BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) – Brussels will host the 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress on February 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A press conference with Aleksander Ceferin will follow, while the draw for the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will be held at 6:00 p.m. The UEFA Executive Committee will also be held in Brussels, but the day before, on February 11.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Malta-flagged oil tanker, the Matilda, was damaged in a drone strike off the Black Sea coast earlier this week, according to Russian authorities. The Greek-owned vessel, chartered by a Kazakh oil company, was attacked near Anapa in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region on January 13.

Russian officials claim the Matilda was hit by two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Despite the attack, the tanker’s crew were unharmed, and the ship safely reached Romanian waters on Thursday morning. A fire reportedly broke out on board but was quickly extinguished, and the damage has been described as “fully repairable” by the ship’s owners.

The Maltese authorities have yet to issue any statements regarding the attack. Malta, whose maritime sector is the largest in the European Union by tonnage, has seen its shipping industry expand significantly in recent years, contributing an estimated 14 per cent of national GDP in 2022. The Matildaincident underscores the risks faced by Malta-flagged vessels amid the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. Shipping analysts warn that while no Maltese lives were lost, the attack highlights growing vulnerabilities for vessels operating under the island nation’s flag in conflict zones.

Greece condemned the strikes and said its foreign minister would raise the issue at the European level. Kazakhstan also issued a statement denouncing the attack. Both the Matilda and another vessel, the Delta Harmony, were en route to the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal, which handles Kazakh oil for global markets as well as some Russian crude.

The strikes come amid Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to target Russian infrastructure. The Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal was previously hit in November, causing a sharp drop in Kazakh oil exports the following month. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – People in Israel often perceive Malta as “anti-Israeli”, but the reality on the ground tells a different story, Israel’s ambassador to Malta told parliament.

Addressing the Foreign and European Affairs Committee, Ambassador Ruth Cohen-Dar said dialogue between the two countries remained open despite political differences over the war in Gaza.

She said public statements from Malta sometimes appeared hostile, but her interactions with Maltese officials and the local Jewish community suggested otherwise. “There are things we agree on and other things we don’t, but we keep an ongoing dialogue,” she told MPs.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed Malta will support a major European Union financial aid package for Ukraine, stressing that any contribution will not be linked to the funding or supply of lethal weapons, in line with the country’s constitutional neutrality.

Addressing parliament after the Christmas recess, Abela said talks on Ukraine dominated the December European Council and were among the most complex negotiations he has faced in six years in office.

– photo IPA Agency  –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Michael Carrick will have Bruno Fernandes at his disposal at least until June. According to BBC Sport, the 31-year-old Portuguese has decided to postpone any decision on his future until the end of the season, thus ruling out a departure in the January transfer window. Fernandes’ contract expires in 2027, and last summer had turned down Al Hilal, and if he leaves United, he would prefer to stay in Europe.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS) – After their elimination in the round of 16 of the AFCON, which led to the dismissal of Sami Trabelsi, Tunisia quickly found a new coach. The North African team will be led by another French coach, Sabri Lamouchi, preferred over Franck Haise, who in recent days was considered to be in pole position. The 54-year-old Tunisian-born coach has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, until July 31, 2028, as confirmed by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF).

The former coach of Stade Rennais (2017-2018) will have a strong showing at the World Cup, a competition for which the Carthage Eagles qualified brilliantly (9 wins, 1 draw, 0 goals conceded). This isn’t the first time Lamouchi, a former midfielder for Parma, Inter, and Genoa, has led a national team: he began his coaching career with the Ivory Coast (2012-2014). It was an unfortunate experience for him, with a defeat against Nigeria (1-2) in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, followed by another elimination in the first round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Tottenham have officially announced the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. The deal is reportedly worth €40 million, according to British media, with the 25-year-old English midfielder putting pen to paper on a long-term contract, the exact length of which has not been disclosed.

A Chelsea academy product, Gallagher returned to the club after loan spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Bromwich and Crystal Palace. He joined the Colchoneros in 2024, making 77 appearances and scoring seven goals.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Among the protagonists of last season’s extraordinary treble-winning campaign, Fabian Ruiz will renew his contract with PSG: according to “L’Equipe,” the 29-year-old Spanish midfielder has reached an agreement to extend his contract with the French club by two years, until 2029.

Among the players whose contracts expire in 2027, only Mayulu remains, while Pacho’s extension until 2030 is expected to be made official shortly.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Surprised by Xabi Alonso’s dismissal? I can say I have a good relationship with Xabi. We met in Leverkusen and have stayed in touch. This is football, and I wish him the best: I’m sure he’ll soon find a great project for himself and his staff. He’s a great coach and has a great future.” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed his solidarity with his colleague, who was fired by Real Madrid on Monday, the day after their defeat to the Blaugrana in the Spanish Super Cup final.

The German coach, for his part, can enjoy Laporta’s full confidence, even though, he warns, “in the end, you never know what will happen. Things change, and it can happen here too. Football depends on winning, and at big clubs even more so. But the feeling I’ve had since my arrival has been very clear: that here we all work together. Now we feel like a family, as the president said. Not just the players, but also the staff, the club, the managers, Deco, the parents, the brothers and sisters: we are a big family, and I place enormous value on what we have built.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Junior doctors working in Malta have the lowest levels of work-life satisfaction in the European Union, according to a new study by the European Junior Doctors (EJD) Association.

The research found that Maltese junior doctors work some of the longest hours in Europe while taking the fewest rest days each month. The survey analysed data from 19 EU countries and met statistical requirements for a 95% confidence level, despite not specifying the number of Maltese participants.

When asked about work-life balance, Malta ranked among the countries with the highest dissatisfaction levels, alongside Greece, Portugal and Switzerland. Malta also recorded the lowest proportion of respondents who said they were satisfied with their working conditions.

The study linked dissatisfaction primarily to long working hours. Junior doctors in Malta work an average of 65 hours per week, compared with 72 in Greece and 69 in Cyprus. This far exceeds the European Working Time Directive’s 48-hour weekly limit, which most countries surpass due to opt-out provisions. Across the survey, the average working week stood at 57 hours.

The findings also highlighted the burden of night work. In Malta, 82% of junior doctors undertake 24-hour shifts and 91% perform night duties, averaging six nights per month. Only Greece recorded a higher average. Maltese junior doctors also reported the fewest rest days, with an average of four per month, while 9% said they were unable to take four weeks of annual leave.

The EJD called for Malta to urgently comply with EU working time rules, reform its rota system and better enforce rest periods.

Medical Association of Malta president Patrick Sammut described the situation as the result of an outdated system. He said many young doctors feel pressured to work excessive hours due to low hourly pay, concerns about career progression and fears of missing out on training opportunities.

Sammut said the association is pushing for improved remuneration in the next collective agreement and is in discussions with Mater Dei Hospital and other stakeholders to better distribute workloads.

The report also cited broader mental health concerns. A World Health Organisation survey found Maltese healthcare workers among those working the longest hours in Europe, with 29% reporting anxiety and 44% taking sick leave due to mental health issues.

Rising hospital admissions linked to flu and norovirus have further strained services, prompting the government to outsource some emergency care to private hospitals.

– photo Mater Dei hospital –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews