Valletta FC Secures Premier League Return

Mar 2 2025

Valletta FC has clinched the BOV Challenge League title after a commanding 3-0 win against Tarxien Rainbows last night, confirming their promotion to the Premier League.

The victory, highlighted by goals from Andrei Ciolacu, Enoch Matiti, and Jake Azzopardi, extended Valletta’s lead to 16 points over both Tarxien and Swieqi United, with several matches still to play.

The win marks a triumphant return to the Premier League for one of Malta’s most storied clubs. After suffering relegation for the first time in their 120-year history last season, Valletta’s stay in the Challenge League has been brief.

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600 Cars Stopped and Inspected By Police During Carnival Weekens

Mar 2 2025

Over the very popular Maltese Carnival weekend, police have stopped and inspected around 600 vehicles, with most road checks taking place in Għadira and Gozo, as many motorists travelled to the sister island for some traditional Gozitan carnival celebrations.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, the police reported that the vast majority of drivers were found to be following the law.

However, officers issued 37 fines for various infractions, including driving without a valid licence, using a mobile phone while driving, and failing to display a valid licence sticker on the windscreen.

In addition, eight criminal charges were filed, while a further 20 fines were handed out to drivers caught exceeding speed limits.

Authorities have confirmed that routine inspections will continue in the coming days to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic regulations.

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Study Reveals That Legalising Cannabis Did Not Make It More Attractive To Youth

Mar 1 2025

A recent study has revealed that the recent legalisation of cannabis did not make it more attractive to youth.

The research, surveying 400 non-drug users aged 18 to 30, found that 92% were confident in their ability to remain drug-free, regardless of legal changes.

Led by Andrew Azzopardi, former dean of the Faculty for Social Well-being, in collaboration with Caritas Malta, the study focused on why young people choose to avoid drugs, shifting attention away from why people start using them.

Malta legalised recreational cannabis in December 2021, making it the first EU country to do so. The move, however, attracted criticism from organisations like Caritas and Sedqa, which warned it could lead to higher consumption and stronger drug forms.

The study found that 40% of respondents believed obtaining drugs would be difficult, while 53% saw drug use as harmful. A lack of curiosity (77%) and financial concerns (61%) were key reasons for avoiding drugs. Education played a role, with 77% crediting awareness campaigns for their decision-making.

The study highlighted the importance of social support, with 80% of respondents seeing refusal strategies and support from friends and family as effective in avoiding drug use.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg Confirms Malta Offer To Host Peace Talks Between Russia And Ukraine

Mar 1 2025

Malta has offered to act as a mediator in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg announced, whilst speaking on RTK103, following a dramatic public clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Borg revealed that he had reached out to US officials through private diplomatic channels to propose Malta’s mediation services, aligning with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s call for peace negotiations.

“I am certain that many other countries have made similar offers, but we stand ready and willing to provide a space for talks,” Borg stated, highlighting Malta’s recent role in hosting high-level officials from the US, Russia, and China.

The Foreign Affairs Minister made these remarks on Saturday, a day after US President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance publicly rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

The confrontation, which stunned world leaders, overshadowed what was intended to be a signing ceremony for a rare minerals agreement granting the US access to crucial Ukrainian natural resources.

Malta hosted a round of peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine war in October 2023, but with Russia refusing to participate, the discussions ultimately led to no significant progress.

Malta saw greater success in fostering diplomacy in December 1989 when it hosted a high-level summit between US President George H. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, an event widely regarded as a pivotal moment in ending the Cold War.

Former MP Franco Debono referenced this achievement in a social media post on Saturday morning, urging the Maltese government to take on a similar role in facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

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