The Malta Independent

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17 October 2026, Saturday

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Pope Leo returns to the Vatican 4 days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where dozens of well-wishers saw him off with cries of "Holiness." "I...

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John Cassar charged with murdering mother, attempting to kill father in Mqabba

John Cassar has been arraigned in court facing charges of murdering his mother and attempting to murder his father in Mqabba last Thursday. Cassar, 47, appeared before Magistrate Nadia Helena...

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Government issues call for tenders for new electricity distribution centre at Mater Dei Hospital

The Foundation for Medical Services and Enemalta plc are issuing a call for tenders for a new electricity distribution centre at Mater Dei Hospital, to strengthen security of supply and increase...

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Colombian man, 31, dies after motorcycle crash in Attard

A 31-year-old Colombian man has died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing in Attard early on Saturday morning. Police said they were informed at around 2.30am that assistance was...

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EU Budget must safeguard Maltese and Gozitan interests, PM says in Brussels

In Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Abela attended a two-day European Council summit during which European leaders discussed the European Union's long-term budget for the 2028-2034 period, European...

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Embattled White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is leaving the job after less than a week

Katie Zacharia is departing as White House press secretary, saying it "was an honor to work for" President Donald Trump after a short and rocky tenure that was defined by questions about her...

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An American pope brings American-style governance to the Vatican, even in a health crisis

There's a telling anecdote from St. John Paul II's pontificate that illustrates how Pope Leo XIV and his American style of governing have changed the Vatican and the way it handles papal health...

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Robert Agius and George Degiorgio among inmates found with mobile phones in prison cells

Robert 'Tal-Maksar' Agius, George 'Iċ-Ċiniż' Degiorgio and an Italian inmate are among prisoners found in possession of mobile phones in their cells, with police investigating the...

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Nine years on: Anger and resilience echo through anniversary of Daphne’s assassination

Protesters gathered in Valletta this evening, marking exactly nine years since investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb soon after she left her home in...

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Momentum wants funds allocated to shared cab initiative in Budget 2027

Momentum on Saturday called for Budget 2027 to prioritise immediate transport solutions over disruptive megaprojects that will take decades to deliver. At the heart of the party's proposal is a...

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OHSA launches national campaign to promote mental health

Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Employment, Jonathan Attard, together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), Josianne Cutajar, launched the...

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Blogs & Opinions

Emmanuel J. Galea

Gridlock by appointment

Owen Bonnici

Housing at the heart of a fairer Malta

Alfred Sant

The teaching of Maltese

Mark Said

Malta still needs to heal

Emmanuel J. Galea

Chris Bonett, Minister for Immobility

Frans Camilleri

Bridging the cohesion and diversity gap

Alfred Sant

Churches and gambling

Adrian Delia

What Clyde Caruana’s pre-budget message really tells us

Kevin Aquilina

Revisiting the Inquiries Act

Marco Bonnici

Educators – do speak up!

TMID Editorial: Think before you name your child

Few decisions parents make will accompany their children for as long as the name they choose at birth. Unlike clothing, hairstyles or toys, a name cannot simply be replaced when fashions change. It...

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Activists gather in Bidnija for ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination

Journalists, activists, and diplomats gathered in Bidnija on Friday afternoon for a silent vigil marking the ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination. The solemn memorial took...

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Songbirds research period and trapping seasons to open in October and November

The research period for seven species of Songbirds and the trapping season for Song Thrushes (Malvizz) will open on 20 October, while trapping for Golden Plovers will begin on 1 November, the Ministry...

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Edward Zammit Lewis appointed Commissioner for Laws

Dr Edward Zammit Lewis has been appointed Commissioner for Laws, while Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi will chair the Commission for Appointments and Discipline within Administrative Tribunals, the...

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President joins European leaders for Arraiolos Group summit in Slovenia

President Myriam Spiteri Debono joined non-executive Heads of State from across the European Union in Slovenia for the informal Arraiolos Group summit. Upon her arrival, President Spiteri Debono was...

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9 years after Daphne’s murder: Journalists urged to stand firm against violence, online harassment

Journalists have been urged to stand firm against violence and online harassment by reporting any such incidents for them to be documented. Speaking on the ninth anniversary of the brutal...

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Archbishop joins Caruana Galizia family in prayer on ninth anniversary of assassination

Archbishop Charles Scicluna day joined the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia for a private moment of prayer and remembrance on Friday, marking nine years since the journalist was assassinated, the...

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Updated: Parents seek route change after school journeys double to over 90 minutes; Coop replies

A group of parents from seven families say their children's school bus journeys from northern Malta to St Francis School in Cospicua have more than doubled this school year, with some children being...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

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

Formula 1 announces return to Africa with grand prix in Rwanda in early 2030s

Venezia still winless in Serie A, Coventry hammer Newcastle, Levante fights back for draw

YoHealth Malta Premier: Valletta biggest winners of MD 7

Lazio flying high in Serie A, Freiburg lead Bundesliga

Man City ignore jeers from Liverpool fans to seal 3-0 statement win in Premier League

Max Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli closes in on F1 title

FSWS handled more than 27,000 cases in 2025, a 5% increase on previous year

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) handled more than 27,000 cases in 2025, marking a 5% increase on the previous year as demand for social services continued to grow. The figures...

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34 new police constables graduate after completing first University of Malta-accredited course

A total of 34 new constables have officially joined the Malta Police Force after completing their training, becoming the first group of recruits to graduate from a one-year course accredited by the...

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Birkirkara house rented to Richmond Foundation for specialised residential support for adolescents

Agreements have been signed between the Housing Authority, the National Mental Health Services and the Richmond Foundation for the rental and subletting of a three-bedroom maisonette in Birkirkara,...

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Three motorcyclists grievously injured in separate traffic accidents

Three motorcyclists were grievously injured in separate traffic accidents in St Julian's, Fgura and St Paul's Bay on Friday morning, a police statement said. All three men were taken to Mater Dei...

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‘Fragmentation’ hinders effectiveness of whistleblower protection in Malta, report finds

Fragmentation is negatively affecting the effectiveness of whistleblower protection in Malta, a report published by vRepubblika on Friday shows. Repubblika today published a new report...

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

Antonio Raimondo scored a hat trick for Frosinone in a 4-2 win over Sassuolo in Serie A on Friday, and Toulouse netted three times in the second half to overcome a plucky Le Mans 3-0 in the French...

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Insurers call for urgent clarity on EV disposal procedures

The Insurance Association Malta on Friday the Energy Minister's statement that importers and manufacturers are responsible for disposing of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, but warns that...

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Malta to transpose EU directive against human trafficking, Minister says

Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Cutajar said that Malta shall be transposing an EU directive on preventing and combatting human trafficking to bolster domestic frameworks. She added...

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Motorcyclist taken to hospital after crash with car in Buġibba

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital following a traffic accident involving a car and a motorcycle in Buġibba on Friday morning. The accident occurred at around 9.15am in Triq il-Korp...

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Updated (3): 72-year-old woman murdered, husband injured in Mqabba; suspect arrested

An elderly man, aged around 70, was stabbed with a sharp object during a family altercation that turned violent in a residence in Valletta Road, Mqabba, on Thursday afternoon, police said. Police...

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Business

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

ETERNA Group unites Malta’s food and healthcare businesses

How Malta’s Regulatory Framework Protects European Consumers

Bovey, BOV’s virtual assistant, now speaks Maltese

Pope Leo returns to the Vatican 4 days after lung cancer surgery

John Cassar charged with murdering mother, attempting to kill father in Mqabba

Government issues call for tenders for new electricity distribution centre at Mater Dei Hospital

Colombian man, 31, dies after motorcycle crash in Attard

EU Budget must safeguard Maltese and Gozitan interests, PM says in Brussels

Embattled White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is leaving the job after less than a week

An American pope brings American-style governance to the Vatican, even in a health crisis

Robert Agius and George Degiorgio among inmates found with mobile phones in prison cells

Nine years on: Anger and resilience echo through anniversary of Daphne’s assassination

Momentum wants funds allocated to shared cab initiative in Budget 2027

OHSA launches national campaign to promote mental health

TMID Editorial: Think before you name your child

Activists gather in Bidnija for ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination

Songbirds research period and trapping seasons to open in October and November

Edward Zammit Lewis appointed Commissioner for Laws

President joins European leaders for Arraiolos Group summit in Slovenia

9 years after Daphne’s murder: Journalists urged to stand firm against violence, online harassment

Archbishop joins Caruana Galizia family in prayer on ninth anniversary of assassination

Updated: Parents seek route change after school journeys double to over 90 minutes; Coop replies

Neville Gafà rejects Labour warning, vows to continue exposing ‘the truth’

Foreign diplomats urge Malta to implement Daphne inquiry recommendations in full

TMID Editorial: 9 years on, and justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia is further than ever before

Nine years after Daphne’s murder, Malta has still failed to deliver justice – David Casa

Hearing begins in PN’s broadcasting impartiality constitutional case

EU leaders push back on a major budget proposal, putting a deal by end of the year in doubt

Former Air Malta HR chief awarded €33,333 in unpaid performance bonuses

Man fined €2,000 after demanding free meal at restaurant

Ħamrun hit-and-run lands man suspended sentence, €3,000 fine, deportation

FSWS handled more than 27,000 cases in 2025, a 5% increase on previous year

34 new police constables graduate after completing first University of Malta-accredited course

Birkirkara house rented to Richmond Foundation for specialised residential support for adolescents

Three motorcyclists grievously injured in separate traffic accidents

‘Fragmentation’ hinders effectiveness of whistleblower protection in Malta, report finds

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

Insurers call for urgent clarity on EV disposal procedures

Malta to transpose EU directive against human trafficking, Minister says

Motorcyclist taken to hospital after crash with car in Buġibba

Updated (3): 72-year-old woman murdered, husband injured in Mqabba; suspect arrested

Doctors say Pope's lung has recovered well from surgery, say his post-operative tests normal

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

Planning Authority issues emergency protection for historic property and garden in St Julian’s

Effective population reaches 632,011 in 2025 – NSO

Malta Ranger Unit, BirdLife oppose music event at Natura 2000 site

Two men granted bail following seizure of 15kg of cannabis and 4kg of cocaine