Updated 1000
Plastic curbs proposed for takeaway sector
New draft rules in Malta propose a charge on plastic-lined takeaway boxes and a ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) for food and drink consumed on-site. The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has opened a public consultation until 25 July, seeking views from the public and catering sector. The rules will apply to all commercial food providers including restaurants, cafés, bars, food trucks, and delivery services—but exclude food served to in-patients in hospitals and care homes. The aim is to reduce plastic pollution by cutting reliance on SUPs in everyday food services. (Maltatoday)
FIAU issues over €500,000 in fines in 2024
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) issued €504,730 in fines this year as part of its anti-money laundering enforcement. Its annual report shows that suspicious transaction reports (STRs) rose to 9,430, mainly from online gaming firms. There were over 6,800 disseminations of these reports, sent to local and international authorities. The FIAU also increased its supervision, conducting 187 interventions and pushing forward compliance efforts under its 2023–2026 strategy, 25% of which is already completed. More than 18,000 individuals and 6,000 companies were reported for suspected money laundering in 2024. (The Malta Independent)
Man dies in Żebbuġ crash
A 32-year-old man from Luqa died after a crash between two cars on Mdina Road, Żebbuġ on Wednesday night. The collision, which occurred at around 10pm, involved a Honda Civic and a Renault Captur driven by a 57-year-old man from Dingli. A 28-year-old woman from Attard was also in the Honda. All three were taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where the younger driver was later certified dead. The other driver suffered serious injuries, while the woman’s condition is still unknown. Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici is leading the inquiry. (Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
EU takes Malta to Court over gaming law
The European Commission has launched legal action against Malta over changes to its Gaming Act, which it says breach EU rules on cross-border enforcement of civil judgments. Malta amended its law to block enforcement of foreign rulings against local gaming companies. The Commission says this undermines Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012, which ensures mutual recognition of court decisions across the bloc. Malta has two months to reply and insists its law aligns with EU rules. Failure to address concerns could lead to the case being referred to the EU Court of Justice. (Maltatoday)
May weather warmer and wetter than usual
May was warmer than usual, with average temperatures exceeding the norm by 1.6°C, the MIA Met Office said. Rainfall reached 36.6mm, over 26mm above the monthly average, making May one of three wetter-than-usual months so far this year. Most of the rain fell on the 15th, during a thunderstorm that also brought the strongest wind gust of the month at 35 knots and just one hour of sunshine. Windy conditions persisted throughout May, with average speeds slightly above normal at 9.3 knots. The highest temperature, 28.7°C, was recorded on May 5, while the coldest night, at 15.1°C, occurred on May 3. (Times of Malta)
Nurses union head charged with fraud
Nurses union head Paul Pace has been charged with fraud and misappropriation after allegedly claiming €4,000 for overtime he did not work. The case, heard before Magistrate Monica Vella, was marked by procedural confusion. It emerged that another court had previously been assigned the case and may have recused itself, yet no formal decree of recusal was found in the case file, nor had one been communicated to the parties. The lack of documentation raised questions about the case’s administrative handling. (The Malta Independent)
