ROME (ITALPRESS) – The reconstruction and rehabilitation operation for the homes affected by the Al Haouz earthquake in Marrakech is progressing at a steady pace, with an advancement rate that has already reached 85%. Thanks to the joint efforts of local authorities and the various parties involved, the works are fully in line with the high royal directives.

Launched in February 2024, the reconstruction and rehabilitation works have already made it possible to complete around 2,620 homes, in compliance with technical and anti-seismic standards. According to local authorities, the advancement rate is expected to reach 90% by the end of September and rise to 96% in the following two months.
Despite logistical and technical challenges, the speed of execution is far greater than that recorded in other international experiences, where reconstruction operations took at least three years.

The programme is proceeding with very positive results: only 4% of families have not yet started work, due to inheritance disputes or technical difficulties. In these cases, the authorities have already initiated the necessary legal procedures, urging the beneficiaries to follow the example of the others.

It should be recalled that the preliminary operations required significant efforts: census of the affected population, removal of rubble from more than 2,300 collapsed homes, and issuance of building permits. Despite these complexities, the current outcome remains very positive, confirming the determination of the Moroccan authorities to swiftly complete the revival of the neighborhoods affected by the earthquake.

The Marrakech region was struck on September 8, 2023, by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that caused 3,000 deaths. The action of the Moroccan authorities, rapid and carried out with national resources, was welcomed with appreciation at the global level.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Malta’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at ‘A+’ with a stable outlook, citing strong economic performance but warning about governance concerns and persistent budget deficits.

The agency highlighted Malta’s “robust” growth, high per capita income and EU membership, but balanced these against the country’s small economic size and a “significant deterioration in governance perception.” Malta’s economy has grown by 86% since 2014, far outpacing the Eurozone average of 14%. Fitch reported average GDP growth of 6.5% over the past decade, compared to a 3.8% median for other ‘A’-rated countries. Per capita GDP stood at 109% of the EU average last year. Future growth forecasts remain positive, with Fitch projecting 4.3% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, following a strong 6% in 2024. Growth has been fuelled by rapid labour force expansion, though tighter immigration rules are expected to slow momentum.

Employment surged as the workforce nearly doubled from 180,000 in 2015 to 320,000 in 2024, supported by around 100,000 foreign workers. Malta’s unemployment rate stands at 3.1%, among the lowest in the EU. The government’s budget deficit narrowed to 3.7% of GDP in 2023, with Fitch expecting further declines to 2.5% by 2027. Debt levels are projected to stabilise near 47% of GDP—below both the EU’s 60% ceiling and the ‘A’ median of 57%. Still, the agency warned that Malta’s World Bank governance indicators have fallen sharply since 2013, particularly in government effectiveness and corruption control. Fitch noted that progress in addressing governance weaknesses could support an upgrade, while rising debt or external shocks could trigger a downgrade.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – On the eve of France-Iceland, a World Cup qualifying match, Didier Deschamps returned to the controversy surrounding the injuries of Desiré Doué and Ousmane Dembelé against Ukraine on Friday night in Wroclaw, Poland.

“What happened, happened. I’m sorry for Ousmane and ‘Dez’, because we’re losing two key players for tomorrow’s match,” admitted the French coach. However, he dismisses PSG’s accusations: “We acted professionally, progressively, as we do with all players, taking their emotions into account. Unfortunately, it happened and it involves two PSG players. Now, PSG is not our opponent, the clubs never have been, even if our interests may differ. Our only opponent is Iceland,” Deschamps ended.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – CrediaBank is set to complete one of Malta’s most significant banking transactions in years, with a final agreement on the acquisition of HSBC Malta expected within September, according to CEO Eleni Vrettou.

Speaking in an interview with Greek business outlet Capital.gr, Vrettou said the deal would mark the bank’s first international expansion, positioning Malta as a strategic hub. “The country offers a unique combination of strengths: EU and Eurozone membership, a strategic location, and the highest growth rate in the Eurozone,” she noted.

HSBC Malta currently holds around 20 per cent of the local market, with €8 billion in assets and €90 million in annual post-tax profits. If the acquisition goes through, CrediaBank’s size would double, with assets surpassing €15 billion and profits rising by up to €100 million annually.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Álvarez has been handed a ten-month suspension after testing positive on May 1, following the 3–0 home defeat to Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals. The 30-year-old was found to have canrenone in his system, a diuretic and masking agent included on WADA’s list of prohibited substances.

The ban, deemed the result of an unintentional anti-doping violation, will run from June 2 — the date of his voluntary provisional suspension — until April 2, 2026.

“In its decision, UEFA acknowledged that there was no intent on the part of the player, ruling that the ingestion of the prohibited substance was due to the mistaken use of a preventive hair-loss medication prescribed to his partner, which contained the substance, and that there was no intention of doping,” read a statement from the Basque club. “The federation recalls that, under current regulations, the athlete is responsible for his actions and, consequently, should have verified whether the medication was permitted before taking it.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Cengiz Under has become an unwanted element for Fenerbahçe, so much so that he has been loaned to one of their main rivals, Besiktas, with whom the former Roma and Marseille winger has signed a one-year deal with an option to purchase, the amount of which has not been disclosed, at the end of the season. It is a free loan, during which the 28-year-old Turkish striker will see his salary paid 50% by both clubs.

Last season, Under made his first appearance with Fenerbahçe (4 games, 0 goals) before being loaned to Los Angeles FC (12 games, 2 goals) in the second half of the season. Although he missed several games due to multiple injuries, particularly to the groin and leg, Fener, in a statement, wished him “an injury-free season.”

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Libyan crisis remains central to an international strategy led by the United States, with Italy in a frontline role. Libyan analyst Ahmed Zaher explained this in an interview with Italpress.

He said the plan aims to stabilize the country through disarmament of cities, reorganization of militias, and management of three key issues: security, migration, and energy. In Tripoli, the 444 Brigade of Mahmoud Hamza and the 111 Brigade of Abdulsalam al-Zoubi, under the Ministry of Defense, are seen as disciplined models. The Stability Support Authority of Ghnewa al-Kikli has been dismantled, while the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) faces a reduction of its control over Mitiga prison, the airport, and the Abu Sitta naval base. According to Zaher, the late-August meeting at the Foreign Ministry with Ibrahim Dabaiba, Saddam Haftar, and Donald Trump’s envoy Massad Boulos marked a turning point.

Rome, positioned as an energy hub with Eni and a key actor on migration, was chosen to set clear priorities: migration, energy, and security. On energy, an agreement was reached on the NC7 gas project in al-Hamada, along with the creation of “Jilyana,” a Benghazi-based company affiliated with the National Oil Corporation in partnership with Eni. Under international pressure, Khalifa Haftar accepted conditions on border control, prison management, and the handover of wanted individuals. Zaher said Italy stands to benefit through reduced migration flows, new gas supplies, and a stronger diplomatic role in North Africa. But he questioned whether Rome is truly leading the process or simply implementing decisions made elsewhere.

– photo Ahmed Zaher –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

WARSAW (POLAND) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – It’s called the Running Europe Tour, a brand-new international circuit bringing together three of the continent’s most prominent road races. The series kicks off on October 4 with the Warsaw 10K, organized by Boguslaw Maminski, a true legend of the 3000m steeplechase and silver medalist at the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. The second stage follows on October 19 with the Palermo International Half Marathon, directed by Nando Sorbello. The grand finale comes on February 22, 2026, with the Malta Marathon, overseen by Joe Micallef.

Details of the new circuit will be presented at the official launch on Wednesday, September 10 at 12:00 p.m. in the press room of Legia Warsaw’s stadium, in the presence of the three organizers, representatives of the Polish Athletics Federation, and local authorities.

“The Running Europe Tour is a unique opportunity to combine sport and tourism,” said Nando Sorbello. “We are proud to be part of this project alongside two organizations of such prestige. Palermo, Warsaw, and Malta will each host distinct events, united by the same passion for running and by the goal of promoting sport as a tool for friendship and international connection.”

– photo Running Sicily –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Nationalist Party has a new leader after Alex Borg edged out Adrian Delia by just 44 votes in a dramatic contest that went down to the wire.

Borg, 30, secured 8,905 votes against Delia’s 8,861, a margin of barely half a percentage point. Out of 17,862 valid ballots, Borg obtained 50.1% to Delia’s 49.9%, making this one of the closest leadership races in the party’s 144-year history.

The result was confirmed at 4am after a marathon nine-hour count, following an anxious five-hour wait. Borg initially announced his victory on Facebook, thanking his supporters “for starting this new chapter for the Nationalist Party.”

The contest was triggered by Bernard Grech’s resignation in June. Grech had himself replaced Delia five years ago. Hopes within the party that European Parliament president Roberta Metsola might contest were dashed when she chose to remain in Brussels, leaving the field open for Delia to attempt a comeback and for Borg, his protégé, to step forward.

In his first remarks as leader, Borg accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of being willing to destabilise the country for personal gain amid rumours of an early election. He pledged, however, that the PN would be ready for the challenge whenever it comes.

International reactions swiftly followed. European People’s Party president Manfred Weber congratulated Borg, promising full support from the EPP and wishing him success as Malta’s new Opposition leader.

Borg’s razor-thin victory marks the beginning of a new chapter for the PN, but also sets the stage for a leadership that will have to unite a deeply divided party.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – This is where dreams are born. As Morocco approaches its final World Cup qualifier with a ticket to the 2026 tournament already secured, the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football, on the outskirts of Rabat, continues to pulse with activity.

The revival of the Atlas Lions begins here, in a facility spanning 35 hectares, built through the joint effort of the government and the federation, and inaugurated in the summer of 2019 by the King himself. Morocco’s very own “Coverciano” serves as the beating heart of all 27 national teams, men’s and women’s, down to the Under-13 level.

The complex boasts five hotels – one reserved exclusively for senior squads – offering 510 beds, along with 11 pitches of natural, synthetic and hybrid grass to prepare for every playing condition. Add to that a restaurant, a cutting-edge medical centre for treatment and consultations, and a 200-strong staff. Entirely powered by solar and photovoltaic panels, the $75 million project has been praised by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who ranked it among the top three worldwide.

It was here that Real Madrid set up camp in 2023 to prepare for the Club World Cup, and in December, when Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, it will serve as the headquarters for Achraf Hakimi and his teammates.

“We host all the Federation’s activities,” explains facility director Hassan Kharbouch. “Our vision started 15 years ago, when 145 pitches were built for children and young players across the country. To grow grassroots football, you need infrastructure. At the top of the pyramid, you have us. In between, there are 13 regional academies that bring together the best talents from club academies, and the finest eventually arrive here.”

Step by step, Moroccan football is reaping its rewards: from the men’s national team’s historic fourth-place finish at Qatar 2022, to the women’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations finals, and the Olympic bronze at Paris 2024. These achievements rest on solid foundations.

The centre also benefits from its prime location, just two kilometers from Rabat-Salé airport, making it easily accessible for international arrivals. It hosts workshops and exchange programs through 45 partnerships with federations around the world. And there’s more to life than football: young academy players sleep on-site but continue their studies externally to encourage socialization. Nothing is left to chance: Moroccan football refuses to set limits.

– photo glb/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews