WOLFSBURG (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Another coaching change in the Bundesliga: Friday’s comeback defeat to Werder Bremen, which left the team with 8 points from 10 matches and sitting 14th in the table, has led Wolfsburg to dismiss Paul Simonis.

The 40-year-old coach, hired last summer after a successful spell in the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles — where he led the club to victory in the national cup, their first trophy in 92 years — also paid the price for the German Cup elimination at the hands of Holstein Kiel, a Bundesliga 2 side, and a run of seven losses in eight games.

The team will be temporarily managed by Daniel Bauer, coach of Wolfsburg’s Under-19 squad.

This is the third managerial change of the Bundesliga season, following those at Bayer Leverkusen (Hjulmand replacing Ten Hag) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (Polanski replacing Seoane).

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, during the press conference on the eve of the match away to Celta Vigo, explained that he had not spoken with Spain coach Luis De La Fuente about the call-up of Lamine Yamal, who is currently in the squad for the final qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

“We have to take care of him, not just us, but also the national team,” explained the German coach. “Lamine has changed his approach. He’s better now, he’s working hard, on the pitch and in the gym, and it’s very important for this injury that he works this way. His problems aren’t over yet. We have to take care of him, not just us, but them too, and I hope they do.” Flick was referring to his striker’s groin problems.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri paid an official visit to Vatican City, where he was welcomed by Maximino Caballero Ledo, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.

The talks highlighted the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Holy See. Both sides voiced appreciation for the longstanding friendship shaped by shared history and values.

During the visit, Minister Schembri was received by Pope Leo XIV following the General Audience. He conveyed greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, while reaffirming Malta’s commitment to strengthen its ties with the Holy See. Malta’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Frank Zammit, accompanied him.

Ministry of Economy, Enterprise and Strategic ProjectsHe praised the organisers for driving innovation and said the event reflects Malta’s entrepreneurial energy.

In Rome, Schembri also attended the SiGMA Central Europe Summit, an international expo founded in Malta. He praised the organisers for driving innovation and said the event reflects Malta’s entrepreneurial energy. The Minister held meetings with industry leaders and encouraged collaboration in blockchain, crypto, esports and artificial intelligence. He was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to Italy, Daniel Azzopardi.

– Photo Ministry of Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Spain coach Luis De La Fuente has announced his squad for the matches against Georgia (Saturday the 15th in Tbilisi) and Turkey (Tuesday the 18th in Seville), which are part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. La Roja has already secured its place, although not yet mathematically. Lamine Yamal returns to the squad, after withdrawing last month and the controversy with Barcelona’s coaching staff. Betis midfielder Pablo Fornals has received his first call-up, while Como striker Alvaro Morata has been excluded again.

The list. Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad). Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid). Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pablo Fornals (Betis), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid), Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen). Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez (Barce,lona), Yeremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Samu Aghehowa (Porto), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “European World Cup qualifiers? We’ve discussed this issue. On the one hand, it’s not nice to see matches finish 10-0, and on the other, smaller clubs, if the format were changed, wouldn’t be able to compete to qualify. We’re discussing how to find a balance.” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated this during the “Football Business Forum” at Bocconi University in Milan, organized by La Gazzetta della Sport and SDA Bocconi, regarding the UEFA World Cup qualifying format.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Malta-registered oil and chemical tanker was boarded by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia on Thursday while sailing from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, according to maritime authorities and the vessel’s operator.

The Hellas Aphrodite, managed by Greek company Latsco Marine Management, came under fire from assailants wielding machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. The company reported that all 24 crew members were unharmed and fully accounted for.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations office issued an alert soon after the attack, warning vessels in the region to heighten vigilance. UKMTO said the ship’s master had spotted a small craft approaching from the stern before gunmen opened fire.

Security firm Ambrey stated that the attackers were Somali pirates using a skiff launched from an Iranian fishing vessel they had hijacked earlier. The group reportedly succeeded in boarding the tanker before withdrawing.

The incident follows an attempted attack on 3 November involving the Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland. That vessel exchanged gunfire with pirates, but its operator, Stolt-Nielsen, confirmed the attack was unsuccessful.

VesselFinder.com data lists the Hellas Aphrodite as a 183-metre oil and chemical tanker built in 2016. Maritime authorities continue to monitor increased pirate activity in the region.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

DUBAI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) (ITALPRESS) An enchanting evening of Italian culture took place at Dubai Opera with the outstanding performance of “Roberto Bolle and Friends.” The Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi highlighted the event on social media, calling it a celebration of dance, elegance, and cultural exchange between the United Arab Emirates and Italy.

“Thanks to Mapei CEO Veronica Squinzi for the sponsorship and to Dubai Opera Director Paolo Petrocelli. A warm thank you to H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, for honouring us with her presence at this event promoted by the Italian Embassy,” the post continued.

“The exceptional relationship between Italy and the United Arab Emirates,” Ambassador Lorenzo Fanara said, “is also reflected in cultural events of such remarkable scale. We are pleased to have contributed, together with Mapei and Dubai Opera, to the realization of this extraordinary artistic moment that strengthens the ties between the highest expression of Italian ballet and the Emirati public.”

-Photo courtesy of the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi-

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Today, following the initial measures of the Turkish Football Federation (suspensions of 8 to 12 months for 149 match officials and assistants), the ordinary justice system has arrived, with the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office announcing the arrest of 18 people, 17 referees and the president of a club, all accused of football betting.

The prosecutor’s office provided only the initials of the arrested individuals, including those of a club president in the Turkish Super League, the top Turkish league, accused of “influencing the outcome of matches and competitions.” A total of 21 suspects have been issued arrest warrants, and 18 of them were arrested during police operations conducted in 12 cities across Turkey. According to the Football Federation’s investigation, based on surveys conducted in Istanbul, out of a total of 571 referees, 371 have a betting account and 152 are active bettors.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BIRMINGHAM (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – More than seven hundred officers were deployed, not so much as security for Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, but for the pro-Palestine demonstrations that took place before last night’s Europa League match (2-0 to the English side). In the end, Birmingham police reported, 11 arrests were made on a tense evening.

In addition to the pro-Palestine sit-ins in front of Villa Park with flags and banners calling for an end to the violence in Gaza, there was also a march to the stadium by a group (smaller in number according to the BBC) of pro-Israel activists who protested the decision to ban visiting fans from entering the stadium (“Ban hate, not fans,” read one banner). “The level of interest and concern about this match has been unprecedented,” admitted the Birmingham police commander, also referring to the many political controversies that preceded the match between England and Israel. Among the 11 arrests, five people were charged with “racially aggravated public order offenses.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has been named the 12th safest country in the world out of 143 nations, slipping slightly from last year’s 10th place but remaining among the top performers in Europe. The latest figures place Malta 7th out of 31 European countries. Hong Kong ranks 10th and the United Arab Emirates 11th, edging just ahead of Malta. Austria follows in 13th place and Estonia in 14th.

The assessment highlights strong national performance across several safety indicators. Crime is described as effectively controlled, earning Malta a score of 5.1 and a global rank of 44. Civil conflict is considered minimal, with a score of 1.00 and a global rank of 60. Malta stands out for its low levels of interpersonal violence, ranking 3rd worldwide with a score of 0.88. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri welcomed the results in a Facebook post, saying the ranking reflects “the lowest crime rates in recent years.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews