The National Skills Council organised its second workshop which is leading up to the creation of the National Skills Strategy. This event was organised in collaboration with Transport Malta following the first workshop conducted last September. This event brought together government representatives, industry partners, and key stakeholders to collectively refine action areas that will form Malta’s first National Skills Strategy. The workshop aimed to further develop and enhance the drafting of action areas to modernize skills, while presenting international best practices relevant to the needs of the Maltese workforce, and seeking solutions to skills gaps. A specific focus was given towards discussing these themes with respect to the maritime sector, a government statement read. The workshop, the government said, focused on eight priority areas that are fundamental to skills’ evolution across the Maltese islands: honing skills intelligence and improving career guidance, preparing young people for the jobs...

The CEO of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS) Jean Claude Micallef submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday afternoon. “With regret, I have just submitted my letter of resignation from Chief Executive of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport,” Micallef, who is also a former PL MP, wrote on social media. This comes just three months after Micallef took on the role in December. Times of Malta recently reported that Micallef had engaged Jermain Brincat in a contract to work with AIMS, despite Brincat being a former football player who had been banned from football for life over match-fixing. His resignation also comes shortly after Times of Malta reported that Sports Minister Clifton Grima allegedly refused to accept the resignations of AIMS Chairman and retired Judge Antonio Mizzi as well as the secretary of the authority, Frank Camilleri. In his resignation letter, which is addressed to...

The Mayor of Sliema, John Pillow, said he wishes the two BCRS machines in his locality would be removed because of the amount of filth around them. “It cannot be, it’s too much,” he remarked. He said this during a meeting organised by the Environment and Resources Authority on Tuesday. Pillow commented that there is a great amount of filth and bad smell around the machines, and added that he wishes someone would take action so that the area around them is kept clean. The Sliema Mayor also spoke about waste management, as he said that Sliema previously used to pick up recycling twice a week, with one of those days also being for picking up glass. He commented that with this system, Sliema never had issues with boxes, bags, or anything else around the locality. “A big mistake was made when the collection of glass was...

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided to censor Malta’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, “Kant”, sung by Miriana Conte. Posting on Instagram, Miriana Conte said: “Currently filming the official ‘KANT’ music video, literally living my best life. We’ve just been notified that @ebu_hq has decided against using the Maltese word ‘Kant’ in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. While I’m shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on – Diva NOT down.” TVM wrote that a short while ago, the ESC Reference Group of the EBU communicated with PBS that it cannot use the Maltese word “kant”. This decision was taken following a report by an EBU member to the same Reference Group, understood to be the BBC, TVM wrote. In its decision, the EBU stated that it is requesting...

The chief of the European Union’s executive on Tuesday proposed an 800 billion euro ($841 billion) plan to beef up defenses of EU nations to lessen the impact of potential U.S. disengagement and provide Ukraine with military muscle to negotiate with Russia following the freeze of U.S. aid to the embattled nation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the massive “REARM Europe” package will be put to the 27 EU leaders who will meet in Brussels on Thursday in an emergency meeting following a week of increasing political uncertainty from Washington, where President Donald Trump questioned both his alliance to the continent and the defense of Ukraine. “I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face,” von der Leyen said. Key to the quandary of EU nations has been an unwillingness to spend much on defense over the past...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told leaders gathered Sunday for a summit on the war in Ukraine that they need to step up and continue to support Kyiv and meet a “once in a generation moment” for the security of Europe. “Even while Russia talks about peace, they are continuing their relentless aggression,” Starmer said at the opening of the meeting. Starmer, flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, said the three of them had agreed to work on a plan to stop the fighting, and take that to the U.S., which has discussed brokering a peace deal. “We need to agree what steps come out of this meeting to deliver peace through strength for the benefit of all,” he said. “So, let’s get started.” The meeting has been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding of Zelenskyy by U.S. President Donald Trump, who blasted him Friday at...

Napoli substitute Philip Billing stopped Inter Milan from taking a significant step toward retaining the Serie A title on Saturday. Billing scored in the 87th minute to secure a 1-1 draw for Napoli against the league leader and defending champion. Inter remained top of the table, just one point above Napoli and three above Atalanta, which drew 0-0 at home to relegation-threatened Venezia. “It feels unbelievable. This is what you dream of, in a game like this,” said Billing, who was playing his second match for Napoli after joining on loan from Bournemouth. “And to be fair you dream of it, but I couldn’t really have thought of it. You know, you come on and you just try to do your best.” Napoli had failed to win any of its previous four matches, allowing Antonio Conte’s former team to overtake it at the top of the table....

Valletta Regent Pharmacy, 70, Triq Merkanti;  Ħamrun Chemimart International Pharmacy, 650, Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp; Żebbuġ Tal-Grazzja Pharmacy, Triq Franġisk Farrugia;  Santa Venera St. Bartholomew Pharmacy, 30, Triq Fleur-De-Lys;  Ta’ Xbiex Remedies Chemists, Marina Court, 49A, Triq l-Abate Rigord;  Ibraġġ St. Andrew’s Pharmacy, Triq il-Qasam;  Sliema Chemimart Pharmacy, 4,5,6, il-Piazzetta, Triq it-Torri;  Naxxar Brown’s Naxxar Centre Pharmacy, Vjal il-21 ta’ Settembru;  Attard Brown’s St. Mary Pharmacy, 2, Triq Antonio Schembri;  St. Paul’s Bay St. Paul’s Bay Pharmacy, 504, Triq il-Kbira;  Paola Fleming Pharmacy, 61, Triq Ħaż-Żabbar;  Cospicua Verdala Pharmacy, 57, Triq il-Gendus;  Marsaskala Bellavista Pharmacy, Triq Salvu Buhagiar; Marsaxlokk Fisherman’s Cove Pharmacy, 11, Triq tas-Silġ;  Żurrieq Salus Pharmacy, 21, Misraħ ir-Republika;  Santa Venera Collis Williams St. Venera Pharmacy, 532, Triq il-Kbira San Rabat Ġużepp; Nova Pharmacy, 142, Triq il-Kulleġġ; Malta International Airport: The 8 Till Late Pharmacy is open every day from 8am to 8pm. Gozo Victoria Batu Pharmacy, 38,...

A new maritime infrastructure project aimed at enhancing the safety and operational efficiency of the Grand Harbour has been announced. With an investment of around €55 million, this project seeks to reduce the impact of waves currently affecting critical areas such as Xatt il-Barriera and key maritime access points to Birgu, Kalkara, and Rinella, the government said. The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Chris Bonett, said: “Beyond the economic aspect and the protection the port provides for maritime activity, it is our duty to safeguard the cultural and natural heritage for which the Grand Harbour is renowned worldwide. This project will strengthen Malta’s position as a natural maritime destination at the heart of the Mediterranean, with infrastructure that meets everyone’s aspirations.” The CEO of Infrastructure Malta, Steve Ellul, said that the project is based on three structures designed to reduce the impact of waves entering...

Had it been up to Robert Abela, “we would not have reached the point where the Court has ordered those involved in the 17 Black scandal and the Electrogas power station corruption case to stand trial.” After the Police Commissioner failed to take action, justice is only being served thanks to the magisterial inquiry initiated at the request of Simon Busuttil and David Casa on behalf of the Nationalist Party, the party said. “Now, Robert Abela is trying to pass a law that would prevent similar cases from being investigated in the future. The Labour Party is actively working to protect those involved in corruption, and this latest attempt to remove citizens’ right to request a magisterial inquiry is yet another proof of that. Robert Abela wanted to eliminate the possibility of corruption cases like this being investigated – and today, we have clear evidence of why.” “This is one...