Updated 1240
Malta Opts Out of Washington ‘Board of Peace’ Meeting: Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed Malta will not attend Thursday’s first formal meeting of the US-led Board of Peace in Washington. Initially focused on Gaza’s truce and reconstruction, the board has expanded to broader conflicts, raising concerns it could rival the UN. Abela said the government is still assessing developments before taking decisions, particularly on Gaza. The European Commission will send Commissioner Dubravka Šuica as an observer for the Gaza segment only, a move that has drawn criticism in some quarters. (Times of Malta)
Q4 Road Accidents Fall, But 2025 Fatalities Rise to 18: Road accidents and casualties declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, with 3,694 crashes reported, down 6.7% year-on-year, and casualties falling 10.8% to 332, according to the NSO. Two people died during the quarter. However, total road fatalities for 2025 rose to 18, six more than in 2024. The Northern Harbour district recorded the most crashes, while passenger cars and motorcycles accounted for the majority of casualties. Injury and non-injury accidents both declined over the full year. (Maltatoday)
No AI for 179 Helpline, Minister Confirms: Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon told Parliament the 179 national emergency helpline will remain fully human-operated, with “zero intention” of introducing artificial intelligence. He stressed the service handles highly sensitive cases, including abuse and suicidal crises, requiring human judgment and empathy. While ruling out AI, Falzon announced plans to add an online chat service to complement the phone line. Users of the new chat feature will also communicate with trained human agents, not chatbots, he said. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Harbour Plan Sparks Fears Over Loss of Key Berths
Trailer operators have warned that plans under the Grand Harbour Revival project could undermine two of Malta’s most strategic Ro-Ro berths. Joseph Bugeja, chair of the Association of Tractor and Trailer Operators (ATTO), said the group supports regeneration but wants firm guarantees that logistics operations will not be jeopardised. Currently, operators use Flagstone Wharf and Deep Water Quay, both earmarked for redevelopment into a marina, retail and residential zones. Bugeja cautioned that sacrificing another berth, after one was previously given up for cruise liners, would be “extremely dangerous” for national trade flows. He also urged authorities to prioritise the delayed deep-water quay at Ras Ħanżir. Transport Minister Chris Bonett said discussions with stakeholders are ongoing to ensure the project does not negatively impact the sector. (The Malta Independent)
Maltese Residents’ Travel Soars to Record €952m Spend
Maltese residents made more than 930,000 outbound trips last year, a 10.2% increase on 2024, according to new figures from the National Statistics Office. Total expenditure on travel surged to nearly €952 million, up 18.5% year-on-year, while nights spent abroad rose by 20.3% to 6.9 million. The upward trend continued in the final quarter, with departures between October and December increasing by 19.3%, as residents spent €270.6 million during the period, just over €1,000 per trip on average. Italy remained the most popular destination, while travel to non-EU countries jumped sharply by 32.2%. The data confirms a sustained rise in outbound travel among Maltese and Gozitan residents. (Newsbook)
Maltese Passport Holder Named on UK Most Wanted List
A Maltese passport holder has been placed on the most wanted list of the UK’s National Crime Agency over alleged involvement in a Russian money-laundering ring. Alexander Kuksov is accused of participating in proceeds of crime offences linked to the transfer of millions of pounds in criminal cash in 2022. His brother, Semen Kuksov, was jailed for five years and seven months after admitting to running an underground cryptocurrency exchange as part of the same network, uncovered under Operation Destabilise. Both brothers obtained Maltese citizenship in 2022 under a since-scrapped investor scheme. The NCA said the operation functioned as a professional banking service for criminals unable to access legitimate financial systems. (Times of Malta)
