BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Bad news for Barcelona. During the defeat against Real Madrid, Xavi Espart sustained an injury: the 19-year-old defender has suffered “an injury to the syndesmosis of his right ankle” and will be sidelined for seven weeks. He will miss, among other matches, the clash against Atletico Madrid on November 8th; the *Blaugrana* hope to have him back in time for the Champions League fixture against Manchester City on December 8th. For Flick, this represents another defensive setback—adding to the absences of Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Jules Koundé—which had previously forced the German coach to field the same back four both at the Parc des Princes and on Sunday at the Camp Nou.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “We’ll see what happens. I’m not expecting anything.” Michael Carrick does not appear to fear being sacked, despite Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, just days after their 4-1 loss to Como.

The Red Devils have now gone eight games without a win across all competitions, and the position of the English manager is under threat. Carrick took over from the dismissed Ruben Amorim in January and was subsequently confirmed in the role at the end of the season after securing Champions League qualification.

“I’m just trying to take in what happened” Carrick said. “We knew it was an important day to try to make progress, but we didn’t manage to do that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m trying to process everything. The emotions I felt at the end of the match were something I had never experienced before.”

Carrick, who left Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up after the midfielder had criticised the manager following the defeat to Como, went over to acknowledge the fans chanting his name at the end of the game.

“From my side, it wasn’t a farewell,” he clarified. “I appreciate their support.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

COMO (ITALPRESS) – Como have announced the contract extension of striker Tasos Douvikas, who has signed a new deal with the Lariani club until 2031.

Having arrived on the shores of Lake Como during the winter transfer window of the 2024/25 season, the Greek centre-forward has made 68 appearances for the Biancoblù, scoring 27 goals and providing five assists in all competitions.

Last season, Douvikas scored 14 goals, finishing the campaign as Serie A’s second-highest scorer.

This season, the striker has found the net in each of the first three matchdays of the Champions League, a competition in which both he and Como made their debuts.

Commenting on his contract extension, Tasos said: “I am very happy to continue my journey with Como. I have felt at home from the very beginning and immediately sensed the club’s ambition. I have grown a lot since arriving, thanks to coach Fàbregas and his staff. This group is like one big family to me. I want to keep helping the team by giving my very best.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUXELLES (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) – Today, the European Commission launched the T-MED Investment Platform, to mobilise large-scale investment in renewable energy and clean technologies across the Mediterranean. The platform is a key component of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED), a flagship initiative of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The platform was presented by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica during a stakeholder event in Brussels, bringing together European and international financial institutions, private investors and project promoters to identify investment opportunities and projects that could benefit from Commission support.

EU support will include up to €4.5 billion in guarantee capacity under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), helping reduce investment risks, attract private capital and accelerate the implementation of viable renewable energy and clean technology projects across the region. The platform will facilitate cooperation between financial institutions, investors and project promoters, matching promising projects with potential sources of financing and helping turn investment opportunities into concrete projects.

The Mediterranean holds considerable untapped renewable energy potential. The T-MED Investment Platform aims to unlock this potential by supporting investments in renewable electricity generation, renewable hydrogen, electricity transmission and distribution networks, energy storage, cross-border interconnections and clean technology manufacturing.

Beyond financing, the platform will support efforts to improve regulatory frameworks, permitting procedures, grid access and power purchase agreements, while promoting skills development and local clean technology value chains. By addressing these barriers to investment, T-MED will help strengthen energy security, deepen economic cooperation and create new opportunities for sustainable growth across the Mediterranean.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government is expected to continue subsidising energy bills and providing financial assistance to families and pensioners in Budget 2027, maintaining measures that help shield households from rising living costs compared with many other EU countries.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that energy and fuel subsidies will remain in place for another year, with €400 million allocated for 2027 to keep prices stable.

Abela also announced that working parents will receive double the tax benefit under the upcoming Budget.

Further tax cuts for other workers are also expected, as the government seeks to provide additional financial support amid international economic uncertainty.

Budget 2027 will be presented this evening, Monday, 26 October.

The government spent €400 million this year on energy and fuel subsidies, helping households and businesses avoid higher costs despite rising international prices.

Malta continues to record comparatively low fuel prices within the European Union. Petrol costs €1.34 per litre, against an EU average of €1.99, while diesel stands at €1.21, compared with the EU average of €2.14.

Abela said Malta’s economy is growing by around 4%, enabling the government to maintain financial support while safeguarding economic stability.

He also stated that the country’s budget deficit would remain below 3% of gross domestic product, with public debt staying below 50%.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen announced today that it had carried out a targeted military operation to neutralize sources of threat in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi militia. This was stated in a post on X by Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Coalition forces.

“Exercising the inherent and legitimate right to self-defence in order to protect the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, its citizens and residents, and in response to repeated attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia, which has attempted to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Yemen with ballistic missiles and drones, the Coalition Joint Forces Command carried out a high-precision military operation aimed at neutralizing sources of threat,” he said.

The operation involved the destruction and neutralization of legitimate military targets in areas controlled by the Houthi militia: five tunnels used to store ballistic missiles, four ballistic missile launch platforms and one missile depot. The operation also focused on disrupting the militia’s supply lines between areas under its control, as well as striking fortifications, concentrations of personnel and military equipment along the lines of contact inside Yemen.

General Al-Maliki reiterated that the Coalition Joint Forces Command would continue deterrence operations against the terrorist Houthi militia to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom from attacks, as well as innocent civilians in Yemen from the militia’s violence. He stressed that the operation complied with international humanitarian law and customary international law.

– Photo: Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Regarding the FIFA elections, the presidents of the confederations have no decision-making power: the vote belongs to each of the individual member associations. Therefore, any recent claims suggesting that members of the confederations or the FIFA Council have a role in the voting process are entirely unfounded,” writes Prince Ali Al Hussein of Jordan, president of his country’s football association, on X.

“Returning from Tokyo, where the AFC Congress was held, I can say that the first two days were dedicated to football—the sport we all serve,” Al Hussein continues. “The final day, however, was pure politics, orchestrated by Gianni Infantino. Rumors have circulated suggesting that Asia has reached a unified position ahead of the election for the next FIFA president. In reality, no one was permitted to speak, ask questions, engage in discussion, or talk to the media. A lack of transparency leads to a lack of accountability. No form of coercion, threat, or corruption should be tolerated,” he concludes.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Having suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona, ​​Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia is set to undergo surgery in the coming days. The procedure is scheduled to take place early next week in Doha, Qatar, at the Aspetar clinic. The exact date for the surgery on the Georgian forward—who plays for PSG and previously featured for Napoli—has not yet been confirmed.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS) – Tunisia has launched the AeroSTAR program, developed in collaboration between the American aeronautics group Boeing and the organization Amideast, with the goal of building the skills of young Tunisians and facilitating their access to professional opportunities in the aviation sector. The launch ceremony, held on Thursday, October 22, was attended by the United States Ambassador to Tunisia, Bill Bazzi, alongside the Tunisian Minister of Transport and representatives from Boeing, Amideast, and relevant Tunisian institutions.

The program aims to provide young people with opportunities for direct engagement with industry experts and a deeper understanding of the aviation world. This initiative is part of the broader cooperation between Tunisia and the United States in the field of civil aviation, with a particular focus on skills development, research, and innovation within the aeronautical and aerospace sector. On the sidelines of the event, the Minister of Transport met with a Boeing delegation to discuss future cooperation, the strengthening of air links, and the modernization of the fleet of the national carrier, Tunisair.

– file photo by IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “Will I have an ear tuned to London? No, I’m not interested.” At the request of the Paris prefecture, the match between PSG and Lyon has been postponed to Monday, meaning it will take place at the same time as the Ballon d’Or ceremony in the English capital.

However, Luis Enrique is unconcerned with events across the Channel—even though a *France Football* award could once again go to one of his players, following Dembélé’s success in the previous edition. “We have many players who could win this Ballon d’Or. We’ll see who takes it, but it won’t change anything regarding what we are striving to achieve as a team,” the coach insists.

“I remain focused on Monday; if this is the best approach for the current situation, then I accept it”—referring to the 24-hour postponement—”We have to be ready. I have no issue with playing on Monday. We’ve already shown what kind of team we are.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews