The Malta Independent

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5 October 2026, Monday

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Sicilian port authorities intercept 377 exotic animals bound for Malta

Italian financial police and customs agents at a Sicilian port intercepted a Maltese man attempting to smuggle 377 live exotic animals toward Malta, marking one of the most substantial wildlife...

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Nathaniel Attard removed as Nationalist Party communications director

Nathaniel Attard has been removed from his position as communications director for the Nationalist Party (PN), The Malta Independent can confirm. Reports of Attard's dismissal surfaced on social...

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A full-time parliament could entice more young people and women to politics, Opposition MP says

Opposition MP Eve Borg Bonello believes that Malta's part-time parliament is keeping many young people and women from contesting elections as candidates. She told The Malta Independent that a...

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Two traffic police officers cleared over Marsa flyover overtime fraud

Two police officers have been cleared of fraud-related charges in separate but linked cases following an investigation into alleged overtime abuse during the Marsa Junction construction. Alessio...

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Pope Francis' diaries to be published next month, revealing reflections on Vatican years

Journal entries kept by Pope Francis before and during his papacy will be published this fall for the first time. Image, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, announced...

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WasteServ warns of monthly battery fires as it rolls out national campaign on proper disposal

Fires caused by batteries thrown out with household waste are occurring every month, leading WasteServ to launch a nationwide campaign warning the public of the risks posed to workers, emergency...

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TMID Editorial: Parliament deserves reforms

Parliament meets again today for the first time since breaking for its summer recess at the end of July, as the iconic building in Valletta once again becomes a hive of activity. Within a few...

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Updated: KSU ‘pushes NGOs out of Freshers’ Week’ by imposing fee

NGOs say that they have been pushed out of the University of Malta's Freshers' Week after a fee was imposed by the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji for their participation,. In a statement on...

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Shaping the future of learning: Malta Union of Teachers unveils 2027 Budget proposals

As Malta looks toward the future of its educational landscape, the Malta Union of Teachers has put forward a comprehensive set of budget proposals for 2027. Centred on strengthening the...

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Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Ministry for Social Policy sign three-year agreement

Fondazzjoni Sebħ has entered into a new agreement with the Ministry for Social Policy and the Family, which will support the ongoing running of its aftercare services, separate statements from...

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Suspended jail term for man who assaulted pregnant ex-partner

A 23-year-old from Senglea has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence after admitting to assaulting and injuring his pregnant former partner. The accused cannot be named due to a court...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant

The voice of the party members

Mark Bajada

From protecting prices to securing Malta’s energy future

Kevin Aquilina

The July amendments to the Administrative Justice Act (II)

Marilena Gauci

Setting the next stage

Romilda Zarb

Don’t miss a beat: Putting prevention at the heart of Malta Vision 2050

Emmanuel J. Galea

Crowning what we bury

Frans Camilleri

Us vs them

Katya De Giovanni

Malta does not only need an education conference – it needs the courage to act

Jerome Caruana Cilia

Back to school: Malta needs more than another fresh start

David Spiteri Gingell

Five minutes past midnight: Generation

Spain's prime minister calls early elections as pressure mounts over housing crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early elections Monday after his government suffered a bruising legislative defeat last week on emergency measures related to the country's...

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Birgu to light up with 45,000 candles for ‘Birgu by Candlelight’

Birgu will once again be illuminated by around 45,000 candles for 'Birgu by Candlelight', which is the highlight of Birgufest 2026, the Ministry for Local Government and Public Works said in a...

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Updated: Matthew Caruana Galizia warns of judicial system ‘collapsing bit by bit’

Artists, activists and civil society organisations gathered at Triton’s Fountain on Sunday for a Concert for Justice, calling for accountability over the assassination of journalist Daphne...

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Should Parliament decrease MPs’ allotted speaking time?

Government Whip Naomi Cachia believes that the 30-minute time limit for MPs is "adequate", while Opposition Whip Ivan Castillo said that the allotted time should be reduced to between 15 and 20...

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latest comment from RF, 04/10/2026 11:07: Most Labour MPs including the Prime minister and minister are no orators but they just waffle to waste parliament's time. There should be a time limit. In the same way one needs not take more than one sheet to write a good paper, one needs not take more than ten minutes to intelligently express one's opinion.

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Only 43% of professional qualification applications approved by Malta, EU average at 82%

Only around 43 out of every 100 applications for recognition of professional qualifications were approved by Malta in 2023, compared to 82% across the whole EU. The figures were presented by...

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Former Prince Andrew files a legal action to quash warrants that led to searches of his residence

Britain's Former Prince Andrew has filed a legal action to quash warrants that led to searches of his residences. A judicial spokesperson confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had filed a...

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Teuma strike puts Malta on brink of Nations League group victory

Malta returned to winning ways in the UEFA Nations League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Andorra at the National Stadium, moving closer to securing top spot in Group D1. A goal from Teddy...

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Żibel calls for reform of household waste system as summer tourism strains collections

Current waste collection policies do not adequately account for tourism-driven waste, environmental NGO Żibel has said. The NGO argued that Malta's door-to-door system struggles during peak...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Portugal stay perfect without Ronaldo in Nations League, Germany held by Greece

Teuma strike puts Malta on brink of Nations League group victory

Verstappen beats Antonelli to win F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia as Russell retires

Ballon d'Or rivals Yamal and Kane star for Spain and England in Nations League wins

Verstappen takes his first pole position of the year at F1's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Lewandowski and De Bruyne shine in Nations League as Italy hold France to draw

Man City lodge 'comprehensive' appeal after guilty verdict in financial rule-breaking scandal

Nations League: Malta rues missed chances in frustrating draw with Gibraltar

Klopp celebrates 1st Germany win and Portugal moves on from Cristiano Ronaldo in Nations League

Potential sanctions against Man City could range from fines to expulsion from the Premier League

From ‘nibbejkja’ to nowhere: How Malta is toasting its own tongue

We are a people uniquely gifted with the superpower of seamlessly gliding between ancient Semitic roots and rigid British grammar in one single sentence. Historically, we have shamelessly...

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latest comment from onDmove, 05/10/2026 08:08: Minn fejn se nixtri naqra pejst tajba (Masterchef 04/10/2026)? Waqajna fir-redikolu!

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GDP growth is not enough if people remain at risk of poverty, Alex Borg says

Leader of the Opposition Alex Borg said economic growth and a strong GDP are not enough to measure the wellbeing of Malta’s population, arguing that the country should instead focus more closely...

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Three arrested in separate drug-related cases

Three people have been arrested in connection with two separate drug-related cases in St Paul's Bay and Marsa, police said. The first incident took place at around 11am on Saturday, when police...

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‘Disgusted’ PN MP says lack of justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia is ‘beyond humiliating’

Opposition MP Eve Borg Bonello said she feels "disgusted" and that it is "beyond humiliating" that justice has not yet been served to Daphne Caruana Galizia and her family, "and by extension this...

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Man charged with assaulting police officers after Valletta altercation

A 32-year-old man was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges that include assaulting police officers during an incident in Valletta on 30 September. James Manfrè, who...

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Abela promises ‘solid Budget which reflects the realities of today’

Prime Minister Robert Abela promised a “solid Budget which reflects the realities of today” as he addressed party delegates at the closing of the Labour Party’s General...

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latest comment from mohhmiftuh, 04/10/2026 23:02: U x'se jsir dwar il-prezzijiet tal- bini u l-kera li dejjem telghin u qeghdin igibu fix-xejn l-ghajnuna li jaghti l-gvern lil nies tal-klassi tan-nofs , fil-kaz ta' xiri ta' proprjeta', li ma jikkwalifikawx ghas-social housing ? Id-djar vojta ghandhom jibqghu jithallew vojta? Dan hu l-l-qasam fejn is-socjalizmu hemm bzonn jiehu post il-kapitalizmu sfrenat.

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Portugal stay perfect without Ronaldo in Nations League, Germany held by Greece

Gonçalo Ramos is helping Portugal to forget all about Cristiano Ronaldo, while Greece took more points off Jürgen Klopp and Germany in the Nations League. Ramos fired Portugal to a...

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Father and son in hospital after ceiling collapses in Marsa

A father and son have been hospitalised after the ceiling of a house in Marsa collapsed early on Sunday morning. A police spokesperson told The Malta Independent that the incident happened at...

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TMIS Editorial: Abela’s call for trust must begin at home

There is little to disagree with Prime Minister Robert Abela when he places trust at the centre of his message to the international community. At a time when misinformation is widespread,...

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latest comment from joe tedesco, 04/10/2026 23:03: Abela is hypocrisy at its best.

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Updated (2): Man who went naked in Żebbuġ fountain gets suspended sentence, leaves Malta

A 51-year-old Estonian man has admitted appearing naked in a public fountain in Żebbuġ after allegedly taking up a €200 bet with friends. Rainer Korgesaar, who has no fixed address...

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latest comment from J.Degabriele, 04/10/2026 14:21: It's not as if he's a fool of a young man. He seems to be quite mature which goes to prove that if you've born a fool, you'll die one too.

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Business

Neuralta Brain Power - Advanced Support for Brain Health

Can we learn from Softbank’s AI adventures?

BOV Fund Services marks 20 years of growth

Young leaders prepare to meet European decision-makers through JCI European Know-How Transfer

Malta Institute of Accountants holds 62nd AGM

EY Engage 2026 explores the building blocks of the AI-ready enterprise

Farsons Group delivers stable growth and increases interim dividend

db Group forecasts €104 million EBITDA as St George’s Bay enters operation

Microsoft launches a new Copilot, bringing AI, delegation and app creation together

Lidl Malta renews support for St Jeanne Antide Foundation

Sicilian port authorities intercept 377 exotic animals bound for Malta

Nathaniel Attard removed as Nationalist Party communications director

A full-time parliament could entice more young people and women to politics, Opposition MP says

Two traffic police officers cleared over Marsa flyover overtime fraud

Pope Francis' diaries to be published next month, revealing reflections on Vatican years

WasteServ warns of monthly battery fires as it rolls out national campaign on proper disposal

TMID Editorial: Parliament deserves reforms

Updated: KSU ‘pushes NGOs out of Freshers’ Week’ by imposing fee

Shaping the future of learning: Malta Union of Teachers unveils 2027 Budget proposals

Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Ministry for Social Policy sign three-year agreement

Suspended jail term for man who assaulted pregnant ex-partner

Spain's prime minister calls early elections as pressure mounts over housing crisis

Birgu to light up with 45,000 candles for ‘Birgu by Candlelight’

Updated: Matthew Caruana Galizia warns of judicial system ‘collapsing bit by bit’

Should Parliament decrease MPs’ allotted speaking time?

Only 43% of professional qualification applications approved by Malta, EU average at 82%

Former Prince Andrew files a legal action to quash warrants that led to searches of his residence

Teuma strike puts Malta on brink of Nations League group victory

Żibel calls for reform of household waste system as summer tourism strains collections

Verstappen beats Antonelli to win F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia as Russell retires

Enemalta to install Malta-Gozo electricity cable after summer of power cuts

Repubblika says justice for Daphne requires action, not just remembrance

Second interconnector approaches completion amid 12-day switch-off of first link

Educational sector 'poorer than ever': MUT slams tribunal ruling on Mario Mallia dismissal

Ballon d'Or rivals Yamal and Kane star for Spain and England in Nations League wins

Pharmacies open today 9am to 12pm & 4 to 7pm

Christa Pike on a ventilator and unconscious after failed Tennessee execution, attorneys say

18 youth, student organisations concerned by killing of protected birds

From ‘nibbejkja’ to nowhere: How Malta is toasting its own tongue

GDP growth is not enough if people remain at risk of poverty, Alex Borg says

Three arrested in separate drug-related cases

‘Disgusted’ PN MP says lack of justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia is ‘beyond humiliating’

Man charged with assaulting police officers after Valletta altercation

Abela promises ‘solid Budget which reflects the realities of today’

Portugal stay perfect without Ronaldo in Nations League, Germany held by Greece

Father and son in hospital after ceiling collapses in Marsa

TMIS Editorial: Abela’s call for trust must begin at home

Updated (2): Man who went naked in Żebbuġ fountain gets suspended sentence, leaves Malta

TMID Editorial: Traffic needs solutions that outlive legislatures

BA must enforce impartiality across all television and radio stations - Momentum

Verstappen takes his first pole position of the year at F1's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

FlyDubai co-pilot who nearly crashed plane was barred from flying by Oman over extremism concerns

1921 achievements bring with them a responsibility to protect democracy today – Speaker

Nearly eight tonnes of floating waste collected from Malta’s coastal waters