The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, also known as the Knights of Malta, issues the world's rarest passport, with only around 500 diplomatic passports in circulation. Despite not having any land, the Order is a sovereign nation with its own constitution, UN observer status, and a rich history dating back nearly 1,000 years. Visitors to Malta can explore various sites related to the Order's history, including Fort St. Angelo, the National Library of Malta, and St John’s Co-Cathedral, where Caravaggio's famous painting is displayed.
Production of the sequel to "Gladiator" is set to resume in Malta on December 4th after a strike by actors caused delays. The strike, which lasted 118 days, was resolved after studios agreed to provide protections for the use of artificial intelligence in film and television and a pay increase. The sequel stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi, with Russell Crowe not returning due to his character's death in the original film. The film is set to be released on November 22, 2024, and is distributed by Paramount Pictures.
More than 65 countries, excluding Russia, are participating in two-day talks in Malta to discuss Ukraine's 10-point peace plan. The meetings aim to garner international support for President Zelenskyy's plan, especially as the focus on Ukraine risks being overshadowed by conflicts in the Middle East. Russia, which was not invited, has dismissed the initiative as one-sided. The five points of the plan to be discussed include nuclear safety, energy security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and deportees, and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Malta, acting as a peace broker, expressed its support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of multilateralism and adherence to international law.
The third round of Ukrainian-backed peace talks, aimed at ending the war with Russia, opened in Malta with representatives from over 60 countries, excluding Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that his 10-point peace plan would gain global support, while a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman dismissed the talks as "blatantly anti-Russian." The discussions focused on key areas such as Ukraine's territorial integrity, nuclear security, energy infrastructure protection, food security, and humanitarian issues. The talks aimed to generate a joint statement, unlike previous meetings, and both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a challenging winter ahead.
Malta, a constitutionally neutral country, has called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, stating that its neutrality does not mean indifference to the suffering caused by Russian aggression. Prime Minister Robert Abela made the statement during a speech at the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that Malta opposes military aggression and unilateral actions against members of the global community. He urged all nations to unite in ending the war and highlighted the impact of the conflict on food security, calling on Russia to re-join the Black Sea Grain Initiative and allow vital food supplies to leave Ukraine.
US and Chinese officials have met in Malta ahead of a possible summit between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping. The meeting comes as both countries seek to improve their strained relations and address key issues such as trade, human rights, and cybersecurity. The talks in Malta are seen as a positive step towards a potential face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, although no official announcement has been made yet.
A woman was intentionally hit by multiple vehicles while walking on the Northway in Malta, resulting in her death. The incident caused significant traffic congestion, but the road has since been reopened. If in crisis, individuals can call 988 for assistance.
A fishing vessel carrying about 400 migrants was left to drift for three days in the Mediterranean without rescue, despite dozens of emails and calls from its occupants and aid organizations begging for help. The passengers aboard the vessel drifted through Maltese waters until finally entering Italian waters. The incident highlights the persistent problem of European states flouting international maritime law by refusing to rescue migrant ships in distress.
A boat carrying around 400 migrants and refugees is adrift between Italy and Malta as it awaits rescue from Italian coastguard. The vessel departed Tobruk in eastern Libya on Wednesday with around 400 people, including pregnant women and children, onboard. The Central Mediterranean route is described by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as the most dangerous migration route in the world – one in six people who departs the shores of North Africa dies.
A boat carrying around 400 migrants is adrift in the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and Malta, and is at risk of capsizing after being stranded for at least 24 hours. Many on board require medical attention, including a child, a pregnant woman, and a disabled person. NGOs have warned that the immigration route is perilously dangerous. Maltese authorities have ordered two nearby merchant ships not to rescue those on board, but had asked one of them to supply the boat with fuel, food, and water.
A boat carrying around 400 migrants is adrift between Greece and Malta and is taking on water. The boat departed from Tobruk, Libya, and is now in the Maltese Search and Rescue area. The Maltese authorities have not launched a rescue operation yet, despite the boat being out of fuel and its lower deck being full of water. Meanwhile, at least 23 migrants died overnight in the Mediterranean in a separate shipwreck, and four died on Saturday after their two boats sank off Tunisia as they tried to reach Italy.
