LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Watching from the sidelines in the Champions League isn’t ideal, but Federico Chiesa has no intention of giving up and plans to seize every chance to prove he deserves a spot at Liverpool.

The former Juventus forward was decisive last night in the League Cup, providing two assists in the 2-1 win over Southampton, and in the Premier League he has impressed every time he has come off the bench in four appearances.

“I feel better, physically and mentally,” he told English media. “In the Carabao Cup I get more opportunities to play, but I want to show the manager that I can play more also in the Premier League. The coach gave me some chances in the first four rounds, and I think I showed I can help the team. I’m not on the Champions League list, but right now I’m focused on the League Cup.”

In fact, should Leoni’s injury prove serious enough to sideline him for more than 60 days, UEFA regulations would allow Chiesa to be added to the squad in his place.

“The coach explained to me why he made his decision,” Chiesa said, referring to his exclusion from the 22-man roster for the Champions League group stage. “Of course, I’m disappointed not to be there—playing in the Champions League is every player’s dream. But I told the manager: ‘Ok, no problem. I’ll keep working hard and I’ll take the chances I get in the Carabao Cup and Premier League.’ I’m a professional, I play for Liverpool and that’s incredible. I feel indebted to this club: in these first matches I’ve given something back, and I want to keep doing that.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – From 32 to 48, but why stop there? That seems to be FIFA’s thinking, as the organization is reportedly ready to back CONMEBOL’s proposal to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 national teams, according to Argentine outlet Olé.

The 2026 edition will be the first with 48 teams, but the following tournament—set to take place in 2030 in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco (with three matches hosted in South America across Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay)—could see an additional 16 sides, bringing the total to 64.

The proposal was put forward by CONMEBOL and has already received the support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. After all, the head of world football has in the past expressed his approval for further expansion.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Palestinian Ambassador to Malta, Fadi Hanania, has hailed Malta’s recognition of the State of Palestine as a “historic step,” expressing deep gratitude toward the Maltese government and Prime Minister.

Speaking to the national TV station, Hanania described the decision as “hope – like the sunrise after a long and bitter night,” echoing words once used by late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. “We are very, very grateful for this historic step … this recognition gives us hope,” he said.

The Ambassador acknowledged that the move does not immediately change the reality in Gaza, but stressed it could increase international pressure on Israel. “As much pressure as we can put on Israel to stop the war against our people in Gaza … to allow humanitarian aid … and to stop illegal settlements, the better,” he stated.

Hanania also underlined Malta’s long-standing ties with Palestine, noting that this decision comes after 50 years of relations between the two nations. He appealed to Europe to follow suit, arguing that “Europe has a moral and legal obligation” under the two-state solution endorsed by the United Nations.

Concluding, Hanania urged the global community to support a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. “It’s time for the international community to work for this goal,” he said.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – A very eventful Tuesday evening in Nice. According to L’Equipe, on the eve of Nice-Roma, a match scheduled for this evening and valid for the first matchday of the Europa League, incidents occurred in the center of the French city. According to the newspaper’s website, citing police sources, 102 Roma supporters, some found in “possession of weapons,” were arrested.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Liverpool face a wait to see if Giovanni Leoni suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 18-year-old defender, who made his starting debut for Liverpool in the League Cup victory against Southampton, played a great match, but in the 78th minute he suffered a knee injury that raised fears of the worst. The former Parma centre-back left the field in the 81st minute on a stretcher and in tears.

“We’ll have to wait to understand what happened and what type of injury it is. I think an MRI scan will be needed,” said the manager of the English champions, Arne Slot, at the end of the match. “Usually, a player’s emotions after injuries say a lot… let’s hope for the best.” Federico Chiesa also appeared very worried about his young teammate. Decisive with his assists (the first for Isak, the second for Ekitike, who scored the final 2-1 goal in the 86th minute before being sent off for a second yellow card), the Italian striker immediately went to the locker room after the match to check on Leoni’s condition.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NICE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “Gasperini? I‘ve been following him for several years, since he was at Atalanta. I know what he’s achieved and built. I know the key principles of his game. His teams can play in different ways and are difficult to play against.” This was stated by Franck Haise, Nice coach, in a press conference on the eve of the Europa League match against Roma.

“I expect a very difficult match; we’re working hard to prepare for it. We’ve studied the opponent; we’ll also do so in the video room today,” he added. Kind words for Neil El Aynaoui, the Giallorossi player, acquired from Lens, a club managed by Haise himself until 2024. “He’s a complete player, athletic, and technically gifted, but he also has intelligence,” the coach said. “I wish him all the best and I’m sure his qualities will emerge, even on a personal level. He’s a hard worker and humble. I think he’s an excellent signing for Roma.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – The seventh edition of the ECAM Council closed in New York with a strong message: Africa is not the continent of the future, but the continent of the present.

More than 20 countries from four continents took part in the gathering, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, to discuss development challenges and new opportunities for cooperation.

Kamel Ghribi, president of GKSD, vice president of Gruppo San Donato (GSD) SpA, and chairman of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East, praised the outcomes. “I am deeply satisfied to have contributed to a high-level dialogue on Africa’s development and its opportunities with Europe and Italy,” he said, thanking Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani for his participation.
Leaders and ministers highlighted Africa’s growing central role in global affairs, a reality Italy has recognised with the launch of the Mattei Plan.

“In a time marked by wars and global tensions, we are building bridges of cooperation and economic diplomacy, convinced they can contribute to peace and stability,” Ghribi added.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Paraguay has officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and announced plans to open a consulate in the territory. The announcement was made Monday in New York by Paraguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Darío Ramírez Lezcano.

“We support Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and are planning to open a Paraguayan consulate in this region in the near future,” Ramírez Lezcano told reporters after a meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, according to the Moroccan news agency MAP.

Ramírez Lezcano also confirmed that Paraguay’s President, Santiago Peña Palacios, will soon visit the Kingdom. The meeting between Bourita and his Paraguayan counterpart, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, also provided an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of common interest.

Furthermore, it is expected that in October, on the occasion of the new resolution on the Sahara, the Security Council member countries that support Morocco’s sovereignty or its autonomy plan, including three permanent members – the United States, France, and the United Kingdom – will propose to modify the mandate of the UN mission in the Sahara to assist the parties in negotiating an autonomy statute.

– Photo Map –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Europe risks undermining its own stability if it slashes welfare spending to fund higher defence budgets, Maltese Finance Minister Clyde Caruana cautioned while speaking at the 20th anniversary of the European think tank Bruegel.

Caruana said the EU faces “twin threats” of external aggression and internal unrest, warning that growing inequality and social divisions threaten to erode trust in the Union.

He acknowledged that rising defence spending is “necessary” amid geopolitical tensions but argued it must not come “at the cost of dismantling our social safety nets.” Otherwise, he said, Europe could “win battles abroad only to lose the peace at home.”

Caruana’s remarks come as the EU debates its next budget, with member states split over balancing military commitments with long-standing social and economic priorities. Germany recently opposed a European Commission plan to boost the EU budget, while France’s government collapsed over proposed austerity measures.

The minister urged European lawmakers to rethink fiscal rules to meet modern challenges such as climate transition, digital innovation and defence, stressing that “rules designed for yesterday’s problems cannot blindly be applied to today’s realities.”

On Malta, Caruana said fiscal consolidation after the Ukraine war has been gradual, proving that responsibility “does not mean austerity” but can support both economic growth and social progress.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has officially recognised the State of Palestine, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced at the United Nations in New York, describing the step as a “concrete move” towards a peaceful two-state solution in the Middle East. Speaking at a UN conference on the Two-State Solution, Abela said the decision was not an attack on Israel but a commitment to coexistence.

“Just because something is hard does not make it impossible,” he told world leaders. The Prime Minister condemned Hamas’s October 7 attacks as “despicable” and stressed the group must play no role in a future Palestinian state. He called for the immediate release of hostages, an end to Israeli assaults on civilians, a halt to settlement expansion, and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. Abela said recognition comes with responsibilities, urging the Palestinian Authority to embrace non-violence, hold free elections, remove hate speech from schools and consolidate governance. “One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun,” he declared.

The move places Malta alongside countries including Belgium, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand and San Marino, following similar recognition this week by the UK, Canada, Portugal and Australia. Opposition leader Alex Borg welcomed the decision, noting his party had long advocated for Palestinian statehood. “The two-state solution remains the only way forward to peace,” he wrote on social media.

Malta also paired its declaration with humanitarian aid, delivering 250 tonnes of flour to Gaza and providing medical support for wounded children. Abela framed the step as principled yet pragmatic, insisting a negotiated settlement is “the only solution” to secure Israel’s safety and Palestinian self-determination. “The depth of the current tragedy must be the spur for the world not to give up but to step up,” he said. The Prime Minister is attending the 80th UN General Assembly, where more than 190 leaders are meeting under the theme “Better United Together”.

– Photo OPM –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews