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Parliament-approved housing plan will sell properties at below-market cost: Parliament has approved the transfer of public land to the Foundation for Affordable Housing (FAH) to build homes for people who earn too much for social housing but cannot afford market prices. Hundreds of units will be constructed in Ta’ Ġiorni (St Julian’s), Ħal Kirkop, Fgura, and Marsascala. The FAH, founded in 2022 by the government and the Archdiocese of Malta, aims to support the “stretched class”, middle-income earners struggling to buy homes. The initiative, backed by Social Housing Minister Roderick Galdes, is seen as a moral and structural commitment. The project is positioned as a sustainable housing solution, not a charity, and will involve collaboration with banks, NGOs, and the private sector.
EC declares cancer treatment in Malta to have the best practices and recommends it to other countries: The European Commission has praised Malta’s cancer care services as a model of best practice and urged other countries to follow its example. Key improvements over the past decade include faster referrals from family doctors to specialists, especially for bowel, breast, and skin cancer, and the introduction of specialised cancer nurses who support patients and families. This has helped reduce emergency room visits by a quarter. Nearly 10,000 patients have used this service, with over 58,000 support calls made. A post-treatment care service was also launched in 2019. The next goal is to offer cancer treatment at home. The Commission noted Malta’s progress but stressed the need for more healthcare staff to sustain and expand services.
Malta has the second-lowest rate of student smokers in Europe, survey shows: Malta has the second-lowest rate of student smokers in Europe, with only 16% of 15–16-year-olds having ever smoked, according to the 2024 ESPAD survey. Malta also had one of the lowest rates of early smoking, with just 7.1% trying cigarettes by age 13. However, the report found more adolescent girls than boys in Malta using drugs and alcohol. Lifetime cannabis use was higher among girls (14%) than boys (8.6%), and overall illicit drug use was 15% for girls versus 9.3% for boys. Alcohol use among Maltese students also showed a notable gender gap, with 10% more girls than boys reporting lifetime consumption. Malta was among the countries with the lowest e-cigarette use, with fewer than one-third of students trying them.
Morning Briefing
Malta fails again to get nominee approved for European Court position
Malta’s second nominee to the European General Court, lawyer Veronique Dalli, has withdrawn her candidacy, the Justice Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. Dalli, who was nominated after former minister Edward Zammit Lewis was rejected for the post last year, said she stepped back because she felt the selection process was “pre-determined.” “I won’t go into details, but during the interview I sensed the outcome was already decided,” she said, adding that her decision followed careful reflection. The Justice Ministry acknowledged her withdrawal and said it would not be commenting further, as the matter is now considered closed.
Archbishop warns priests against supporting euthanasia
Archbishop Charles Scicluna has firmly warned priests against supporting euthanasia, stating it goes against their role as “Catholic shepherds.” The Archbishop said those who back euthanasia — “a deliberate act to terminate human life before its natural end” — fail in their pastoral duty. His comments followed a televised discussion on F Living Show, where Fr Colin Apap joined Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif and host Karl Bonaci to explore the ethical and spiritual dimensions of euthanasia. Scicluna reiterated that the faithful look to clergy for clear guidance on the “Gospel of Life.” Earlier this month, the government launched a public consultation on legalising assisted voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients with under six months to live. The Archbishop has already voiced strong opposition, stating that healthcare should uphold dignity, not enable death. Meanwhile, in a position paper on the topic published on Tuesday, Imam Mohammad Elsadi emphasised Islam’s “unequivocal” stand against euthanasia or suicide by any means, describing it as a sin and “an act of killing”. (Times of Malta)
AG appeals Meli extradition blocking
The Attorney General has appealed a court ruling that blocked the extradition of Daniel Meli to the United States. Meli, 28, is wanted by US authorities for allegedly selling illegal malware and offering guidance on a hacking forum. He initially consented to extradition but later reversed his decision, claiming he was not of sound mind at the time. Following a constitutional case, the law was amended to allow such reversals. However, last week Magistrate Leonard Caruana ruled against extradition, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution under Maltese law. (TVM)
