VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has called for greater flexibility in future European Union agricultural policies to address the country’s unique farming challenges during a meeting of Mediterranean agriculture ministers in Croatia.

Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo presented Malta’s position at the MED9 Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in Zadar, where ministers discussed generational renewal, innovation and the future sustainability of farming across Mediterranean EU countries.

Refalo stressed that attracting younger generations into agriculture is essential for the long-term future of the sector in Malta.

He said the country faces particular constraints, including fragmented farmland and limited land availability, making it vital for future EU measures to allow member states to tailor support to their national circumstances.

The meeting also focused on support for young farmers under the future Common Agricultural Policy, knowledge exchange, rural development and the demographic challenges affecting agricultural communities.

Malta backed stronger cooperation among MED9 countries to share experience and best practices in addressing these issues.

Refalo said investing in young people, innovation and rural communities was an investment in the future of food security and agriculture, adding that closer collaboration among Mediterranean countries would help build a more sustainable, competitive and resilient sector.

The ministers concluded the meeting by adopting a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to generational renewal, innovation, closer Mediterranean cooperation and stronger, more sustainable rural communities.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese court has rejected a request by two men accused of terrorism-related offences to call three imams as witnesses on Islamic religious symbols and practices ahead of their jury trial.

Farhan Mohammed Sheik and Abdullah Aliwi, who deny the charges, had asked the Criminal Court to hear testimony from Imams Moteb Haj, Mohammed Elsadi and Zakaria Khatib on the significance of Islamic hymns, materials and related conduct.

However, Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras ruled that the proposed testimony amounted to opinion evidence, which can only be provided by experts appointed by the court. She also held that the imams could not testify on the conduct of the accused and upheld the Attorney General’s objection.

The court likewise rejected a defence request for Ahmed Felah to testify about ISIS and his claim that members of his family had been killed in Syria, ruling that he was not a court-appointed expert.

A further request to hear reports by Police Inspector Glenn Attard, Europol official Sami Juhani Harmoinen and expert Keith Cutajar was also refused, as they may instead be called to testify in their capacity as court experts.

Sheik and Aliwi remain in custody after pleading not guilty to charges including disseminating terrorist material on social media, attempting to incite terrorist acts, encouraging terrorist activities, training people in the use of explosives and financing travel linked to terrorism.

Police also accuse the pair, who lived in Ħamrun and Paola, of associating with foreign nationals to commit criminal offences and organising or financing a criminal organisation.

The case stems from the reopening of a magisterial inquiry that previously led to the arraignment of seven other Syrians. Prosecutors said fresh evidence resulted in new charges against the two men, who allegedly entered Malta illegally.

The court also refused a request for their release on bail after the prosecution argued there was a risk of flight and confirmed that investigations involving around 30 other individuals are still ongoing.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona is thinking big. After securing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, the Blaugrana club—according to Sport—has reportedly sought €210 million in financing through a deal known as “Senior Media Notes”; this involves a loan secured against the club’s future broadcasting rights revenue.

This move will provide Barça with the liquidity needed to continue strengthening the squad. While Joao Cancelo’s continued presence seems a certainty, the next major signing could be Karim Adeyemi: an agreement is reportedly already in place with the player, and negotiations with Borussia Dortmund—orchestrated by his agent, Jorge Mendes—are said to be well advanced. The 24-year-old forward’s contract runs until 2027, and having already made it clear he does not wish to renew, the German club might be willing to accept a fee just above €30 million. However, Adeyemi’s potential arrival would not rule out the search for a central striker, with Julian Alvarez remaining the top choice to eventually succeed Lewandowski.

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Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – There is little doubt left that Jürgen Klopp will be the new head coach of the German national team, and details of the agreement—expected to be finalized this weekend in New York—are now circulating in the German media.

The 59-year-old manager is currently in the US working as a commentator for the World Cup and will be met there by top German Football Association officials Bernd Neuendorf and Hans-Joachim Watzke. According to Bild, Klopp will sign a contract running until 2030, thereby leading Die Mannschaft at both Euro 2028 and the upcoming World Cup hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. Regarding his salary, Klopp is expected to earn slightly more than his predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann (who made around €7 million a year), while Red Bull—to whom he was contracted until 2029 as Head of Global Soccer—is expected to release him without demanding compensation, partly because Klopp would continue to collaborate with them as a brand ambassador.

His coaching staff is also taking shape: Peter Krawietz, who has worked alongside Klopp in the past, is set to serve as his assistant, while Pepijn Lijnders—longtime assistant to the manager at Liverpool and later part of Guardiola’s team at Manchester City—is also expected to join the staff. As things stand, Klopp’s debut as Germany head coach is expected to take place on September 24 against the Netherlands in the Nations League.

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Source: medNews

FERRARA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Joseph Portelli, president of Maltese football club Ħamrun Spartans, has become the new owner of Ars et Labor Ferrara, the Eccellenza club that carries on the legacy of the historic SPAL.

The takeover was officially completed on Thursday following the successful conclusion of the due diligence process and an agreement with the previous owners, Juan Martin Molinari and Andres Adolfo Marengo.

The Ferrara-based club, which competed in Italy’s Serie A between 2017 and 2019 under the name SPAL, declared bankruptcy in 2025 after severe financial difficulties and restarted in the Eccellenza division.

With the acquisition, Portelli becomes the first Maltese football administrator to purchase a foreign football club.

Ownership has been transferred with immediate effect to JP Football Holding. At the same time, Marcel Bonnici, chief executive of Ħamrun Spartans and a close associate of Portelli, has been appointed chief executive officer of Ars et Labor Ferrara.

In a statement, the club pledged to do everything possible to restore Ars et Labor Ferrara to the level its history and tradition deserve.

The new ownership said its priority is to ensure financially sound and stable management, laying the foundations for the club’s gradual growth and long-term success.

Further announcements on the club’s new management structure are expected in the coming days.

The new owners also expressed their intention to meet local media and supporters to present their redevelopment project, describing the fans as “the heart and the most precious asset of the club”.

The club said it was confident it could build a successful future for Ars et Labor Ferrara.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Hossam Hassan will remain head coach of the Egypt national team. The Egyptian Football Association has announced that it has renewed Hassan’s contract following Egypt’s elimination in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 at the hands of Argentina. The federation also confirmed Ibrahim Hassan as the national team’s technical director.

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LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “Criticism? I take it as something positive. There are days when you think, ‘Damn, I don’t understand why they’re saying these things about me.’ But on the days when you’re feeling good, everyone should simply stay quiet.” Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal said this in an interview with Mundo Deportivo ahead of Spain’s World Cup quarter-final against Belgium tomorrow evening.

“I feel great and eager to show what I’m capable of. I believe I can do even better. I’m very demanding of myself. I was out for almost two months, so I need to keep touching the ball, playing, and building up minutes on the pitch,” he added.

The tournament has brought contrasting fortunes for some of football’s biggest veterans. Lionel Messi has reached the quarter-finals with Argentina, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have already exited the competition.

“Everyone knows who Messi is, but no one expected him to be playing at such a high level. I’m really happy for him. But Neymar and Cristiano have also shaped the childhood of every player in today’s game,” Yamal said.

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VALLETTA( MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta recorded a government deficit of €339 million during the first quarter of 2026, while public debt climbed to nearly €11.5 billion, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office.

Government expenditure rose sharply to €2.3 billion between January and March, almost €300 million higher than in the same period a year earlier.

The increase was driven in part by higher intermediate consumption, which includes spending on goods and services such as utilities, maintenance, raw materials and operational services. These costs increased by almost €100 million year-on-year.

Spending on government employees also grew significantly, reaching €644 million, up €35 million from the final quarter of 2025.

Government revenue totalled just over €2 billion during the quarter, slightly above the level recorded a year earlier.

Tax receipts included more than €800 million from income taxes and around €600 million from taxes on production and imports.

Total government debt stood at €11.45 billion at the end of the quarter, an increase of €549 million compared with the same period last year.

Despite the rise in nominal debt, the debt-to-GDP ratio continued to decline, falling to 45.9% from around 46.5% recorded through much of last year.

The ratio remains comfortably below the European Union’s 60% debt threshold, marking the first time in several years that Malta’s debt burden has dropped below 46% of GDP.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Zlatko Dalic’s tenure as Croatia coach ends with the 2026 World Cup (elimination in the round of 32). The coach communicated his decision to Croatian Football Federation President Marijan Kustic during a meeting at the HNS headquarters.

Dalic leaves the most successful coach in Croatian history. Under his leadership, Croatia achieved second place at the 2018 World Cup, third place in 2022, and the 2023 Nations League final, as well as qualifying for the 2020 and 2024 European Championships and the 2026 World Cup.

“This was the most difficult decision of my career. Leading the national team was the greatest honor possible, and I am proud of everything we have achieved in almost nine years: the medals, the great victories, and above all the bond created between the team and the Croatian people,” Dalic said.

The coach then thanked his staff, the Federation, fans, media, and family for their support, dedicating a thought to the players: “I feel privileged to have coached extraordinary men and players, from Modric to the younger ones who are carrying on the legacy of the previous generation.”

Dalic concluded by explaining that, despite the possibility of continuing, he believes this is the right time to close a chapter: “I leave with a heart full of gratitude and with the pride of having contributed to the greatest successes in the history of Croatian football.”

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Source: medNews