VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Robert Abela was sworn in as Malta’s Prime Minister for a third term on Monday after leading the Labour Party to victory in the 2026 general election with a majority of more than 21,000 votes.

The oath of office was administered by President Myriam Spiteri Debono during a ceremony at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.

Hundreds of Labour supporters gathered outside the palace, with party flags, flares and chants. Abela was welcomed by supporters as he arrived with his wife Lydia and daughter Giorgia Mae.

The Labour Party secured 51.8% of the vote, compared with 44.7% for the Nationalist Party, earning a comfortable parliamentary majority despite a reduced margin from the 2022 election.

The result marks Labour’s fourth consecutive electoral victory and the first time any party in Maltese history has achieved such a feat. The party has remained in government since 2013.

Addressing supporters before taking the oath, Abela thanked voters and later pledged loyalty to the Maltese people and the Constitution.

“We made history together today,” he said, describing the result as a strong mandate and promising to work in the interests of all Maltese and Gozitans.

Following the ceremony, Abela appeared on the palace balcony before undertaking the traditional walk to Auberge de Castille, where he resumed his duties as head of government.

Earlier, Electoral Commissioner Joseph Camilleri formally presented the official election results to President Spiteri Debono at San Anton Palace.

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(ITALPRESS).

LILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Davide Ancelotti is the new coach of Lille. The 36-year-old Italian, son of Carlo, has signed a two-year contract and replaces Bruno Genesio. Having worked alongside his father at PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid again, Ancelotti Jr. will embark on his second coaching stint after his time at Botafogo. Davide Ancelotti will lead Lille in the league and the Champions League.

“Davide is a great professional, with all the qualities of a modern coach,” said Lille president Olivier Letang, who met him during their time together at PSG. “I have followed his growth to the highest levels, alongside the great coach Carlo Ancelotti. We have been impressed by his energy, determination, and maturity. We are convinced he is ready for our project.”

“I’m very proud and happy,” commented Davide Ancelotti, who will follow his father, Brazil coach, to the next World Cup before starting this new adventure. “The Lille project represents me: a clear identity, hard work, ambition. It’s an honor.”

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(ITALPRESS).

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Antonio Rudiger will remain a Real Madrid player next season. His contract expires at the end of the month, according to “Sky Deutschland,” the 33-year-old German defender has already signed a contract extension until 2027, but the official announcement will have to wait for the presidential elections. Having arrived from Chelsea in 2022, Rudiger has since made 182 appearances for Real Madrid.

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(ITALPRESS).

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Ederson will be Manchester United’s first signing for next season. Talksport confirms that negotiations are nearing completion for the 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder’s transfer from Atalanta to Old Trafford. The deal is valued at approximately €40 million, given that Ederson’s contract with Atalanta expires in a year. The Brazilian is expected to fill the void left by Casemiro’s departure.

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(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Three explosions occurred in the early morning hours in Magħtab, involving a fireworks factory, shortly after 6:30 a.m.

A large plume of smoke was seen rising from the site and was visible across multiple areas of the island, prompting concern among residents.

The police confirmed that no one was present inside the facility at the time of the explosions, and no fatalities or injuries have been reported.

However, nearby residential properties sustained damage as a result of the blasts. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosions.

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(ITALPRESS).

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Liverpool have chosen Andoni Iraola. According to BBC Sport, having sacked Arne Slot on Saturday, the Reds will begin negotiations in the next few hours with the 43-year-old Spaniard, whose contract with Bournemouth expires and who has also been linked with AC Milan in recent days.

Iraola isn’t the only option—Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens are also interested—but the Reds will do everything they can to convince him to take the Anfield job.

Incidentally, Liverpool’s current sporting director is Richard Hughes, who was Bournemouth’s technical director when Iraola was hired.

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(ITALPRESS).

KANSAS CITY (USA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi’s sixth World Cup has officially begun. The former Barcelona and PSG star, along with his compatriot and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, arrived in Kansas City a few hours after the Seleccion landed to join the rest of the national team.

The bulk of the group arrived at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport on Aerolineas Argentinas charter plane number 1978, a tribute to the Argentine’s first World Cup victory. The plane featured a special livery: Messi’s number 10 was emblazoned on the tail, nestled between the traditional white and blue stripes, while three gold stars commemorated the three world titles won.

Argentina has chosen Sporting Kansas City’s training facilities as its headquarters during the initial phase of the tournament. Placed in Group J, the Seleccion will debut on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Their other opponents in the group will be Austria and Jordan.

Before the start of the World Cup, Argentina will play two more warm-up friendlies: against Honduras on June 6 and against Iceland on June 9.

It remains to be seen whether Messi will be involved in these tests, given the muscle fatigue he suffered in his last outing against Inter Miami.

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MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “I think I gave AC Milan everything I could give.” AC Milan striker Rafael Leao’s words in an interview with Portuguese club Sport.tv sound like a farewell. “It was a club that helped me grow a lot, that supported me in difficult times. I’m happy to have managed to write my name in the Rossoneri’s history. I want to try a new challenge in a new league. And if this were to happen, I would be very happy and satisfied, because it would mean I did my job to the best of my ability.”

Leao’s contract expires in June 2027. “Now the most important thing is the World Cup and helping the national team however I can. When the time comes, I will evaluate the best options to continue my career.” Leao’s future club could be in Spain, the Premier League, or Saudi Arabia.

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(ITALPRESS).

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – One person has died, as well as one seriously injured, in the heavy toll of incidents overnight in Paris, which began immediately after PSG’s Champions League victory over Arsenal. A 24-year-old man died from injuries sustained in a scooter accident on the Paris ring road, near Porte Maillot, according to French media reports. The Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation to determine the cause of death.

A 17-year-old is currently in a coma, in critical condition, after being involved in a knife fight last night in the 16th arrondissement. When police arrived, the young man, dazed, had two eye wounds and was bleeding profusely from the mouth. The attackers immediately fled. The total number of injured rises to 219.

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(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Labour Party has won Malta’s general election, according to early vote-count sampling conducted by agents of the two major parties as counting got underway.

Speaking at the counting hall in Naxxar, Nationalist Party General Secretary Charles Bonello said the PN expects to lose by around 18,000 votes.

Labour supporters celebrated the projected victory with chants of “Viva l-Labour”, “Robert tagħna il-mexxej Alleluia”, and “ir-raba’ rebħa” (the fourth victory).

While final results and parliamentary seat allocations are still pending, the sampling has effectively ruled out any surprise outcome.

All published opinion surveys during the election campaign had pointed towards a Labour victory.

Despite the defeat, Bonello highlighted positive signs for the PN, describing the result as the party’s strongest performance since 2008.

Projections also indicate that the PN may have won Gozo, the home district of party leader Alex Borg.

The election is set to make history, marking the first time since the establishment of Malta’s Parliament in 1921 that a political party has secured a fourth consecutive electoral victory.

Previously, only two parties had achieved three successive wins. Labour won in 1971, 1976 and 1981, while the Nationalist Party secured victories in 1998, 2003 and 2008.

The final margin of victory and the composition of the next Parliament will become clearer as counting continues.

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(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta recorded a modest increase in voter turnout in the latest general election, according to figures released by the Electoral Commission early on Sunday.

A total of 311,949 of the 356,832 eligible voters cast their ballots, resulting in a turnout rate of 87.42%. While this marks an improvement on the 85.63% turnout registered in 2022, it remains the second-lowest turnout in a general election since independence.

Turnout increased across all 13 electoral districts, despite boundary changes introduced since the last election to reflect demographic shifts.

The number of uncollected voting documents also rose slightly. A total of 15,312 documents, representing 4.3% of the total, were not collected, compared to 4.1% in 2022. However, a greater proportion of voters who received or collected their voting documents went on to cast their votes.

Voting closed at 10pm on Saturday, triggering the transfer of ballot boxes from across the country to the counting hall in Naxxar ahead of Sunday’s vote count.

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(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Polling stations opened this morning at 7:00 a.m. in Malta and Gozo for the early elections called by Prime Minister Robert Abela, with over 341,000 voters expected to decide whether the Labour Party will win a fourth consecutive term. Voting will continue until 10:00 p.m., with counting starting tomorrow morning.

Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg was the first politician to vote, going to the polls at 9:00 a.m. in Munxar, Gozo, accompanied by Electoral Commissioner Salvu Sant and welcomed by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who subsequently cast her vote in Tas-Sliema.

“I urge everyone to vote to give Malta a fresh start,” Borg said after casting his vote. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged people to exercise their right and vote. “This is an important day for the country,” she said. Prime Minister Robert Abela cast his ballot shortly after 10 a.m. in Zejtun, along with his wife, Lydia.

In a social media post, he said that voters “hold an important key in their hands” and deserve a voice in the country’s leadership. Around noon, Malta’s President, Myriam Spiteri Debono, arrived at her designated polling station in Birkirkara.

Turnout at 2 p.m. stood at 43.59%, up from 40.45% at the same time in 2022. This figure does not include early voting, which is reserved for police, election officials, and hospitalized patients.

There are 162 candidates in the running, including eight representatives of the ADPD, seven from Ahwa Maltin, one candidate for Imperium Europa, seven for Momentum, 72 candidates representing the Labour Party, 65 for the Nationalist Party, and two independent candidates.

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PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – The new direct flight between Palermo and Malta, part of the Maltese national airline, KM Malta Airlines, begins this evening with its inaugural flight.

The new route will operate three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Yesterday, at Villa Niscemi in Palermo, the airline and Gesap, the management company of Palermo’s Falcone Borsellino International Airport, organized a meeting with the trade.

The meeting was attended by Gesap CEO Gianfranco Battisti, Palermo City Councilor for Tourism Alessandro Anello, and Malta Tourism Authority Italy Director Ester Tamasi.

“The launch of the direct flight between Palermo and Malta represents a significant milestone in the international growth of Falcone Borsellino,” said Gesap’s CEO, “and in strengthening Sicily’s strategic role in the Mediterranean. Malta is now an extremely dynamic hub, with over one hundred European and Mediterranean destinations, and being able to reach it from Palermo in about an hour’s flight means creating new opportunities for tourism, business, economic exchanges, and institutional relations between two historically close territories,” continued Battisti.

“This new route also contributes to further expanding Palermo Airport’s international connectivity, improving the accessibility of western Sicily and strengthening the airport’s position as a strategic platform for mobility and development in the Mediterranean.”

Flights are available for booking through the Km Malta Airlines website or app, travel agencies, and other authorized sales channels.

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(ITALPRESS).

TERESOPOLIS (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Carlo Ancelotti is keeping Neymar close to him. After long deliberation over his call-up and deciding to include him in the 26-man squad, the Brazilian coach assures that the muscle injury that will sideline the striker for 15-20 days will not change that.

“Before the call-up, we received a statement from Santos that mentioned an edema. We let Santos deal with it until the 27th. The player was called up, and the CBF took charge of the situation from the 27th onwards. We are dealing with his problem,” the Italian coach said.

“We believe he will recover as soon as possible; he is enthusiastic and is training well. To be clear, he will stay with us. We believe he can recover for the first match of the World Cup. If he is not in that match, he will be in the second. We have no doubt that we will not replace anyone. These are the 26 players who will play in the World Cup. Unfortunately, Neymar had this small problem that prevents him from training with the group, but he is working well and will recover soon,” Ancelotti added.

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LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Arne Slot is no longer Liverpool manager. The Anfield club has officially parted ways with the Dutchman, who took over in July 2024, replacing legendary Jurgen Klopp. In his first season, he won the Reds’ 20th English title, and his replacement could now be Spaniard Iraola, who was highly regarded by AC Milan.

“This has been a difficult decision for us as a club to make,” the club wrote in an official statement. “The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool during his time with us has been significant and successful. Therefore, our appreciation for all he has achieved could not be greater, especially as he has been underpinned by a work ethic, diligence, and level of experience that have further underlined our belief that he is a leader in his field.” That said, Liverpool added: “We have come to the conclusion that the change is necessary to allow the club to continue moving forward. Again, it must be emphasised that this is not a decision taken lightly, far from it.”

“Arne will always hold a special place in the history of this team; he will always be remembered as the coach who gave Liverpool their 20th title.” The club recalls that Slot “also helped guide the team through one of the most difficult periods imaginable after the loss of Diogo Jota. The humanity he demonstrated throughout that period speaks volumes about him as a person.”

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(ITALPRESS).

BUDAPEST (HUNGARY) (ITALPRESS) – A night of riots and brawls in the streets of Budapest. According to reports in the British press, as well as numerous videos circulating on social media, after a relatively calm day before the match, several incidents occurred overnight between Arsenal and PSG fans, protagonists of the Champions League final scheduled for this evening in the Hungarian capital. Objects were thrown and brawls involving punches and kicks occurred, as documented by videos, but now the local police force’s focus is primarily on the mass arrival of ticketless fans.

“It’s no secret that the simultaneous presence of fans from London and Paris in Budapest poses a significant risk, and it’s our job to ensure that the situation doesn’t escalate,” Janos Zoltan Kuczik, police commander in charge of security for the final, was quoted by the Daily Star as saying. “We’ve strengthened our call centers, and French- and English-speaking staff are available.”

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(ITALPRESS).

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – AC Milan announced last Monday that they were dismissed along with those of coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and sporting director Igli Tare. But like the Tuscan coach (who has an agreement with Napoli), former AC Milan technical director Geoffrey Moncada is also ready for a new adventure. Nice, who yesterday secured safety by winning the play-off against Saint-Etienne, is banking on him to restart and replace Florian Maurice. According to L’Equipe, the 39-year-old French director has already met with the club’s owners and could sign the contract that will tie him to Nice on Monday.

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(ITALPRESS).

ROME (ITALPRESS) – French football is in mourning. Bryan Bergougnoux, who last season was part of the Le Havre coaching staff as Didier Digard’s assistant, has died at just 43 years old, after a battle with parotid cancer.

A former midfielder, Bergougnoux, who developed in the Lyon youth academy, where he won three league titles, also played for Toulouse, Lecce, Chateauroux, Omonia Nicosia, and Tours. He played with the Salento club from 2009 to 2012, making ten appearances without ever scoring. He also represented France at the Under-21 level, scoring nine goals in 20 appearances. As head coach, he led Thonon Evian and Tours.

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(ITALPRESS).

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) — Atletico Madrid have categorically denied reports of a €100 million offer from Barcelona for Julian Alvarez.

“It’s just another lie,” sources from the rojiblanco club told Spanish newspaper As.

The colchoneros made it clear that they do not intend to engage in summer transfer speculation surrounding the Argentine striker, firmly reiterating their position: “Even if offers were to arrive, they will not be taken into consideration.”

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(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s electoral campaign has entered its decisive phase ahead of the 30 May general election, with the governing Labour Party (PL) and the opposition Nationalist Party (PN) intensifying efforts to win undecided voters amid rising concern over the cost of living, wages and public services.

Prime Minister Robert Abela is seeking a fourth consecutive Labour victory, while new PN leader Alex Borg is attempting to return his party to government after more than a decade in opposition. The campaign has focused heavily on economic stability, housing affordability and governance reforms.

A total of 162 candidates are contesting the general election across Malta’s 13 electoral districts, with eight representing ADPD, seven for Aħwa Maltin, one candidate for Imperium Europa, seven for Momentum, 72 candidates representing the Labour Party, 65 for the Nationalist Party, and two independent candidates.

Under Malta’s proportional representation system, each district elects five members of parliament through the single transferable vote mechanism, meaning at least 65 MPs are expected to be elected, although additional seats may be added to ensure proportionality and gender balance.

Recent opinion polls continue to place Labour ahead of the Nationalists, though the margin varies between surveys. MaltaToday’s latest poll gave Labour 50.1% support against the PN’s 43.8%, while statistician Vincent Marmarà projected a wider Labour advantage of around 30,000 votes nationwide.

Smaller parties are attempting to capitalise on voter dissatisfaction with the traditional two-party system, but analysts believe the election remains primarily a contest between Labour and the Nationalists.

Turnout is expected to remain high by European standards as Malta prepares for one of its most closely watched elections in recent years. Out of 356,832 eligible voters, 341,351 collected their voting documents by the deadline, while 15,481 voters — or 4.3% of the electorate — failed to do so and are therefore unable to vote.

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MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) — After coming close to making history, Inigo Perez is leaving. Clearly emotional, the 38-year-old Spanish coach announced that he is stepping down as Rayo Vallecano manager, bringing to an end a two-and-a-half-year spell in which he guided the club from a relegation battle to European competition, culminating in Wednesday’s Conference League final defeat against Crystal Palace.

According to Spanish media reports, Perez is expected to join Villarreal, where he would succeed Marcelino.

“I’m grateful to those who believed in me. I truly appreciate that they backed me when I had no experience as a coach,” Perez said. “I had a strong desire to achieve important goals. We managed to do that by qualifying for Europe and reaching a final. I achieved the objectives I had set for myself, and I feel at peace.”

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(ITALPRESS).

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – A separation is imminent, but by mutual agreement and without friction. Barcelona and Marc Ter Stegen know that the German goalkeeper’s long spell at the club is coming to an end.

Having arrived in Catalonia in 2014 to replace Victor Valdes, Ter Stegen has achieved everything there is to achieve, becoming one of the world’s best goalkeepers. At 34, and after a difficult season spent on loan at Girona and a long series of injuries, he wants to relaunch himself elsewhere, especially since Barça is well-covered with Joan Garcia, the starter, and Wojciech Szczesny, the assistant.

The German has a contract until 2028 and a very high salary; Barcelona, ​​according to Mundo Deportivo, is willing to sell Ter Stegen for a reasonable fee. The goalkeeper’s plan is to spend pre-season with Barça to regain his fitness and, in the meantime, listen to any offers that may come in.

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MILAN (ITALPRESS) – On the sidelines of a series of institutional meetings in Baghdad, Kamel Ghribi, President of the GKSD Group and Vice President of the San Donato Group, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, confirming the strengthening of the collaboration between the Iraqi healthcare system and the model of healthcare excellence represented by the San Donato Group.

During the summit, the $40.5 million annual agreement with the Iraqi Ministry of Health for the management of the Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Teaching Hospital, located in Najaf, a city in central Iraq with approximately 1.5 million inhabitants and one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, was officially renewed.

This is one of the most important international healthcare projects developed by the San Donato Group in the Middle East. The hospital today represents a strategic point of reference for the entire country: 492 beds, including 30 dedicated to the private area; 17 operating rooms; 24 intensive care beds; 24 emergency room beds; over 1,500 outpatient visits per day; 160 professionals, including 21 key specialists involved in clinical and organizational management.

“The renewal of this agreement represents a significant achievement not only from a healthcare perspective, but also from a human and institutional perspective,” stated Kamel Ghribi. “Healthcare can and must be a tool for cooperation, stability, and development among peoples. Over the years, we have worked to build quality, training, skills, and trust, making a concrete contribution to strengthening the Iraqi healthcare system.”

Ghribi also expressed appreciation for the leadership of Iraq’s new Prime Minister: “I found in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pragmatic, determined, and results-oriented leadership. His entrepreneurial background allows him to quickly understand the country’s strategic priorities and make decisions with great operational effectiveness and vision. This approach is a very important element for Iraq’s future and for strengthening international cooperation.”

Ghribi finally emphasized the strategic value of collaboration with Iraqi institutions: “Iraq is a country of extraordinary historical and human importance, with great growth potential. Continuing to invest in health, education, and healthcare infrastructure means investing in the stability and future of future generations.”

The meeting with newly elected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the shared desire to continue along a path of international healthcare cooperation based on quality, innovation, and sustainable development.

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(ITALPRESS).

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Morocco has emerged as Africa’s leading industrial power, surpassing South Africa for the first time in the “Africa Industrialization Index 2025” published by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

According to the report, relaunched by the Yabiladi website, the Kingdom is consolidating its position thanks to the growth of its export industry, the integration of its logistics infrastructure, and the progressive diversification of its manufacturing base.

The AfDB emphasizes that Morocco is now among the rare African economies capable of combining industrial policy, port logistics, trade integration, and international attractiveness. This convergence has allowed the country to establish itself as one of Africa’s leading manufacturing hubs in the automotive, aeronautics, processed fertilizer, and various industrial sectors integrated with European markets.

The automotive industry remains the primary driver of this growth. Morocco maintains its position as the continent’s leading automotive exporter thanks to the continued development of its industrial hubs in Tangier and Kenitra.

According to AfDB, the Moroccan model is now moving beyond the simple logic of assembly, developing an increasingly integrated value chain that includes wiring, components, industrial engineering, and electric mobility. A key role is played by the port of Tangier Med, considered one of Africa’s main logistics and maritime hubs.

This infrastructure allows for the rapid connection of Moroccan industrial hubs to European, African, and Mediterranean markets, reducing transport times and strengthening the country’s attractiveness for international investors.

The report also highlights the strong growth of the Moroccan aeronautics sector, particularly in the industrial hubs of Casablanca and Nouaceur, where activities related to precision aeronautical systems, maintenance, and component assembly are developing. For the bank, this development distinguishes Morocco from several African economies still heavily dependent on raw material exports.

The Kingdom is strengthening its presence in global industrial value chains. The report notes that South Africa retains a historically broader and more diversified manufacturing base, but currently faces logistical challenges, energy problems, and less dynamic industrial competitiveness than in the past. Regarding Egypt, the AfDB notes that its industrial model remains more oriented towards the domestic market and energy-intensive sectors.

Algeria, on the other hand, ranks sixth in the index, penalized by its persistent dependence on hydrocarbons and limited integration into global industrial value chains. According to the bank, Morocco currently benefits from an industrial strategy developed over several decades, based on public investment, international partnerships, and the progressive development of integrated industrial ecosystems.

The report concludes that the Kingdom is now among the select group of African economies capable of transforming its industrial policy into a true geoeconomic advantage for the continent.

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LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Bernardo Silva has made his choice, putting his heart before his wallet. According to “A Bola,” the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder, whose contract with Manchester City is expiring, is close to joining Barcelona, ​​with negotiations now at a very advanced stage.

The player had previously been targeted by the Blaugrana, and the opportunity to play in Spain would allow him to be closer to his family in Lisbon (his wife, Ines, is expecting their second child), hence the accelerated process that should lead to signatures before the start of the World Cup.

As for the contract, Bernardo Silva is expected to sign a two-year deal with an option for a third season worth €8 million per year, half of what he earned at City. While there will also be a signing-on bonus, the Portuguese has accepted a significant pay cut to wear the Barça jersey.

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(ITALPRESS).

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi will captain his country at his sixth World Cup, followed by the “Italians” Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the 26-man squad that will begin next month in the Americas to defend the 2022 World Cup title won in Qatar.

There are no major surprises compared to the 55-man pre-selection (Real Madrid’s Mastantuono, for example, is excluded).

Scaloni has retained 17 players who lifted the World Cup four years ago, while eight—including Nico Paz—will be playing for the first time at a World Cup. Lo Celso, who was absent in the Middle East but was in the squad for Russia 2018, completes the roster. In the group with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, the Seleccion will play two friendlies in the United States, on June 6th against Honduras and on the 9th against Iceland.

Here’s the full list:

Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa);

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid);

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis Sevilla), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg);

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), José Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras).

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VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The electoral campaign in Malta came to an end at midnight on Thursday with two mass meetings organised by the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party, as campaigning is prohibited today under silence day rules ahead of Saturday’s election.

Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed Labour supporters at the Granaries in Floriana, urging voters to “keep believing in me as I believe in you” and to “give me again the privilege of being your Prime Minister.”

In a speech centred heavily on his personal leadership, Abela said he was prepared to “walk through walls” for the country and promised continued economic support measures, including energy subsidies, tax cuts and social assistance.

He acknowledged shortcomings during his administration, apologising for instances where he had “fallen short,” while describing the pandemic as one of the government’s greatest challenges.

Abela repeatedly referred to Labour as a “movement” and said his government had ensured Malta maintained “the best economy in Europe.”

The rally concluded with a performance by Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg closed the PN campaign before a large crowd at Luxol Ground, presenting the election as a choice between “chaos” and “change.”

Borg said the PN had gained momentum despite initially trailing Labour significantly in opinion polls.

“We offered hope, not fear,” Borg told supporters, pledging a new style of politics focused on unity, dignity and quality of life.

He criticised the government over traffic congestion, infrastructure problems, hospital waiting times and uncontrolled development, insisting that “who created this chaos cannot solve the chaos.”

Borg also outlined his vision for an economy centred on workers and families rather than “calculators and statistics.”

Both leaders made final appeals to undecided voters ahead of Saturday’s vote.

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VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economy expanded by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to provisional figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The NSO said gross domestic product (GDP) reached €6.2 billion between January and March, up by €402.2 million, or 7%, over the first quarter of 2025.

The services sector remained the main driver of growth, contributing 3.5 percentage points to the overall increase in gross value added. Industry added 0.3 percentage points, while agriculture and fishing registered a slight decline.

Financial and insurance activities recorded the strongest growth at 9%, followed by information and communication at 5.3%, and professional, scientific and technical activities at 4.7%.

Domestic demand accounted for most of the expansion, contributing 3.6 percentage points to GDP growth, while external demand added 0.3 percentage points. Household spending rose by 3.8%, government expenditure increased by 8.5%, and investment climbed by 3.6%.

Exports of goods and services grew by 4.9%, while imports increased by 5.6%.

The GDP deflator, a measure of economy-wide price changes, rose by 3% compared with the same quarter last year.

Gross national income for the quarter was estimated at €5.6 billion.

In a statement, the government described the figures as evidence of Malta’s economic resilience, noting that growth outpaced the euro area average.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta’s economy had grown “about five times” faster than the euro area in the first quarter, while workers’ income rose at more than double the rate of GDP growth.

The government also highlighted strong performance in the digital sector, financial services, professional services, and hospitality.

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(ITALPRESS).

GIRONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Míchel Sanchez is no longer the coach of Girona FC. The Catalan club announced this in an official statement. “Míchel Sanchez and his staff will not continue their collaboration with Girona. The club would like to express its sincere gratitude and wishes Michel and his staff the greatest success, both professionally and personally.”

This marks the end of a five-year period. Under the guidance of the Madrid-born coach, the club, owned by City Football Group, experienced the highest moments in its history, starting with promotion to La Liga in the 2021/22 season. In 2023/24, Girona finished third place, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in its history thanks to spectacular football. However, the coach’s departure was prompted by his last failure, which culminated in a 19th-place finish and the painful relegation to the Segunda División. The future of Michel himself remains uncertain, as his name has been linked with the Ajax bench.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – An institutional and cultural event to mark Africa Day and highlight the continent’s historical memory and values was held at Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, where the documentary Morocco and the Liberation Movements in Africa was screened.

The event was promoted by the Consulate General of Morocco, in coordination with Coppem and with the support of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

“Today, on the occasion of Africa Day, the Consulate General of Morocco is organising an event at the Sicilian Regional Assembly for the screening of the documentary Morocco and the Liberation Movements in Africa,” the organisers said. “This documentary tells a shared African story and shows a phase in the continent’s contemporary history in which Morocco played a very important role in supporting African movements and African leaders in their pursuit of freedom and independence. Today, therefore, we gather here to celebrate Africa and, at the same time, to pay tribute to this documentary, which shares memory and upholds the values of peace and solidarity.”

Directed by Hassan El Bouharouti, the documentary offers a significant reading of the last 150 years of African history, drawing on archive material and exclusive testimonies. It focuses in particular on Morocco’s role alongside liberation movements, highlighting solidarity among peoples as a foundation for processes of emancipation and development.

In this sense, historical memory becomes both a tool for awareness and a means of promoting intercultural dialogue aimed at preventing all forms of racism and discrimination. In the present day, this translates into the building of shared paths to strengthen cooperation with Africa, making it a strategic priority for understanding global transformations and the role of the Mediterranean.

The screening was followed by a debate attended, in addition to Nassif and El Bouharouti, by Palermo municipal councillor for Youth Policies Fabrizio Ferrandelli, the University of Palermo’s pro-rector for Teaching and Internationalisation Fabio Mazzola, and the legal adviser to the presidency of the Sicilian Region, Gaetano Armao.

– photo xd8/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).