Malta is a small island republic in the central Mediterranean, with Valletta as its capital and Maltese/English as official languages.
The Lockerbie bombing case has new developments as U.S. prosecutors disclose evidence prompting defense review; jury selection in Abu Agila Masud Kheir Al-Marimi's trial is postponed with a January start date anticipated. Scottish prosecutors reaffirm their pursuit of justice.
The Italian coastguard has recovered bodies after a boat packed with refugees capsized near Malta. A fishing boat has rescued about 48 people, with the vessel believed to have departed from Libya. EU talks on asylum returns and new rules are unfolding as rescue operations continue amid ongoing crossings that have claimed many lives this year.
Across Rome, tens of thousands have protested migration policy as a far-right plan to push hardline measures advances to parliament. Demonstrations featured anti- and pro-migration marches, with police deployed to keep groups apart. The debate ties to a 50,000-signature petition and to Italy's broader migration strategy.
AP and FRONTLINE investigations have shown that U.S. AI models, cloud and internet providers and satellite services have been used to run industrial-scale romance and investment scams based in Southeast Asian compounds. The tools have enabled multilingual fake personas, automated replies and performance tracking; device and routing data tie much traffic to U.S.-registered firms and to Starlink connections in Myanmar.
A string of Portugal’s Fishermen’s Trail coastal sections is drawing hikers to remote beaches and cliff-top scenery along the Algarve and the Atlantic coast. From Lagos to Sagres, walkers are finding serene coves, rugged paths and local seafood, while towns like Salema and Sagres offer base camps for weekend treks.
Netflix’s Enola Holmes 3 sees Millie Bobby Brown return as Enola Woods in a Malta-set mystery that trails the earlier films in energy and scale. The film keeps a smart streak but feels leaner and less essential than its predecessors, with a plot that is steady but not groundbreaking.
The Maltese court continues the trial of Yorgen Fenech, accused of orchestrating the 2017 murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Prosecutors describe a complex web of payments and accomplices, while the case has sparked calls for accountability over an atmosphere of impunity linked to high-level politics.
A week of streaming releases and new music debuts is highlighted by cross-platform titles, including a Netflix relaunch of a classic, a Peacock original, and new albums from Adam Lambert and Finn Wolfhard. AP reviews frame several releases, while HBO Max debuts The Long Walk ahead of a Stephen King adaptation.
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey has opened strongly, with critics praising its visual scale and memory-driven focus. The film, shot in IMAX across six countries, reframes Homer’s tale around Odysseus’ determination and the cost of action. Box office and critical reception signal a sharp convergence of cinema and classical myth in a modern spectacle.
Rushed by the last-minute pullout of Victoria, Glasgow 2026 has redefined the Commonwealth Games with a lean, sustainable blueprint. The event is proving adaptable for future hosts while keeping 74 nations engaged and celebrating a compact, inclusive model.
Scotland has delivered a scaled-back, sustainable Commonwealth Games after Victoria withdrew. The city used existing venues, emphasised legacy, and expects continued investment to sustain nationwide sport participation and facilities.
A judge has ruled that the confession by Abu Agila Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi will form a central part of the Pan Am 103 trial in Washington. Defence lawyers had argued the statement was false and made under duress, but prosecutors say the detail-rich document will be corroborated. Victims’ groups describe the ruling as a step forward in the long fight for justice.
Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has kept Catania airport closed or operating under strict restrictions, disrupting nearly 2,000 flights over the past week, with passengers rerouted to other hubs and price pressures rising during Ferragosto travel. Authorities warn ash emissions will continue to affect air traffic in the region.
A 29-year-old Kansas man has died after being struck on Etna during a prolonged eruption. Rescue services recovered him; authorities have closed large parts of the slopes and flights at Catania airport have been disrupted for days.
Queues to reach Snowdon’s summit have grown amid hot weather and rising visitor numbers. Videos show bottlenecks at the trig point, with wardens urging patience and safety. Discussions focus on safety, access, and inclusivity in Britain’s outdoors.