The Malta Independent

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8 October 2026, Thursday

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BirdLife opposes as ORNIS votes to lower penalties for protected bird offences

BirdLife was the only opponent to proposals that penalties for protected bird offences are lowered, meaning that the vote taken by the ORNIS committee on Tuesday saw it approve the...

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Updated: Employer bodies reject minister's claims cheap labour growth was their choice

The Malta Employers Association has rejected claims made by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana implying that the increase in population is the private sector's fault. Employers share the objective of...

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Deputy Speaker reminds MPs to criticise arguments, not each other, after Prime Minister remark

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bernard Grech, called for Members of Parliament to uphold “orderly language” inside the Parliament and to only criticise arguments put...

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First meetings begin as Malta welcomes over 1,000 delegates for WTTC Summit

The 26th edition of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit kicked off in Malta on Wednesday as over 1,000 delegates and 190 journalists made their way to Malta to discuss future...

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Man remanded in custody after allegedly harassing ex-partner, spitting in her face

A man has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to a string of 15 charges involving the alleged harassment and threatening of his former partner, as well as breaches of a protection order...

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‘We can't live in a society where officers going to help end up injured’: Man charged over RIU fight

Joseph Scerri, 58, was arraigned in court on Wednesday over charges including insulting, threatening, or committing an offence against persons lawfully charged with a public service, as well as...

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Gender pension gap stands at almost 37%, but minister says figure does not tell the full story

Malta’s gender pension gap stands at almost 37%, according to the latest statistics published by the National Statistics Office, Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon told...

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Cancer patients have a right to free chemotherapy on the government formulary, PN says

Cancer patients have a right to chemotherapy on the government formulary, and the Nationalist Party will continue working hard to ensure this remains a priority, PN Leader Alex Borg told that Malta...

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Man granted bail over Marsa hit-and-run which left pedestrian grievously injured

A 41-year-old man has been granted bail after being charged over a hit-and-run in Marsa which left a pedestrian grievously injured. Justin Vella pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including...

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PN to vote in favour of amendments to Social Enterprise Act, but government must not procrastinate

The Nationalist Party said Thursday it will vote in favour of the amendments to the Social Enterprise Act. However, we cannot ignore the fact that this law was unanimously approved by Parliament...

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Woman breaks down, begs magistrate not to send her to prison after Mater Dei fight with police

A 24-year-old woman broke down in tears and begged a magistrate not to send her to prison on Wednesday, after being denied bail over an alleged fight with police and security officers at Mater Dei...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Emmanuel J. Galea

Trust begins at Castille

Frans Camilleri

Minimum wages conundrum

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

‘I want to see the Police Force with more resources at every level’ – Minister Glenn Bedingfield

Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield has called for more resources for the Police Force to strengthen its fight against organised crime, particularly drug trafficking, human...

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Israelis mourn on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack as Palestinians live in devastated Gaza

Israelis gathered Wednesday to commemorate the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people, saw 251 taken hostage, and sparked a devastating war in Gaza that has devastated the territory and...

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Man arrested at airport in connection with stabbing in St Julian's

A 25-year-old French man was arrested at Malta International Airport following a multi-day police investigation linked to an alleged stabbing on Triq il-Wilġa, St Julian's, the police said...

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Accused in Miriam Azzopardi murder told police he grabbed victim by neck while having sex

DISCLAIMER: This article contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing The Ghanaian man accused of strangling Miriam Azzopardi told police that he grabbed her by the neck while...

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David Casa calls for tougher EU action on corruption

PN Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa has called for the EU's upcoming Anti-Corruption Strategy to ensure that Europe's new anti-corruption rules are implemented and enforced...

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€45 million Ħal Farruġ social housing project to provide 267 apartments

A €45 million social housing project comprising of 267 apartments and around 300 garages and parking spaces is progressing in Ħal Farruġ, the Housing Ministry said on...

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Energy subsidies have cost Malta more than Covid, Clyde Caruana says; COLA to be 'around €5'

Energy subsidies have cost Malta significantly more than the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said on Tuesday, as he defended the government's decision to keep shielding households...

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TMID Editorial: More electricity is only half the solution

Saturday brought two important announcements on Malta's electricity infrastructure. One concerned the progress being made on the second electricity interconnector with Sicily; the other concerned the...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Merino comes up clutch again for Spain as Kane marks record-setting match with 2 goals for England

Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era

Zidane and Mancini get first home wins in charge of France and Italy in Nations League

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

Foreign direct investment reaches €493.1 billion, direct investment abroad at €463.9 billion – NSO

As at the end of 2025, the stock position of Foreign Direct Investment in Malta stood at €493.1 billion, while Direct Investment abroad amounted to €463.9 billion, the NSO said...

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Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era

Argentina is confronting a once-unimaginable reality: a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi. On Tuesday, 39-year-old Messi bid farewell to international soccer after 21 years, 126...

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CJEU clarifies jurisdiction for online-booked domestic flights in baggage loss claim

In Case C‑876/24, I.G.V. v Vueling Airlines SA, the Third Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court or the CJEU) clarified the scope of the jurisdictional rules contained in...

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PM Abela continues to refuse to act against organised crime - Repubblika

Prime Minister Robert Abela yesterday reiterated his refusal to introduce legislation specifically designed to combat mafia-style organised crime, Repubblika said Tuesday. His argument has...

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Information requested on Gozo ghost has ‘disappeared,’ Minister says

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said that information requested about police investigations into an alleged ghostly encounter at a farmhouse in Xewkija had "disappeared," in a tongue-in-cheek...

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Updated: Illegal canopy in Sliema removed following Planning Authority enforcement action

An illegal canopy linked to businessman Carlo Stivala in Sliema has been removed following enforcement action by the Planning Authority (PA), with activist organisation Moviment Graffitti welcoming...

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Parliaments must ensure AI serves children’s rights, former Speaker Anglu Farrugia says

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Farrugia stressed the important role of Parliaments in ensuring that artificial intelligence serves, rather than undermines, children's...

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Bonett rejects claims of rift with Caruana over light-rail project

Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett has rejected suggestions of a disagreement with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana over the government's proposed light-rail system, describing reports of a rift...

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NGO stages protest outside Parliament over coastal pressures

Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) staged a public action outside Parliament on Tuesday, transforming the area into a symbolic overcrowded Maltese beach to highlight what it described as growing...

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Merino comes up clutch again for Spain as Kane marks record-setting match with 2 goals for England

Spain preserved its 2½-year unbeaten streak by rallying to beat Croatia thanks to a clutch second-half double from super-sub Mikel Merino, while Harry Kane scored two more goals on another...

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Business

Strong shareholder take-up for APS Bank’s 2026 interim scrip dividend

Creativity and entrepreneurship meet in free business skills course for Malta’s creatives

MBA conference examines modern defences against increasingly complex financial crime

MED9 Summit: MBB and Mediterranean business federations demand action on islands strategy

US Condé Nast Traveler Readers name The Phoenicia Malta among Europe’s best hotels

Studjurban secures two finalist places at SHARE Architecture Awards 2026 in London

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

BirdLife opposes as ORNIS votes to lower penalties for protected bird offences

Updated: Employer bodies reject minister's claims cheap labour growth was their choice

Deputy Speaker reminds MPs to criticise arguments, not each other, after Prime Minister remark

First meetings begin as Malta welcomes over 1,000 delegates for WTTC Summit

Man remanded in custody after allegedly harassing ex-partner, spitting in her face

‘We can't live in a society where officers going to help end up injured’: Man charged over RIU fight

Gender pension gap stands at almost 37%, but minister says figure does not tell the full story

Cancer patients have a right to free chemotherapy on the government formulary, PN says

Man granted bail over Marsa hit-and-run which left pedestrian grievously injured

PN to vote in favour of amendments to Social Enterprise Act, but government must not procrastinate

Woman breaks down, begs magistrate not to send her to prison after Mater Dei fight with police

‘I want to see the Police Force with more resources at every level’ – Minister Glenn Bedingfield

Israelis mourn on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack as Palestinians live in devastated Gaza

Man arrested at airport in connection with stabbing in St Julian's

Accused in Miriam Azzopardi murder told police he grabbed victim by neck while having sex

David Casa calls for tougher EU action on corruption

€45 million Ħal Farruġ social housing project to provide 267 apartments

Energy subsidies have cost Malta more than Covid, Clyde Caruana says; COLA to be 'around €5'

TMID Editorial: More electricity is only half the solution

13 new kennels and air conditioning installed at Animal Welfare Department

Public transport passenger journeys rise to 234,673 a day in first half of 2026

Nathaniel Attard breaks silence after PN dismissal

First Building Codes nearing completion as public consultation expected in coming months

Labour MEPs seek changes to EU emissions rules to ease burden on Malta and Gozo

Peter Agius proposes 50% reduction in EU transport emissions tax for island states

Government launches €60.6 million Social Climate Fund Plan

Prison guard accused of raping 14-year-old former ‘girlfriend’ granted bail

PN says one thing and does another on freedom of expression – PL

Foreign direct investment reaches €493.1 billion, direct investment abroad at €463.9 billion – NSO

Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era

CJEU clarifies jurisdiction for online-booked domestic flights in baggage loss claim

PM Abela continues to refuse to act against organised crime - Repubblika

Information requested on Gozo ghost has ‘disappeared,’ Minister says

Updated: Illegal canopy in Sliema removed following Planning Authority enforcement action

Parliaments must ensure AI serves children’s rights, former Speaker Anglu Farrugia says

Bonett rejects claims of rift with Caruana over light-rail project

NGO stages protest outside Parliament over coastal pressures

Merino comes up clutch again for Spain as Kane marks record-setting match with 2 goals for England

Abela stresses peace and trust in institutions at UN, while Borg challenges government’s credibility

Social Climate Fund must deliver for those who need it most, David Casa says

Man found guilty of murder after fight over whiskey in Marsa, sentenced to life in prison

Russia reports a worker at a Siberian plague institute got pneumonia from an unknown cause and died

Robert Abela says he will not support any proposal that labels Malta as a 'mafia state’

TMID Editorial - Rising turnover, falling profits: Malta must protect its businesses