PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Bradley Barcola will be unable to be at Didier Deschamps’ call-up for the next two World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland. The PSG striker has not yet recovered from the hamstring injury in his right leg suffered in mid-September against Atalanta in the Champions League. In his place, former Udinese player Florian Thauvin, who played today at Lens, has been called up. Thauvin made his last appearance for the French national team in June 2019.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Xavi is in no rush. Having stepped down as Barcelona manager at the end of the 2023-24 season, the 45-year-old is still waiting for the right call. According to “Caughtoffside,” the former midfielder has reportedly turned down several offers from the Saudi Pro League, preferring to continue his career in Europe. Xavi is particularly interested in a Premier League experience: the former Barcelona manager would be quick to accept a call from Manchester United, where Ruben Amorim’s position is said to be far from secure.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MONTE CARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Adi Hutter’s hours are numbered. According to “L’Equipe,” Monaco have already begun the search for a new manager, considering their relationship with the Swiss coach to be over after the 2-2 draw with Nice in the league.

Having arrived in the summer of two years ago and under contract until 2027—a contract extension signed just last January—Hutter’s dismissal would be the price of both his below-average results (13 points in the first seven matchdays and a draw and a defeat in the Champions League) and a less than ideal relationship with the dressing room.

The club has reportedly already identified their new manager: Edin Terzic, the 42-year-old German-Croatian who led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024 after finishing second in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TASHKENT (UZBEKISTAN) (ITALPRESS) – Fabio Cannavaro is the new head coach of Uzbekistan, one of the 18 national teams already qualified for next year’s World Cup. The 52-year-old former captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup–winning side has signed a two-year contract with the Uzbek Federation (currently ranked 54th in the latest FIFA rankings), with an option to extend for a further two seasons.

After an illustrious playing career — highlighted by a World Cup title, the Ballon d’Or, and the FIFA World Player of the Year award — Cannavaro represented clubs such as Parma, Juventus, and Real Madrid, following his beginnings at Napoli and a stint at Inter.

He began his coaching career in 2015 in China with Guangzhou Evergrande, where he was dismissed after 23 matches, before a short spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr. He later returned to China, managing Tianjin and then Guangzhou again, winning a league title.

He also briefly served as China’s interim national coach, replacing Marcello Lippi, but resigned after two defeats in as many games. In September 2022, he took over at Benevento before being dismissed. In April 2024, he coached Udinese for six matches, ensuring Serie A survival, and most recently managed Dinamo Zagreb from December 2024 to April 2025 before being let go.

Now, Cannavaro embarks on a new adventure as head coach of Uzbekistan.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has formally submitted its candidacy to serve on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2027–2031 term, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of its membership in the organisation.

The announcement was made by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, who said preparations will intensify in the coming years to strengthen Malta’s chances of election. The committee, made up of 21 states, oversees the World Heritage Fund and decides on new additions to the World Heritage List.

Bonnici underlined that Malta’s bid reflects a commitment to cultural heritage and multilateral cooperation. He noted that, if elected, Malta’s delegation will combine diplomatic representatives with technical experts in conservation.

The candidacy follows Malta’s recent UNESCO application to recognise its historic fortifications as a World Heritage Site, expanding the country’s presence on the prestigious list. Malta already boasts three sites: the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, the Megalithic Temples, and the capital city Valletta.

Established in 1972, the World Heritage Committee promotes international unity through cultural and natural heritage protection. Elections will take place in November 2027, following negotiations among the 196 states party to the convention.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Shake-up at Glasgow Rangers. The Scottish club has officially announced the dismissal of head coach Russell Martin and his staff. The team’s start to the season has been disappointing: the Rangers have collected just 8 points from 7 league matches and suffered two defeats in as many Europa League outings.

In the Europa League, the Glasgow side will next face Roma on November 6 at Ibrox Stadium.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Cash remains king in Malta, where 67% of transactions were made with banknotes in 2024, even as Europe shifts rapidly toward digital payments, new ECB data shows.

Across the eurozone, cash accounted for 52% of transactions by number, but only 39% by value, according to the European Central Bank survey of 40,000 participants. The figures underline a widening divide between regions: Southern and Eastern Europe continue to rely heavily on banknotes, while Northern and Western nations lean increasingly on cards and mobile payments.

Italy (61%), Spain (57%) and Slovenia (64%) join Malta at the top of Europe’s cash-reliant economies, while the Netherlands (22%), Finland (27%) and Luxembourg (37%) register the lowest shares of cash transactions. Among major economies, Germany (53%) remains just above the eurozone average, while France (43%) has already moved decisively toward digital-first payments.

When measured by value, cash plays a significant role in Lithuania (59%), Slovakia (56%), Slovenia (56%), Austria (56%), Malta (54%) and Croatia (51%). By contrast, the Netherlands sees only 17% of its spending settled in cash.

Respondents cited anonymity and privacy (41%) as the biggest advantages of using cash, followed by better expense awareness (35%) and immediate settlement (30%). Still, younger consumers increasingly prefer digital methods, while people over 65 continue to use cash for more than half of their purchases.

The ECB report highlights a key turning point: although digital payments are expanding quickly, cash still anchors everyday transactions in large parts of Europe.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – House prices in Malta surged by 5.6% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to new Eurostat and National Statistics Office (NSO) data. The increase places Malta above both the EU average of 5.4% and the euro area’s 5.1%. On a quarterly basis, prices climbed 1.7% from the first three months of 2025, underscoring persistent demand and affordability challenges.

The Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) rose to 171.93, with maisonettes showing the steepest annual increase at 6.7%, followed by apartments at 5.2%. The rise in housing costs sharply contrasts with Malta’s official inflation. The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) stood at 2.7% in September, well below the property inflation rate. Analysts note that this divergence highlights the strain on households, as property costs—excluded from the HICP—remain the leading driver of living expenses.

Across Europe, Finland was the only country to register a year-on-year decline in housing prices. The strongest growth was recorded in Portugal (+17.2%), Bulgaria (+15.5%), and Hungary (+15.1%).

With wages failing to match property inflation, concerns are mounting for younger residents and first-time buyers struggling to access the market. Economists warn that unless supply expands significantly, Malta’s housing affordability crisis is set to persist into 2026.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – People from diverse backgrounds gathered in Valletta on Saturday morning to protest against the government’s proposed changes to planning laws.

The demonstration, organised by the coalition “Ġustizzja għal Artna” (Justice for Our Land), drew a large crowd demanding the withdrawal of Bills 143 and 144. Protesters accused the government of favouring powerful developers while ignoring residents and the environment.

The two bills, tabled in Parliament last July, amend the Development Planning Act and the Environment Planning and Review Tribunal. Critics argue the measures will strip courts of their power to cancel permits, grant planning boards greater discretion to bypass policy, and limit residents’ rights to appeal.

Organisers warned the proposals pose a “serious and imminent threat” to Malta and Gozo’s future. More than 70 organisations, from student groups to residents’ associations, have backed the call to “Kill the Bills.”

– Photo Martin Agius –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – In Spain, the “Yamal case” has exploded. Barcelona’s young star and Spanish international has suffered a relapse of the groin injury that had already sidelined him for four matches. The club confirmed that Yamal will be out for 2–3 weeks, meaning he will definitely miss Sunday’s game against Sevilla as well as Spain’s upcoming fixtures against Georgia (October 11) and Bulgaria (October 14). His absence could even extend further.

Despite the injury, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had initially included him in his squad list, before the Spanish Federation (RFEF) quickly removed his name. This sparked a polemic between Barça manager Hansi Flick and the national team coach.

Speaking at today’s press conference, the German explained his stance: “The parties involved must understand that I want – and need – to protect my players. If we have any doubts about a player’s condition, we don’t play him. Lamine is feeling much better today, but he is not ready to take the field. These things happen in football and I understand the other side as well, it’s not easy for me or for them. For me, the matter is closed.”

Flick avoided giving a precise date for the 18-year-old’s return but did not hold back on praise: “The whole world knows his extraordinary level. He is one of the most intelligent players even without the ball. I have to be careful when he comes back, to manage his playing time properly.”

As for the possibility of seeing Yamal back in time for the much-anticipated Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26 at the Bernabéu, Flick remained cautious: “We don’t know if he’ll be there. With this type of issue – referring to groin problems – it can take 2, 3, or even 4 weeks. We are working for him to recover in the best possible way, but his condition will have to be constantly monitored.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews