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Abela Pushes for Strong EU Funding as Leaders Tackle Budget and Energy Costs: Prime Minister Robert Abela joined European leaders in Brussels for a two-day European Council summit focusing on the EU’s 2028–2034 budget, economic competitiveness and energy prices. Dr Abela attended a meeting of 17 member states advocating a strong cohesion policy, calling for an ambitious, fair and balanced budget that supports Europe’s competitiveness and protects Malta’s interests. He also warned that high energy costs risk driving industries out of Europe, stressing the need for reliable energy supplies and affordable prices. On trade with China, Dr Abela favoured dialogue over confrontation, cautioning that protective measures could increase consumer prices. Discussions also covered geopolitical uncertainty, with migration and the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine scheduled for the summit’s concluding sessions. (TVM News)
Alex Borg Urges EU to Ease Emissions Rules and Boost Funding for Islands: Opposition Leader Alex Borg has called for EU emissions policies and the bloc’s 2028–2034 budget to better reflect the challenges faced by island states, particularly Malta and Gozo. Speaking at a European People’s Party summit in Brussels, Dr Borg urged an exemption from the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) for small countries such as Malta and Cyprus, arguing that the rules could disproportionately affect connectivity. The Nationalist Party supports maritime emissions reductions but wants the system reviewed to protect connectivity and Maltese ports’ competitiveness. The PN also welcomed the summit declaration’s recognition of the Mediterranean as a strategic priority, following its proposal to strengthen references to the region. Dr Borg further called for dedicated EU funding for Malta and Gozo to support infrastructure, businesses, economic growth and competitiveness. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Man arrested after woman, 72, found murdered in Mqabba
A 47-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 72-year-old woman in Mqabba after initially fleeing the scene and later surrendering to police following negotiations. The suspect, John Cassar, was arrested at his residence in Ħal Farruġ. He is the brother of Roderick Cassar, who is serving a 50-year prison sentence for the murder of his estranged wife, Bernice Cassar, née Cilia. Police said they received a call at around 2.15pm on Thursday after a domestic argument escalated at a residence in Mqabba. Officers arriving at the scene found a 74-year-old man collapsed outside the residence with injuries to his chest. He was taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Police then entered the property and found the woman dead, with injuries across her body. Both victims, who were married to each other, appeared to have suffered stab wounds. Investigators are treating the case as a murder. A magisterial inquiry has been launched and is being led by Magistrate Renata Farrugia. (Times of Malta)
Calls for justice renewed in Brussels nine years after Caruana Galizia murder
MEPs, journalists and press freedom activists gathered outside the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday to mark the ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination and renew calls for those who commissioned her murder to be brought to justice. The demonstration, held a day before the anniversary of her killing on October 16, 2017, was organised in collaboration with the European Federation of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Institute of Maltese Journalists. Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb near her home in Bidnija. Five men have been convicted in connection with the murder, but nobody has been convicted of commissioning it. The gathering came just over a month after businessman Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of charges of complicity and criminal association in the murder. Tom Gibson, representing the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Fenech’s acquittal had been a major setback for Caruana Galizia’s family. He also criticised the government over what he described as insufficient action on recommendations made by the 2021 public inquiry, which found that the state had created a culture of impunity that facilitated the murder. (The Malta Independent)
Tourists added more than 90,000 people to Malta’s population in August
Tourists increased Malta’s effective population by more than 90,000 people in August 2025, taking the total number of people on the islands to 671,576, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office. The peak summer month saw the effective population rise from 581,244 residents to 671,576 when tourists were included. The increase of 90,332 people was entirely attributable to visitors staying in Malta. Across the whole of 2025, tourism added an average of 50,767 people to the resident population, bringing the average effective population to 632,011. The figures highlight the additional pressure tourism places on Malta’s population during the busiest months of the year, when the number of people on the islands rises significantly above the resident population. The effective population measure takes account of tourists alongside residents, providing a broader picture of the number of people present in the country at a given time. While the resident population provides the basis for measuring Malta’s demographic size, the effective population reflects the additional presence of tourists and the associated demand on infrastructure and services. (Maltatoday)
Tourists added more than 90,000 people to Malta’s population in August
Tourists increased Malta’s effective population by more than 90,000 people in August 2025, taking the total number of people on the islands to 671,576, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office.
The peak summer month saw the effective population rise from 581,244 residents to 671,576 when tourists were included. The increase of 90,332 people was entirely attributable to visitors staying in Malta.
Across the whole of 2025, tourism added an average of 50,767 people to the resident population, bringing the average effective population to 632,011.
The figures highlight the additional pressure tourism places on Malta’s population during the busiest months of the year, when the number of people on the islands rises significantly above the resident population.
The effective population measure takes account of tourists alongside residents, providing a broader picture of the number of people present in the country at a given time.
August is traditionally Malta’s busiest month for tourism, with visitor numbers adding substantially to demand for transport, accommodation, public spaces and other services.
While the resident population provides the basis for measuring Malta’s demographic size, the effective population reflects the additional presence of tourists and the associated demand on infrastructure and services.
The NSO figures show that the difference between the two measures can be substantial during peak season, with more than 90,000 additional people present in August alone.
On an annual average, the tourism contribution was equivalent to more than 50,000 additional people, underlining the extent to which visitor numbers affect the total population present in Malta throughout the year.
