The Malta Independent on Sunday
Airport terminal expansion expected to open in 2028 – MIA CEO
An eastward expansion of the airport’s terminal building is expected to open in 2028, Malta International Airport (MIA) CEO Alan Borg told The Malta Independent on Sunday. A major project undertaken by MIA, the expansion, which was announced in 2025,...
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‘Major surge’ in positive doping tests in Maltese sport in recent weeks, AIMS CEO says
There has been a “major surge” in the number of positive doping tests coming from Maltese sport in recent weeks, Kevin Azzopardi, the CEO of the authority which regulates sport in Malta, told The Malta Independent on Sunday. In an interview with this...
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Prime Minister has not contacted Alex Borg over upcoming Chief Justice appointment
Prime Minister Robert Abela has not yet spoken to Opposition Leader Alex Borg over who the next Chief Justice and Auditor General should be, the PN Leader told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti will turn 68 in February, and...
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US strikes Venezuela
The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president had been captured and flown out of the country after months of intense pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government — an extraordinary nighttime operation...
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2025: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
• Magisterial inquiry reform • AFM drug heist • Malta recognises the State of Palestine • PN leadership election • The end of the Golden Passports • Trapping infringement proceedings • 17 Black • Planning reforms • School stabbing • Gaza aid ship •...
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Ċensu Tabone, fallen Spitfires and Gozitan ingenuity
Motivated by his childhood intrigue, a young Gozitan engineer named Matthew Curmi, 24, has authored a book on aircraft losses in Gozo during the Second World War. His book reveals unique insights into this tumultuous period through the lenses of some...
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President urges cross-party consensus on Chief Justice, flags Auditor General anomaly
President Myriam Spiteri Debono has called on both sides of the House of Representatives to reach consensus on the upcoming appointment of a new Chief Justice and to urgently address a constitutional anomaly relating to the Auditor General, warning...
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One year as EU Commissioner
One year since he was approved as Malta’s EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, a portfolio he described as both demanding and transformative, Glenn Micallef said that his focus has been on laying the foundations for...
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From posters plastered on walls to social media posts
While the reach and accessibility of social media has grown, current and former politicians stress that personal contact between candidates and constituents remains essential. The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke to five former politicians, and two...
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Inside Malta’s digital bubble: How social media is rewiring our politics
In comments to The Malta Independent on Sunday, digital education expert Alex Grech and Ġorġ Mallia, dean of the Communications Course at the University of Malta, discussed the evolving role of social media, digital literacy, and political...
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From curiosity to calling: Two young women explore life as Augustinian nuns
For Christianne Farrugia and Erika Spiteri, the idea of dedicating their lives to faith and service was not immediate – it emerged gradually, shaped by curiosity, reflection, and personal experiences. Both graduates of the University of Malta,...
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EU denies backing finch trapping
The European Commission has not approved or endorsed Malta’s derogation related to finch-trapping, which clearly violates the judgment of the European Court of Justice of 19 September 2024, BirdLife Malta said yesterday.
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‘Speculation wreaking havoc on built environment, quality of life’ – President of the Chamber of Architects
Malta’s planning system is based on speculation, Andre Pizzuto, president of the Chamber of Architects & Civil Engineers told The Malta Independent on Sunday. The government over summer announced a set of planning reforms which it intends to...
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Only one of 23 female MPs would renounce Parliament seat if elected through gender-quota mechanism
PL MP Rosianne Cutajar has emerged as the only woman MP out of the 23 to say that she would refuse a parliamentary seat obtained through Malta’s gender-corrective mechanism in the next election, setting her apart from most of her colleagues who largely...
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Returning to ruins
A man looks out from his damaged apartment at the destruction in his neighbourhood in Gaza City, after returning home following an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages.
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‘JUST THE BEGINNING’
Thousands of activists gathered in Valletta Saturday for a national protest under the banner Ġustizzja għal Artna: Kill the Bills!, pledging more opposition to the planning reform as proposed by the government unless the bills it presented before...
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‘It’s time to take to the streets’, DLH president on ‘atrocious’ planning reforms
“Atrocious” was the word used by Patrick Calleja, the Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa, to describe the government’s planning reforms, stressing the need for the bills to be withdrawn as NGOs prepare to “take to the streets” in a national protest...
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Government set to miss target to bolster electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The government is set to miss its target of installing more than 1,200 new public electric vehicle (EV) charging points across Malta and Gozo by the end of 2025, figures released to this newspaper show. When the project was announced in 2022, the...
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Alex Borg claims victory in PN leadership race
Alex Borg last night claimed victory in the Nationalist Party leadership race, with official results still to be announced at the time of going to print. At 1am, the official results of the election had not been given out by the Electoral Commission,...
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Borg and Delia enter the final sprint
A long, drawn-out Nationalist Party leadership election campaign comes to an end in just under a week’s time, when the PN’s members will go to the polls with a clear question to answer: do they want their next leader to be Alex Borg or Adrian...
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PN needs renewal, its structure and organisation need ‘shaking up’ – TMI columnists
The Nationalist Party must embark on a “renewal” that involves more than communication, organisation and mobilisation. It has to have “internal unity and stability”. Its structure and organisation need “shaking up from the foundations”. These were...
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‘Just one day can be too late’
The Commissioner for Mental Health Denis Vella Baldacchino has urged for more community-based support for suicide prevention, saying that the current approach lacks the holistic response necessary. “Time is critical. One day extra for anyone...
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‘It is evident that we are running out of space,’ tourism professor says
It is evident that Malta is running out of space, George Cassar, an Associate Professor at the University of Malta’s Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture, told The Malta Independent on Sunday, as he discussed the tourism industry and accommodation...
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Dog surfing
Carl Barnes and Margo compete at Dog Masters Festival a dog on a paddle board contest near Poole in Dorset, England. Dog surfing is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, and Malta is no exception. Photo:
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‘You don’t have a licence to spend whatever you like’ – Jason Micallef
The Mediterrane Film Festival was too extravagant, chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency Jason Micallef told The Malta Independent on Sunday, adding that when working with public funds “you don’t have a licence to spend whatever you like”. Micallef...
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Union membership drive under discussion as mandatory approach ‘not advisable’ – PS Ellul
The Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, said that “according to the advice we are receiving, legally, it is not advisable for us to promote mandatory union membership”. Instead, the government is working to increase union...
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PN LEADERSHIP RACE
Adrian Delia’s experience and Alex Borg’s appeal to younger voter demographics are the positive points of the two PN leadership candidates most mentioned by sources in the Nationalist Party who spoke with The Malta Independent on Sunday in the past few...
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Will he? Won’t he? The pros and cons of an early election
Robert Abela this month refused to rule out calling a snap general election, particularly as the Nationalist Party goes through another unscheduled leadership election. It’s the second time in as many months that he’s made this statement, setting...
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Accountability vs privacy
Balancing public accountability with personal privacy rights is “one of the most enduring tensions in democratic societies” said Dr Natalino Fenech, a senior lecturer in media and journalism at MCAST, when asked for his thoughts on the ethics of...
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Metsola says no to PN top post
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has ruled out contesting for the post of Nationalist Party leader, saying that her commitment cannot be divided. In a post on Facebook on Saturday morning, Metsola said the responsibilities that come with...
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Was Sette Giugno actually Malta’s first step towards independence?
7 June remains a date of relevance in Maltese history – even now, 106 years after the event that made this date famous took place. On 7 June 1919, riots broke out across colonial Malta, centred especially in the capital of Valletta. These events left...
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Medical Council’s inability to take disciplinary action ‘very worrying’ – MAM president
The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) is “very worried” about the status of the Medical Council, newly-elected association president Patrick Sammut told The Malta Independent on Sunday, noting that it is a serious point of concern for the medical...
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Improve palliative care system before legalising euthanasia, Hospice Malta says
Palliative care needs to be improved before the government considers the introduction of voluntary-assisted euthanasia, two of Hospice Malta’s health professionals said. Anna Frendo, the chief Clinical officer at Hospice Malta, and Jurgen Abela, a...
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‘I want culture to pay the rent’ – EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef
Malta’s EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sports Glenn Micallef said the European Union is well placed to lead a renewed effort to support cultural workers, with better protection, and stronger recognition of the...
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Details emerge of how votes coalesced to elect new pope
Pope Leo XIV said Friday that his election was both a cross to bear and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass and details began to emerge of how votes swiftly coalesced to make him history’s first American pope. Freed from their conclave,...
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No blanket cuts needed, but public sector hiring raising concerns – Malta Employers chief
The public sector has grown significantly over the years, and while it is understood that there is demand to recruit the right people, oftentimes this is creating unhealthy competition with private employers, Malta Employers’ Association president Ivan...
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FAREWELL, FRANCIS
President Donald Trump on Saturday was among more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries attending the funeral of Pope Francis, where he paid his respects to the Roman Catholic leader who pointedly disagreed with him on a variety of...
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Mixed waste collected reduced by over 30% from 2018 to 2024 – minister
The amount of mixed waste collected reduced by over 30% between 2018 and 2024, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Specifically, 34% less mixed waste was collected, this...
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Allegations against Joseph Muscat will ‘collapse’ – Agius Saliba
PL Deputy Leader for Party Affairs Alex Agius Saliba said he believes that the allegations against former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat “will collapse”. Muscat and three former ministers are in court facing criminal charges tied to a deal the...
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MALTA’S TRAFFIC CRISIS
The government’s latest desperate attempt to ease the traffic issues includes offering cash in exchange of handing in one’s driving licence, more public transport routes and encouraging teenagers to delay obtaining a licence. The Malta Independent on...
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‘There was no attempt to go beyond the minimum’ with anti-SLAPP law – expert
The way in which the Maltese government brought in legislation against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) was “rushed” and there was no attempt to go beyond the minimum that was the European Union’s directive, a Maltese academic...
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PBS should not be the State’s station – Peppi Azzopardi and Fr Joe Borg
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) should not function as a State broadcaster, Peppi Azzopardi and Fr Joe Borg told The Malta Independent on Sunday in separate comments. Azzopardi and Borg were contacted to discuss the state of broadcasting in...
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Updating of local plans ‘an excellent opportunity to rethink urban planning’ – architect
The updating of local plans will provide an excellent opportunity to rethink urban planning in Malta and is necessary, architects who spoke with The Malta Independent on Sunday said. David Felice, a founder of architectural firm AP Valletta, expected...
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Emergency department is where symptoms of rescinded Vitals deal ‘felt the most’ – Martin Balzan
The Emergency Department is still under too much pressure, Martin Balzan, outgoing president of the Medical Association of Malta, told The Malta Independent on Sunday. People still have to wait four or five hours he said. “The emergency department is...
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Minister defends PBS, says bias criticism ‘unfair’
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, defended PBS against allegations of bias and dismissed criticism of the film industry, saying that the country is moving in the right direction. Bonnici spoke to The Malta...
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Robert Abela is more dangerous than Joseph Muscat – Karol Aquilina
From the way Prime Minister Robert Abela is acting, and the decisions he is taking, “he is more dangerous than Joseph Muscat”, the Nationalist Party’s Shadow Minister for Justice, Karol Aquilina, said. “Despite knowing magisterial inquiries were...
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‘Abela got an F for Malta, he failed our country’ – PN MP
Prime Minister Robert Abela “got an F” for Malta, PN MP Claudette Buttigieg said, in reaction to the country getting its worst ever score in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index a few days ago. While in 2023 Malta received a score...
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Beloved priest laid to rest
Malta yesterday paid its last respects to Mgr Victor Grech, a beloved priest who for decades worked with drug users. Mgr Grech died last Wednesday, aged 95. A State funeral was held yesterday on what the government declared as a day of mourning.
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Low birth rate: ‘Retirement age will need to be delayed’ – academic
Malta’s fertility rate stands as the lowest in the European Union, at just 1.08. This matter has been a prominent topic of discussion for many years, as a country’s birth rate being so low ultimately has a real risk of adverse social and economic...
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Composition of Standards Committee should be changed, Commissioner says
Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi is in favour of seeing changes made to the composition of the Standards Committee in Parliament, saying that as things stand it is too confrontational. The committee is currently comprised of two MPs from the...
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‘My job is to recommend’ – Ombudsman
While commentators have, time and again, questioned if the Office of the Ombudsman should have more “coercive powers”, by which its recommendations can be enforced, the Parliamentary Ombudsman himself, judge emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon thinks...
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5 years of Robert Abela as PM
Robert Abela is marking five years as Malta’s prime minister, with the Labour Party organising a special event today in a bid to revitalise his image, shaken in 2024 by an unexpected dip in popularity seen in the European Parliament and local council...
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‘I think it’s high time we revise local plans’ – Heritage Malta CEO says
When asked if Malta, as a country, is doing enough to safeguard its World Heritage Sites from the adverse effects of development, Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit stated that, in his opinion, “it’s never enough” and that “it’s high time we revise the...
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2024 A former PM in the dock, two ministers resign, and PL loses ground
The year, which is about to end, will be remembered as one in which, for the first time in Malta’s history, a former prime minister was charged with criminal offences. But an eventful 2024 also saw the resignation of two ministers, the swearing-in of...
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Principal Permanent Secretary defends public service efficiency amid overstaffing criticism
The Principal Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister has defended the public service’s efficiency from criticism, saying that describing it as ‘bloated’ or ‘overstaffed’ is an “incorrect sweeping statement”. The Malta Independent on...
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‘We need to change the way we do politics’ – Labour MEP Thomas Bajada
Labour MEP Thomas Bajada called for a “bottom-up” approach towards politics which thinks beyond the immediate term and acknowledges the public’s frustration towards traditional politics. “We need to change the way politics is done,” said the...
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Lack of agreement with Opposition delayed animal hospital reopening – Bugeja Said
The APH Veterinary Hospital in Ta’ Qali, which has been closed for over a year since August 2023, would have likely reopened by now had the government’s proposed amendments of the hospital’s emphyteusis gone through, Parliamentary Secretary for...
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Bartolo’s position as an MP is untenable – Beppe Fenech Adami
Clayton Bartolo’s position as a Member of Parliament is also untenable, long-time Nationalist Party MP Beppe Fenech Adami told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Fenech Adami was contacted for his opinion on the latest scandals and about the merging of...
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Local councils should have enforcement arm, greater say on planning applications, Naxxar mayor says
Local councils should have an enforcement arm and should have a greater say on major planning applications, Naxxar mayor Chris Deguara told The Malta Independent on Sunday. “The enforcement we are promised by government authorities is far from what is...
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All Sofia inquiry recommendations being studied, implemented, says BCA CEO
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is looking at and conducting a study on all of the recommendations of the Jean Paul Sofia inquiry, the BCA CEO architect Roderick Bonnici told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Bonnici was replying to a...
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Public’s approach towards authorities is ‘degenerating’
Despite positive statistics from different sources, showing that the rate of violence against public officers is going down, the general public’s approach towards them is “degenerating” due to a matter of culture, said Herman Mula, lawyer and president...
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Finance Minister prefers investor in national air carrier to be another airline
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has indicated that his preference for KM Malta Airlines’ future private sector investor to be another airline. In early October, the Finance Minister had said that around one-third of Malta’s national airline, KM Malta...
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Malta would be ‘almost definitely in a better place’ had Vitals deal succeeded – Health Minister
Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela admitted that Malta would be “almost definitely in a better place’ had the Vitals public-private partnership succeeded, but just because it soured, it does not mean that the country should do away with all publicprivate...
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Opposition’s attacks, threats on AG ‘unjust’ – Justice Minister
Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg “has my support, as do all other constitutional bodies”, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard told The Malta Independent on Sunday. The Attorney General has faced many calls for her resignation since being appointed in...
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Mandatory union membership would take Malta ‘closer to North Korea’, says former MEA director-general
Introducing mandatory union membership would take Malta a step closer to becoming like North Korea, former director-general of the Malta Employers’ Association Joseph Farrugia told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Farrugia was asked for a reaction...
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More effective discipline against judiciary members, lawyers required – Peter Fenech
The president of the Chamber of Advocates, Peter Fenech, wants to see more effective ways of disciplining both members of the judiciary and lawyers who do not do their duties in a correct manner. Fenech was interviewed by The Malta Independent on...
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