Southern EU states push Brussels over drifting Russian tanker risk
Malta and four southern EU member states have formally urged the European Commission to trigger bloc-wide emergency coordination mechanisms after a damaged Russian “shadow fleet” tanker began drifting in EU waters.
In a joint appeal to Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders of Malta, Italy, Spain, Greece and Cyprus warned of an imminent environmental threat, citing the vessel’s unstable condition and hazardous cargo.
They argued that activating the EU civil protection mechanism would accelerate coordination and resource deployment, including support from European Maritime Safety Agency.
However, they flagged operational constraints linked to sanctions regimes, noting inconsistencies across jurisdictions that could complicate response efforts.
Malta inflation steady but structural pressures persist above eurozone
Malta’s inflation held at 2.3% in February, remaining above the eurozone average and pointing to persistent domestic price pressures despite broader easing across the bloc.
Data from the National Statistics Office shows monthly prices rose 0.4%, with the 12-month average edging to 2.5%. Food inflation remains the principal driver, led by meat prices, while hospitality costs continue to climb amid sustained tourism demand and labour constraints.
Education and recreation also posted notable annual increases, reinforcing a broad-based inflation profile.
By contrast, information and communication, along with clothing and footwear, recorded declines, offering limited counterbalance to upward pressures elsewhere in the consumer basket.
Government rolls out free EpiPen scheme for high-risk patients
Malta is introducing a state-funded scheme to provide free EpiPens to patients at risk of severe allergic reactions, in a move aimed at strengthening frontline public health resilience.
Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the programme will support around 1,600 patients and cost approximately €352,000 annually. Eligible individuals will be clinically assessed before receiving the devices through the national pharmacy framework.
EpiPens—auto-injectors used to treat life-threatening anaphylaxis—are costly and time-limited, creating access challenges for vulnerable patients.
Under the scheme, adults will receive two devices annually, while paediatric patients will be issued both doses upfront.
