All articles tagged with #malta
A Maltese court acquitted tycoon Yorgen Fenech of ordering the 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, prompting outrage from her family and media-freedom groups; the verdict comes amid Malta’s ongoing rule-of-law crisis, including a 2021 inquiry that blamed state officials for impunity and protests that led to the prime minister's resignation, while other suspects have been convicted.
A Maltese jury found Yorgen Fenech not guilty of complicity and criminal conspiracy in the 2017 car bombing that killed investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a verdict coming after years of prosecutions and protests that culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat; several others have already been convicted in connection with the killing, and the case has highlighted concerns about accountability and impunity in Malta.
A Maltese jury acquitted Yorgen Fenech of involvement in the 2017 murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, despite prosecutors’ claim that he commissioned the hit; a key witness testified he paid €150,000 to arrange the killing, while Fenech admitted relaying messages but denied taking part. Two bombmakers and three hitmen have already been convicted, and the case continues to haunt Malta’s political elite as the journalist’s reporting on corruption helped trigger a national crisis and the 2019 resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
A Maltese jury acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech in the 2017 killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a verdict arrived after years of investigation that also saw multiple co-defendants convicted or pardoned. Caruana Galizia’s family said justice was not served and called for reforms, highlighting ongoing concerns about institutional failures revealed by the case.
A 26-year-old Chinese jet skier was killed when Malta’s famous Kissing Elephants arch collapsed beneath him shortly after a 32-year-old American tourist dove from the rock; his 27-year-old female companion was seriously injured and hospitalized. The diver was rescued by a passing boat and reportedly not hospitalized. Tourists have not been named, and Outdoor Explorers Malta called the incident an immeasurable tragedy.
The Maltese coast guard says a migrant boat capsized off Malta, and 10 bodies have been recovered with search-and-rescue operations ongoing as authorities assess the incident and the broader dangers of Mediterranean crossings.
A powerful explosion at the Ta' Lourdes fireworks factory in northern Malta injured two men in nearby fields, with a second blast and smaller detonations continuing hours later; authorities said no workers were at the factory at the time, and Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed sympathy and said assistance would be provided.
Malta’s prime minister Robert Abela declares a historic fourth‑term Labour victory after a snap election, with preliminary results showing a slimmer majority and the opposition conceding; European figures involved in the campaign signalled the high‑stakes nature of the vote.
Malta will give every citizen and resident free ChatGPT Plus for 12 months after completing an AI literacy course designed by the University of Malta, in a first-of-its-kind OpenAI–government deal called AI for All. Distribution is handled by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and extends to Maltese abroad, aiming to boost AI adoption and responsible use, with the plan potentially serving as a template for other countries while financial terms remain undisclosed.
Malta hosts some of the world’s oldest megalithic structures, whose ancient origins and enduring mysteries continue to captivate archaeologists and historians.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, also known as the Knights of Malta, issues the world's rarest passport, with only around 500 diplomatic passports in circulation. Despite not having any land, the Order is a sovereign nation with its own constitution, UN observer status, and a rich history dating back nearly 1,000 years. Visitors to Malta can explore various sites related to the Order's history, including Fort St. Angelo, the National Library of Malta, and St John’s Co-Cathedral, where Caravaggio's famous painting is displayed.
Production of the sequel to "Gladiator" is set to resume in Malta on December 4th after a strike by actors caused delays. The strike, which lasted 118 days, was resolved after studios agreed to provide protections for the use of artificial intelligence in film and television and a pay increase. The sequel stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi, with Russell Crowe not returning due to his character's death in the original film. The film is set to be released on November 22, 2024, and is distributed by Paramount Pictures.
More than 65 countries, excluding Russia, are participating in two-day talks in Malta to discuss Ukraine's 10-point peace plan. The meetings aim to garner international support for President Zelenskyy's plan, especially as the focus on Ukraine risks being overshadowed by conflicts in the Middle East. Russia, which was not invited, has dismissed the initiative as one-sided. The five points of the plan to be discussed include nuclear safety, energy security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and deportees, and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Malta, acting as a peace broker, expressed its support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of multilateralism and adherence to international law.
The third round of Ukrainian-backed peace talks, aimed at ending the war with Russia, opened in Malta with representatives from over 60 countries, excluding Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that his 10-point peace plan would gain global support, while a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman dismissed the talks as "blatantly anti-Russian." The discussions focused on key areas such as Ukraine's territorial integrity, nuclear security, energy infrastructure protection, food security, and humanitarian issues. The talks aimed to generate a joint statement, unlike previous meetings, and both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a challenging winter ahead.
Malta, a constitutionally neutral country, has called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, stating that its neutrality does not mean indifference to the suffering caused by Russian aggression. Prime Minister Robert Abela made the statement during a speech at the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that Malta opposes military aggression and unilateral actions against members of the global community. He urged all nations to unite in ending the war and highlighted the impact of the conflict on food security, calling on Russia to re-join the Black Sea Grain Initiative and allow vital food supplies to leave Ukraine.