RABAT (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The third edition of the MedFilm Festival offers a rich and varied programme, which combines screenings, masterclasses and meetings, highlighting the central role of cinema as a reflection of the social developments. This event strengthens the cultural dialogue between Italy, Morocco and all Mediterranean countries, where arts, and in particular cinema, promote mutual understanding and celebrate diversity. The public will have the unique opportunity to discover previews and participate in enriching debates with the directors.
Armando Barucco, Italian Ambassador to Morocco, is keen to underline the importance of this event: “The promotion of cinema is at the center of the programme organized by the Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute of Rabat. Culture and cinema are an extraordinary moment that reflect our societies, the crises they are experiencing and the upheavals that are shaping the future. All the films included in the programme respond to this framework, deeply anchored in contemporaneity, in perfect harmony with the great resources of Italian and Mediterranean culture. Through this programme, the festival aims to be an observatory of social and human transformations, reflecting the main issues of the past, present and future through profound personal stories.”
In perfect continuity with this vision, Carmela Callea, Director and Cultural Affairs Officer of the Italian Cultural Institute of Rabat, underlined the impact of the festival on the Mediterranean identity: “The Seventh Art becomes the expression of a Mediterranean identity based on understanding others and the encounter between different cultures, languages ​​and religions. Renewing this magical encounter between the real world and the imagination, Cinema, Music and Dancing create sublime moments, rich in content and humanity”. For Carmela Callea this edition of the MedFilm Festival is a highlight to recall the fundamental concern for human welfare that runs through cinematographic art, echoing the universal values ​​shared by these different shores of the Mediterranean.
Since its origins, the MedFilm Festival, with its thirty years of existence, has established itself as the first festival in Europe entirely dedicated to the promotion of Mediterranean and European cinema. Its constant goal is to create a space for intercultural dialogue in which diversity is seen not only as a resource, but also as a driver of development. This ambition finds a particular echo in Rabat, a city where history and modernity coexist in harmony, strengthening its role as a crossroads of artistic and cultural exchanges.
This year the first stage of the MedFilm Festival, scheduled in Rabat from 25 to 29 September, before continuing in Tangier from 2 to 5 October, offers a selection of 20 films, including award-winning works such as “Io, Capitano” by Matteo Garrone at the opening. This touching film traces the odyssey of two young Senegalese in search of a better future in Europe.
The lineup also includes premiering films, including “Gloria!” by Margherita Vicario, a vibrant hymn to little-known musicians, and “Laf” (Palazzina Laf) by Michele Riondino, a historical debut work that explores a dark page in Italian history. “A world apart” by Riccardo Milani, a bittersweet comedy appreciated by the Italian public, and short films such as “Tilipirche” by Francesco Piras will enrich this selection. Two exceptional documentaries will be screened exclusively for ISMAC students: “The smallest army in the world” by Gianfranco Pannone and “Parlate a basso voci” by Esmeralda Calabria.
The bond between Italy and Morocco will be symbolically strengthened by the screening of the Moroccan film “Rèves ardents” by Hakim Belabbes, winner of the Jury Prize at MedFilm 2012. This tribute to the cultural richness and plural identities of the Mediterranean echoes in the words of Hakim Belabbes, director of ISMAC: “It is with great pride that ISMAC participates in this extraordinary edition. The MedFilm Festival embodies a vision close to our hearts: uniting people through culture, celebrating our common identities and unique diversities. Our young directors, through their creations, are ambassadors of our cultural heritage. ISMAC students will in fact have the opportunity to present their final short films, thus providing valuable visibility to the young generations of Moroccan directors.”
In addition to its varied programme, the MedFilm Festival innovates this year with the creation of the MedFilm Festival Prize to reward young cinema talents. As Ginella Vocca, founding president and artistic director of the festival, explains: “I am happy to give space to new initiatives. The festival will award three scholarships of 2,500, 1,500 and 1,000 euros to three ISMAC students for their short films, and the winner of the first prize will participate in the 30th edition of the MedFilm Festival in Rome, as part of the Methexis project”. The films will be selected by a jury composed of Tarek Ben Abdallah, Esmeralda Calabria and Gianfranco Pannone, thus strengthening ISMAC’s role as an incubator of young Moroccan talents.
The highlight will be the gala evening at the Mohammed V National Theater on September 29th. This evening will be marked by an exceptional performance by the Milan Ballet, accompanied by the Amadeus Orchestra of Trecate, on the most emblematic music of Italian cinema. A tribute that concludes this week of cinematic celebration in the name of cultural cooperation between Italy and Morocco.
-photo Istituto Italiano di cultura Rabat –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Digital African Summit (ADS 2024) will be held in Casablanca on 8 and 9 October 2024, an event that will bring together the main players in the African digital sector.
Youssef Cheikhi, president of the Groupement des Advertisers du Maroc (GAM) which organizes the event, announced that the central theme of this sixth edition will be artificial intelligence (AI), seen through the challenges and opportunities for the future development of Africa.
3,000 participants and 70 speakers are expected to attend, of which 40% are women. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, when the ADS brought together more than 2,800 participants from 47 countries, including 27 African and 65 international experts.
AI represents great promise for innovation, especially for young people, but it also carries significant risks, such as the creation of social inequalities. In particular, Africa is exposed to the risk of an ever-widening digital divide. Morocco and Africa must master this technology to ensure a leadership role in the new digital age, but this requires inclusive policies and security measures.
Interpol recently highlighted the growing danger linked to the use of AI by cybercriminals, especially through sophisticated phishing techniques and online scams, a topic that will be at the center of discussions at the event.
ADS 2024 will focus on AI, its development potential for sectors such as e-commerce and marketing, and the precautions necessary to avoid technological abuse.
The continued evolution of the ADS demonstrates the organizers’ desire to strengthen Africa’s digital integration and encourage synergies between African countries to address common challenges of digital development. The pan-African turning point marked by this mobilization event is not limited to a simple change of name, but translates into a rethinking of the objectives and expectations of this event, which has become an unmissable event for decision-makers, entrepreneurs, investors, and digital readers.
The summit, in addition to being a showcase of innovation, will be a “catalyst of creativity”, with the participation of companies such as Google and TikTok. The African Digital Awards will also be presented, recognizing the most innovative digital campaigns on the continent. These awards, created to reward excellence in the digital field, will honor initiatives, companies and actors that contribute to the development of the African digital ecosystem. These distinctions aim to encourage the development of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy in Africa.
Finally, the summit invites us to reflect on how Africa can make the most of AI, maintaining a balance between innovation and security. In addition to conferences and panels, networking sessions, workshops and demonstrations of innovative digital solutions will be organised, offering participants a unique opportunity to share their experiences, develop partnerships and discover the latest trends and technological innovations.
Among the new features this year, the “Digital Garden”. This technology hub will be dedicated to innovative startups that will have an unexpected opportunity to present their solutions and products to investors, partners and potential customers.
– photo Digital African Summit –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

DUBAI (ARAB EMIRATES) (ITALPRESS) – “It is a pleasure to participate together with the Honorable Maria Anna Caronia and the director of the ICE Office in Dubai, Valerio Soldani, at the inauguration of the Sicilian Region pavilion at Gulfood Green”. This was stated on Instagram by the Italian ambassador to Abu Dhabi, Lorenzo Fanara, adding: “Many Sicilian companies ready to export the best of the Italian agri-food tradition to the UAE market”. (ITALPRESS)

foto Instagram ambasciatore Lorenzo Fanara

Source: medNews

WASHINGTON D.C (USA) (ITALPRESS) – Aeroporti di Roma and the National Italian American Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch an innovative travel program for NIAF members visiting Italy. This strategic partnership aligns with the Year of Italian Roots in the World and the upcoming Jubilee 2025 in Rome. The agreement aims to promote new travel experiences between Italy and the United States, ensure a superior welcome for NIAF members arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, showcase the excellence of Rome Fiumicino airport and promote Rome as a premier global tourist destination. Key benefits for NIAF members include Access to FlyandvisitRome.com, ADR’s booking service, allowing members to plan trips with extended layovers in Rome: use of the QPass service to schedule security check appointments: complimentary access to the “Airport in the City” program at Rome’s Termini train station. This service allows members to check-in and drop o[ baggage for same-day ITA Airways flights departing from Fiumicino Airport (except for US and Israel destinations). NIAF members will be able to skip airport check-in lines and collect their luggage directly at the final destination. Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, commented: “We’re thrilled to o,er new opportunities and improve the travel experience for NIAF members. This new agreement will allow us to strengthen our focus on the North American market, which has already reached record levels. Italy and the USA have never been so close: with 12 daily departures to New York, Rome Fiumicino Airport is now the 3rd hub in Europe for number of connections to the ‘Big Apple’, after London and Paris – followed by Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Madrid. A total of 39 daily departures from Fiumicino reach 16 destinations in North America, including the new ITA Airways routes to Chicago and Toronto”. “This collaboration with Aeroporti di Roma represents a significant step in enhancing our members’ connections to Italy. Whether they’re exploring their Italian heritage or simply experiencing the beauty of Italy for the first time, this partnership will make their journey more seamless and enjoyable. We’re
thrilled to o,er these exclusive benefits that will enrich our members’ travel experiences”, added, Robert Allegrini, President of NIAF. Highlighting its commitment to excellence, Fiumicino Airport has been named the best airport in Europe for hubs with more than 40 million passengers by the Airports Council International (ACI) for the seventh consecutive year. This recognition underscores the world-class experience NIAF members can expect when traveling through Rome. This partnership between ADR and NIAF is set to transform the travel experience for NIAF members, making it easier than ever to explore Italy’s rich culture and heritage.

Foto: Ufficio stampa Adr

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The NGO Alarm Phone has alerted the authorities about a group of 30 migrants on a drifting boat off the Libyan coast. “They report that they cannot move on, as engine and compass broke,” declared Alarm Phone on its X platform. The NGO urged for an immediate rescue operation as there are people in the water. Meanwhile, the Italian humanitarian organization Mediterranea urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi for his role in returning migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean to Libya, a practice they argue violates the Geneva Conventions on refugee protection. This comes as criticism mounts against Italy’s migrant policies, which rights groups claim endanger thousands by sending them back to Libya that remains deeply unsafe for migrants. In a statement, Mediterranea condemned the Italy-Libya cooperation on migrant returns, insisting it endangers lives and undermines basic human rights. Mediterranea highlighted that migrants sent back to Libya face widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, and human trafficking, often at the hands of militias and armed groups. The organization called Italy’s actions a blatant violation of international law, urging the ICC to investigate what it considers to be “serious crimes”. Despite these concerns, Interior Minister Piantedosi recently praised Italy’s ongoing efforts to intercept and return migrants crossing the Mediterranean. In a post on social media platform X, Piantedosi announced that Italy had intercepted 16,220 migrants this year alone and returned them “safely” to Libya. He lauded the cooperation between Italy and Libya, saying it had played a key role in curbing human trafficking and reducing migrant deaths at sea. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The President of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani and the CEO and General Director of Terna Giuseppina Di Foggia signed a memorandum of understanding today at Palazzo d’Orlèans in Palermo for the implementation of the construction activities of Elmed, the electrical interconnection between Italy and Tunisia authorized last May by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.
According to the official statement, the agreement aims to strengthen the synergy between the Region and Terna in the preparatory phases for the start of the works and to facilitate all interventions connected to the construction and the operational work process.
The regional Administration, within its competence, will guarantee the National Electricity Network Manager all the support for the finalization of the necessary procedures for the executive planning of the interventions and the construction of all the infrastructural works. In turn, Terna has committed to ensuring continuous alignment on the planned activities, to minimize the impacts that the construction sites will have on local communities.
Furthermore, the Sicilian Region and Terna have shared an agreement on another initiative for the implementation of territorial and environmental redevelopment works of common interest. In detail, Terna will provide a contribution of one million euros for environmental compensation works which the Region will integrate with another 4 million from the Development and Cohesion Fund (FSC): in total 5 million euros which will be used for partial recomposition, with the original pieces (so-called “anastylosis”) of the southern columns of the temple “G” in the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, the largest in the Greek West after the Temple of Olympian Zeus of Akragas. Also impressive in height, the temple was about 30 meters high, with columns of over 16 metres; its construction began around 530 BC but still in 409 BC. the date of the destruction of the city of Selinunte by the Carthaginians, had not been completed. Further contributions will be paid by the Company to the two municipalities involved: 600 thousand euros in Castelvetrano and 2 million euros in Partanna.
“The electricity connection between Italy and Tunisia”, said President Schifani, “is a strategic work for Italy and is part of the ongoing energy transition process. The positive effects of its implementation will concern the entire “country system”. Elmed was in fact included by the national government in the Mattei Plan. In this context, Sicily plays a leading role both due to its geographical position in the centre of the Mediterranean and because it presents itself as an energy hub, thus aiming for one of the most strategic sectors in the creation of economic development. Terna, whom I thank, also accepted my request to contribute financially to compensate for the work in the area. With the additional resources that the Region has allocated with the cohesion agreement, a concrete intervention will be carried out in the territory, that is, the reconstruction of the columns of the “G” temple of Selinunte”.
Giuseppina Di Foggia underlined: “Sicily with over three billion euros of investments in the next five years for the development of technologically advanced and sustainable electricity networks, is interested in interventions that will make a fundamental contribution to the country’s energy transition and decarbonisation path, among these, the interconnection between Italy and Tunisia which will allow us to increase the level of adequacy of our country’s electricity system and diversify supply sources by connecting Europe to North Africa. Today’s agreement, in addition to being an important step in the work progress, confirms Ternàs commitment to creating strategic infrastructures through close collaboration with local institutions and the territories involved”.

– Photo Terna press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that Malta has failed to fulfill its obligations under the Birds Directive on the conservation of wild birds by adopting the derogation allowing the capture of seven species of wild finches. This decision was communicated after the Maltese government failed to provide a genuine scientific purpose that would justify the derogation from the Birds Directive.
In the European Union, wild finches are protected by the Birds Directive. The primary objective of the Directive is the preservation of all bird species diversity, forbidding the deliberate killing or capture of birds and the use of large-scale or non-selective methods to do so. Despite this, the Directive prescribes specific circumstances whereby the general prohibition may be derogated. In 2020 Malta adopted the Finches Project under Framework Regulations 2020, which provided for the live capture of the same seven species of wild finches, this time however under however under a different derogation, the one for research purposes. The Commission viewed this as simply a ‘cover-up’ to enable the continuation of the previous recreational activities, and for this reason, and amongst others, has initiated the infringement action. When Malta joined the EU, the Accession Treaty provided for a transition period whereby Malta committed to gradually phase out the activities of bird trapping since such practice is prohibited under the Directive.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Malta based Universal Air announced that it has started new direct flights between Malta International Airport and Tripolìs Mitiga airport.
Flights will take an hour and are scheduled to run all year round every Wednesday and Saturday. The new route to and from Libya forms part of the company’s regional air travel operations.
Universal Air’s CEO, Simon Cook, said: “Our ambition is to lead a renaissance in air travel, becoming the preferred airline for modern travellers seeking value and convenience. We want to exceed our customers’ expectations, making flying more accessible, enjoyable and sustainable via our growing network of destinations”. Universal Air already provides charter and cargo services from its base at Malta International Airport.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: Universal Air press office-

Source: medNews

TUNISI (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The electoral campaign for Tunisiàs upcoming presidential election, set for October 6, officially began and will continue until October 4, two days before the election.
Tunisiàs Independent High Authority for elections (ISIE) announced the final list of three candidates: incumbent President Kais Saied, seeking a second term; Zouhair Maghzaoui, Secretary-General of the Peoplès Movement party; and Ayachi Zammel, Secretary-General of the Azimoun Movement, who remains detained over election-related charges.
The electoral campaigns began two days earlier abroad, targeting over 1.8 million Tunisian expatriates, including 620,000 registered voters.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Tunisia have arrested at least 80 members of the largest opposition party, party officials said. Ennahda, the Islamist party that rose to power in the aftermath of the country’s Arab Spring, said that at least 80 men and women from the party had been apprehended as part of a countrywide sweep that ensnared members from 10 regions. In a statement, Ennahda called the arrests “an unprecedented campaign of raids and violations of the most basic rights guaranteed by law.” The party had counted at least 80 arrests and was in the process of confirming at least 116 total, including six women, lawyer Latifa Habbechi said.

– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Morocco continues to record a solid economic recovery, despite the multiple challenges that the Kingdom faces,” explained the secretary general of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, in Rabat on the occasion of the presentation of the conclusions of the first OECD economic study on Morocco during the closing ceremony of the Morocco-OECD Country Programme which was held in the presence of the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch.
Cormann underlined that the growth of the national economy has recovered, particularly after the crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic, the Al Haouz earthquake and the drought.
Morocco benefits from a stable macroeconomic framework, the budget deficit is declining with a public debt ratio approaching 70% of GDP and inflation is decreasing thanks to moderation in food prices, said the Secretary General. He further explained that the Moroccan economy is expected to continue on its steady recovery course, with real GDP growth forecast at 3.5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews