Caterers on Friday welcomed Alex Borg 's pledge to lower VAT on catering services from 18% to 7% within the first 100 days of a PN government. The Association of Catering Establishments said in a statement that it had been pushing for this proposed measure for the past five years. The PN had proposed a 7% VAT rate for hotel services and restaurants
The MSPCA has announced an ongoing coordinated operation to trap a group of seven dogs in Baħar ic-Ċagħaq. So far, three dogs have been safely secured, while four remain to be captured. The public is urged not to intervene, feed, or approach the dogs, as this could compromise the operation. Authorities request that any sightings or location updates
Ira Losco debuted a new track during the opening night of Mużika Mużika, which kicked off its 2026 edition this week. The song, titled “Kuntenta Kif Jien”, was performed live on stage as part of the festival’s first night. It was composed by Philip Vella and produced by Sean Vella. Losco’s performance centred on themes of resilience and personal growth,
Robert Abela has called for prompt action by the EU to curb inflation within the energy sector amid geopolitical tensions caused by war in the Middle East. Addressing fellow European leaders in Brussels, the prime minister said that the consolidation of the Single Market should ensure a positive impact that is felt by all of the states' citizens and
Malta Public Transport is ramping up its services ahead of Malta’s crucial Nations League promotion play-off against Luxembourg, offering fans a smoother and more convenient way to get to Ta’ Qali. The match, set to take place on Thursday 26th March at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali National Stadium , is expected to draw large crowds, and transport
Momentum on Friday endorsed a tourism strategy devised by the Chamber of Commerce, which proposes scrapping a planning rule that allows hotels to add two extra floors and urges stepping up enforcement against illegal short-term rentals. The political party said the Malta Chamber of Commerce’s newly published tourism strategy, Rediscover to Align, aligns
The Civil Protection Department (CPD) shared footage of the moment a person was rescued from the sea in Valletta on 18th March. “A rapid response. Challenging conditions. A life safely recovered,” wrote CPD on Facebook. The footage shared online shows CPD rescuers entering the rough seas beneath Fort St Elmo in Valletta, reaching the individual in
Gozo is mourning the passing of Emanuel Cini, widely known as Leli tal-Melħ, a man who dedicated his life to preserving one of the island’s oldest traditional practices, salt harvesting. Cini died peacefully at the age of 83 on Wednesday, surrounded by his family at Gozo General Hospital . For more than five decades, he worked across 350 salt pans
One of Malta’s largest cab operators has missed its own March deadline to build a public service garage (PSG). By law, cab fleets with more than five cars must have a registered public service garage to store vehicles. Last July, a Transport Malta investigation found that the public service garage listed under Agius Trading was in fact a disused field
The following are the top stories in Malta's newspapers on Friday. Times of Malta leads with an article on how passengers flying in and out of Malta are being hit with immigration delays of more than 40 minutes due to the EU’s new entry/exit system, raising fears of even worse disruption during the summer rush. In a separate article, the newspaper
Fontana parish will hold its first Lenten procession on Friday. The via crucis with the statue of the Flagellation of Christ by sculptor Michael Cutajar Zahra, created in April 2019, will begin at 6pm from Trejqet Grezzja Grima. The second procession, in pageant form, will be held on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Friday, March 27. Three Passion
A pilgrimage with the 300-year-old statue of the Fall of Christ beneath the Cross – popularly known as L-Imgħobbi – will make its way from St Augustine church to the cathedral in Victoria on Friday at 6.45pm. The statue is the fourth in a set of five depicting the five sorrowful mysteries. They were commissioned in early 1700 by the Sodality of Holy
Thirteen Maltese water polo players and a coach could face disciplinary action over betting on matches at the European Championship finals played in Belgrade last January, Times of Malta has learnt. Six to seven of the players form part of the national team, which secured 13th place in the championship. RELATED STORIES Informants close to Malta's national
Prime Minister Robert Abela is right to put the MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) at the centre of Malta’s tourism strategy. Speaking at a Q&A session just a few weeks ago, he acknowledged that, while we have facilities, we lack a single purpose-built venue capable of hosting large-scale events. Describing a new convention
Much has been said about the tax exemption for pensioners. Very few have attempted to explain the changes and what this will mean in practice for pensioners. Here is a simplified account of the decade-old pension tax exemption reform. 1. Before 2016 • Pensioners paid tax on all their income, including their full pension. 2. 2016–2021 • Pension income
Michael Cassar of Valletta writes: Enclosed is the MEPA description of the Barriera and the Quarantine Hospital - a Grade 1 National monument. Calling Barriera Wharf ‘Quarry Wharf’ is a gross distortion of history and callous disservice to Malta’s widely acknowledged role in maritime health. Mark Said of Msida writes: Based on information tabled in
BORG – VICTOR. On the 29th anniversary of his death. Always remembered by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May the Lord grant him eternal rest. DIACONO – FRANCESCO SAVERIO (Maestro Franky). In ever loving memory of a dear father and nannu on the 26th anniversary of his death. Sadly missed by Stella and George and his grandchildren
The gap between the rich and the poor is widening rather than receding. While most governments portray themselves as champions of social mobility, the worrying reality is that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. A nation that believes in social solidarity must find solutions to bridge the income and wealth gap. A Central Bank
Passengers flying in and out of Malta are being hit with immigration delays of more than 40 minutes due to the EU’s new entry/exit system , raising fears of even worse disruption during the summer rush. Some travellers came close to missing their flights after long waits at border control, aviation sources told Times of Malta , as frustration mounts
MEP Peter Agius has criticised Malta for failing to join a group of 10 countries in calling on the European Commission to review a controversial emissions tax. Agius was responding to reports of a letter signed by energy ministers from 10 countries – including Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia