VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s dependence on imported electricity hit record highs in 2024, with interconnector purchases from Sicily surging by nearly 50%, while local power generation plunged, new official data shows.

Provisional figures from the National Statistics Office reveal electricity imports reached 970.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) — a 49.7% increase over 2023. Meanwhile, output from domestic plants fell by 8.7% to 1,849.9 GWh. Imported power now makes up 31.1% of Malta’s total supply.

The shift has reduced emissions from local plants by 7.8% but raised energy security concerns, leaving Malta reliant on a single submarine cable for almost one-third of its power. The government is constructing a second interconnector to mitigate this risk.

Total electricity demand climbed 6.5% to a record 3,106.1 GWh, widening the supply gap. Renewables grew modestly — up 5.6% to 336.0 GWh — yet still account for only 10.8% of total supply.

The developments revive scrutiny of the Electrogas project, a 2013 Labour government initiative meant to ensure energy stability but later engulfed in corruption scandals. Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was probing the deal when she was murdered in 2017.

EU authorities have also initiated infringement proceedings over Malta’s delays in adopting renewable energy rules. Critics warn that state energy subsidies, which cost €320 million in 2024, are fuelling consumption and discouraging efficiency, worsening the island’s growing power dependency.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s youth unemployment rate stood at 9.2% in 2024, well below the EU average of 14.9%, according to new figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Data covering 2019–2024 shows steady progress in employment and education. The share of young people aged 15–24 not in employment, education or training (NEET) dropped to a record low of 7.6%, 1.6 percentage points below the EU-27 average.

Overall, Malta’s employment rate for those aged 15–64 climbed to 79%, while the activity rate rose from 74.8% in 2019 to 81.8%, outpacing the EU average of 75.3%.

Female participation has driven much of this growth, with women’s activity rising by 10.2 percentage points in five years. Male activity increased by 3.6 points, though the gender gap remains 4.1 points wider than in the EU, particularly among older workers.

The overall unemployment rate fell to 3.2%, with male and female rates both below European levels. Long-term unemployment also remained low at 0.7%.

Malta’s service sector continues to expand, accounting for 64.3% of all jobs, while education indicators improved markedly. The early school-leaver rate dropped to 9.5%, and tertiary attainment among young adults reached 47.1%, surpassing the EU average.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The new Champions League is a source of inspiration for revising the format of World Cup and European Championship qualifiers. According to “L’Equipe,” UEFA is considering a new revolution in light of growing fan disaffection with national team matches, which are often uneven and lack interest, with repercussions for the sale of TV rights.

At the Football Summit in Lisbon, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin had already mentioned the possibility of moving to a more attractive and modern format, and two main options are on the table: using the Nations League as a qualifying route or adopting a system similar to the Champions League, with a single 54-team league or two groups of 27.

This would allow for more matches between the major national teams, without impacting the chances of the smaller ones. There will, however, be time to reflect, as a new format would not be possible before 2028, when the current commercial and television contracts expire.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The Moroccan national football team has achieved a historic feat, setting a new world record with 16 consecutive victories after defeating Congo (1–0) on Tuesday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Morocco has surpassed Spain and Germany, who previously held the record with 15 straight wins in the 2008–2009 and 2010–2011 seasons, respectively.

This world record of consecutive victories highlights the continued rise of Moroccan football. In numbers, the team has scored 50 goals in 16 matches, averaging more than three goals per game, while conceding only four. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has kept 12 clean sheets, helping Morocco climb to 11th place in the FIFA rankings.

– Photo Map –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Fabio Paratici is returning to Tottenham. Having completed his suspension over the capital gains case during the summer, the 53-year-old executive will take on the role of sporting director for the Spurs alongside Johan Lange.

“I’m happy to return to a club I love,” said Paratici, who previously worked at Tottenham between 2021 and 2023. “I’ve been collaborating with Johan, Vinai (Venkatesham, the CEO), and Thomas (Frank, the coach) as a consultant for a few months, and I can’t wait to come back to London to rejoin the team full-time. I’m convinced that by working together with Johan, we can build a special future for the club and our fans.”

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Dembelè asks for more money. According to “L’Equipe,” after winning the Ballon d’Or in recognition of a season with 35 goals and 16 assists that culminated in the treble, the 28-year-old French striker is now seeking a salary adjustment.

Contacts between Luis Campos and Moussa Sissoko, Dembelé’s agent, are reportedly already underway: while PSG is ready to listen to Dembelé’s demands, he currently earns €18 million gross per season, they don’t intend to grant them all, considering the former Barça player a key element of the project but not the only one. Satisfying all of Dembele’s demands, the club believes, could upset the harmony in the dressing room, which is also based on a certain balance in salaries.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The United States won, but AC Milan fans were worried. At Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Usa overcame Australia, who had been unbeaten in 12 games: the final score was 2-1, with Bos’s opening goal and Wright’s double, both with assists from Roldan.

But after half an hour, Pulisic had to be substituted: “He felt something in his right hamstring. He’ll fly to Italy tomorrow, we can’t say anything else,” Pochettino said.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – England have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup. It was easy for Tuchel’s team, who conquered Riga by beating Latvia 5-0 and mathematically secured qualification for next year’s World Cup, securing first place in Group K.

In the first half, Kane scored twice (one goal from a penalty) and Gordon scored. In the second half, Ciganiks scored an own goal and Eze added the final goal. With the win over Latvia, the “Three Lions” now have 18 points, ahead of Albania, who are stuck on 11 points. Latvia remain on 5 points.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said it did not receive a distress call from a migrant vessel that was allegedly attacked by Libyan coast guard forces in the Maltese search and rescue zone. The AFM said it carried out immediate checks via aerial surveillance and diverted some naval units after receiving information about a vessel in international waters. The fishing vessel was subsequently intercepted near the Italian coast. The AFM added that it “does not have sufficient information to confirm or deny the alleged shooting incident.”

The version contrasts with that of Alarm Phone, which reported it received distress calls around 1:30 PM on Sunday from a vessel with over 100 people on board and that the Libyan coast guard had opened fire about 90 nautical miles southeast of Malta.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN) (ITALPRESS) – The official announcement has now arrived: Sweden has dismissed coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following yesterday’s home defeat to Kosovo.

The Danish former AC Milan striker is paying the price, beyond the latest defeat, for his team’s disappointing performance: “The national team has not produced the results we hoped for. There is still a chance of a play-off in March, and our responsibility is to ensure the best possible conditions to reach the World Cup finals. In this regard, we believe new leadership is needed, in the form of a new coach,” said Swedish Football Association president Simon Åström.

In Group B, Sweden is bottom with one point from four games, six points behind second-placed Kosovo and with only two games left to play.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews