ROME (ITALPRESS) – “We haven’t sat down yet to analyze the possibilities, but I’m optimistic about it, even though, as I’ve said in the past, it depends on both sides. I always believe in building a long-term project, and I believe all the conditions are in place for everything to work out well.” These were the words of Samir Xaud, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, regarding the possibility of Carlo Ancelotti extending his tenure as coach of the Seleção beyond the 2026 World Cup.

The federation’s number one spoke about the matter during the CBF Academy Summit, and according to ESPN, the Federation has already informed the Italian coach that it is ready to extend his contract, which expires in 2026, until the 2030 World Cup.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Property prices in Malta and Gozo have surged sharply over the past year, deepening affordability pressures even as average apartment sizes continue to shrink, a new KPMG study for the Malta Development Association shows.

Asking prices for apartments rose by 10% in 2024 to an average of €414,621 – about €40,000 more than last year. Median prices climbed to €317,000, pushing the price-to-income ratio to a projected 14.5 in 2025, confirming that housing costs are rising faster than wages.

Low-income couples on the minimum wage can now afford just 2.2% of properties on the market, down from 5.7% a year earlier. Even average-income couples saw their purchasing power fall, with 70% of apartments within reach compared with 79% in 2023. More than a third of first-time buyers now rely on parental support.

Since 2017, apartment prices have jumped 59%, rising by nearly €15,000 every year. Penthouses now average €554,927, maisonettes over €405,000, and terraced houses €735,000. Prices per square metre increased by 14% in the past year alone.

Gozo recorded the fastest growth nationwide, with values up 87% since 2018. Southern Malta followed at 69%, while the Grand Harbour area saw the smallest rise at 9%.

Despite affordability concerns, market activity remains strong. Residential permits reached 8,716 units in 2024, with further growth expected in 2025. Rentals above €1,200 per month now make up over 60% of listings.

Construction and real estate continue to underpin the economy, generating €3 billion in Gross Value Added and employing nearly 26,000 workers. Labour shortages and rising wage costs persist, adding pressure to prices.

At a national conference, Prime Minister Robert Abela rejected claims that residents are being priced out, citing an 82% homeownership rate and government schemes supporting around 1,000 families.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Moroccan King Mohammed VI reiterated Morocco’s full willingness to join international efforts to create favorable conditions for the resumption of the Middle East peace process, building on the recent ceasefire in Gaza. In his message to Coly Seck, Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the King emphasized that the new phase inaugurated by the ceasefire must be accompanied by a clear commitment, with a defined timeline, to ensure security and stability for the peoples of the region.

The King recalled that the conflict of the past two years has caused suffering “beyond human limits” and that Morocco has sent five emergency aid missions to Gaza since 2023, including nearly 300 tons recently transported via an airlift and a land corridor. Mohammed VI praised the role of the mediators who made the ceasefire possible, citing in particular the personal commitment of US President Donald Trump.

On the political level, the Sovereign reiterated that any lasting solution requires the “two-State solution”: a sovereign and viable Palestinian State within the 1967 borders, with East Al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital, living in peace alongside the State of Israel. He also insisted on the need to ensure the administrative unity of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian National Authority and to support internal reconciliation. As Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, Mohammed VI expressed grave concern about the “provocations” and violations at the Holy Places in Jerusalem, warning that such acts risk fueling a dangerous religious escalation. Finally, the King hailed the growing international momentum in favor of recognizing the State of Palestine and recalled that Morocco hosted, in May 2025, the fifth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, a joint initiative of Saudi Arabia and France.

– Photo Map –
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Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – After 24 days of stalemate, the UN has published the official text of Resolution 2797 on the Sahara, rejecting pressure from Algeria to change the translation of the expression “the parties”.

Algeria wanted to introduce “the two parties”, seeking to limit the conflict between Morocco and the Polisario, a term that would have excluded its direct role in the political process. The Security Council confirmed the original version: there are four parties involved—Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario, and Mauritania.

Its publication in the six official UN languages puts an end to any attempts at reinterpretation and reaffirms the negotiating framework established by the Council. Resolution 2797 also consolidates the preeminence of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a realistic basis for a political solution and calls on all parties to engage in talks without preconditions. The UN decision contradicts Algeria’s interpretation of the resolution’s implications and strengthens the legitimacy of the UN-led negotiating process.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Premier League team Birkirkara FC has revealed it narrowly avoided falling victim to a sophisticated international transfer scam involving a Maltese national team player.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club said an individual posing as the sporting director of a German second-division side submitted what appeared to be a record offer for the player. The footballer was also approached directly and offered terms that “seemed difficult to refuse.”

As reported by NET News, club officials and the player had spent days working to finalise the move, even arranging medical tests in Germany. But doubts surfaced late Tuesday when a document sent by the supposed director appeared suspicious. Further messages included a request for a refundable “transfer tax,” prompting immediate concern.

Birkirkara’s lawyers, supported by the European Club Association, confirmed the offer was fraudulent. When the German club was contacted, it stated no negotiations had taken place and that police were already probing similar scams targeting multiple European teams.

Sources said the scammer also misled the player’s agent into agreeing to pay about €30,000 for travel and medical arrangements. A three-way call between club president Michael Valenzia, the agent and the impostor exposed the deceit when the latter refused to activate his camera. He eventually admitted to the fraud, laughed off the agent’s loss, and hung up.

Birkirkara avoided financial damage, but the case, believed to be Malta’s first publicly reported incident of its kind, has raised concerns among local clubs.

Valenzia held a virtual meeting with senior ECA officials, including representatives from Barcelona and Stuttgart, both recently targeted by similar schemes. The parties exchanged information in an effort to identify the criminal network behind what is thought to be millions of euros in attempted fraud.

The club thanked its legal advisors, ECA partners and the German side, noting their cooperation was crucial in protecting its interests.

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Source: medNews

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – The next World Cup is becoming increasingly unlikely for Neymar. During the most recent international break, Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti had kept the door open for the former Barça and PSG star, on the condition that he regained consistency. Instead, Neymar must stop again: after feeling discomfort in his left knee during the match against Mirassol, the forward missed Monday’s game against Internacional, and medical tests, reports “Globoesporte”, have revealed a meniscus injury.

This injury would effectively force Neymar to miss Santos’ final three league matches — crucial as the club fights to avoid relegation — and return to the pitch only in 2026. Since the cruciate ligament rupture two years ago, the player has been unable to find continuity, and throughout this year he has stopped several times due to muscular issues: only 25 appearances and 7 goals since returning to Peixe in January, a move made with the World Cup in mind.

At this point, however, his future at Vila Belmiro is also in doubt: his numbers do not justify his salary, and if Santos were to be relegated, a contract renewal would be nearly impossible.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – FIFA has accepted the complaint filed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and has decided to sanction Cristiano Ronaldo with the minimum one-match ban, already served, plus two but with a suspended sentence, following the red card received by the Portuguese ace in the loss against Ireland during the match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (November 13).

“If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period,” FIFA said in a statement, “the remaining two matches must be served immediately.”.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Will I coach Inter in the future? It’s not something that depends only on me. But along my coaching journey, I imagine that yes, I will.” This is what Atlético Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, said in a press conference on the eve of Atlético Madrid–Inter in the Champions League.

The Argentine, a former player for clubs including Inter and Lazio and Atlético’s coach since 2011, confirmed his “dream” of one day managing the Nerazzurri. Simeone previously coached in Italy with Catania in 2011, achieving safety from relegation.

“Inter are a team that plays very well, with very clear offensive patterns. They have an incredible squad. Against Milan they dominated the match, creating many scoring chances. They could have won. And in the Champions League the numbers speak for themselves: they’ve played two finals in three years. They are one of the favourites to win the trophy,” Simeone added.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MUNICH (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – “Barcelona wouldn’t be playing in the first division in any other country. When you have €1.3 billion in debt, how can you keep going? I find it absurd and incomprehensible that they still play in the top flight in Spain; it’s a miracle they’re still allowed to do so.” Uli Hoeness attacks Barcelona. The Bayern Munich president, at OMR podcast, vehemently criticizes the Catalans’ management, arguing that such policies distort the concept of sporting merit. For him, however, clubs like Bayern Munich “are based on financial stability; our solid finances should be an example for all clubs in Europe. Barça would have no place in the Bundesliga; Germany’s strict licensing regulations and the pressure of controls would immediately shut down a club with a debt of 1.3 billion euros,” Hoeness concluded.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MARRAKECH (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The President of the International Criminal Police Organization (IPC-INTERPOL), Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, praised Morocco’s unwavering support for international security on Monday in Marrakech, emphasizing that the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, is a recognized model of openness and cooperation in the security sector.

Al-Raisi, speaking at the opening of the 93rd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly (November 24-27), expressed his heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his support in the success of this international event.

Highlighting Morocco’s strengths and its millennia-old history, where Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, and African cultures intertwine to create a melting pot of diversity, he noted that the Kingdom continues to stand out as a bridge between East and West, North and South.

This 93rd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly “is not only an annual meeting for dialogue, but also a platform for strengthening international cooperation in policing and security, allowing us to outline a future vision for the Organization,” he added, noting that the session also provides an opportunity to review achievements and adopt a joint security plan for the next five years.

Presenting a summary of his term, marked by the modernization of police work systems and the techniques used in INTERPOL operations, the strengthening of information exchange mechanisms, and the consolidation of trust between Member States, Al-Raisi emphasized the great success achieved in the field of data exchange. He emphasized that these mechanisms have played a decisive role in the Organization’s success.

He recalled, in this regard, the 10th anniversary celebration of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, which represents a “fundamental pillar” in the development of digital and cyber innovation. He emphasized that this structure has allowed the Organization, over the past decade, to strengthen its capacity to support law enforcement agencies, enabling them to address complex threats and anticipate future risks.

“INTERPOL is embracing a culture of innovation today,” he stated, noting that this is the first time in its history that the General Assembly has been held entirely digitally.

Participants will discuss, over four days, the priorities of law enforcement agencies, including cybercrime, the fight against criminal organizations, and organized and emerging crime, he added.

This General Assembly, inaugurated Monday in Marrakech in the presence of senior police officials and chiefs of police from INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, will examine key global crime trends, particularly the dismantling of cross-border criminal networks, the fight against international fraud centers, strengthening police capacity globally, and promoting the role of women in policing.

The General Assembly, INTERPOL’s supreme governing body, is the world’s largest gathering of law enforcement leaders. It provides an opportunity for member countries to network and share experiences.

– Photo Map –
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Source: medNews