RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Jazz and African music will be among the highlights of the 27th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, scheduled for June 25-27 in Essaouira. Organizers have unveiled the first details of an edition that will once again focus on musical creation and intercultural dialogue through innovative artistic collaborations.

For nearly thirty years, the festival has brought together Gnaoua maalem and artists from around the world, offering fusion concerts and artistic residencies based on collective experimentation.

The opening concert will be performed by Mehdi Nassouli, who will combine Moroccan Gnaoua heritage with the UNESCO-recognized Intore dance tradition of Rwanda, represented by the Buhoro company.

Moroccan singer Sara Moullablad, Indian vocalist Ganavya, and French musician Sylvain Barou will also take part in the performance.

The artistic residency program, described by the organizers as a true “experimental laboratory,” will feature Hassan Boussou, Alexandre Herichon, Mohamed Derouich, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Cheikh Ndoye, Karim Ziad, and Meryem Aassid, working on a new collective creation that will premiere during the festival.

Other highlights include the collaboration between Mohamed Montari, the Ethiopian group Badume’s Band, and singer Selamnesh Zéméné, in a musical dialogue between Gnaoua rhythms and Ethiopian traditions.

The festival will also feature a fusion of gospel and Gnaoua music, featuring The Harlem Spirit of Gospel by Anthony Morgan and Mehdi Qamoum.

Brazilian artist Carlinhos Brown will return to Essaouira alongside Hamid El Kasri for a new creation inspired by shared African rhythms and cultural heritage.

In parallel, renowned bassist Richard Bona and his band will host Moroccan singer Asma Lmnawar in a collaboration dedicated to the artistic dialogue between Africa and the Mediterranean.

With this new edition, the organizers reaffirm Essaouira’s role as a cultural meeting place “where music is transformed through encounters and creation is built collectively”.

-Photo Facebook page Festivan Gnaoua-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Julián Álvarez is under contract with Atlético Madrid until 2030 and has a €500 million release clause, but reports from Argentina claim that Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a serious move for the striker.

The Argentine forward has long been a target for the French club, which had already considered signing him when he was about to leave Manchester City F.C., and they are expected to renew their interest this summer.

The rumors are also being echoed in France, where reports suggest that PSG would be willing to spend more than €150 million to bring Álvarez to the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

Atlético Madrid, however, intend to resist any approach. In fact, the Colchoneros’ plan is to secure the player even further by offering him a new contract.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are expected to sign the agreement in the last quarter of 2026, marking the official launch of construction on the major Africa-Atlantic gas pipeline, which will connect Nigeria to Morocco along the western coast of Africa.

The announcement was made by Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to the Moroccan website Yabiladi, following a telephone conversation with her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita. According to Nigerian diplomacy, the signing of the agreement is expected to take place after the completion of preliminary technical studies conducted by the relevant bodies. The Africa-Atlantic gas pipeline project represents one of the most important energy initiatives on the African continent.

The infrastructure aims to strengthen regional energy integration, support the economic development of the countries it passes through, and consolidate Morocco’s strategic role as an energy hub between Africa and Europe. The Nigerian minister also announced that Rabat and Abuja plan to hold the second session of the Bilateral Joint Commission in the coming months in the Nigerian capital.

The meeting should relaunch the agreements signed in June 2018 during the visit of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to Morocco. The gas pipeline project, promoted under the impetus of Rabat and Abuja, is the longest in the world, spanning 6,000 km and crossing 14 countries. It is expected to pass through several West African countries before reaching Morocco and subsequently connecting to European markets.

– Photo IPA Agency Archive –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – He arrived at Sevilla at the age of 10. He grew up there and stayed until he was 19, before moving to Real Madrid CF, where he spent 16 seasons at the highest level, followed by two more seasons with Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. He then returned to the Andalusian club for one season before ending his career with CF Monterrey in Mexico.

The story between Sergio Ramos and Sevilla is a very long one and it is not over yet — in fact, a new era is about to begin. According to Spanish media outlets, the former defender and his partners (Five Eleven Capital) are expected to sign contracts in the coming days for the acquisition of the club.

The total investment is estimated at around €450 million, including debt. According to AS, the agreement has been finalized, although some details — limited to payment terms — could still change if the team were to be relegated to Spain’s second division.

The deal is now only awaiting approval of the ownership transfer by Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “We must seek to work together to strengthen relations and build a shared perspective for the Mediterranean. This area is home to some of the greatest challenges of our time, which must be addressed through dialogue and multilateral cooperation. This is a fundamental necessity in a world that is now interconnected. Crises are taking on a global dimension and are never confined to the individual actors involved. It is therefore essential to develop coordinated strategies and lines of action.” Lorenzo Fontana, President of the italian Chamber of Deputies, said this as he opened the second day of proceedings at Montecitorio of the seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Mediterranean and Middle East Group.

“We must never forget,” Fontana stressed, “that the different realities of the Mediterranean are not isolated, but are part of a broader framework. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has always been aware of this. Through the work of its internal structures, it has contributed to a gradual widening of the Alliance’s scope of action. In this direction, parliamentary diplomacy must be promoted in every forum in order to defend and advance the values of peace and freedom. At a time marked by tensions and uncertainty, I hope that the discussions over these days will help strengthen cooperation among Parliaments and, above all, dialogue among peoples.”

– Photo: Chamber of Deputies press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Last March 1st, he said he was ready to honor his contract, to remain at the helm of Benfica, and, if the club wanted, to sign a two-year extension. Now, Josè Mourinho is taking his time, and, the special man assures, not because Real Madrid or another club might be in the way, but only to focus on the “Eagles.” “March 1st is not today,” he said yesterday after the 2-2 home draw with Braga, which complicates the race for second place. “The last two weeks of the championship are not for thinking about the future and contracts. They are for thinking about the mission we had set ourselves, which is to perform the miracle of finishing second. I decided weeks ago that I didn’t want to listen to anyone, to isolate myself in my workspace. Saturday is the match against Estoril, I think that from Monday onwards I will be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and about Benfica.” Yesterday’s draw with Braga in the second-to-last match of the league season cost Mourinho’s team a two-point advantage over Sporting. They now see second place, and therefore the Champions League, further away, but for the Portuguese coach, this won’t determine his future.

“You’re talking about Real Madrid, I’m not talking about Benfica, and finishing second or third won’t influence my future. Obviously, Benfica wants to play in the Champions League, and so do I as a coach, but it has no influence on my decision. I’m not hiding,” Mourinho continued, “but no one should force me to decide, much less communicate my decisions, because I’m the one who decides when. In my mind, there’s only one thing: to work and give my all, and I won’t stop until the match against Estoril. That’s the respect that Benfica and my profession deserve. I have the right to remain isolated. I continue to say that I haven’t spoken to Real Madrid or any other club.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – One month after its historic first World Cup, Curaçao finds itself without a coach. The Federation announced that Fred Rutten has resigned: “There must be no climate that could damage relationships between the players and within the staff. For this reason, it is best to step back. Furthermore, time is running out and Curaçao must move forward. I regret how the situation has developed, but I still wish everyone the utmost success,” said Rutten, who was hired on February 23 and was on the bench only for the two friendlies in March, which were lost to China and Australia.

According to BBC Sport, Dick Advocaat, the man who led the national team to historic qualification last November, could therefore return. The 78-year-old Dutch coach, given the improvement in his daughter’s condition, has already reportedly expressed his availability and could become the oldest coach in World Cup history. Curaçao is in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast and will face Scotland in a friendly match at Hampden Park on May 30.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Ferland Mendy has undergone surgery following a rupture of the rectus femoris tendon in his right leg, an injury suffered during the match against RCD Espanyol.

The operation, carried out in Lyon by Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet — a trusted surgeon for several French internationals such as Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema — was completely successful.

The estimated recovery time is around five months, and the full-back hopes to return to action for Real Madrid CF at the start of next season.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – According to the online newspaper “As,” Hans Flick has reached a verbal agreement with the Catalan club for the renewal of his contract until June 30, 2028, with the option to extend for another season.

The official announcement has been postponed until the summer given the German coach’s priority of achieving the goal of 100 points in the league after the mathematical victory in La Liga with three matches to spare, which he achieved yesterday thanks to a 2-0 win over Real Madrid.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The first edition of the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transition, Energy, and Connectivity in Africa, promoted by Cafrad under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, opened today in Rabat. The Moroccan news agency MAP reports that the event, organized around the theme “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transition, Energy, and Connectivity in Africa: Prospects for International Cooperation,” brings together government representatives, public institutions, NGOs, private sector operators, experts, financial institutions, and international groups specializing in AI.

The aim is to discuss the challenges related to digital transformation, energy, connectivity, and new opportunities for international cooperation on the African continent. Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, emphasized the historic role of CAFRAD in strengthening administrative capacity and modernizing public action in Africa. According to MAP news agency, the minister emphasized that the Forum is taking place at a time when artificial intelligence and digital technologies are profoundly transforming economies, governance models, and international balances. She also stated that mastering data, digital infrastructure, computing capacity, and AI-related skills represents a key strategic challenge today. According to Seghrouchni, Africa has significant resources, including a young and dynamic population, a genuine capacity for innovation, and growing needs in the areas of public services, education, healthcare, mobility, and energy. Artificial intelligence, he added, can help improve the efficiency of public administrations, simplify the relationship between the state and citizens, strengthen transparency, and facilitate access to essential services.

– photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews