PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta highlighted its approach to protecting workers from climate change risks during an international seminar in Palermo, presenting its occupational health and safety framework as a model of good practice.

Addressing representatives from several countries, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Labour Jonathan Attard said Malta was among the first nations to tackle climate change from a workplace health and safety perspective.

He said the country has introduced a comprehensive framework, including a new Occupational Health and Safety Authority law, administrative measures targeting heat stress and extreme weather, awareness campaigns, free training and proactive enforcement.

Attard said Malta’s strategy combines scientific evidence, consultation with social partners, legislation, administrative tools and continuous training to strengthen workplace resilience.

The minister outlined measures for the construction sector, including mandatory drinking water, shaded rest areas, sun protection and additional safeguards during temperatures above 40°C.

He also highlighted new rules requiring the suspension of outdoor work, roofing and scaffolding activities during severe weather warnings.

Attard said Malta is expanding its workplace health strategy by incorporating psychological wellbeing, recognising the effects of extreme heat on concentration and decision-making.

OHSA Chief Executive Officer Josianne Cutajar said Malta’s participation reinforced its reputation as a leader in preventive and effective worker protection.

OHSA Board Chairman Pierre Fava said the presentation confirmed Malta’s advanced position on climate change and occupational health and safety.

Representatives from the General Workers’ Union and the Confederation for Health and Safety also attended the seminar.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) (ITALPRESS) – Ecuador’s 2026 World Cup campaign and Sebastian Beccacece’s coaching experience have ended in the round of 32. After the defeat to Mexico, the coach announced he will step down.

“I feel grateful for the people who worked with me and for the players who gave their all. It was a painful evening, but I have fond memories of the locker room. After the match, I spent two wonderful hours talking with the players,”

Beccacece said at the press conference. “We built a family. We didn’t achieve all the goals I had set for myself, but I feel fulfilled because I know what we’ve achieved,” the coach added.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

FRANKFURT (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – After the World Cup elimination by Paraguay, German football has another rude awakening. As Bild reports, over 150 investigators from the North Rhine-Westphalia police have raided the headquarters of the German Football Association, formerly the headquarters of “Euro 2024 GmbH,” a joint venture between the Federation and UEFA to organize the 2024 European Championship.

The raid is believed to be part of an investigation into hotel invitations and several thousand tickets that may have been illegally distributed ahead of the continental tournament hosted by Germany in 2024. Among those under investigation is a 46-year-old French citizen with no criminal record, who at the time was responsible for relations with the host cities.

According to investigators, he invited officials from the municipal offices dedicated to the European Championship to key matches. Between travel and accommodation expenses, a former administrative employee from Gelsenkirchen allegedly received an unfair financial advantage of approximately €2,400.

Searches are underway at the municipal administrations of Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich, as well as at several companies in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid continues to be active in the transfer market with the aim of completing the squad available to José Mourinho. Following the arrivals of Konaté, Cucurella, and Dumfries, the Spanish club is looking for another central defender, and the name gaining the most traction is Alessandro Bastoni. The Inter defender is considered an ideal candidate to bolster the backline. International experience, quality in playing the ball out from the back, and defensive reliability are attributes that appeal to Mourinho, who is determined to add another top-level player to the Madrid defense.

According to reports from AS, relations between Real Madrid and Inter are excellent, and the two clubs are in constant dialogue. The Nerazzurri are aware of the interest from Los Blancos and do not rule out the possible sale of the Italian center-back, who has reportedly already expressed a desire to take on a new challenge. In recent months, Bastoni had also been linked to Barcelona, ​​though those negotiations did not materialize. At the moment, however, the deal is not expected to close immediately. Real Madrid must first offload some players, both for financial reasons and to free up space in the squad. In the meantime, Bastoni is waiting; he is aware of the Spanish club’s interest and is willing to see how negotiations unfold. The cost of the deal could be around 60 million euros.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – “No thanks, I’m happy at Bayern Munich.” According to The Athletic, this was the response Harry Kane, through his entourage, sent to Barcelona, ​​who were interested in his signing. The England international, currently playing at the World Cup under Tuchel, is reportedly close to renewing his contract with the Bavarians, which expires in 2027, albeit with a release clause that would allow him to leave as early as this summer, a possibility the former Tottenham player is not considering.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has been classified as a high-risk country for media pluralism and media freedom, ranking second only to Hungary in the latest Media Pluralism Monitor.

