LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM) (ITALPRESS) – Xabi Alonso had asked for a few experienced players, and Chelsea moved quickly to meet his request. The Stamford Bridge club have officially announced the signing of 35-year-old striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton.

The club said that Welbeck, “who has made 42 appearances for the England national team, has signed a contract until 2028 and will join Xabi Alonso’s squad during the club’s pre-season training camp.”

“When you hear that Chelsea are interested in you, it’s something that fills you with immense pride,” Welbeck said. “History shows that this is a club that wants to win trophies and is committed to doing so every single season. I’m truly honoured to join a club of this stature at such an exciting time. I already know some of the players and I’ve had some great conversations with the manager, so I already feel a strong connection. I’ve got the right determination and I’m ready to give everything for this club, to make the fans and everyone at Chelsea proud.”

Welbeck has made 400 Premier League appearances during a career that has seen him play for Preston, Sunderland, Manchester United—where he won trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson—Arsenal, Watford and Brighton.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has joined 21 other European Union leaders in calling for an immediate EU response to the migration crisis in Ceuta, with Prime Minister Robert Abela signing a joint letter urging coordinated action.

Setting out its position, Malta described irregular migration as a shared European challenge requiring solidarity and a fair distribution of responsibility among Member States.

The government said the EU already has the necessary tools and agencies to combat migrant trafficking, while insisting that Member States must retain control over who is allowed to enter and remain in their territory.

Malta also expressed full solidarity with Spain and praised cooperation between Madrid and Morocco, which enabled the rapid return of most irregular arrivals.

While urging close monitoring of developments, Malta argued that the priority should be coordinated European support, stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and measures to prevent secondary movements of migrants across the bloc.

The letter calls on the Irish Presidency to convene an urgent meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers to strengthen support for Spain, including reinforced Frontex operations and a review of EU cooperation with Morocco.

The leaders warned that human-trafficking networks are exploiting the situation to challenge the EU’s external borders and stressed the need for a united response to irregular migration.

Spanish authorities said an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta between Wednesday and Friday, mostly by sea from Morocco. More than 48,000 were returned, while at least 67 people died attempting the crossing.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Marco Amelia is making a fresh start in Malta. The former goalkeeper—a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006—has been appointed head coach of Hamrun Spartans, a club that officially announced his signing ahead of the upcoming Maltese Premier League season. This marks a new chapter in Amelia’s coaching career, following a playing career filled with success and experience at the highest levels. As a goalkeeper, he played for Milan, Livorno, Palermo, Genoa, and Chelsea.

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Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – A Turkish derby is unfolding over a global football star. Mohamed Salah—a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Liverpool—appeared on the verge of joining Vincenzo Italiano’s Beşiktaş, but according to the local press, Trabzonspor has significantly bettered the Istanbul club’s offer, proposing a two-year deal worth €15 million per season. The former Roma player, who also has offers from Saudi Arabia, is weighing the proposal from the Trabzon-based club, which is poised to pull off a major coup and snatch the Egyptian forward away from Italiano’s Beşiktaş.

– photo IPA Agency –

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The FIFA Forward Enterprise project has already come to an end. Gianni Infantino, the head of world football, announced the news overnight, explaining that the plan to create a company open to external private investors—tasked with managing commercial rights for competitions, including the World Cup—“will not go ahead.” According to Infantino, “The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was conceived to lay the groundwork for further strengthening FIFA-affiliated associations and our sport globally, especially in countries where support is most needed. And, as we stated from the start, the intention was to do so only with the backing of the majority of FIFA-affiliated associations and always within a consultation process involving them, the FIFA Council, the confederations, and other stakeholders.”

Opposition expressed by the confederations—UEFA in particular—and by some senior figures within the international federation played a significant role: “After carefully listening to all opinions, it became clear that the project created divisions of such a nature that, regardless of the level of support, they are no longer compatible with the original objective. Our goal has always been, and always will be, to unite and improve. Consequently, this proposal will not go ahead,” stated Infantino. “Looking ahead, my intention is to bring all stakeholders together in the coming days and weeks in a spirit of shared interest in our game, with the aim of continuing to grow football everywhere, particularly in those countries that most need our support,” concluded the FIFA President.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO (ITALPRESS) – “The conflict in Western Sahara must end now, and the United States will continue to promote progress toward this goal.” This was US President Donald Trump‘s statement in his message to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Feast of the Throne. As reported by the MAP news agency, the US President clearly reiterated Washington’s position on the Sahara issue in his message. “The United States are clear: we recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and support Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic proposal for autonomy as the only basis for a just and lasting solution. Any other path prolongs the status quo and is unacceptable.”

Trump then paid tribute to the role of King Mohammed VI, emphasizing that “his wise leadership represents a pillar of stability.” He also emphasized Morocco’s ongoing commitment to peace, the fight against extremism, and security, reiterating the Kingdom’s crucial role in the Abraham Accords and announcing enhanced cooperation between Washington and Rabat, including for the stability of the Sahel region. On the economic front, the US President—as reported by MAP—affirms that the development vision promoted by the Moroccan King opens new prospects for shared prosperity. In this context, he announced that he has tasked his administration with working on economic and social development with Morocco, “including the territory of Western Sahara.” He added that American technologies and innovation will continue to support the Kingdom in the strategic sectors of energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and defense.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ITALPRESS) – Chelsea have been fined £10 million (approximately €11.7 million), payable immediately, while a two-transfer-window ban on registering new players has been imposed but suspended. A proposed six-point deduction has meanwhile been overturned.

These are the sanctions handed down by the Football Association following an investigation into the club for alleged breaches of the FA’s Football Agents Regulations, Working with Intermediaries Regulations and Third-Party Investment in Players Regulations.

Chelsea had originally been charged with 74 separate breaches. However, according to the FA, the current ownership voluntarily reported the violations after completing its takeover of the club. An independent Appeal Commission subsequently upheld Chelsea’s appeal and overturned the six-point deduction following a further hearing.

“Instead, the Appeal Commission imposed a registration ban for two consecutive transfer windows, suspended until 30 June 2027,” the FA said in a statement. “The £10 million fine imposed by the Regulatory Commission was not appealed, and the full amount will be invested in grassroots football.”

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has been ranked fourth among the world’s leading flag states for its preparedness to support the maritime industry’s transition to low-carbon shipping, according to a new study by researchers at Frederick University in Cyprus.

The study assessed ten major ship registries using a framework based on three indicators: adoption of alternative fuels, engine efficiency and compliance with air-pollution standards. In the balanced ranking, Malta placed behind Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Singapore, while finishing ahead of Greece, Cyprus, Norway, Japan, the United States and Turkey.

Researchers said Malta’s performance remained consistently strong across different assessment scenarios, indicating a balanced approach to both long-term decarbonisation and short-term environmental compliance.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.5% in June 2026, up from 2.6% recorded in the same month last year, according to the latest official figures.

The number of unemployed people stood at 12,146 in June, down slightly from 12,408 in May but 36.2% higher than the 8,919 registered in June 2025, indicating a weaker labour market compared with a year earlier.

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Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “The history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and his character will forever remain, just like his iconic No. 6 shirt, an essential and inseparable part of the club’s DNA and journey. The condolences that AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s entire family are shared by every Rossonero supporter, who feels this loss as a personal one during such a difficult time.” The club announced the news on its official social media channels.

In an official statement published on its website, AC Milan added: “It is not easy to announce the loss of a heartbeat of our heart, one of the breaths of our soul. But everyone at AC Milan and every Milan supporter must try to live up to Franco Baresi’s example. We must find the strength to carry on and gather all the energy we can, despite the tears and emotion of a moment that weighs so heavily. Franco has left us after giving us, only a few months ago, one final proud image of himself in a packed stadium, connected with the entire world, during the opening ceremony of the Milan Winter Olympics, which he helped make unforgettable. Together, we embrace the immense memory of Franco, knowing that he will always guide us and give us one more reason to cherish every moment of our Rossoneri lives. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
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Source: medNews