MONTE CARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Two years after his last match, Paul Pogba may finally return to the pitch. On the eve of the match against Rennes, Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli announced that the French midfielder could receive his first call-up. “We still have one training session today. We need to assess the squad, as we do with everyone. If everything goes well, it could happen.”

Signed on a free transfer last summer after his doping suspension and contract termination with Juventus, Pogba has since been hampered by various physical issues. “He has completed a series of training sessions, we’ve seen positive signs, and he has been able to train under real match conditions,” Pocognoli added. “During this break we had more time to test different game situations and tactical schemes.”

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The African Ministerial Conference on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) of Child Soldiers concluded Thursday with the adoption of the Rabat Declaration, reinforcing commitments to combat the recruitment of children in armed conflicts across the continent.

According to MAP Express, ministers and heads of delegations from participating African states adopted the Declaration, reaffirming their firm commitment to fight the recruitment and exploitation of minors in armed conflicts, described as “serious violations of international law and an affront to humanity.”

The Declaration expresses deep concern over continued grave violations against children, particularly forced recruitment, sexual violence, abductions, and barriers to education and humanitarian aid. It also emphasizes prevention as the most effective strategy to end the phenomenon of child soldiers, calling for the creation of protective environments, stronger community resilience, early warning mechanisms, and measures to address root causes of recruitment.

Ministers highlighted that the reintegration of children released from armed groups must be comprehensive, sustainable, and tailored to individual needs, through programmes combining psychosocial support, family reunification, social inclusion, education, and economic empowerment. They stressed the need to combat stigmatization and promote reconciliation within communities.

The Rabat Declaration also calls for strengthened regional and international cooperation, underscoring the central role of African organisations, local communities, and civil society in preventing, protecting, and reintegrating minors associated with armed forces and groups. It further states that peacebuilding and post-conflict processes must systematically incorporate child protection, viewing children not only as beneficiaries but also as agents of change in African societies.

The Declaration announces the launch of a process to develop a dedicated African legal instrument—a continental convention focused on preventing the recruitment of child soldiers and supporting their reintegration. To support this effort, ministers agreed to establish the “Group of Friends on Child-Centered DDR,” a platform designed to coordinate and advance joint initiatives.

Adopted in Rabat, the Declaration reaffirms the shared ambition of African nations to build a continent where every child can grow free from fear, violence, and armed conflict, and their determination to contribute to global efforts to permanently eradicate the use of child soldiers.

-Photo Map-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CÓRDOBA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) — Morocco has been elected to the presidency of the International Olive Council (IOC) for 2026, following a vote held Thursday during the organization’s 122nd session in Córdoba.

The election underscores the central role of olive cultivation in Morocco, one of the IOC’s eleven founding members, which has maintained a longstanding presence within the body, whose members account for 94% of global olive production.

Established in 1959 in Madrid under the auspices of the United Nations, the IOC is the only intergovernmental organisation dedicated to olive oil and table olives. According to MAP, the 122nd session was marked by the adoption of the Córdoba Declaration, defining a shared global vision for sustainable olive growing.

Endorsed by agriculture ministers and partner international organizations, the declaration signals a collective commitment to promoting, modernising, and strengthening resilience across the olive sector. It reaffirms the strategic importance of the olive tree—described as a millennia-old symbol of peace, wisdom, and civilization—and highlights its role in food security, public health, biodiversity protection, combating desertification, and mitigating climate change.

During the session, the IOC also emphasised its strategic mission to support the value chain, enhance sustainability, and ensure product quality. Member states reviewed several priority initiatives, including development of a carbon accounting tool for olive groves, promotion of the IOC in Brazil, updates to the statistical dashboard, and improvements to quality standards and analytical methods.

-Photo Map-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Top of the Premier League, Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad in January and could bring back a midfielder who has been making a difference in Italy since last season. According to “Team Talk,” the Gunners are reportedly considering Scott McTominay, whom Napoli acquired from Manchester United in the summer of 2024 for €30 million.

The 28-year-old Scot wouldn’t mind a return to the English league. “His heart still beats for the Premier League, but the right conditions need to be right: the right club, the right project, the right role. It’s not about money,” reveals a source close to the player. But convincing Napoli won’t be easy: any offer under €80 million would be out of consideration. “We’re building something special here, Scott is doing great, why should we stop everything?” the anonymous source cited by “Team Talk” further states.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Inter are on the trail of “Dibu” Martinez. According to “Football Insider,” the Nerazzurri have been considering a move for the 33-year-old Argentine goalkeeper from Aston Villa, who was close to a move to Manchester United last summer, as early as January.

The Villans don’t consider him unsellable, provided they first find a replacement: top of their list is James Trafford, who Donnarumma has locked out of City. A 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Award winner, Martinez would be Inter’s ideal replacement for Yann Sommer, who hasn’t yet been offered a new contract, due to expire in June.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “A defender in the January transfer window? Given our current position, that’s the last thing on my mind. For me, it’s not an issue at the moment. We have three central defenders, with Gravenberch and Endo able to adapt. You may not know it yet, but we’re worse off in other positions.” Arne Slot thus dismisses the transfer market issue after the restart, with Liverpool having made a strong start to the season and now losing five of their last six Premier League games, slipping to eighth place, eight points behind league leaders Arsenal.

This is also why the Dutch manager assures that “we’re not thinking about or talking about the title. It was the same last season when we were top of the table; it’s just about the next game. The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The second-best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. We’ll see where we are then. For now, our only goal is to win games.”

In recent days, Andy Robertson spoke about how difficult it was to overcome the grief over Diogo Jota’s death. “Tomorrow we play against Nottingham Forest. Last season we were 1-0 down there, and they only needed a minute to equalize. So now I’m talking about the player, who we certainly miss. That we also miss him as a person is equally clear.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The draw for the European playoffs that will award four more spots for the 2026 World Cup has been established in Zurich. The 12 runners-up – distributed into three pots according to the FIFA rankings – and the four teams drawn via the Nations League have been drawn into four different rounds. The semifinals (March 26) and the finals (March 31) will be played in a single match. If the score is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played, and if the tie persists, penalties will decide the match.

PATH A

SEMI-FINALS

Italy vs. Northern Ireland

Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

FINAL Winner of Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina / Winner of Italy vs. Northern Ireland

PATH B

SEMI-FINALS

Ukraine vs. Sweden

Poland vs. Albania

FINAL

Winner of Ukraine vs. Sweden / Winner of Poland vs. Albania

PATH C

SEMI-FINALS

Turkey vs. Romania

Slovenia vs. Kosovo

FINAL

Winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo / Winner of Turkey vs. Romania

PATH D

SEMI-FINALS Denmark vs. North Macedonia

Czech Republic vs. Ireland

FINAL

Winner of Czech Republic vs. Ireland / Winner of Denmark vs. North Macedonia

The intercontinental play-off pairings that will award two places at the 2026 World Cup were also drawn in Zurich. The matches will be played between March 23 and 31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey—among the designated venues for the next World Cup—with the schedule to be determined later.

SEMI-FINALS

New Caledonia vs. Jamaica

Bolivia vs. Suriname

FINALS

DR Congo – winner of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica

Iraq – winner of Bolivia vs. Suriname

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Preparations are underway for the 14th Valletta Baroque Festival, scheduled to take place from 8 to 25 January next year. The event will open with a concert at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Artistic Director Kenneth Zammit Tabona said the annual festival brings together top musicians and cultural performances across historic venues, including churches, cathedrals, the National Library, the Museum of Archaeology, Verdala Palace and the Manoel Theatre.

One of the most anticipated highlights will be opera performances recently attributed to composer Girolamo Abos, who has Maltese roots. These will be staged at the Manoel Theatre. A newly formed chamber orchestra led by internationally renowned Maltese violinist Carmine Lauri will headline four concerts.

Running alongside the festival, Malta will host a major conference from 20 to 23 January, bringing together around 100 cultural representatives from across the world.

Festivals Malta Chairman Aaron Zahra described the event as a key driver for cultural tourism, attracting visitors from Europe, Asia and the United States.

Culture and National Heritage Minister Owen Bonnici said Malta is proud to be recognised internationally for high-quality cultural events such as this festival.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Morocco remains the second Arab destination for foreign direct investment in the renewable energy sector, with a total volume of $38.1 billion, equal to 11% of total foreign investment in the sector at the Arab level. This is revealed in the second sector report 2025 published by the Arab Corporation for Investment Guarantee and Export Credit (Dhaman). According to the report, these investments have led the implementation of 55 projects that have created over 12,200 new jobs, representing 15% of the employment generated in the renewable energy sector across the Arab world.

Morocco thus ranks second in the regional ranking, behind only Egypt (45.9% of the Arab share). The Kingdom is the absolute leader in wind energy production among Arab countries: it generates 9.2 TWh of electricity from wind, equal to 42% of the region’s total wind generation. Regarding overall electricity production, in 2025, Morocco ranks ninth in the Arab world with a forecast of 43 TWh (2.9% of the regional total), while national consumption stands at 39.2 TWh, with projections of growth to 44.3 TWh by 2030.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, called for the development of a new legal instrument to effectively combat the phenomenon of child soldiers. Speaking at the opening of the African Ministerial Conference on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of Child Soldiers, Bourita deplored the persistent legal gap and the absence of a common legal framework in Africa to address this issue comprehensively.

He stressed that the time is long overdue for Africa to adopt a legal instrument tailored to the continent’s realities and capable of meeting current challenges.”

In this regard, MFA Bourita explained that such an instrument could become a historic milestone, designed to bridge the legal void by linking existing international norms with Africa’s on-the-ground realities. It would also reinforce African states’ capacities to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes.

Highlighting the spirit of solidarity, fraternity and shared destiny that HM King Mohammed VI consistently promotes in Africa, the Minister affirmed that Morocco “has always advocated for an Africa that fully values its youth, protects its children, and is committed to defending their dignity.”

He added that the Rabat conference embodies a sense of shared responsibility and determination to overcome one of the most urgent moral challenges of our time: the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

Reflecting on the alarming scale of the phenomenon, Bourita noted that Africa’s efforts remain insufficient, with an estimated 120,000 child soldiers on the continent, which accounts for 40% of all child soldiers worldwide.

A deeper analysis, he said, shows that the ongoing recruitment of children by armed groups undermines all efforts to restore stability in the affected countries. Despite some encouraging progress, DDR initiatives remain incomplete, and in certain cases poorly designed, largely due to the absence of a holistic approach.

Addressing the impact of separatist and terrorist groups in worsening the crisis, Bourita underscored that in Africa, these groups continue to use children in criminal activities with impunity. He urged the need to break the silence surrounding this serious crime.

Such atrocities, he insisted, “can in no way be tolerated,” emphasizing that responsibility lies with individual perpetrators, the leaders of separatist groups, and the states that host or support them.

In this context, Bourita proposed the creation of a “child-centered Group of Friends on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration,” which would mobilize political leadership and legal expertise to develop an African convention on the prevention of child recruitment and the reintegration of affected children.

– Photo Ministery of Foreign Affairs of Morocco –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews