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Malta Arranges Special Flight to Repatriate Citizens from UAE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said Malta is organising a special private flight from Dubai to bring home most Maltese nationals stranded in the UAE amid regional tensions. Preparations are at an advanced stage, with the flight expected in the coming days if conditions allow. Malta’s embassy will contact affected citizens with details. Borg thanked diplomatic staff assisting Maltese in the region and said the government’s priority is their safety and return, while reaffirming Malta’s support for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. (The Malta Independent)
Malta LNG Supply Stable Despite Middle East Tensions: ElectroGas says Malta’s liquefied natural gas supply remains secure despite escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US. The company told MaltaToday it is monitoring developments but expects no disruption to electricity generation. Malta’s LNG is secured through a long-term supply agreement, ensuring stability and continuity. Most shipments originate from the Atlantic Basin rather than passing through the Strait of Hormuz, meaning current tensions in the Gulf do not affect supply. The next scheduled LNG cargo for Malta is also sourced from the Atlantic Basin and remains unaffected. (Maltatoday)
Kevin Camilleri Named GWU Secretary General Designate: General Workers’ Union deputy general secretary Kevin Camilleri has been appointed secretary general designate after his nomination for the union’s top post went unchallenged. He is expected to be formally confirmed by delegates at an extraordinary congress in the coming months. The process began in January after current secretary general Josef Bugeja announced plans to step down. The GWU, one of Malta’s two main trade unions representing tens of thousands of workers, considers the secretary general its most senior leadership role, comparable to a CEO. (Times of Malta)
Median Property Price for Under-40 Buyers Climbs to €237k: The median price paid by property buyers aged 18–40 rose from €163,560 in 2020 to €237,749 in 2025, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana told parliament in reply to a question by PN MP Ivan Bartolo. Solo purchases peaked in 2021 with 4,383 buyers, while 3,567 bought alone in 2025. Joint purchases reached 5,804 in 2025, down from a 2021 peak of 6,797. Studies show affordability worsening, with young couples on minimum wage able to afford just 2.2% of homes in 2025, while loan values for younger buyers have also risen sharply. (Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
Missile Strike on Malta-Flagged Vessel Raises Regional Security Fears
A Malta-flagged container ship was struck by a projectile believed to be a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, heightening tensions in already volatile regional waters. The Safeen Prestige issued an emergency call at around 1pm Malta time after being hit two nautical miles north of Oman. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the projectile struck just above the water line, triggering a fire in the engine room. The vessel, which had departed Sharjah and was bound for Jeddah, was expected in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. No injuries were reported. It was the fourth incident in the area within 24 hours, underlining growing risks to commercial shipping along one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime corridors. (Times of Malta)
17% of Maltese kids aged 7-9 are obese – study
New statistics show that 17% of Maltese children aged between seven and nine are obese, while a further 35.5% are at risk of obesity, according to recent data cited during World Obesity Day activities at the University of Malta. The figures, covering the period between 2022 and 2024, have raised fresh concern among health professionals about long-term public health trends. An awareness event organised by the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate highlighted the dangers of excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, often linked to fast-paced modern lifestyles. Experts stressed that obesity is associated with chronic illnesses including diabetes and certain cancers, urging young people to adopt small daily dietary improvements and increase physical activity to safeguard their future health. (TVM News)
Court Jails 21-Year-Old for Drug Driving and Bail Breaches
A 21-year-old man has been handed a two-year prison sentence after admitting to drug driving and breaching bail conditions, in a case that underscores ongoing concerns about road safety and repeat offending. The court heard how the young driver was found to be under the influence of drugs while behind the wheel, placing other road users at risk. It also emerged that he had violated bail conditions previously imposed by the court. In delivering sentence, the court stressed the seriousness of driving under the influence and the importance of respecting court orders. The punishment reflects a firm stance against behaviour that endangers public safety and disregards judicial authority. (Maltatoday)
