BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Keep working calmly and know that we are waiting for you; in 2028, this bench could be yours.” In essence, this may have been the message that Barcelona conveyed to Cesc Fàbregas, the Como manager who has just celebrated a historic qualification for the Champions League on the shores of Lake Como.

According to reports from Catalunya Ràdio, both Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco hold the Spanish coach in very high regard. Fàbregas wore the Blaugrana shirt as a player from 2011 to 2014.

Hansi Flick is currently in charge of the Catalan club, and both his relationship with the club and his results have been excellent. However, it is believed that the two parties could part ways when his contract expires. Should that happen, Fàbregas would be the leading candidate on Barcelona’s shortlist of potential successors, and the Como coach is reportedly already aware of Barça’s intentions.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries were sworn in this morning as Malta’s new Cabinet formally began its work under Prime Minister Robert Abela’s second mandate.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Hall of the Palace in Valletta and was presided over by President Myriam Spiteri Debono.

The new Cabinet is made up of Prime Minister Robert Abela, 21 Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries. Under Malta’s Constitution, the Cabinet is responsible for the general direction and control of the Government and is collectively accountable to Parliament.

All five elected women MPs have been appointed to the Cabinet, serving as four ministers and one parliamentary secretary.

Among the key changes, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been assigned the Health portfolio, while Deo Debattista returns to Cabinet as Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing. Chris Fearne returned to Cabinet as Minister for Foreign and European Affairs.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Cabinet combines experience with renewed energy, with several ministers retaining existing responsibilities while taking on new duties. Former parliamentary secretaries have also been promoted to ministerial roles.

The Government said the allocation of portfolios reflects priorities including digital transformation, housing, mobility and community regeneration across Malta and Gozo.

It added that the new Cabinet is focused on implementing the electoral manifesto, strengthening economic growth and improving quality of life. The Government said it remains committed to measures aimed at making people’s lives easier, better and more fulfilling.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Members of the European Parliament have rejected calls for EU intervention in Malta’s fireworks industry following last week’s explosion at a fireworks factory in Magħtab.

European Parliament Vice President Nicu Ștefănuță urged lawmakers to examine the safety and environmental risks linked to fireworks manufacturing, describing repeated factory explosions as a persistent threat to human life, property and the environment.

In a letter to fellow MEPs, the Romanian Green politician called for an assessment of whether Maltese and EU regulations are sufficient and suggested Malta could be required to ban fireworks production and large-scale storage if safety cannot be guaranteed.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that fireworks form an essential part of Malta’s cultural heritage and that the sector does not fall within EU competence.

He said fireworks production is strictly regulated under Maltese law and described accidents as rare incidents rather than a recurring norm.

Nationalist MEP Peter Agius also rejected calls for a ban, highlighting the role of fireworks in Malta’s religious feasts and cultural identity.

He pointed to existing regulations governing the manufacture, storage, transport and use of fireworks, as well as licensing and safety requirements for pyrotechnicians.

Agius noted that a magistrate’s inquiry into the Magħtab explosion is ongoing and said authorities should first determine what caused the incident before considering further action.

The exchange follows Monday’s explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in Magħtab, which reignited debate over the safety of the industry. While fireworks remain a central feature of village feasts, factory accidents have periodically resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.

Ștefănuță argued that the recurring nature of such incidents raises questions about whether current oversight measures are sufficient and called for discussion on possible EU-level responses.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “I don’t know if the deal is already done, but if so, Denzel deserves it. I would certainly have preferred to see him at Barça,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman from the Dutch national team’s training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A former Barcelona player and coach, the Dutch coach confirmed Denzel Dumfries’ transfer to Real Madrid.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – One week before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Morocco has reached the highest FIFA ranking in its history, climbing to seventh place in the world rankings.

The Atlas Lions, led by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, have moved up one position from the last official FIFA rankings, in which they were ranked eighth in the world. Morocco remains the highest-ranked African and Arab national team.

The rise has been fueled by a series of positive results, including a 4–0 victory over Madagascar in their most recent World Cup warm-up friendly.

The achievement marks an unprecedented milestone for Moroccan football, which has continued its ascent on the international stage following its historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco will head into the 2026 World Cup buoyed by this accomplishment and determined to reinforce its status among the elite teams in world football.

Drawn in Group C, the Atlas Lions will face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in the tournament’s group stage.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Manchester City has distanced itself from the statements of Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, Florentino Perez’s challenger, who mentioned Erling Haaland as a possible signing if he victs the elections.

According to Marca, the English club has categorically denied the possibility of a sale of the Norwegian striker. “The reports coming from Spain about Erling Haaland’s future are false. There is no possibility of this happening and there is no contractual clause that allows it,” an authorized City source reportedly told the Spanish newspaper. Also according to Marca, the English champions are also considering possible legal action for the use of the player’s image in the context of the Real Madrid presidential election campaign.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho has reportedly distanced himself from the video released by Florentino Pérez’s election campaign for the presidency of Real Madrid, in which the Portuguese coach appears in a Real Madrid jersey, announcing his return to the Madrid bench should he win the election.

Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Mourinho has informed Benfica that he never recorded the video and that the content was created using artificial intelligence tools. In the video, released by Pérez’s candidacy, the coach appears in a Real Madrid jersey and says a simple “Yes,” interpreted as approval for a possible return to the helm of the Blancos. Record also reports that Real Madrid has formally notified Benfica of its intention to pay the €15 million clause to release Mourinho from his contract with the Portuguese club until June 2027. The payment is expected next week.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “Kylian is in dazzling form.” Didier Deschamps has no doubts and reassured France about the physical and mental condition of the Real Madrid star. The coach of the World Cup runners-up, on the eve of the friendly in Nantes against the Ivory Coast, an African national team that is in Group E with Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador.

“He’s doing well physically and mentally. He’s our captain, we talk a lot, and he talks to his teammates,” explains the former Juventus player and coach. “We need to leave the clubs behind us; now there’s only the national team, and he’s training hard here. He has great experience and is playing his third World Cup. I see him doing very well.”

France will debut on June 16 against Senegal, in the first matchday of Group I, then on the 22nd the match against Iraq, and finally, on the 26th the final match of the group against Norway. “I’m not thinking about the third match obviously, I’m thinking about the first one against Senegal and then I’ll think about the second one – says Deschamps -. I already have the lineup for the debut in mind, but now the starters are no longer 11, but 13, 14 if not more. In tomorrow’s friendly I will try to have as many players as possible”.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TEHRAN (IRAN) (ITALPRESS) – An important step forward for the Iran World Cup. The Federation has received entry visas for Mexico, the host country of the national team’s training camp. The national team will establish its headquarters in Tijuana (and not in Tucson in the United States as established by FIFA), since authorizations to enter the United States have not yet arrived.

Currently in Turkey, Team Melli is in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand and, according to the FIFA calendar, must play their group stage matches in the United States. The first two are in Los Angeles: against New Zealand on June 16 (at 3:00 a.m.) and against Belgium on the 21st, and the last match in Seattle against Egypt on the 27th (at 5:00 a.m.). However, entry visas for the United States have not yet been obtained. Iran, after Thursday’s friendly match in Antalya against Mali, will fly to Spain on Saturday and on Sunday will travel to Mexico.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SAN DONATO MILANESE (ITALPRESS) – Saipem has successfully completed the lifting operations of the gas recovery module for the Bouri Gas Utilization Project (BGUP), offshore Libya, using its flagship Saipem 7000, one of the largest crane vessels in the world.

The module, built on behalf of Saipem, EPCI main contractor for the Bouri project, by Rosetti Marino at the Marina di Ravenna shipyard, represents a key component of the system. In early May, the module left the shipyard to be transported to the Bouri field, located approximately 170 kilometers off the Libyan coast.

Weighing more than 5,200 tons, with plan dimensions of 45 meters by 31 meters and a height of approximately 45 meters, the module, built in approximately two years, integrates advanced gas treatment systems and was installed on the existing offshore platform of the Bouri field, contributing to the construction of the new infrastructure envisaged by the project.

“The lifting of the module,” a statement reads, “represents a significant milestone in the project’s execution phase, confirming Saipem’s ability to manage complex operations with advanced engineering planning and the use of heavy-lift solutions, while adhering to the highest safety and reliability standards.”

Following completion of the lifting operations, the offshore activities envisaged in Saipem’s scope of work, executed by Rosetti Marino, will continue. These activities include the integration of the module onto the existing DP4 platform, as well as the hook-up and commissioning of the system and its communication, safety, and control systems. Furthermore, the pre-commissioning of approximately 28 kilometers of subsea pipelines, already laid, is planned. These pipelines will connect the DP3, DP4, and Sabratha platforms and will allow the transportation of recovered gas to the Mellitah treatment complex.

The Bouri Gas Utilization Project, developed by Mellitah Oil & Gas (a joint venture between Eni and NOC), aims to recover associated gas currently subject to flaring—the controlled combustion of excess gas that produces the typical visible flame in refineries or wells—and channel it to the Mellitah complex for use or export. Reducing flaring will prevent gas from being burned into the atmosphere, significantly contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions (1.5 Mt eq/year reduction). Furthermore, the initiative will increase net gas production to approximately 2 million cubic meters per day, improving the efficiency of existing infrastructure.

– photo Saipem –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews