Malta Independent
Another Labour government would increase support for band clubs, festas and NGOs, Abela says
Prime Minister Robert Abela on Thursday pledged continued investment in Malta’s festa culture and voluntary sector, promising less bureaucracy, more financial assistance and stronger support structures if the Labour Party is re-elected. Speaking...
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Historic deal sees Manoel Island and Fort Tigné returned to the public
Manoel Island and Fort Tigné have officially returned to public hands following the signing of an agreement between the Maltese government and MIDI plc. The agreement was signed on Manoel Island in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Abela, who has...
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Migrant rescue off Libya
The NGO boat SEA-EYE 5 was involved in two rescue operations in Libyan waters with a total of 72 people brought to safety from unseaworthy rubber boats. Several rescued individuals required medical treatment, and a helicopter evacuation was requested...
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Government announces masterplan for Gozo General Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Boffa Hospital
The Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela on Monday announced the Masterplan that will lead to the development of a new hospital at Gozo General Hospital, the renovation and expansion of St Luke’s Hospital, and the renovation of Boffa...
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Five divers rescued
Five divers were rescued in a coordinated sea rescue operation after they were unable to safely return to shore following a dive off Qbajjar, Gozo. The divers were rescued by members of the Civil Protection Department (CPD) and the Armed Forces of...
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PN pledges 15% tax rate for micro-businesses, doubling VAT exemption to €70,000
The Nationalist Party announced how if in government, it would reduce corporate tax for micro-enterprises to 15% and raise the VAT exemption threshold for small businesses to €70,000. PN leader Alex Borg was speaking during a press conference...
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PN says it will raise tax threshold to €80,000, exempt first €10,000 of part-time earnings
The Nationalist Party has proposed raising the maximum tax threshold to €80,000 and tying all tax bands to COLA adjustments, alongside a €1,000 skills wallet for every adult, in a wide-ranging reform package it says is designed to increase take-home...
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€150 million MedTech firm Vantive facility planned for Ħal Far
An offshoot of US healthcare giant Baxter International is set to invest €150 million in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Ħal Far, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Wednesday. The project will be operated by Vantive, a specialised...
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Abela launches new fast ferry linking Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo
Prime Minister Robert Abela has inaugurated a new fast ferry service connecting Sliema to Buġibba and extending onwards to Gozo, describing it as part of the government's effort to expand free and integrated public transport across the...
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Court annuls tribunal decision on major Comino hotel project
A court has annulled a decision by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) which had confirmed a Planning Authority permit for a major redevelopment project on Comino, NGO Moviment Graffitti said Monday. In a Facebook statement, the NGO...
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PN pledges to cut electricity bills by 30%
A future Nationalist government would slash electricity bills by 30%, Alex Borg announced during a party event in Cospicua, unveiling what he described as a major upcoming energy proposal aimed at easing the cost of living for Maltese and Gozitan...
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PN and PL hold first mass meetings of electoral campaign
The Nationalist Party and Labour Party got their electoral campaigns well and truly up and running on Friday, as both of them held their first mass meetings of the electoral campaign. PL supporters gathered in Castille Square to listen to addresses by...
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A green Valletta
The Valletta Green Festival officially opened on Thursday, transforming the capital with an assortment of floral arrangements and the creation of a garden in St George’s Square (pictured above). The festival runs till 10th May.
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Ousted President jailed
A South Korean appeals court on Wednesday sentenced ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years in prison for resisting arrest and bypassing a legitimate Cabinet meeting before his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. Supporters of...
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Royal visit
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the Blue Room Balcony during a State Visit arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday in Washington. Photo:
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Snap election on 30 May
Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday called a general election for Saturday 30 May, almost one year before the legislature was supposed to end. The campaign will be the bare minimum provided for by the law: 33 days. Abela’s legislature was supposed...
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‘That fire never died,’ Deborah Schembri says on returning to politics
After years away from frontline politics, Labour Party candidate Dr Deborah Schembri is preparing for a return, describing her decision to contest the next general election as a “now or never” moment shaped by personal loss, professional growth, and an...
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Scrapyard fire
An industrial fire broke out at a scrapyard in Mqabba on Friday, prompting a response by the Civil Protection Department to contain the blaze. Residents living in nearby areas were advised to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed as a...
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Transport Malta announces 15year national transport plan, including single €2.8bn metro line
Transport Malta has announced a national integrated transport plan, titled “Malta in Motion,” that outlines “a whole synchronised system” where every transport mode leads to another. The plan includes the awaited light-rail metro, referred to as the...
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Arms of Faith
Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, on the 10th day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa, in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday.
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Qormi tragedy
40-year-old Jurgen Cassar tragically lost his life early Tuesday morning after becoming trapped in the machinery of a refuse truck in Triq il-Kaccatur, Qormi. The incident occurred at approximately 6am while the victim, a local resident and the owner...
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Majority of hunters illegally target Turtle-doves during first week of spring season - BirdLife
An estimated 72% of hunters observed during the first week of this year’s spring hunting season were not targeting Common Quail but were instead primarily aiming at Turtle-doves, according to data collected by BirdLife Malta’s Spring Watch teams across...
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St Paul’s Bay mayor outlines Council’s limited role over delayed Bugibba Square works
St Paul’s Bay Mayor Censu Galea has defended the local council’s role in the ongoing Bugibba Square regeneration project, stressing that while the council has worked to represent residents’ concerns, it holds no authority over contractors or the...
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Next Labour electoral manifesto will be more ambitious than the last, Prime Minister says
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the Labour Party’s next electoral manifesto will be more ambitious than the last, which featured 1,000 proposals of which, the government has implemented over 80%, he said. “Four years ago, we were very ambitious...
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Malta’s population projected to stand at 720,000 by 2100, Eurostat data shows
While Europe’s population is projected to dip by over 10% by the year 2100, the European Union’s statistics body Eurostat does not believe that will be the case for Malta, as it projects the country to host a population of over 720,000 people by that...
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School shooting terror
Turkish security forces and emergency staff stand in the courtyard of a secondary school where an assailant opened fire, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, Wednesday.
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Anton Refalo defends Qala lease, insists he ‘did not know’ Totò Riina
Minister Anton Refalo on Tuesday again defended his long-term lease of a property in Qala, strongly rejecting any suggestion of links to notorious Sicilian mafia boss Totò Riina and insisting he did "not know him". The controversy follows...
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€75 million contract signed to launch new organic waste processing plant
The government and WasteServ have signed a contract worth €75 million to initiate works of a new organic waste processing plant, with the aim being for the project to be finalised in two years’ time. Once active, this facility will take organic waste...
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‘Most crimes happen away from witnesses,’ EPU inspector says on enforcement challenges
Environmental crimes in Malta are often committed in remote areas, at night or away from witnesses, making enforcement particularly difficult despite growing public awareness and reporting, Inspector Elliot Magro from the Environmental Protection Unit...
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University academics, senior clinical staff at Mater Dei call for durable healthcare proxy
An interdisciplinary group of academics from the University of Malta and senior clinical staff at Mater Dei Hospital is recommending the inclusion of a durable power of attorney for healthcare in Malta’s proposed Advanced Medical Directives Act,...
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Out-of-court tax settlement brings €1.5 million case to an end
Criminal proceedings against two accountants and a number of associated companies have been formally brought to an end after an agreement was reached with the tax authorities. Nigel and Mikaela Scerri, the individuals behind the firm Ennesse, had been...
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US, Israel, Iran agree to a two-week ceasefire but much remains unclear and some attacks continue
Iran, the United States and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire in an 11th-hour deal that headed off U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to unleash a bombing campaign to destroy Iranian civilization. But hours after the announcement, Iran and Gulf...
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Momentum and ADPD hold coalition talks, but no agreement reached yet
Malta’s smaller political parties are in ongoing discussions over a potential electoral coalition, but no agreement has yet been reached, according to their leaders. This comes after news reports saying that Momentum and ADPD are expected to join...
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US aviator rescued as Trump vows strikes on Iran’s infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened
The United States said Sunday it rescued a service member missing behind enemy lines since Iran downed a fighter jet, as President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Tehran with a new looming deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran showed no...
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Maltese denied full human rights protection for a decade, Ombudsman says
Maltese citizens have been denied full protection against discrimination in local courts for the past decade because the government failed to incorporate a key international human rights treaty into national law, the Ombudsman said on Wednesday. In a...
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Spring hunting season for quail and turtle dove to open in April
The Ministry for Gozo and Planning has announced the opening of a limited spring hunting season for quails and turtle doves. In a statement, the Ministry said that the spring hunting season for quail opens on Monday 13 April and closes on Sunday 3...
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A quarter of Malta’s energy will come from renewables by 2030, Prime Minister pledges
Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged that by 2030, in four years’ time, a quarter of the country’s generated energy will derive from renewable sources. During the Labour Party’s Freedom Day activity, on the eve of the public holiday, the Prime...
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Archbishop leads Palm Sunday mass, urges faithful to truly know Christ
Archbishop Charles Scicluna urged the faithful to truly understand and know Jesus Christ, as he celebrated Palm Sunday mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The ceremony opened with the traditional blessing of olive...
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Mandatory course on Maltese culture and language introduced for third country nationals
A new mandatory course has been introduced for third-country nationals already in Malta, focusing on Maltese culture and the Maltese language, the government announced on Friday. The syllabus for this course was prepared by the Ministry for Home...
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Government has implemented 82% of electoral manifesto, Prime Minister says
In a press conference marking four years in office since winning the last general election, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that 82% of electoral manifesto measures have been implemented. Abela described Malta as having “exceptional economic...
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‘He’s going to kill us’: Son’s chilling words are described in court as case against father begins
Court proceedings have begun against a father accused of attempting to murder his two children in a case that has shocked the country, as harrowing testimony emerged about the events leading up to the alleged attack and the subsequent search that led...
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Missile wreckage
Israeli soldiers secure the site where an Iranian missile wreckage landed in the West Bank village of Kifl Haris Tuesday, 24 March, 2026.
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Two die in New York runway crash
Two people were killed and several others badly hurt when an Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on a runway while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, officials said. In the above photo, the Air Canada Jet sits on the runway at LaGuardia...
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Climber rescued in complex operation
On Saturday evening, Civil Protection Malta received a report of a female climber requiring medical assistance in the vicinity of the Red Tower, Mellieħa. "Given the severity of the situation, an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter was deployed to airlift...
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Iran threatens world tourism sites and says it is still building missiles three weeks into war
Iran threatened to target recreational and tourist sites worldwide and insisted it was still building missiles. Friday’s show of defiance came nearly three weeks into U.S.-Israeli strikes that have killed a slew of Tehran’s top leaders and hammered its...
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Identification and clearance phase starts after completion of marine survey
Interconnect Malta (ICM) said Thursday it has progressed into another phase of the project following the completion of the Detailed Marine Route Survey (DMRS) for the Second Interconnector (IC2). This transition marks the commencement of the...
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Israel says another top Iranian official has been killed
Israel kept up its campaign of targeting Iran’s leaders on Wednesday, killing the country’s intelligence minister, and an Iranian offshore natural gas field was struck in a sign of the war’s mounting pressure – from both sides — on the region’s...
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Government moves to scrap ministerial asset and spouse property declarations
The government’s proposed changes to the Code of Ethics and asset declaration requirements would formally do away with ministerial asset declarations, while also removing the requirement for MPs to list immovable property belonging to their spouses...
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CPD demonstration
The Civil Protection Department carries out a demonstration during a visit by Prime Minister Robert Abela to the department’s premises in Hal Far.
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Partisan atmosphere between the two major parties keeping people away from politics, minister says
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri believes that the partisan political environment in Malta is keeping people who can contribute away from entering politics. The minister was asked by this newsroom whether the way politicians from the two major...
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Tender award for €300 million Evans Building project scrapped after review board ruling
The recommendation to award the 65-year concession for the redevelopment of the Evans Building in Valletta to Valletta Luxury Projects (VLP) has been annulled by the Public Contracts Review Board. The decision follows separate appeals filed by Katari...
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Prime Minister suggests lower penalties for abortion, but rules out law reform
Prime Minister Robert Abela suggested lower penalties should be imposed on women who terminate their own pregnancies, but reiterated that the government has no intention of reforming Malta’s abortion laws. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Abela...
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Appeals Court confirms eviction of Labour Party from Santa Venera Club
The Court of Appeal brought a decades-long legal saga to a close by upholding an eviction order against the Labour Party regarding its Santa Venera Club. Presided over by Judge Lawrence Mintoff, the court affirmed a previous 2025 decision by the Rent...
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Winter Paralympics
Christoph Gloetzner, of Germany, competes in the alpine skiing men's alpine combined standing super-G event at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo,
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Dead whale found beached in Comino
A dead whale was found beached in Comino, prompting authorities yesterday to urge members of the public to keep their distance from the carcass while assessments were being carried out. The discovery was reported on Monday, when the Environment &...
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Malta’s ‘massive’ continental shelf remains largely unexplored of its resources, geologist says
Despite having a continental shelf over 200 times its landmass, Malta’s oil and gas potential remains virtually untapped after seven decades of minimal activity, President of the Malta Chamber of Geologists Dr Peter Gatt said. In an interview with The...
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US President Trump rules out talks without Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as Israel strikes Lebanon
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to rule out talks without Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut and Tehran as Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf countries on the seventh...
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Not welcome: Mayors, NGO oppose ‘Noma Island’ offshore party platform
Opposition to the floating beach club Noma Island is growing, as mayors and at least one NGO expressed their opposition to the idea that the platform used to hold parties offshore could cause environmental strain and disturb residents. The mayors of...
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US and Israel intensify bombardment
A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, as Washington and Israel intensified their bombardment Wednesday of Iran's security forces and other symbols of power. In the above photo, a group of men inspect the ruins of a police...
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Iran strikes the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia as war expands yet again
Iran expanded its targets Tuesday, striking the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Washington began to pull many staff out of the Middle East. The U.S. and Israel battered Iran with airstrikes in what President Donald Trump suggested was just the start of...
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New bill to allow patients to draw up a ‘living will,’ government says
A bill proposing constitutional amendments to introduce an anti-deadlock mechanism for the appointment of Malta’s next Chief Justice was tabled in Parliament on Monday. The draft law, presented for its first reading by Justice Minister Jonathan...
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Israeli strikes rock Tehran as Iran's counterattacks widen after the killing of its supreme leader
Iran vowed revenge Sunday after the killing of its supreme leader and traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment a day earlier. Blasts in Tehran sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky in...
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St Paul’s Catacombs awarded European Heritage Label
The site of St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat has been awarded the European Heritage Label, thus becoming the first Maltese site to receive this recognition, the government said.
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British barracks at Fort Chambray listed among Europa Nostra’s 7 most endangered heritage sites
The British Barracks at Fort Chambray in Gozo has been named one of the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2026. The announcement was made today during a live online event hosted by Europa Nostra and supported by the European Investment...
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Repubblika, Cassola file complaint to Standards Commissioner over sworn allegations concerning PM
Repubblika said Wednesday it has filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life requesting an investigation into serious allegations made under oath by Judge Lawrence Mintoff regarding the conduct of Prime Minister Robert...
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Judge Mintoff’s letter accuses Robert Abela of prioritising money over judicial independence
Judge Wenzu Mintoff has accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of prioritising money and political calculation over judicial independence in a five-page letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary. In the letter, Mintoff recounts a private WhatsApp exchange and...
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Snow in New York Government considering on-the-spot fines for tourists who cause public nuisance
The Ministry for Home Affairs is considering introducing onthe-spot fines for all non-resident foreigners in the Maltese islands, including tourists, who commit any illegalities, contraventions, or cause public disturbance. Minister Byron Camilleri,...
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Comino ticketing system failed to curb overcrowding, tourism academic says
The ticketing system introduced to control access to Comino did not work, tourism anthropologist Professor Marie Avellino said, arguing that overcrowding has persisted and enforcement has remained weak. Last year, a new online visitor booking system...
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Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia reaches its maximum height
Barcelona's towering Sagrada Familia basilica reached its maximum height on Friday, though the magnum opus of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí remains years away from completion. A crane placed the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the...
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King Charles’ brother Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. While Andrew has consistently...
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Ash Wednesday
Archbishop Charles Scicluna has ashes placed on his head during a mass marking Ash Wednesday in the St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Mdina.
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Man jailed for 17 years after importing 15kg of cocaine into Malta
A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined €23,000 after admitting to importing 15 kilos of cocaine into Malta, in one of the largest cocaine seizures recorded at a ferry terminal. Octavian-Viorel Piticariu, Romania, with no...
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Halland Hotel planning mess can be addressed by suspending works during appeal, NGOs say
The campaign Ġustizzja għal Artna is calling for the immediate amendment of the current laws regulating planning appeals so that works are suspended during the appeal process, “as logic dictates and as has been repeatedly promised, yet never delivered,...
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‘We need Gozo to have distinct planning policies,’ Gozo Regional Development Authority CEO says
The CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA) believes that the island needs to have a distinct set of planning policies if it is to be properly protected. Speaking in an interview with The Malta Independent, GRDA CEO Ivan Falzon said that...
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37% of Maltese believe Malta is not investing enough in defence and security programmes
More than a third of Maltese respondents to a Eurobarometer survey believe that Malta does not invest enough in defence and security programmes. A new Eurobarometer survey released ahead of the Munich Security Conference showed Europeans’ growing...
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