ROME (ITALPRESS) – Following what has become a Super Bowl tradition, the next World Cup final will also have its own “halftime show.” As previously announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, on July 19th, a show featuring Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will take place at halftime of the World Cup final at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as artistic director.

This show is unprecedented for the World Cup, but not in football: Shakira previously performed at the halftime show of the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, while Martin previously hosted the halftime show (featuring J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems, also at Metlife Stadium) at the Club World Cup final on July 13th.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Dick Advocaat will lead Curaçao in its historic first World Cup. Following the resignation of Fred Rutten, the Federation announced that it had appointed the 78-year-old Dutch coach as its new head coach. This marks a return for Advocaat, having led the team to qualification last November, only to resign three months later to be with his ailing daughter.

Rutten had been appointed in his place on February 23, but after losing two friendlies in March against China and Australia, he resigned on Monday. Hence the return of Advocaat, who had said he was available given the improvement in his daughter’s condition. The Dutch coach will thus become the oldest coach in World Cup history. Curaçao is in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast and will face Scotland in a friendly match at Hampden Park on May 30.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has lost its position as Europe’s leading country for LGBTIQ+ rights after holding the top spot for ten consecutive years, according to ILGA-Europe’s updated 2026 Rainbow Map.

The annual index, which evaluates 49 European countries on laws and policies affecting LGBTI people’s human rights, now places Malta second with a score of 87.73%, down 1.1 percentage points from last year’s 88.83%.

Spain has overtaken Malta to claim first place, scoring 88.70% in the latest rankings.

The Rainbow Map assesses countries across seven categories, including equality and non-discrimination, family rights, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition, intersex bodily integrity, civil society space, and asylum.

Scores range from 0%, indicating severe discrimination and human rights violations, to 100%, representing full equality and protection of rights.

Malta’s drop marks the first time since 2015 that it has not led the European rankings on LGBTIQ+ rights.

At the lower end of the 2026 index, Russia ranked last with 2.00%, followed by Azerbaijan at 2.25%.

Among European Union member states, Romania recorded the lowest score at 19%.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Robert Lewandowski has said in recent days that he hasn’t made a decision on his future, but what seems certain is that he won’t wear the Barcelona jersey next season.

The Blaugrana’s proposed contract extension, reports from Poland, doesn’t convince him, not so much because of the salary reduction but rather because of the backup role Flick has in mind for him.

This is why Lewandowski could say goodbye to the Barcelona fans as early as the match against Betis. And after that? Saudi Arabia remains a real possibility, but the situation in the Middle East could push him toward the MLS.

A final stint in a top European league shouldn’t be ruled out: Italy (Milan and Juventus are in pole position) and Portugal (Porto) are among the options on the table for the Polish striker, who turns 38 this summer.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “They stole seven league titles from us? We all know what happened for 20 years. There are certainly things we don’t know, and it seems incredible that only Real Madrid wants to defend the rule of law in football.” Predictably, Alvaro Arbeloa sides with Florentino Perez, the protagonist of a marathon press conference yesterday in which, among other things, he brought up the Negreira case again and spoke of seven league titles Real Madrid missed out on through no fault of his own.

“Any Madrid fan who heard the president yesterday also agrees that the club is treated differently than other clubs. Would I vote for Perez? I knew Real Madrid without Florentino and I remember what it was like. He and Santiago Bernabeu are the two most influential people in Real Madrid’s history. And if anyone can turn this situation around, it’s Florentino.”

Arbeloa now asks the team to “prove in these last three games that we deserve this shirt, the self-demand is enormous. Losing hurts, much more than at any other club. But I’m surprised to hear we’ve hit rock bottom. So what have the other clubs hit? It’s not like we haven’t won anything for 50 years… And I wouldn’t take it for granted that Real Madrid won’t win anything next season either.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco is focusing on floating photovoltaics as an innovative solution to the growing challenges of water scarcity and energy demand. This is according to the Yabiladi website, which republishes a study conducted by Moroccan researchers, which finds that the Kingdom’s artificial reservoirs offer strategic potential. The study, conducted on 58 Moroccan dams with a total surface area of ​​approximately 433 square kilometers, highlights that these reservoirs lose nearly 909 million cubic meters of water each year due to evaporation.

According to the researchers, covering just 1% of the dams’ surface area with floating solar panels could significantly contribute to national energy needs, while 40% coverage would theoretically meet the country’s entire electricity demand. In addition to generating renewable electricity, this technology would significantly reduce water evaporation, with an estimated reduction of between 25% and 60% depending on climate conditions. Panels installed on water also benefit from natural cooling, improving their energy efficiency by up to 2% compared to land-based systems.

Among the sites most exposed to evaporation is the Al Wahda Dam, which records an estimated annual loss of over 183 million cubic meters of water. The study’s authors therefore emphasize the urgency of accelerating innovative solutions in a context marked by increasingly frequent droughts.

Morocco has already launched several pilot projects in the sector, including the 360-kilowatt Sidi Slimane floating power plant and the Oued Rmel dam project near Tangier, with a planned capacity of 13 megawatts, which will cover approximately 14% of the Tangier-Med port’s energy needs. This strategy is part of the Kingdom’s national goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 52% by 2030. Yabiladi also notes that, thanks to over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and rapidly growing installed green capacity, Morocco aims to consolidate its position as a regional hub for the energy transition.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Libya reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during a high-level meeting in Tripoli between Malta’s Ambassador to Libya, Franklin Aquilina, and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

The discussions were described as “important and highly constructive” and focused on issues of common interest and ways to intensify cooperation in several strategic sectors. Both sides underscored the value of the historic partnership between the two neighboring countries, reaffirming their willingness to expand bilateral collaboration to create new opportunities for coordination and mutual benefit.

The discussions also highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening political and economic ties, with the aim of consolidating existing relations through broader cooperation.

– Photo Malta Embassy in Tripoli –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. According to data released by the MLS Players Association, the Argentine star of Inter Miami CF earns a guaranteed annual compensation of 28 million dollars (around 24 million euros), nearly double the 17 million dollars he earned in 2025.

Since arriving in the United States in 2023, the Argentine champion’s salary — which initially stood at 12 million dollars — has therefore more than doubled. Income from sponsorships and personal commercial agreements is not included in these figures.

Behind Messi in the salary rankings are Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC (around 11 million dollars, equivalent to 9.4 million euros) and teammate Rodrigo De Paul (9.6 million dollars). Further down the list is former Bayern Munich player Thomas Müller, now with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, earning more than 5 million dollars per year.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I’m sorry to tell you that I will not resign, but I have asked for the process to begin for new board elections, in which we will run.” This was the announcement made by Florentino Perez, who called a press conference to settle more than a few scores.

The Real Madrid president chose to show strength, relying on an election that could reinforce his position despite the criticism and attacks he has received. “At Madrid there is no single owner; there are 1,000 members, and I made this decision because an absurd situation has been created, driven by campaigns against the interests of Real Madrid and against me personally. We did not achieve the best results, but in sports you do not always win. Yet some people took advantage of the situation to attack me personally. I heard people say: ‘Where is Florentino?’ But I normally do not speak publicly. Some even said I have terminal cancer: I can assure you that my health is perfect.”

Perez did not hide his frustration over a season in which “we failed to win anything. But under my presidency we have won 66 titles in football and basketball, including seven European Cups. And I want to address those behind this campaign, those operating in the shadows: let them stand in the elections. Now they have the chance. I will stand to defend the interests of Real Madrid.”

Perez also pointed the finger at the press. “Journalists and their associates do not run Real Madrid. People do not believe them; they believe me. Journalists think they influence the club’s decisions because they believe they are important, but that is not the case. The members are the ones in charge here. Anyone who wants to run should do so. But they should not whisper behind my back that I am tired. I cannot accept this simply because we did not win La Liga or the Champions League this year. They say Real Madrid is in chaos now, but we remain the most prestigious club in the world.”

He also brought up the Negreira case: “There are referees from that era who are still officiating today. We will present a dossier to UEFA to ensure that all this comes to an end.”

Perez, in short, is continuing on his path. “I will not leave. I will be the last member to leave. The owners of Madrid are the members. If someone wants to stand in the elections, let them do it, but they should stop hesitating: run and explain how they will finance everything. In 2000 I personally guaranteed 174 million pesetas to allow salaries to be paid. I put that money in myself, and today Real Madrid is a financially healthy club. Now someone wants to take over Real Madrid, but I have been here for 26 years and I will not allow it.”

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I’m very happy. We’ll continue until 2028 and then we’ll see, if all goes well, we’ll make the decision to continue for another year. The club has this right, I do too, and it’s a good agreement.” Hansi Flick confirmed in a press conference that he has reached an agreement with Barcelona to extend his current contract for another two years, with an option for a further season.

“Over the past few days, it’s been crystal clear to me that this is the right place for me. I truly appreciate everything that has been given to me and my family, and I’m ready for next season. We have a huge challenge ahead: to work even harder, reach the highest level, and win titles.”

Perhaps the Champions League… “Everyone has the incredible dream of winning the Champions League. We’ll try again, that’s all I can say. I’m grateful for the trust placed in me to work here for many more years.”

Flick also addressed the contractual situation of some players, such as Lewandowski, whose contract is expiring. “I won every title at club level with Robert,” said the German coach, also recalling their shared experience at Bayern Munich. “I really appreciate being his coach, he’s an incredible player, but we need to analyze the situation and see what happens. Reinforcements? We know where we need to intervene. We’ve talked a lot with Deco in recent months, and we’re not done yet.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews