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30 October 2026, Friday

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Pope Leo XIV set to become first pontiff to vote in secular elections

Pope Leo XIV is poised to make history by becoming the first pontiff to vote in a secular election after requesting a mail-in ballot for next week's US midterm elections, international media...

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Employer bodies say economic transformation requires careful calibration of policies

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the Malta Chamber of SMEs and the Malta Employers' Association (Malta Employers) said...

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PN says Budget offers no answers on Malta’s growing quality of life concerns

The Nationalist Party has criticised the government for failing to address Malta's growing quality of life concerns in its latest Budget, describing it as lacking vision and a clear direction for the...

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Schools to get €6m air-conditioning investment as government tackles poor PISA results

Education Minister Byron Camilleri has acknowledged that Malta's performance in the latest PISA assessment is unsatisfactory, as he outlined a series of budget measures aimed at improving literacy,...

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Health Minister launches seasonal vaccination campaign – ‘Less Flu, More You’

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Ian Borg, launched the Seasonal Vaccination Campaign 2026/2027, which will begin on Monday, 2 November 2026. The campaign will offer vaccination...

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Netanyahu’s party claims election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party on Thursday amplified unsubstantiated allegations that Arab-led parties had "stolen" the election, potentially with foreign assistance, as final...

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Lassana Cisse trial: defence urges jury to ignore Yorgen Fenech controversy

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt has urged jurors in the trial of Lorin Scicluna, accused of killing Lassana Cisse, to disregard allegations and criticism directed at jurors who served in the separate trial...

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More tourists but lower per capita expenditure in first 9 months – NSO

Inbound tourists for the first nine months of 2026 amounted to 3,599,493, an increase of 17.0 per cent over the same period in 2025, the NSO said Friday. Total nights spent by inbound tourists went up...

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At end Q3, government debt at nearly €12bn – NSO

At the end of September 2026, Central Government debt stood at €11,956.6 million, an increase of €846.4 million when compared to 2025, the NSO said Friday. The increase reported under Malta...

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Ceiling of Valletta shop collapses

Emergency services rushed to South Street in Valletta on Friday morning following reports that the internal ceiling of a shop had partially collapsed. The incident happened at around 10:20 am...

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TMID Editorial: Welcomed as workers, treated as outsiders

Malta has spent years relying on foreign workers to sustain its economic growth, fill vacancies across essential sectors and keep businesses operating, yet the very people who have become...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Emmanuel J. Galea

Brussels knew beforehand

Owen Bonnici

Stability in a world of uncertainty

Alfred Sant

Brazil

Mark Said

Police officers and identity cards

Emmanuel J. Galea

Last in Europe, first in spin!

Frans Camilleri

Church vs State

Alfred Sant

Against impunity

Adrian Delia

Families need more than money

Katya De Giovanni

School-based assessment: Weighing the pros and cons

Marco Bonnici

An employee-centred national agenda

Updated: Paola mayor's asset freeze by developer lifted after strong backlash

Paola mayor Jason Silvio has said his personal bank accounts were seized following legal action by a developer after the local council appealed a Planning Authority decision concerning a development...

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latest comment from RF, 29/10/2026 19:01: Wasn't the garnishee order applied or signed by a lawyer? Are there such supposedly professional people who resort to such tactics? Can't they distinguish between personal and official actions?

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Governance consultant urges non-EU workers to strike for a week

Governance consultant David Spiteri Gingell has urged trade unions and the Third-Country National (TCN) Alliance to coordinate a week-long strike for non-EU workers. The proposal aims to...

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latest comment from C Xerri, 29/10/2026 17:03: When did the Government state that foreign workers were dispensible? Is withdrawing some concessions, while leaving them more important concessions, like free health and educational service a sign that the Government was stating that foreign workers were dispensible?

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Spain reckons with 2nd deadly train crash of the year ahead of national election

Spain's second high-speed rail disaster this year, a crash in which one train struck another from behind, killing 68 people, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the country's rail...

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Joseph Portelli’s ex-business associate granted bail after entering Mercury Towers armed with knife

A former business associate of Joseph Portelli was granted bail on Thursday after allegedly entering Mercury Towers armed with a steak knife in his pocket and making his way to the offices occupied by...

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Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and 'X-Men' fame, dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who added Shakespearean gravitas to the "Star Trek" and "X-Men" franchises, has died. He was 86. Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles, following "a...

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Over €100 million earmarked for digitalisation as Economy Minister presents economic initiatives

More than €100 million is earmarked for digitalisation and artificial intelligence under a package of 10 economic initiatives presented by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri. The measures,...

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European Central Bank head resigns, allowing search for successor to begin before French election

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign nine months before the end of her term, a move that opens the way for European leaders to choose a successor ahead of France's...

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PN says businesses and families should not pay for government’s economic failures

The Nationalist Party has argued that Maltese and Gozitan businesses and families should not bear the costs of what it described as the Labour government's failure to plan for population...

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latest comment from Memphis Belle, 29/10/2026 19:49: The PN is to good to be true by saying , businesses and families should not pay for government’s economic failures,it is possible that the PN did not analysed and understood the budget measures announced in favour of the families and businesses...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Late own goals help Inter beat Venezia 2-0 in Serie A while Milan lose 4-2

Lazio rout Sassuolo 6-2 to stay top of Serie A, humiliating cup exit for Espanyol

Arsenal embarrassed in penalty-shootout loss to 4th-tier Fleetwood in English League Cup stunner

YoHealth Malta Premier - Spartans stun leaders Valletta

Kane becomes first Englishman in 25 years to win Ballon d'Or and Putellas wins her third

Kimi Antonelli wins US Grand Prix and tightens his grip on historic F1 title chase

Man United humbled by Bournemouth to leave Carrick's job under threat, Liverpool beat Brighton

Mbappé leads Real Madrid to 2-1 win over Barcelona in clasico, Bayern back on top in Germany

Man City fall at Aston Villa and Arsenal move level on top of the Premier League

Roma hold Napoli to dramatic draw and Dortmund beat Frankfurt ahead of Bayern clash

ECB holds rates at 2.5% amid rising inflation risks

The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept its three key interest rates unchanged following September's rate increase, with the deposit facility rate remaining at 2.5%, as policymakers assess renewed...

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Malta International Airport shareholders’ event draws record crowd of more than 350

More than 350 people attended Malta International Airport’s (MIA) annual shareholders’ event on Wednesday, marking a record turnout for the gathering, MIA said in a...

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TMID Editorial: The ‘budget conclave’ should never have been scrapped

For decades, what journalists referred to as the "budget conclave" was an established feature of Malta's annual Budget Day. A few hours before the Finance Minister rose in Parliament to deliver the...

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latest comment from RF, 29/10/2026 12:19: A government that uses arrogance to try to hide its incompetence.

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Archbishop urges young people to build safe spaces and healthy relationships at diocesan gathering

Archbishop Charles Scicluna has encouraged young people to promote safe spaces and build healthy relationships within their communities, during the first-ever Diocesan Assembly for Youth, which...

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Lorin Scicluna in murder trial: 'It was supposed to be a cat. It ended up being three migrants'

15:36 The prosecution formally closes its case , having concluded the presentation of its evidence. The defence subsequently confirms that the accused will take the witness stand...

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latest comment from J.Degabriele, 29/10/2026 15:41: So killing cats is a pastime? What kind of people are these? And killing people is MUCH MUCH worse!

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Rosianne Cutajar meets educators on tackling disinformation and polarisation in schools

Minister for Equality and Civil Rights Rosianne Cutajar met with educators and school administrators participating in training on how educational institutions can be better prepared to address...

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Energy Minister calls for EU flexibility to protect families and businesses from energy pressures

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli called on the European Union to give Member States greater flexibility to introduce immediate measures to protect households and businesses from rising energy pressures,...

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Gozo Ministry officials acquitted over worker's death in Dwejra public toilet roof collapse

Three officials linked to the Gozo Ministry have been acquitted of all charges in connection with the death of a 52-year-old worker who was crushed when the roof of a public toilet collapsed during...

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Speaker highlights mental health challenges faced by people in public life, including MPs

The third edition of the Thematic Lectures organised by the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman together with the Office of the Speaker was held on Thursday morning at the Parliament Building,...

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Abela on TCN fees: ‘Which country gives all services for free?’

Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended the government's decision to introduce new fees and remove certain benefits for third-country nationals (TCNs), arguing that no country provides every service...

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latest comment from Divi, 28/10/2026 20:31: without the cheap labour of TCNs the economy will screech to a grinding halt

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Business

ECB holds rates at 2.5% amid rising inflation risks

Roma Outlet Village opens its doors on 6 November

Malta records 7.5 million active online gambling accounts and nearly 850,000 casino visits

Emirates honoured at Sky Media Travel Awards held in Malta

BOV raises 2026 profit guidance as nine-month earnings reach €189.6 million

How Bitcoin Pushed Its Way Over the $65,000 Marker

MBB calls for a strong EU Budget to safeguard Maltese Businesses

Total tax revenue reaches almost €7.5bn, NSO says

HSBC Malta: Strong and resilient results continued through Q3 2026

Does Europe’s low compute matters in the AI race

Pope Leo XIV set to become first pontiff to vote in secular elections

Employer bodies say economic transformation requires careful calibration of policies

PN says Budget offers no answers on Malta’s growing quality of life concerns

Schools to get €6m air-conditioning investment as government tackles poor PISA results

Health Minister launches seasonal vaccination campaign – ‘Less Flu, More You’

Netanyahu’s party claims election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority

Lassana Cisse trial: defence urges jury to ignore Yorgen Fenech controversy

More tourists but lower per capita expenditure in first 9 months – NSO

At end Q3, government debt at nearly €12bn – NSO

Ceiling of Valletta shop collapses

TMID Editorial: Welcomed as workers, treated as outsiders

Updated: Paola mayor's asset freeze by developer lifted after strong backlash

Governance consultant urges non-EU workers to strike for a week

Spain reckons with 2nd deadly train crash of the year ahead of national election

Joseph Portelli’s ex-business associate granted bail after entering Mercury Towers armed with knife

Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and 'X-Men' fame, dies at 86

Over €100 million earmarked for digitalisation as Economy Minister presents economic initiatives

European Central Bank head resigns, allowing search for successor to begin before French election

PN says businesses and families should not pay for government’s economic failures

Rosianne Cutajar ‘not personally comfortable’ with Budget 2027 measures affecting TCNs

PN challenges government to justify Budget measures with studies and investment plans

PM Robert Abela inaugurates €6m Buddha-Bar Malta

‘Budget 2027 is creating a country that segregates people by nationality,’ 24 organisations warn

Three consortia submit bids for new €1.8 billion geriatric hospital in Luqa

Health Minister says Budget 2027 to invest in care services that grant families peace of mind

Commemorative plaque installed inside Parliament to mark 105 years of Maltese political life

Seven hunting licences suspended or revoked between February and May 2026

Just over 45,500 people in Malta living with diabetes, Health Minister says

ECB holds rates at 2.5% amid rising inflation risks

Malta International Airport shareholders’ event draws record crowd of more than 350

TMID Editorial: The ‘budget conclave’ should never have been scrapped

Archbishop urges young people to build safe spaces and healthy relationships at diocesan gathering

Lorin Scicluna in murder trial: 'It was supposed to be a cat. It ended up being three migrants'

Rosianne Cutajar meets educators on tackling disinformation and polarisation in schools

Energy Minister calls for EU flexibility to protect families and businesses from energy pressures

Gozo Ministry officials acquitted over worker's death in Dwejra public toilet roof collapse

Speaker highlights mental health challenges faced by people in public life, including MPs

Abela on TCN fees: ‘Which country gives all services for free?’

Late own goals help Inter beat Venezia 2-0 in Serie A while Milan lose 4-2

BOV raises 2026 profit guidance as nine-month earnings reach €189.6 million

Site visit conducted in trial of ex-soldier accused of racially motivated murder

Italian national strike on Friday may disrupt flights and public services, Embassy warns

National equality body calls for impact assessment on new foreign worker policies

APS Bank profit jumps to record €35m in first nine months of 2026