VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission has urged Malta to make further progress on judicial independence, media freedom and corruption, as MEPs called for action rather than more reports, nine years after journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

European Commissioner Michael McGrath told the European Parliament that Malta had taken some steps to address concerns but needed further efforts to implement outstanding recommendations.

The Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report, published in July, highlighted limited progress on safeguards for journalists, judicial appointments and the prosecution of corruption cases. It also flagged court delays and weaknesses in the Permanent Commission against Corruption.

The debate exposed divisions among Maltese MEPs over the state of the country’s institutions and the legacy of Caruana Galizia’s murder.

The debate referred  me to the inquiry’s unimplemented recommendations, including anti-mafia legislation, unexplained wealth orders, constitutional protection for journalism and criminalisation of abuse of office.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has said he will never introduce an anti-mafia law, arguing that it would suggest Malta is a mafia state.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party’s bill seeking to implement the inquiry’s recommendations remains off Parliament’s agenda.

Although the Commission’s powers to force reforms are limited, it can initiate infringement proceedings against member states. McGrath said Brussels was counting on Maltese authorities to implement the necessary changes.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Dani Olmo faces a month on the sidelines due to an injury to his left adductor muscle. This is the diagnosis following medical examinations undergone by the Barcelona player after he sustained the injury during yesterday’s Champions League match against PSG.

Consequently, the Spanish international will miss Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid and will be unavailable to Hansi Flick for at least four weeks.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator for Libya, met with Mohammed Ben Ghalboun, Minister of State for Prime Ministerial and Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Local Government. According to a statement released by the United Nations in Libya on its official X account, the meeting addressed the strengthening of coordination for international development cooperation at both the central and local levels.

Discussions focused on aligning international support with Libya’s development priorities, promoting transparency, and ensuring that resources yield tangible benefits for local communities. Minister Ben Ghalboun expressed interest in leveraging the United Nations’ technical expertise and knowledge-sharing to bolster national capacities in development planning, financing, and coordination.

– Photo: IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Accelerating investment, increasing oil and gas production, and making the most of Eastern Mediterranean resources were the main topics discussed at the roundtable entitled “The Future of Energy in Egypt”, chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, as part of the Mediterranean Oil and Gas (MOC 2026) conference and exhibition.

Participants included Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Michael Damianos; Osama Mubarez, Secretary-General of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF); and representatives of international oil and gas companies operating in Egypt.

Badawi stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with investors, overcoming barriers to investment, and accelerating exploration and development activities to counter the decline in production.

He also highlighted the strategic role of Egypt’s gas transportation and liquefaction infrastructure in connecting regional resources with international markets.

Photo: IPA Agency

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Frozen out last summer before being brought back into the squad to deal with a defensive injury crisis, Fikayo Tomori appears set to leave AC Milan at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

A return to England could be on the cards for the 28-year-old English centre-back. According to Football Insider, Newcastle United are currently leading the race to sign him on a free transfer.

– Photo Ipa Agency

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Riccardo Calafiori has established himself as a key player at Arsenal, and Real Madrid are reportedly keeping an eye on him.

His performances, his ability to play both at centre-back and on the left, and his young age (24) make the former Bologna defender, who joined the Gunners in 2024, an ideal candidate for Los Blancos.

According to the website CaughtOffside, Real Madrid representatives have reportedly begun sounding out the player’s camp. However, prising him away from Arsenal will not be easy: the Gunners consider Calafiori a key part of Mikel Arteta’s project and would only consider selling him for an offer of €100 million or more.

The defender, whose contract runs until 2029, does not appear keen to force an exit either.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – After an impressive away win against Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain defeated another Champions League contender yesterday, beating Barcelona 4–2 at the Parc des Princes.

However, what should have been a great victory could turn into a bitter disappointment for Luis Enrique, who may have to do without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the rest of the season.

The Georgian winger was forced off in the 60th minute with a knee injury. He is due to undergo an MRI scan today, but the initial examinations have raised concerns. A torn cruciate ligament is feared for the former Napoli player.

As if that were not enough, PSG had already been forced to do without Ousmane Dembélé during the first half. In his case, a tear to the hamstring in his left thigh is suspected, and today’s medical tests should determine the severity of the injury.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Supermarket shelves in Malta were left largely bare as protests over soaring fuel prices in southern Italy disrupted deliveries of fresh food.

Eurospin’s Mosta branch shoppers faced shortages of fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, with several sections almost empty. Much of the usual variety of fresh produce was missing, with most remaining vegetables sold in prepacked form. The dairy aisle had only a handful of yoghurts left. Locally produced milk remained in stock, while refrigerators normally filled with packaged meat were empty. The shortages were attributed to missed deliveries caused by strikes in Italy over high fuel prices.

Lorry drivers, farmers and fishermen in southern Italy have been protesting against soaring diesel costs and what they describe as the government’s failure to address rising transport expenses. Roads and ports have been blocked in areas including Naples, Calabria and Sicily, disrupting the movement of goods and contributing to fresh food shortages in parts of southern Italy.

The protests have drawn support from livestock breeders and other agricultural workers struggling with rising operating costs.

Lidl Malta said its operations had not been affected by the disruption so far, adding that its supply chain remained fully operational and its shelves were well-stocked.

Wellbee’s supermarket said it had contacted its Italian transporter, which reported no delivery disruptions to date. However, the supermarket chain cautioned that it could not guarantee supplies would remain unaffected in the coming days or weeks.

Commenting on the shortages, MEP Peter Agius said the situation highlighted Malta’s vulnerability in food security and stressed the importance of supporting the country’s agricultural and livestock farming sectors.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Sergen Yalçın has been appointed the new head coach of Turkey’s national team. The Turkish Football Federation announced the appointment of the 53-year-old former player, the only footballer to have played for all four of Turkey’s major clubs: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor.

Yalçın has been chosen to lead the team following the dismissal of Vincenzo Montella, who was sacked after Turkey’s defeat to Italy in Bologna in the Nations League, their fourth loss in as many matches.

Yalçın began his coaching career in Beşiktaş’s youth academy before going on to manage Gaziantepspor on two occasions, Sivasspor, Kayserispor, Eskişehirspor, Konyaspor, Alanyaspor, Yeni Malatyaspor, Beşiktaş twice and Antalyaspor.

In the 2020/21 season, he led Beşiktaş, a club he had previously coached, to victory in both the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup.

With this achievement, he became the first and only figure in Beşiktaş’s history to win the Süper Lig title both as a player and as a coach.

-Photo Ipa Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Libya’s teachers’ movement has announced that the general strike will continue until its demands are met, rejecting an appeal by Parliament urging teachers to return to work.

Teachers are calling for the immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears according to a clear timetable, the implementation of the new pay system with a cap of 50% on allowances and benefits across all sectors, and the passage of a special law safeguarding their professional dignity.

They are urging the House of Representatives and the executive authorities to turn announcements into concrete, verifiable action, confirming that the protest will continue until effective responses are guaranteed.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews