Messi’s Saudi deal done: club not yet revealed

May 9 2023

Sources close to the negotiations informed AFP that PSG football star Lionel Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia is essentially done.

The source was speaking on condition of anonymity in terms of which club will be taking up the Argentinian, but could confirm that the player will be playing in Saudi Arabia next season.

Reports last week suggested that Messi could be offered a whopping £400 million for just one season. The 35 year old has held negotiations with a Saudi club as his PSG deal nears expiration this summer.

However, SunSport announced that Messi will make no decision on his future until after the end of the Ligue 1 season.

The country’s publicity was already boosted following Ronaldo’s joining of Al-Nassr last year, and Messi’s move could see it skyrocket even more. The forward’s wife, however, has reportedly expressed reluctance over moving the family to Saudi.

This also comes after being suspended from PSG for his unauthorised promo trip to Saudi, having apologised to his team mates but saying that he awaits what the club wants to do with him.

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Maltese MEPs punch above their weight most, survey highlights

May 9 2023

According to a newly released study, Maltese MEPs are the ones who ‘punch above their weight the most’.

The study was carried out by EUmatrix.eu and it analysed the influence MEPs exert over EU legislation since the beginning of the current term.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola ranked in second place, just after Manfred Weber. Meanwhile, MEP Alex Agius Saliba ranked in 35th place in a list of the top 100 most influential out of a 705 members.

The island in general registered the highest score of how influential its representatives were relative to its size.

The Maltese were able to hold more leadership positions or greater legislative roles than their size would normally allow.

‘Our assessment also shows which national delegations are able to punch above their weight, such as being able to get more leadership positions or legislative files than their delegation size would normally allow.’

‘This is for instance the case of Malta and Luxembourg, as their MEPs are able to play an important role in the European Parliament despite coming from the smallest EU countries. Two Maltese MEPs are in the top 100 most influential MEPs, namely EP President Roberta Metsola and S&D Vice-Chair Alex Agius Saliba.’

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26 year old woman falls four storeys in Birkirkara shaft

May 9 2023

Earlier today, at around 0730hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq G.F. Agius De Soldanis, Birkirkara, due to a person suffering injuries following a fall.

From preliminary investigations, a 26-year-old Macedonian woman resident of St Paul’s Bay was found to have fallen four storeys in a shaft.

Civil Protection was also called on site, with a medical team also assisting and taking the woman to Mater Dei Hospital. She was later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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Dolphins swim alongside jet-ski in Armier Bay

May 9 2023

Footage sent to this newsroom captures yet another early summer sighting of dolphins swimming alongside a person riding a jet-ski in Armier.

The footage shows the dolphins gracefully swimming alongside the jet-ski, up close and personal.

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Dolphin sightings are already amounting as the country prepares to enter the full summer vibe – ready for some beach time, sun and freezing cold drinks.

Have you spotted any dolphins yet?

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Source: Kurt Stafrace