ROME (ITALPRESS) – Suriname will have a new head coach ahead of the intercontinental play-offs for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Following the resignation of Stanley Menzo, the federation announced the appointment of 71-year-old Henk Ten Cate, former Ajax manager and former assistant to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona and later to Avram Grant at Chelsea.

Ten Cate, who also served as assistant to then head coach Winter in 2023, will lead Suriname on March 26 in Monterrey against Bolivia in the first round of the play-offs. The winner will face Iraq five days later for a place in Group I, which includes France, Norway and Senegal.

Menzo had stepped down after the defeat to Guatemala on the final matchday of the Concacaf qualifiers, a loss that denied Suriname first place in Group A and direct qualification.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BENGHAZI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international company GKSD has proposed the construction of two municipal solid waste recycling plants in Benghazi, designed to generate electricity through waste-to-energy conversion. The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, reduce ecological impact, and support the transition toward clean energy sources, according to the Libyan news website alwasat.ly.

The proposal was presented during a meeting between the Director General of Libya’s Development and Reconstruction Fund, Belqasem Khalifa Haftar, and GKSD Chairman Kamel Ghribi, a meeting seen as a prelude to the signing of concrete contracts in the health, environmental, and clean energy sectors.

Also attending the meeting were several department directors from the Fund, the Director General of the Benghazi Medical Center, the Director General of the Pediatric and Pediatric Surgery Hospital, and the Deputy Director General of the National Cancer Treatment Center in Benghazi.

In the healthcare sector, GKSD presented integrated technical and operational proposals for the maintenance, modernization, development, management, and operation of the Benghazi Medical Centre in line with the highest medical and administrative standards. The company also outlined plans for the management of the National Oncology Centre, the new pediatric and obstetrics-gynecology hospitals, and the Al-Marj Teaching Hospital, with the goal of enhancing healthcare service quality and operational efficiency.

The Fund described the meeting as a “crucial milestone” marking the transition from discussion and planning to practical implementation and contract signing. The objective is to consolidate effective strategic partnerships to develop healthcare infrastructure, achieve sustainable growth, and support environmental and clean energy solutions.

“We want to contribute decisively to the success of this extraordinary country. We are able to offer experience and expertise capable of supporting a modern and efficient development vision,” said Kamel Ghribi, Chairman of GKSD, in comments to Italpress at the conclusion of the meetings held in Benghazi. “We will do so with conviction and enthusiasm because we believe in this nation and its people. Healthcare, energy, and infrastructure are key to a country’s transformation, and these are precisely the pillars of our action.”

– photo GKSD –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Mohamed Salah was very dangerous, a threat to the opposition. With the first ball he touched, he almost provided an assist for Mac Allister. He was constantly involved in our play. It was nice to see him, but not a surprise.” This was what Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said after the 2-0 home win against Brighton, regarding the situation surrounding the Egyptian striker, who came on in the 26th minute of the first half after Joe Gomez’s injury.

“It was an easy decision to bring him on. I’ve said many times that what was said between us will stay between us. We needed him, and he provided the assist for Ekitike’s 2-0, which is positive for us.” Salah will obviously be busy with his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations in the coming days. “This means losing another player for us,” said Slot. “But we already knew this before the start of the season. In the meantime, we hope that one or two players can recover from injuries.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two Libyan nationals who arrived in Malta from Pozzallo on Wednesday were arraigned in the past hours, as police link them to an organised ring trafficking high-value stolen vehicles. Police said the arrests followed a “highly complex investigation” into cars imported to Malta using falsified documents from several EU states. The vehicles were reportedly kept on the island for a few days before being shipped to North Africa and the Middle East.

The suspects were stopped at the Marsa ferry terminal shortly after disembarking from Sicily while driving a Toyota LandCruiser and a RAV 4, both believed to be stolen. Officers found false documentation and modified Vehicle Identification Numbers. Investigators believe the pair form part of a network that has in recent months sent stolen vehicles to Libya. Several other cars destined for North Africa were seized by customs officers at the same time.

During the arraignment of 36-year-old Ahmed Ab’a Khabiza, Inspector Shawn Pawney said customs officials had earlier flagged a suspicious vehicle arriving from Sicily. Checks showed the LandCruiser was a relatively new model, raising further concern. Police later established that Khabiza had twice travelled to Malta before, each time ferrying vehicles later confirmed stolen — one from Spain and another from Italy. Khabiza, who works at an international school in Tripoli, was remanded in custody after bail was not requested.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – President Myriam Spiteri Debono used her Republic Day address on Saturday to warn of a global rise in authoritarianism while calling for political consensus to protect Malta’s democratic institutions and social cohesion.

Speaking as Malta marked more than five decades as a republic, the President pointed to troubling international trends, including the growth of far-right movements in parts of Europe and political shifts abroad. She warned that democratic systems are increasingly under strain, with civil society space shrinking in some countries.

“Democracy is facing threats due to various circumstances: authoritarianism is experiencing a rise,” she said, reflecting on Malta’s recent presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which concluded in November amid what she described as a period of serious international challenges.

Spiteri Debono appealed for national unity on key institutional appointments, stressing the need for political agreement on a new Chief Justice ahead of the incumbent’s retirement, rather than reliance on constitutional fallback provisions. She also flagged an “anomalous situation” arising from the simultaneous expiry of the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General’s mandates, warning this runs counter to constitutional safeguards.

On social issues, the President urged compassion towards young people seeking gender-affirming medical care, saying they should not be condemned to “a life lived with such a burden”. The president said different administrations have taken the people’s right to decent housing seriously, particularly when it comes to young people and those experiencing changes in their civil status. “Malta must continue to help mitigate housing market pressures for those in danger of falling behind”, President Myriam Spiteri Debono has warned.

She argued that placing the individual at the centre of policy is essential to preventing social division and political extremism.

The President also warned of growing pressures from rapid population growth, citing strains on infrastructure and public services, and cautioned that insecurity in daily life can weaken trust in democratic institutions.

Her address concluded with a call for unity and responsible decision-making to ensure Malta’s development remains sustainable and socially balanced.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi’s tour in India, instead of being a celebration, began in chaos. After a brief appearance by the Argentine forward, who left early because he was literally surrounded, Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium was “vandalized” by the many fans who had gathered. They ripped out seats from the stands and threw them onto the pitch.

According to Indian media reports, Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, with whom he recently won the MLS, took a lap around the stadium to greet the fans. However, the players were mobbed by a large crowd and left after just 20 minutes.

This sparked the anger of spectators who had paid to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. “Officials and actors were surrounding Messi: we paid 12,000 rupees (about 113 euros) for a ticket and couldn’t even see his face,” one spectator explained.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Within 24 hours of the opening of the third phase of ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, nearly 5 million requests have been received from over 200 countries.

The most requested match is Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami, June 27), followed by Brazil vs. Morocco, Mexico vs. South Korea, Ecuador vs. Germany, and Scotland vs. Brazil. The three host nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) lead the demand, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Around 60 people believed to have departed from North Africa arrived in Buġibba early Friday morning after their boat reportedly capsized at sea, leaving one person dead. Several survivors required immediate hospitalisation for severe hypothermia.

A fisherman first spotted the vessel in distress offshore and alerted authorities. The Armed Forces of Malta’s rescue coordination centre received the call at 8.43am, dispatching both aerial and maritime units to assist.

When the group reached the Buġibba jetty, emergency responders provided thermal blankets and on-site treatment as medical teams assessed the survivors. Multiple ambulances and Mater Dei Hospital’s Major Incident Support Unit had been deployed in anticipation of the landing.

Details on the circumstances remain limited.

Friday’s landing marks the first major migrant arrival in Malta since 2020. That year recorded 2,200 arrivals, compared to just 238 in 2024. Authorities have not yet released further information on the condition of the survivors or the status of the rescue operation.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MoROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – On Friday, December 12, Rabat is hosting the third annual General Assembly of the Conference of Presidents of African Legislative Institutions, focusing on the fight against terrorism and the development challenges of the continent. With the participation of approximately forty delegations, the work will address Africa’s role in the global ecosystem and the strengthening of legislative institutions to promote sustainable development.

At the opening, the President of the Moroccan Parliament, Rachid Talbi Alami, called for a firm condemnation of “alliances between terrorism and separatism,” considered a threat to the stability and territorial integrity of African states. The conference will continue until Sunday and will be accompanied by bilateral meetings, particularly on UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which reaffirms the plan for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only solution to the regional conflict in the Sahara.

-Photo www.le360.ma-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is taking its first formal steps toward associate membership in CERN, aiming to open new pathways for scientific research, STEAM education and global collaboration. The announcement was made by Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Information, Clifton Grima, following an official visit to Switzerland at CERN’s invitation.

Grima said Malta’s strategic vision is to strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem, noting that the country is one of only two EU member states currently outside CERN. Becoming an associate member, he said, would give Malta a stronger voice in shaping emerging technologies. “I am at CERN with one goal: to open doors for more research and innovation in Malta,” the minister stated. “This is a strategic investment in our brightest minds and their future.”

Officials said the move would help Maltese researchers compete globally by linking local expertise with leading scientific networks. Malta’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Randolph Debattista, said the organisation is keen to welcome Malta. “This will be a historic step for Maltese researchers to not only participate, but to lead projects within the largest research centre in the world,” he said. Xjenza Malta CEO Silvio Scerri, who joined the visit, described the mission as laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation and long-term scientific growth.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews