VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta channelled more than €5.16 million towards the European Union’s Ukraine Facility in 2025, bringing its support for the bloc’s assistance to Ukraine to a figure exceeding its separately reported humanitarian spending for the year.

Foreign Minister Chris Fearne disclosed the contribution in a parliamentary reply.

He said part of the funding was allocated to measures aimed at mitigating the humanitarian impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, while also supporting efforts to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion in Ukrainian society.

The €5,159,221.11 contribution formed part of EU support financed through the bloc’s general budget and classified as official development assistance.

It was approximately €1 million higher than Malta’s separately reported humanitarian assistance expenditure of €4,156,131 for the same year.

Fearne cautioned that the humanitarian spending figures remained provisional and were subject to discussion and validation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The breakdown included €75,042 in humanitarian assistance specifically allocated to Ukraine, separate from Malta’s contribution to the EU Ukraine Facility.

The largest portion of the humanitarian expenditure, amounting to €3.09 million, represented Malta’s share of EU spending across various countries.

A further €279,676 was channelled through the United Nations to support targeted humanitarian operations.

Among individual countries and territories, the Palestinian territories received the largest allocation, at €368,684.89.

Haiti and Sudan each received €75,000, while Congo was allocated €50,000 and Yemen €40,000.

Jamaica and Cuba each received €35,000, followed by Pakistan with €20,000 and Libya with €12,728.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) is backing Gianni Infantino in his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. The CFU, which brings together Caribbean football associations and is affiliated with CONCACAF, stated that “following a formal consultation process, the 25 FIFA-affiliated CFU member associations have expressed their unanimous support for the re-election of Gianni Infantino as president of the world football governing body in the 2027 elections. The CFU offers its support with the expectation that FIFA will continue to uphold the highest standards of governance and promote the necessary reforms to ensure that every member association is represented and receives fair treatment.” The elections are scheduled for March 18, 2027, and the CFU’s support secures 25 votes for Infantino.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Things did not go as Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and—most notably—Leandro Paredes had hoped. FIFA’s Appeal Committee has upheld the 10-match suspension handed down to the Boca Juniors midfielder.

There is better news, however, for Nahuel Molina: the Roma and ‘Albiceleste’ defender has seen his suspension reduced from seven matches to four, with his fine also lowered from $77,000 to $60,000.

The suspensions stem from a brawl that broke out following the final, which Argentina lost to Spain. Molina was penalized for punching Rodri during Spain’s celebrations, while Paredes was sanctioned for pushing and striking Eric Garcia, as well as for an altercation with Gavi. For Paredes, the 10-match ban and $90,000 fine remain in place.

The AFA has announced that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the decision on Paredes’s suspension, as well as the sanctions imposed on the federation concerning alleged racist chants.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – He turned down a call-up from Belgium head coach Mark van Bommel due to a lack of playing time; however, at AC Milan, he has found opportunities and—despite some ups and downs—has managed to stand out, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

According to the British outlet ‘CaughtOffside’, the 24-year-old central defender—formerly of Genoa—is also on the radar of Newcastle, Tottenham, Leeds, and Brentford; in short, nearly half the Premier League.

The specialized British site further reports that, in addition to De Winter, both United and Chelsea are closely monitoring Jacobo Ramón—a Spaniard currently playing for Como—who has just received his first call-up to the Spanish national team (the reigning world champions).

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Six players currently playing in the Italian league have been included in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Roberto Mancini’s Italy (on the 12th at San Siro) and Turkey (on the 15th in Bordeaux).

Pablo Pagis, a 23-year-old forward for Paris FC, receives his first-ever call-up to the senior national team, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has been called up for the first time under Zidane. The other five players based in Serie A are Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Andy Diouf (Inter), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), and both Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot (Milan). France currently leads the group with 10 points—the result of three wins and one draw (against Italy)—and needs just one point from their final two matches against Italy and Turkey to secure a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Here is the full list of Zidane’s “Les Bleus”:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens).

Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Leny Yoro (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Desiré Doué (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Pagis (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter).

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

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