PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – The international expansion of the Italpress news agency continues. Following its recent agreement in Riyadh with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Italpress has now signed a prestigious partnership with CCTV+, part of CMG (China Media Group), the most important Chinese media conglomerate, which also includes state television CCTV and the international multimedia video news agency CCTV+.
This new partnership will allow Italpress to distribute its multimedia and video content in China, while also enabling it to use video and feeds from CCTV+ for its own video formats and for its subscribers in Italy and abroad.
“I’m truly honored and proud of this important agreement,” said Gaspare Borsellino, founder and director of Italpress. “It allows us to open up to new and important markets such as China. I thank Director Li Xia and her entire team for the trust placed in our agency for this important and exciting international partnership, which is part of an ambitious and structured path of international expansion to spread our multimedia content to an increasingly broad and global market”.
CCTV+ Director Li Xia also expressed satisfaction with the agreement.
“In the current trend of global media integration, CCTV+ is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with leading international news agencies, with the goal of promoting diverse, objective, and in-depth journalism. I am very pleased,” said Li Xia, “to officially start a content exchange partnership with Italpress, a major and prestigious Italian news agency. This collaboration not only reflects growing mutual trust and cooperation between Chinese and Italian media, but also offers richer and more comprehensive international news content to a global audience.
Italpress brings strong professional expertise and advantages in European journalism, particularly in Italy, while CCTV+ boasts solid global news-gathering capabilities and a multilingual content distribution network. This partnership will allow both parties to integrate their respective strengths and resources, opening new paths for international news dissemination. In the future both sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as joint journalism, content sharing, staff communication, and technical collaboration, working together to seize development opportunities for journalism in the era of artificial intelligence. Through this collaboration, I look forward to jointly producing authoritative, credible, and internationally influential journalistic content, and contributing the power of the media to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Italy”.

– Photo Italpress-CCTV+ –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Last night Barcelona officialized the renewal of Lamine Yamal until 2031 and on Catalan newspapers the first details of the agreement are beginning to emerge.

Starting with the termination clause which, as already agreed in October 2023, will remain at one billion euros. The salary figures are not known, certainly much higher than the player’s growth at first glance, but there would also be a bonus if Yamal were to win the Ballon d’Or.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Former Malta international footballer and current Floriana local councillor Justin Haber has been found guilty of threatening his sister and has been issued with a one-year restraining order by Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella.

Haber, a former national team goalkeeper and prominent figure in Maltese football, was charged in relation to an incident that occurred on January 8, when he sent his sister, Pearl Vella Haber, a voice message threatening to “behead” her. The threat followed a family dispute involving their mother.

During the court proceedings, Pearl testified that this was not the first time she had reported her brother. In 2014, she had taken a previous case to court but withdrew it for family reasons. “The main reason I decided to go through with the report this time is because I know he is capable of such things,” she told the court. Pearl also spoke of living in fear, avoiding underground car parks to prevent potential confrontations with her brother.

Initially, Haber denied the charges, but later admitted to his actions while testifying in court. Magistrate Vella found him guilty on all counts and imposed a restraining order that bars him from approaching, contacting, or going near his sister. Violation of the order could result in a €2,000 fine.

Haber, who had a long-standing career with the Malta national football team, was elected to the Floriana local council in 2024 on the Labour Party ticket. The Labour Party is discussing Floriana councillor Justin Haber’s court case internally before deciding if any action should be taken against him.

In a heartfelt personal statement, Justin Haber took full responsibility for a recent controversial statement, expressing deep regret and offering a formal apology.

He explained that his remarks came during a highly emotional time, dealing with the distress of a parent battling cancer. “Every child, when faced with the pain and suffering of a parent — especially one battling cancer — naturally feels overwhelmed and emotionally vulnerable,” Haber said. “Under immense stress, people sometimes say things they do not mean. That was the case here.”

While acknowledging his fault, Haber emphasized that his intent was never to cause harm. He reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to his core values of respect, responsibility, and integrity, calling on genuine people to judge him fairly.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS) (ITALPRESS) – Having said goodbye to Francesco Farioli, Ajax is still looking for a new coach. According to “Telegraaf”, the Lancers are considering a duo formed by Marcel Keizer and John Heitinga to lead the first team.

Keizer already took the helm in 2017, proposed by Van der Sar and Bergkamp, ​​in place of Bosz after the excellent work with the reserve team where he had Heitinga as assistant. This time, however, the roles should be reversed and Heitinga would be the head coach with Keizer as assistant.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WROCLAW (POLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “We’ve done a fantastic job. But tomorrow is a whole different story: it’s a final and we want to win it at all costs”. Enzo Maresca thus charges his Chelsea on the eve of the Conference League final against Betis, scheduled for 21:00 tomorrow at the Stadion Wroclaw.

After qualifying for next season’s Champions League with their league position, the Blues want to win a trophy again: “We have to prove our worth again. We’ve played so many games in this competition, now there’s only one left. Every day there’s a different opportunity to improve”.

Maresca has named 23 players for the final: Christopher Nkunku, recovering from injury, is on the list, while Nicolas Jackson is a candidate for a starting spot after missing the last two Premier League games due to the red card he picked up against Newcastle: “He’s a good guy, he acknowledged his mistake and apologised to his teammates, which is very important. So I’m sure he’ll have a great game tomorrow.”

Chelsea captain Reece James was also motivated: “Winning the trophy would mean a lot to me and the club. For many players it would be their first title. It will be a high-level match. We will face a very strong opponent, we will take to the field with great determination and aim for victory”.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

WROCLAW (POLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “We are living these moments with great joy. We were able to reach this final and we are confident”. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini said this in a press conference on the eve of the Conference League final against Chelsea, scheduled for tomorrow (9pm) at the Stadion Wroclaw.

The Chilean coach knows the Blues coach Enzo Maresca well, his player at Malaga: “When we qualified for the final I called him to tell him how happy I was to challenge him”. Against his former pupil Pellegrini does not feel underdog: “The easiest thing to say is that Chelsea are favourites because they have more money, but I don’t agree. I think there are no favourites in a 90-minute final. This is not a challenge between David and Goliath”.

Betis dreams and does so thanks also to those players who have received a second chance in Sevilla. Starting with Antony, regenerated after the dull spell in England: “I spoke to him and I noticed his desire for redemption. The transfer has done him good”, admitted Pellegrini, who also relies on the quality of Isco, back in the list of players called up for Spain: “We are convinced that we can win. I told my teammates that conviction is the first step to victory. We have shown that we can beat anyone and we can’t wait for the match to begin”, added the former Real Madrid player.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

BREMEN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – From the renewal offer to dismission. That is the fate of Ole Werner, the coach sacked by Werder Bremen. The club explained in an official note that they would have liked to renew the coach’s contract, which expires in June 2026. Having received a negative response, they then decided to terminate the relationship by dismission.

“We are really disappointed with this decision, because we could easily have imagined working with Ole in the long term. However, we need continuity and clarity for the future of this role, which is why we decided to part ways with him. This decision was approved unanimously. Especially when it comes to the planning of the team, it is essential to be able to do this in the long term. We wanted to avoid starting the season with a coach in the last year of his contract. Ole’s decision not to extend his contract prompted us to make this decision. We thank him for these three years and half with us”, explained Clemens Fritz, general manager of Werder.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – While waiting to find out who the new coach will be and which players he will focus on, Milan are also dealing with market rumors. In this case they come from England and concern the striker Rafael Leao, protagonist of a negative season as well as the entire team.

According to the English of “TeamTalk”, the Portuguese is popular in the Premier League with clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea concretely interested, aware that for a “Devil” without Europe there are no unsellables. In addition, Bayern Munich is also said to be on the trail of the winger and, adds TeamTalk, Arsenal and Barcelona have also sounded out the waters by contacting the player’s agents, but the race would be three-way with the Red Devils, Blues and Bavarians involved. The valuation of the player, according to the English site, would be 100 million euros.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that so far no Maltese citizens have been injured in the crash that saw a car plough into a crowd of fans at Liverpool, injuring dozens.

What began as a joyful celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League title turned into a scene of chaos and grief when a car ploughed into a crowd of fans. Among the thousands of people thronging the streets were hundreds of Maltese supporters who had come to Liverpool to take part in the long-awaited celebrations.

According to the Liverpool Supporters Club Malta Facebook page, it emerged that Maltese citizens were on the same street, close to where the crash occurred.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – SACE, the Italian insurance and finance group specialized in supporting businesses and the national economic fabric—and directly controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance—has signed an agreement for a €365 million loan provided by BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB), destined for Morocco’s OCP, Office Chérifien des Phosphates. OCP is a global leader in phosphate and phosphoric acid production and the third-largest player in the global fertilizer market.

OCP is the world’s leading phosphate exporter, and Morocco holds around 70% of known global phosphate reserves. This presents a significant opportunity for Italian companies connected to the sectors involved in the foreign buyer’s projects. The loan, backed by SACE’s Push Strategy guarantee, aims to support export opportunities for Italian businesses in strategic sectors for the Mattei Plan in Africa—such as green technologies, as well as mechanical and hydraulic components.

SACE’s Push Strategy gives Italian companies a passport to international markets by guaranteeing loans to foreign counterparts that commit to increasing purchases of goods and services from Italy. A key component of the strategy is Business Matching, organized in collaboration with major national system players, which facilitates targeted meetings between Italian firms and foreign counterparts, fostering new business connections.

The OCP Group provides essential elements for soil fertility and plant growth. With over a century of experience and revenues exceeding $9 billion in 2024, OCP is a global leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilizers. Headquartered in Morocco and active on five continents, OCP employs over 17,000 people and works with more than 350 customers worldwide. Recently, the group launched a green investment strategy focused on increasing fertilizer production and investing in renewable energy.

The strategy includes total investments of around $13 billion from 2023 to 2027, enabling the group to use 100% non-conventional water by early 2025, 100% clean energy by 2027, and to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040, while also increasing the production of green fertilizers.

“This agreement between SACE and OCP marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Italian industrial excellence and one of Morocco’s key economic players,” said Armando Barucco, Italian Ambassador to Morocco. “This strategic partnership not only fosters deeper economic cooperation but also creates new business opportunities for Italian companies across various sectors, reinforcing a solid foundation for bilateral trade and investment.”

“This initiative reaffirms our commitment to promoting Made in Italy and supporting Italian companies in key sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, and machinery,” said Michal Ron, Chief International Officer at SACE. “It also strengthens our trade relations with Africa in line with the Mattei Plan. The Push Strategy proves to be a crucial tool for creating new export opportunities for Italian SMEs and deepening relationships with major international buyers.”

“This significant green financing agreement with SACE is concrete proof of OCP Group’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Karim Lotfi Senhadji, Chief Financial Officer at OCP. “Through this credit line, we accelerate our transition toward 100% clean energy and the use of non-conventional water, enhancing our leadership in sustainable plant nutrition solutions. This partnership strengthens not only our financial strategy but also fosters deeper collaboration and opens new opportunities for sustainable growth in both Morocco and Italy.”

“This strategically important deal with OCP, in partnership with SACE,” said Abdelmajid Fassi Fihri, Head of CIB Africa at BNP Paribas and CEO of BNP Paribas’s Regional Office at Casablanca Finance City, “was a great opportunity to leverage the expertise of our Corporate and Institutional Banking teams in Casablanca, Milan, and Paris, to deliver a cutting-edge cross-border structured financing in support of Morocco’s ambitious sustainability trajectory.”

“OCP entrusted us with structuring this loan to support their capital investment plans, reaffirming the strong ties built over time between OCP and Crédit Agricole CIB,” explained André Gazal, Global Head of ECA & Multilateral Financing Solutions at Crédit Agricole CIB. “The loan has been certified as a Green Loan, highlighting OCP’s commitment to sustainable development. The use of SACE’s Push Programme allows innovative borrowers to access new long-term financing sources. A win-win deal for Morocco and Italy, and a model for solid African borrowers to follow.”

-Photo Sace-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews