The Sunday Times of Malta
Hailstorm leaves Malta icy, and farmers counting losses
A rare and intense hailstorm transformed parts of Malta into an icy spectacle overnight, blanketing streets and fields in white and drawing astonished residents outdoors. But while children played on hail-covered roads around the Rabat area, farmers in...
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Elderly victim was found barricaded in bathroom
The elderly man who was violently attacked by his care home roommate in October was found locked inside the bathroom with a desk pushed against the door to trap him inside, the magisterial inquiry has found. Furthermore, the aggressor had threatened a...
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Trump says US will ‘run’ Venezuela after Maduro is snatched
President Donald Trump yesterday said that the United States will “run” Venezuela and tap its huge oil reserves after snatching leftist leader Nicolas Maduro out of the country during a bombing raid on Caracas. Trump’s announcement came hours after a...
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Smoking rates hit record lows in Malta, but it’s only the men
Cigarette smoking rates have fallen to record lows, but Malta’s 20-year progress against tobacco use is entirely attributed to men, new research shows. The percentage of male smokers has plummeted from 2001 to 2023, while for women it has remained...
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President opens up about husband’s rapid cancer death
When President Myriam Spiteri Debono took to the L-Istrina stage last year to raise funds for families battling cancer, she never imagined the cause would soon become deeply personal. Just months later, her husband Anthony was diagnosed with an...
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Revealed: Galdes in apartmentfor-land barter with developers
Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes bartered an apartment in Xagħra for a plot of land in Għarb that was being bought by property magnates Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius and Daniel Refalo, can reveal. This is the second private deal struck...
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Grieving mother won’t celebrate Christmas
The mother of a 27-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash in July has no plans to celebrate Christmas until justice is served. On July 26, Tenyo Kosev was riding his Honda home to Paola after a gym session when he collided with a BMW 1 Series driven...
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‘Raided, isolated, traumatised’ – doctor recounts four-year ordeal
A doctor who spent almost four years under the stigma of drug trafficking charges says the ordeal was traumatic for him and his family after police raided his home and clinic and then strip-searched two members of his staff. Andrew Agius was arrested...
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‘I played dead’
Jackie Pflug lay face down on the Luqa airport tarmac, rainwater pooling beneath her cheek, fearing her breath might give her away. Five hours had already passed since the hijacker’s bullet tore through her head and sent her tumbling down the metal...
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His father killed his mum after abuse, illness. His new book now seeks justice
When Karl Schembri was a boy, his father carried a dark and unspoken history – years of sexual abuse at the hands of a priest. The trauma left deep scars, and as an adult, his father’s mind began to unravel. The voices that haunted him eventually drove...
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Revisions to planning law changes near, but key hurdle remains
Significant revisions to the proposed controversial changes to Malta’s planning laws appear to be on the horizon, with talks between NGOs and the government edging closer but at least one key clause remains a sticking point. Sources close to the...
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Gozitans studying in Malta to receive €280 monthly grant
Gozitan students who study in Malta will see their monthly grant increase to €280 to help with the financial burdens associated with their studies. The measure, which is set to be announced in tomorrow’s Budget, goes beyond the monthly stipend that...
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Parents urge authorities to free son stuck in Moroccan jail
The parents of a Maltese businessman are pleading with the authorities to revoke his international arrest warrants, as he remains detained in a Moroccan prison months after completing a two-year jail sentence. Rose and Marco La Rosa, the heartbroken...
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Labour ahead by 15,000 votes Times of Malta poll
Labour is five per cent ahead of the Nationalist Party and would win an election held tomorrow by around 15,000 votes, according to a new Times of Malta poll. The governing partys lead has narrowed slightly from February, when the predicted gap...
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Scrap the planning bills or face more protests
Demonstrators marched to Castille Square in Valletta yesterday as they piled on the pressure for the government to scrap its plans to dramatically overhaul planning laws. Endorsed by around 70 organisations, 163 academics and various political...
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‘I am impersonating my mum’s scammer in order to save her’
Four years ago, Maria’s mother went to the post office carrying a shoe box. The 78year-old told post workers she wanted to send a new pair of shoes to a relative in Belgium. It was a lie. There were no shoes, just €20,000 in cash she had been...
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Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition leader Alex Borg and their partners Lydia Abela and Sarah Bajada joined hundreds at the Malta Pride March 2025, hosted by Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC). Floats, banners and DJs brought vibrant energy as...
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Mildred’s last selfie of joy before death struck
Less than an hour before she was fatally struck by a car, Mildred Azzopardi shared a final snapshot of the simple joys she cherished most: tea and cheesecakes by the sea with her husband. At 9.10pm, the 62-year-old mother posted a selfie in the family...
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Premier League’s new sponsor is app with no Malta presence
The Malta Premier League’s title sponsor is an Armenianfocused app linked to a businessman whose former company was accused of breaching anti-money laundering laws. YoHealth recently took over the naming rights of Maltese football’s top flight for an...
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Minister plans to scale back planning reform after outcry
Planning Minister Clint Camilleri has pledged to roll back some key elements of the recent planning reform, after the quietly introduced changes triggered widespread anger just weeks ago. Most significantly, he said he plans to withdraw a contentious...
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Local plan for Villa Rosa site unchanged despite public consultations
A revised local plan for the Villa Rosa site in St George’s Bay has remained unchanged following two rounds of public consultation by the Planning Authority. Robert Abela’s cabinet has approved the final plan and will announce it in the coming weeks,...
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‘We still have no idea what led Karl to suicide’
Almost a year after the sudden death of Karl Gouder, one of Malta’s most admired politicians, his family still doesn’t know what drove him to take his own life, and they are beginning to accept it may be a mystery he carried with him to the grave. His...
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Deadliest week for road fatalities in at least 25 years
Six people were killed between July 23 and 29, marking the deadliest week on Malta’s roads in at least 25 years, a toll that one expert says is fuelled as a result of chronic failure to prioritise safety in road design. Data compiled by transport...
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Planning reform allows owners to pay to keep illegal developments
■ Illegal developments, including in ODZ, may receive a concession, upon paying a ‘hefty’ fine ■ Illegal developments built before 1994 eligible for full regularisation ■ Owners of illegal developments have four years to apply ■ Maximum daily fines...
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‘We’re not just here to work’
When Asim Jatt spoke out after being denied access to a toilet by a burger restaurant, he said it was not just for himself but for the many couriers who silently endure similar treatment and prejudice. His social media post has since sparked a broader...
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Armenian bank joins race for HSBC Malta
Ardshinbank, a leading Armenian bank owned by an Armenian businessman with past business links to Russia, has submitted a bid for HSBC Malta, Times of Malta has learnt. It is believed to be one of two Eastern European banks currently vying for HSBC’s...
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Borg and Delia tied among MPs but many undecided
PN MPs appear to be split between the two men contesting the leadership post, with a significant third of them saying they remain undecided, an exercise by Times of Malta has found. A seventh of Nationalist MPs and MEPs would vote for Adrian Delia if...
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Two convicted of Sliema double murder theft in 2020
Daniel Muka has been convicted of murdering Christian Pandolfino and Ivor Maciejowski in their Sliema home five years ago. A jury found Muka, 30, guilty of the August 2020 murder, returning a unanimous verdict yesterday afternoon after a 12day...
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‘What happens off-camera at PN is more important’
All eyes will be on Pietà today as the Nationalist Party formally begins the process of electing a new leader, with no candidate yet officially declaring their intention to run. The PN General Council is set to meet at party headquarters to outline...
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A ‘miniManhattan’ vision, but residents fear for their safety
A leading business figure insists that the flurry of construction in Paceville is part of a bold, longterm vision to modernise the district, despite the shock that has followed the collapse of a building. “I can see the end product: a kind of...
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Restaurant canopies along The Strand pose ‘catastrophic risk’
The outdoor restaurant structures located all along The Strand pose a “catastrophic risk” to pedestrians and residents, especially if a fire had to break out, a report by a risk management company found. The report highlights a grim reality: fire...
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Miniature reshuffle left practically none satisfied
A miniature cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday left practically everyone dissatisfied, with most ministers involved not getting what they wanted. Many ministers and junior ministers wanted to stay put but a few wanted fewer, or more, or different...
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‘I was relieved that I wasn’t chosen pope’ – Mario Grech
Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech has expressed relief at not being elected pope, saying he “returned home a free man” after this month’s conclave. Grech dismissed the assumption that all cardinals aspire to the papacy, calling it a misunderstanding of the...
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‘I thought I wouldn’t see my family again’
Maltese businessmen found themselves caught up in intense crossfire in Libya this week, surrounded by young men indiscriminately firing heavy artillery from their trucks, leading them to fear for their lives. Ray Muscat, who runs a machine importing...
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Six potential sites identified for land reclamation projects
The government has identified up to six potential areas for land reclamation, with exploratory discussions on the long-debated issue expected to begin in the coming days. A series of studies on sea depth have been conducted to determine the most...
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Schembri, Mizzi tied to ‘concealed €7.5m profit’ from wind farm deal
Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi played an active role in plans by “conspirators” to generate a €7.5 million “concealed profit” from an Enemalta wind farm deal, according to investigators. The ex-government officials planned to receive “illicit funds”...
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Thousands mourn pope ‘with an open heart’
Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome yesterday after a Vatican funeral for the “pope among the people” attended by hundreds of thousands of mourners and world leaders including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Around...
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APS blasts ‘evil machinations’ behind HSBC job cut claims
APS has forcefully denied allegations that it planned mass layoffs as part of a potential takeover of HSBC Malta, dismissing the claims as “lies” and “evil machinations” following its surprise withdrawal from the deal. APS pulled out of the race to...
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Malta history books to be updated
Legendary Grammy Award-winning singer Dionne Warwick, known for hits like Heartbreaker and spoke to ahead of her performance in Malta on Saturday. Students’ history curriculum and textbooks in schools will have to be updated now that a significant...
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Spike in home security demand as burglaries unsettle residents
Residents in some areas of Malta are ramping up home security after a series of bold burglaries in occupied homes rattled communities. Several localities, including Madliena, San Pawl tat-Tarġa, Lija and Balzan, have seen break-ins in recent weeks,...
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Local business consortium in joint bid for HSBC Bank
A group of mostly local businesses, including the Azzopardi Group, Gasan Group and Virtu Holdings, as well as current Lombard Bank CEO Joe Said, have submitted a bid for HSBC, according to sources. The group is believed to be composed of between 10...
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Car drivers to be offered €25,000 to give up licence for five years
The government plans to pay drivers €25,000 if they give up their licence for five years, Times of Malta is informed. Aimed at reducing the number of cars on Malta’s roads, the measure is expected to be announced soon alongside a number of other such...
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Plans for large convention centre, with MFCC expansion top option
The government is planning the development of a large convention centre, with plans to expand MFCC in Ta’ Qali being considered the most suitable option. “The government is actively exploring the development of a large, multi-purpose convention...
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Clayton Bartolo, wife hit with asset freeze in corruption probe
Ex-minister Clayton Bartolo and his wife Amanda Muscat have been hit with a temporary asset freeze as part of a corruption probe into suspicious payments received by her. Bartolo resigned as tourism minister in November, hours before Times of Malta...
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Malta offers to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia
Malta has offered itself as a mediator for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said yesterday in the wake of a shocking public row between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Borg said he had reached out through...
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Comino capacity cap to be introduced from summer
Comino’s Blue Lagoon can expect to see half the usual number of tourists during this summer’s busiest months, as the government plans to introduce a capacity cap for commercial boat operators. Speaking in an interview on Times of Malta’s podcast Times...
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Labour lead up to 18,700 votes: Times of Malta poll
The Labour Party would win 51.5% of the total vote, some 6.5% more than PN, if an election were held tomorrow, according to a new Times of Malta poll. The Nationalist Party stands at 45%, while the third parties would claim the remaining 3.5% of the...
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Homes for disabled taken over amid ‘shocking’ living conditions
A foundation that runs three homes for persons with disability has been taken over amid concerns about “shocking” living conditions in its facilities. Representatives of HILA, a part of Care Malta, last week took over the operations of Fondazzjoni...
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Maltese population could shrink by half in 45 years
The Maltese population could shrink by half in the next 45 years unless the country significantly improves its work-life balance, an academic has warned. Prof. Anna Borg stressed the urgency of the situation: “We aren’t understanding the severity of...
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€1m paid to expropriate 100m dead-end pathway in Gozo
The government paid €1m from taxpayer funds to expropriate a 100m pathway between two residential roads in Victoria, saying it will be transformed into a new road. The Gozo Ministry says the expropriation is for a public purpose, but sources fear it...
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Migration policy promises to ‘stabilise’ population growth
The recently unveiled Labour Migration Policy will “stabilise” Malta’s population growth, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has pledged. He said the aim behind the policy is for the population to grow at a slower rate and so not reach 800,000 by...
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Anger as doctors’ union stops patients’ transfers
The doctors’ union has ordered doctors to stop transferring patients to private hospitals, amid an industrial dispute stemming from a “bed crisis” at Mater Dei Hospital. The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) said it had declared an industrial dispute...
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Woman says visit to PL club led her to benefits racket
A woman who allegedly received disability benefits she was not entitled to told a court she was embroiled in the racket after seeking help from a ‘committee member’ at a Labour Party club. The woman and her husband said they met the man at the Fgura...
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Seven hospitalised as car ploughs into Żabbar market
Seven people were hospitalised and three were treated on site as a car ploughed into the Żabbar open-air market yesterday morning. A 79-year-old Maltese man who was driving the vehicle is being questioned by the police. No foul play is suspected. The...
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New ‘progressive’ party seeks to break PN-PL dominance
A new progressive party, with centre-left liberal leanings, is expected to join the political ranks in the coming weeks with a bid to rattle Malta’s two-party dominance. The Partit Malta Progressiva (PMP), ilProgressivi, will comprise individuals from...
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Russian ‘banker for criminals’ set to be stripped of Maltese passport
A Russian man who ran a “professional banking service for criminals across the world” is set to be stripped of his Maltese citizenship. Semen Kuksov, who acquired Maltese citizenship in 2022 under the government’s controversial passports scheme, was...
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Lavrov was ‘posturing’ amid Russian unease at Malta meeting
The Russian foreign minister’s controversial speech at a meeting in Malta last Thursday was described by diplomatic sources as “posturing” against a backdrop of unease among the Russian delegation. Sergey Lavrov made international headlines when he...
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Revealed: The secret agreement behind Steward’s ‘slush fund’
■ ■ Health officials had ‘grave concern’ about the impact increased payments would have on public finances; Fund terminated soon after Muscat, Mizzi and Schembri resigned. Payments into a suspected political bribery fund were linked to Steward Health...
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Guard against ‘Mexit’ by enshrining EU in the constitution
Malta should enshrine EU membership into the constitution to prevent a future leader “riding a populist wave” and taking the country out of the union, according to the head of the bloc’s business advisory group. Stefano Mallia, president of the...
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Abela rules out resignations over consultancy job scandal
Robert Abela is resolute not to ask for the resignation of ministers Clayton Bartolo and Clint Camilleri, two of his closest cabinet allies, despite the Standards Commissioner finding them guilty of breaching ethics. In an interview with Times of...
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‘I was stripped of my dignity’ – identity mix-up victim speaks out
Charlotte Casha has not been able to sleep in her bedroom since August 12 – when four armed and hooded police officers allegedly barged in on her while sleeping topless in what turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. “After the incident, I spent...
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Shopkeeper cleared after teen’s fatal balcony fall
A shopkeeper was cleared of causing the death of a 15-year-old girl who bought alcohol from his store, got drunk, felt sick in her friend’s balcony and toppled to her death on a Sliema street. What started out as a fun day for the two “very close...
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New measures to be proposed in bid to cut down on traffic
The government is planning the introduction of a park-and-ride system to ease congestion in areas known as severe traffic hot spots. Discussions have kicked off to introduce the service – which has already been operating in Valletta for several years...
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Revealed: the Villa Rosa plans presented to Cabinet
The Villa Rosa site is being earmarked for four luxury hotels, together with a convention centre, offices and a language school, according to a presentation delivered to Cabinet in recent weeks. The presentation convinced Cabinet to give its go-ahead...
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Major projects crash to a halt as board deadlock drags on
Several major government projects have ground to a halt, after the government’s contract review board stopped meeting just before summer, leaving pending cases before the board in limbo. The government’s public contracts review board (PCRB),...
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‘I work by day and live in Mount Carmel at night’
A woman with autism has described how she has no choice but to spend her nights at Mount Carmel Hospital, where she shares a ward with a man awaiting trial for murder and a self-proclaimed rapist. The 31-year-old holds down a full-time job during the...
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