VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta recorded the lowest waste generation per capita among EU member states in 2024, while making significant progress in plastic packaging recycling, according to the latest Eurostat figures published by WasteServ.

The country generated 1,092kg of waste per person, around 36 per cent below the EU average.

Meanwhile, Malta’s plastic packaging recycling rate increased to 35.1 per cent in 2024, narrowing the gap with the EU average of 42.4 per cent to 7.3 percentage points.

The improvement marks significant progress compared to 2022, when Malta’s recycling rate was 26.7 percentage points below the European average. The rate rose to 31.9 per cent in 2023.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BENGHAZI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A new round of meetings is taking place in Benghazi between Italian professionals and companies—selected for the reconstruction of the historic city center—and the technical offices of the Fund for the Development and Reconstruction of Libya, led by engineer Belgassem Haftar.

From November 9 to 12, a 17-member delegation, representing ten professional firms and companies, will be at the Fund’s headquarters to delve into the design and implementation aspects of the projects. The Italian delegation, led by General Manager Francesco Muraca, will work alongside local engineers and technicians to define operational solutions and launch the execution phase.

The initiative involves a total of eight Italian professional firms, supported by companies specializing in construction, restoration, and design. The recovery plan focuses on nine historic structures—five slated for full reconstruction and four for conservation-focused restoration—identified through site inspections that primarily covered Omar al-Mukhtar Street and the city’s central core.

The program encompasses an urban fabric that includes private residences, shops, food and textile markets, goldsmith workshops, and places of worship, as well as the town hall and the city’s lighthouse.

The interventions will specifically target public spaces and properties in the Al-Sabri and Old City districts, which are characterized by architecture dating back to the early 20th century. In addition to the restoration of individual building complexes, the project includes urban redevelopment efforts along Omar al-Mukhtar Street and other areas of the historic center.

This project is part of a broader reconstruction program for eastern Libya and serves as a framework for technical and entrepreneurial collaboration between Italy and Libya, with the goal of contributing to the recovery of Benghazi’s architectural heritage and public spaces.

-Photo courtesy of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce-

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “Of course we talk—sharing a common language helps, too—but with some players, when they make a mistake, you need to have a conversation; with others, a single look is enough to know that they’ve realized it and are fully aware of what happened. With Gigio, it’s quite straightforward, because whenever he makes a mistake or does something wrong, he realizes it immediately.” Enzo Maresca is not concerned about Donnarumma’s inconsistent performances so far.

“I’ve spoken with Gigio, but sometimes with certain players, there’s no need to dwell on it too much; they know they’ve made a mistake and are well aware of it. They simply need to try to avoid repeating it and move on. Overall, he’s doing fine. He’s quite calm—he acknowledges that he’s made a few errors, but at the same time, he’s also pulled off some great saves. It’s just a matter of balance: trying to cut out the mistakes while continuing to do the right things,” the Manchester City coach says, downplaying the situation.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – Around 1,200 third-country national (TCN) nurses working across Malta have joined forces to challenge new government measures which they say unfairly increase their financial burden and threaten the retention of experienced healthcare professionals. The nurses, employed in public and private healthcare facilities, are preparing to formally present their concerns to the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), of which they are members.

The scale of Malta’s reliance on foreign healthcare professionals is reflected in 2025 figures, which show that the public healthcare system employed 463 non-EU nurses and 138 non-EU doctors.

The latest budget measures affecting TCNs include the withdrawal of free childcare and public transport, increased driving licence fees and a €400 annual infrastructure contribution.

Although Health Minister Ian Borg confirmed that non-EU healthcare workers would be exempt from increased work permit fees, they will still have to pay the new infrastructure contribution.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The victory over Roma has provided some breathing room, but Michael Carrick knows his position on the Manchester United bench is far from secure. The nine-match winless streak across league and cup competitions still weighs heavily, and the upcoming clash against Aston Villa will serve as another test for the English manager.

The timing is also significant, as an international break follows—an ideal moment for a potential managerial change. In any case, according to “Sky Sports UK,” should Carrick be dismissed, Old Trafford officials would not look for another interim solution—as was the case with Carrick himself following the departure of the previous manager—but rather for a coach to lead a long-term project.

With Unai Emery nearing a contract extension at Aston Villa, names such as Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hürzeler, and Eddie Howe remain in the frame. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps has reportedly said “no, thanks”; according to “The Mirror,” the former France national team coach was approached about the possibility of taking charge of the Red Devils, but he declined.

The 58-year-old—who previously managed Juventus and Marseille and has not worked at the club level since 2012—prefers to keep his options open.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – A 27-man squad and a tribute to those who are no longer with us. Luis de la Fuente has announced his squad for Spain’s final two Nations League fixtures, against the Czech Republic in Prague on November 12 and England at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium three days later.

However, the squad announcement came with a heavy heart. “An entire country is once again in mourning. Spain does not deserve this pain,” De la Fuente said. “Football is the driving force that brings us together. Today, more than ever, it must unite us. Our thoughts are with the victims of Urda, and with Jesus De Miguel. We want to stand alongside everyone: those who are suffering, those feeling an immense void, and those waiting for news. We share this feeling of helplessness with all of you. The players and the national team share your grief.”

Unbeaten in 42 consecutive matches, Spain have five new faces in the squad, including Como defender Jacobo Ramon. Valles, Roca, Barrios and Barrenetxea are also receiving their first call-ups.

Joan Garcia and Pedro Porro return after missing the previous international break through injury. Eric García, Rodri and Dani Olmo are unavailable and have therefore been left out.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Inter Milan’s Djed Spence, returning after missing the previous international break, is the only player based in Italy included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the final two matches of the Nations League group stage: against Croatia at Wembley on November 12 and Spain at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid three days later.

The new additions are Josh King and Jobe Bellingham, Jude’s brother, both receiving their first senior call-ups. Ben White also returns for the first time since March, having recovered from injury. Declan Rice is back in the squad as well.

The biggest surprise, however, is the omission of Cole Palmer. Already left out of the World Cup squad and having made just three international appearances over the past two years, his most recent outing coming against Japan in March, Palmer had been called up last September but withdrew before joining the England camp. It was the second time he had done so since Tuchel took charge.

Although acknowledging Palmer’s fitness issues, the England manager had made it clear that he was unhappy with the situation. “I want to rely only on what I see personally and what I can observe within my team,” he said in September.

Even the Chelsea attacking midfielder’s excellent start to the season, with three goals and three assists in nine Premier League appearances, has not been enough to change Tuchel’s mind.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

HAMMAMET (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisia is among the leading countries in the southern Mediterranean attracting the interest of European investors in the energy sector, with nine expressions of interest relating to projects involving potential investments worth approximately €33 billion. This was announced by Erwan Martin, Head of Energy at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), speaking via video conference at a webinar held as part of the 28th edition of the Réalités International Forum, taking place in Hammamet on November 5 and 6, 2026.

According to Martin, the nine expressions of interest relate exclusively to Tunisia and are part of a total of 38 proposals submitted under the European T-MED initiative, involving seven partner countries and companies based in eleven EU Member States. Tunisia ranks among the three countries with the highest number of proposals, after Morocco and Egypt. The European Commission official clarified that the €33 billion figure represents the potential value of the proposed projects and does not refer to funding already approved or investments formally committed. At regional level, he added, the total value of envisaged investments could reach €145 billion, while approximately three-quarters of the proposals are still at an early stage of development.

Martin also reported that, under a separate call for expressions of interest targeting private investors interested in the Tunisian market, five investors have been selected to explore potential opportunities in the country.

Launched by the European Commission on June 9, 2026, under the Pact for the Mediterranean, the T-MED initiative aims to promote renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, clean technologies and the modernisation of electricity infrastructure in the southern Mediterranean partner countries. Its regional targets for 2035 include mobilising up to €25 billion in investment, developing 15 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity and training approximately 100,000 people in skills related to clean technologies.

In his address, Martin stressed that European cooperation with Tunisia aims not only to support renewable energy production but also to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the competitiveness of Tunisian businesses and encourage the creation of skilled jobs.

The planned instruments include an investment platform to identify and structure projects, coordination between financial institutions and private investors, and support for the regulatory reforms needed to facilitate investment, particularly in relation to licensing procedures, access to electricity grids and the predictability of power purchase agreements.

The 28th edition of the Réalités International Forum, dedicated to relations between Tunisia and the European Union and the challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, brings together institutional and diplomatic representatives in Hammamet. Participants include the European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Giuseppe Perrone; the Italian Ambassador, Alessandro Prunas; and the French Ambassador, Anne Gueguen.

Other prominent participants include Senén Florensa, President of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), and Anna Barone, Regional Representative of the European Investment Bank in Tunisia.

– Photo xt4/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

AUCKLAND (NEW ZEALAND) (ITALPRESS) – New Zealand police have dropped the rape charge against Ryan Mendes, captain of the Cape Verde national football team.

The case emerged last June, during the FIFA World Cup, although the alleged incident dated back to March, when the African national team was in Auckland for a training camp ahead of the FIFA Series.

The woman, a New Zealand resident who had been employed by the local Football Federation as an interpreter and operational support staff member for the Cape Verde delegation, claimed that Mendes had assaulted her in her hotel room following the match against Chile.

However, the allegation was not substantiated. Police have now charged the woman with making a false accusation.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tourists caught smoking cannabis in public in Malta will face an on-the-spot fine of €235, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield has announced.

Speaking during a post-budget news conference, Bedingfield said the measure was intended to strengthen enforcement of the existing ban on public cannabis consumption.

“I want to see more enforcement against those who do not respect the people around them and smoke cannabis in public against the law,” he said.

Although cannabis was legalised in Malta in 2021, smoking it in public places remains prohibited.

Bedingfield said 42 people had been caught violating the ban during the first nine months of the year. However, complaints from residents about public cannabis smoking have continued.

The €235 penalty will be incorporated into the On-the-Spot Fines (Non-habitual Residents) Regulations, introduced earlier this year to allow authorities to immediately penalise tourists for minor offences.

These include littering, public disturbance, public urination and wearing inappropriate clothing outside designated bathing areas.

More than 1,600 on-the-spot fines were issued for such offences within a two-month period.

Bedingfield said legislation introducing the cannabis penalty was currently being drafted and would be implemented through a legal notice.

Although no specific date has been announced, the minister said he wanted the measure to come into force as quickly as possible.

During the same news conference, Bedingfield also outlined a €488 million allocation for Malta’s disciplinary corps in 2027.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews