<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><rss version="2.0">    <channel>        <title>MaltaToday News National </title>        <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/rss/news/national/</link>        <description>MaltaToday RSS Feed news national</description>        <copyright>(c) 2014 MaltaToday, All Rights Reserved</copyright>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ PN proposes tourism eco-tax rise to be limited from May to October ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145422/pn_proposes_tourism_ecotax_rise_to_be_limited_from_may_to_october</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Opposition leader Alex Borg says the Budget 2027&nbsp;leaves businesses and consumers to pay for the government&#39;s mistakes, suggesting for the tourism eco-tax to be limited from May to October ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sun,01 Nov 2026 13:24:11 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>pn_proposes_tourism_ecotax_rise_to_be_limited_from_may_to_october</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Abela rejects discriminatory claims on foreign workers budget measures and calls for mature debate ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145421/abela_rejects_discriminatory_claims_on_foreign_worker_budget_measures_and_calls_for_mature_debate</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Prime Minister Robert Abela says workers must be treated with dignity, but their numbers must follow the needs of each sector ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sun,01 Nov 2026 12:34:12 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>abela_rejects_discriminatory_claims_on_foreign_worker_budget_measures_and_calls_for_mature_debate</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Alex Borg to propose lower tourist ecotax for winter months ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145393/alex_borg_to_propose_lower_tourist_ecotax_for_winter_months_</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Opposition leader Alex Borg is expected to propose retaining the current &euro;1.50 tourist ecotax during winter, while supporting the government&#39;s higher rates during the peak summer season in his budget reaction speech on Monday ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sun,01 Nov 2026 06:30:00 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>alex_borg_to_propose_lower_tourist_ecotax_for_winter_months_</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Cabinet blindsided by budget measures against non-EU workers ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145392/cabinet_blindsided_by_budget_measures_against_noneu_workers</link>            <description><![CDATA[ The leftist voices uncomfortable with Labour&rsquo;s populist turn that targets non-EU nationals ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sun,01 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>cabinet_blindsided_by_budget_measures_against_noneu_workers</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Organisations warn Bengħajsa land reclamation could deal ‘death blow’ to fishermen ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145415/organisations_warn_bengajsa_land_reclamation_could_deal_death_blow_to_fishermen</link>            <description><![CDATA[ A tender for a land reclamation master plan has drawn opposition from eight organisations, which warn of environmental destruction, lost fishing grounds, and a lack of public consultation ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sat,31 Oct 2026 17:45:35 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>organisations_warn_bengajsa_land_reclamation_could_deal_death_blow_to_fishermen</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Malta’s strong economy held back by spending and rule-of-law shortcomings, credit agency says ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145389/maltas_strong_economy_held_back_by_spending_and_ruleoflaw_shortcomings_credit_agency_says</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Credit agency Moody&nbsp;maintains Malta&rsquo;s A2 rating,&nbsp;but warns of rising government expenditure, continued energy subsidies, and institutional weaknesses ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sat,31 Oct 2026 12:56:36 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>maltas_strong_economy_held_back_by_spending_and_ruleoflaw_shortcomings_credit_agency_says</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Halloween thunderstorms kick off rainy first week of November ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145387/halloween_thunderstorms_kick_off_rainy_first_week_of_november</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Thunderstorms are forecast throughout Halloween weekend, with rain expected to continue into next week and winds reaching Force 6 on Monday ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sat,31 Oct 2026 10:55:24 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>halloween_thunderstorms_kick_off_rainy_first_week_of_november</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Momentum reveals the 22 questions asked in survey commissioned by Yorgen Fenechs uncle ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145385/the_22_questions_asked_in_survey_commissioned_by_yorgen_fenechs_uncle</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Survey previously linked to concerns over jury selection asked respondents whether they believed Fenech ordered Caruana Galizia&rsquo;s murder ]]></description>            <pubDate>Sat,31 Oct 2026 09:23:31 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>the_22_questions_asked_in_survey_commissioned_by_yorgen_fenechs_uncle</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Qrendi residents crash garden inauguration in protest over massive development ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145384/qrendi_residents_crash_garden_inauguration_in_protest_over_massive_development</link>            <description><![CDATA[ The direct action was taken in response to a zoning application threatening to alter the quiet locality through a massive development ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 19:48:06 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>qrendi_residents_crash_garden_inauguration_in_protest_over_massive_development</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Malta yachts now have access to US cruising licences ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145378/malta_yachts_now_have_access_to_us_cruising_licences</link>            <description><![CDATA[ People who own Maltese-flagged pleasure yachts are now able to apply for US cruising licences, placing Malta alongside other recognized maritime jurisdictions ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 15:15:40 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>malta_yachts_now_have_access_to_us_cruising_licences</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Malta elected co-facilitator for UN convention on older persons’ rights ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145373/malta_elected_cofacilitator_for_un_convention_on_older_persons_rights</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Fearne announces that Malta will work alongside Lesotho on the implementation and review mechanisms of a proposed UN treaty protecting older persons&rsquo; rights ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 12:22:54 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>malta_elected_cofacilitator_for_un_convention_on_older_persons_rights</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Ceiling collapses in Valletta shop while person is inside ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145372/emergency_services_responding_to_ceiling_collapse_in_valletta_shop</link>            <description><![CDATA[ No injuries were sustained after the shop ceiling collapsed at around 10:30am on Friday morning ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 11:15:16 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>emergency_services_responding_to_ceiling_collapse_in_valletta_shop</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Free seasonal vaccinations start Monday: Heres how to get yours ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145366/free_seasonal_vaccinations_start_monday_heres_how_to_get_yours</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Free flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines will be available at designated health centres, clinics and participating local councils from 2 November ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 09:59:42 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>free_seasonal_vaccinations_start_monday_heres_how_to_get_yours</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Maltese firms use AI in hiring, firing and promotion decisions ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145234/maltese_firms_use_ai_in_hiring_firing_and_promotion_decisions</link>            <description><![CDATA[ At least 15% of Maltese companies use AI to help them in hiring, firing or awarding promotions to employees, well above the EU average of 9% ]]></description>            <pubDate>Fri,30 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>maltese_firms_use_ai_in_hiring_firing_and_promotion_decisions</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Paola mayors freezing order withdrawn, prime minister says ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145348/paola_mayor_has_bank_account_frozen_by_developer_after_council_appeals_planning_permit</link>            <description><![CDATA[ A precautionary freezing order requested by a developer on Paola Mayor Jason Silvio has been withdrawn &bull; Freezing order was requested after council appealed&nbsp;planning permit ]]></description>            <pubDate>Thu,29 Oct 2026 18:32:38 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>paola_mayor_has_bank_account_frozen_by_developer_after_council_appeals_planning_permit</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ NGOs say developers bullying will not succeed after Paola mayor receives garnishee order ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145360/ngos_say_developers_bullying_will_not_succeed_after_paola_mayor_receives_garnishee_order</link>            <description><![CDATA[ The NGOs condemned the action as an unacceptable attempt to intimidate elected representatives and residents exercising their right to challenge planning decisions ]]></description>            <pubDate>Thu,29 Oct 2026 17:09:09 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>ngos_say_developers_bullying_will_not_succeed_after_paola_mayor_receives_garnishee_order</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Governance consultant advises TCNs to hold week-long strike to see how Malta would get on ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145352/governance_consultant_advices_tcns_to_hold_weeklong_strike_to_see_how_malta_would_get_on</link>            <description><![CDATA[ David Spiteri Gingell slams hostility toward TCNs which was fuelled by the Opposition and now risks being institutionalised by government ]]></description>            <pubDate>Thu,29 Oct 2026 13:43:20 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>governance_consultant_advices_tcns_to_hold_weeklong_strike_to_see_how_malta_would_get_on</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ AI could be used to spot grooming from players’ in-game behaviour ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145237/ai_could_be_used_to_spot_grooming_from_players_ingame_behaviour</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Artificial intelligence could help detect child grooming in online games by analysing player behaviour, a University of Malta professor says ]]></description>            <pubDate>Thu,29 Oct 2026 06:45:00 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>ai_could_be_used_to_spot_grooming_from_players_ingame_behaviour</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Malta opens new industrial sector with €10 million investment in green energy manufacturing ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145342/malta_opens_new_industrial_sector_with_10_million_investment_in_green_energy_manufacturing</link>            <description><![CDATA[ New 8,400sq.m facility will initially employ just over 40 people, with the workforce expected to grow to 60 by its fifth year of operation ]]></description>            <pubDate>Wed,28 Oct 2026 16:50:54 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>malta_opens_new_industrial_sector_with_10_million_investment_in_green_energy_manufacturing</guid>        </item>                <item>            <title><![CDATA[ Three bids for billion-euro geriatric hospital tender ]]></title>            <link>https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145336/three_bids_for_billioneuro_geriatric_hospital_tender</link>            <description><![CDATA[ Subsidiary companies of the Vassallo Group, Saint James Hospital, Corinthia and James Caterers have submitted bids to build and operate a new billion-euro hospital for the elderly on the grounds of St Vincent de Paul ]]></description>            <pubDate>Wed,28 Oct 2026 13:28:59 +0100</pubDate>            <guid>three_bids_for_billioneuro_geriatric_hospital_tender</guid>        </item>            </channel></rss>