ROME (ITALPRESS) – Patric is officially a new Al-Ittifaq player. Lazio announced the permanent transfer of the Spanish defender to the UAE second-division club, where Italians Mario Balotelli and Daniele Baselli also play.

“Thank you for everything, Gaba,” the Rome-based club wrote on Instagram, accompanying the message with a celebratory video dedicated to the defender, born in 1993. Patric joined Lazio in 2015 and made 244 appearances for the club, scoring six goals.

“Hello, Lazio fans. I arrived here as a boy and I’m leaving as a man. And in between, there was you,” Patric said in the video addressed to the supporters. “Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a love story. When all is said and done, what I will truly take with me is not the numbers, but the love.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce is set to travel to Benghazi again tomorrow, Monday 28 September. President Nicola Colicchi and director Francesco Muraca will accompany a delegation of companies and professionals specialising in restoration, engineering and construction, who will carry out site inspections together with engineers from the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund.

The mission includes Pasqualucci, Piacenti, Europa Engineering, Renco and engineer Paolo Capaldini, who has previously worked on restoration projects in areas of Abruzzo affected by the earthquake.

The visit comes just weeks after Benghazi Urban, the international exhibition devoted to the reconstruction of the city and promoted by the Fund’s director, engineer Belqasim Haftar. At the event, held in Benghazi from 6 to 8 September, the Chamber brought together more than 40 leading Italian companies, professionals and organisations, making it the largest foreign delegation in attendance. Participation was coordinated by Colicchi and director Francesco Muraca.

Particular attention focused on the historic centre, designed and built by Italians in the last century and later destroyed during recent conflicts. Ahead of the exhibition, Colicchi himself recalled that the historic centre has Italian origins, with Italian styles, names and architecture, and that it is important for Italy to contribute to the city’s revival.

The site inspections form part of discussions already under way with the Fund over the restoration of the historic heart of Benghazi. On 13 September, the Libyan news agency reported on a meeting in Benghazi between Mohamed al Hassadi, chairman of the committee for the reconstruction of the Al-Sabri area and central Benghazi, and a Chamber team accompanied by representatives of specialist Italian companies.

On that occasion, the Chamber’s design team presented the master plan for the historic centre, with the aim of reconciling the preservation of its architectural identity with the need for modernisation. The committee was established under Resolution No. 10 of 2026 issued by the Fund.

A significant part of Benghazi’s Italian architectural heritage is concentrated in the heart of the city, an area scarred by the fighting of 2014-2017 and by subsequent demolitions. More than 150 buildings of architectural value have been catalogued there, including the Cathedral, whose construction began in 1929, former bank buildings and the Italian Consulate. The Berenice Theatre, designed by Marcello Piacentini and Luigi Piccinato, was demolished in 2023.

Pasqualucci is a Rome-based construction and restoration company active since 1945, with extensive experience in the restoration of historic monuments. Piacenti, based in Prato and with origins dating back to 1875, specialises in the conservation of protected buildings and seismic upgrading. Renco, a Pesaro-based group active in engineering, construction and services, already has a permanent presence in Libya, with its own office in Tripoli and operational activities in the country. Studio Capaldini was also among the Italian organisations represented at Benghazi Urban.

The Chamber, a non-profit association founded in Rome in 1997, has its headquarters in the Italian capital, an office in Tripoli and a representative office in Benghazi, announced during the Italian-Libyan Economic Forum in June 2025, organised jointly with the Fund. That mission had already involved Italian companies active in engineering, infrastructure, renewable energy and cultural heritage.

Photo: Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN) (ITALPRESS) – Bad news for Sweden. Alexander Isak has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Nations League matches due to a “minor injury,” his club, Liverpool, has announced.

The striker’s physical issue—sustained during Friday’s match against Romania—will now be assessed by the Reds’ medical staff, with an eye also on the big Premier League clash against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Lautaro Martinez was ready to say yes to Barcelona, ​​provided his departure from Inter was “amicable”—a behind-the-scenes detail revealed by the Catalan newspaper ‘Sport’. It was already well known that Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, had set his sights on the Inter striker and captain as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski—especially given the complications with Atlético Madrid regarding Julián Álvarez—but the new development is that Lautaro had, at the time, “opened the door” to Barcelona, ​​signaling his willingness to move to the Camp Nou.

“There was one condition, however,” ‘Sport’ highlights. “The player wanted to reach an amicable agreement with Inter—a club for which he holds deep gratitude—but the negotiations did not succeed.” Consequently, Lautaro “remained loyal to Inter”; by late August, the club had already finalized its squad and had no need for incoming or outgoing transfers. “What might have been possible in June was no longer a viable option.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Union is doubling its support for the Djibouti Armed Forces from 10 million to 20 million euros through the European Peace Facility, strengthening the assistance measure approved in July 2025. The decision focuses primarily on the Djibouti Navy and the country’s ability to maintain a more effective presence in the waters off Bab el-Mandeb, the strategic chokepoint between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

According to the EU Council, the increase in resources reflects the strengthening of the partnership with Djibouti in the field of security and defence and contributes to the European response “to the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea and surrounding areas,” helping safeguard freedom of navigation. Three operational priorities remain in place: developing and maintaining assets to ensure their full operational capability over time, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness, and increasing the presence at sea.

The funding therefore strengthens a local capability that complements European naval operations in the region, where Eunavfor Aspides operates to protect merchant shipping. Behind the doubling of the allocation lies a broader strategy: strengthening surveillance and the resilience of coastal partners along one of the world’s main trade routes.

The initial 10 million euros had also been allocated to the restoration of maritime assets, a coastal surveillance station with ISR capabilities, and rapid-response vessels.

– Photo: Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The team cannot take to the pitch during the lengthy international break, but Manchester City now faces one of its most challenging battles. In this case, however, it is the club’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who has stepped up, writing a letter to City fans following yesterday’s difficult day, amid reports of the harsh verdict allegedly looming: namely, that City has been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches brought by the Premier League in relation to the period from 2009 to 2018.

“I have been part of this club for 18 years. I have had the privilege of standing alongside you at the Etihad, Wembley and Istanbul,” Al Mubarak wrote, addressing every Manchester City fan. “This club is important to me, and you have shown me just how much it means to you. That is why I am writing to you today.

“Following yesterday’s media reports, many of you will have spent the evening responding to questions and messages from friends, family and colleagues. I told my family that the Premier League process still has a long way to go, and that our confidence and determination to prove the club’s innocence are as strong as they have been since the very beginning of this entire affair.”

The Citizens’ chairman, therefore, says that the investigation is still ongoing and that the club’s lawyers remain confident they can prove the company’s innocence in the face of allegations that it repeatedly breached financial regulations.

“There are so many things I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident,” Al Mubarak continued, “but the strict confidentiality surrounding the legal process, and our determination to respect it, means that I cannot do so at this time.

“This letter, too, has been subject to several legal reviews to ensure that everything remained within the appropriate boundaries. Yesterday, some people immediately jumped to their conclusions. There are a lot of rumours surrounding us, but nothing has changed.

“We have faced challenges of this kind together before, and we have prevailed. There are many people who want to stop our club, but we will not give them that opportunity.

“Exciting times lie ahead after this international break. We will be at Anfield in 15 days, and then we will host PSG in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. These will be moments that give us the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Manchester City family.”

Al Mubarak once again thanked the fans for their “continued support” and then urged them to carefully read two statements. The first concerns yesterday’s media reports.

“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed, and is subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. The club has diligently respected due process for eight years, in the belief that the Premier League Board and Executive would conduct themselves as an independent, impartial and fair-minded body, free from partisan influence,” read yesterday’s statement.

There is also the statement issued in February 2023, when the investigation into the 115 alleged breaches was launched. On that occasion, the club expressed its surprise at the allegations, maintaining that it had already provided the League and English football authorities with answers to all the issues raised. Nevertheless, it added:

“We welcome the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of our position. We look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TBILISI (GEORGIA) (ITALPRESS) – Willy Sagnol is no longer the head coach of Georgia. The Georgian Football Federation announced the split with the French coach the day after the defeat against Northern Ireland in the opening round of the Nations League.

At the same time, the Federation announced the promotion of Georgian coach Ramaz Svanadze from the Under-21 side to the senior national team, with a contract running until 2028.

Sagnol had been in charge of Georgia since February 2021 and, “under his management, the team achieved historic results: in 2024, it qualified for the European Championship finals for the first time, progressing through the group stage and reaching the round of 16.

“We thank Willy Sagnol for every minute he spent with the Georgian national team and for the emotions we shared throughout this historic journey,” the Federation said.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – The United States has reiterated its commitment to the development of the Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty and to strengthening cooperation with Rabat in this territory.

This position was expressed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau following a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Landau emphasized that the talks reaffirmed the historic friendship between the United States and Morocco, as well as “our shared vision for the development of the Sahara region and for enhanced cooperation under Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.”

The senior U.S. diplomat also stated that Washington intends to work with Morocco and other stakeholders to reach a definitive solution to the dispute—which has lasted for over fifty years—stressing that “the status quo cannot continue.”

Landau’s statements confirm Washington’s position on the Sahara and come just weeks before the UN Security Council reviews the issue and the mandate of MINURSO.

Finally, the Deputy Secretary of State highlighted the strength of the relationship between Washington and Rabat, stating that the historic friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger and describing bilateral ties as being at their “strongest level ever.”

-Photo: Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for an end to settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, warning that lasting peace requires renewed trust between Israelis and Palestinians.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Abela reaffirmed Malta’s support for a negotiated two-state solution and backed the Gaza Peace Plan as a route towards ending the conflict.

He called for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, while rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians.

“Settlement expansion … must stop and stop now,” Abela said, also condemning what he described as increasingly violent settler attacks on Palestinian communities.

He said a credible and reformed Palestinian Authority, demonstrating transparency, accountability and democratic legitimacy, would be essential to future peace efforts.

Abela said Malta was prepared to help strengthen the capacity of a renewed Palestinian Authority and Palestinian civil society.

On Israel and Hamas, he said Israelis needed confidence that Hamas would be disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s future governance, while Palestinians needed a credible path towards a just peace.

Turning to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Abela called for a just and lasting peace respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and internationally recognised borders. He said any diplomatic process required a full ceasefire and Ukraine’s participation.

Abela also highlighted artificial intelligence, warning that governments needed international cooperation to manage emerging risks, including cyberattacks, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure.

Climate change was another focus, with Abela urging stronger international action and recalling Malta’s historic role in promoting cooperation on oceans and climate issues.

He also called for continued UN reform and reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to multilateralism and the Pact for the Future.

Closing his address, Abela urged world leaders to “dare to trust”, arguing that rebuilding confidence in international cooperation was essential to resolving global conflicts.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Linked to Barcelona in recent months, Alessandro Bastoni continues to attract interest from major European clubs; according to “TeamTalk,” the 27-year-old Inter defender is on the radar of both Chelsea and Liverpool. The Blues had already shown interest in the summer, and with Xabi Alonso favoring a three-man defense, Bastoni could be the ideal reinforcement for their backline. However, the Reds—who need to revamp their defense for the post-Van Dijk era—are also keeping tabs on the player. Manchester City is another club to watch; they could enter the fray should Ruben Dias leave.

For his part, Bastoni would not rule out a move to the Premier League, though negotiations with Inter would be a hurdle: the club had demanded €80 million from Barcelona—who remain interested in the player, potentially for a January move—and it is unlikely the ‘Nerazzurri’ would lower that valuation.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews