BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona’s ambitions have not been dampened by their defeats against PSG and Real Madrid. That is the message delivered by Hansi Flick ahead of the Champions League clash against Aston Villa at the Camp Nou.

“The results could have been different, but I believe we are playing at the same level as Real Madrid and PSG,” the Barcelona coach stressed. “I don’t like looking back. We have to focus on Aston Villa and then Atlético Madrid. We have tremendous quality and our targets are to win La Liga and the Champions League. Nothing has changed after those two defeats. We won 11 consecutive matches and lost two. It’s only natural that you focus more on the latter, as defeats and weaknesses are more interesting topics to discuss.”

Flick is not looking for excuses either, despite the team’s numerous injury absences. “I have seen a team that has confidence and belief in what we are trying to do. The players are doing things well.”

One thing is certain: Barcelona’s coach will not allow the upcoming clash with Atlético Madrid to influence his team selection.

“The match against Aston Villa will be a fantastic game against a very good team. Unai Emery is a great coach, with a very clear identity both in attack and in defence. And, of course, this is the Champions League: it will be a difficult and special match.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LYON (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Only the official announcements are now missing. According to “RMC Sport”, former AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca informed Lyon’s players today of his decision to accept Sporting Lisbon’s offer.

The 53-year-old Portuguese coach, who was already seen in tears following Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Angers, has been chosen to replace Rui Borges, who was dismissed by the Leões after two years in charge.

Jorge Maciel, Fonseca’s assistant, is expected to take over at OL for the time being, although the appointment would only be temporary. Former Braga coach Carlos Vicens is reportedly the leading candidate to become the French club’s new manager.

Maciel will now have to decide whether to remain on Lyon’s coaching staff or follow Fonseca to the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Fenerbahçe appear to have identified their new head coach. Following just one win in their last five matches, and with Dirk Kuyt appointed as interim manager after Kartal’s resignation, the Turkish club have reportedly turned to former Porto and AC Milan coach Sergio Conceição.

The Portuguese manager was not the club’s first choice, as president Yildirim had been hoping to appoint Julian Nagelsmann, who nevertheless turned down the offer. Conceição is understood to have been recommended by compatriot Jorge Jesus, who previously managed Fenerbahçe, and is expected to arrive in Istanbul in the coming hours to sign his contract.

Conceição, who ended his spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad in June, will take charge of a team that have collected 16 points from 10 league matches so far, leaving them sixth in the standings.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Cooperation between Italy and Tunisia is wide-ranging; in the maritime sector, it is particularly noteworthy to see the Amerigo Vespucci arrive in Tunis with 15 Tunisian cadets on board,” stated Alessandro Prunas, Italy’s Ambassador to Tunisia, on the occasion of the Italian Navy training ship’s visit to the country. “The 15 Tunisian cadets had the opportunity to take part in the voyage and gain firsthand training experience alongside their Italian counterparts,” Prunas explained, highlighting the educational value of the time spent aboard the tall ship.

The Ambassador also drew attention to the vessel’s traditional features—such as its sails, made of natural fiber and still hand-stitched—which reflect a commitment to preserving maritime heritage. “The Amerigo Vespucci also carries out a vital mission regarding the preservation of the oceans and environmental protection,” Prunas noted, pointing to the ship’s involvement in various international programs and its role as a UNESCO ambassador for ocean conservation. “There is also a significant focus on raising awareness and conducting research to protect our marine ecosystem. I believe this serves as an excellent example of best practice for future generations,” the Ambassador concluded.

– photo Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s strong economic growth continues to be undermined by rising government spending and institutional weaknesses, credit rating agency Moody’s has warned, while affirming the country’s A2 credit rating with a stable outlook.

In its latest assessment, Moody’s forecast the fiscal deficit to widen to 2.8% of GDP in 2026, up from 2.1% in 2025, before easing slightly to 2.7% in 2027.

The agency attributed the expected increase to continued energy subsidies, higher social security expenditure and growing public investment.

Energy subsidies alone are projected to cost approximately €400 million in 2027, equivalent to 1.4% of GDP.

While acknowledging that the subsidies have protected households and businesses from volatile international energy prices, Moody’s warned that they transfer energy market risks onto government finances.

Measures announced in the 2027 Budget, including higher tourist contributions and work permit fees, could partially offset the additional expenditure, it added.

Despite these fiscal pressures, Moody’s expects Malta’s economy to maintain strong growth, forecasting GDP expansion of 4.1% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027, following growth of 4.7% in 2025.

Tourism, financial services, remote gaming and information technology were identified as key contributors to the economy’s resilience.

The agency also noted that inflation remained relatively contained, averaging 2.2% during the first nine months of 2026, below the euro area average of 2.8%.

Government debt is expected to increase marginally from 46.3% of GDP in 2025 to 46.8% in 2026, remaining at that level in 2027.

However, Moody’s highlighted persistent concerns over the rule of law, corruption and institutional capacity.

Referring to the European Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law report, it pointed to limited progress in judicial independence, court efficiency, high-level corruption cases, access to information and public participation.

The agency said these institutional shortcomings continue to constrain Malta’s credit profile despite its strong economic performance.

Improvements in the rule of law and the control of corruption could support a future rating upgrade, while a structural deterioration in public finances, particularly alongside weaker economic growth, could trigger a downgrade.

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the assessment, highlighting Moody’s recognition of measures included in the 2027 Budget.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has pledged to continue supporting an inclusive, Libyan-led political process, with the goal of achieving elections and stability. According to a statement posted by Tetteh on her official X account, the United Nations welcomes international support for the renewal of its mandate, while also acknowledging concerns regarding the current political stalemate.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is committed to developing dialogue-based approaches to unify institutions, through consultations with all key political factions. Tetteh acknowledged that the Libyan people have waited a long time, and she urged all political actors to cooperate in order to meet the citizens’ expectations. Finally, she underscored the urgent need for courageous political will and a spirit of consensus to take concrete steps and achieve genuine progress.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The failure to renew the mandate of MINURSO, the United Nations mission in Western Sahara, marks a turning point in the management of the regional dispute and opens a new diplomatic phase, characterised by moving beyond previous mechanisms and consolidating the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a political solution.

This was stated by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita during a special programme broadcast on Saturday evening by television channel 2M, following Russia’s veto which prevented the adoption of a resolution submitted by the United States to the UN Security Council.

According to Bourita, Moscow’s veto did not come as a surprise to Rabat, which had anticipated this possibility and chosen not to weaken the American proposal through compromises that would have perpetuated the status quo. Morocco, he explained, preferred to turn the situation into an opportunity to change the rules that have governed the handling of the Western Sahara issue over recent decades.

The minister stressed that the US proposal received the support of eleven members of the Security Council, including three permanent members, confirming, in his view, the irreversible nature of the international momentum in favour of Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Bourita recalled that the direction outlined by King Mohammed VI is to move beyond simply managing the dispute and bring about a substantial change in the parameters of the political process.

From this perspective, the new resolution was intended to definitively clarify the basis for negotiations, their objectives, the parties involved and the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps, building on Resolution 2797 of 2025.

The head of Moroccan diplomacy attributed responsibility for the termination of MINURSO’s mandate to Russia, noting that the failure to renew it was a direct consequence of Moscow’s veto. He also recalled that the United States had, in turn, blocked Russia’s proposal for a simple technical extension of the mission, which was considered incompatible with the new political momentum.

On the operational front, Bourita announced that MINURSO’s presence in the Kingdom’s southern provinces would have to come to an end, with the gradual withdrawal of its personnel, vehicles, equipment and United Nations insignia.

The process will be coordinated with the UN Secretary-General’s office and the Department of Peace Operations. The minister assured that Morocco would guarantee an orderly and exemplary withdrawal, providing the necessary time and resources and stressing that the operation should not be regarded as an expulsion of the mission.

Bourita highlighted that the disappearance of MINURSO’s physical presence and the periodic procedures associated with renewing its mandate represent a significant change, both politically and symbolically. According to the minister, two of the main factors contributing to the internationalisation of the Western Sahara issue are being removed: the mission’s presence on the ground and the periodic Security Council meetings to renew its mandate and examine its reports.

However, the end of MINURSO does not mean, he clarified, that Morocco is abandoning the ceasefire. Rabat remains fully committed to respecting the agreement of 6 September 1991, which is regarded as a separate political and legal commitment from the international mechanism tasked with monitoring it.

The minister also reaffirmed the strength of the Kingdom’s relations with the United Nations, emphasising that the non-renewal of the mission does not rule out the continuation of diplomatic efforts to achieve a political solution, potentially through new initiatives and negotiating arrangements.

Regarding the future of the process, Bourita reiterated that the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 remains the Kingdom’s definitive proposal and the central reference point for resolving the dispute. However, he explained that the resumption of negotiations will require a clear redefinition of the parameters and the parties involved, in line with the new political and diplomatic reality.

According to Bourita, the non-renewal of MINURSO’s mandate therefore does not represent a step backwards, but rather an acceleration of the process towards finally resolving a dispute that has lasted for almost fifty years.

– Photo: Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Ahead of the league derby between AC Milan and Inter, Ricardo Kaká was honoured on the pitch at San Siro with a special trophy marking his induction into the Rossoneri Hall of Fame.

The award was presented to the Brazilian by Daniele Massaro, the club’s official Brand Ambassador.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bad news for Bayern Munich, who will be without Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry for an extended period.

As announced by the German club, Saibari sustained a “rupture of the syndesmotic ligament in his right ankle” and has already undergone surgery, which was “successfully completed”.

Gnabry, meanwhile, has suffered a muscle injury to his left thigh.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Police are investigating the discovery of 14 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €1.4 million, aboard a cargo vessel that arrived at Malta Freeport.

The drugs were discovered on the MSC Firenze, a Liberian-registered ship travelling from Panama to Italy, which had been scheduled to stop in Malta.

According to the Malta Police Force, the ship’s captain alerted local authorities late on Friday night after crew members found a suspicious black bag during a routine cleaning operation on 21 October.

The bag, wrapped in netting, had been concealed inside a compartment in the vessel’s engine area.

Suspecting the contents were illegal, the crew secured the bag and handed it over to Maltese police officers when the ship arrived at Malta Freeport.

Upon inspection, officers discovered 14 packages of cocaine, each weighing approximately one kilogram.

Investigations established that the MSC Firenze had departed Panama on 17 October and was heading towards the Italian port of Gioia Tauro.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia has been informed of the discovery and is leading a magisterial inquiry into the case.

Police investigations are ongoing.

– Photo Malta Police –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews