RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Carlo Ancelotti is officially the new coach of the Seleçao. The day after the defeat of Real Madrid against Barcelona, which effectively put an end to the white team’s run in the Liga (7 points left three days from the end), the Green Football Association (CBF) officially announces that “the greatest national team in the history of football will be led by the most successful coach in the world”.

Ancelotti, says the Federation, has signed a contract until the end of the World Cup 2026 and will make his debut in the next FIFA edition of the World Cup qualifiers that will see Seleçao face Ecuador and Paraguay on 5th and 10th of June, respectively.

“Bringing Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of Brazil is more than a strategic move – said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Cfb – It is a statement to the world that we are determined to regain the highest step of the podium. He is the greatest coach in history and now he is leading the most important national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters of Brazilian football”.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NYON (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – UEFA has designated Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs to referee the Champions League final between Paris Saint Germain and Inter on May 31 in Munich. His compatriots Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi will be assistant referees, Portuguese Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro will be the fourth official, and another Portuguese, Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus, will be the reserve. Dutch referees Dennis Johan Higler and Paulus Van Boekel and Romanian Catalin Sorin Popa will be at Var.

Kovacs, 40 years old and an international since 2010, is in his third European final: in the past he refereed the 2022 Conference final won by Roma over Feyenoord in Tirana and the 2024 Europa League final in Dublin, in which Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen.

German Felix Zwayer will referee the 2025 UEFA Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, which will be played at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21.

The UEFA Referees Committee has confirmed that Irfan Peljto of Bosnia and Herzegovina will referee the 2025 UEFA Conference League final between Chelsea and Betis in Wrocław, Poland, on May 28.

Furthermore, the UEFA Referees Committee has also announced that Sandro Schärer of Switzerland will referee the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League final in Munich, Germany, on June 08.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAGNA) (ITALPRESS) – Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid’s coach in the next Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States from June 15th to July the 13rd.

This is what ‘Marca’ writes peremptorily, according to which the Blaugrana and the now former Bayer Leverkusen coach have agreed to immediately kick off the new project during the World Cup. Indeed, the competition is a matter of vital importance for Florentino Perez and his board of directors, given that it offers almost 150 million euros in the event of victory.

Former Real, Liverpool and Spain midfielder Alonso announced on Friday he was leaving German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. It was not Alonso’s intention to join up with Real this early, but conversations took place last week and the club felt it did not make sense to use ‘an interim’ before the Basque manager took over.

An interim solution in the form of Solari is therefore excluded: the Spanish coach will take over the reins of the Blancos as soon as a joyless season for Real ends.

Also according to ‘Marca’, the fate of Carlo Ancelotti has already been sealed, as he will take over the Brazilian national team, which is chasing its sixth World Cup in 2026, just a week after leaving the Merengues bench.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – In a move underscoring his central role in Libya’s fragile stability, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), held high-level talks in Moscow with newly appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The meeting highlighted the deepening strategic ties between Libya and Russia and came amid ongoing efforts to rebuild Libya’s defense sector and restore order in the war-torn North African state.

Haftar’s visit represents a critical component of his broader diplomatic initiative to forge stronger international alliances aimed at stabilizing Libya and bolstering its military capabilities. With parts of Libya still facing security threats from extremist groups and political fragmentation, Haftar’s leadership — particularly in regions controlled by the LNA — has been lauded by Moscow for promoting relative calm and preventing further internal collapse. During the talks, both parties discussed expanding bilateral military cooperation, with a particular focus on defense modernization, joint military exercises, and intelligence sharing. The potential for supplying military equipment and increasing Russian training support for Libyan forces was also a key item on the agenda.

Minister Belousov praised Haftar’s “critical efforts” in curbing terrorism and restoring order in eastern and southern Libya. He emphasized the necessity of a strong and unified Libyan military institution as a cornerstone for maintaining regional balance and curtailing the spread of transnational militant threats. “The security of North Africa is deeply connected to the resilience of Libya’s armed forces,” Belousov stated. “Field Marshal Haftar’s leadership remains vital to preventing further instability.”

Haftar, for his part, welcomed Russia’s support and affirmed his commitment to expanding strategic cooperation with Moscow. “Rebuilding Libya’s defense capabilities requires trusted partners,” he said, thanking Russia for its continued engagement and recognition of the LNA’s role in preserving national security. The meeting reflects Russia’s growing military and diplomatic engagement across the Mediterranean and signals a continued shift in its regional posture, particularly in countries grappling with prolonged conflict and power vacuums. As the international community watches closely, Haftar’s outreach to Russia may shape the trajectory of Libya’s future security structure and influence broader geopolitical alignments in North Africa.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese political and religious leaders have extended heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV following his historic election on Thursday, expressing admiration for his message of peace and his long-standing connection to Malta through the Augustinian order.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was warmly applauded for his appointment by the Government of Malta, which described him as a “steadfast voice for peace” in a time of global instability. In an official statement, the government expressed confidence in further strengthening the “longstanding and valued relationship between Malta and the Vatican City State” throughout his pontificate.

President Myriam Spiteri Debono also joined in the national sentiment, acknowledging the newly elected pontiff’s emphasis on peace and drawing attention to his symbolic choice of name. “One recollects the impetus that his predecessor Pope Leo XIII imparted to the social teaching of the Church,” she remarked, underscoring the significance of continuity in moral leadership.

Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech highlighted the global Catholic community’s sense of joy, stating, “May this Pontificate bear much-needed fruit in a world of conflict, while bringing with it new hope, mercy, unity and peace for all those who seek the help and light of the Church.”

The Archdiocese of Malta expressed deep joy at the appointment, interpreting the choice of papal name as a guiding sign for the Church’s future. “This chosen name sheds light on the direction in which he will be accompanying the Christian community… in the footsteps of Saint Leo the Great,” the archdiocese stated, calling for prayers that the Holy Spirit may guide the new pontiff in his mission.

A particularly strong sense of pride and connection was felt by the Augustinian Province of Malta, as Pope Leo XIV becomes the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine to ascend to the papacy. The province recalled his frequent visits to the island nation, especially during his tenure as Prior General of the order between 2001 and 2013.

“Between 2001 and 2013, he visited Malta on multiple occasions to preside over provincial chapters and to make canonical visits to Augustinian friars as well as Augustinian sisters,” said Fr Leslie Gatt, provincial of the Maltese Augustinians. He emphasized that even beyond his leadership role, Pope Leo XIV had “maintained contact and a close relationship with several Maltese Augustinian brothers.”

The most recent of these visits occurred in November 2023, when then-Cardinal Prevost participated in the Plenary Assembly of the Council of the Conferences of European Bishops, hosted by the Maltese Episcopal Conference. During that visit, he celebrated Mass at the iconic Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in Mosta.

-Photo Arcidiocesi di Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Libyan authorities across the country’s divided political landscape have unequivocally opposed the Trump administration’s reported plan to deport migrants to Libya, labeling it unacceptable and a violation of Libyan sovereignty.

This sharp rebuke comes after a U.S. federal judge in Boston, Brian Murphy, issued a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from proceeding with deportations to Libya. Judge Murphy argued that such deportations would “blatantly” defy an earlier injunction protecting migrants’ due process rights, including proper notification and the opportunity to legally contest their removal.

The ruling followed reports from U.S. officials, suggesting that deportation flights to Libya could begin as early as this week. The officials indicated the U.S. military may facilitate the transfers, despite the U.S. State Department’s own warnings about travel to Libya due to “crime, terrorism, and civil unrest.”

Libya’s response has been swift and unified. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) declared on X that Libya “refuses to be a destination for the deportation of migrants under any pretext”.  His statement echoed across Libya’s fragmented political spectrum.

The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), led by General Khalifa Haftar, also strongly denied any coordination with the U.S. Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub, Director of Moral Guidance for the LNA, dismissed the deportation reports as “completely false and unacceptable”, insisting there was no agreement to receive deportees and no such flights would be allowed through LNA-controlled airports or borders.

Abdel-Hadi Al-Hwaij, the Foreign Minister for the parliament-designated government in Benghazi, added to the chorus of rejections, categorically denying any agreements or negotiations regarding migrant settlement in Libya. He emphasized the country’s legal and diplomatic frameworks do not permit such arrangements, and warned against any attempt to politicize migration issues. Al-Hwaij reiterated Libya’s commitment to international law and human rights, calling for respect for its sovereignty during a time of political and security challenges.

Both the GNU and LNA stressed that Libya’s fragile internal situation, already burdened by migration management and ongoing political divisions, could be further destabilized by unilateral foreign decisions.

This latest controversy comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal immigration by President Trump’s administration, which recently revived controversial policies and even offered monetary incentives to encourage voluntary departure. Several other nations, including Rwanda, Benin, and Moldova, have been mentioned in media reports as potential deportation destinations, though none have confirmed any agreements.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Catholic Church in Malta has firmly voiced its opposition to the government’s newly launched proposal to legalize voluntary assisted dying, marking a clear divide between civil authorities and ecclesiastical leadership on one of the country’s most ethically charged debates.

In a short but pointed post on social media platform X, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna expressed strong disapproval of the government’s push toward legalizing euthanasia for terminally ill patients.

“May death and dying continue to be accompanied by a culture of compassionate care”, the Archbishop wrote. “May our health professionals always be servants of life with dignity, never dispensers of death. A big YES to Palliative Care up to our natural end”. 

His comments came in direct response to the government’s announcement on Tuesday of a two-month public consultation process on the introduction and implementation of voluntary assisted dying.

The proposed framework limits eligibility strictly to adults suffering from an incurable, irreversible terminal illness that is expected to lead to death within six months. Safeguards include the requirement that the request come solely from the patient, and any suggestion or offer of euthanasia by medical personnel would constitute a criminal offense.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg stressed that the system is designed to prevent abuse and ensure that the decision remains personal, voluntary, and medically supervised. “Nobody can influence or encourage the patient, and strict eligibility rules will apply” she said.

The debate around euthanasia has simmered for years in Malta, with the Labour Party pledging to initiate a national discussion as part of its electoral manifesto. Prime Minister Robert Abela has reiterated the need for a “mature discussion” on the matter, arguing that society must face such realities with compassion and responsibility.

As Malta enters this consultation period, the divide between the government’s secular legislative push and the Church’s moral compass is expected to shape public discourse in the weeks to come.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Travelers heading to Sicily will soon have a new maritime option, as Ragusa XPress is set to launch a ferry service connecting Malta and Sicily starting May 18. The announcement was made on the Marina di Ragusa e Dintorni Facebook page.

The new service will operate with a 51-metre ferry capable of carrying 400 passengers and 18 small vehicles. The ferry will dock at the Marina of Ragusa, a small yacht port on Sicily’s southern coast. A recent test run of the route has already been completed.

Despite the upcoming launch, some travel agents remain cautious and have yet to begin bookings, citing concerns about a potential false start. The service was originally scheduled to begin in June 2023, but was delayed due to permit issues with Sicilian authorities.

Fare details have yet to be announced, but the route is expected to compete directly with existing services operated by Virtu Ferries, which currently travel to Pozzallo and Catania. The Malta–Sicily route remains one of the busiest maritime connections in the region. In 2022 alone, other ferries completed 1,414 crossings between the two islands.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – From May 8 to 18, the exhibition “Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia” will be on display at the Parliament of Malta. This initiative by the City of Palermo is held in collaboration with the Parliament of Malta, under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Malta and with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta. After the Malta debut, the exhibition will continue its international tour.
“Hosting the Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia exhibition in the heart of the Maltese Parliament is more than just a gesture of cultural hospitality,” said Anglu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives. “It is a profound act of recognition of a history that belongs to us, a devotion that has transcended centuries and seas. Santa Rosalia is not only the patron saint of Palermo but also a symbol of Mediterranean rebirth, shared faith, and collective resilience. In this spirit, I warmly invite both Maltese and international audiences to visit this extraordinary exhibition, which weaves together art, memory, and identity in a living dialogue between our two sister islands. It is a rare opportunity to breathe in the beauty of a shared heritage that continues to bloom from Palermo to Valletta.”
The exhibition Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia is curated by Sandro Follari, Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia, Valentina Falletta, and Claudia Giocondo. It is part of the events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the relics of Santa Rosalia in July 1624, patron saint of the city.
“We are honoured that our exhibition is being hosted within such a prestigious institutional venue as the Parliament of Malta,” said Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla. “This is the second stop on an international tour through which we are telling the story of Palermòs rich historical, artistic, and cultural heritage via its most famous tradition: the Festino di Santa Rosalia, held each year on July 14-15 and attracting millions of visitors. The spectacularity of last year’s edition, represented in the photos and videos on display, earned us the bronze medal at BEA WORLD 2024 as Best International Event, under the artistic direction of Marco Balich. We will continue this tour in Beijing, London, and the United States, and into 2026, recounting the cult and story of the ‘Santuzzà, known around the world.”
The exhibition features works by professional photographers and photojournalists captured during the Festino on July 14, 2024. These offer a powerful visual narrative of Palermo and its iconic tradition. The images were selected by a prestigious panel including Roberto Gueli (President of the Order of Journalists of Sicily), Gianfranco Marrone (Professor of Semiotics at the University of Palermo), and Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia (Director of the Gallery of Modern Art in Palermo).
“I am honoured to contribute to this exhibition, which is a valued initiative to strengthen Maltàs ties with Italy and Sicily and reinforce the already exemplary bond between our two peoples,” said Italian Ambassador to Malta Fabrizio Romano.
“It is a great joy to host such an artistic project here in Malta, a country where the Festa – the ensemble of liturgical and folkloric celebrations held across the archipelago – has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO,” said Serena Alessi, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta. “Palermo Blooms with Santa Rosalia tells the story of a region, not just a time of year, and does so through the exceptional talent of photographers. It’s a special artistic event that the Italian Cultural Institute of Malta is proud and pleased to promote.”
The exhibition is organized by the City of Palermo in collaboration with its Department of Culture. It is presented by Civita Sicilia with support from the Western Sicily Port System Authority.
Also on display: a video of the Festino produced by the Albamedia communications agency and a video offering aerial views of Palermo with immersive scenes of some of the city’s most evocative historic sites, produced by Aerial Film Studios.
The exhibition is free to the public and can be visited at the Parliament of Malta from May 8 to 18 during the following hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

– Photo by Andrea Vagni –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNISI (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Tunisian President Kais Saied met with the Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, to reiterate Tunisia’s firm position on irregular migration and express concerns over growing human trafficking networks across the region.

At the start of the meeting, President Saied made clear that Tunisia refuses to act as a transit or host country for irregular migrants, describing the surge in migration as anything but spontaneous. “No one can believe that thousands of people, including women, pregnant mothers, and those carrying infants, would travel thousands of kilometres on foot only to be directed to specific cities in Tunisia, such as Jebeniana and El Amra, without prior criminal coordination,” the President said, pointing to what he described as organized human trafficking and organ trade networks.

In a statement released by the Presidency, Saied emphasized that no sovereign state could accept any part of its territory operating outside the rule of law. He underlined that while Tunisia has treated migrants with respect to humanitarian law and moral values, especially during recent evacuations of migrant camps, the country cannot bear the burden of international failures alone.

“These migrants were no less vulnerable before, but the magnitude of this phenomenon has increased dramatically,” Saied said, attributing the root causes of displacement to systemic global economic injustices. “If they are now seeking safe havens, it is because they are victims of an unjust global economic system — a system that Tunisia itself suffers from.”

Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Nafti echoed these sentiments during separate talks with Pope. He highlighted “relative progress” in a national initiative aimed at encouraging voluntary returns of irregular migrants and reaffirmed Tunisia’s readiness to assist in repatriation efforts in line with its humanitarian commitments.

Pope, in turn, commended Tunisia and the broader international community for their efforts in managing migration flows. She acknowledged “tangible progress” in IOM’s cooperation with Tunis, particularly in initiatives aiming to regulate migration through legal and humane channels.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews