LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – A fractured jaw and a successful operation. After a major scare, there is positive news regarding the condition of Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who suffered a nasty injury yesterday that saw him carried off on a stretcher during the “Blues’” 2-0 away victory against Everton.

Following a collision with Toffees defender Jarrad Branthwaite, “Dibu” received on-field treatment for eight minutes before being stretchered off and taken to the hospital. There, as confirmed by Chelsea, he underwent surgery on his jaw, which was “performed successfully.”

“Thanks to everyone for the messages. The operation went well,” the 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper wrote on social media. “The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. I’ll be back on the pitch in a few weeks.”

According to the British press, “Dibu” will miss the next three Premier League matches—against Tottenham and Manchester United—as well as the League Cup tie against Liverpool. He will be replaced by 21-year-old Mike Penders, who took his place on the pitch yesterday following Martinez’s injury.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Supporting purchasing power, youth employment, territorial development, and strengthening strategic sovereignty—these are some of the key pillars of Morocco’s draft budget for 2027. The general guidelines for the budget were reviewed and adopted by the Council of Ministers, presided over by King Mohammed VI—accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan—at the Royal Palace in Rabat, according to a statement from the Royal Cabinet.

The Minister of Economy, Finance, and Public Administration outlined the measures, which were developed against an international backdrop marked by the rising costs of geostrategic conflicts, protectionist trends, and intensifying competition in the energy, technology, and finance sectors.

According to forecasts presented to the Council, the Moroccan economy is expected to close 2026 with a growth rate of 4.7%, inflation at 0.7%, and a budget deficit equivalent to 3% of the Gross Domestic Product. The budget focuses on five key priorities. The first concerns the restoration of purchasing power and the consolidation of a sustainable welfare state. Starting in 2027, a structural reform of markets and pricing is planned, alongside measures to support citizens, continue the expansion of healthcare coverage, ensure the sustainability of related social security schemes, and increase direct social assistance.

The plan also includes initiatives for public healthcare and education systems, as well as the continuation of a direct support program for housing access. The second pillar is dedicated to the integration of young people into education, vocational training, and decent employment opportunities. The government will launch an integrated national program for the 2027–2031 period, featuring measures for guidance, training, and incubation, as well as facilitating access to financing, guarantee mechanisms, and markets.

As stated in the official announcement, the goal is to overcome the fragmentation of sectoral programs by building a national policy that supports young people from their education through to employment and housing. The third priority focuses on accelerating advanced regionalization and a new generation of integrated territorial development programs.

These initiatives will include the reorganization of regional competencies, the strengthening of coordination and agreements between the State and the regions, and the full implementation of the National Charter for Administrative Decentralization. Approximately 25 billion dirhams have been earmarked to accelerate these integrated territorial development programs. The fourth pillar aims to strengthen sovereignty in the water, energy, food, and digital sectors.

Key measures include accelerating the development of renewable energy, continuing the “Morocco Offer” initiative for green hydrogen, and progressively implementing a roadmap for gas infrastructure, alongside efforts to ensure food security and national digital sovereignty.

The fifth priority concerns consolidating an economy capable of funding social and sovereignty-related objectives by accelerating institutional reforms while maintaining macroeconomic and budgetary balance. This framework encompasses the financing of major development projects, sectoral strategies, and new strategic industrial ecosystems.

Furthermore, the initiative places a strong emphasis on private investment by strengthening the support mechanisms established under the Investment Charter and continuing the reform of the Regional Investment Centers, with a particular focus on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi presided over a meeting of the National Defense Council this morning at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace. The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Prime Minister; the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (who also serves as Minister of Defense and Military Production); the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; the Ministers of Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriate Affairs; the Director of the General Intelligence Service; the commanders of the main branches of the Armed Forces; the Chief of Armed Forces Operations; the Director of Military Intelligence; and the Secretary-General of the Council.

The official spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic stated that the Council reviewed regional developments and the critical situation affecting the region, with a particular focus on the intensification of unacceptable attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Council affirmed Egypt’s full support and total solidarity with Saudi Arabia—a stance rooted in the historical ties and strong relations that unite the peoples of these two fraternal nations, which are considered the heart of the Arab world. This position is also based on the conviction that Saudi national security is inextricably linked to the security of Egypt and the broader Arab region.

Furthermore, the Council decided to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and feasible forms of support to defend its security and stability, safeguard its resources, and protect its territorial integrity as well as the holy sites of Islam. Finally, the need was underscored to continue and intensify political and diplomatic efforts—in coordination with relevant regional and international parties—to help reduce tensions throughout the entire region and foster the peaceful resolution of ongoing crises.

-Photo: IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Work on Malta’s second electricity interconnector in Sicily is at an advanced stage, with 92% of the 21km land cable already installed, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said.

Significant progress has also been made on infrastructure and equipment at the Ragusa terminal station, which connects Malta to the European electricity grid.

Dalli visited the site with officials from Interconnect Malta, which is coordinating the project, and met representatives of the contractors involved.

The first interconnector was switched off for 10 days earlier this month to allow critical works to be carried out safely at the Enemalta Terminal Station in Ragusa.

Dalli described the work as another step towards integrating the second interconnector into Italy’s electricity transmission network.

Interconnect Malta chief executive Ishmael D’Amato explained that equipment dedicated to the first interconnector had to be isolated from the area reserved for the new connection.

This enabled workers to prepare foundations for isolators and a channel for the reactor, which will connect the second interconnector to hybrid switchgear due to be installed in the coming weeks.

A fire protection system has also been installed, including a fire tank and firewalls designed to prevent flames from spreading.

Meanwhile, trench excavation along the 21km land cable route from the terminal station to the jetty in Sicily is practically complete, with the final 1.7km of cable still to be installed.

Connections are being made at one-kilometre intervals by specialised technicians before the trenches are covered with special sand and resurfaced. Fifteen of the 21 roadside openings required at cable joints have been completed.

Preparations are also underway near Marina di Ragusa’s tourist port for a 300-metre trench linking the land cable to the undersea section.

The connection will be created using horizontal directional drilling at a depth of 30 metres, through an 80cm-wide channel designed to minimise the impact on the coastal environment.

Dalli said the project was approaching its final stages and formed a key part of Malta’s long-term energy strategy.

She added that the second interconnector would strengthen the security of electricity supply and support the country’s transition towards a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

-Photo Interconnect Malta Inline image-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea secured their second consecutive win in the seventh round of the Premier League, beating Everton away from home. A brace from Pedro Neto proved decisive, with goals in the 46th and 90th minutes. The Blues thus moved up to 13 points in the standings.

However, there are concerns at Chelsea over the condition of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was forced to leave the pitch in the 75th minute after suffering a blow to the head in a collision with Branthwaite.

According to the BBC, the goalkeeper was taken to hospital.

– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS) – Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam has reviewed preparations for the ninth Cairo Water Week, scheduled to take place from October 25 to 29, 2026, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, under the theme “Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity and a Sustainable Planet”.

This was announced in a statement issued by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

The statement confirmed the participation of 20 ministers, four special envoys, and 19 deputy ministers or heads of delegation, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations and research institutions.

The programme includes 137 technical and scientific sessions, with the involvement of organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Union, UNESCO and the World Water Council.

Key topics will include water security, capacity-building in Africa and the Arab world, and preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

In parallel, the seventh Arab Water Conference will take place on October 26 and 27, while an international exhibition dedicated to water, wastewater, infrastructure and energy is scheduled for October 26–28.

– Photo Pexels –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Libyan Government of National Unity has outlined its plans for developing the energy sector. These include increasing oil and gas production, modernizing infrastructure, boosting investment, maximizing the use of natural gas, and expanding renewable energy projects, alongside reducing emissions and gas flaring.

According to a statement from the Libyan Government of National Unity, this vision was presented by Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, during the high-level ministerial sessions of the 25th World Energy Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was joined by Mustafa Al-Manea, head of the Prime Minister’s executive team for initiatives and strategic projects; Yassin Al-Abyad, Director General of the Economic and Social Development Fund; and Bashir Al-Ashhab, Chairman of Green Stream.

The government’s vision identifies the development of the energy sector as a key driver of economic growth, leveraging the country’s hydrocarbon resources, its strategic location between Africa and Europe, and its solar energy potential. The government has affirmed its openness to international partnerships, investments, and technologies aimed at modernizing the sector, facilitating knowledge transfer, building national capacity, and transforming energy resources into economic value and sustainable development.

-Photo: IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A vigil was held in Valletta last night, calling for an end to the silence and demanding justice, nine years after the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

According to Maltese media, Italian activists were also present at the event. Francesca Rispoli, representing the anti-mafia association Libera, stated that the journalist’s murder failed to silence those who continue to demand justice and accountability. “We are the noise they didn’t want,” Rispoli declared, noting that criminal organizations often leverage legal systems and economic interests to expand their influence—frequently favoring business dealings over violence, as bombs “make noise” and draw unwanted attention.

According to Rispoli, 11 journalists have been killed by the mafia in Italy. Each year, Libera honors the innocent victims of organized crime; they have included Caruana Galizia among those commemorated, alongside other murdered journalists such as Anna Politkovskaya, Ján Kuciak, and Martina Kušnírová.

The vigil took place as part of a day of commemorations for Caruana Galizia, who was killed on October 16, 2017, when a car bomb exploded outside her home in Bidnija.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Dani Olmo is beginning to show signs of discontent. The Spanish attacking midfielder has seen limited playing time in the early part of this season, and according to the Catalan newspaper “Sport,” his agent has met with Barcelona sporting director Deco to discuss his client’s situation. While Olmo does not wish to leave, he might decide to end his stint with the ‘Blaugrana’ if things do not improve; a proposal from Bayern Munich is reportedly already on the table.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid is preparing to secure the long-term future of Jude Bellingham. According to “As,” the English midfielder—who arrived from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023—has reached an agreement to extend his current contract by two additional seasons, keeping him at the club until 2031

. The deal also includes a salary increase, reflecting his status; Bellingham is emerging as a leader within the dressing room, stepping into the roles previously held by the likes of Carvajal, Modrić, and Kroos.

Meanwhile, the future of Brahim Díaz at Real Madrid appears uncertain. The former AC Milan player has fallen further down the pecking order under manager José Mourinho—so much so that, during the match against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, the coach opted for Endrick instead of him when seeking a comeback. To date, the Moroccan attacking midfielder has logged just 178 minutes across five appearances. Only Espí and Endrick have played less, though—unlike Díaz—they have never started a match. Given that Mourinho has ruled out an exit for Endrick in January, Díaz emerges as the most likely candidate to leave Real Madrid when the transfer window reopens.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews