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Malta

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Malta. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Valletta

Head of State

President Myriam Spiteri Debono

Head of Government

Prime Minister Robert Abela

An illustration of a map showing the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Chinese container ships pass through Strait of Hormuz at second attempt, data shows

The two ships, which had turned back on Friday, are the first non-Iranian container ships to leave the Gulf since the war began.

31 Mar 2026 - 4:30AMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

23 Nov 2025 - 5:46PM

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China urges Israel to halt ‘dangerous’ Gaza siege, calls for Arab unity

Beijing’s representative at the UN says Israel must comply with international law, restore aid access as humanitarian crisis worsens.

6 Aug 2025 - 7:41PMvideocam

China-EU relations

European Parliament names 5 lawmakers targeted in Huawei bribery scandal

Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

22 May 2025 - 6:50PM

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday named the lawmakers, who included a fellow Maltese politician, a Bulgarian and three Italians. Photo: AP

European Union

Malta’s ‘golden passports’ ruled illegal for breaking citizenship law: EU court

The European Court of Justice ruled that an EU nation cannot grant nationality or citizenship for payments or investments, as it would commercialise the process.

29 Apr 2025 - 5:59PM

World Trade Organization (WTO)

At WTO, China’s trade policy sparks war of words amid geopolitical unease

Concerns about industrial overcapacity and lack of transparency in state subsidies elicit ‘frank and open’ exchanges, revealing deep schisms.

20 Jul 2024 - 1:45AMvideocam

Wellness

Profile | 158cm Singaporean pharmacist on her transition to champion powerlifter

Singaporean pharmacist and record-breaking powerlifter Farhanna Farid talks about how the sport she got into accidentally has helped build her physical and mental strength.

14 Jul 2024 - 7:45AM

Singaporean powerlifter Farhanna Farid just before she broke a dead-lifting world record at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships earlier this year. The trained pharmacist talks about how the sport she accidentally fell into has made her strong mentally. Photo: SBD & White Lights Media

Profile

Filmmaker Yang Manman on China’s millions searching for belonging

Yang runs the Floating Population Club, a community art space for some of Guangzhou’s rootless

13 Jul 2024 - 11:45AM

Filmmaker Yang Manman runs the Floating Population Club, a community art space for some of Guangzhou’s rootless. Photo: Yu Fenghuai

Singapore

Singapore outranks Japan for world’s most powerful passport in 2024

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide, with the ability to visit 195 countries without a visa.

29 Jun 2024 - 11:02PMvideocam

US-China relations

Clash or coexist? Defusing US-China tensions is uncertain, even unlikely: analysts

‘The concept of peaceful coexistence is very laudable as a long-term aspirational goal. But I think it’s a bridge too far in today’s environment,’ one expert concludes.

30 Jun 2024 - 5:57AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Inside the EU’s China EV probe: ‘whole supply chain’ subsidy shock

Dozens of case handlers, 100-plus company visits, piecing together thousands of pages of evidence, tears new rift in an already fraught relationship.

27 Sep 2024 - 10:07AMvideocam

Chinese carmaker SAIC-GM-Wuling has been hardest hit by the European Union sanctions on electric vehicles made in China. Photo: Xinhua

Euro 2024

Czech player forced to miss Euro 2024 after falling off bike in freak injury

Michal Sadilek, who plays for Dutch side FC Twente, recently captained his country in friendly win against Malta but will sit out the European Championship tournament in Germany.

10 Jun 2024 - 1:00PM

Czech Republic midfielder Michal Sadilek will miss Euro 2024 after suffering a freak injury when he fell off his bike. Photo: DPA

European Union

Slovaks and others vote in EU elections under shadow of assassination attempt

Analysts say the Slovak ruling coalition has been using the attack on PM Robert Fico ‘expediently’ to boost his party’s chances of victory.

8 Jun 2024 - 5:10PM

China's economic recovery

The FOMO is real for China’s eager emigrants who see a move as now or never

Middle-class Chinese with the means to move abroad see a rapidly closing window of opportunity as developed countries tighten immigration policies, and the race is on as applicant interest surges.

7 Jun 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

European Union

Explainer | What’s at stake in the 2024 European Union elections

Nearly 400 million European Union citizens can go to the polls over the coming days to elect members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, in one of the biggest global democratic events.

6 Jun 2024 - 3:04PM

People casting their votes for the European Parliament in Castricum, The Netherlands. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-EU relations

EU members split sharply over measures to de-risk China economic ties

France leads those states eager to protect their industries from any unfair competition by Beijing while Germany and other free-traders say the market can handle it.

4 Jul 2024 - 2:55PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli minister blasts Spain’s plans to recognise Palestinian state

Speaking at a Madrid meeting of global far-right leaders, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said plans to recognise Palestinian state would be ‘rewarding’ Hamas attack.

20 May 2024 - 4:55AMvideocam

Technology

Letters | Mental strength can ensure a future for humans in the AI economy

Readers discuss nurturing the human capacity for learning, embracing the technology and using it ethically and responsibly.

12 May 2024 - 2:30PM

A slogan is seen at the Google booth at the Hannover Messe 2024 trade fair in Hannover, Germany, on April 22. Photo: Bloomberg

Ukraine war

China sees ‘opportune moment’ as it pushes for direct Russia-Ukraine talks

Special envoy Li Hui’s latest mission to Europe was met with scepticism, and could be seen as ‘signalling’ to the Global South that China is a responsible power.

20 Apr 2024 - 6:25AMvideocam

Food and Drinks

‘Best fish and chips’, dumplings: Austrian’s Hong Kong food picks

Stefan Gross, the managing director of food and wine importer Blue Danube Gourmet, reveals where he likes to eat in Hong Kong, from where to get ‘the city’s best fish and chips’ to ‘real comfort food’.

17 Apr 2024 - 12:45PM

Women and gender

Polish lawmakers vote to advance work on lifting near-total abortion ban

Abortion is a highly divisive issue in the traditionally Roman Catholic country, which has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe.

12 Apr 2024 - 9:25PM

United Nations

UN Security Council refers Palestinian full UN member application to committee

The United Nations Security Council said on Monday that it would decide this month on the Palestinians’ bid for full UN membership, with the long-shot campaign unlikely to survive US opposition.

9 Apr 2024 - 11:43AM

The UN Security Council holding a meeting at UN headquarters in New York. Photo: AFP

Fame and celebrity

Who is Louis Rees-Zammit, the ex-rugby player joining Travis Kelce in the NFL?

Former rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit – who hails from a small town in Wales with a population of less than 30,000 – is now part of the NFL’s biggest team, the Kansas City Chiefs … here’s what we know about him

5 Apr 2024 - 2:00PM

The Kansas City Chiefs have just signed former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, which means his new teammates include Taylor Swift’s beau Travis Kelce. Photos: @lrzammit/Instagram

United States

Pentagon scraps plan to spend US$2.5 billion on Intel chip grant

The shortfall is disrupting plans to distribute money from the Chips Act, a landmark piece of legislation meant to revitalise the US semiconductor industry.

13 Mar 2024 - 6:53AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Haiti gangs threaten civil war as PM faces pressure to quit

Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry is being pressured to quit or present a plan for a new government, as gang leaders who have unleashed deadly violence tighten their grip on the country.

7 Mar 2024 - 4:40PM

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Malta

Chinese container ships pass through Strait of Hormuz at second attempt, data shows

The two ships, which had turned back on Friday, are the first non-Iranian container ships to leave the Gulf since the war began.

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

China urges Israel to halt ‘dangerous’ Gaza siege, calls for Arab unity

Beijing’s representative at the UN says Israel must comply with international law, restore aid access as humanitarian crisis worsens.

European Parliament names 5 lawmakers targeted in Huawei bribery scandal

Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

Malta’s ‘golden passports’ ruled illegal for breaking citizenship law: EU court

The European Court of Justice ruled that an EU nation cannot grant nationality or citizenship for payments or investments, as it would commercialise the process.

At WTO, China’s trade policy sparks war of words amid geopolitical unease

Concerns about industrial overcapacity and lack of transparency in state subsidies elicit ‘frank and open’ exchanges, revealing deep schisms.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Profile | 158cm Singaporean pharmacist on her transition to champion powerlifter

Singaporean pharmacist and record-breaking powerlifter Farhanna Farid talks about how the sport she got into accidentally has helped build her physical and mental strength.

Filmmaker Yang Manman on China’s millions searching for belonging

Yang runs the Floating Population Club, a community art space for some of Guangzhou’s rootless

Singapore outranks Japan for world’s most powerful passport in 2024

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide, with the ability to visit 195 countries without a visa.

Clash or coexist? Defusing US-China tensions is uncertain, even unlikely: analysts

‘The concept of peaceful coexistence is very laudable as a long-term aspirational goal. But I think it’s a bridge too far in today’s environment,’ one expert concludes.

Inside the EU’s China EV probe: ‘whole supply chain’ subsidy shock

Dozens of case handlers, 100-plus company visits, piecing together thousands of pages of evidence, tears new rift in an already fraught relationship.

Czech player forced to miss Euro 2024 after falling off bike in freak injury

Michal Sadilek, who plays for Dutch side FC Twente, recently captained his country in friendly win against Malta but will sit out the European Championship tournament in Germany.

Slovaks and others vote in EU elections under shadow of assassination attempt

Analysts say the Slovak ruling coalition has been using the attack on PM Robert Fico ‘expediently’ to boost his party’s chances of victory.

The FOMO is real for China’s eager emigrants who see a move as now or never

Middle-class Chinese with the means to move abroad see a rapidly closing window of opportunity as developed countries tighten immigration policies, and the race is on as applicant interest surges.

Explainer | What’s at stake in the 2024 European Union elections

Nearly 400 million European Union citizens can go to the polls over the coming days to elect members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, in one of the biggest global democratic events.

EU members split sharply over measures to de-risk China economic ties

France leads those states eager to protect their industries from any unfair competition by Beijing while Germany and other free-traders say the market can handle it.

Israeli minister blasts Spain’s plans to recognise Palestinian state

Speaking at a Madrid meeting of global far-right leaders, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said plans to recognise Palestinian state would be ‘rewarding’ Hamas attack.

Letters | Mental strength can ensure a future for humans in the AI economy

Readers discuss nurturing the human capacity for learning, embracing the technology and using it ethically and responsibly.

China sees ‘opportune moment’ as it pushes for direct Russia-Ukraine talks

Special envoy Li Hui’s latest mission to Europe was met with scepticism, and could be seen as ‘signalling’ to the Global South that China is a responsible power.

‘Best fish and chips’, dumplings: Austrian’s Hong Kong food picks

Stefan Gross, the managing director of food and wine importer Blue Danube Gourmet, reveals where he likes to eat in Hong Kong, from where to get ‘the city’s best fish and chips’ to ‘real comfort food’.

Polish lawmakers vote to advance work on lifting near-total abortion ban

Abortion is a highly divisive issue in the traditionally Roman Catholic country, which has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe.

UN Security Council refers Palestinian full UN member application to committee

The United Nations Security Council said on Monday that it would decide this month on the Palestinians’ bid for full UN membership, with the long-shot campaign unlikely to survive US opposition.

Who is Louis Rees-Zammit, the ex-rugby player joining Travis Kelce in the NFL?

Former rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit – who hails from a small town in Wales with a population of less than 30,000 – is now part of the NFL’s biggest team, the Kansas City Chiefs … here’s what we know about him

Pentagon scraps plan to spend US$2.5 billion on Intel chip grant

The shortfall is disrupting plans to distribute money from the Chips Act, a landmark piece of legislation meant to revitalise the US semiconductor industry.

Haiti gangs threaten civil war as PM faces pressure to quit

Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry is being pressured to quit or present a plan for a new government, as gang leaders who have unleashed deadly violence tighten their grip on the country.

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

Profile | 158cm Singaporean pharmacist on her transition to champion powerlifter