The Malta Independent

Keep me signed in with social media

12 November 2026, Thursday

View E-Paper

Block of 54 apartments planned a stone’s throw away from scheduled Knights-era villa

A block of 54 apartments, 8 penthouses, and 71 underground garages is planned just a stone's throw away from a scheduled Knights-era villa in Zejtun. Plans have been filed to construct a major...

Comments (0)
Share

Labour and PN voters agree on best and worst Budget measures

Voters for Malta's two main parties read Budget 2027 very differently, but agree on which measures they value most and least, according to the third release in the Esprimi Budget Barometer 2027...

Comments (0)
Share

Culture Minister admits arts sector comments ‘could have been said better’

Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea has acknowledged that comments he made about the arts sector could have been expressed better, following criticism from people working in the...

Comments (0)
Share

Four Heritage Malta employees charged with fraud over alleged sale of counterfeit museum tickets

Four Heritage Malta employees have been arraigned in court and charged with fraudulently obtaining money at the agency's expense through the alleged sale of counterfeit museum admission tickets,...

Comments (0)
Share

Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct

British actor-comedian Russell Brand may have been sent to prison for rape and sexual assault, but the wider soul-searching over celebrities getting away with sexual misconduct in the U.K. is far from...

Comments (0)
Share

Renewable energy projects and national climate resilience plan central to PM’s COP 31 address

Malta’s response to extreme weather events and climate change were central to Prime Minister Robert Abela’s address at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday. While speaking at this...

Comments (0)
Share

Government invests over €5 million in a new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal

Work is progressing well on the new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal on Strait Street, Valletta, representing an investment of over €5.1 million, the Ministry for Justice said in a...

Comments (0)
Share

‘I am its author, not holder’: Finance Minister refuses to table 300-page population increase report

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana refused to table his 300-page report on the ramifications of Malta's increasing population on local infrastructure, housing, and schools to Parliament on...

Comments (0)
Share

Government launches National Cycling Strategy 2026–2036 to encourage daily bicycle use

Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett has launched the National Cycling Strategy 2026-2036, intended to make cycling a safer, more practical and accessible transport option for everyday journeys...

Comments (0)
Share

Italy evacuates over 300 schools due to bomb alert, with threats in Scotland and Ireland

Italian authorities evacuated hundreds of schools Wednesday after an emailed bomb threat, the latest in a series of disruptions affecting European institutions following recent hoaxes aimed at...

Comments (0)
Share

PA caps height and sets tighter development limits for Qrendi site

The Planning Authority's Executive Council said Wednesday it has deferred its decision on PlanningControl application PC/59/20 in Qrendi for six weeks, giving the applicant anopportunity to submit...

Comments (0)
Share

recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Emmanuel J. Galea

Cold air, cold comfort

Frans Camilleri

Insane law

Alfred Sant

Med security

Katya De Giovanni

Who supports the teacher?

Romilda Zarb

World Fertility Day: The journey behind the numbers

Ivan Castillo

A budget that left you waiting in traffic

Emmanuel J. Galea

Heard in Gozo, lost in Castille

Frans Camilleri

Is small better?

Ivan Bartolo

Social justice must respect those who pay for it

Michael Briguglio

Protests and their outcomes in Europe

National Book Festival attracts record 43,400 visitors

The 2026 National Book Festival registered a new attendance record, with 43,400 people visiting this year's edition, held between 4 and 8 November at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in...

Comments (0)
Share

Transport Malta official accused of threatening enforcement officer to cancel maritime fines

A Transport Malta enforcement officer has testified on Wednesday that he was threatened and subjected to workplace harassment after resisting pressure from a senior official to cancel maritime...

Comments (0)
Share

Woman grievously injured in collision in Luqa

A 21-year-old woman suffered grievous injuries following a collision between a van and a motorcycle in Luqa on Wednesday morning, a police statement said. The police said they were informed of a...

Comments (0)
Share

Students with medical needs but no learning difficulties to get support from medical professionals

Students with medical conditions or physical disabilities who do not have learning difficulties will be able to receive assistance from specially trained medical professionals during school hours...

Comments (0)
Share

Service dogs to support children with autism and special educational needs in Maltese schools

A three-day training programme exploring how trained dogs can support children with disabilities and students with additional needs in schools and therapeutic settings has been organised by the...

Comments (0)
Share

Three people arrested in Gozo following drug trafficking investigation

Three individuals - two men aged 75 and 41, and a 57-year-old woman, all residing in Gozo - were arrested following an intensive drug trafficking investigation, the police said Wednesday. Police...

Comments (0)
Share

Major Peter Ripard dies aged 89, nearly 16 years after Transport Malta bombing

Major Peter Ripard, a respected road safety expert who survived a notorious 2010 bombing at Transport Malta's offices, has passed away at the age of 89 following health complications at Mater Dei...

Comments (0)
Share

Spain’s workers hold a general strike over housing costs ahead of a national election

Millions of Spanish workers shut down businesses and snarled transport in a massive protest Wednesday over housing costs that the government hopes to leverage ahead of a national election later this...

Comments (0)
Share

news in pictures

events

Sports

YoHealth Malta Premier: Sliema deliver a major blow to Valletta as title race gathers momentum

McLaren's Lando Norris wins Formula 1’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Mercedes clinches constructors’ title

Fermín López scores twice for Barcelona, Inter beat Como to narraw gap at top of Serie A

Man United stage another stunning comeback to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa in the Premier League

Man City suffer third straight Premier League loss at Forest and Arsenal open 6-point lead

Norris earns pole for Sao Paulo GP as grid shaken up by penalties for engine changes

Bournemouth stay perfect in Europa League, Milan stunned at home, Leverkusen beaten by Marseille

Cristiano Ronaldo announces his international retirement from Portugal

Champions League: Real Madrid pull off another comeback, Liverpool upset by Fenerbahce, Como score 9

Fewer road accidents, casualties in third quarter 2026 – NSO

During the third quarter of 2026, both road traffic accidents and casualties decreased when compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Road traffic fatalities amounted to four, the...

Comments (0)
Share

Woman remanded in custody after court hears she was turned away from shelters over her dog

A homeless woman was remanded in custody on Wednesday, after being charged with living in idleness and vagrancy, with the defence insisting that she had repeatedly been turned away from shelters...

Comments (0)
Share

CCTV footage helped police retrace Marsa murder accused’s movements, court hears

Police retraced the movements of murder accused Isaac Asare through Marsa using CCTV footage after he was seen following Miriam Azzopardi into a field and later emerging alone. Azzopardi was...

Comments (0)
Share

Updated: British comedian and children's author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct

A joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News has published allegations against comedian and author David Walliams, including grooming teenage fans, having sex with a 17-year-old girl, and...

Comments (0)
Share

Mater Dei staff member accused of sexually harassing female colleague granted bail

A 41-year-old staff member at Mater Dei Hospital has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to sexually harassing a woman who also works at the hospital. The Maltese citizen of Pakistani...

Comments (0)
Share

TMID Editorial: Malcolm Paul Agius Galea is in the wrong job

Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea's comments regarding the sector he is politically responsible for are a cause of concern. Saying that the experience so far has been "traumatic" does not bode...

Comments (0)
Share

Law report: Force majeure, prior fault and proof of losses

On 27 January 2026, the Civil Court (First Hall) (Court) held in the case of Supreme Travel Limited v. The Vessel "Desperado", that the Turkish-flagged yacht that drifted into Maltese waters under...

Comments (0)
Share

‘Court’s hands are tied’: Magistrate calls for drug law reform after fatal ecstasy incident

A magistrate has called for changes to Malta's drug legislation after rejecting a man's request to have his drug trafficking case dealt with under special drug court provisions, despite acknowledging...

Comments (0)
Share

Peter Agius calls for mandatory EU islands impact test on new legislation

The European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee today held an exchange of views on the challenges faced by EU islands, following an initiative by MEP Peter...

Comments (0)
Share

Updated (2): Elderly man who died after being hit by truck in Żurrieq identified as Pietru Grixti

An elderly man has died after being hit by a truck in Żurrieq earlier this morning. Authorities were informed of a serious incident along Triq Wied Iż-Żurrieq at around...

Comments (0)
Share

Business

BOV webinar helps businesses navigate international sanctions

Sicilia Outlet Village welcomes the festive season with Christmas magic and winter sales

Lidl launches international Christmas campaign: Discovering the magic of enjoyment is more to value

Is AI behind redundancies in Malta's iGaming sector?

EY National Tax Conference revisits the history and evolution of taxation in Malta

BOV Foundation launches funding call to build financial confidence

Lidl Malta emphasises local agriculture, food security, and sustainable retail

Block of 54 apartments planned a stone’s throw away from scheduled Knights-era villa

Labour and PN voters agree on best and worst Budget measures

Culture Minister admits arts sector comments ‘could have been said better’

Four Heritage Malta employees charged with fraud over alleged sale of counterfeit museum tickets

Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct

Renewable energy projects and national climate resilience plan central to PM’s COP 31 address

Government invests over €5 million in a new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal

‘I am its author, not holder’: Finance Minister refuses to table 300-page population increase report

Government launches National Cycling Strategy 2026–2036 to encourage daily bicycle use

Italy evacuates over 300 schools due to bomb alert, with threats in Scotland and Ireland

PA caps height and sets tighter development limits for Qrendi site

National Book Festival attracts record 43,400 visitors

Transport Malta official accused of threatening enforcement officer to cancel maritime fines

Woman grievously injured in collision in Luqa

Students with medical needs but no learning difficulties to get support from medical professionals

Service dogs to support children with autism and special educational needs in Maltese schools

Three people arrested in Gozo following drug trafficking investigation

Major Peter Ripard dies aged 89, nearly 16 years after Transport Malta bombing

Spain’s workers hold a general strike over housing costs ahead of a national election

Bomb-making instructions, ISIS searches found in terrorism suspect's possession

Car and motorcycle collision in St Paul's Bay leaves man grievously injured

Fewer final deeds of sale, more promise of sale agreements in October – NSO

‘Putting the cart before the horse’: PN slams lack of investment in vet training, animal hospital

New ‘Malta Sport Hub’ to strengthen sports associations and enhance athlete wellbeing

At least 12 people killed and dozens hurt in crashes on a foggy Bulgarian motorway, minister says

Man arrested at Malta International Airport over 1.5kg of cannabis resin capsules

Pope meets with survivors of clergy abuse in Argentina as Church deals with legacy, ongoing cases

€3 million restoration project ongoing at San Anton Gardens

Fewer road accidents, casualties in third quarter 2026 – NSO

Woman remanded in custody after court hears she was turned away from shelters over her dog

CCTV footage helped police retrace Marsa murder accused’s movements, court hears

Updated: British comedian and children's author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct

Mater Dei staff member accused of sexually harassing female colleague granted bail

TMID Editorial: Malcolm Paul Agius Galea is in the wrong job

Law report: Force majeure, prior fault and proof of losses

‘Court’s hands are tied’: Magistrate calls for drug law reform after fatal ecstasy incident

Peter Agius calls for mandatory EU islands impact test on new legislation

Updated (2): Elderly man who died after being hit by truck in Żurrieq identified as Pietru Grixti

Over 2,100 sign MEIA's open letter calling for the Culture Minister's resignation

ADPD-The Green Party submits FOI request for eco-tax agreement between government, MHRA

Hungarian authorities detain Viktor Orbán's younger brother for suspected human trafficking

Man who died in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq boat accident identified as Keith Caruana

TMID Editorial: PBS has a duty to educate, not to sink into vulgarity

Casa wins backing for stronger European Social Fund