RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The first edition of the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transition, Energy, and Connectivity in Africa, promoted by Cafrad under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, opened today in Rabat. The Moroccan news agency MAP reports that the event, organized around the theme “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transition, Energy, and Connectivity in Africa: Prospects for International Cooperation,” brings together government representatives, public institutions, NGOs, private sector operators, experts, financial institutions, and international groups specializing in AI.

The aim is to discuss the challenges related to digital transformation, energy, connectivity, and new opportunities for international cooperation on the African continent. Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, emphasized the historic role of CAFRAD in strengthening administrative capacity and modernizing public action in Africa. According to MAP news agency, the minister emphasized that the Forum is taking place at a time when artificial intelligence and digital technologies are profoundly transforming economies, governance models, and international balances. She also stated that mastering data, digital infrastructure, computing capacity, and AI-related skills represents a key strategic challenge today. According to Seghrouchni, Africa has significant resources, including a young and dynamic population, a genuine capacity for innovation, and growing needs in the areas of public services, education, healthcare, mobility, and energy. Artificial intelligence, he added, can help improve the efficiency of public administrations, simplify the relationship between the state and citizens, strengthen transparency, and facilitate access to essential services.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BILBAO (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team are holding their breath for Nico Williams. The young Basque talent was forced to withdraw yet again during the league match against Valencia, leaving the pitch in tears and seriously jeopardizing his participation in the next World Cup. It all happened around the half-hour mark of the first half: after a sprint down the left flank, the number 10 collapsed and immediately asked to be substituted. Tests revealed a “moderate lesion to the biceps femoris of the left leg.”

Named today in coach de la Fuente’s list of 55 pre-selected players, Nico Williams now faces a race against time: by May 30th, when La Roja’s final squad will be announced, he will have to prove that he has recovered acceptable physical condition. However, his feelings are not great. Although Athletic Bilbao hasn’t specified a recovery time, Spanish media predict at least three weeks of absence.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Still battling to avoid relegation, RCD Espanyol is already looking ahead to the future: the club has officially announced the appointment of Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, known as “Monchi,” as its new general director.

The former executive of Sevilla FC, AS Roma, and Aston Villa FC will report directly to club president and owner Alan Pace and CEO Mao Ye Wu.

“I’m in a place where they showed me affection from the very first moment and where they believed in my working philosophy,” Monchi said in a social media post. “I arrive with the greatest possible enthusiasm because when someone shows you affection, you must give everything in return for that trust. I hope we will achieve the objectives that both the present and the future demand of us.”

The new general director has already made an initial decision, backing current coach Manolo González to remain in charge for the final three matches of the season, despite a run of 18 games without a win and a margin of just two points above the relegation zone.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco is accelerating its strategy to strengthen its water infrastructure with 16 large dams currently under construction, for a total investment of approximately $3 billion and a total storage capacity of over 5 billion cubic meters of water. The data was released by the Moroccan Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Resources, according to a report on the Le360 website. Among the most advanced construction sites is the Sidi Abbou dam in Taounate province, 99.5% complete, with a capacity of 200 million cubic meters. This is followed by the Ait Ziat dam in Al Haouz province, 99% complete, and the reconstruction of the Sakia El Hamra dam in Laayoune province, already 93% complete. Among the strategic projects is the Ratba dam in Taounate province, which represents the program’s largest investment, with over $450 million.

The Kheng Grou dam in Figuig province is also set to become one of the largest in the country, with a capacity of one billion cubic meters. Construction is currently 70% complete. According to the ministry, the program is part of the Kingdom’s national water security strategy to address the effects of drought and climate change. Alongside dam construction, Morocco is also investing heavily in seawater desalination and “water highway” projects to transfer water resources between basins. The country plans to have more than two dozen desalination plants in place by 2030. This massive program aims to increase domestic production capacity from 350 million to 1.7 billion cubic meters per year, in order to cover 50% to 60% of the country’s drinking water needs by 2030.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Cruise passenger traffic in Malta fell by almost 23% during the first quarter of 2026, despite an increase in cruise liner calls at the Grand Harbour, according to new data published by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Between January and March, total cruise passenger traffic reached 65,247, marking a 22.9% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

The NSO said the majority of passengers recorded during the quarter were in transit.
A total of 33 cruise liner calls were registered in the first three months of the year, two more than in the corresponding period last year.

Despite the rise in vessel arrivals, the average number of passengers per ship dropped sharply.

Each cruise liner berthed in Malta carried an average of 1,977 passengers, down by 752 from a year earlier.

Italy remained Malta’s largest cruise source market, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC) (ITALPRESS) – The Prague derby between Slavia and Sparta turned into a night of chaos and fear. The Czech championship match, played at the Fortuna Stadium, was first suspended and then permanently interrupted after hundreds of home fans invaded the pitch in the final minutes of the match. Slavia was on the brink of a crucial victory: a win would have mathematically guaranteed the national title for the red and whites, leading 3-2, when the situation suddenly degenerated in the stands and then on the pitch. According to reports, hundreds of Slavia supporters broke through the security barriers and poured onto the pitch in scenes of total disorder. Many ultras were armed with smoke bombs and fireworks, some of which were thrown directly onto the pitch and towards the seat occupied by Sparta fans. Amid the general chaos, players from both teams hastily abandoned the pitch, seeking refuge in the locker room tunnel. Moments of high tension were also experienced near the away seat, where direct contact between rival fans almost occurred.

Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik also paid the price, having been hit by a smoke bomb during the clashes by a fan. He has already been given a lifetime stadium ban. The referee had initially opted for a temporary suspension of the match in the hope of restoring order. However, faced with the impossibility of ensuring safety inside the stadium, the final decision was to permanently abandon the match. The visiting team left the stadium shortly afterward on the club bus, while the Czech police intervened to restore calm inside the Fortuna Stadium. The derby between Slavia and Sparta represents the most heated and symbolic in Czech football. The two clubs are also the most successful in the country, and the rivalry between the two fan bases is historically among the most heated in Eastern Europe. Despite what happened, Slavia remains firmly at the top of the Czech First League standings and is close to winning a second consecutive title. However, disciplinary proceedings have been opened over the matter, and Slavia Prague risks a fine, as well as the possible closure of the stadium for some matches. The most serious scenario is a forfeit defeat to Sparta Prague, which would move to within five points of the top spot, thus reopening the title race.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Just hours before the El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, the father of the Catalans’ coach, Hansi Flick, passed away. “The entire Barça family wishes to express their deepest condolences to Hansi Flick for the passing of his father,” a statement read. “We share his grief and are close to him and his family at this difficult time.” The German coach, ‘Marca’ writes, informed the club, both the board of directors and the team that he has decided to take the bench to lead the team in the match against Los Blancos.

Real Madrid also expressed their condolences to Flick: “Real Madrid, its president and its Board of Directors express their deepest condolences for the passing of the father of Hansi Flick, coach of Barcelona. Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace,” the statement read.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho’s future remains a mystery, fueled by increasingly insistent rumors that he will be Real Madrid’s new manager next season. But the Portuguese coach, speaking at a press conference on the eve of the match against Sporting Braga, once again opted for caution, avoiding any possible misunderstanding. The Benfica coach first wanted to clarify how the dynamics of the coaching market work: “There’s one thing I’d like to emphasize: in the world of football, it’s not the professionals who are interested in whether they go or not. When something happens, it’s the clubs who are interested and who decide whether or not to initiate the procedures to get who they want.” These words seem to dismiss the idea of ​​a personal initiative with regard to the Madrid club, which has been indicated for weeks as the most likely destination for the Portuguese coach. Mourinho, however, reiterated that he has had no direct contact with the White management: “People keep talking about Real Madrid, but I, honestly, continue to avoid it. I have had no contact with the president or any other club officials.”

The Portuguese explained that he wants to remain fully focused on the end of the season, avoiding any discussions that might distract him or the team from their final competitive commitments. “I don’t speak to anyone in the final stages of the season. I haven’t had any contact with Real Madrid and I won’t until the final league match against Estoril.” Only after the season ends on May 16th will Mourinho feel free to evaluate any future scenarios. “Then there will be a one-week window, during which I will be free to speak with whoever I deem appropriate, but until then, everything that has emerged from meetings and phone calls… is pure speculation.”

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Moody’s has reaffirmed Malta’s A2 credit rating with a stable outlook following its latest periodic review, underscoring the country’s strong economic fundamentals.

The international ratings agency said Malta remains supported by robust economic growth, moderate public debt and limited exposure to external shocks.

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the decision, noting that Malta retained a stable outlook while five other European Union countries recently received negative outlooks from Moody’s.

Although the agency slightly revised Malta’s 2026 GDP growth forecast downward from 4% to 3.5%, it said the figure remains well above the EU average of 2.2%.

Moody’s also highlighted improvements in public finances, with Malta’s fiscal deficit narrowing to 2.2% of GDP in 2025 from 3.4% the previous year, aided by stronger growth and improved tax collection.

Public debt is projected to remain stable at around 46.3% of GDP before gradually declining.

The agency noted that early elections scheduled for 30 May are not expected to result in major policy shifts affecting Malta’s credit profile.

However, Moody’s warned that concerns over rule of law, corruption and anti-money laundering oversight remain key challenges requiring further progress.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews