KINGSTON (JAMAICA) (ITALPRESS) – Steve McClaren has resigned as Jamaica’s head coach after failing to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Reggae Boyz needed to beat Curaçao in the final matchday of the Concacaf group stage, but Curaçao held them to a 0–0 draw, enough to finish top of the group and clinch a historic qualification.

Jamaica will now have to go through the intercontinental playoffs, but they will do so without McClaren, the former England manager, who took over in August 2024 from Heimir Hallgrimsson, now in charge of Ireland.

“Over the past 18 months I have given everything to this job, to this role,” McClaren said. “I have carried the weight and pride of this position with the utmost respect. Coaching this team has been one of the greatest honours of my career. But football is a results-driven industry, and we did not achieve our goal, which was to qualify through this group. It is up to me to take responsibility, and after deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are and where we need to be, I have decided to resign.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s newly launched National Transport Master Plan 2030 makes no mention of the much-touted metro system, instead reopening debate on a bus rapid transit (BRT) network as a possible mass-transit solution.

Unveiled for public consultation on November 10, the document is intended to guide the country’s road, sea and air transport strategy over the coming years. But despite repeated government references to ongoing metro studies by international consultancy Arup, the project is entirely absent from the plan.

Instead, authorities pledge to “assess the feasibility of a mass rapid transit system,” listing BRT as one of the options under consideration. Such systems rely on dedicated bus lanes to deliver faster, more reliable journeys.

Malta previously explored BRT nearly two decades ago, when a 2007 study by the UK’s Halcrow Group concluded the system had “great scope” for improving mobility. The idea was later shelved, though it resurfaced in political proposals including the Natioanlist Party’s 2022 trackless tram concept and comments by Transport Minister Chris Bonett last year.

The omission of the metro comes as congestion continues to mount. The master plan estimates that traffic cost Malta €400 million—3.6% of GDP—in 2022, a figure projected to soar to €1.28 billion annually by 2050 without decisive intervention.

Government had pledged to unveil a new mass-transit solution by year’s end, with recent discussions centred on scaled-back metro proposals ranging from €2.8 to €6.2 billion. But Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has cautioned that choosing the wrong system could “royally screw” the country given the costs involved.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Malta Fiscal Advisory Council has cautioned that Malta’s continued reliance on domestic demand to fuel economic growth may heighten pressure on infrastructure and undermine fiscal sustainability, while delivering limited long-term gains.

The warning was issued as the council assessed the macroeconomic forecasts underpinning Malta’s draft budgetary plan, which all EU member states are required to submit to the European Commission.

Although the MFAC—an independent body whose members are appointed by the finance minister—said that government projections for 2025 and 2026 fall within an endorsable range, it flagged concerns over next year’s outlook. It noted that the balance of risks for 2025 is “tilted to the downside,” even as risks for 2026 appear broadly balanced.

Government forecasts assume a strong rebound in real GDP growth from the 3.1% registered in the first half of 2025, an assumption the council explicitly disputed.

Beyond the projections themselves, the MFAC stressed that Malta’s growth pattern remains overly dependent on private and public consumption. It reiterated that a shift toward export-led growth is “a pressing priority,” urging support for innovation, export diversification, and the upgrading of competitive sectors.

The council also highlighted the need to tackle structural challenges, including skills mismatches, limited innovation capacity, and the demands of digital and environmental transition.

Fiscal policy, it added, should act as a catalyst for productive investment and reforms that foster sustainable, innovation-driven growth.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The third and final stage of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup concluded last night, with Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama advancing, while Jamaica and Suriname will play for their all in the playoffs.

Curaçao made a historic first, finishing first in Group B after drawing their direct match in Kingston. Jamaica, however, drew 0-0 at home, advancing to the play-offs. Curaçao, with a population of just over 150,000, made history by becoming the smallest country to reach a World Cup finals. In Group A, Panama, with 12 points, qualified directly. A resounding 3-0 home win in El Salvador (goals from Blackman, Davis, and Puma), while Suriname lost 3-1 in Guatemala, finishing in second place and forced to settle for the play-offs. In Group C, Haiti qualified, thanks to a 2-0 home win over Nicaragua (goals from Deedson and Providence), but also Costa Rica’s 0-0 draw against Honduras. This was Haiti’s second appearance in a World Cup final after 1974.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, and Belgium have qualified for the World Cup. There are now 39 teams already qualified. In addition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States as host nations, the following teams are guaranteed a spot in the final tournament, which will feature 48 teams for the first time:

AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

CAF: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

OFC: New Zealand.

UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, and Belgium.

Bolivia, New Caledonia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, and the two best runners-up from the final CONCACAF qualifying round have qualified for the intercontinental play-offs, which award three spots; another four spots will be awarded through the European play-offs.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “The possibility of Italy? My focus has always been Argentina, I’ve never thought of anything else. I’m Argentinian and I want to play for my national team.” Roma striker Matias Soulé told Sport Mediaset, dismissing the possibility of wearing the Azzurri jersey due to his dual citizenship, following his recent exclusions from Scaloni’s Argentina squad.

“I’m calm; the call-up is a reward for my performance at the club, and my focus is on Roma. I’m a little disappointed, because it’s normal to dream of the national team from a young age. But if I continue on this path, the moment will come,” Soulé added.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Once, the news was about his transfers from one club to another — from Real Madrid to Manchester City, from AC Milan to Santos, just to name a few. But Robinho’s life has changed dramatically. Now, the former Brazilian footballer’s transfers involve prisons.

The former AC Milan player, 41, has been moved from Tremembé to the Limeira Resocialization Center. Convicted of rape in Italy, the Brazilian has been in prison since March 2024. According to UOL Esporte, his lawyers requested the transfer from the prison administration, emphasizing his “good conduct” and the benefits offered by a resocialization center for an inmate “serving a sentence of less than ten years, with no prior offenses, and no other charges pending.”

The request was approved, and thanks to the transfer, Robinho — who is serving a 9-year sentence — will be able to receive family visits on weekends and take part in volunteer work, such as “maintaining the city’s common areas.”

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is confronting a deepening domestic violence crisis, new figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveal. A total of 3,798 people sought help in 2024, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year.

Physical violence made up 42% of reports across service providers, with Aġenzija Appoġġ’s Domestic Violence Unit handling 1,861 cases of physical abuse. Women accounted for 76% of all service users, and 45% of female victims sought support multiple times, pointing to persistent abuse cycles.

Authorities say the rising numbers may reflect both increased violence and improved reporting. Yet many cases still go unreported, meaning the true scale is likely larger.

The Southern Harbour district recorded the highest rate of female service users—12 per 1,000 residents, while Gozo and Comino had the lowest service utilisation.

The data also highlighted perpetrator trends: 535 individuals accessed perpetrator services, 94% of them male. The Department of Probation and Parole oversaw 261 cases, followed by the Correctional Services Agency with 179.

Though psychological violence remained the most common form at 74% of reports, the surge in physical assault cases has alarmed support organisations. Emergency health services handled 155 domestic-violence-related incidents.

The impact spans all ages, with 30-39-year-olds representing the largest group of service users at 29%. Maltese nationals made up 83% of cases, while foreign nationals accounted for 37% of shelter residents.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission’s autumn forecast shows Malta’s economy set to maintain robust growth over the next five years, though at a gradually slower pace. Growth is projected at 4% this year, easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.5% in 2027.

According to the Commission, this year’s expansion is driven mainly by strong public and private consumption, sustained investment, tourism, gaming and financial services. Investment is expected to rise by 6% this year, fall to 1% in 2026, and rebound to 3% in 2027.

Employment is forecast to grow by 3.7% in 2025, partly supported by immigration, though inflows are expected to moderate under stricter rules. Worker shortages, however, are set to persist.

Economic growth is projected to ease to 2.9% in both 2026 and 2027. Wages are expected to rise by 5.9% this year, slowing to 2.9% in 2027.

The unemployment rate is forecast at 4% this year, dropping to 2.9% in 2026 and remaining steady in 2027. Inflation is expected at 2.4% this year, falling to 2.1% next year and 2% the year after.

On public finances, the Commission notes the government deficit is set to decline to 3.2% in 2025, supported by higher tax revenue and strong tourism. Tax cuts for families next year will reduce income tax revenue, while public spending continues to rise.

The deficit is expected to narrow to 2.8% in 2026 and 2.6% in 2027. Public debt is projected to remain stable at around 47.3% of GDP.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Maybe things will go as expected, but right now there are no certainties that Kenan Yildiz’s future will still be at Juventus. The Turkish international has the Bianconeri in his heart; it’s where he grew up, broke out, and established himself, following the example of his idol Alex Del Piero, who, among other things, sees in him a potential heir.

Yet negotiations for a contract renewal are progressing anything but smoothly and, according to the British outlet CaughtOffside, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid want to seize the opportunity. According to the specialized English site, Yildiz is asking for a salary of €6 million per season—too much, according to the Juventus management, which nevertheless does not intend to give up and continues working to find a solution and secure the 20-year-old who developed in Bayern Munich’s youth system before continuing his path at Juve.

If no agreement is reached, Comolli and the others would demand €100 million for the player’s transfer fee, and Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid would reportedly be willing to discuss it.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews