Malta

Gozo's route bus service has become fully electric following an €11 million investment by Malta Public Transport and the government; the buses were handed over this week with a ceremony at the charging station on Gozo's island

Partit Aħwa Maltin announced it will contest all districts in upcoming 30 May election, aiming to give voice to voters “let down by the duopoly system”; the conservative party was founded in 2020

Real estate is under public attention as authorities rejected a controversial planning proposal to build a shopping mall and a hotel on ODZ land in Marsascala, while long-delayed Metropolis project in Gżira is being revived with a new planning application

Two years after legal standards were introduced, pet groomers still operate without a professional licence or mandatory training as the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council hasn't yet specified qualification criteria required to trigger the actual licensing

The Malta Independent and environmental NGOs are leading "Justice for Our Land" campaign, demanding an immediate halt to construction works with pending planning appeals are pending; the "Halland Hotel" case triggered the initiative

An episode of gang-assault on the son of an MP has exposed a pattern of recurrent reports of similar gang activity and attacks on children, particularly during weekends, in family-friendly neighborhoods

Malta national waterpolo team players are being investigated for allegedly betting on their own matches at the European Championships; currently in Belgrade for finals, they are suspected of having bet on the goal difference of game against Montenegro

A series of consultation meetings have begun on proposed reforms to social media regulation aimed at increasing protection for children and vulnerable people, following the launch of a public consultation earlier this year

Law requires non-residents to obtain a permit before buying property preventing wealthy foreigners from speculating in Malta real estate, PM Robert Abela reminded to curb controversial affirmations made by officials at Shanghai Luxury Property Exhibition

A constitutional amendment to formally recognise Valletta as Malta's capital and introduce a new National Anthem Day on 27 December is being discussed in Parliament; the proposal prompted reflection on national identity and Valletta as a living city

National AI Strategy towards 2030 has been realigned: the question shaping Malta's AI frame is no longer whether AI will boost economy and transform society, but whether citizens will manage to shape that transformation or be shaped by it