The Malta Independent

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12 November 2026, Thursday

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Malta’s accommodation and food sector expands, but reliance on foreign workers deepens

Malta's accommodation and food services sector has continued to expand, contributing increasingly to the economy while becoming more reliant on foreign labour. Gross value added (GVA) generated by the...

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Non-EU students face €1,200 in government fees under Budget 2027 proposals

Students coming to Malta from outside the European Union could face at least €1,200 in government fees when applying to study in the country from next year, following proposed increases outlined...

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Birżebbuġa Council petitions Parliament for action over persistent Ħal Far fish-processing odours

The Birżebbuġa Local Council is urging residents to sign a parliamentary petition demanding concrete action against persistent foul odours coming from fish-processing operations at the...

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What to know as European leaders meet in Dublin to discuss Ukraine's security, and their own

Leaders from more than 40 European countries are gathering in Dublin on Thursday for a summit focused on the continent's fragile security, amid a new U.S.-backed effort to revive talks on ending...

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MIA registers 85% seat occupancy in October

Summer came to a close in October for the aviation industry, with Malta International Airport welcoming approximately 1.05 million passengers during this month, MIA said Thursday. This strong...

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Manchester United fires coach Carrick after worst start to a Premier League season

Michael Carrick was fired by Manchester United on Thursday after overseeing the 20-time English champion's worst start to a Premier League season, with U.S. men's coach Mauricio Pochettino a...

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Labour and PN voters agree on best and worst Budget measures

Voters for Malta's two main parties read Budget 2027 very differently, but agree on which measures they value most and least, according to the third release in the Esprimi Budget Barometer 2027...

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Casa calls for maternity leave and voting safeguards for Maltese MPs

PN Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa has written to Speaker Carmelo Abela calling for talks between the parliamentary groups on clearer maternity-leave arrangements and measures...

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ERA launches 1404 helpline for reporting environmental emergencies

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has launched a dedicated telephone number, 1404, for members of the public to report environmental emergencies at any time of the day or night. The...

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Slight increase in number of teaching, non-teaching staff in formal education – NSO

Total teaching and non-teaching staff in formal education during academic year 2024-2025 amounted to 20,448, an increase of 1.3 per cent when compared to the previous academic year. Of the 20,448...

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Domestic violence suspect granted bail under electronic tagging conditions

A 22-year-old man has been granted bail with electronic monitoring after being charged with domestic violence offences, including causing slight injuries to his former partner, threatening or...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant

What is investment?

Mark Said

The AFM, blue bagde, and energy consumption

Emmanuel J. Galea

Cold air, cold comfort

Frans Camilleri

Insane law

Alfred Sant

Med security

Katya De Giovanni

Who supports the teacher?

Romilda Zarb

World Fertility Day: The journey behind the numbers

Ivan Castillo

A budget that left you waiting in traffic

Emmanuel J. Galea

Heard in Gozo, lost in Castille

Frans Camilleri

Is small better?

Lecturers who defied ITS on union UPE’s orders turned away by Constitutional Court

Two veteran lecturers at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), who were nearly sacked after refusing to teach classes they believed put students in harm's way, have been turned away by the...

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Villa Lauri inaugurated to provide accommodation for Gozitan patients receiving treatment in Malta

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri has inaugurated Villa Lauri in Birkirkara, a new facility offering accommodation and support to Gozitan residents who need to travel to Malta for medical treatment, as...

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Block of 54 apartments planned a stone’s throw away from scheduled Knights-era villa

A block of 54 apartments, 8 penthouses, and 71 underground garages is planned just a stone's throw away from a scheduled Knights-era villa in Zejtun. Plans have been filed to construct a major...

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‘I am its author, not holder’: Finance Minister refuses to table 300-page population increase report

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana refused to table his 300-page report on the ramifications of Malta's increasing population on local infrastructure, housing, and schools to Parliament on...

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TMID Editorial: No-nonsense planning enforcement

Illegal construction developments are an unfortunate part of Malta's planning environment. A section of the development community seems to operate under the logic that it's better to ask...

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Pope Leo returns to a national celebration in his second homeland of Peru

Pope Leo XIV declared Peru his "homeland" on Wednesday as he arrived in Lima at the start of his historic visit, returning to the place that taught him how to be a pastor and where a nationwide party...

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Culture Minister admits arts sector comments ‘could have been said better’

Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea has acknowledged that comments he made about the arts sector could have been expressed better, following criticism from people working in the...

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Four Heritage Malta employees charged with fraud over alleged sale of counterfeit museum tickets

Four Heritage Malta employees have been arraigned in court and charged with fraudulently obtaining money at the agency's expense through the alleged sale of counterfeit museum admission tickets,...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Manchester United fires coach Carrick after worst start to a Premier League season

YoHealth Malta Premier: Sliema deliver a major blow to Valletta as title race gathers momentum

McLaren's Lando Norris wins Formula 1’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Mercedes clinches constructors’ title

Fermín López scores twice for Barcelona, Inter beat Como to narraw gap at top of Serie A

Man United stage another stunning comeback to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa in the Premier League

Man City suffer third straight Premier League loss at Forest and Arsenal open 6-point lead

Norris earns pole for Sao Paulo GP as grid shaken up by penalties for engine changes

Bournemouth stay perfect in Europa League, Milan stunned at home, Leverkusen beaten by Marseille

Government launches National Cycling Strategy 2026–2036 to encourage daily bicycle use

Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett has launched the National Cycling Strategy 2026-2036, intended to make cycling a safer, more practical and accessible transport option for everyday journeys...

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Italy evacuates over 300 schools due to bomb alert, with threats in Scotland and Ireland

Italian authorities evacuated hundreds of schools Wednesday after an emailed bomb threat, the latest in a series of disruptions affecting European institutions following recent hoaxes aimed at...

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PA caps height and sets tighter development limits for Qrendi site

The Planning Authority's Executive Council said Wednesday it has deferred its decision on PlanningControl application PC/59/20 in Qrendi for six weeks, giving the applicant anopportunity to submit...

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National Book Festival attracts record 43,400 visitors

The 2026 National Book Festival registered a new attendance record, with 43,400 people visiting this year's edition, held between 4 and 8 November at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in...

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Transport Malta official accused of threatening enforcement officer to cancel maritime fines

A Transport Malta enforcement officer has testified on Wednesday that he was threatened and subjected to workplace harassment after resisting pressure from a senior official to cancel maritime...

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Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct

British actor-comedian Russell Brand may have been sent to prison for rape and sexual assault, but the wider soul-searching over celebrities getting away with sexual misconduct in the U.K. is far from...

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Renewable energy projects and national climate resilience plan central to PM’s COP 31 address

Malta’s response to extreme weather events and climate change were central to Prime Minister Robert Abela’s address at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday. While speaking at this...

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Government invests over €5 million in a new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal

Work is progressing well on the new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal on Strait Street, Valletta, representing an investment of over €5.1 million, the Ministry for Justice said in a...

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Service dogs to support children with autism and special educational needs in Maltese schools

A three-day training programme exploring how trained dogs can support children with disabilities and students with additional needs in schools and therapeutic settings has been organised by the...

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Three people arrested in Gozo following drug trafficking investigation

Three individuals - two men aged 75 and 41, and a 57-year-old woman, all residing in Gozo - were arrested following an intensive drug trafficking investigation, the police said Wednesday. Police...

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Business

Strategist behind Simon Squibb’s blobal brand to speak at FPEI business breakfast

BOV webinar helps businesses navigate international sanctions

Sicilia Outlet Village welcomes the festive season with Christmas magic and winter sales

Lidl launches international Christmas campaign: Discovering the magic of enjoyment is more to value

Is AI behind redundancies in Malta's iGaming sector?

EY National Tax Conference revisits the history and evolution of taxation in Malta

BOV Foundation launches funding call to build financial confidence

Lidl Malta emphasises local agriculture, food security, and sustainable retail

Malta’s accommodation and food sector expands, but reliance on foreign workers deepens

Non-EU students face €1,200 in government fees under Budget 2027 proposals

Birżebbuġa Council petitions Parliament for action over persistent Ħal Far fish-processing odours

What to know as European leaders meet in Dublin to discuss Ukraine's security, and their own

MIA registers 85% seat occupancy in October

Manchester United fires coach Carrick after worst start to a Premier League season

Labour and PN voters agree on best and worst Budget measures

Casa calls for maternity leave and voting safeguards for Maltese MPs

ERA launches 1404 helpline for reporting environmental emergencies

Slight increase in number of teaching, non-teaching staff in formal education – NSO

Domestic violence suspect granted bail under electronic tagging conditions

Lecturers who defied ITS on union UPE’s orders turned away by Constitutional Court

Villa Lauri inaugurated to provide accommodation for Gozitan patients receiving treatment in Malta

Block of 54 apartments planned a stone’s throw away from scheduled Knights-era villa

‘I am its author, not holder’: Finance Minister refuses to table 300-page population increase report

TMID Editorial: No-nonsense planning enforcement

Pope Leo returns to a national celebration in his second homeland of Peru

Culture Minister admits arts sector comments ‘could have been said better’

Four Heritage Malta employees charged with fraud over alleged sale of counterfeit museum tickets

Woman grievously injured in collision in Luqa

Major Peter Ripard dies aged 89, nearly 16 years after Transport Malta bombing

Students with medical needs but no learning difficulties to get support from medical professionals

Spain’s workers hold a general strike over housing costs ahead of a national election

Fewer road accidents, casualties in third quarter 2026 – NSO

TMID Editorial: Malcolm Paul Agius Galea is in the wrong job

Woman remanded in custody after court hears she was turned away from shelters over her dog

Law report: Force majeure, prior fault and proof of losses

CCTV footage helped police retrace Marsa murder accused’s movements, court hears

Government launches National Cycling Strategy 2026–2036 to encourage daily bicycle use

Italy evacuates over 300 schools due to bomb alert, with threats in Scotland and Ireland

PA caps height and sets tighter development limits for Qrendi site

National Book Festival attracts record 43,400 visitors

Transport Malta official accused of threatening enforcement officer to cancel maritime fines

Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct

Renewable energy projects and national climate resilience plan central to PM’s COP 31 address

Government invests over €5 million in a new building for the Criminal Court of Appeal

Service dogs to support children with autism and special educational needs in Maltese schools

Three people arrested in Gozo following drug trafficking investigation

‘Court’s hands are tied’: Magistrate calls for drug law reform after fatal ecstasy incident

Updated: British comedian and children's author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct

Peter Agius calls for mandatory EU islands impact test on new legislation

Mater Dei staff member accused of sexually harassing female colleague granted bail

Updated (2): Elderly man who died after being hit by truck in Żurrieq identified as Pietru Grixti

Bomb-making instructions, ISIS searches found in terrorism suspect's possession