VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Malta is set to implement the first phase of its Labour Migration Policy on August 1, with 12 out of 20 proposed measures entering into force. The policy, introduced by the Ministry for Work in January for public consultation, aims to modernise the framework governing the employment of third-country nationals (TCNs) and align it with Malta’s evolving economic landscape.

Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri emphasised the policy’s alignment with four key principles: labour market stability, protection of workers’ rights, stronger regulatory controls, and strategic investment in skills.

“The economy we have today is not the same as when unemployment was the biggest concern,” Camilleri noted. “Today, new challenges must be addressed with decisions that reflect the government’s duty to provide clear direction and stability for the country”.

During the consultation process, which extended beyond the legal requirement to encourage deeper engagement, the policy received widespread support from both social partners and the public, according to Camilleri. Among the major reforms taking effect this August are enhanced oversight on employee termination rates and stricter job advertisement requirements for employers. Maltese companies must now post job openings on both local and EU employment platforms before hiring TCNs. Additionally, firms that have previously dismissed workers without a valid reason will be restricted from filling the same roles with foreign nationals.

Employers are also required to file employment and termination documentation promptly. Companies that fail to comply with the Persons with Disability (Employment) Act will no longer be eligible to hire TCNs. In an effort to curb abuse and attract skilled talent, the government is adjusting financial and procedural requirements for foreign workers. Application fees for new TCN workers will double in most sectors, with exemptions granted to essential fields such as healthcare and elderly care.

Meanwhile, salary thresholds will increase to Ç45,000 under the Key Employment Initiative and Ç30,000 under the Single Employment Initiative. TCNs who lose their jobs will benefit from extended grace periods to remain in the country and seek alternative employment, with preference given to individuals already residing in Malta. Further measures to be enacted include tighter visa conversion rules, more robust permit renewal checks, and a cap linking TCN hiring permissions to a company’s existing workforce size.

Certain exemptions will apply: individuals in stable relationships with Maltese citizens or parents of Maltese children under 23 will bypass the Single Permit process, though they will still need a work licence. The remaining eight measures in the policy will be phased in over the coming months, with the next batch scheduled for October 1. These will include mandatory electronic salary payments, temporary permits for visa-exempt nationals who apply within 60 days of arrival, and fee exemptions for human trafficking victims.

– Photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – “The Club World Cup is already the most successful club competition in the world,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the competition’s closing press conference, just hours before the final between Chelsea and PSG.

The FIFA president, who spoke at Trump Tower surrounded by football legends such as Ronaldo, Baggio, and Kaka, added that the competition has generated over $2 billion in revenue, equivalent to “$33 million per match.”

This allows us to say that the tournament was a “huge success” and that “the golden era of global club football has begun. We can confidently say that this FIFA Club World Cup was a huge success. Of course, there are many positives and some negatives. We respect everyone’s opinion, but it was a success. We had over 2.5 million spectators in the stadium, which equates to about 40,000 per match, and no league in the world, except the Premier League, averages 40,000 spectators per match,” Infantino said.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s population reached approximately 574,250 by the end of 2024, a 1.9% increase from the previous year, according to new data released by the National Statistics Office.

This growth, however, is driven almost entirely by migration. Net migration added 10,614 people to the population, while natural population growth—births minus deaths—contributed just 193 people, a drop of over 55% from 2023.

Non-EU nationals now make up the bulk of new arrivals, accounting for nearly 77% of net migration. Foreigners constitute 29.4% of Malta’s total population, up from 27.8% the year before, and are heavily concentrated in younger, working-age groups.

St Paul’s Bay, for instance, is now 62.8% foreign. In Sliema, Malta’s most densely populated town, 17,539 people live per square kilometre.

Men represent 53.1% of the population, partly due to the male-heavy migration pattern. Among migrants, 57.7% are male, reflecting demand in construction, logistics, and other male-dominated sectors.

Meanwhile, Malta’s aging trend continues. People aged 65 and over make up 18.4% of the population, with 71% of deaths occurring in this age group. Women outnumber men significantly among the elderly, especially those over 85.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MIAMI (USA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi continues to have fun and lead Inter Miami to victory. With his brace (last night) against Nashville that gave his team the three points, the Argentine extended the MLS record for most goals in consecutive games to five. He set the previous record last week and is the first player to score more than one goal in five consecutive Major Soccer League matches.

Messi’s MLS scoring streak began before the Club World Cup. He scored twice and provided an assist against Montreal on May 28, then repeated the feat against the same team on July 5. On May 31, he scored twice and provided two assists against Columbus Crew (5-1). He scored twice against New England Revolution last week and now two more against Nashville. In total, Messi has scored twelve goals in his last ten MLS matches (16 in the last 16). He also scored from a free kick in the Club World Cup match against Porto.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – “I think like you, like most people who follow football.” Enzo Maresca has no doubts about PSG, but he’s equally certain when it comes to his Chelsea. Tomorrow at 3 p.m. New Jersey time, Blues will face the French and European champions in the Club World Cup final.

The odds favor the Parisians, but Chelsea have shown in this long competition, as well as in the Premier League and the Conference League (which they won by beating Betis in the final), that they can compete with anyone. “I agree with those who believe that PSG is the best team in the world. Many of us think so, but they’re proving it in every competition. They dominated in France, they won the Champions League, they’re in the final of this World Cup, and everyone saw how they played. We have great respect for them,” says the former midfielder. “I already said recently that I really enjoy watching them play, and I stand by that, but I’d also add that we’ll go out on the pitch to give our all, to compete, to try to win.”

“The team earned everyone’s trust and respect. They finished in the top four in the Premier League, won the Conference, and here they reached the final stage. They had a fantastic season. For me, the greatest achievement is that a year ago, no one was talking about football, about Chelsea. Now things have changed, and that’s the greatest satisfaction of this season”, Maresca ended.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – “It’s the last match of a season that has been fantastic, historic, and we want to end it in the best possible way; it would be important for the club and the fans. We’re going into this match with good feelings.” And it couldn’t be otherwise: Luis Enrique‘s PSG, regardless of the result they’ll achieve at the end of the Club World Cup final scheduled for tomorrow night against Chelsea, have had an excellent sporting year. They’ve won everything there was to win, reaching the top with the Champions League title lifted after the historic victory against Inter, but there’s still the chance to improve by winning the new Club World Cup.

The real star of this PSG is without a doubt the Spanish coach, even if he has a different view of the journey they’ve completed. “I don’t have magic powers. I didn’t have them as a player, and I don’t have them as a coach. I like what I do, I have fun, especially in difficult moments; that’s when I feel most comfortable. When things work out, it’s nice to see that you can make people happy, but I feel better when I receive criticism; it motivates me more than praise. It could be my best season as a coach, but we have to win tomorrow’s match to finish. The most important thing is to play giving 100%”.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LEVERKUSEN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed US international Malik Tillman. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder arrives from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. Tillman, of German descent, was born in Nuremberg and has signed a contract with Leverkusen until June 30, 2030.

“With Malik Tillman, we have acquired another extremely talented player who is very dangerous in front of goal. He can play in midfield either as a No. 10 or a No. 8. Malik is a very important signing for us,” said Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes. “His style fits perfectly with Leverkusen. Our attacking game will receive a new boost thanks to Malik’s dynamism.”

“This club has always played excellent football. But in the last four or five years, Leverkusen has grown enormously and has become attractive to many players across Europe. I want to win something. That was my goal in Glasgow and Eindhoven, and it remains my goal here,” Tillman said.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea is valuing Nicolas Jackson, the Senegalese striker who AC Milan are interested in, at £100 million (approximately €115 million). Jackson, the player in London, could be snapped up by Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, new strikers available to Enzo Maresca. D

elap already scored twice in the Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense. Jackson isn’t unsellable, but the alleged valuation reported by the British tabloid obviously complicates any potential negotiations.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Council of Europe’s Committee against Torture has welcomed several improvements in Malta’s correctional facilities, particularly at Kordin prison and local police stations. The committee’s observations are based on a visit conducted between September and October 2023.

At the Kordin Correctional Facility, the Committee noted progress in psychological support, individual care plans, and the protection of prisoners’ rights. It also highlighted that regular psycho-social interventions were being carried out effectively. Health services showed marked improvement since 2015, with better clinic conditions, more equipment, and increased staffing.

Inmates generally reported fair treatment and a calm environment. However, the committee raised concerns about reports of mistreatment and criticized the conditions in Division Six, especially the prolonged stays and problematic entry procedures.

Recommendations included limiting constant CCTV surveillance to high-risk cases, improving privacy in toilet areas, assigning more duties to staff, and offering alternatives like electronic tagging.

The government responded by citing ongoing infrastructure projects, including a new division for 120 prisoners and upgrades to the women’s and forensic sections.

On detention centres, the Committee saw overall improvements but noted that Ħal Far and Ħal Safi remained overly prison-like. They welcomed better police station conditions and the introduction of body cameras.

Interior Minister Byron Camilleri described the report as the most positive ever received on Malta’s detention facilities.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Liverpool FC has retired the number 20 shirt of Diogo Jota, who died on Thursday, July 2, along with his brother André Silva, in a tragic car accident in Spain.

After consulting with his wife, Rute, and his family, the English club announced that in memory of the Portuguese wildcard, no one will wear the number 20 again, including the women’s team and the Academy. “This decision is in recognition not only of the immeasurable contribution our Portuguese youngster has made to the Reds’ success on the pitch over the past five years, but also of the profound personal impact he has had on his teammates, colleagues, and fans, and the enduring bonds he has built with them,” Liverpool FC said in a statement.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews