, an increase of 1.7%.

– Photo: Pexels.com –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “Loving the ball is the most important thing in football. Because when you play football, you play for the ball, not simply to run. If you become lazy, someone else will take your place, someone else will play instead of you. Just imagine how many children there are in the world, how many footballers, how many dreams.” These were the words of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, speaking to Armenian public television.

“What about the future? I’ve reached an age where you shouldn’t make long-term plans. You have to take things day by day. It’s not easy to recover, set goals for yourself or train at the same level as your 22-year-old teammates. I try to do everything to the best of my ability. But I can’t say how much longer I’ll keep playing,” added the Inter midfielder.

“I also rule out the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia or MLS. Money has never been the most important thing to me. I’ve never played football for money. I’ve never changed clubs for financial reasons. I’ve changed clubs and played football because of my ambitions, my goals and the dreams I’ve had since I was a child, which have stayed with me throughout my career,” the Armenian concluded.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews