CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty today attended the fifth World Conference on Industrialisation, organised by the World Bank Group in Cairo from 26 to 28 October, under the theme “Industrialisation for Jobs, Value Addition and Prosperity”.

In his address, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s goal of strengthening its role as a regional industrial hub, stressing that the development of productive capacity is a priority for economic reform, attracting investment and integrating into regional and global value chains.

The minister highlighted the target of increasing non-oil exports to 100 billion dollars by 2030, focusing on the localisation of industries, domestic value added and investment in priority sectors, particularly green and sustainable industries.

Abdelatty also emphasised Egypt’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location, developed infrastructure and availability of skilled workers. He underlined the importance of international cooperation in technology transfer, training and strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – No change of direction: Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United. According to BBC Sport, this is the club’s decision despite the team’s current crisis in terms of results and performances.

The heavy defeats against Como (a 4-1 Champions League victory for the Italian side) and at home to Bournemouth (a 3-0 loss in the Premier League) have certainly put the Red Devils’ manager under pressure. However, Carrick can still count on the support of the fans as well as the confidence of the club.

That confidence is not unlimited, however, and is understood to be subject to a time limit. Indeed, Manchester United have reportedly begun sounding out potential replacements, including former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and former Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. Antonio Conte, meanwhile, is not currently considered a particularly strong possibility.

The team are expected to provide answers in Saturday’s away match against Chelsea. Beyond the result itself, the performance will be crucial, and an encouraging display could persuade the club’s owners to continue with Carrick.

This is also because Manchester United have another important fixture just three days later, when they are scheduled to host Roma in the Champions League.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Following the player himself, LaLiga and Javier Tebas have also apologized to the Chinese people regarding comments made by Kylian Mbappé about “memes” comparing him to Mao Zedong (“The one that made me laugh the most is the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator. I often share it with my friends”).

In a message posted on his X account, Tebas expressed regret for the “discomfort and offense” caused by the Real Madrid forward’s remarks, adding that the league is working with its partners in China to resolve the situation. LaLiga has also issued a formal statement to this effect.

“We understand the harm caused, and on behalf of LaLiga, I would like to offer our sincere apologies to the Chinese people,” stated Tebas. His message highlights the potential consequences this incident could have for Spanish professional football as a whole.

“Over the course of many years,” he recalls, “we have built a relationship with China—with its authorities, sports institutions, media partners, and millions of fans of Spanish football—based on respect, trust, and cooperation. We cannot allow the actions of a single individual to compromise this bond or cause harm to the more than 20 clubs in our professional leagues and our millions of Chinese fans.”

“We are taking measures within our power and working directly with our partners and contacts in China to overcome this situation,” concludes Tebas. “Our commitment to China, its people, and its institutions remains steadfast. A relationship built over so many years cannot be jeopardized by an isolated incident.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Budget 2027 introduces a €1,000 Super Bonus for workers, maintains substantial energy subsidies and increases fees for non-EU nationals and tourists as the government seeks to reshape the country’s economic model.

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said Malta must reduce its dependence on recruiting foreign workers and encourage businesses to invest in technology, skills and productivity.

The government will pay the non-taxable Super Bonus by April 2027 to eligible Maltese and EU workers and long-term residents. Workers earning at least €12,000 annually will receive €1,000, while lower earners will receive a pro-rata payment. Self-employed and part-time workers will also qualify.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that it will continue subsidising electricity, gas and fuel prices, allocating approximately €400 million for energy subsidies in 2027, following similar expenditure expected this year.

According to the government’s estimates, energy-related and inflation-mitigation measures cost public coffers approximately €1.9 billion between 2020 and 2026. Around €75 million will also be allocated in 2027 to improve Malta’s electricity distribution network.

Caruana has warned that removing energy subsidies could reduce Malta’s gross domestic product by around 2.2%, while potentially increasing unemployment and putting additional pressure on households and businesses.

Despite the continued subsidies, third-country nationals who have lived in Malta for less than five years will face higher costs from next year. Initial work permit applications will rise from €600 to €800, while annual renewal fees will increase from €150 to €400.

Applicants will also have to pay the renewal fee alongside their initial application, bringing the total to €1,200. The government expects the additional infrastructure contribution to generate €80 million annually.

Affected workers will also face monthly charges of €83 for driving and €33 for public transport. Newly registered children will have to pay for childcare, although eligible children already enrolled will retain free access.

Tourists will face higher eco-contributions, rising from €1.50 to €8 per night at hotels and €10 at short-term rentals, subject to respective caps of €64 and €80. The government expects the measure to generate €182 million annually for tourism.

Additional charges include a €10 eco-contribution for cruise passengers who disembark and re-embark on the same day.

Caruana said Malta had added 106,000 foreign workers over the past decade, contributing to economic growth but also placing pressure on infrastructure.

He stressed that the government wanted to maintain economic growth while increasing productivity and improving quality of life. However, higher costs and reduced benefits for third-country nationals have drawn criticism from business groups and trade unions over their potential impact on vulnerable workers and employers.

-Photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Several Chinese companies, including the beverage group Dongpeng and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground, have announced the termination of their commercial partnerships with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.

The decision follows the French star’s admission that he finds “memes” comparing him to Mao Zedong amusing.

“The one that made me laugh the most is the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator. I often share it with my friends,” the French ace remarked—a comment that triggered a reaction from his Chinese sponsors and beyond.

The Dongpeng Beverage group, through its main account and that of its “Bu Shui La” brand, issued official statements on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, confirming the immediate end of its business relationship with the player, though it did not specify the exact events that led to this decision.

Furthermore, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended its coverage of Spain’s La Liga, as well as the broadcast of any matches featuring the Real Madrid forward. In China, satirical depictions of past leaders and prominent figures associated with the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are punishable under laws prohibiting the “defamation of heroes and martyrs.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has lifted the safety advisories issued in 2013 and 2015 concerning Libyan airspace. According to a statement released by Libya’s Government of National Unity on Facebook, this decision marks a significant milestone in restoring the country’s airspace to the international aviation map.

The move comes after more than a decade and follows efforts to modernize airport infrastructure and navigation systems. The government plans to launch a promotional campaign to attract global airlines, encouraging direct flights and the use of Libyan airspace as a corridor between Europe and Africa.

The initiative aims to increase air traffic, boost revenue, and create new economic and tourism opportunities, while Tripoli continues its work toward removing the remaining restrictions on Libyan airlines.

-Photo: IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Jorge Jesus’s preliminary squad list for the Portuguese national team’s upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.

The news was confirmed by ‘A Bola’, following an initial report by the newspaper ‘O Jogo’. While the inclusion of the national team captain on the preliminary list is not surprising—nor does it guarantee his final selection—it is a necessary step for any potential return to the squad.

This follows his departure from the training camp ahead of the match against Denmark—an incident that occurred after the former Juventus star had taken part in the warm-up, despite not having played in the preceding match against Norway.

Ronaldo was initially placed under a precautionary suspension, followed by a 30-day ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee of the Portuguese Football Federation; however, this sanction will expire before the start of the training camp for the national team’s next two fixtures.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will rely entirely on its own electricity generation for around eight days as the electricity interconnector linking the island to Sicily is temporarily shut down for works on a second interconnector. The project is estimated to cost €300 million, with around €261 million financed through European Union funds. The 122-kilometre cable, with a capacity of 225 megawatts, is intended to double Malta’s electricity interconnection capacity and strengthen the security of the island’s energy supply.

Enemalta and Interconnect Malta (ICM) said the existing interconnector (IC1) would be taken out of service for approximately eight days from Tuesday, 27 October.

The shutdown is necessary to allow the next phase of work on the second interconnector (IC2), which will connect Malta to Europe’s energy grid through a new electrical link.

The works will involve connecting a newly installed 220 kV reactor to the hybrid switchgear using high-voltage cables routed through trenches completed earlier this month.

According to Enemalta and ICM, the activities will require heavy construction machinery, specialised lifting equipment and cable-pulling machinery to operate within the terminal station.

The existing interconnector was also switched off earlier this month to allow the completion of cable trenches and modifications to high-voltage infrastructure.

During that shutdown, Malta experienced a widespread power cut on 8 October.

Enemalta maintained that the blackout was caused by human error and was not linked to problems with electricity generation or supply.

-Photo Interconnect Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi will not be in London tonight for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar is certain to be among the top ten, but he has opted to remain in Miami. While this could be a sign that he will not be receiving the ninth Ballon d’Or of his career, his decision was also influenced by the extensive travel he has undertaken in recent days: on Friday—as noted by “La Nacion”—he was in Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award; he then flew to New York for a league match against the Red Bulls, before returning to Miami for the presentation of the second edition of the Messi Cup. Furthermore, Inter Miami has an MLS match scheduled for Wednesday against Cincinnati.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Former Liverpool and Stoke City player Jermaine Pennant, 43, had a frightening experience, requiring 50 stitches in his right leg. The former footballer told “The Sun” that he was out walking his two dogs in North London when he was attacked by a German Shepherd. One of his dogs, King, tried to defend him, but it wasn’t enough to prevent four bite wounds that required 50 stitches.

“I was attacked by a German Shepherd,” he had previously written on Instagram. “I tried to protect King, but the dog latched onto my leg. I ended up on the ground, with the dog still clamped onto my leg and showing no signs of letting go—until King stepped in. He didn’t understand what was happening, but as soon as he got involved, he confronted the other dog and prevented what could have been a truly horrific situation for me. King came away unharmed, save for a small bite on his paw.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews