LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Giovanni Leoni’s nightmare is nearing its end, although a little more patience will still be required.

Signed from Parma in the summer of 2025, the 19-year-old defender suffered an immediate setback at Liverpool. In September last year, making his debut for the Reds in the League Cup against Southampton, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Now, however, after more than a year, his return to action is approaching, although there has been a slight delay compared with initial expectations.

“It’s taking longer than we would have liked,” admitted Reds manager Andoni Iraola. “The plan was for him to train with the team during the last international break, but that will probably happen during the next one, so we’ve lost a month in the process.

“I wasn’t here when Giovanni got injured, but after speaking with the medical staff, I learned that it wasn’t just an ACL injury. It was a serious injury that affected several tissues in the knee, in addition to the ligament.”

Iraola said the priority now is to ensure that Leoni feels “very confident. We want to make sure that once he returns to training with the team, he can stay there and remain fit.

“It’s true that we’ve had what I wouldn’t call a setback, but rather a slight delay, if that’s how we want to describe it. The current plan is for him to start working with the group during the next international break.

“It won’t be much longer, although it will happen a little later than we had expected.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta ranks first, followed by Ireland and Denmark. Italy, by contrast, ranks fourth from last among the 31 high-income European countries examined. This is one of the most surprising findings of the World Social Report 2026, presented today at the United Nations by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

The report introduces a new index, the Socially Inclusive Transformation (SIT), which measures the extent to which economic, digital and energy transitions actually translate into social inclusion.

In the European ranking of high-income countries, Malta leads with 159.77 points, followed by Ireland (156.98) and Denmark (155.58). Italy scores 133.19 points, trailing Croatia (134.93), Bulgaria (135.78) and Russia (136.39), and ranking ahead of only Greece, Latvia and Romania.

Italy’s overall score consists of 58.36 points for the transformation indicator and 74.83 points for the inclusion indicator.

However, the most interesting finding concerns the major powers. The United States and China appear, together with Malta, Ireland and Singapore, among the five countries with the best results in economic, digital and energy transformations. None of these five, however, appears among the top five for social inclusion, a ranking led by Belgium, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Sweden. The UN’s message is clear: innovation and growth do not automatically guarantee that the benefits reach all citizens. It is public policies that determine who is left behind.

The global figures confirm the alarm. In 2025, 58% of workers were employed in the informal economy, 27% of young women aged 15 to 24 were neither studying nor working, and 2.2 billion people had no access to the Internet.

Moreover, 887 million of the 1.1 billion people in multidimensional poverty are exposed to at least one serious climate risk. Postponing investments in social protection by ten years could result, according to the report’s simulations, in a 12% loss of economic output compared with countries that intervene promptly.

During Thursday’s press conference at UN Headquarters, attended by Bjørg Sandkjær, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, and Rashmi Banga, head of the development research branch at UN DESA, Italpress asked what their concrete role is after identifying these inequalities: merely raising the alarm with the report, or directly helping governments to correct them? The answer made clear that the report’s main task is to identify problems and indicate the priorities on which governments should act. The UN’s conclusion is that investing in social inclusion is not only a matter of justice, but also an economic strategy to support growth and productivity.

-Photo Italpress-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Lisandro Martinez’s outburst in Madrid could prove costly. Following the Champions League defeat to Atletico, the defender did not mince his words when addressing Manchester United’s management: “I expect more from our sporting director”—referring to Wilcox—“and we expect more from the leadership—from those at the very top—in terms of bringing in other players so that we can compete.” 2

According to ‘Sky Sports UK’, the club is considering not exercising the unilateral option to extend Martinez’s contract, which expires in June; indeed, they are already scouting other defensive options. No decision has been made yet regarding potential disciplinary action against Martinez, whose comments were poorly received not only by the management but also within the dressing room.

Last summer, the 28-year-old defender had pushed for a transfer—specifically to Atletico—but United did not receive any offers deemed sufficient for consideration.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Arsène Wenger could be a surprise candidate to challenge Gianni Infantino in the 2027 FIFA presidential election. According to BBC Sport, some European football officials are hoping to persuade the former Arsenal manager to run, banking on his international reputation and the experience he has gained while leading FIFA’s global football development.

At the moment, however, there is no confirmation regarding the 76-year-old Frenchman’s intentions. Meanwhile, former Tottenham and Switzerland national team defender Ramon Vega has already announced his candidacy, becoming the first official challenger to Infantino.

To stand for election, a candidate must secure the support of at least five national federations by November 18.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

GENEVA (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – A group of States has urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to inform the populations in the camps of Tindouf, Algeria, about the various “durable solution” options available to them, in light of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and subsequent diplomatic developments. According to the Moroccan news agency MAP, this appeal was made in Geneva during the 77th annual session of the UNHCR Executive Committee by a group that supports the High Commissioner’s role in resolving protracted refugee situations. “In light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) and the diplomatic developments that have followed, there is now a real opportunity for these populations to access durable solutions—an opportunity that did not exist before,” stated Todd Steggerda, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN in Geneva, in a statement drafted jointly with France.

The group suggests that the UNHCR and donor countries should take steps to inform the camp residents of the “various options available to them” and create the conditions necessary for them to access “a more dignified future.” The signatory States also called on the UNHCR to increase its contribution to political processes and to peace and development efforts that could foster lasting solutions, reiterating that “nothing can replace peace.” This statement is part of the debate recently initiated by Morocco, which has called on the UNHCR and major donors to focus more effort on funding the three durable solutions for refugees—voluntary repatriation, integration in the host country, or resettlement in third countries—based on the free choice of the individuals concerned.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Italian-Moroccan fashion designer and entrepreneur Halima Hadir, founder and artistic director of Safira Milano, has received the 2026 Euro-Mediterranean International Award for Excellence in Rome. According to the news agency MAP, the award was presented to her by the Undersecretary of State for Culture, Giampiero Cannella, during the fourth edition of the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Culture. Hadir was honored for her professional journey and her efforts to promote Moroccan cultural heritage through fashion. With Safira Milano, the designer blends Italian craftsmanship—the hallmark of “Made in Italy”—with traditional Moroccan artisanal techniques, reinterpreting them for a contemporary audience.

The ceremony was also attended by the Moroccan Ambassador to Italy, Youssef Balla, who described the honor as a tribute to her “talent, creativity, and exemplary professional path.” “Hadir elegantly embodies the dialogue between two cultures and stands as a true model of success, perseverance, and openness,” Balla added. The award also highlights the role of the creative industries as a tool for cultural dialogue and for fostering closer ties between Morocco and Italy.

– photo Embassy of Morocco in Rome –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield held talks with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, focusing on security, irregular migration and bilateral relations.

The meeting came two days after Health Minister Ian Borg met General Saddam Haftar, a senior official of the rival administration in Benghazi led by his father, Khalifa Haftar.

Bedingfield also met Libyan Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

Discussions in both meetings focused on strengthening cooperation between Malta and Libya, particularly on preventing migrants from undertaking dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean.

The ministry said both sides stressed the need for coordinated action between transit countries and European states, alongside more effective measures to combat human trafficking networks.

The talks also addressed requests Libya has made to the European Union concerning migration, although the ministry did not provide further details.

Malta believes Libya’s concerns should be taken seriously as part of efforts to develop a common solution that recognises the North African country’s role while strengthening cooperation across the Mediterranean, the ministry said.

Bedingfield stressed Libya’s strategic importance to Malta and Europe, calling for continued cooperation to address irregular migration before migrants reach European shores.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Gareth Southgate has ruled out a return to managing a club in the Premier League. “I don’t see a scenario where that happens,” the former England manager stated, as reported by the BBC in an interview for the program The Amol Rajan Connection.

Southgate, who stepped down as national team manager following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, explained that he had gradually lost the joy of experiencing football as a coach. “In the end, I couldn’t even enjoy the wins for more than a couple of minutes,” he recounted. Since leaving the ‘Three Lions,’ he has pursued new ventures in media and professional development. “I’ve loved the last 18 months of my life,” he added. During the interview, Southgate also addressed the case involving the financial breaches alleged against Manchester City in the Premier League. “None of this is good for football, and there will be no winners,” he asserted.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – As announced in recent days, Pep Guardiola returned to the Etihad Stadium yesterday to support Manchester City during the most critical phase of the legal proceedings concerning alleged financial breaches in the Premier League.

The former manager of the “Citizens”—who departed the club at the end of last season following a ten-year tenure—watched the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain from the stands. His presence served as a gesture of solidarity with the club during this sensitive period. In the stands, fans displayed messages of support for the club and its ownership, including the acronym “CTID”—standing for “City ‘Til I Die.” This show of loyalty took place during the first home match following the verdict. The evening, however, ended in defeat for Manchester City, who were beaten 4-2 by PSG.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – “They killed a mythological hero.” This is the accusation leveled by lawyer Fernando Burlando—counsel for Dalma and Gianinna Maradona—during the final day of closing arguments by the plaintiffs in the trial concerning the death of Diego Armando Maradona in Buenos Aires.

As reported by the Argentine press, Burlando has requested a 15-year prison sentence for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, 12 years for Nancy Forlini, and 10 years for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, charging them with simple homicide with eventual intent (dolus eventualis). Prison terms were also requested for other defendants from the medical staff, while an acquittal was sought for physician Pedro Di Spagna.

“Diego was murdered in cold blood,” declared Burlando, asserting that evidence presented during the trial confirms the culpability of those responsible for his care. The lawyer also denounced the conditions of the house where Maradona was being treated following his hospitalization, accusing the medical personnel of ignoring signs and symptoms that required intervention.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews