PN reshuffle: Nationalist Party communications chief Nathaniel Attard has been removed as Alex Borg’s spokesperson, with internal criticism of the party’s media strategy and leadership swirling as Attard’s long tenure is cut short. Defence & Malta ties: The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon left Gibraltar and is expected back toward Portsmouth after a Middle East deployment, with a social media note highlighting strengthened UK–Malta partnership links. EU budget fight: Seventeen EU states, including Malta, urged the Irish EU presidency to protect cohesion and CAP funding in the 2028–2034 budget ahead of the 15–16 October European Council. Media reform pressure: Malta’s media reform bill faces renewed calls for broad consultation, with press freedom groups and EFJ urging the Prime Minister to open the process to scrutiny. International politics: Spain’s Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for 29 November after parliament rejected key housing decrees, setting up a high-stakes test as far-right gains loom. Malta in the wider world: Airbus demonstrated quantum-secure tactical communications in Malta, while a Malta-bound shipment of 300 tortoises and 77 parrots from Sicily led to animal cruelty charges.