Multiple European countries announced recognition of a Palestinian state during a summit at the UN General Assembly on Monday. The countries who recognized Palestine today include France, Belgium, Monaco, Luxembourg and Malta. Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized Palestine yesterday.
Archiv: Malta
Freedom Flotilla Refuses Silence After Attack: ‘Madleen’ Will Sail for Gaza
MALTA | May 15, 2025 – In the face of state terrorism, media silence, and mounting global complicity, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) today announces that its mission to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza will move forward, undeterred. We are preparing our next vessel, Madleen, named in 2014 after Gaza’s only fisherwoman at the time; a symbol of resistance and resilience, to sail in May to Gaza, carrying our solidarity with Palestinians and our cargo of hope.
Aid vessel bound for Gaza attacked near Malta, Cyprus-based ship received SOS
Initial reports said Cyprus received an SOS distress signal and sent a ship to help extinguish a fire which had resulted on board.
The defence ministry in Cyprus clarified that the ship was aided by a Limassol-based vessel, sailing under a Liberian flag, which happened to be in the area and responded to the SOS as per international maritime requirements.
UPDATED | Freedom Flotilla Coalition says ship attacked by drone just outside Maltese territorial waters
The Maltese government has disputed claims that it did not offer assistance to the Conscience, insisting that a tugboat with firefighting equipment was on site within minutes.
In a statement on Friday morning, the government released a timeline of events, including a photo of the tugboat spraying water onto the humanitarian ship.
The Conscience, which has remained anchored just outside territorial waters, is being monitored by the authorities.
The timeline provided by the government being reproduced below contradicts the claim that the humanitarian vessel received no assistance:
00:20am (local time): Malta Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) received a Mayday call from the passenger vessel Conscience, reporting a fire on the bow while outside territorial waters. The vessel had 12 crew members on board and 4 civilian passengers; no casualties were reported. The crew confirmed the fire was not under control and requested immediate assistance.
00:21am: A nearby tug located approximately one nautical mile away contacted Malta VTS, confirmed it was equipped with firefighting capabilities and offered immediate support. The tug arrived on scene and began firefighting operations.
1:28am: The fire was reported under control. An Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessel was also dispatched to provide further assistance.
2:13am: All crew were confirmed safe but refused to board the tug. Assistance was provided to support interior firefighting efforts.
3:45am: The vessel and its crew were secure.
Gaza aid vessel ‚attacked by drones‘ just outside Malta waters
Times of Malta is informed that the fire was put out in the early hours on Friday, and an Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat was dispatched to the location of the vessel.
Hours after the fire was put out, Flotilla and activists supporting the campaign were still urging the Maltese authorities to rescue the people aboard.
However, the Maltese government told the media that the people on board had refused to board a tug vessel that had put out the fire following contact with the Malta Vessel Traffic Services.
CONTACT: Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister
Robert Abela
Address
Office of the Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta VLT 106
robert.abela@gov.mt
Tel
2200 2400
Secretariat
Head of Secretariat
Mark Mallia
mark.a.mallia@gov.mt
Tel
2200 2400
Head of Communications
Edward Montebello
edward.montebello.1@gov.mt
Tel
2200 2400
Head of Government Customer Care Unit
Owen Grech
owen.grech.1@gov.mt
Tel
2200 2495
Principal Permanent Secretary
Tony Sultana
Address
Office of the Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta VLT 106
pps@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1489
Secretariat
Head of Secretariat
Clive Farrugia
Email clive.farrugia@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1489
Personal Assistant for the Principal Permanent Secretary
Gillian Micallef
Email gillian.a.micallef@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1489
Cabinet Office
Address
Office of the Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta VLT 106
Secretary to the Cabinet
Ryan Spagnol
ryan.c.spagnol@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1422
Director General
Philip Massa
philip.massa@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1285
Internal Audit and Investigation
Address
Triq Sa Maison
Floriana
FRN1613
Director General (Internal Audit and Investigation)
Kevin Agius
kevin.f.agius@gov.mt
Tel
2200 5936
Director (Financial Investigations)
Kevin Calleja
kevin.calleja@gov.mt
Tel
2200 5936
Director (Audit and Risk Management)
Kurt Azzopardi
kurt.azzopardi@gov.mt
Tel
2200 5951
Director (EU Funds Audits)
Mariel Farrugia
mariel.b.farrugia@gov.mt
Tel
2200 5921
Director (EU Funds)
Annalise Mamo
annalise.b.mamo@gov.mt
Tel
2200 59218
Support Services Division (SSD)
Address
Office of the Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta VLT 106
Director General (Support Services)
John Abela
john.abela@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1014
Director (Finance & Administration) Support Services Division
Jessica Abela
jessica.a.abela@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1073
Director (Policy Development and Programme Implementation), Support Services Division
Claudine Sciberras
claudine.b.sciberras@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1844
Director (Operations)
Neil Spiteri
neil.a.spiteri@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1787
Information Management Unit
Address
13, St Paul’s Street
Valletta
Chief Information Officer
Joseph Tedesco
joseph.tedesco@gov.mt
Tel
2200 5357
Department of Information
Address
3, Castille Place
Valletta
Director (Information)
Roderick Caruana
roderick.a.caruana@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1729
Government Printing Press
Address
A29, Industrial Estate
Qasam Industrijali
Marsa
Director General (Printing Press)
Osvaldo Pace
osvaldo.pace@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1367
Coordination and Implementation Division
Address
55A Zachary Street
Valletta
Director General (Coordination and Implementation)
Oreste Cassar
oreste.cassar.1@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1314
Director (Inspections Coordination Office)
Mary Anne Schembri
mary-anne.schembri@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1409
Director (Governance Action)
Jacqueline Bonnici
jacquline.bonnici@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1408
Director (Projects Implementation)
Aaron Abdilla
aaron.a.abdilla@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1408
Head (Document Management)
Carlo Apap Bologna
carlo.apap-bologna@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1908
Permanent Secretary (People & Standards), OPM
Joyce Cassar
Address
3, Castille Place
Valletta
Email joyce.cassar@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1317
Head (Industrial Relations Unit), People & Standards Division
Thomas Woods
thomas.woods@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1038
Director General (Quality of Service), People & Standards Division
Joseph Bugeja
joseph.j.bugeja@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1833
Director (People Resourcing and Compliance), People & Standards Division
Leo Bonnici
leo.bonnici@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1316
Director (People Relations), People & Standards Division
Charmaine Busato
charmaine.busato@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1202
Director (People Strategy & Projects), People & Standards Division
Hannah Guarracino
Hannah.guarracino@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1318
Director (Research and Personnel Systems), People & Standards Division
Espedito Grech
espedito.grech@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1045
Institute for the Public Services
Address
Administration Block B
Triq San Maison
Floriana
Principal
Keith Bartolo
keith.bartolo.1@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1874
Director (Training and Development)
Joanna Genovese
joanna.genovese@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1875
Director (Strategy and Support)
Marisa Scerri
marisa.b.scerri@gov.mt
Tel
2200 1208
Electoral Office
Address
The Electoral Commission
Counting Complex
ex. Trade Fair Grounds
Naxxar
Chief Electoral Commissioner
Joseph Camilleri
joseph.b.camilleri@gov.mt
Tel
2123 6380
Director (Operations), Electoral Office
John Galea
john.b.galea@gov.mt
Tel
2558 3121
Director (Electoral)
Jeffrey Ellul
jeffrey.ellul@gov.mt
Tel
2558 3201
Head (Policy Development and Programme Implementation)
Joseph Fenech
joseph.a.fenech@gov.mt
Tel
2558 3103
Head (ICT Operations)
James Handyside
Email james.handyside@gov.mt
Tel
2558 3141
Public Service Commission
Address
Palazzo Spinola
St Christopher Street
Valletta
Executive Secretary
Myrna Azzopardi
myrna.azzopardi@gov.mt
Tel
2247 8603
Freedom Flotilla Attacked — Ship in Distress, Immediate Action Needed from Maltese Government
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome advised that a tugboat has been sent out and is on the scene. Our communications with the vessel were destroyed in the attack and we are unable to confirm this. Under international maritime law and conventions Malta is obliged to act and ensure the safety of a civilian ship in distress within its proximity. The lack of response and information about the rescue efforts breaches international customary law.
Five EU Nations Likely To Recognise Statehood For Palestine; Unhappy Israel Dubs Stance ‚Prize For Terrorism‘
Watch as EU‘s Foreign Policy Chief reveals at the World Economic Forum that five EU members, including Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, and Malta, may recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May.
„Present UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire,“ activists, PL MEPs urge Malta
Pursuant to this obligation, Frazier announced Malta’s initiative to coordinate an E10 draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
„Since then, Malta has been working tirelessly to arrive at a consensual text, agreeable to both the elected and permanent members, which we hope the Security Council will be able to action in the coming days.
Die EZB hebt Zinsen weiter an. Das Resultat weiter steigender Zinsen aber könnte die Wirtschaft in Deutschland noch stärker unter Druck bringen. Vor allem für die deutsche Industrie weisen alle Indikatoren weiter nach unten.
(…)
Malta – Valletta [Jan 23, 2022]
World Wide Rally for #Freedom
No vax mandates & passports!
#wewillALLbethere #WorldwideDemonstration #NoVaccinePassports #NoGreenPass #NoAlPaseSanitario #PassaporteSanitárioNÃO #GeenQR #NonAuPassVaccinal #Valletta #Malta
Bericht: Maltas Regierung Mitschuld an Tod von Journalistin
Die 53-jährige Caruana Galizia war am 16. Oktober 2017 in Malta bei einem Bombenanschlag auf ihr Auto getötet worden. Sie hatte regelmäßig über Korruption, Geldwäsche und andere illegale Geschäfte in ihrer Heimat berichtet. Darin verwickelt waren nach ihren Recherchen auch Mitglieder der Regierung.
Malta: Klagen gegen ermordete Journalistin zurückgezogen
Der Mann hatte die Fälle demnach im März 2017 eingereicht, nachdem Caruana Galizia auf ihrem Blog einige Artikel über Korruption bei einem Deal veröffentlicht hatte, mit dem der Geschäftsmann ein großes Gebiet an öffentlichem Grund bewilligt bekommen hatte.
Korruptionsanklage gegen Ex-Kabinettschef von Malta
Der langjährige Kabinettschef der maltesischen Regierung, Keith Schembri, ist wegen Korruption angeklagt worden. Ein Gericht verkündete die Anklage wegen Geldwäsche, Korruption, Betrugs und Unterschriftenfälschung heute und lehnte eine Freilassung auf Kaution ab.
Suspected Daphne Caruana Galizia bomb suppliers arrested
In the past weeks, Muscat has been cooperating with authorities to reach a plea deal with prosecutors that will see him serve a reduced sentence in exchange for a confession and testimony about fellow co-conspirators.
Malta: Schuldbekenntnis in Mordfall Daphne Caruana Galizia
Einer von drei Männern, die wegen Mordes an der Bloggerin Daphne Caruana Galizia vor Gericht stehen, hat sich heute schuldig bekannt.
Mediterranean leaders ready for EU sanctions on ‘confrontational’ Turkey
After talks with the leaders of Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Cyprus in the resort of Porticcio outside the local capital Ajaccio, Macron adopted a slightly milder tone, saying the leaders wanted to reengage in a dialogue with Turkey „in good faith“.
Libya‘s deputy prime minister, foreign minister in Malta meetings
Libya’s deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Mateegh and Foreign Minister Taher Siala on Sunday had meetings in Malta with President George Vella and Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo.
Melvin Theuma ‚critical‘ with knife wounds to neck, chest
Laywer and MP Jason Azzopardi, who is representing the Caruana Galizia family in court, asked through a Facebook post how the police could reach the conclusion so fast that the incident was an attempted suicide.
RSF set to testify in public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia as key witness found with slit throat
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is set to testify in the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia as self-confessed middleman and key witness Melvin Theuma was found at his home with a slit throat. RSF is in the country and monitoring developments closely.
Suspected mercenaries were released from arrest after two days
A group of 20 men evacuated from Benghazi, Libya and suspected of having been contracted to lend support to General Khalifa Haftar’s forces, were held under arrest in Malta for two days before being released without charge.
Multiple law enforcement sources speaking to this newspaper say the police are still investigating the incident, almost a year on since the arrival of the men on two RHIBs (rigid-hull inflatable boats) at the Valletta seaport in June 2019.
By Air and Sea, Mercenaries Landed in Libya. But the Plan Went South.
The abortive mercenary expedition last summer was organized and financed by a network of secretive companies in the United Arab Emirates, according to a confidential report submitted to the United Nations Security Council in February. The companies are controlled or part-owned by Christiaan Durrant, an Australian businessman and former fighter pilot who is a close associate of Erik Prince, America’s most famous mercenary entrepreneur.
Bericht zu Projekt „Opus“: UN enttarnen Geheimprojekt in Libyen
Im Bürgerkriegsland Libyen war offenbar eine Geheimmission privater Einsatzkräfte im Gange – gelenkt aus den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten. Das geht aus einem Bericht der Vereinten Nationen hervor, aus dem die Nachrichtenagenturen dpa und Bloomberg zitieren. Dubiose Sicherheitsfirmen wollten demnach den libyschen Warlord Chalifa Haftar unterstützen – und schmuggelten dazu Hubschrauber und planten Überfälle auf Schiffe im Mittelmeer.
Western Team Went to Help Moscow’s Man in Libya, UN Finds
Opus and Lancaster 6 financed and directed an operation to provide Haftar’s forces with helicopters, drones and cyber capabilities through a complex web of shell companies, according to two diplomats who briefed Bloomberg on the contents of the UN Panel of Experts report shared with the Security Council’s sanctions committee in February. The diplomats also shared excerpts of the report with Bloomberg.
Malta minister quits in latest fallout from journalist murder
Another Maltese minister has quit after a paper reported links between her policeman husband and the man suspected of masterminding a journalist’s murder, the government said on Monday.
Maltas Polizeichef erklärt Rücktritt
Die Bloggerin Daphne Caruana Galizia war im Oktober 2017 mit einer Autobombe ermordet worden. Sie hatte zu Korruption in Regierung und Geschäftswelt recherchiert.
Repubblika publishes guiding manifesto for ‚new Republic‘
NGO lays out its future as a pressure group with ambitious seven-point document
The ambitious seven-point document contains detailed proposals tackling ethics in public life, the strengthening of the constitution through reform, participative citizenship and education, making the switch to a sustainable economy, the environment, inclusion and social justice as well as equal justice and guaranteed liberties.
Malta: Abela wird neuer Premierminister
Der neue Parteichef Abela soll wenig später auch zum Regierungschef des kleinen EU-Landes ernannt werden. Er löst den Sozialdemokraten Joseph Muscat ab, der im Zusammenhang mit der Krise nach dem Mord an der regierungskritischen Journalistin Daphne Caruana Galizia abtreten musste.
Malta‘s ruling party to vote for new PM over journalist‘s slaying
Dubbed the „one woman WikiLeaks“, Daphne Caruana Galizia exposed corruption at the highest levels. She was killed in a car bomb on October 16, 2017 in an attack that made world headlines.
Mord an Journalistin: Maltas Premier kündigt Rücktritt an
Maltas Premier Joseph Muscat hat in der Krise um den Mord an der Journalistin Daphne Caruana Galizia am Sonntag seinen Rückzug angekündigt. Er werde Mitte Jänner als Premier und Chef der regierenden Sozialdemokraten zurücktreten, gab Muscat in einer TV-Ansprache bekannt. Unterdessen gingen Tausende Menschen in Valletta gegen die Regierung auf die Straße.
Malta‘s ruling party lawmakers back embattled prime minister
The Labour Party statement after its meeting on Sunday also said Chris Cardona, the economy minister who suspended himself from his duties on Tuesday after having been mentioned by a suspect in the investigation, has now been reinstated in his position.
Malta nach Mord an Journalistin: Ein Staat im Ausnahmezustand
So weit ist es gekommen: In einem EU-Staat beraten Minister, ob einer der einflussreichsten Wirtschaftsbosse der Insel nicht angeklagt wird, der behauptet, den wirklichen Drahtzieher eines Mordes zu kennen. Und der nennt einen Mann, der bis vor wenigen Tagen Mitglied der Regierung war, dann erst zurücktrat, schließlich festgenommen wurde, heute Nacht wieder auf freien Fuß kam und – so sagt es die maltesische Polizei – auch erst einmal nicht wieder verhaftet werden soll.
Journalistinnenmord auf Malta: Immunität für Verdächtigen
Recherchen zu Korruption auf höchster Ebene
Die 53-jährige Caruana Galizia war am 16. Oktober 2017 bei einem Bombenanschlag auf ihr Auto getötet worden.