(BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) – The spokesperson for the European Union’s Foreign Affairs department reaffirmed on Friday that “neither the EU nor any of its member states recognize the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (RASD).”

According to Morocco’s MAP news agency, the statement followed the EU-African Union ministerial meeting held earlier on the same day in Rome.

The EU spokesperson highlighted that such ministerial meetings are “co-chaired and co-organized by both the EU and the AU,” and clarified that “each party is responsible for inviting its own members.”

The spokesperson thus attributed the presence of the RASD—an entity not recognized by the United Nations—to the African Union, denying that the EU had extended any invitation to it. “Invitations to African participants are issued by the African Union,” he stated.
In this context, the spokesperson reiterated the EU’s stance: “The EU’s position is well known—neither the EU nor any of its member states recognize the RASD,” adding that the presence of the entity at the EU-AU ministerial meeting “has no bearing whatsoever on this position.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LYON (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – If the appeal against the relegation decreed by the DNCG (National Directorate of Control and Management) for the financial situation of the club is accepted, Lyon will also be able to play in the Europa League next season. The French club, in fact, announced that it has signed an agreement with UEFA which has validated the financial sustainability procedure presented by OL. Nyon’s approval is however tied to the internal situation and the appeal to remain in Ligue 1.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – A new direct flight operated by Flynas connecting Milan Malpensa to the Saudi capital Riyadh became operational yesterday, marking a strategic step forward in strengthening ties between Italy and Saudi Arabia. The route offers fresh opportunities for both leisure and business travelers.

Among the institutional representatives present at the launch was ENIT S.p.A. CEO Ivana Jelinic, who expressed strong support for the initiative:
”We continue to promote new destinations year-round, highlighting the full potential of our country. Infrastructure is strategic, and transport is essential to attracting tourists and hosting major international events. That’s why this new direct connection is so important. It will boost arrivals to our cities and help high-spending Saudi tourists discover the beauty of Lombardy — and from there, explore all of Italy — investing in our hospitality sector and generating a positive ripple effect for tourism and beyond,” Jelinic said.

The strategic value of the new service is also underscored by recent ENIT data. In the first five months of 2025, approximately 30,000 air arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Italy were recorded (including overnight stays), marking a 5.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. About 85% of Saudi travelers came for leisure purposes, up 3.4%. Around 11,000 passengers departed from Riyadh, reflecting a 5.9% increase. These figures underline the potential of the new air route. Forecasts for the coming six months (June to November 2025) anticipate a further 7.9% increase in air arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Italy. In 2024, Saudi tourists spent a total of €517 million in Italy — a 13% year-on-year increase.

– photo ENIT Press Office –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Olivier Giroud returns to France. According to “L’Equipe”, the negotiations between Lille and the 38-year-old French striker, former player of Milan, are at the details of the agreement, ready to part ways with Los Angeles FC six months before the expiration of his contract.

Giroud should play one last match in MLS, on the night between Sunday and Monday, against the Vancouver Whitecaps, then return to Ligue 1 to wear the Lille jersey.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Matteo Ruggeri will be a player for Atletico Madrid. In Spain, the arrival of the Atalanta left-back at Simeone’s court is a done deal: the operation is now in its final stages, with the player tying himself to the Colchoneros with a five-year contract while the Goddess will collect 17 million euros plus 2 million in bonuses. Ruggeri will be the third signing for Atletico – who will begin their pre-season retreat on July 21 – after Cardoso and Baena.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CATANIA (ITALPRESS) – Royal Air Maroc, the flag carrier of Morocco and a member of the Oneworld alliance since 2019, is expanding its international development strategy with the addition of a new direct route between Catania and Casablanca, set to launch tomorrow, June 28. This move reinforces Italy’s key role in the airline’s global positioning efforts.

The new connection links Catania—Sicily’s gateway city—with Casablanca, Morocco’s economic capital and one of Africa’s most important financial hubs. The route will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Saturdays, using Boeing 737 aircraft configured with 12 business class and 147 economy class seats.

The flight schedule is as follows: Monday: Departure from Casablanca at 3:20 PM (local time), arriving in Catania at 7:40 PM. The return flight departs Catania at 8:40 PM and lands in Casablanca at 11:35 PM. Saturday: Departure from Casablanca at 12:10 PM, arriving in Catania at 4:30 PM. The return flight departs at 5:30 PM and arrives in Casablanca at 8:05 PM.

This new route underscores Royal Air Maroc’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the Italian market and leveraging Casablanca’s Terminal 1 as a strategic hub connecting multiple continents. The service is aimed at a diverse and growing customer base, including Moroccan nationals and African communities in Italy, Italian tourists eager to explore Morocco’s rich culture and landscapes, and transit passengers heading to destinations across Africa, the Americas, Brazil, Canada, and Asia via Casablanca.

To mark the inaugural flight, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on June 28 at 12:00 PM at Catania Airport. The event will feature speeches from Dr. Mohammed Adil Korchi, Country Manager of Royal Air Maroc Italy, Mme Samira Bellali, Moroccan Consul, and Daniele Casale, Head of Aviation Sales at SAC, the company that manages Catania Airport.

“This new route from Catania—our seventh destination in Italy—represents a major step in our expansion strategy within the Italian market, especially in southern Italy,” said Dr. Korchi.

“It reflects our commitment to meeting the concrete needs of the Moroccan community in Sicily and offering new travel opportunities for both leisure and business travelers. Sicily is of great strategic value to us, both for its geographic location and traffic potential. This route is part of a broader plan to enhance international connectivity through our Casablanca hub, and it demonstrates our dedication to making our services more frequent, convenient, and efficient for an increasingly diverse clientele.”

Nico Torrisi, CEO of SAC, added: “The launch of the direct Catania-Casablanca route marks a significant development in Catania Airport’s international connectivity. It strengthens ties between Sicily and Morocco and opens up new travel opportunities for tourists and professionals alike. We are pleased to welcome Royal Air Maroc, a sign of growing interest in Catania and Sicily as a strategic Mediterranean hub for travel between Europe and Africa.

Tickets are available on the airline’s official website www.royalairmaroc.com, as well as through call centers and travel agencies.

– photo Royal Air Maroc press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LEICESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Ruud Van Nistelrooy will not lead Leicester next season in the Championship. The Foxes have decided to fire the Dutch coach who, having replaced Steve Cooper at the end of November, has failed to reverse the negative trend and failed to save the club.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has officially ratified the European Landscape Convention, marking a significant international commitment to landscape protection and management. Although the treaty was signed in 2000, Malta’s ratification comes after a 25-year delay, making the country subject to new reporting obligations under the Council of Europe.

According to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), Malta is not required to make legislative changes to implement the convention. Malta’s existing laws—such as the Environment Protection Act, Development Planning Act, and Cultural Heritage Act—already incorporate the convention’s core principles. Landscape is recognised as a national asset and part of the country’s immovable cultural heritage.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At the mid-year summit of European leaders in Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Abela called for swifter action on the return of migrants who are denied asylum.

He stressed the urgency of advancing discussions on migration policies, including closer cooperation with third countries such as Libya. Abela reiterated Malta’s commitment to supporting Libya in addressing migration challenges, adding that partnerships beyond Europe are key to sustainable solutions.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BILBAO (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Athletic Bilbao is asking for clarification from La Liga on Barcelona’s ability to register new signings, following the statements of the Blaugrana sporting director, Deco, who had indicated Nico Williams as a market target for the club.

“Athletic would like to thank LaLiga de Fútbol Profesional for the availability and clarity demonstrated during the meeting held yesterday between the two entities, which was attended by presidents Javier Tebas and Jon Uriarte”, reads the statement from the Basque club.

“The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made in the context of compliance with Financial Fair Play – it reads -. Among the topics discussed was the possibility of Barcelona signing players, given Athletic Club’s legitimate interest in accessing relevant information, after Barcelona’s sporting director, Anderson Luis de Souza “Deco”, publicly admitted that he will seek to sign a player from our first team. This player has a contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2027. Minding your own business means ensuring compliance with the rules of the competition”, says Athletic.

Deco‘s statements are in addition to “the public ones released by Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, who admitted that the Blaugrana club ‘is working to return to the 1:1 rule’ (the one linked to La Liga’s financial fair play, ed.) and that, therefore, at the moment it does not fall within the parameters of this rule for player registration. We appreciate the complete availability and clarity demonstrated by LaLiga in its qualified response and we affirm that Athletic Club will defend its interests to the maximum extent possible, in compliance with the financial fair play rules approved by all the professional clubs that make up LaLiga”, the statement concludes.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews