Malta’s Trade Gap Narrows Sharply in December Malta’s trade deficit narrowed significantly in December, according to provisional data published by the National Statistics Office on Monday. The trade gap stood at €191.7 million, less than half the €368.5 million recorded in December 2024. Imports during the month amounted to €647.6 million, while exports reached €455.9 million. This reflected a decrease in imports of €116.7 million and an increase in exports of €60.1 million. The fall in imports was mainly driven by lower purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, which declined by €75.8 million, as well as machinery and transport equipment, down €41.6 million. On the exports side, the strongest growth was registered in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, which increased by €59.1 million. The NSO said the figures point to a continued rebalancing of Malta’s external trade position.
Court Rules Abner Aquilina Fit to Stand Trial A court has ruled that Abner Aquilina is now fit to stand trial on charges relating to the murder of Paulina Dembska, following the presentation of a psychiatric report by court-appointed experts. The psychiatrists, Joe Cassar, Anton Grech and George Debono, told the court on Monday that Aquilina is able to understand the proceedings and participate effectively in his defence. Previous medical reports had found Aquilina unfit to stand trial. However, he has since withdrawn pleas that he is legally insane now and that he was legally insane at the time of the alleged murder in 2022. As a result, a separate ġurin to determine legal insanity will no longer take place. The case will now proceed to a regular jury trial, during which jurors will decide Aquilina’s guilt or innocence in connection with the killing in Sliema on New Year’s Day 2022.
Malta Moves to Revoke Mandelson Honour After Epstein Allegations Malta has initiated formal proceedings to revoke the National Order of Merit awarded to former UK minister Lord Peter Mandelson, following renewed allegations linking him to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The honour was conferred in 2016 as Malta sought to strengthen trade ties with Britain. The move follows the publication of emails indicating that Mandelson maintained a friendship with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for sex offences. A recently released set of Epstein-related documents in the United States has intensified political scrutiny in the UK, prompting renewed pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. An Office of the Prime Minister spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the process to withdraw the decoration had begun. Revocations of Maltese honours are rare but have occurred in the past, including the removal of national honours from former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during the Arab Spring in 2011.
