The Malta Independent

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21 October 2026, Wednesday

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From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe's streets ablaze

Rising fuel costs, discontent with the state of schools, declining public services and a housing crisis are fueling an autumn of protests in Europe. Crowds have protested for weeks in major...

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Lassana Cisse murder trial: Emergency calls, witness accounts detail aftermath of fatal shooting

The trial by jury of former Armed Forces of Malta soldier Lorin Scicluna, accused of the racially motivated murder of Ivorian national Lassane Cisse Souleymane, continues today with the prosecution...

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John Cassar, accused of murdering his mother, faces separate harassment charges

John Cassar, who is also accused of murdering his mother and attempting to murder his father during an incident in Mqabba on 15 October, has pleaded not guilty to separate charges of harassing his...

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Waste collection in Northern Region has become unsustainable, regional council says

Waste collection services across several localities in Malta's Northern Region have become unsustainable due to persistent shortcomings by the contractor, despite repeated complaints and calls for...

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Oil spill causes heavy traffic at Qormi roundabout

An oil spill at the Tas-Srieken roundabout, also known as Tal-Imgħallaq, between Qormi, Luqa and Żebbuġ, has caused heavy traffic. TM Alert, Transport Malta's official road update...

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MCESD calls for united national effort against drugs and organised crime

The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) has called for a united national effort to combat drugs and organised crime, stressing that the government's commitment must be followed...

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Watch: Planning Authority removes unauthorised paving outside Stivala Sliema restaurant

Planning Authority officials removed illegally laid paving outside developer Carlo Stivala's Piccolo Padre restaurant on the Sliema Strand early on Tuesday morning. The early-morning action comes...

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latest comment from J.Degabriele, 20/10/2026 10:33: Will he be made to pay for the expense? He's got enough, God knows!

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Ronnie ‘Is-Sufu’ Azzopardi appeals court ruling refusing to overturn life sentence

Convicted murderer Ronald Azzopardi, known as Is-Sufu, has filed an appeal against a constitutional court ruling that rejected his bid to overturn a life sentence for the 2005 Żejtun car bombing...

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Johann Buttigieg’s transfer of company directorship to son is lame joke; fire him from PA - NGOs

Yesterday's statement by Planning Authority Johann Buttigieg that he has transferred the directorship of a private company operating in the planning sector to his own son is simply a gimmick, NGOs...

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Chinese Embassy donates €45,000 for multisensory space at Mater Dei

The Chinese Embassy in Malta will donate €45,000 towards the development of a multisensory space for children at Mater Dei Hospital's Emergency Department, aimed at providing a calmer...

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PL wants to connect with 350,000 voters as it turns to mobile app for digital outreach

The Labour Party will be working to reach out to 350,000 voters as it embarks upon a two-year “listening exercise”, backed by a new mobile app which will allow people to stay up to date...

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recent poll

The meaning of words

Planning

The budget cannot be a shopping list

Nigel Puli

Plenty of housing grants. But where are the affordable homes?

Romilda Zarb

Mental health begins with understanding people’s lives

Katya De Giovanni

Malta's PISA results: When economic priorities and educational responsibilities collide

Frans Camilleri

Resetting the model

Emmanuel J. Galea

The €22 million stopgap

Michael Briguglio

The latest political survey

David Spiteri Gingell

Five minutes past midnight: distribution

Eurospin shelves nearly empty in Mosta amid Italian fuel protests

Shelves at Eurospin's Mosta branch were left nearly bare on Tuesday, with fresh produce, meat and dairy products in short supply amid protests by lorry drivers and other workers in southern...

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Cospicua Active Ageing Centre extends opening hours to five days a week

The Active Ageing Centre in Cospicua will now operate five days a week, from Monday to Friday, between 7am and 3pm, following increased interest from older members of the community. The extension...

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Our children should arrive at school ready to learn, not already exhausted by the journey - PN

It is unacceptable that our children are arriving at school exhausted by the journey from home instead of feeling fresh and ready to learn, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday. In a statement, the...

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WSC using accredited testing to safeguard drinking water quality

The Water Services Corporation (WSC) said Tuesday it is strengthening both the quality assurance, and resilience of Malta's drinking water supply, by rigorously testing of water produced at reverse...

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Bedingfield must account for the systems that should have protected Grace Cassar – PN

The Nationalist Party on Tuesday expressed its serious concern over information reported by Net News alleging that, the day before Grace Cassar's murder, a report involving the alleged killer, John...

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Man cleared of €25,600 benefits fraud after court finds he genuinely suffers from severe disability

A 65-year-old man has been acquitted of fraud and forgery charges linked to more than €25,600 in social security benefits after a court ruled that, although a medical certificate submitted in his...

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More trips, vehicles, passengers on Malta-Gozo transport services in Q3 - NSO

During the third quarter of 2026, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases in trips, vehicles and passengers, when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2025. Sea transport...

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EU unveils a new Arctic push as global warming and security threats reshape the region

The European Union laid out a plan on Tuesday to increase its footprint in the Arctic as global warming, conflict and competition for energy resources and critical minerals pose fresh...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Parma and Torino bang in Serie A goals as Spurs finally win in England

YoHealth Malta Premier: Valletta edge Sliema in dramatic style as Marsaxlokk pile on the pressure

Goal from halfway line helps surprise package Brighton win 5-0 as Arsenal leave it late at Forest

Mbappé stars as Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1, Freiburg's 1st Bundesliga loss, Lazio beat Juventus

Haaland keeps on scoring as scandal-hit Man City wins again in Premier League

Yamal takes centre stage for ruthless Barcelona, PSG win ahead of Champions League showdown

Raimondo scores hat trick for Frosinone in Italy; Frankfurt end winless drought at home

Sunderland score late to beat Torreense in Europa League; Milan, Leverkusen; Bournemouth win

PSG pile more woe on scandal-hit Man City in Champions League, Real Madrid leave it late in Rome

Barcelona, Arsenal win in Champions League, Bayern Munich stunned, misery for Man United, Inter

Revolut investigates service outage affecting app access and features

Financial technology company Revolut reported a service disruption on Tuesday morning, leaving several key features and overall app access unavailable to users, including customers in Malta. In a...

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Finance Minister fears that European protests are ‘first wave’ and will persist over coming months

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana told Parliament on Monday that he fears that the cost-of-living protests occurring in different parts of the European continent are just the first wave of protests that...

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latest comment from Joe A Borg, 20/10/2026 09:57: If the minister is so concerned, then he should STOP supporting the wars that are causing this turmoil. Malta voted against the sanctions against Israel. Malta has condemned limitedly these actions. Also, what have we done about the attacks on Iran? Malta has not condemned the US-Israeli war/strikes on Iran itself, instead calling for restraint, de-escalation, and respect for international law, while condemning Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf nations like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates So let's stop being hypocrite.

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TMID Editorial: School journeys should not come at such a cost

Children should be able to get to school without having to wake up before dawn and return home exhausted after spending hours travelling. Yet, for some students living in Malta's more remote...

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Updated (2): Former AFM soldier faces trial by jury over 2019 murder of Lassane Cisse at Ħal Far

Photo: Lassane Cisse (left) and Lorin Scicluna

A trial by jury began on Monday morning against a former Armed Forces of Malta soldier accused of murdering an Ivorian man and attempting to kill three other migrants in separate incidents in...

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Man pointed gun at workers before firing at police in St Julian's incident, court hears

A court heard dramatic testimony on Monday detailing how John Agius allegedly pointed a firearm at two construction workers before opening fire on police officers during a violent confrontation in Ta'...

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New accessible vehicle empowers Service Dogs Malta Foundation to enhance mobility, support

The Ministry for Inclusion and Voluntarism has provided a €20,000 financial grant to the Service Dogs Malta Foundation to support its new Accessible Transport for Independence...

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Parliament finally begins discussing planning appeals reform

The Parliament of Malta began discussing its long-awaited planning appeals reform on Monday by opening the Second Reading of this Bill. The main element of this reform proposes for all development...

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WasteServ 'to unlock landfill capacity while safeguarding agricultural land'

WasteServ said Tuesday it has issued an excavation tender to increase the capacity of an old, engineered landfill by more than 2.9 million cubic metres - equivalent to 1,100 Olympic-sized...

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Upcoming Budget to provide peace of mind, direction, investment in people, PM says

While informing the Parliament on Monday about his recent European Council meeting at the end of last week, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that this year’s annual budget – which is...

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Palazzina Vincenti must be given highest grade of protection, activists say

Palazzina Vincenti must be upgraded to the highest grade of protection, environmental activists said in a press conference on Monday. Palazzina Vincenti is a unique architectural gem located in...

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Business

MIA marks the European Week for Health and Safety with launch of wellbeing champions initiative

MCCAA: The path to fair competition

Kdm. Group reinforces long-term growth strategy with Crowd Safety Management Ltd acquisition

APS Bank sustainable finance portfolio reaches €244 million

Spinola Terraces marks 10 years in St Julian's

Review highlights good practices and supervisory expectations for effective risk management

GO partners with Talexio to expand business services

Malta Chamber and FIMBank sign Alliance Agreement to promote corporate finance and business growth

168 accountants join the ranks of the Malta Institute of Accountants

From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe's streets ablaze

Lassana Cisse murder trial: Emergency calls, witness accounts detail aftermath of fatal shooting

John Cassar, accused of murdering his mother, faces separate harassment charges

Waste collection in Northern Region has become unsustainable, regional council says

Oil spill causes heavy traffic at Qormi roundabout

MCESD calls for united national effort against drugs and organised crime

Watch: Planning Authority removes unauthorised paving outside Stivala Sliema restaurant

Ronnie ‘Is-Sufu’ Azzopardi appeals court ruling refusing to overturn life sentence

Johann Buttigieg’s transfer of company directorship to son is lame joke; fire him from PA - NGOs

Chinese Embassy donates €45,000 for multisensory space at Mater Dei

PL wants to connect with 350,000 voters as it turns to mobile app for digital outreach

Eurospin shelves nearly empty in Mosta amid Italian fuel protests

Cospicua Active Ageing Centre extends opening hours to five days a week

Our children should arrive at school ready to learn, not already exhausted by the journey - PN

WSC using accredited testing to safeguard drinking water quality

Bedingfield must account for the systems that should have protected Grace Cassar – PN

Man cleared of €25,600 benefits fraud after court finds he genuinely suffers from severe disability

More trips, vehicles, passengers on Malta-Gozo transport services in Q3 - NSO

EU unveils a new Arctic push as global warming and security threats reshape the region

Friends raise funds to cover funeral costs of Colombian chef killed in Attard crash

Reported bullying cases in schools rise to 627 in 2025, figures show

Malta recorded second-highest tourism intensity among all EU countries in 2025 – Eurostat

New scientific study reveals widespread expansion of non-native blind snake across Maltese Islands

Insurers call for wider e-scooter safety measures beyond compulsory helmets

Parma and Torino bang in Serie A goals as Spurs finally win in England

86% of Budget 2026 measures implemented, target set for 90% by year-end - government

Wied Inċita expands by 7,000 square metres of green space

40 schools take part in SportMalta School Sports Day

Revolut investigates service outage affecting app access and features

Finance Minister fears that European protests are ‘first wave’ and will persist over coming months

TMID Editorial: School journeys should not come at such a cost

Updated (2): Former AFM soldier faces trial by jury over 2019 murder of Lassane Cisse at Ħal Far

Man pointed gun at workers before firing at police in St Julian's incident, court hears

New accessible vehicle empowers Service Dogs Malta Foundation to enhance mobility, support

Parliament finally begins discussing planning appeals reform

WasteServ 'to unlock landfill capacity while safeguarding agricultural land'

Upcoming Budget to provide peace of mind, direction, investment in people, PM says

Palazzina Vincenti must be given highest grade of protection, activists say

Bedingfield calls for deeper Malta-Italy defence cooperation

€930,000 investment to strengthen Maltese olive oil production

Restored historic 'Old Hospital' handed back to the Mqabba community

Woman arrested at Malta Airport with over €70,000 worth of ketamine

TMID Editorial: Why the government’s anti-mafia logic makes no sense

Modernisation of Servizz.gov Centres continues with a new hub in Żejtun