Election 2026 — Grey-vote battle: Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Alex Borg both went after Malta’s elderly voters, but with different pitches: Abela leaned on continuity and gradual welfare expansion, while Borg accused Labour of panic and exhaustion, framing the campaign as a credibility test over pensions, healthcare and dignity. Campaign ethics — Partners in the spotlight: A fresh editorial pushback says the campaign is blurring lines of authority by giving unusually prominent roles to Lydia Abela and Sarah Bajada, neither of whom is elected or accountable. Children’s Local Councils — Inheritance agenda: Over 500 children from 65 councils urged parties to commit to safer streets, mental-health support, online protection and a real role in decisions shaping their future. Eurovision — Vienna starts amid boycott noise: Eurovision opens in Vienna with heightened security and controversy over Israel’s participation, as broadcasters including RTÉ boycott. Courts — Steward debt exposed: A court ordered Steward Malta to pay nearly €160,000 to a security contractor for hospital services, adding to the fallout from the hospitals concession saga. Gozo healthcare — Masterplan unveiled: Government announced a masterplan for Gozo General Hospital plus major work at St Luke’s and Boffa. Gozo enforcement — Ħondoq Bay still blocked: Illegal concrete boulders remain in place despite an enforcement order, with critics pointing to weak follow-through. EU pressure — RED III delay: Malta is taken to the EU Court of Justice over delays in transposing RED III.