About our Malta news
Latest news on Malta, covering politics, the economy, tourism, EU affairs, migration, culture and life across the Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino.
Malta is a small archipelago in the central Mediterranean, lying between Sicily and North Africa, and one of the European Union's smallest and most densely populated member states. The republic comprises the main island of Malta alongside Gozo and Comino, with a population of roughly 550,000 centred on the capital, Valletta. Maltese and English are both official languages, and the economy has become one of the strongest performers in the eurozone, driven by tourism, financial services and online gaming.
Prime Minister Robert Abela's Labour Party secured a fourth consecutive term after a snap general election in May 2026, called amid concerns over energy costs linked to Middle East tensions. Malta's economy has continued to outpace much of the eurozone, with strong tourism receipts and steady growth, although inflation and a tight labour market remain pressure points. Myriam Spiteri Debono holds the largely ceremonial role of President, reflecting Malta's Westminster style parliamentary system.
Malta's once lucrative citizenship by investment scheme, widely dubbed the 'golden passport' programme, was ruled unlawful by the European Court of Justice for commercialising EU citizenship, and has since been wound down. The islands also sit on a front line of Mediterranean migration, with the Maltese search and rescue zone regularly involved in perilous crossings from North Africa. Long standing concerns about press freedom and corruption have persisted since the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, which led to a public inquiry and continued scrutiny of the rule of law.
Malta's cultural calendar is dominated by Carnival each February and the village festa season through summer, when fireworks, brass bands and processions honour each parish's patron saint. Traditions such as 'Il-Parata', a costumed dance re-enacting the Knights' victory over the Ottomans, sit alongside a strong Roman Catholic identity that shapes daily life. The Maltese language, of Semitic origin, is spoken alongside English and widely understood Italian, reflecting centuries of Mediterranean exchange. Beyond the festivities, Malta's beaches, diving sites and the Blue Lagoon off Comino draw visitors year round.
Malta's strategic position has shaped its history since antiquity, with Phoenician, Roman, Arab and Norman influences layered beneath the rule of the Knights of St John from 1530, who famously withstood the Great Siege of 1565 by Ottoman forces. British rule followed from 1813, including a role as a fortified Royal Navy base and a heavily bombarded position during the Second World War that earned the island the George Cross for collective bravery. Malta gained independence in 1964, became a republic a decade later, and joined the European Union in 2004 before adopting the euro in 2008.
From general elections and EU policy battles to migration pressures, festa season and the islands' deep historical layers, Malta offers a compact but consistently newsworthy story. This ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ feed brings together the latest headlines on Malta's politics, economy, culture and current affairs, helping readers stay informed about developments across Malta, Gozo and Comino as they happen.