The EU-funded Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom raised Malta’s overall risk score by five percentage points to 71%, behind Hungary’s 75%.

The report attributed the decline to a lack of transparency in media ownership and growing commercial pressure on editorial independence.

Malta was rated at very high risk in the protection of the right to information, political independence of the media, editorial autonomy and transparency of media ownership.

High-risk areas also included election information integrity and the independence of national media regulators.

The report said Malta and Hungary were the EU’s worst-performing countries in ensuring fair political information during elections and monitoring political advertising.

It cited repeated refusals of Freedom of Information requests, including the government’s decision not to release ministers’ asset declarations, and noted proposals to abolish the declarations altogether.

The monitor also highlighted persistent political influence through media ownership and said regulatory bodies lacked sufficient powers and resources.

Although Malta is preparing new rules on media ownership transparency, the report said its legal framework still falls short of new EU standards.

It also criticised Malta’s limited action against disinformation and foreign information manipulation, while highlighting recent bogus copyright claims targeting investigative journalism.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS) – Tripoli hosted the 2026 Italian Design Day celebrations, an event organised by the Italian Trade Agency as part of the sixth edition of the Urban Forum.

The event was attended by Libyan authorities, architects, designers, academics and international guests. Participants included the Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, the Minister of Tourism, the President of the Higher Council for Planning and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, reflecting growing interest in urban design and sustainable development in Libya.

In his address, Italy’s ambassador to Tripoli, Gianluca Alberini, underlined the value of design as a universal language capable of bringing together tradition and innovation, aesthetics and functionality.

“I thank the Libyan Council of Architects and its president Khalid Qabalawi for their hospitality,” he said, “which confirms our shared vision of placing architecture, design and urban regeneration at the heart of sustainable development. The Urban Forum is a valuable space for dialogue among institutions, professionals, universities and businesses, and helps build bridges while promoting a culture of design focused on sustainability and the enhancement of existing heritage.”

Alberini also recalled the deep bond between Italy and Libya, rooted in geography and shared history. “The Mediterranean brings our peoples together, and architecture and design today represent an extraordinary field for meeting and cooperation. Both countries have a rich architectural heritage and look to the future with a vision that combines authenticity and modernity,” he said.

The event offered a showcase for Italian design excellence and a platform for dialogue and the exchange of expertise between Italian and Libyan specialists in urban design, the regeneration of public spaces, urban identity and sustainability.

Italian Design Day was held as part of the sixth edition of the Tripoli Urban Forum, an annual platform bringing together decision-makers, designers and urban planners to discuss the future of Libyan cities. Italian-Libyan cooperation in this field represents a model of cultural and artistic partnership, with Italian expertise supporting reconstruction and urban development projects in Libya.

The programme included presentations of innovative projects, workshops on the regeneration of historic buildings and the sharing of successful experiences in transforming public spaces into places serving local communities.

The initiative confirms Italy’s commitment to cooperation with Libya in the fields of design and architecture, building on the historical and geographical ties between the two countries and on the belief that quality design can be an effective tool for sustainable development and for strengthening the urban identity of Libyan cities.

– Farnesina photo –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ASUNCIÓN (PARAGUAY) (ITALPRESS) – “Paraguay never gives up. It’s a national celebration…” President Santiago Peña watched the decisive penalty kick and then took to social media to declare June 30 a national holiday. The Paraguayan president fulfilled the promise he had made before the match against Germany, which La Albirroja won in a penalty shootout.

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, it was actually the government’s spokesperson who first revealed the commitment: “The president said he would consider declaring a national holiday if our boys won.”

No sooner said than done: Germany are heading home, La Albirroja have advanced to the Round of 16, and Paraguay is celebrating with a national holiday.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

FOXBOROUGH (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “Deutschland ist raus!” (“Germany are out!”) – and the German media are struggling to come to terms with it. The four-time world champions are heading home after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.

Expectations had been far higher, and, as is often the case in football, the head coach’s future has immediately come under scrutiny. Julian Nagelsmann, the 38-year-old Germany manager, remains determined to stay on. He does not see himself as the sole person responsible for a campaign that ended far earlier than expected and gave a clear response when asked about his future.

“I want to continue. I’m ready to move forward, but I know that in football you don’t have complete control and that the decision isn’t entirely up to me. If the federation no longer wants me, they have to tell me. If they don’t want me, they should let me know.”

The German press described the national team’s performance as embarrassing, directing criticism not only at Nagelsmann but also at the officials of the German Football Association.

–  Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews