The Malta Independent

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23 July 2026, Thursday

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People called on to defend Manoel Island as padel courts decision puts its future in doubt

The Planning Authority's decision to grant a permit to Sharlon Pace for 30 padel courts on archaeological remains on Manoel Island, 20 of which were built illegally, has cast the future of the whole...

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Live - Yorgen Fenech trial: Johann Cremona testimony resumes

The trial by jury of businessman Yorgen Fenech enters its 20th day on Thursday, with Johann Cremona expected to resume his testimony before Madam Justice Edwina Grima and the jury. Wednesday's...

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Two-thirds of visitors to Gozo in 2025 were domestic tourists – NSO

In 2025, the total number of inbound and domestic tourists who visited the Gozo and Comino region was 589,343. Domestic tourists accounted for 67.4 per cent of total tourism demand within this region,...

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PN files motion calling for Miriam Dalli to resign or be axed; PL says PN only wants political gain

The Nationalist Party has tabled a motion of no confidence in Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, calling on her to resign from her position as Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of...

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Seven-day heatwave comes to an end, but high temperatures to persist

The seven-day heatwave has come to an end, the Meteorological Office said, with the highest ever temperature recorded in July - 43.3 degrees Celsius - measured on Saturday 18 July, and is just...

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The Malta Chamber launches the ‘The Malta Chamber Digitalisation Workshops’

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said Thursday it is launching The Malta Chamber Digitalisation Workshops, a new six-part workshop series designed to help Maltese businesses...

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Floriana FC blasts match conditions after four power outages mar UEFA Conference League clash

Floriana Football Club has released an official statement voicing deep frustration and disappointment over four separate power outages that disrupted their UEFA Conference League qualifying match...

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Katy Perry headlines Isle of MTV Malta in Floriana

Katy Perry made her Malta debut at Isle of MTV Malta 2026, bringing her acclaimed European summer tour to Il-Fosos Square for a full headline concert alongside dance music powerhouse AFROJACK and...

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Fenech trial: Cremona insists references in secret recordings were ‘a bluff’

Yorgen Fenech’s business associate Johann Cremona spent much of yesterday insisting that explosive references to politicians, senior police officers, lawyers, and Fenech himself heard in...

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TMID Editorial: Malta's traffic crisis deepens

Traffic congestion has become one of Malta's defining national problems. It is no longer simply an inconvenience that delays commuters by a few minutes. It has evolved into a daily ordeal that affects...

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Enemalta says Valletta power supply to return by morning as heatwave strains electricity network

Enemalta has said that it expects electricity supply in Valletta to be restored by Thursday morning after a fault in an overloaded underground cable left parts of the capital relying on temporary...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant

Tourism narratives

Mark Said

Criminalising the malicious use of deep fakes

Emmanuel J. Galea

A treasure worth protecting

Frans Camilleri

Fridamania

Alfred Sant

Past and future

Kevin Aquilina

Lowering human rights and equality protection

Katya De Giovanni

National examinations must serve the country, not a single institution

Emmanuel J. Galea

Gozo: The concrete nobody ordered

Frans Camilleri

The orgy of capitalism

Gejtu Vella

Protecting Malta while welcoming the world

Fenech trial: Jurors hear recordings of Theuma and Fenech associate, as sitting hit by power cuts

The trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech enters its 19th day today, with Johann Cremona expected to continue testifying as the prosecution presses ahead with presenting its case. Yesterday's sitting...

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Government to compensate households and businesses affected by prolonged power cuts

Households and businesses that experienced electricity outages lasting more than six hours during the ongoing heatwave will once again be eligible for compensation, the government said...

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Malta breaks heatwave record with three consecutive days above 42°C

Malta has shattered meteorological records by registering three consecutive days with temperatures reaching 42°C or higher, fuelled by a persistent weather pattern known as an Omega...

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Malta Chamber seeks postponement of vote on National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has joined a chorus of organisations and constituted bodies requesting the postponement of the final debate and vote in Parliament on the...

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Opposition stages walk-out, blocks National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill

The PN Opposition walked out of Parliament on Wednesday to block the Bill looking to establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality from being voted through. Opposition Whip Ivan...

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Bill guaranteeing constitutional protection for persons with disabilities passes unanimously

Parliament has unanimously voted in favour of a Bill that has added disability as a protected characteristic, in relation to fundamental rights and freedoms, in the Constitution. During...

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Prison laptop inquiry finds no evidence of criminal activity, recommends tighter security procedures

An internal inquiry into the unauthorised use of a laptop at the Corradino Correctional Facility has found no evidence to support allegations of criminal activity, while identifying shortcomings in...

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Enemalta says power restored in most areas as demand reaches record 741MW

The intense heatwave enveloping Malta pushed demand to a record 741MW on Tuesday placing sustained stress on the distribution network as Enemalta engineers worked tirelessly to restore power to...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Spain’s World Cup champions return home for parade in front of almost 2 million

Kevin Keegan, England soccer star who transcended the game with celebrity status, dies at 75

Mbappé wins another Golden Boot, and Spain's Rodri gets Golden Ball with World Cup title

Spain win World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 on Ferran Torres' goal in extra time

Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix for a big F1 title boost after George Russell out

The World Cup final awaits, with Messi and defending champion Argentina set to face Spain

Saka’s hat trick lifts England past Mbappé and France 6-4 in wild World Cup third-place game

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli qualifies on pole for F1's Belgian Grand Prix

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Second power cut in four hours hits law courts building

The current spate of power cuts has not spared the law courts. While an initial morning blackout was quickly resolved when backup generators kicked in, a second afternoon outage during the lunch...

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Insurers say equality bill rushed through without consultation

The Insurance Association Malta said Wednesday is concerned that the latest Bill establishing the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality has been fast-tracked without renewed consultation...

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Chamber of Pharmacists highlights ‘paradox of equality and discrimination’

It is ironic that legislation intended to eliminate discrimination and promote equality should itself discriminate against healthcare professionals, the Chamber of Pharmacists said Wednesday, hours...

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Government’s lack of planning humiliates Malta internationally, even in sport, PN says

The government's lack of vision and serious planning for Malta's infrastructure yesterday humiliated the country on the international stage, even during a European sporting competition, the...

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Cruise passenger traffic equals that of last year – NSO

Total cruise passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2026 amounted to 256,369, at par with the same quarter of the previous year, the NSO said Wednesday. There were 126 cruise liner calls...

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Malta Employers, NGOs, UHM urge postponement of final vote on human rights and equality bill

The Malta Employers' Association today corresponded with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition requesting to postpone the final discussion and vote in Parliament on the National...

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Government should compensate businesses affected by power cuts, PN says

Repeated and prolonged power cuts across several localities are having serious consequences for families and businesses, particularly the self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises, the...

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Chamber of SMEs says energy investment in last years not enough

The Malta Chamber of SMEs said Wednesday it acknowledged the significant investment and continuous efforts undertaken over recent years to strengthen Malta's electricity distribution network, but this...

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MHRA calls for a national climate resilience plan to address summer power cuts

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) said Wednesday it believes that the current electricity disruptions experienced during periods of extreme heat should be recognised as a national...

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After an extremely rare pregnancy, an Australian woman gives birth to identical quadruplet girls

An Australian woman has given birth to identical quadruplet girls after a pregnancy doctors described as incredibly rare. Jenitar Sau Na'amoana, who is 34 years old and already had four children,...

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Business

MBR reports another year of strong growth, digital transformation and international recognition

EY Engage returns with a focus on AI, technology and business transformation

David Micallef appointed as Head of Business Unit of PwC Digital Services in Malta

FinanceMalta eyes new opportunity in US as Malta strengthens global financial services presence

ElectroGas Malta and Żibel join forces to support marine clean-up efforts

Mizzi Organisation agrees to sell Arkadia supermarket business

St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation signs new collective agreement

CareMalta Group representatives participate in leading European course on Dementia Care Ethics

IFSP and BOV strengthen governance dialogue through Boardroom Excellence workshop

Think big

People called on to defend Manoel Island as padel courts decision puts its future in doubt

Live - Yorgen Fenech trial: Johann Cremona testimony resumes

Two-thirds of visitors to Gozo in 2025 were domestic tourists – NSO

PN files motion calling for Miriam Dalli to resign or be axed; PL says PN only wants political gain

Seven-day heatwave comes to an end, but high temperatures to persist

The Malta Chamber launches the ‘The Malta Chamber Digitalisation Workshops’

Floriana FC blasts match conditions after four power outages mar UEFA Conference League clash

Katy Perry headlines Isle of MTV Malta in Floriana

Fenech trial: Cremona insists references in secret recordings were ‘a bluff’

TMID Editorial: Malta's traffic crisis deepens

Enemalta says Valletta power supply to return by morning as heatwave strains electricity network

Fenech trial: Jurors hear recordings of Theuma and Fenech associate, as sitting hit by power cuts

Government to compensate households and businesses affected by prolonged power cuts

Malta breaks heatwave record with three consecutive days above 42°C

Malta Chamber seeks postponement of vote on National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill

Opposition stages walk-out, blocks National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill

Bill guaranteeing constitutional protection for persons with disabilities passes unanimously

Prison laptop inquiry finds no evidence of criminal activity, recommends tighter security procedures

Enemalta says power restored in most areas as demand reaches record 741MW

TMID Editorial: The battle for Malta's missing voters

Government ignores repeated calls for proper consultation as Church Schools appeal for dialogue

Enemalta says record 713MW demand reached on Tuesday as power cuts continue

NAO flags inconsistent oversight in government private property leases

Planning permits would be suspended if they are appealed as reform is opened for consultation

180 Maltese pilgrims travel to Lourdes on annual pilgrimage for patients

Man arrested for failing to pay alimony admits to threatening magistrate and police sergeant

Prime Minister Abela apologises for recent power cuts

Malta Chamber demands long-term power grid plan after recurring outages

Second power cut in four hours hits law courts building

Insurers say equality bill rushed through without consultation

Chamber of Pharmacists highlights ‘paradox of equality and discrimination’

Government’s lack of planning humiliates Malta internationally, even in sport, PN says

Cruise passenger traffic equals that of last year – NSO

Malta Employers, NGOs, UHM urge postponement of final vote on human rights and equality bill

Government should compensate businesses affected by power cuts, PN says

Chamber of SMEs says energy investment in last years not enough

MHRA calls for a national climate resilience plan to address summer power cuts

After an extremely rare pregnancy, an Australian woman gives birth to identical quadruplet girls

Witness says Theuma repeatedly named Fenech in conversations on Daphne murder plot

Johann Cremona testifies Theuma told him Yorgen Fenech gave the order to kill Daphne

The probationary period, legislative amendments and the principle of contractual freedom

Another day of widespread power cuts; PN highlights government's failure

Woman accused of theft from Pavi and rental fraud denied bail

Government to invest €2.8 million in community homes for mental health support