MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid player Vinicius jr is currently in Seoul for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil’s friendly matches against South Korea and Japan, but this morning, his house in the Spanish capital, in the La Moraleja residential area, caught fire.

According to Spanish media reports, the flames started from the sauna, located in the basement, which was completely burned down. The cause was an electrical fault. Two firefighting teams from the Autonomous Community of Madrid responded to the scene and put out the fire. Aside from the material damage, fortunately, no other problems were reported.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg has announced that he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in brokering peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Speaking in Valletta, Borg said he met President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in New York two weeks ago, where he personally delivered a letter informing the president of the nomination.

“As the person who led the OSCE in 2024, I worked with many people on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Borg said. “Peace was finally achieved this summer thanks to the U.S. President.”

Borg added that in his letter he encouraged Trump to continue his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

“I am glad to see a greater commitment that is moving us closer towards peace,” he said.

The Nobel Peace Prize nominations for 2025 remain confidential until official announcements are made by the Nobel Committee later next year.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Joan is a long-time friend. Sometimes friends can disagree or have differences, but in the end, they find a solution. We’re all happy that he’s back in our family.” With these words, Nasser Al-Khelaifi officially confirmed the return of Joan Laporta and Barcelona to the European Football Community (EFC), after their split over the Super League project.

Speaking on the sidelines of the EFC General Assembly in Rome, the PSG and EFC president emphasized unity: “We work together, win together, lose together… Together, everything is possible.”

Looking ahead, Al-Khelaifi added: “We must not be afraid of change. We’ve restructured the Champions League and Europa League formats, and it turned out to be one of our biggest successes. Now we want to keep growing — our goal is to reach 1,000 clubs in our organization.”

Laporta had already hinted at the move the night before during an interview with El Chiringuito de Jugones: “As Barcelona, we stand for the pacification of European football. Coming here means creating the right harmony to reach an agreement that brings unity back to the game.”

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission has launched two infringement procedures and issued one reasoned opinion against Malta for failing to comply with EU rules on waste management, renewable energy, and VAT systems.

Brussels announced the actions, signalling renewed pressure on Malta to align with European standards. A reasoned opinion is a formal warning that precedes possible referral to the EU Court of Justice.

In the first case, the Commission said Malta breached the Landfill Directive by allowing untreated waste to be sent to landfills. It cited poor waste sorting, heavy reliance on landfilling, and low recycling rates as persistent problems. Malta has two months to respond before further action is taken.

The second infringement procedure concerns VAT rules for small businesses. Along with Belgium and France, Malta has yet to develop the IT systems required for cross-border information exchange between EU tax authorities. Without these systems, the simplified VAT scheme cannot function properly.

The third case involves a reasoned opinion over Malta’s failure to fully transpose the revised Renewable Energy Directive. The law, effective since November 2023, required member states to simplify permitting for renewable projects by July 2024.

If Malta fails to comply within two months, the Commission may refer the cases to the EU’s top court and seek financial penalties.

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Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – No sackings, no new coaching searches — Manchester United won’t hit the reset button again. Speaking on The Business podcast by The Times, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of Manchester United’s owners and the man overseeing club operations, confirmed that Rúben Amorim will stay in charge and will have time to prove himself.

The Portuguese manager, who signed a three-year contract, has struggled to meet expectations so far — finishing 15th in last season’s Premier League and suffering an early Carabao Cup exit against Grimsby Town, a League Two side (the English fourth division).

United’s 2–0 win over Sunderland in the last league match reportedly saved Amorim’s job, but Ratcliffe dismissed the rumours: “Sometimes I don’t understand the media. They think success happens overnight. There’s no magic switch. You can’t run a club like Manchester United by reacting impulsively to what journalists write every week. He’ll have the time to show his quality.”

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela described the newly announced agreement between Israel and Hamas as a “positive development” and reaffirmed Malta’s long-standing commitment to peace in the Middle East.

In a statement issued following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of the first phase of a peace deal, Abela said the agreement — which aims to secure the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza — represents an important step forward.

“Malta has always been committed to peace, and without a doubt, it is a positive development that President Donald Trump announced an agreement on the first phase of a peace deal that should lead to the release of hostages and a cessation of fighting in Gaza,” the Prime Minister said.

Abela also highlighted Malta’s recognition of the State of Palestine as part of the broader international effort to support peace and prosperity in the region. “The recognition of the Palestinian State, including by our country, sent an important and timely message — that everyone deserves to live better and in prosperity,” he stated.

Reiterating Malta’s stance on a two-state solution, Abela emphasized that “two peoples can live side by side in peace.”

He concluded by expressing hope that the latest developments will ultimately lead to “lasting peace” between Israelis and Palestinians.

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Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Miguel Angel Russo has passed away. The 69-year-old Boca Juniors manager died overnight in Buenos Aires.

“Club Atlético Boca Juniors announces with deep sadness the passing of Miguel Angel Russo. Miguel leaves an indelible mark on our club and will always be remembered for his joy, warmth, and dedication. We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones in this moment of sorrow. Farewell, dear Miguel!” read the official club statement.

Russo, who had stepped down from coaching duties on September 21 for health reasons, died after a long illness he had been battling since 2017. His condition worsened earlier this week, leading to his admission to intensive care due to a urinary tract infection.

Born in Lanús in 1956, Russo played as a midfielder for Estudiantes from 1975 to 1988 and earned 17 caps for Argentina before beginning his managerial career with Lanús and later returning to Estudiantes.

Throughout his career, he managed numerous Argentine clubs, including Rosario Central, San Lorenzo, Vélez Sarsfield, and Racing Club. This was his third stint at Boca Juniors, where he famously won the 2007 Copa Libertadores alongside Juan Román Riquelme, now the club’s president.

Russo also worked abroad, coaching Salamanca in Spain, Universidad de Chile, Monarcas Morelia in Mexico, Millonarios in Colombia, Alianza Lima in Peru, Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Europe sets the standards in world football, and while there have been external attempts to reshape our sport, we will never organize a competition for only 12 clubs. Football must be inclusive and give everyone the chance to win the biggest competitions.”

This was the message from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin during the EFC (formerly ECA) General Assembly held in Rome — seemingly in response to rumors about ongoing talks with A22, the company behind the Super League project, to reach a possible agreement.

“We’ve overcome unprecedented crises, challenged traditions, and emerged stronger than ever. We’ve weathered wars, pandemics, and economic turbulence, yet European football has come out reinforced. We showed courage when we decided to reform club competitions, and we were rewarded because value was created both on and off the pitch. We promote inclusive football that stands as a reference point during difficult times. Amid political and social crises, we need something that unites us — and football plays that role, one we must preserve,” Ceferin said.

He also referred indirectly to the Villarreal–Barcelona and Milan–Como matches that UEFA reluctantly authorized to be played abroad. “Football isn’t just about finances or entertainment. It’s life within our communities. If we take it too far from its roots, we risk breaking it. In uncertain times, football is our anchor.”

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for violently assaulting Italian national Daniele Nardelli, leaving him permanently disabled. The attack occurred on 2 August 2015 at Club Plus One in Paceville, where Nardelli and a friend were on holiday. According to testimony, 43-year-old Mark Dimech suddenly punched Nardelli in the face without provocation, knocking him unconscious.

Police who arrived at the scene allegedly assumed Nardelli was drunk and left without investigating. Hours later, he sought medical help for heavy bleeding but was sent home. His condition deteriorated, and a subsequent hospital visit revealed a facial fracture and a shifted spinal column that compressed his spinal cord. Nardelli underwent surgery in Italy, where doctors warned of a high risk of paralysis. Although he survived, he remains partially disabled, suffering from tremors, loss of function in his dominant hand, and limited mobility. Medical experts confirmed a 25% permanent disability, drastically altering his once-active life. In delivering judgment, the court condemned Dimech’s “senseless” violence, noting that a single punch had devastated Nardelli’s future. Alongside the prison sentence, Dimech received a three-year restraining order.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has rejected claims that Russian agents are operating within Malta’s administration to promote President Vladimir Putin’s agenda, calling the allegations “baseless and damaging“. Addressing Parliament after a meeting in Copenhagen, Abela warned that such accusations risk undermining Malta’s credibility abroad and could harm efforts to bolster its reputation within European institutions.

The remarks came in response to questions from Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami, who alleged that a person linked to the Russian government might be employed by the Maltese state. Fenech Adami also pressed the Prime Minister on whether the government had acted to guard against possible cyberattacks or Russian-linked assets. Abela firmly dismissed the suggestions, accusing unnamed online portals of pushing “agendas that are widely known.” He said these reports often gain unwarranted attention in European circles, unfairly tarnishing Malta’s image. “The government will continue to safeguard Malta’s integrity and reputation,” Abela said, reiterating his administration’s commitment to transparency and security.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews