VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Malta national football team, led by Malta Football Association president Bjorn Vassallo, was granted a special audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The visit came as the national squad finalises preparations for its final two fixtures in the World Cup qualifying campaign. During the audience, the Maltese delegation presented Pope Leo XIV with a commemorative national team shirt marking the 125th anniversary of the Malta Football Association.

National team coach Emilio De Leo joined the delegation, which expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the pontiff. The visit was made possible through the efforts of Malta’s ambassador to the Holy See, Frank Zammit, who coordinated the occasion. The encounter was described as a moment of pride for Maltese football, highlighting the team’s unity and spirit as they near the conclusion of their qualification journey. The Maltese side now look ahead to their remaining qualifiers: they travel to face Finland national football team tomorrow in Helsinki, then host Poland national football team at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on 17 November 2025.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The news of Barcelona’s interest in Harry Kane was first reported by the Catalans at “Sport,” but now, according to the British newspaper “The Guardian,” there’s something more. Barça has decided to focus on the 32-year-old Bayern Munich and England center forward to replace 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires in June.

President Laporta’s club, despite a budget that needs balancing and a still-challenging situation from this point, is reportedly ready to put on the table the 57 million pound (about 65 million euros) release clause set by the German champions. Kane, under contract until 2027, explained that he’s happy at Bayern and hasn’t ruled out a possible renewal, but according to the British tabloid, he would welcome a move to another big European club.

– photo IPA agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SAO PAULO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Oscar’s career may be nearing its end. The 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder, formerly of Chelsea, who returned to São Paulo a year ago after eight seasons in China, has been hospitalized at the Einstein Israelite Hospital following a health scare linked to a heart problem.

Oscar was on a stationary bike undergoing routine physical tests ahead of the upcoming season when he suddenly felt unwell and lost consciousness. He was taken to the hospital, where he underwent medical examinations and an MRI scan.

“Oscar showed cardiac rhythm irregularities and was immediately assisted by the club’s medical staff and the team from the Einstein Israelite Hospital, who were present on site,” São Paulo FC announced. “He was subsequently transferred to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition and remains under observation for further tests aimed at clarifying the diagnosis.”

Oscar later posted on social media saying, “Everything will be fine, God willing,” but according to Brazilian media reports, he is now considering retirement from football despite being under contract until 2027.

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s already crowded roads are hosting a record 454,138 motor vehicles, official data show, marking a steady rise in the nation’s reliance on private transport.

Figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) indicate a net increase of 3,344 vehicles between July and September 2025 — an average of 36 new vehicles added daily. The surge comes as Malta’s population stands at about 574,250, further straining its limited road network.

Passenger cars remain the overwhelming favourite, making up 73.6% of the fleet, or 334,373 vehicles. Commercial and agricultural vehicles account for 14.3%, while motorcycles, e-bikes, and similar modes represent 11.5%. Buses and minibuses together make up less than one per cent, underscoring the minor role of public transport.

During the third quarter, 6,143 vehicles were newly licensed, averaging 67 per day. Of these, 60% were passenger cars and 1,664 were motorcycles or e-bikes. Used imports continue to play a major role, constituting 41.7% of new registrations.

The vehicle stock remains dynamic, with 6,804 units restricted and 4,725 returning to circulation during the period. Over 2,200 were scrapped, while nearly 2,000 were resold.

Alternative energy vehicles are gaining ground, with fully electric models rising 6.5% to 15,506 units. Yet petrol and diesel still dominate, powering 92.4% of Malta’s fleet — a stark reminder of the challenges facing the island’s transition to cleaner transport.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WOLVERHAMPTON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Wolves have announced the name of their new manager. Rob Edwards has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the English club, after previously serving as a player (111 appearances between 2004 and 2008) and manager of the “Wolves” (2016-2017). He replaces the sacked Vitor Pereira, who was fired after 10 games with only two points.

Edwards, 42, is leaving the bench of Middlesbrough (second in the Championship, England’s second tier) to return to Wolves, with the mission of saving a team that is bottom of the table with just two points from 11 games.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Ten years ago, on November 13, 2015, France faced Germany in a surreal friendly, beating them 2-0. At the Stade de France, however, no one was focused on the match. Their thoughts were on the news coming from the streets of Paris, including Saint-Denis, particularly from the Bataclan theater. Never-forgotten terrorist attacks , 130 dead, a pain still raw even for those, like Kylian Mbappé, who was only 16 years old at the time. Tomorrow, therefore, exactly 10 years after those attacks, France will face Ukraine in a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup, and obviously, this time too, there will be thoughts that go beyond the match. “On behalf of the French national team, the players, the staff, and everyone, I would like to say how special this day is for us,” Mbappé explained at the press conference. “We will think of all those who have lost loved ones, all the victims. We will try to bring a smile to this sad day, but even if we are playing for qualification, we are aware that there are more important things, such as commemorating an unfortunately historic day.”

Mbappé’s memories are vivid. “I was 16… I was in Monaco. I was watching the match like everyone else, and when the first news arrived, the break arrived. My parents were still in Bondy, near Saint-Denis. We all started calling our loved ones. We saw the atrocities of that day. We were filled with great pain, so much sadness, we just wanted everything that was happening to end soon. Obviously, we were all touched,” Mbappé recalled in a press conference. “Playing 10 years later will be specially emotional. We will try to pay homage to all those affected by this tragic event. We will try to be the best version of ourselves.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A call will soon be issued for an environmental study to assess the potential for Malta’s first floating wind farm, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli announced in Parliament during the debate on her ministry’s financial estimates.

The study, expected to begin in the coming months, will measure key environmental factors such as wind speed and direction, wave height, and sea currents in two zones of Maltese waters. These findings will determine the feasibility of generating wind energy beyond the 12-nautical-mile limit.

Dalli said the project forms part of Malta’s long-term vision to achieve carbon neutrality and is planned to produce around 300 megawatts of clean energy within the country’s Exclusive Economic Area. She revealed that three companies have already expressed interest in the investment, with proposals currently under evaluation by a technical board.

The minister also confirmed that the €300 million second interconnector linking Malta and Sicily will be completed by the end of next year, with half of the funding sourced locally. Dalli emphasised that Malta will continue investing in major energy projects to strengthen its transition toward renewable and secure energy supplies.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Roma and the Friedkins’ Everton. According to Sky Sports, the Toffees are also eyeing Joshua Zirkzee as a potential attacking addition in the January transfer window. The Manchester United and Dutch international striker hasn’t yet demonstrated his full potential in the Premier League, but he’s not lacking in admirers. In addition to the former Bologna player, Everton is also keeping an eye on Ivan Toney, a striker for Al-Ahli and England.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Following the recent controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal, who will miss Spain’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke to Catalunya Radio.

“I’m not worried about Lamine’s lifestyle. He needs protection and support, from us and from those around him. He’s more mature than other young players, he’s lived a very intense life, and he’s managing everything very well. The problems with the national team? We notified them when the doctor told us to. No, we communicated everything. We respect the national team’s decision. We don’t want controversy. We’re trying to get our players back to full fitness at the pace that’s most comfortable for us. We’re doing what we have to do in the best interests of Barça,” said the club’s president.

“The club wants its players to be available to the coach. It just so happens that the rest period coincides with the international break. However, this doesn’t affect the national team’s qualification, which is practically guaranteed,” Laporta added.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Transport Minister Chris Bonett has urged government and Opposition to unite behind a national mass transport project that he said will shape mobility for generations.

Speaking during his ministry’s budget estimates on Tuesday, Bonett warned that too much time had been wasted on “puerile arguments” while congestion worsened. He said the proposed system would be Malta’s largest infrastructure project since independence.

The ministry is working with consultancy firm Arup on a metro solution estimated at under €3 billion. The plan differs from the 2021 proposal costed at €6 billion since it combines underground and aboveground routes.

Bonett said the project has entered “an important new stage” involving commercial and geological studies, although he offered no timeline for publication of the plans. He added that legislative and planning policy changes will be required before construction can begin.

He appealed to the Opposition to treat the project as a national priority. His call mirrors that of Opposition leader Alex Borg who recently proposed a cross-party memorandum of understanding to guarantee long term continuity.

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has warned that a metro could burden public finances unless both sides agree on policies that curb car use.

Bonett said government will not wait for the metro to address traffic. A new ferry link will be launched next year, with new services serving the south and north of the island including Valletta.

–  Photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews