MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Xabi Alonso is preparing for his first derby as Real Madrid manager with the sobriety and clarity that have always distinguished him on the pitch: tomorrow at 4:15 p.m. at the Metropolitano, the match against Atlético Madrid awaits him, a test that is worth more than just the three points.

“A derby always has a special atmosphere. We’re faced with a powerful atmosphere that must push us to play with concentration,” said the coach, who isn’t distracted by comparisons with Simeone (“What he did at Atlético is very important. I’m only just starting out, I prefer to go step by step”) and emphasizes the need for consistency and flexibility: “A shield on the shirt isn’t enough, we must be consistent in our performance and able to activate naturally before each match.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has warned of a looming demographic crisis, calling for urgent government action to halt the decline. Caruana said Malta faces the risk of demographic collapse unless “gigantic steps” are taken.

At the current rate, the number of Maltese citizens living in Malta could shrink from 400,000 today to 240,000 within 50 years, with 40% over the age of 65. “If the total population remains stable at around 600,000, it will mean the Maltese become a minority in their own country,” Caruana said.

“Sometimes I get angry at how we’re not even noticing this massive elephant in the room.” The minister criticised successive governments for only offering “peanuts” to tackle the issue, warning that the Maltese risk becoming a people of the past. “At this rate, we will one day say that there used to be Maltese people,” he added.
While holding back details until the Budget, Caruana has previously floated a new tax rate for parents with two children. He stressed, however, that incentives must reflect modern realities. “University research shows many families with one child would like a second, but their financial situation doesn’t allow it,” he said. “Life has changed, and if we think we can force people to change their lifestyles to have children, it will be the biggest mistake possible”.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke at a press conference on the eve of their Premier League match against Brighton, scheduled for tomorrow at Stamford Bridge at 4:00 PM. The Blues manager clarified the injury situation and his decisions ahead of the match. T

he main news concerns Cole Palmer, who will be sidelined at least until the October international break. “We’ve decided to protect Cole to prevent the injury from worsening. We’ve chosen to sideline him for the next two or three weeks—until the international break—to allow him to fully recover and return to full fitness,” Maresca explained.

The manager ruled out surgery: “I don’t think any surgery is necessary. It’s just a matter of managing the pain in his groin. With all the games we play, something can always happen: that’s why we want to be cautious and give him rest.” Facundo Buonanotte could take his place, although the coach has clarified that the choice will depend on the game plan: “It depends on the game, the opponent, and how they defend. With Cole, we’re a better team, but we have to learn to play without him. We don’t play with 10 men, we still play with 11, that’s for sure.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – A torn cruciate ligament in his left knee and a long layoff loom. Arne Slot also confirmed the rumors about the serious injury Giovanni Leoni suffered on Tuesday evening, late in the League Cup match against Southampton, in what was also his first competitive match for Liverpool.

“He’ll be out for about a year,” the Dutch coach said. “Being so young, coming to a new country and playing so well in his first match, it’s very difficult to find positives. There’s never a positive side to these cases, but you still try to look at things from that perspective: he’s still very young and will have many years of his career ahead of him once he recovers from this bad injury. There are many examples around the world. He’s only 18 years old and still has a lot of time ahead of him.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) –  Inter Miami CF midfielder Sergio Busquets announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season. The 37-year-old former Barcelona midfielder, now at Inter Miami alongside Messi, Suarez, and Jordi Alba, announced in a video on social media, titled “Every ending is a new beginning,” that he will hang up his boots at the end of the MLS season.

“These will be my last months on the pitch,” he said. “I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all grateful. I feel that the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. For almost 20 years, I’ve enjoyed this incredible story that I’ve always dreamed of.” He also thanked Barcelona, ​​”the club of my life. There I realized the dreams I had as a child, I wore the shirt I loved in hundreds of matches, I celebrated many titles, and I experienced unique moments at Camp Nou that I will never forget.”

His list of achievements includes three Champions League titles, nine Spanish league titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, three Club World Cups, and three European Super Cups. The third player with the most appearances for Barcelona (almost 700, surpassed only by Messi and Xavi), he celebrated the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship with Spain, then in 2023 he moved to Inter Miami, where he will play the final five regular season matches before the playoffs, with the possible title final on December 6th.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “I honestly believe that if she hadn’t been there, I would be dead.” Guest on the podcast of former Manchester United and England teammate Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney opened up about his struggles with alcohol and how his wife, Coleen, saved his life.

“I made mistakes, but she’s kept me on the right path for over twenty years,” confessed the 39-year-old former striker. “There was a point in my life where I was really struggling with alcohol. I didn’t think I could open up to anyone. In reality, I didn’t want to, because I didn’t want to burden anyone with that weight. I would drink for two days straight. Then I’d show up at training and score twice at the weekend, but right after I’d go back to drinking for another two days. She helped me so much to control it all. She managed me, because I needed to be managed.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economy is among the most exposed in the European Union to extreme weather events, according to new research by the European Central Bank and the University of Mannheim.

The study estimates that heatwaves, droughts and floods will slash EU-wide economic activity by €43 billion in 2025, equal to 0.26 per cent of total output. By 2029, the long-term damage could rise to €126 billion compared with a scenario without extreme weather.

Smaller economies such as Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria face disproportionate losses. Malta’s Gross Value Added is projected to shrink by €236.5 million in 2025, or 1.14 per cent of 2024 output. By 2029, the loss could deepen to €609 million, nearly 2.93 per cent. That translates to around €401 per person in 2025 and more than €1,000 by 2029.

The warning follows a report by Malta’s Energy and Water Agency, which found the islands endured desert-like weather conditions between September 2023 and August 2024. It urged greater diversification of water sources and sustainable use of non-conventional supplies.

Across Europe, southern states such as Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece face the largest absolute losses, mainly from droughts and heatwaves. Northern and central states including Germany, Denmark and Austria are more prone to flooding, though the financial toll is smaller.

The researchers caution that their figures may understate the true costs, as they exclude wildfires and the combined effects of droughts and heatwaves. They stress that economic damage often lingers for years, even without further extreme events.

“Extreme weather events are increasingly having substantial economic impacts in Europe,” the study concludes, warning that the risks will grow as climate change intensifies.

– Photo IPA Agency-

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At a United Nations meeting on the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela underlined Malta’s commitment to equality, placing particular focus on challenges faced by young people.

Abela noted that while the UN Charter guarantees rights for all, many LGBTIQ+ youths still face bullying, exclusion and online hate. He highlighted Malta’s reforms in education, community initiatives and safe spaces but stressed that access to mental health support remains a pressing issue.

“Collective action is essential to ensure every young person can live with dignity and pride,” he said.

The Prime Minister also addressed a summit on building a “sustainable, inclusive and resilient global economy,” where he pressed for more accessible lending to developing nations. He stressed that international assistance must directly improve people’s daily lives.

Later, at Malta’s Embassy in New York, Abela met Amazon Vice President Susan Pointer and AWS Director Franco Spicciariello. Abela presented Malta’s 2050 vision, which he said is drawing renewed interest from global firms.

Amazon expressed strong interest in strengthening ties with Malta, pointing to start-up support and digital skills programmes.

– Photo Malta Department of Information –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Ministry of Defence of Kuwait has decided to exercise an in-service support extension option for the Kuwait Air Force’s Eurofighter aircraft fleet programme for which Leonardo acts as prime contractor. Under the new service contract, integrated Logistics Support and Training will be supplied locally by Leonardo Aviation Services at Salem Al Sabah Base until December 2029. This latest achievement marks a further reinforcement of the strategic partnership between Leonardo and Kuwait.

Kuwait ordered 28 Eurofighter Typhoons in 2016 to strengthen the country’s air defence system. Deliveries of the aircraft to the Kuwait Air Force started at the end of 2021, and most of the aircraft on order have been delivered and are in service. The aircraft, manufactured in Italy, feature the most advanced production standard currently available.

Leonardo Aviation Services, a Kuwaiti company, acts as an enabler and supporter of the Kuwait Air Force, providing integrated logistic support – including Engineering Support, Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade, Supply Chain Management – and training solutions for both air and ground crew for the Eurofighter Typhoons.

Supplying comprehensive support solutions is core to Leonardo’s global strategy to properly enable the most efficient and effective operations of its technologies through advanced tailored services and proximity. The support activities carried out in Kuwait will allow to maximise the high level of capability delivered by the Eurofighter Typhoons to meet the national air defence requirements.

-Photo Leonardo press office-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is strengthening its position as a European cybersecurity hub. At Secure Talks 2025, organized by Fortinet at the Mediterranean Congress Centre in Valletta, clients, partners, and industry leaders discussed emerging digital challenges, ranging from artificial intelligence and data protection to quantum technologies.

“For Fortinet this is a year of growth and evolution, not only for our company but also for Malta, which continues to rank among the European countries with the highest rate of development,” said Massimo Palermo, VP & Country Manager, Italy and Malta at Fortinet. “The focus on digital innovation and cybersecurity challenges makes this the ideal time to bring together clients and partners to assess new threats.”

According to Finian Massa, Strategic Marketing Manager at ICT Solutions, events like this are crucial to prepare Malta for its digital future: “As IT, services, and digital production grow, so do the risks. Data is becoming one of the most valuable assets and must be protected. Cybersecurity will evolve at a very fast pace, and Malta must invest in skills and strengthen its defenses.”

Bjorn Ekstedt, Chief Information Officer at Bank of Valletta, stressed the importance of governance: “Security cannot be just about technology. It must be integrated into business strategy and everyday processes. Only in this way can organizations increase their maturity and resilience.”

John Montanaro, Chief Revenue Officer of Smart Technologies Limited, added: “Supporting Fortinet Secure Talks in Malta allows us to share ideas with partners and industry leaders and to bring Fortinet’s global vision to the local market, ensuring clients have solutions for a secure digital future.”

The congress also explored quantum technologies, regarded as the future of data security.
“Beyond traditional encryption, quantum technologies offer new opportunities to strengthen cyber defense. Quantum computers and quantum communications not only protect, but also enable innovations in pharmaceuticals and environmental fields,” explained Andrè Xuereb, Founder of Merqury Cybersecurity Limited. “The technology is now ready for the real world and, together with Fortinet, we can support companies and governments in transitioning to a ‘quantum secure’ future.”

– photo Italpress –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews