Psychotherapist Mariella Dimech (above) was fired as executive chairperson of the cannabis authority which was set up only 11 months ago.In a terse statement, the government did not give any reason why Dimech was sacked, simply saying that she was to...

The eNGOs defending the historical setting of Xagħra’s Ta’ Kola windmill at the Planning Authority were dismayed to witness a repeat of the ‘develop at all costs’ approach that the politicians profess to be turning their ...

Two children and a woman were hurt after a car overturned in Qormi on Thursday evening, the police said.The Accident took place in Vjal de La Cruz at 8.30pm.The driver, a 24-year-old woman of Vittoriosa, lost control of the Toyota Vitz she was drivin...

Russia said it began withdrawing troops from a strategic Ukrainian city Thursday, creating a potential turning point in the grinding war, while a Ukrainian official warned that Russian land mines could render Kherson a “city of death.&rdqu...

China’s capital Beijing has closed city parks and imposed other restrictions as the country faces a new wave of COVID-19 cases.Elsewhere, more than 5 million people were under lockdown Friday in the southern manufacturing hub Guangzhou&nbs...

BirdLife Malta has filed a court case challenging the decision – taken by the Ministry for Gozo and the Environment Ministry – to open a spring hunting season in April 2022, on the Vulnerable European Turtle-dove (Gamiema).BirdLife Malta ...

The Malta Public Transport has cancelled an agreement which was to bring 15 bus drivers from the United Kingdom after controversy raged over their wages.It was reported that these drivers were to receive 18.50 sterling (€21.20) an hour, against ...

Rental car entrepreneur Christian Borg has been cleared of illegally employing foreign workers at a car wash, after a court ruled that his ties to the company specified by the prosecution had not been proven. Borg, 28 – together with five other...

18 organisations and animal rights activists have written to the Prime Minister to express their concern about animals that are suffering.The letter appeals for immediate action to stop the suffering of animals in Malta, as activists are arguing...

15 new Covid-19 cases were registered on Thursday, health authorities said.The total number of cases registered is now 115,547, with 808 deaths.Statistics show that 114,071 people have recovered, while 272 cases remain active.The Health Ministry stop...

A motorcyclist has died after he was involved in a traffic accident in Sliema, the police said.The accident took place in Tower Road at 11pm.The biker, a 32-year-old man from Macedonia, was riding a Piaggio Vespa which was involved in a crash with an...

The Malta Women's Lobby is seeking more answers on the sexual harassment case at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.A senior official at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has been placed under a restraining order, as well as a suspended sentence, after ...

Despite a bad start to the season, Juventus could end the year in the top four in Serie A.Moise Kean's goal was enough for Juventus to win 1-0 at bottom club Hellas Verona on Thursday to move fourth in the league standings.Juventus is just two points...

There are just over 27,000 registered organ donors in Malta, Alexandra Gatt, Director of the Health Care Standards Directorate within the Department for Health Regulation, told The Malta Independent.The number is not as high as it should be.Donating ...

Prime Minister Robert Abela held a meeting with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, at his office. During the meeting, Prime Minister Robert Abela underlined a number...

President George Vella said that education remains central for Malta to be truly in favour of a sustainable world, while he warned of the impact that the lack of water preservation has on the environment around us.“Today more than ever, we need...

Kylian Mbappé riled up South Americans back in May when he said both Argentina and Brazil don’t play matches “at a high level” in qualifying to reach the World Cup.Interviewed by Brazilian television, the France striker said ...

Wales head coach Robert Page has dismissed concerns about Gareth Bale's fitness after including the former Real Madrid forward in his World Cup squad on Wednesday.Bale will captain his country in Qatar, which is the first time it has qualified for th...

A deal reached between the Maltese government, the Lands Authority and the hunters’ federation FKNK for the latter to administer land at Miżieb and l-Aħrax areas as hunting reserves, has been declared illegal by a Court of Appeal...

Manoel Theatre CEO Massimo Zammit has been suspended with immediate effect and was placed on half-salary, the government announced today.The recommendation to suspend Zammit arrived from an external and autonomous entity which was appointed to e...

An Appeals Court has reduced a fine imposed by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) from €10,500 to €2,000.The court, presided by Mr Justice Lawrence Mintoff, ruled that the fine imposed by the FIAU was excessive, Newsbook report...

Two men were taken to hospital after a car crash in Gzira on Wednesday.Police told The Malta Independent that the accident happened at around 3:20pm along the Strand in Gzira. The crash happened between a Renault Fluence, driven by a 51-year-old man ...

Active Ageing Minister Jo Etienne Abela has been granted permission from the Cabinet of Ministers to carry out a “limited number of operations” in the public health service for free.In a statement, the government said that in order to rea...

Russia's military announced Wednesday that it's withdrawing from Ukraine's southern city of Kherson and nearby areas, in what would be another in a series of humiliating setbacks for Moscow’s forces in the 8-month-old war.Ukrainian authorities ...

A 15-year-old girl has been reported missing by police.In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, police said that Khadia Al Aloush - who is also known as Jenna - was reported missing to them.Police said that she was last seen in Hamrun and that s...

The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) have called for the “depoliticisation of public cultural organisations” in reaction to the three suspensions that have taken place within the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) ...

 A protester was arrested Wednesday after hurling eggs and vitriol at King Charles III and Camilla, the queen consort, as they walked in the northern England city of York.The incident happened as the king and his wife were entering York through ...

A court has been asked to order five former top Pilatus Bank officials, including its Maltese former resident risk manager, to testify in ongoing money laundering proceedings against its former MLRO (money laundering reporting officer) and Head of Le...

Just how important Nick Pope’s penalty shootout saves prove to be for Newcastle may not be known until February.But this was a very good night to stay in the English League Cup for a team looking to make a statement with a trophy.Newcastle, fly...

Hoping to make England’s World Cup squad, Roma striker Tammy Abraham scored his first Serie A goal since September in a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo on Wednesday.Abraham leaped amid three defenders to head in a cross from Gianluca M...

A motorcyclist is receiving treatment in hospital after a traffic accident in Mosta earlier on Wednesday.Police said in a statement that they were informed of a traffic accident in the junction between Triq il-Kbira and Triq Durumblat in Mosta at aro...

The leader of the Nationalist Party, Bernard Grech has called for the resignation or removal of Minister for National Heritage, Art and Local Government Owen Bonnici following scandals which have rocked the upper hierarchy of both the Malta Philharmo...

Twenty new Covid-19 cases were registered on Wednesday, health authorities said.The total number of cases registered is now 115,532, with 808 deaths.Statistics show that 114,043 people have recovered, while 285 cases remain active.The Health Ministry...

The lack of beds in Mater Dei hospital is a consequence of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN)’ industrial action in St Vincent de Paule hospital, Health Minister Chris Fearne said today.Speaking at a press conference on the new gover...

ADPD chairperson Carmel Cacopardo will contest a casual election for Albert Buttigieg’s now vacated St Julian’s local council seat.Cacopardo himself announced this on his Facebook page on Wednesday morning, saying he was contesting the se...

Government has launched the awaited 24/7 mental health helpline which will replace the existing Richmond Foundation’s helpline. During a press conference addressed by Minister for Health Chris Fearne, the number 1579 was launched and is availab...

Facebook parent Meta is laying off 11,000 people, about 13% of its workforce, as it contends with faltering revenue and broader tech industry woes, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a letter to employees Wednesday.The job cuts come just...

Democrats mounted a surprising show of strength Wednesday as they repelled a series of Republican challengers in closely watched contests for Congress and governor’s mansions. Ultimately, control of Capitol Hill was unclear as votes were still ...

Former Nationalist parliamentary secretary Tony Abela died on Tuesday evening, the PN media is reporting. He was 66.He served as parliamentary secretary between 2003 and 2008, and was responsible for the economy and home affairs.Abela was born on 14 ...

Tributes are pouring in after the death of former parliamentary secretary Tony Abela.The Nationalist Party said he was a man loved by everyone. The party lost a loyal person who contributed greatly to the districts where he contested and the country....

The director of prisons, Robert Brincau, is facing court proceedings. He has been charged with threatening an ambulance driver with a weapon last August. He is also accused of causing slight bodily harm, insulting and threatening the man, being armed...

Prime Minister Robert Abela has stated that measures which truly address climate change must now be implemented.  This can be done by means of robust policies that incentivise investment in the digital economy together with policies that encoura...

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici and his Opposition counterpart PN MP Julie Zahra traded barbs during parliamentary question time over the sexual harassment case within the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday. Zahra started off by questioning B...

President of NGO Repubblika Robert Aquilina filed a constitutional case in his personal capacity on Monday, on the right to a fair hearing over the police's refusal of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.He filed this case as he has been battling ...

A school-bus driver has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for having repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped an eight-year-old girl in a case which dates back to 2006.The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit after the Cour...

The Nationalist Party will be putting forward amendments to legislation on agricultural leases at committee level in order to strengthen the agriculture industry and farmers while also respecting the rights of landowners.This was announced in a party...

Gilbert Agius, the Malta Under-21 coach, will take charge of the national team on an interim basis for the upcoming friendly matches against Greece and Ireland, being played at the National Stadium on 17th and 20th November, the Malta Football Associ...

Nine eNGOs have joined forces to submit their responses to the draft National Strategy for the Environment. The eNGOs are Din l-Art Ħelwa, The Archaeological Society Malta, BirdLife Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Ea...

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) is set to welcome its new largest offshore patrol vessel, the P71.It is currently not in use and still owned by Italy; however, the AFM yesterday invited media on board to give them a tour of the new vessel which the A...

 Even without its most exciting player, Napoli is still finding ways to win.With dribbling wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia out with back pain, Hirving Lozano scored one goal and set up another as the Serie A leader beat visiting Empoli 2-...

A judge will provisionally hear submissions on the Pilatus Bank nolle prosequi case behind closed doors so as not to violate the confidentiality of linked proceedings before a secretive foreign court with which Malta has no treaties.The request was m...

Malta is a beautiful country that offers a lot to its visitors. However, there are certain things that you should be aware of before you travel there. One of these things is that Malta is one of the most heavily monitored countries in the world. This...

An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as a “damage in the mind” in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF only two weeks before the opening of the soccer tournament in the Gulf state, highlighting c...

A Nigerian social media influencer who called himself Ray Hushpuppi and flaunted a lavish lifestyle fueled by his efforts to launder millions of stolen dollars was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to more than 11 years in federal prison.Ramon Abbas, 4...

The Turkish man who was seriously injured in a fall on a construction site four days ago has died in hospital, the police said.The man was seriously injured on Friday morning when he fell a height of one and a half storeys on a construction site.The ...

Chris Evans may have put down Captain America's shield but he's got a new badge of honor: he's been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.People's selection was announced Monday night on Stephen Colbert's late night show and on the magazine'...

Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake 12 years ago, FIFA’s president at the time Sepp Blatter said Tuesday, again citing a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes.The 86-year-old Blatter spoke w...

Former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici was laid to rest yesterday.The government respected his wish not to have a State funeral. Mifsud Bonnici wanted the last respects to be in conformity with the way he had always lived – humble and mod...

During the third quarter of 2022, road traffic accidents and casualties increased when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Road traffic fatalities amounted to six, the NSO said.The number of reported traffic accidents during the third ...

The UPE has commenced industrial action at the Institute of Tourism Studies, the union said Tuesday..Despite the UPE's best efforts to find a satisfactory resolution to the major problems at the Institute, ITS has failed in its responsibilities on se...

After waiting at sea for days, the German humanitarian group Mission Lifeline said Monday that Italy has directed its migrant rescue ship with 89 people on board to proceed to the port of Reggio Calabria.The 25-meter (80-foot) ship Rise Abo...

One more week.That’s the time coaches of World Cup teams need to wait before they finally get their hands on their players ahead of a truncated build-up to the tournament in Qatar.Some players might have checked out from club play alr...

A biker was grievously injured on Monday afternoon following a crash with a car, the police said Tuesday.The accident took place in Sqaq Bur il-Kbir at 3.15pm.The biker, a 35-year-old man of Qormi, was involved in a collision with a Toyota Aygo, driv...

Magistrate Nadine Lia and Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg should be impeached and removed from office following decisions by different judges on Monday, NGO Repubblika said Monday.Addressing the media in front of the law courts in Valletta, the N...

Malta on Monday paid its last respects to former Prime Minister of Malta Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who died last Saturday, aged 89.The funeral was held at the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady Church in Hamrun on Monday.The private ceremony, led by Arc...

 The Executive Board of the Malta FA has today resolved to accept the resignation tendered by Mr Devis Mangia, who informed the Association that he would be relinquishing his post as National Teams Head Coach with immediate effect, the MFA said ...

A judge has rejected applications filed by a police inspector from the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) and the Attorney General who had asked the court not to compel them to testify in a case over the police’s failure to prosec...

The European Commission approved Malta’s National Programme for the Internal Security Fund for the 2021-2027 financial period, the government said. Collectively, the programme provides for a total budget of around €27 million and aims...

Academic staff at Junior College will be the beneficiaries of a new collective agreement which was signed between the Malta Union of Teachers and the University of Malta on Monday.The collective agreement, which was signed on Monday, will see academi...

PN MP Graziella Attard Previ said Monday that there is a lack of social workers in the country, and the recent Budget should have addressed social issues. During Parliament on Monday, both sides of the House spoke in the debate on the financial estim...

An application for a fireworks factory in the area known as il-Hbula, off of Triq Hal Tarxien in Ghaxaq, is set to be discussed by the Planning Authority Board on Thursday.The application was originally filed in 2012. However, in 2014 the case was su...

A judge has granted the State Advocate permission to file an appeal against a part-judgment that ordered challenge proceedings against the Police Commissioner to be taken out of Magistrate Nadine Lia’s hands and reassigned to another magis...

Government is set to amend laws on the expungement of crimes related to simple possession of drugs from the conduct certificate.During a conference titled 'Nagħtu t-Tieni Ċans' a consultation meeting was held with several stakeholders today...

A court case filed by 23 clients of the late notary Ivan Barbara against his widow, over funds held in escrow by the notary at the time of his death, has been ordered to continue by a judge after the widow’s preliminary pleas were rejected.The ...

Government has requested the Planning Authority (PA) to propose amendments to the Regularisation of Existing Development Regulations. These proposals include developments that fall within a Category 1 Rural Settlement, and pre-2016 properties which h...

There are just over 27,093 registered organ donors in Malta, Alexandra Gatt, Director of the Health Care Standards Directorate within the Department for Health Regulation said. The National Human Organ and Tissue Donation Register came into effect in...

A six-year-old girl suffered grievous injuries after falling out of a window on Sunday afternoon police said in a statement.Police said that they were informed of the accident at around 2:45pm on Sunday in Triq ix-Xwieki in Gharghur.Preliminary inves...

Three new police superintendents received their appointment on Monday, the police said.They were appointed by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri in the presence of police commissioner Angelo Gafa.The three new superintendents are Jesmond Micallef,...

Real Madrid will play Liverpool in the round of 16 of the Champions League in a rematch of last year's final.Madrid beat Liverpool in both the 2018 and 2022 finals and the two giants will meet again in February after being paired up in Monday's draw,...

One of Europe's most driven by economic accomplishments and a quickly expanding sector of its creative fields is video games.Some believe that the video game's role in Europe's digital world must be strengthened through policies encouraging invention...

The World Cup stage is set for perhaps one final shootout between the two greatest soccer players of their generation — and to many, the two greatest of all time.Surely, this year's tournament in Qatar presents Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronald...

The captain of a charity-run migrant rescue ship refused Italian orders to leave a Sicilian port Sunday after authorities refused to let 35 of the migrants on his ship disembark — part of directives by Italy's new far-right-led govern...

Traffic on Maltese roads is still a major problem. A route that should take 10 minutes, could end up taking 30, or even 45 minutes. Realistically speaking, the government’s strategy to tackle traffic isn’t working.There are a number of is...

A man is in danger of dying after he was attacked by two individuals in Marsa on Sunday evening, police said.Police said that they were informed at 7:30pm on Sunday that earlier in the day health authorities had admitted a man to Mater Dei Hospital b...

The reported death of four-year-old Loujin and the 2020 Easter Sunday pushback which cost 12 people their lives are individual tragedies which are a small percentage of the 29,000+ deaths that have taken place on migration routes to Europe since 2014...

ADPD chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has described the high price of fuel as a possible “godsend” solution to Malta’s traffic problem.In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Cacopardo argues that removing the subsidi...

Just halting development is no solution, as this will only lead to higher prices of property, the president of the Malta Developers Association said.In a letter to The Malta Independent on Sunday (see below), Michael Stivala was giving his reactions ...

Organ donation is one way how a person can help those in need, even after the person has left this world. Although it is a very noble gesture, many still think of organ donation as a taboo subject. In trying to diminish the negative views and attribu...

Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg together with Justice minister Jonathan Attard are complicit in covering up the Pilatus bank scandal, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday.In an interview with Andrew Azzopardi, Angelo Gafa put all the bl...

The Mosta Local Council did not know what parkour was when this park was designed, a parkour enthusiast told The Malta Independent on Sunday. It’s like having a football game played in a triangular ground, it does not work, he added.A space loc...

Reducing emissions from road transport, mobilising funds towards sustainable investments and increasing energy efficiency in buildings emerged as the three main priorities to speed up Malta's transition towards a green economy that combats climate ch...

The Civil Protection Malta responded to a basement fire involving two vehicles early on Sunday morning in Sliema at approximately 4.40am.Six senior officers, 20 firefighters and ten fire engines responded.The fire was kept contained within the garage...

A 63-year-old Birkirkara resident was seriously injured in an accident on Triq Burmarrad, Mosta.The accident occurred on Sunday at 7am. The police said that the accident involved a Toyota Vitz, driven by the 63-year old, and a Honda Accord, driven by...

Hamrun Spartans registered their ninth win of the campaign when they beat Balzan by a solitary goal scored ten minutes from the end of the match. It was no easy match for the runaway leaders who found the going tough against a stubborn Balzan reargua...

At 11.45pm on Saturday, the police were informed of a theft from a shop on Triq J. Quintinus, St Paul's Bay.The police said that two men armed with a knife entered the shop and told the cashier to hand over money. The two ran off with an amount of ca...

Mohamed Salah struck twice to fire Liverpool to a 2-1 win at Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.Jurgen Klopp's team had not won away from home in the league all season and had to hold on in the face of a second-half fightback from Spurs with H...

 José Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri are going in opposite directions in their second seasons in the Italian capital.Roma is struggling to meet the higher expectations produced in Mourinho’s first term when the Gialloros...

There was a collective sigh of relief last Thursday when the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal closed the Hondoq chapter, at least for now. Only the developers were disappointed with the outcome; they had been hoping for a different result.The...

The annual November wreath laying ceremony was held Sunday morning on the Malta police graves at the Addolorata Cemetery, paying tribute and respect to the officers who served their country.

Italy allowed a humanitarian rescue ship carrying 179 migrants to enter a Sicilian port and begin disembarking minors early Sunday, while refusing to respond to requests for safe harbor from three other ships carrying 900 more people in nea...