DHAKA (BANGLADESH) (ITALPRESS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has been invited by Holy See Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Vatican City on September 12-13, 2025. The invitation was personally delivered by Father Francesco Occhetta, General Secretary of the Vatican’s Fondazione Fratelli Tutti, who met Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Thursday.

During the meeting, Occhetta expressed high regard for the Nobel Laureate’s global influence, telling him, “You are a top leader; you’re a sensational figure. The World Meeting on Human Fraternity is set to be a historic gathering, bringing together world leaders, dignitaries, and thinkers to shape a future based on unity, peace, and social justice.

Central to the event will be the drafting of the Tables of Humanity, a foundational document outlining universal principles for peaceful coexistence and defining a New Human Charter inspired by Pope Francis’s vision for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

A grand gathering is expected at St. Peter’s Square, marking one of the largest events. The program will also feature a global concert, discussions, and symbolic multimedia presentations reaffirming the principles of human fraternity.

Occhetta informed Professor Yunus that notable world leaders, will be present. During their discussion, Professor Yunus enquired about Pope Francis’s well-being and conveyed his greetings, remarking, “He is a wonderful human.”

In response, Occhetta emphasised the Foundation appreciation for Bangladesh, stating, “We didn’t come here just to invite you, but also to show our support, care, and love for Bangladesh.”Professor Yunus thanked Occhetta for the invitation and expressed his anticipation for the event, saying, “I’m looking forward to it.”

The Vatican’s recognition of Professor Yunus’s Three Zero Principles—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions—underscores his transformative leadership and commitment to fostering a just and sustainable world.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS) – “Relations between Italy and the United Arab Emirates stand as an example of international cooperation when it comes to innovation and sustainability”, said Webuild CEO Pietro Salini during his participation in the “Business with Lubna” TV programme, on Sky News Arabia. He went on to say that for the Webuild Group it is a privilege to contribute to strengthening this bond, with tangible ongoing results that for 50 years have seen the Group at the side of many local clients, supporting the infrastructural development and collective wellbeing of the Country. 

“The United Arab Emirates are a largely developing reality that keeps investing intensively in the infrastructure sector, driven by an economic diversification strategy, and the need of supporting demographic and tourism growth. The Webuild Group, as of today, has significant commercial prospects in the area, especially when it comes to energy, metro and railway, water treatment and desalination plant projects, but also with regard to iconic buildings, hospitals and airports”.

“The Webuild Group, in the United Arab Emirates, has built approximately 30 projects in various different sectors, also thanks to its long-standing premium engineering, which has seen the Group for 120 years already as a reference player in the infrastructure sector, on a global level” Salini recalled.  “For example, we built the Abu Dhabi Great Mosque, among the world’s largest, and capable of welcoming up to 40,000 believers; but also, the Jebel Ali M desalination plant, among the world’s most iconic in its industrial sector, capable of providing water to the city of Dubai, with over 636,000 cubic metres of water delivered daily”, concluded Salini.

Webuild has a consolidated presence in the water sector in the entire Middle Eastern area, where it works with its subsidiary Fisia Italimpianti, a global leader in water treatment and desalination, which through its plants supplies water to over 20 million people globally. 

The entire Middle Eastern area represents a scenario of great strategic interest for Webuild. It is in fact an area where the Group is building some of the world’s most challenging infrastructural projects, just like the futuristic NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. Here, it has already built iconic works like the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, which has been awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award 2022 as the world’s best designed skyscraper; and the Orange Line (Line 3) of Riyadh’s Metro, the longest of the new innovative metro network of the Saudi capital. In Qatar, it has built the Al-Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor, shaped as a typical Arab tent, which hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches.  

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MECCA (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia has
reaffirmed its support for Moroccòs territorial integrity and
its sovereignty over the Sahara, recognizing the autonomy
initiative proposed by Rabat as the only solution for the
resolution of this regional dispute. According to
the “Map” agency, the Saudi position was expressed
during the 14th session of the Morocco-Saudi Arabia
Mixed Commission, held in Mecca, during which the
Saudi Kingdom reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan solution,
believing that any agreement must respect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Morocco. During the Commission’s work, Riyadh also praised King Mohammed VI’s initiatives in favor of Africàs development, highlighting the strategic value of key projects such as the Royal Initiative to Facilitate the Access of the Sahel Countries to the Atlantic Ocean, the African Atlantic States Process and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Embassy of Morocco in Italy-

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MAP) – The Extraordinary Arab Summit, held on Tuesday in Cairo, highlighted the role of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee.

This position was reaffirmed in the Cairo Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the Summit’s proceedings.

The summit, held in Egypt to discuss the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, was convened in consultation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which currently holds the presidency of the Arab League Council at the summit level, as well as with the General Secretariat of the League and the Arab states.

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(ITALPRESS/MAP).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MAROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MAP) – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, held talks on Monday in Rabat, with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Igli Hasani, currently on an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco from March 1 to 4.

During this meeting, both officials highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy, the exchange of visits, and the sharing of expertise and experiences to strengthen bilateral relations, the Upper House said in a press release.

They also stressed the need to use all available constitutional and legal mechanisms, innovate platforms for bilateral dialogue and communication, and promote coordination within the regional and international parliamentary fora under the mutual respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and avoiding interference in their internal affairs.

In this context, both parties underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, welcoming the strong and historic ties between the two countries, based on mutual respect, friendship, and cooperation.

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(ITALPRESS/MAP).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has offered to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg confirmed following the shocking televised clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Borg said he had contacted private diplomatic channels to reach out US officials, offering Maltàs diplomatic services as a mediator, as he backed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonìs call for peace talks.
“I have no doubt that many other countries have also made similar offers, but we are ready and willing to provide a space for talks,” Borg said, noting that Malta has hosted top-ranking US, Russian and Chinese officials over the past year.
The Foreign Affairs Minister was speaking during a radio interview, after US President Trump and his vice-president JD Vance gave Ukrainès President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a severe reprimand at the White House.
The public row shocked world leaders and derailed what was meant to be a signing ceremony for a rare minerals deal that would grant the US access to key Ukrainian natural resources.
Malta is among the few EU countries not to commenting publicly about the spat in its immediate aftermath. “If Malta is to host such talks, Malta cannot attack one side or another,” Borg insisted.
A spokesperson at the Office of the Prime Minister said the PM’s position was reflected in Ian Borg’s offer to host peace talks.
While Maltese government officials kept a low profile, Borg implied that Malta backed Emmanuel Macron’s view of the ongoing conflict. “There is an aggressor which is Russia. There is an aggressed people which is Ukraine,” the French President told journalists on Friday evening.
But if Malta is to play any part in securing peace, it must be wary of inflaming tensions or “attacking either side”, the minister argued.
Maltàs call for talks reflects the position adopted by Italian leader Meloni, who said in a statement that it was time to meet and discuss “the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine.” Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,” the Italian prime minister said on Friday.
Malta hosted a round of peace talks concerning the Russia-Ukraine war in October 2023, but with Russia refusing to take part in those talks the event went nowhere.
Malta was more successful in building bridges in December 1989, when it hosted a high-level summit between US President George H. Bush and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev that is widely recognised as a key moment in the end of the Cold War.
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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A GKSD-GSD delegation led by President Kamel Ghribi concluded the mission in Iraq during which the emergency room of the GSD Al Najaf Teaching Hospital was inaugurated. It is one of the two hospitals managed by the healthcare group in Iraq.
The commitment made by Kamel Ghribi has borne fruit and the inauguration of the emergency room in the presence of the Italian Ambassador Niccolò Fontana, together with leading exponents of Iraqi institutions, “makes clear the idea of how strong and effective the institutional collaboration has been for the realization of this objective.” The statement continues: “The GKSD-GSD Group has managed to establish a partnership model with the public sector which could not be taken for granted to find consensus among government interlocutors and among the people, and this represents a challenge won in a country with great potential”.
The objective guiding the initiative is to ensure excellent care and high-level hospitality in order to offer a healthcare experience that always puts the patient at the centre.
“I believe very much in health diplomacy and the key to success,” commented Ghribi at the end of the mission in Iraq, “was the open vision and innovative capacity of the Iraqi government together with our confidence in the development of this great country and the prospects that await it. We also hope to become a trailblazer and pacesetter for other large Italian companies that have the same commitment as us, as there are many sectors in which Italian entrepreneurial capacity can find important satisfactions in Iraq by creating value for companies and for this country: from energy to infrastructure and large-scale distribution, the Italian brand here is an assurance of competence and quality”.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, Ian Borg, speaking on national television said that US President Donald Trump is doing what he said during the election campaign. “At the national level he needs support for this policy, now we have to see how we will react. Once again we see 27 different opinions”. Asked about Trump’s position on the war in Ukraine and his claims to be able to broker a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Borg was cautious but clear in his expectations. “I still want to fully understand the strategy of the American government. I believe that the United States has the same priorities as us, that any agreement must reflect international law, the UN Charter and hold those responsible for this war to account”. Borg stressed that any solution must go beyond short-term agreements and underlined the importance of a peace process that is not only rapid, but also fair and sustainable. “We support all efforts to stop the fighting and achieve peace, but it must be a just peace, based on rights and international law. Otherwise we risk signing an agreement today only to find ourselves tomorrow facing another conflict in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia or other vulnerable countries.” Borg acknowledged the EU’s internal divisions, particularly in foreign policy. While there is broad agreement on Ukraine, he noted that when the discussion turns to the Middle East, positions are deeply divided. “We are proud to have 27 sovereign states with their own foreign policies, but moving forward we have to decide: do we want more Europe? If so, countries will have to make some concessions. I doubt that Malta is among those who are willing to put aside their national interests in favor of a broader European position. We also have clear positions. Today we will undoubtedly vote in favor of Ukraine and those responsible for this war know what is expected of them.” However, he stressed, this does not mean pursuing a hard-line approach at the expense of negotiations. “We cannot be stubborn and discard opportunities for agreements, unlike some colleagues who are pushing hard in this direction,” he concluded.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Press Office Department of Information of Malta-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta International Airport will invest 345 million in a new terminal, improving runways, new technologies and clean energy to improve the experience of residents and tourists who travel to and from Malta. 99% of tourists visiting Malta arrive by air transport.
The new investment programme will deliver operational, commercial and sustainability-related improvements between 2025 and 2029.
The Chief Executive Officer of Maltàs International Airport Alan Borg said that this programme will build on the investments undertaken by the company over the past two years to continue future-proofing the airport infrastructure.
He presented key investments that are set to be concluded in 2025, including the Apron 8 South project, which will increase aircraft parking capacity by 40%, and the Westward Expansion, which has seen the terminal grow by 1,550sq.m to allow for a smoother incoming journey.
With these major projects edging closer to completion, the company announced its next significant investment – the Eastward Expansion. This will entail the extension of the terminal by 6,000 square meters which will allow for the introduction of additional gates, check-in desks and circulation space to improve departing guests’ airport experience. For further convenience, the building will be directly connected to the airport multi-storey car park, Park East.
“The design we have chosen for the new building seeks to integrate contemporary elements with more familiar ones, showing that while we are ready to write the airport’s next chapter, we remain mindful of our past”, MIA CEO Alan Borg said.
The airport’s fifth and largest photovoltaic farm, which will more than double clean energy generation capacity once commissioned in Q3 2025, will be complemented by energy-saving measures, such as upgraded heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Ian Borg commended the airport’s multi-million capital investment, remarked: “The announced infrastructural investment is a major step forward in Maltàs efforts to constantly optimise the tourism product. All stakeholders, including the authorities, the private sector and our communities, share this common interest and responsibility. Malta International Airport’s ongoing and upcoming projects are testament to the private sector’s confidence in the future of our tourism industry, and as a government we are determined to continue supporting all investments in the efficiency, digital transition and sustainability of our tourism industry,” Ian Borg said.
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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – A crucial transport hub and architectural symbol, the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station welcomed its first passengers today. The station is one of 22 on the Orange Line (Line 3), built by Webuild on behalf of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), and embodies the past and future of the Saudi Kingdom and its capital. The Orange Line (Line 3) is the longest line in the entire driverless metro network of the Saudi capital inaugurated last November.

The Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station, with 20,000 square meters of surface area and 40 meters of depth, was a major engineering challenge. Its construction, Webuild reports, involved the use of two mechanical moles that successfully excavated on different levels, without interrupting construction activities in the heart of the capital. The station’s distinctive elements include a gigantic 70 meter diameter cone-shaped stainless steel roof that acts like a periscope, reflecting images of the historic neighborhood on the surface inside the station and showing the modernity of the interior spaces to the outside, where a large cone wall reproduces traditional Arab constructions creating a visual link with the local culture. On a journey between modernity, technology and tradition, the station is spread over 8 levels and on the lower level a garden surrounded by windows offers passengers an oasis of relaxation, adding an element of tranquility and well-being to the travel experience.

The modern design of the iconic Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station, designed to offer maximum convenience and accessibility, includes LED lighting systems and high-efficiency ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption. Ramps, elevators and tactile signs facilitate access for people with disabilities.

The Riyadh Metro network, with a total length of 176 km, represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the world and will be able to transport up to a maximum of 3.6 million passengers per day.

The opening of the Orange Line (Line 3) is planned in subsequent and coordinated phases, with 14 stations open to the public to date, including the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station.

With a historic presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the first works starting in 1966, Webuild is currently engaged in the construction of further strategic projects in the Kingdom, which include the Connector high-speed line and a system of three dams and a freshwater lake for the city of Trojena, part of the NEOM development programme. In Riyadh, a mega car park with 10,500 spaces, developed entirely underground, and the Sang Villas Urbanization Plan are also being built. Among the projects completed, there are the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, awarded with the Emporis Skyscraper Award 2002 as the best skyscraper in the world for design, more than 70 healthcare facilities and the Shuaibah-3 desalination plant, built by Fisia Italimpianti, a subsidiary Group specialized in water treatment and desalination.

– Photo Credit: Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station © Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews