TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS) – The death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying 15 Tunisians, which departed at dawn on Thursday from Tunisia’s southeastern coast and was heading toward Italy, has risen to 11. Three people are still missing, while search operations at sea continue.

According to the official page of the Tunisian National Guard, search and rescue operations are being conducted off the coast of Zarzis, involving naval units from the Coast Guard, National Guard, Civil Protection and Navy, as well as two helicopters from the National Guard and the army.

The operations led to the recovery of three bodies yesterday and a further eight today, bringing the total number of victims to 11. Authorities have stepped up efforts to locate the three people still missing.

The boat was undertaking an irregular crossing toward Italy. The victims and those still missing are mainly from the towns of Ben Guerdane and Zarzis, in the Medenine Governorate.

– Photo Ipa Agency Archive –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is among ten EU countries pushing for a joint statement condemning the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Chris Fearne said.

Speaking on the Labour Party’s One television station, Fearne defended Malta’s position following criticism for the country’s absence from the group of member states calling on the European Commission to propose trade restrictions on products from the settlements.

Fearne reiterated that Malta opposes illegal Israeli settlements and is actively working to ensure that all 27 EU member states publish a joint statement of condemnation.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

Source: medNews

PORTO (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – “Within the club, we know clearly what we need and what we want to do. But there is an ideal scenario, and there are other things that can happen. As for the striker, we have heard many names. We would like to make a few more signings, but I don’t know how many. The final days will be challenging for everyone.” Porto coach Francesco Farioli remained tight-lipped about the rumors surrounding the club’s negotiations with Milan for Santiago Gimenez.

The Italian coach, however, wanted to clarify the circumstances surrounding Rodrigo Mora’s departure to Roma.

“It was an economic decision. Fifty million euros is a very significant amount for the club; it is the most expensive transfer in Roma’s history and one of the most important ever for Porto. It was a good opportunity in the transfer market that brought money to a club that needs it”.

“Everything that has been said about me pushing him out of Porto is false. I tried to help him according to my own view of football. Today, Rodrigo is a more complete player, more focused on the team, and I am certain that what he has learned will be important for his career. His contribution to Porto was very positive, and I can only wish him the best of luck because he deserves it. There was never any problem between us.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS) – The 261st convoy of humanitarian aid trucks, known as “Zad al-Izza – From Egypt to Gaza,” entered the Gaza Strip in recent days through the secondary crossing of the Rafah land port, heading toward the Kerem Shalom crossing.

According to the Egyptian National Media Authority, the trucks are carrying large quantities of food and humanitarian aid, including flour, fresh bread, legumes, canned food, medicines, personal hygiene products, tents, clothing and fuel. The trucks are inspected by Israeli authorities before entering the Gaza Strip.

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, around 58,000 trucks have delivered more than one million tonnes of humanitarian and relief supplies to the Strip, as well as ambulances and fuel trucks, thanks to the efforts of approximately 75,000 volunteers from the Egyptian Red Crescent.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech has told a court that former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri was the alleged mastermind behind the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech made the claim during a dramatic exchange with Judge Edwina Grima as prosecutors cross-examined him on Saturday. Asked directly whether he knew who had ordered the killing, Fenech replied: “Keith Schembri, Madam Justice”.

He said Melvin Theuma, the state witness and alleged middleman in the murder plot, knew who the mastermind was and would eventually reveal it. Fenech admitted paying Theuma about €450,000, but maintained the money was intended to keep him “calm and under control”, rather than to finance the murder. He also admitted leaking sensitive police information to Theuma, while insisting he had been manipulated and financially exploited.

Prosecutor Godwin Cini challenged Fenech over his claim that Schembri was responsible, asking how he could be certain without witnessing any payment between Schembri and Theuma. “His fingerprints are all over it, you’re just not seeing it” , Fenech replied.

The prosecution also questioned Fenech about his relationships with senior police officials, including former Deputy Commissioner Silvio Valletta and former Superintendent Raymond Aquilina. Fenech acknowledged being close to Valletta, saying they travelled together to football matches and that he had paid for Champions League tickets.

He was also questioned about encrypted Signal conversations with Aquilina, former head of the police anti-money laundering unit. Prosecutors presented messages in which Fenech referred to Caruana Galizia as “that witch”. He said the term reflected a nickname used in certain circles and acknowledged it was inappropriate.

(ITALPRESS)

-foto: IPA Agency-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two Italian teenagers have been convicted after admitting to vandalising four parked cars in Swieqi and apologising for their actions.

A 18-year-old and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named, were arrested at Malta International Airport on Thursday evening as they prepared to leave Malta.

The court heard that a group of six youths was captured on CCTV damaging parked vehicles in Triq il-Qugħ at around 5am on Thursday.

The two teenagers were accused of causing substantial damage to two Mercedes-Benz cars and a Fiat, as well as minor damage to another Fiat.

The 17-year-old was also accused of taking a helmet from a parked motorcycle and pulling a T-shirt over his head to conceal his identity.

Both students pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, offering an unconditional apology to the vehicle owners and the Swieqi community.

They also agreed to immediately pay €2,021 in damages.

Police inspectors Pierguido Saliba and Christian Xuereb told the court that Paoli had fully cooperated, while the 17-year-old had exercised his right to silence.

Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil sentenced Paoli to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, while the minor received an eight-month suspended sentence.

Following the ruling, both teenagers were handed over to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings.

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield warned that visitors who misbehave in Malta would face consequences, saying the country was “nobody’s playground”.

Swieqi Deputy Mayor Jordan Galea Pace welcomed the outcome and suggested community service could be considered in similar cases.

“If you damage a community, why not give something back to it?” he said, urging visitors to respect Malta and its communities.

-Photo Net News-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “I don’t know the rules, but when you start a competition, there’s a very important principle: you can’t play both matches against the same opponent, either home or away. Each team must play once away and once at home.“ This was stated by PSG coach Luis Enrique in a press conference on the eve of the match against Rennes, scheduled for Roazhon Park instead of the Parc des Princes as planned due to the unplayable pitch at the Parisian stadium.

The Spanish coach hopes the return leg will be played in Paris, but that’s not a given. Thus, the possibility of Rennes hosting PSG twice in a season becomes a real possibility. “Are we worried about the condition of the pitch? Yes. We like to play attacking, spectacular football, so we need a pitch in excellent condition. And today that’s not possible,” the coach added, before stating that “we need to adapt to the circumstances and the schedule. I’d like to have a different situation, but that’s how it is. We have to take it as a challenge.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews