Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Health hub in chaos: Minister pushes incomplete Paola facility to open
A long-delayed hospital project in Paola, originally scheduled for completion in 2022, remains unfinished but is suddenly a hive of activity as Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela pushes for a partial opening in the coming days. The Shift has learned...

Majority of Maltese back EU funding for migrant integration, survey shows
Maltese citizens are among the most likely in the European Union to value EU investment in the integration of migrants and refugees, according to a new Eurobarometer survey on regional policy. With 75% of respondents in Malta viewing this funding...

Malta Pride 2025: Celebrating inclusivity in Europe’s top LGBTQ+ destination
Malta Pride 2025 returns September 6–15, celebrating inclusivity in Europe’s top LGBTQ+ destination with parades, advocacy, and a decade-long equality legacy. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Malta Pride, a big celebration of expression, love, and...

57,000 broilers hit in Poland’s latest Newcastle disease case
Newcastle disease infections continue in Poland, with the newest reported instance involving a flock of nearly 57,000 broilers. A report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) stated that the presence of Newcastle disease was...
Updated: Speaker delivers ruling after lack of health committee meetings
Speaker Anglu Farrugia delivered a ruling on Tuesday in which he requested that the Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Parliamentary Secretary Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, "to do his utmost to reach a consensus," so that the Health...

We need to talk about cocaine use in Malta
I am a parent of a young child, soon to be two, and I am increasingly worried about the rise in drug use, especially cocaine, in our society. Let me be clear. This isn’t about demonising people who use drugs. Most recreational users are ordinary...
Council of Europe highlights poor physical condition of Malta’s ‘Victorian-era relic’ prison
A Council of Europe committee has highlighted the poor infrastructural condition of the Corradino Correctional Facility, describing it as "a relic of the Victorian era" which needs significant work in order to be fit for purpose as a prison. The...

Maltese football: A blend of tradition and digital excitement
Maltese football is a vibrant mix of historical passion and modern digital engagement, captivating fans and players alike. The local leagues are thriving, fueled by community support and technological advancements. The enthusiasm for football in...

Malta has just one palliative care consultant when it should have 12: MAM
Malta has just one palliative care consultant when global guidelines suggest it should have 12, the Medical Association of Malta has said. The doctors’ association said that the “severe shortfall” meant many palliative care services ended up in...

Dad of girl killed in Lockerbie disaster says alleged bombmaker is 'healthy' to stand trial
Tom Bevan and Sarah Lumley 17:55, 09 Jul 2025 The dad of a young Lockerbie victim who has spent over 35 years fighting for justice for his daughter may finally get it - as he has revealed the alleged bombmaker is now 'healthy' to stand trial next...

After multiple PN requests, Permanent Committee on Health set to meet after more than 20 months
Parliament’s Health Committee will be convening again after more than 20 months following requests by Opposition MPs. The last time the Permanent Committee on Health met was in October 2023. Since then, no sessions have been held, leading to what...
Malta has only 2 palliative care specialists when it needs 12, MAM says
Malta must aim higher than offering the minimum palliative care, the Medical Association of Malta said. For one thing, in Malta there are only two officially appointed palliative care specialists, one consultant and one resident specialist, when...

Pharmacists expose risks posed by medicines with no English information
Mary, an 80-year-old woman, has been receiving treatment for osteoporosis through the free government medicine scheme for some years. She was prescribed by her doctor a twice-daily dose of 500mg calcium pills, which she obtained from her local...

MEP Peter Agius urges EU to enforce environmental standards in Malta
MEP Peter Agius has urged the European Commission to take firmer action to ensure that Malta meets EU environmental standards, highlighting ongoing issues such as sewage spills, air pollution, and controversial waste management projects. Agius...

Even Montenegro has had enough of Malta’s dirty deals
Montenegro, one of the most corrupt states in Europe, sent its Deputy Prime Minister to rebuke Malta’s Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg. Montenegro is increasingly frustrated that, ten years after Enemalta purchased the Montenegrin wind farm in...

Newcastle disease restrictions lifted after clean bill of health for Malta's poultry
All restrictions imposed due to the Newcastle disease outbreak in Malta and Gozo have now been officially lifted, the Agriculture Ministry announced, following weeks of surveillance which confirmed no further cases in local poultry farms. The...

Medical Cannabis
Since cultivation of cannabis was legalised in Australia in 2016 for medical purposes (and only with a license), there’s been a surging interest in the product. And not just from the public. Worth an estimated AU$141 million in 2023, and US$21...

Health authorities concerned over ‘toxic, addictive’ nicotine product
Health authorities have raised the alarm over a new unregulated nicotine product that has become widely available in Malta amid marketing that targets young people. The product, nicotine pouches, carries several health risks, said the...

Blood donation session in Gozo this Sunday
On Sunday, there will be a blood donation session in Gozo, all groups are needed, the National Blood Transfusion Service said. Blood is still needed whatever the weather, even in the full heat of summer. The Service continues to encourage Gozitans...

Does Malta have a case in its dispute with the European Commission?
Malta's defence of its Article 56A amendment is causing a stir, although local lawyers claim the country has a point. Malta’s disagreement with the European Commission (EC) over its interpretation of European law is highly complex. Legal experts...