ROME (ITALPRESS) – Al-Qadsiah, the Saudi Arabian club that hosts the national team’s striker, has announced Brendan Rodgers as its new manager. The 52-year-old Northern Irishman, who has coached clubs such as Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester, replaces the dismissed Michel, who was fired following the 2-1 defeat to Al-Ahli. Al-Qadsiah, after nine league games, is fifth with 17 points, 10 points behind leaders Al-Nassr.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SANTOS (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Neymar is reportedly ready to extend his contract with Santos (which expires on December 31) until 2026, with the goal of making the next World Cup. According to R7 Esportes, this renewal will allow the player to continue performing at his best, as seen in recent matches with Santos, and fight for a spot in the World Cup with Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Neymar was pivotal in securing the team’s survival and helped them qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VATICAN CITY (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela met Pope Leo XIV as Malta and the Holy See marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Formal ties were established on December 15, 1965. Malta is represented by non-resident ambassador Frank Zammit, while the Holy See maintains a diplomatic mission in Malta at Tal-Virtù, headed by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai.

According to the Vatican press office, the meeting addressed migratory flows, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The Maltese government said discussions also covered broader geopolitical issues, civil liberties, climate change and the need for global solutions to migration.

Abela said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with Malta backing unhindered access to aid and the protection of civilians in line with international law. He added that following Malta’s recognition of Palestine, the country is now focused on advancing a two-state solution for peaceful coexistence.

Details of the talks were not disclosed, but the two leaders are known to differ on migration policy, particularly regarding refugees and asylum seekers.

Pope Leo XIV has continued the approach of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, advocating strongly for refugee rights and warning against what Francis termed a “globalisation of indifference.”

Malta, while increasingly reliant on migrant labour, has taken a tougher stance on asylum, including calls to revise the European Convention on Human Rights to allow expulsions and transfers to third countries—moves criticised by NGOs on the day of the visit.

The government said Abela reaffirmed that relations between Malta and the Holy See are grounded in shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to human dignity.

Abela presented the pope with a painting by Maltese watercolourist John Martin Borg, depicting St Augustine and the Augustinian church and convent in Rabat.

The prime minister also met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Ambassador Zammit.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Prime Minister has suggested that the country’s electricity subsidies, in place since 2022, could eventually be reduced once a gas pipeline linking Malta to Sicily is completed.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview, the Prime Minister said the subsidies were introduced to cushion households and businesses from high energy costs and to offset Malta’s structural disadvantages as an island state dependent on imports.

However, he indicated that such support could not remain permanent and may be reconsidered only after Malta secures alternative energy supply infrastructure.

Central to those plans is a long-proposed gas pipeline connecting Malta to Sicily, aimed at improving energy security and reducing reliance on liquefied natural gas shipments.

The project, known as Melita TransGas, would consist of a 160-kilometre subsea pipeline linking Gela in Sicily with Delimara in Malta.

The pipeline is estimated to cost around €300 million, with approximately €165 million expected to be financed through European Union funds, subject to approvals.

Energy officials believe a direct gas connection to Sicily could lower electricity generation costs, potentially allowing the government to gradually phase out subsidies in the longer term.

For now, the Prime Minister stressed that any reduction in subsidies remains years away and dependent on the successful delivery of the pipeline project.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayern Munich loses its captain. The Bavarian club announced that Manuel Neuer sustained a right thigh injury during yesterday’s match. The recovery time has not been disclosed, but it is certain that the 39-year-old German goalkeeper will only be available again after the winter break.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The Movement for the Self-Determination of the Berber Region of Kabylia (MAK) proclaimed its independence from Algeria during an event held on December 14 in Paris, attended by activists and members of the Kabyle diaspora.

The declaration, announced by movement leader Ferhat Mehenni, envisions the creation of a “Federal Republic of Kabylia.” The initiative, with strong symbolic and political significance, was rejected by the Algerian authorities, who consider the MAK an illegal separatist movement.

According to the movement, however, the proclamation is primarily intended to draw the international community’s attention to the situation of the Kabyle people’s political, cultural, and identity rights, denouncing years of marginalization, criminalization, and repression of peaceful claims, as well as the failure to recognize their linguistic and cultural diversity.

The MAK affirms that its action is part of the right of peoples to self-determination, enshrined in international law, and urges international actors to closely monitor the developments in Kabylia.

-Photo Facebook page of the movement for the self-determination of Kabylia-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SAN SEBASTIAN (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Pellegrino Matarazzo‘s chances as Real Sociedad’s next manager are rising following the dismissal of Sergio Francisco and the appointment of Jon Ansotegi as interim manager. According to “Mundo Deportivo,” the former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart manager is in pole position and has beaten out Thiago Motta, partly due to the Italian-Brazilian coach’s financial demands.

Garcia Pimenta is also reportedly in the running, and Marco Rose and Mauricio Pellegrino have also been explored. “AS,” however, has also mentioned Raul Gonzalez Blanco, currently unemployed after his stint with Real Madrid’s second team, which ended in June.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Upamecano’s renewal is not easy for Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old French defender’s contract expires in June and, according to “Bild,” he has put forward his demands for a renewal: 20 million euros gross salary and another 20 million as a signing-on bonus.

These figures could also deter other suspects—Real Madrid and PSG are also interested—though the Bavarian sporting director, Christoph Freund, is preaching calm: “He’s very happy with us, it’s not just a question of money. The discussions we’re having are very intense but very constructive, I’m confident we’ll reach an agreement. The when isn’t important; what’s important is that it happens.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Dusan Vlahovic has been excluded from Barça’s squad to replace Lewandowski because he’s close to reaching an agreement with AC Milan.

According to Catalan newspaper “Sport,” the Blaugrana had also considered the 25-year-old Serbian striker, whose contract with Juventus is expiring, to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is set to leave the club in June, but ultimately decided to evaluate other options.

There are several reasons, starting with Vlahovic’s performance this season, which doesn’t justify his high salary, and the injury he suffered against Cagliari, which will keep him out for at least three months, which doesn’t play in the Serbian’s favor. But above all, according to “Sport,” the former Fiorentina player is close to reaching an agreement with AC Milan, the club that has shown the most interest recently.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Joao Cancelo is back in the news for incidents that have little to do with football. Footage of the former Inter and Juventus player, now at Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal, losing his temper on a plane is circulating online.

The Portuguese full-back approaches a passenger who was filming him and grabs him by the arm, interrupting the video with a slap. The images immediately sparked outrage on social media.

In fact, a longer clip posted on TikTok shows Cancelo smiling and joking with the same passenger, who appears to be none other than his teammate, Ali Al Bulayhi. The Portuguese full-back then posted a couple of Instagram stories from the clip, confirming it was a joke: “Pure arrogance,” Cancelo quips, tagging his teammate. In the ensuing exchange, the Portuguese full-back teases him, saying he’s filming him all the time because he needs money.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews