Food & Tourism: Malta International Food Festival returns for its 10th edition at Floriana Granaries, running 5–9 August, with daily openings 6pm–midnight, 100+ exhibitors and 1,000+ dishes across 42 cuisines, spotlighting Maltese producers. Energy & Construction Costs: Government approved a 33% rise in the maximum fee for disposing construction and demolition waste from €12 to €16 per tonne, extending quarry operators’ tax exemptions to 2031—an outcome developers say will feed into housing prices. Power-Cut Pressure: The Opposition says Malta needs a clear, solution-led plan to tackle the electricity crisis, calling for more investment and infrastructure that keeps pace with demand. Maritime Security: Shipping risk remains high around Hormuz and the Red Sea, with reports of tanker attacks and rerouting as traffic slows and some vessels switch off tracking signals. Shipping & Logistics (Malta link): Atlas Air completed a deal to take a 49% stake in Air Atlanta, expanding widebody cargo capacity that includes Malta-certified operations. Local Industry & Fisheries: Palm fronds are being distributed to fishermen ahead of the 15 August lampuki season, supporting traditional kannizzati rafts. Finance: HSBC Malta reported €44.4m profit before tax for H1 2026 and declared an interim dividend of €0.043 per share. Aviation/Engineering: Malta-Sicily Interconnector 2 hit another milestone with major electrical equipment installed, including shunt reactors and an auto transformer. Business Climate: Malta’s economy kept growing in Q1 2026, with inflation easing to 2.3% and labour markets staying tight.