RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Morocco has emerged as Africa’s leading industrial power, surpassing South Africa for the first time in the “Africa Industrialization Index 2025” published by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

According to the report, relaunched by the Yabiladi website, the Kingdom is consolidating its position thanks to the growth of its export industry, the integration of its logistics infrastructure, and the progressive diversification of its manufacturing base.

The AfDB emphasizes that Morocco is now among the rare African economies capable of combining industrial policy, port logistics, trade integration, and international attractiveness. This convergence has allowed the country to establish itself as one of Africa’s leading manufacturing hubs in the automotive, aeronautics, processed fertilizer, and various industrial sectors integrated with European markets.

The automotive industry remains the primary driver of this growth. Morocco maintains its position as the continent’s leading automotive exporter thanks to the continued development of its industrial hubs in Tangier and Kenitra.

According to AfDB, the Moroccan model is now moving beyond the simple logic of assembly, developing an increasingly integrated value chain that includes wiring, components, industrial engineering, and electric mobility. A key role is played by the port of Tangier Med, considered one of Africa’s main logistics and maritime hubs.

This infrastructure allows for the rapid connection of Moroccan industrial hubs to European, African, and Mediterranean markets, reducing transport times and strengthening the country’s attractiveness for international investors.

The report also highlights the strong growth of the Moroccan aeronautics sector, particularly in the industrial hubs of Casablanca and Nouaceur, where activities related to precision aeronautical systems, maintenance, and component assembly are developing. For the bank, this development distinguishes Morocco from several African economies still heavily dependent on raw material exports.

The Kingdom is strengthening its presence in global industrial value chains. The report notes that South Africa retains a historically broader and more diversified manufacturing base, but currently faces logistical challenges, energy problems, and less dynamic industrial competitiveness than in the past. Regarding Egypt, the AfDB notes that its industrial model remains more oriented towards the domestic market and energy-intensive sectors.

Algeria, on the other hand, ranks sixth in the index, penalized by its persistent dependence on hydrocarbons and limited integration into global industrial value chains. According to the bank, Morocco currently benefits from an industrial strategy developed over several decades, based on public investment, international partnerships, and the progressive development of integrated industrial ecosystems.

The report concludes that the Kingdom is now among the select group of African economies capable of transforming its industrial policy into a true geoeconomic advantage for the continent.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Bernardo Silva has made his choice, putting his heart before his wallet. According to “A Bola,” the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder, whose contract with Manchester City is expiring, is close to joining Barcelona, ​​with negotiations now at a very advanced stage.

The player had previously been targeted by the Blaugrana, and the opportunity to play in Spain would allow him to be closer to his family in Lisbon (his wife, Ines, is expecting their second child), hence the accelerated process that should lead to signatures before the start of the World Cup.

As for the contract, Bernardo Silva is expected to sign a two-year deal with an option for a third season worth €8 million per year, half of what he earned at City. While there will also be a signing-on bonus, the Portuguese has accepted a significant pay cut to wear the Barça jersey.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi will captain his country at his sixth World Cup, followed by the “Italians” Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the 26-man squad that will begin next month in the Americas to defend the 2022 World Cup title won in Qatar.

There are no major surprises compared to the 55-man pre-selection (Real Madrid’s Mastantuono, for example, is excluded).

Scaloni has retained 17 players who lifted the World Cup four years ago, while eight—including Nico Paz—will be playing for the first time at a World Cup. Lo Celso, who was absent in the Middle East but was in the squad for Russia 2018, completes the roster. In the group with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, the Seleccion will play two friendlies in the United States, on June 6th against Honduras and on the 9th against Iceland.

Here’s the full list:

Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa);

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid);

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis Sevilla), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg);

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), José Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras).

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The electoral campaign in Malta came to an end at midnight on Thursday with two mass meetings organised by the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party, as campaigning is prohibited today under silence day rules ahead of Saturday’s election.

Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed Labour supporters at the Granaries in Floriana, urging voters to “keep believing in me as I believe in you” and to “give me again the privilege of being your Prime Minister.”

In a speech centred heavily on his personal leadership, Abela said he was prepared to “walk through walls” for the country and promised continued economic support measures, including energy subsidies, tax cuts and social assistance.

He acknowledged shortcomings during his administration, apologising for instances where he had “fallen short,” while describing the pandemic as one of the government’s greatest challenges.

Abela repeatedly referred to Labour as a “movement” and said his government had ensured Malta maintained “the best economy in Europe.”

The rally concluded with a performance by Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg closed the PN campaign before a large crowd at Luxol Ground, presenting the election as a choice between “chaos” and “change.”

Borg said the PN had gained momentum despite initially trailing Labour significantly in opinion polls.

“We offered hope, not fear,” Borg told supporters, pledging a new style of politics focused on unity, dignity and quality of life.

He criticised the government over traffic congestion, infrastructure problems, hospital waiting times and uncontrolled development, insisting that “who created this chaos cannot solve the chaos.”

Borg also outlined his vision for an economy centred on workers and families rather than “calculators and statistics.”

Both leaders made final appeals to undecided voters ahead of Saturday’s vote.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economy expanded by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to provisional figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The NSO said gross domestic product (GDP) reached €6.2 billion between January and March, up by €402.2 million, or 7%, over the first quarter of 2025.

The services sector remained the main driver of growth, contributing 3.5 percentage points to the overall increase in gross value added. Industry added 0.3 percentage points, while agriculture and fishing registered a slight decline.

Financial and insurance activities recorded the strongest growth at 9%, followed by information and communication at 5.3%, and professional, scientific and technical activities at 4.7%.

Domestic demand accounted for most of the expansion, contributing 3.6 percentage points to GDP growth, while external demand added 0.3 percentage points. Household spending rose by 3.8%, government expenditure increased by 8.5%, and investment climbed by 3.6%.

Exports of goods and services grew by 4.9%, while imports increased by 5.6%.

The GDP deflator, a measure of economy-wide price changes, rose by 3% compared with the same quarter last year.

Gross national income for the quarter was estimated at €5.6 billion.

In a statement, the government described the figures as evidence of Malta’s economic resilience, noting that growth outpaced the euro area average.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta’s economy had grown “about five times” faster than the euro area in the first quarter, while workers’ income rose at more than double the rate of GDP growth.

The government also highlighted strong performance in the digital sector, financial services, professional services, and hospitality.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

GIRONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Míchel Sanchez is no longer the coach of Girona FC. The Catalan club announced this in an official statement. “Míchel Sanchez and his staff will not continue their collaboration with Girona. The club would like to express its sincere gratitude and wishes Michel and his staff the greatest success, both professionally and personally.”

This marks the end of a five-year period. Under the guidance of the Madrid-born coach, the club, owned by City Football Group, experienced the highest moments in its history, starting with promotion to La Liga in the 2021/22 season. In 2023/24, Girona finished third place, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in its history thanks to spectacular football. However, the coach’s departure was prompted by his last failure, which culminated in a 19th-place finish and the painful relegation to the Segunda División. The future of Michel himself remains uncertain, as his name has been linked with the Ajax bench.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – An institutional and cultural event to mark Africa Day and highlight the continent’s historical memory and values was held at Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, where the documentary Morocco and the Liberation Movements in Africa was screened.

The event was promoted by the Consulate General of Morocco, in coordination with Coppem and with the support of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

“Today, on the occasion of Africa Day, the Consulate General of Morocco is organising an event at the Sicilian Regional Assembly for the screening of the documentary Morocco and the Liberation Movements in Africa,” the organisers said. “This documentary tells a shared African story and shows a phase in the continent’s contemporary history in which Morocco played a very important role in supporting African movements and African leaders in their pursuit of freedom and independence. Today, therefore, we gather here to celebrate Africa and, at the same time, to pay tribute to this documentary, which shares memory and upholds the values of peace and solidarity.”

Directed by Hassan El Bouharouti, the documentary offers a significant reading of the last 150 years of African history, drawing on archive material and exclusive testimonies. It focuses in particular on Morocco’s role alongside liberation movements, highlighting solidarity among peoples as a foundation for processes of emancipation and development.

In this sense, historical memory becomes both a tool for awareness and a means of promoting intercultural dialogue aimed at preventing all forms of racism and discrimination. In the present day, this translates into the building of shared paths to strengthen cooperation with Africa, making it a strategic priority for understanding global transformations and the role of the Mediterranean.

The screening was followed by a debate attended, in addition to Nassif and El Bouharouti, by Palermo municipal councillor for Youth Policies Fabrizio Ferrandelli, the University of Palermo’s pro-rector for Teaching and Internationalisation Fabio Mazzola, and the legal adviser to the presidency of the Sicilian Region, Gaetano Armao.

– photo xd8/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – At the next World Cup, he will join his father Carlo on the Brazil bench, then return to his own management, doing so for the first time in Europe. Davide Ancelotti, after his experience at Botafogo, is preparing to land in Ligue 1: according to “Marca,” he will be the new coach of Lille after the divorce from Genesio, whose third-place finish – and subsequent Champions League qualification – wasn’t enough to secure a contract renewal. In fact, all the agreements are already in place, all that’s missing is official confirmation. Ancelotti Jr. knows Ligue 1 well, having worked with his father during his time at PSG, and he will have the opportunity to coach one of the two teams that in the last ten years managed to challenge the Parisian supremacy and win the championship in 2021.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Andy Robertson is very likely to become a new player for Tottenham Hotspur.

The 32-year-old Scottish left-back had already announced in recent weeks that he would leave Liverpool FC and, according to BBC Sport, he has already reached a preliminary agreement with Spurs.

In fact, Robertson had been close to joining Tottenham back in January, but Liverpool failed to reach an agreement with AS Roma to recall Kostas Tsimikas early from his loan spell. Without a replacement lined up, the club blocked Robertson’s departure.

Now that the player’s contract is expiring and Spurs have secured survival, there are no longer any major obstacles to completing the transfer.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – Brazil national football team, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, has officially begun its road toward the 2026 World Cup, but Neymar’s presence remains uncertain.

The Santos FC forward reported to the national team training camp yesterday in order to undergo medical examinations. A swelling in his right calf had already forced him to miss Santos’ most recent matches and, according to Globoesporte, the outlook is not particularly encouraging.

The Brazilian Football Confederation is also reportedly unhappy with Santos over the way the situation was handled, believing the club downplayed an injury that could now jeopardize Neymar’s inclusion in the squad.

The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will certainly miss the friendly against Panama national football team and will almost certainly also sit out the match against Egypt national football team.

FIFA regulations require final World Cup squads to be submitted by June 1, with replacements for injured players allowed up to 24 hours before a team’s opening match.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews