VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The value of Malta’s housing stock has almost tripled in 10 years, climbing from €30 billion in 2014 to €88 billion in 2024, new data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows. The surge was driven largely by rising land prices, which have outpaced construction costs. Land values jumped by €49.1 billion—up 200%—to €73.7 billion, while construction costs rose by €9 billion, or 160%, to €14.6 billion. According to the NSO, land scarcity, strong demand for central locations and speculative investment were key factors. Today, land accounts for 83% of a dwelling’s value, compared to less than two-thirds three decades ago.

The report also marks a historic shift in the housing market. Apartments, collectively valued at €39.5 billion, have overtaken townhouses (€33.2 billion) in total worth for the first time. While apartments now outnumber townhouses nearly three to one, the latter had long been Malta’s most valuable housing type. The NSO linked the rise in property values to population growth, higher labour and material costs, and a surge in construction. It also cited policy changes since 2017, increased immigration, and the rise of short-term rentals as key demand drivers. The analysis further pointed to Malta’s post-EU accession building boom, with both public and private projects fuelling the ongoing expansion of the property market.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Record-breaking transfer market for the Premier League. As the BBC reports, the total transfers completed by English clubs has reached £3.087 billion.

This spending significantly exceeds last summer’s £1.96 billion, and is even higher than the combined total of the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A. The most expensive deal of the summer has been made right on the transfer window: Alexander Isak has moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for £125 million.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NAPLES (ITALPRESS) – Napoli have officially announced that they “have acquired the sporting services of footballer Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.”

“Born on February 4, 2003, the Danish forward came through the youth ranks of Brøndby, Holbæk and FC Copenhagen. After a year with Sturm Graz, Rasmus joined Atalanta in August 2022, making 34 appearances and scoring 10 goals. The following season he moved to Manchester United, where he netted 26 goals in 95 appearances. With the Danish national team, he has scored eight goals in 26 caps,” the club added.

The news had already been anticipated shortly before on “X” by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who wrote: “Welcome Rasmus.”

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Neymar took issue with Carlo Ancelotti following his exclusion from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. After Santos’ 0-0 draw against Fluminense, the striker, who hasn’t worn the green and gold jersey for almost two years, denied Carlo Ancelotti’s version regarding his exclusion from the national team’s upcoming matches. “I had a swollen adductor, nothing serious. I even played today. Against Bahia, I wouldn’t have taken part anyway because I’m suspended. That’s why they preferred to manage my load,” he explained to reporters. Immediately afterwards, however, he added: “I believe my non-call-up is a technical decision, not related to my physical condition.”

A different interpretation from that offered by Ancelotti, who on the eve of the match had downplayed the number 10’s absence: “Neymar doesn’t need to be tested. Everyone knows his worth. Like the others, he must arrive at the World Cup in top form.”

Brazil, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, will close the South American group against Chile and Bolivia (on September 4 and 9, respectively). The Italian coach explained that he wanted to use these two matches to evaluate new profiles and characteristics ahead of the final tournament. Neymar has not played for the national team since October 17, 2023, when he seriously injured his left knee against Uruguay in Montevideo.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Almost simultaneously with Rino Gattuso’s announcement of Gianluigi Donnarumma signing for Manchester City, the French national team coach Didier Deschamps revealed that everything is now set for Adrien Rabiot to join AC Milan.

Speaking from the French training camp in Clairefontaine, Deschamps confirmed that the midfielder will undergo his medical examinations with the Rossoneri today, after an agreement was reached last night between the club and Olympique Marseille to finalize the deal for €10 million. If he passes the tests, Rabiot will sign to return to Serie A just one year after leaving Juventus, where he spent five seasons before joining OM.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A reflection on Africa’s rising importance which, although seemingly caught in the geopolitical and economic grip between the United States and Asia, is in fact destined to become a crossroads of the world and a strategic fulcrum for many global balances. This will be the focus of the meeting “Education, Skills and Growth in Africa and in Europe”, scheduled for September 15 at 11:30 a.m. in the Giubileo Hall of Lumsa University, Via di Porta Castello 44 in Rome.

The Round Table will offer an opportunity to examine these dynamics from the perspective of education and training, in order to strengthen skills and growth both in the vast African continent and in Europe. It will also be the occasion to present the Lumsa University Africa Centre (LUAC), launched in recent months on the initiative of Pietro Sebastiani, with the aim of “promoting, through a multidisciplinary approach, renewed attention to the African continent, fostering a broader, more up-to-date and dialogic understanding of contemporary Africa, beyond persistent stereotypes,” the organizers note.

In close collaboration with African partners, LUAC aims to reinforce academic, cultural, economic-financial and social ties between Europe and Africa, while fostering networks, synergies and partnerships with universities, central and local institutions, international organizations, NGOs and missionary groups.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – A group of 20 Maltese Civil Protection firefighters returned home on Sunday evening after spending two weeks in Portugal battling massive wildfires fueled by drought and heatwaves.

The officers described the blazes as among the largest Portugal has seen in recent years, with flames threatening villages and forcing delicate rescue operations. Assistant Rescue Officer Michele Sarlo said the mission provided valuable training in forest fire techniques. “It was a very important experience. We learned a lot and helped protect communities,” he said upon arrival at Malta International Airport.

Station Officer Alexander Vassallo described the work as “very intensive,” recalling stretches of more than three days with little rest. “The welcome we got shows they missed us,” he said, while encouraging the next Maltese team heading to Portugal to “look out for each other.”

Just hours before the returning team landed, another 20 Maltese firefighters departed for Portugal to continue supporting their Portuguese counterparts over the coming fortnight, as the fires remain active.

Civil Protection Department Director General Peter Paul Coleiro, who welcomed the officers back, said Malta’s participation forms part of the EU’s solidarity mechanism. “Our Civil Protection is today strong enough to assist other countries in need,” he noted.

For the returning team, the mission is now behind them. “All our families are here. We will get some rest before returning to our normal duties,” Sarlo said.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LEVERKUSEN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – Bayer Leverkusen has dismissed coach Erik ten Hag, effective immediately. The decision was made by the Shareholders’ Committee, the club’s controlling body, on the recommendation of the management; the assistant coaching staff will temporarily assume coaching duties.

“This decision was not an easy one for us,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes. “No one wanted to take this step. However, the last few weeks have shown that it was not possible to build a new, successful team this way. We firmly believe in the quality of our squad and will now do everything we can to grow further under new leadership.” Bayer Leverkusen are coming off a 3-3 Bundesliga draw at Werder Bremen, their only point from two league games.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will raise the effective tax rate for large multinational companies from 5% to 15%, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced.

The decision, approved by Cabinet last week, will affect around 10 companies based in Malta with annual global turnovers above €750 million. It brings the country in line with the European Union’s global minimum tax framework for multinationals.

“This decision we took in Cabinet this week will ensure that these companies pay their full tax liability in Malta rather than having it collected by other countries,” Abela said in an interview on ONE TV. “This means Malta will collect substantial new revenue that we can reinvest in our social programmes and infrastructure.”

The move reverses a previous government decision to delay implementation of the EU directive by six years. The legal notice transposing the directive into Maltese law was issued in February 2024, but Malta had exercised its right to postpone enforcement.

By opting to apply the measure now, the government expects to secure significantly higher tax revenue, strengthening public finances while aligning Malta with international standards on corporate taxation.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SEATTLE (USA) (ITALPRESS) – Inter Miami suffered a brawl in Seattle against the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final. Lionel Messi and his teammates fell to a 3-0 defeat after conceding a header from Osaze De Rosario in the 26th minute. Alex Roldan’s 84th-minute penalty earned them a late victory, before Paul Rothrock sealed the victory for the Sounders in the 89th minute.

A brawl broke out at the final whistle after Luis Suarez attacked Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas. During the altercation, the Uruguayan striker, as documented on television, spat at a Seattle staff member. Both finalists in the cross-border tournament featuring teams from MLS and Liga-MX had already secured a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions League, but their victory will grant Seattle a direct entry to the competition via the round of 16. In the third-place match, Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Orlando City 2-1.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews