RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Public authorities have taken all necessary measures to counter any attempt at illegal crossing to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla and to intercept anyone seeking to participate in it, said Interior Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi on Wednesday in Rabat.

In a statement to the press regarding the calls related to August 15, 2026, El Khalfi specified that the Ministry of the Interior has detected, during the last few days, the circulation of anonymous publications and messages on certain social networks inciting the organization of attempts at collective and illegal crossing to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, practices which carry serious risks to the safety of people and aim to instrumentalize migration issues in acts of incitement, which are criminalized by law.

In response to these calls, the Ministry of the Interior assures that the public authorities are closely monitoring the situation, knowing that all necessary measures have been taken to counter any attempt at illegal crossing and to intercept any person seeking to participate in it, while initiating the required legal procedures against any person whose involvement in acts contrary to the law is proven, including those who spread such calls on social networks, it continued.

In this context, El Khalfi added, the authorities have arrested a group of individuals suspected of being involved in acts of incitement, noting that they have been subjected to the judicial investigation procedure under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office.

The ministry emphasizes that the operational readiness of the security services is not linked to a specific circumstance, but rather is part of a continuous monitoring system, particularly in areas near the crossings of Ceuta and Melilla, a system which is constantly reinforced and adapted according to the evolution of the situation and the nature of the risks identified.

The ministry reaffirms that the fight against irregular migration is being carried out in compliance with the law and the protection of the safety of persons and calls on everyone to be vigilant and responsible and not to be led astray by such suspicious and false appeals which could endanger people’s lives, it noted.

He went on to say that the fight against irregular migration and human trafficking networks cannot depend on the efforts of one party alone, but requires that the various parties assume their responsibilities and honor their commitments, within the framework of shared responsibility.

In this regard, the Ministry of the Interior calls on the Spanish authorities, within the framework of the coordination and cooperation linking the two countries, to assume their responsibilities and accelerate the return process of unaccompanied minors who are in the city of Ceuta to their families in Morocco, in order to preserve their interests while working to overcome the administrative and judicial obstacles preventing their return as soon as possible.

Recognizing that the fight against the challenges related to irregular migration is a shared responsibility, which requires effective and balanced cooperation, as well as a commitment from all parties, and in view of the results and positive effects of the immediate return mechanism, the ministry reaffirms the central importance of this mechanism, whose previous experiences have demonstrated its effectiveness and effective contribution to meeting the challenges posed and strengthening interventions on the ground, it argued.

The Ministry of the Interior affirms that the Moroccan authorities will continue to fulfill their obligations firmly and responsibly, in order to guarantee the protection of public order as well as the safety of persons and property, and to combat irregular migration and human trafficking networks, while maintaining a high level of vigilance, operationality and permanent coordination, in order to deal with the various risks, and this in strict compliance with the provisions of the law, El Khalfi concluded.

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MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – While waiting to reach an agreement with Barcelona for Rodri—the Catalans have offered as much as €60 million, but that’s not enough—Manchester City is already searching for an heir. According to the Guardian, the identified candidate is Enzo Fernandez, a 25-year-old Argentine midfielder known to Enzo Maresca for having coached him at Chelsea and with whom he shared success in the Champions League and Club World Cup.

The Blues, however, are aiming high, €140 million, even if that figure includes bonuses. At the Etihad, however, they’re not giving up—Chelsea have reportedly already made inquiries with Bournemouth about Alex Scott as the Argentine’s replacement—and if Fernandez’s arrival materializes, another departure cannot be ruled out: the leading candidate is former AC Milan player Tijjani Reijnders.

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LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “I convinced him because I told him what I think. I believe he’s a player who has always been a leader at big teams. I think that here, in a rebuilding phase where we can build something lasting in Europe’s toughest league, he can carve out a role as a leader. He was when I watched Brescia, whom I support: already at 18, he was playing for a veteran. Tottenham and I could offer him this more than other teams.“ This was Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi’s comment on Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder joined Tottenham this summer from Newcastle.

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MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares praised Morocco’s “essential cooperation” in managing the migration events that took place in Ceuta on July 30, highlighting Rabat’s full readiness to facilitate the return of individuals who had entered the city irregularly.

During a visit to Ceuta, where he met with the president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas, Albares assured that Spain would ensure that “every single person” who entered irregularly is returned to Morocco. According to Spain’s top diplomat, Rabat demonstrated total willingness from the outset to proceed with immediate returns, without imposing any conditions.

“From the very first moment, Morocco was in favor of immediate returns. It asked for nothing in return,” Albares emphasized, noting that the Moroccan stance stands in stark contrast to the difficulties European countries frequently face when countries of origin fail to cooperate with repatriation procedures.

The Spanish minister also ruled out any Moroccan responsibility for the arrivals recorded in Ceuta, instead stressing the decisive role played by the Kingdom in managing the situation and in the return of the individuals who had managed to reach the city.

Albares attributed a significant portion of the events to misinformation circulating on social media—specifically, a misinterpretation of a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling regarding individuals reaching Spanish territory by sea. False information reportedly fueled the belief that anyone managing to swim into Ceuta could not be immediately repatriated.

“Those who enter Ceuta or Melilla illegally must know that they will be sent back. No court ruling—distorted as it may be on social media—has changed our position,” Albares reiterated, urging potential migrants not to risk “their lives, their money, and their futures on an adventure doomed to failure.”

Madrid aims to send a deterrent message, particularly in light of a possible new mobilization announced on social media for Saturday, August 15. The minister stated that the Spanish government and the European Commission are working with digital platforms to counter the spread of false content that could encourage further attempts to enter.
For their part, Moroccan authorities indicated that approximately 40,000 people were involved in attempts to cross into Ceuta, while 1,135 tried to reach Melilla. Rabat also reported that everyone who managed to reach Melilla was immediately sent back.
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According to Moroccan authorities, the events stem from a combination of factors: misinformation on social media, the activities of human trafficking networks, and a misinterpretation of recent Spanish judicial rulings.

Finally, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining close cooperation with Spain, both to facilitate returns and to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

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VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Flight cancellations continued at Malta International Airport on Wednesday morning as an ash cloud from Sicily’s Mount Etna drifted into the flight path to Malta.

Nineteen flights were cancelled on Tuesday, causing disruption for passengers travelling to and from the island.

Among Wednesday morning’s cancellations were a Swiss/KM Malta Airlines flight to Zurich and a Jet2.com service to Edinburgh. Transavia also cancelled an afternoon flight due to arrive from Paris Orly.

Several other flights were delayed as aircraft altered their usual routes to avoid the ash cloud. One pilot reported that the cloud was clearly visible from high altitude.

Some aircraft have been approaching Malta from a more westerly direction and at a lower altitude than usual.

Malta International Airport advised passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport.

The airport said passengers whose flights have been cancelled are being guided by ground handlers towards alternative arrangements before entering the departures lounge.

Mount Etna, about 220 kilometres north of Malta, is Europe’s most active volcano. Its ash clouds have occasionally forced aircraft travelling to and from Malta to alter course, although a direct impact on Malta airport operations is rare.

Catania Airport, just a few kilometres from Etna, has been forced to close several times in recent weeks, with flights cancelled or diverted to Palermo.

The disruption also affected local festivities. Attard’s Soċjeta Mużikali la Stella Levantina postponed a planned fireworks display on Tuesday because of the ash cloud and airport restrictions.

The society said the fireworks site is close to the runway approach and that, after consulting authorities, it decided to postpone the display while restrictions remain in place.

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VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – President Myriam Spiteri Debono has called on countries with greater international influence to take greater responsibility for pursuing lasting peace, warning that ongoing conflicts show that “war has no victors, only losers”.

Speaking at a commemoration marking the 84th anniversary of Operation Pedestal, the Santa Marija Convoy, the President said remembering past sacrifices was meaningless unless lessons were learned from them.

She said the aftermath of the two world wars had demonstrated the need to build a future based on peace, freedom, cooperation between nations and respect for human dignity.

Referring to the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, Spiteri Debono said the end of fighting did not necessarily mean peace.

She noted that countries emerging from conflict faced the reconstruction of infrastructure, restoration of stability and the difficult task of overcoming hatred and longstanding divisions.

Security, she said, should not be viewed solely in military terms, as people should not continue living in fear, uncertainty and deprivation after peace agreements are reached.

The President also highlighted the importance of freedom of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that disruption could affect global energy supplies and increase the prices of fuel.

Such consequences could raise shipping, transport and manufacturing costs, drive up food prices and inflation, slow economic growth and affect living standards, she said.

“Might is not the mother of Right,” Spiteri Debono said, stressing that greater political influence brought greater responsibility and should not lead to domination or imposition.

She also pointed to Europe’s heatwaves as another challenge requiring international cooperation.

Turning to Malta’s role, the President said the Constitution commits the country to peace and international cooperation.

Malta’s contribution, she said, was increasingly defined by its willingness to promote dialogue, strengthen cooperation and place human dignity at the centre of its actions.

She concluded that the sacrifices remembered during Operation Pedestal should remind every generation that peace cannot be taken for granted and must be protected and strengthened.

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TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS) – Libya’s Government of National Unity has condemned the terrorist attack that killed General Fawzi Al-Mansouri in the Al-Sayyida Aisha neighborhood of Benghazi, describing the act as a threat to the safety of citizens and the country’s stability. According to an official government statement, the condemnation of terrorism and violence remains a firm national stance, regardless of the political divisions of recent years. The government has called on the Public Prosecutor and competent authorities to launch an urgent and thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances of the attack, identify those responsible and the masterminds behind it, and bring them to justice.

The General Command of the Libyan Armed Forces has established a security committee to investigate the assassination; the committee has already held its first meeting under the direct supervision of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Saddam Haftar. According to a statement posted on Facebook by the General Command of the Libyan Armed Forces, the committee—created by order of Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar and composed of senior military and security officers—is examining the circumstances of the killing, the ongoing investigation, and the measures taken. Saddam Haftar emphasized the need to intensify efforts to uncover the details of the incident, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Paul Pogba sustained an injury to his left thigh during training today. The former Juventus player had to leave the pitch, accompanied by members of the Monaco staff, according to French media reports.

During the current pre-season, Pogba has played only 45 minutes in the opening friendly against Saint-Priest (which Monaco won 5–2). Since then, the Frenchman has missed matches against Sporting, Cercle Brugge, Getafe, and Liverpool due to a right knee issue. Pogba had returned to group training a few days ago, but there is now a risk of another layoff. The Principality club is currently holding a week-long training camp in England at St. George’s Park.

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Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – The circulation of market rumors concerning Jamal Musiala and Galatasaray has led to legal consequences. Burhan Can Terzi, a Turkish journalist, was detained yesterday in Istanbul as part of an investigation launched by authorities regarding the alleged public dissemination of misleading information. At the heart of the inquiry are statements published by Terzi about an alleged agreement already reached between Galatasaray and the Bayern Munich midfielder—a claim that, according to local media reports, Galatasaray has denied.

Sources close to the club reportedly refuted the existence of any such deal, emphasizing that spreading unconfirmed information could fuel further public confusion. After being questioned by authorities, Terzi was released. However, the journalist did not retract his published claims and continued to maintain the validity of his information. According to his account, the sources he cited had assured him that negotiations for Musiala were nearing completion. During the questioning, the name of Oktay Ercan—a Turkish entrepreneur and owner of the Belgian club Westerlo—reportedly emerged as the source of the information.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – It turned out to be true after all. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez have tied the knot. The couple themselves announced the news on Instagram, sharing a photo of their hands clearly showing their wedding bands. The wedding reportedly took place in strict secrecy in Cascais—a Portuguese municipality in the Lisbon district—with only their five children present.

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Source: medNews