BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Hansi Flick looks ahead to Barcelona’s next challenge with confidence. On the eve of the match against Levante—part of the fifth round of La Liga—the German coach analyzed the team’s current form, stressing the need to maintain high intensity and continue improving. “We are very happy to be playing at this level, but we know we have to prove it in every match. We are aware of our quality, but we must maintain the right mindset, focus, and intensity,” Flick declared. The coach then defended his decision to continue rotating the squad, a strategy considered crucial in a season packed with closely spaced fixtures: “I have two or three options for every position. Players have to accept that, at times, others will play. We must keep capitalizing on this good run of form.” Flick urged the team to focus exclusively on the Levante match, without looking ahead to future fixtures: “We are in a great moment, but there is still a long way to go. The next match is what matters.” The coach also highlighted the squad’s growth compared to last season, specifically pointing to the performance of the defense and the development of young players like Cubarsí. “It is a balanced squad. Looking at the matches, we are better than last season, both in attack and defense,” he explained.

Finally, Flick clarified that Barcelona’s objective is not limited to the Champions League. The European dream remains alive, but La Liga also holds a significant place in the Blaugrana’s ambitions: “Everyone wants to win the Champions League—it’s our dream—but winning three consecutive league titles is just as important. It would be incredible, even though we still have a long way to go.” According to Flick, success in this challenge will also depend on the team’s ability to manage energy levels and recovery effectively: “There are matches every three days. Recovery, good sleep, and proper nutrition are crucial. We need to help the players get back to their best level.” Responding to praise from Como manager Cesc Fàbregas, Flick preferred to keep his focus on the present: “Did Fàbregas call Barcelona a ‘frightening’ team? I’m impressed by what Cesc is doing; his team is playing excellently, at a very high level. But my attention is focused entirely on the next match. We’re on the right track, but there is still a long way to go before the season ends.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ASUNCION (PARAGUAY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Gustavo Alfaro will serve as Paraguay’s head coach until 2030. Having arrived in 2024, the 64-year-old Argentine manager has extended his contract for the next four years and will be at the helm for the upcoming World Cup, when Paraguay hosts a group-stage match as part of the tournament’s centenary celebrations. At the previous World Cup, La Albirroja reached the Round of 16, eliminating Germany before narrowly losing to France.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Ten years after the air tragedy that claimed the lives of 71 people—including nearly all the Chapecoense players—the Brazilian club and Atlético Nacional will meet on the pitch for a friendly match in memory of the victims. The game is scheduled for September 26 at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellín, the home ground of Atlético Nacional.

On November 28, 2016, the plane carrying the Chapecoense delegation to Colombia for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atlético Nacional ran out of fuel and crashed into a hillside. At the request of the Colombian club, Chapecoense was subsequently declared the winner of the competition. “Two jerseys, a story that transcends football,” the Brazilian club wrote on social media. Both teams wear green and have maintained a special bond since the tragedy. Among the six survivors were three footballers: Alan Ruschel, Neto, and Jakson Follmann.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Nationalist Opposition will present an “Omnibus Bill” containing 10 major reforms aimed at implementing recommendations from the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The proposals include constitutional protection for journalists, a new offence of obstruction of justice and a legal framework regulating caretaker governments.

PN Leader Alex Borg announced the plans during a meeting with stakeholders, NGOs and civil society organisations ahead of Parliament’s return from its summer recess.

Other measures seek to introduce criminal liability for public officials who deliberately fail to perform their duties, tackle abuse of public authority and unauthorised use of electronic systems, and criminalise participation in mafia-style organisations.

The package would also introduce unexplained wealth orders and strengthen protection against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).

Borg said the reforms were intended to rebuild public trust in politicians and state institutions.

He said the PN would focus on comprehensive reform and achieving justice for Caruana Galizia, nine years after her assassination.

Borg said those who commissioned the murder had still not been held accountable, describing the situation as worrying for Malta and Europe.

PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione said evidence emerging during the murder trial had exposed a serious national reality and undermined trust in institutions.

“We cannot think that after everything that emerged, the country can simply continue with ‘business as usual’,” he said.

Shadow Justice Minister Joe Giglio said the proposed amendments were intended to strengthen the rule of law and restore Malta’s credibility.

The proposals are not yet final, with the PN saying stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input before the legislation is formally presented.

The initiative follows the government’s rejection of a motion calling for the public inquiry’s recommendations to be implemented by the end of October.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisia and Switzerland are looking to expand bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on vocational training, tourism, agriculture and local development, within the framework of programmes and projects already underway in both the public and private sectors.

The prospect of strengthening and diversifying the partnership emerged during a meeting in Tunis between Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti and Swiss Ambassador to Tunisia Joseph Renggli, on the occasion of the conclusion of the ambassador’s diplomatic mission in the country.

The two countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. During the meeting, Nafti stressed that the development of cooperation requires an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, as well as adherence to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and in the functioning of national institutions.

The Swiss ambassador confirmed Bern’s intention to continue developing relations with Tunisia and further diversify areas of cooperation, based on shared interests and the principle of mutual benefit.

– Photo: Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Chelsea are keeping hold of Pedro Neto. The 26-year-old Portuguese winger has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Neto joined Chelsea from Wolverhampton two summers ago and has quickly become a valuable member of the Blues’ squad. He has made 108 appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing 19 assists, and played a key role in Chelsea’s triumphs in both the Conference League and the Club World Cup, scoring three goals in the latter competition.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group has decided to organize a fact-finding mission to Malta following the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech in the proceedings linked to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Nationalist MEP David Casa stated that the decision is the result of years of failure by the Maltese government and state institutions to ensure full justice for Caruana Galizia. Casa clarified that the mission is not intended as an attack on the Maltese judiciary, emphasizing that court decisions and judicial independence must be respected.

However, he raised questions regarding the police investigation, the prosecution’s case, the handling of key evidence, and the potential failure to involve individuals holding positions of power in the investigation. The monitoring group was established following the murders of Caruana Galizia in Malta and Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak. The group monitors threats to the rule of law, press freedom, and the fight against corruption in EU member states.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “I will not allow my name to be used to fuel conflicts between other people or to gain media attention. For this reason, given the seriousness of these statements, I have instructed my legal team to assess the situation and take the appropriate legal action.” Edson Alvarez, West Ham midfielder and captain of Mexico, has spoken out in his own defence.

Director Juan José Lopez Ordonez revealed that he was kidnapped in November 2024 on behalf of Jonathan Toache Bedolla, who at the time was Alvarez’s father-in-law, before managing to escape. Although he did not make any direct accusations, he implied that Alvarez was aware of the plan.

“I categorically reject any accusation or attempt to associate my name with events, disputes or conduct that have absolutely nothing to do with me,” the player responded. “If anyone believes they have evidence of any wrongdoing on my part, there are authorities, prosecutors and courts to which such evidence can be presented. Allegations of this seriousness must be backed by evidence and submitted to the competent authorities, rather than being entrusted to statements made to media outlets whose priority is sensationalism and media exposure.”

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SANA’A (YEMEN) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Houthi militia forces have reached the city of Dhobab, located directly on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait opposite Perim Island, according to two Yemeni government sources cited by Al Arabiya. Another government source reported that the militiamen have also deployed to the strategic island of Mayyun, situated in the middle of the strait.

Amid intensifying Houthi attacks, the militia launched five ballistic missiles at areas south and west of Taiz province, sparking panic among the population and forcing dozens of families to flee.

According to local residents, the missiles were launched from Mount Oman, east of Taiz, targeting Bab el-Mandeb, Hijat al-Abd, and Ras al-Aara. Al Hadath sources also reported two airstrikes on sites near Mokha Airport and two others on the city’s port, where fires subsequently broke out.

Meanwhile, violations against civilians are worsening in the Waziyah, Mawza, and Hays (Hodeidah) areas, where a massive wave of displacement is underway. Arrest campaigns and home raids have driven over 150 families to abandon their homes and head for the Bani Omar area south of Taiz, which is under government control. Also in Hodeidah, Houthi forces have raided the offices of several humanitarian organizations.

Following renewed Houthi attacks around Mokha, government forces have repositioned and reinforced their deployment along the west coast, sending reinforcements from the city of Mokha to the Dhobab area in Taiz province. The Yemeni National Defense Council declared last night that any “temporary” battlefield advance by the Houthis would not entitle them to impose a *fait accompli* by force, emphasizing the State’s and the armed forces’ ability to regain the initiative and continue the “deterrence operation” on all fronts.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho spoke on the eve of the match against Rayo Vallecano, defending Real Madrid’s current form and expressing great confidence in the squad.

“We are happy, united, and working well. We need to be very focused because we are facing a team coming off a win,” explained the Portuguese manager, who then defended Vinicius against criticism: “There is a saying that people only throw stones at trees that bear fruit. What has Vinicius done here? How many Champions League titles has he won? How many goals has he scored? The Vinicius who single-handedly decided the match against Benfica last year will return. He isn’t there yet, but he is working harder than ever.”

Mourinho also echoed Mbappé’s sentiments: “He is right: a player who scores 40 goals a season is not a problem for the team.” The Portuguese manager highlighted Real’s quality: “Against Inter, they could have scored four goals against us, but we could have scored eight. Why isn’t that mentioned? We will do everything possible to make the fans happy.”

Regarding the 2030 World Cup, Mourinho unhesitatingly named his ideal venue for the final: “Where it should be is one thing, but where I would like it to be is another. I would like it to be in Lisbon. But if you can play in a legendary, historic stadium—where the greatest players in history have played and at the home of the most important club in football history—then I think it should be here,” he said, pointing to the Santiago Bernabéu.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews