ROME (ITALPRESS) – One person was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting that took place on Sunday in San Jose, California, according to local police.

The incident occurred at the 2026 FIFA World Cup fan zone, where no matches were being broadcast at the time of the shooting.

Authorities said the case is being investigated as a homicide. Several surrounding streets have been closed, and most bars in the area were also shut down.

The San Pedro Square fan zone is one of several public viewing areas across the San Francisco Bay Area that have been screening matches since the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So far, local fans have gathered there to watch five matches. The next scheduled screening is the Round of 16 clash between the United States and Bosnia, set to kick off at 2:00 a.m. Italian time on Thursday.

The San Jose shooting is not the first violent incident connected in some way to the tournament. In early June, nine people were injured in a shooting near the England national team’s training camp in Kansas City, Missouri. More recently, also in Kansas City, Argentine fans on their way to the match against Algeria were targeted by an armed man, who killed one person and wounded four others.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that the government will introduce seven key pieces of legislation in the opening days of the new legislature, with reforms to IVF, planning appeals and equality law among the top priorities.

Addressing delegates at the opening of the Labour Party’s general conference, Abela described the party’s electoral manifesto as the most ambitious ever presented by a political movement in Malta and pledged its full implementation.

He said reform of the IVF law would expand PGT-M testing to cover more medical conditions, allowing more couples to access fertility treatment. Planning reform would also prevent construction works from proceeding while development permits are under appeal before tribunals or the courts.

Abela said new equality legislation would aim to restore Malta to the top of the ILGA-Europe civil rights ranking, while further reforms would strengthen the voluntary sector.

The Prime Minister also instructed ministers to prioritise two manifesto pledges each before the pre-budget period. He said the upcoming budget would remain progressive and expansionary, with measures targeting families, young people, businesses, first-time buyers and pensioners.

The conference precedes an extraordinary Labour general conference at which Abela and the party’s deputy leaders are expected to receive confirmation from delegates following Labour’s fourth consecutive electoral victory.

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Source: medNews

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) (ITALPRESS) – South Korea’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the group stage with a 1-0 defeat against South Africa. Having failed to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, the Asian squad has already returned home, sparking a wave of outrage across the country. Head coach Hong Myung-bo, who faced intense criticism, has already resigned. However, fan anger has escalated further, prompting South Korean police to launch an investigation into “death threats” made against the former coach, according to Radio Seoul. An internet user reportedly posted a message online on June 28 claiming to be a U.S. citizen and announcing an intention to kill the coach upon his arrival at Incheon Airport. The website and various other locations have been placed under surveillance, and local law enforcement is actively working to identify the suspect.

The situation perfectly illustrates all the tensions that have surrounded the South Korean national team in recent years. Hong Myung-bo took charge of the team in July 2024, returning to a role he had previously held for 19 matches between 2013 and 2014—a stint that ended with the team’s elimination in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup. This appointment raised public doubts regarding the transparency of the Korean Football Association’s selection process. Hong’s return also followed a difficult tenure for Jürgen Klinsmann, which was marked by internal rivalries and disappointing results.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has concluded spectacularly; this expanded edition of the most prestigious football tournament has already rewritten the record books and captivated fans in Canada, Mexico, the United States, and across the globe.

In just 17 days, the first-ever 48-team tournament united more nations, players, and fans than ever before, transforming 72 matches across 16 host cities into a celebration of global passion, excitement, and unforgettable football. Group stage statistics illustrate the tournament’s scale—extending far beyond the pitch to encompass every aspect of the fan experience, from the 4,644,549 spectators attending matches to the 300,000 hot dogs consumed.

To put the scale into perspective, if all the hot dogs sold were lined up end-to-end, they would cover the roughly 45-kilometer distance between New York New Jersey Stadium and JFK International Airport. With 1,248 players representing 48 nations—999 of whom played in the opening phase—and an unprecedented impact on the tournament, the first 17 days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have offered a powerful preview of what awaits fans of the teams advancing to the Round of 32.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – It has been discussed for months, if not years. In recent weeks, however, the Catalan media had considered the possibility of Dušan Vlahović joining Barcelona to be all but over. According to Mundo Deportivo, though, the Serbian striker’s name has once again emerged as a potential target.

With his contract at Juventus set to expire and no renewal in sight, the former Fiorentina forward has reportedly returned to the Blaugrana club’s shortlist. At the top of Barcelona’s list of attacking reinforcements is Atlético Madrid’s Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, although negotiations for his signing are considered extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, Mundo Deportivo reports there could also be developments regarding the future of Ferran Torres. The 26-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027, is attracting strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain and has not ruled out any possibility regarding his future.

This is where Vlahović comes into the picture. While Barcelona manager Hansi Flick does not consider the Serbian a top priority, his contract situation makes him an attractive market opportunity. He would be viewed more as an alternative to Ferran Torres than as a direct replacement.

Vlahović has also been linked with Bayern Munich, Beşiktaş and Atlético Madrid. According to Mundo Deportivo, the latter could be a particularly likely destination, especially if the Spanish club needs to replace Alexander Sørloth, the Norwegian striker who is reportedly on Juventus’ radar.

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EDINBURGH (SCOTLAND) – Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland head coach following the national team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Clarke, who guided Scott McTominay and his teammates to Scotland’s first World Cup qualification in 28 years, resigned after the team’s exit was confirmed overnight by results in the other groups.

After seven years in charge, Clarke paid the price for defeats to Morocco and Brazil, which left Scotland third in their group, ahead of only Haiti, whom they defeated in their opening match.

“The most emotional part of this farewell is saying goodbye to my players. Without them, none of the memorable moments we’ve shared since 2019 would have been possible. They deserve every bit of the praise and affection they receive, and it has been a true honor to be their coach,” Clarke said. “Thank you for welcoming me, and I wish my successor the very best.”

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell also paid tribute to Clarke.

“While we are all disappointed by our group-stage exit from the World Cup, we should not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge,” Maxwell said.

“Starting as a fourth-seeded nation in 2019 and going on to win our World Cup qualifying group, he more than fulfilled the objective of returning Scotland to a major international tournament. We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution, and once the disappointment of this World Cup exit fades, I know Scotland supporters will look back on his tenure with great appreciation.”

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Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) – Uruguay’s shocking and unexpected elimination from a World Cup group featuring Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia continues to spark intense debate back home. Following reports of a rift between the squad and head coach Marcelo Bielsa, the Uruguayan Football Association has taken the drastic decision to cancel the charter flight that was scheduled to bring Federico Valverde and his teammates back home.

As a result, the players and coaching staff will not travel together and will instead make their own travel arrangements, covering the costs themselves.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s government recorded a deficit of €178 million during the first five months of 2026, widening by more than €30 million compared with the same period last year, according to National Statistics Office figures.

The increase came despite recurrent revenue reaching a record €3.53 billion, up 17.2% or €517.5 million, driven mainly by higher income tax and VAT receipts.

Total expenditure rose even faster to €3.71 billion, increasing by €549.4 million as capital investment and recurrent spending accelerated.

Capital expenditure climbed by €169.9 million to €395.2 million, reflecting investment in road projects, the second electricity interconnector with Sicily and hospital infrastructure.

Recurrent spending also increased by €369.6 million, largely due to higher social security benefits, healthcare costs and Malta’s contributions to the European Union.

Social protection remained the largest spending category at €1.24 billion, while health expenditure rose 21.6% to €501.7 million.

Interest payments on public debt totalled €127.7 million, or about €814,000 a day.

Central government debt reached €11.84 billion by the end of May, up €956.6 million from a year earlier, driven mainly by higher Malta Government Stocks.

Reacting to the figures, the Opposition said the government had borrowed more than all previous prime ministers combined, warning debt could exceed €14 billion by 2028. The government has defended its economic record, citing strong GDP growth, low unemployment and Malta’s exit from the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure.

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Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – His contract with Bayern Munich expires in a few days, yet Leon Goretzka has not yet found a new club. The 31-year-old German midfielder—currently with the national team for the World Cup—has been linked in recent weeks first to AC Milan and then to Juventus, but according to AS, he has now also been offered to Atlético Madrid.

Los Colchoneros have made former Lecce player Morten Hjulmand their top target, but it is unlikely Sporting will settle for less than 40–45 million euros. This is why Atlético might consider signing Goretzka on a free transfer—a player they had already contemplated acquiring last January. However, there is the issue of his salary, which reportedly stands at around 15 million euros gross per season—a figure beyond the Spanish club’s financial limits.

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Source: medNews

BREST (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The show must go on. Ten days after the death of Eric Roy following a long illness, Brest has announced its new head coach: Julien Laucher, who had served as Roy’s assistant since his arrival at the helm in January 2023. The 49-year-old French coach—whose journey with Brest began in 2005 as a goalkeeper before he joined the coaching staff upon his retirement in 2010—has signed a two-year contract and will begin work as early as next Thursday, at the start of the pre-season training camp.

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Source: medNews