VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s tourism sector posted record October results in 2025, with inbound arrivals jumping 17.3% year-on-year to 417,103 and spending soaring 22.8% to €437.8 million, according to data released by the National Statistics Office. The strong performance pushed year-to-date figures to historic highs. Between January and October, Malta welcomed 3.49 million tourists, up 12.4% from 2024, while total expenditure rose 19.2% to €3.47 billion, generating €558 million in additional revenue.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The government has tabled two constitutional amendments that appear set to pass with cross-party support, establishing a National Anthem Day and formally defining Valletta as Malta’s capital.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the bill designates 27 December as National Anthem Day, marking the first public performance of L-Innu Malti in 1922. Composed by Robert Samut with lyrics by Dun Karm Psaila, the anthem is a prayer asking for guidance, peace and unity. Its colonial-era reference to “those who colonise it” has long sparked debate, but Bonnici argued it should stand as a reminder of Malta’s progress since independence.

A second amendment would enshrine Valletta as the capital in the Constitution for the first time. Bonnici described the city as “Malta’s beating heart”, praising its transformation into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub.

The government aims to pass both amendments before Parliament’s Christmas recess on 16 December. The capital-city provision is being proposed as an entrenched clause, requiring a two-thirds majority.

Opposition culture spokesperson Julie Zahra confirmed the Nationalist Party support, however urged stronger protections for residents and limits on short-lets. She said National Anthem Day should also serve as a reminder of the state’s duties to its citizens.

Government officials said the reforms are intended to reinforce Malta’s identity, heritage and constitutional clarity.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LJUBLJANA (SLOVENIA) (ITALPRESS) – Slovenia is searching for a new coach. Matjaz Kek’s contract officially ended on sunday with the expiration of his contract: the Federation, in agreement with the 64-year-old coach himself, has decided not to extend his contract.

Slovenia, who finished third in Group B of the 2026 World Cup qualifications, are therefore turning the page: Kek, who was coach between 2007 and 2011, including participation in the World Cup in South Africa, returned in 2018 and subsequently qualified for Euro 2024.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Luboslav Penev, 59, former striker for the Bulgarian national team and Atlético Madrid, is hospitalized in Germany in serious condition due to kidney cancer, which has worsened in recent weeks. “AS” reports. Due to his worrying weight loss, Penev is unable to undergo chemotherapy, and his wife Kristina has started a fundraiser to cover medical expenses.

The former player, who already in 1994 battled testicular cancer that prevented him from playing at the World Cup in the USA, was in Augsburg for a check-up when it was decided to transfer him to another oncology center. Having developed at CSKA Sofia and spent six seasons at Valencia, it was at Atlético that Penev enjoyed his best season, winning the Liga and Copa del Rey double in 1996 under the guidance of Antic. After stints at Compostela and Celta Vigo, he played for the national team at Euro ’96 and France ’98.

– photo Biser Todorov via CC 4.0 –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – If it’s not a record, it’s close. On the eve of Fulham vs. Manchester City, Pep Guardiola attended the press conference, a meeting that lasted just over two minutes.

Just enough time to provide an update on Rodri (“he’s not ready yet”), congratulate his colleague Marco Silva (“he’s been here for many years and we’ve had really tough matches against him”), discuss Donnarumma’s risk of suspension given that he’s on a booking (“Worried? I’m worried about a lot of things”), and reflect on the win over Leeds, where City had been brought back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before Foden’s goal in injury time. “I don’t know if we would have won this match last season, I can’t predict what would have happened. But I don’t define a team’s mentality based on a win.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TURIN (ITALPRESS) – “An extraordinary season, the best ever, not just for the results but for how we achieved them. We want to continue with the same collective spirit; every individual is important. We have the best coach in the world, the best sporting director, and one of the best players in the world.” These were the words of Nasser Al Khelaifi, Paris Saint-Germain’s top executive, who was awarded the “Best President” award in Turin at the 2025 Golden Boy ceremony.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TURIN (ITALPRESS) – “I’m very proud to receive this recognition. When I look at those who won before me, like Mbappé and Messi, it’s a dream to be here.” Desire Douè is in Turin to receive the 2025 Golden Boy, an award that comes at the end of a triumphant year for him and PSG.

“Are we among the best teams ever? It would be pretentious to say so, but Paris Saint-Germain is one of the greatest clubs in the world, and that must be our ambition,” the French striker, who was the star of the 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter, told Sky Sport. “Winning the Champions League is exceptional, scoring in the final is something that’s also hard to dream of,” he admitted.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – OCP has advanced its energy transition strategy by bringing three solar power plants, together totaling 202 MWp, into operation, an achievement announced on December 1 in Khouribga. The facilities, developed by OCP Green Energy, are located in Benguerir (67 MWp), Foum Tizi (30 MWp), and Oulad Farès in Khouribga (105 MWp), the latter now the largest operational photovoltaic park in Morocco.
The project is part of the first phase of the green electricity programme launched in 2022 and benefits from grid-connection agreements with ONEE, which enable the transmission of the generated energy to the group’s industrial sites.

Investment of around €165 million

Construction of the three plants required an investment of approximately 1.8 billion dirhams, or about €165 million, supported in part by €100 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the German development bank KfW.
The electricity produced, estimated to cost around €33/MWh, will power OCP Green Water’s desalination stations as well as several strategic industrial facilities, helping reduce the group’s carbon footprint.

Target: 1.2 GW of Green Capacity by 2027

These plants form part of OCP’s broader green investment plan (2023–2027), valued at $13 billion, aimed at boosting the production of green fertilisers and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. The group plans to continue expanding its renewable energy capacity with the goal of reaching 1.2 GW by 2027 and more than 2 GW by 2032, supplying 100% of its industrial operations with clean energy. OCP also intends to develop at least 2 GWh of energy storage capacity.

– photo La Vie Eco –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I had thought about playing for Morocco, but despite all the love and respect I have for Morocco, I’ve always wanted to play in the European Championships.” Lamine Yamal, 18-year-old Barcelona forward, explained in an interview with the program “60 Minutes Overtime” his preference for Spain, although he could have chosen to represent the country where his father was born. A winning choice, given that he contributed to the Red Furies’ success in 2024. But Yamal is also now dreaming of the World Cup: “Spain will win.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The day after the group stage draw, FIFA will also unveil the 2026 World Cup schedule: the event is scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C. (6:00 p.m. Italian time).

President Gianni Infantino will take the stage, accompanied by FIFA Legends, while representatives of all 42 teams already qualified and those still in contention will be in attendance.

The stadiums and kick-off times for the 104 matches will be confirmed during the live broadcast. The final schedule will be available in March, once the intercontinental and European play-offs, which will decide the last six remaining spots, have been played.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews