Updated 1030
Traffic Gridlock Is Undermining Productivity and Competitiveness: The Malta Chamber of Commerce has warned that persistent traffic congestion is harming Malta’s productivity, economy, competitiveness and quality of life, urging the government to adopt a comprehensive mobility strategy. It said years of proposals have been largely ignored and argued that reducing private car use requires both incentives and disincentives, alongside practical alternatives. The Chamber called for AI-driven traffic management, smarter roadwork coordination, mobility e-wallets, school transport reform, smart parking systems, logistics improvements and outcome-based infrastructure funding. It stressed that piecemeal measures are no longer sufficient and called for urgent, coordinated action to tackle congestion. (The Malta Independent)
Former UM Rector: AI Has Made Traditional Student Assignments Obsolete: Former University of Malta rector Alfred Vella has urged universities to rethink student assessment, arguing that generative AI has made traditional take-home assignments ineffective at measuring ability. He advocated greater use of supervised exams, oral assessments and AI-use declarations to ensure students develop critical thinking and communication skills. Vella also warned that some graduates lack the ability to think and articulate ideas clearly, stressing these skills are essential for earning a degree. He defended the university’s financial record, attributing its deficit to rising payroll costs, and called for stronger ethics education and greater emphasis on vocational training alongside university education. (The Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
MHRA Calls for Tougher Fines After Anti-Social Tourist Incident
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has praised the swift response by the Malta Police Force and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) following recent anti-social behaviour by a group of foreign visitors. Police quickly identified those responsible and issued on-the-spot fines, while the MTA ordered the closure of a licensed short-let apartment block after uncovering breaches of licence conditions. The association said the decisive action sends a strong message that Malta will not tolerate disruptive behaviour or violations of tourism regulations. MHRA also welcomed the close cooperation between Interior Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Tourism Minister Dr Jo Etienne Abela, describing it as an example of effective collaboration to protect residents, visitors and the country’s reputation. However, the association argued that current on-the-spot fines remain too low and urged authorities to substantially increase penalties to create a stronger deterrent against misconduct. (Maltatoday)
Court Hears Daphne Caruana Galizia Replied to Messages from Future Killer
Confessed hitman Vince Muscat told a court that murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia once replied to text messages sent by one of her future killers during an alleged 2015 murder plot. Testifying in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, Muscat confirmed that fellow hitman George Degiorgio had been sending the journalist messages to monitor her movements. According to earlier testimony read in court, Caruana Galizia responded on one occasion, saying she did not rely on phone calls and suggesting they meet instead. Muscat said the men later tried to locate her workplace after receiving the reply. Prosecutors allege this was the second conspiracy to kill the journalist, who was assassinated in a car bomb attack in 2017. The earlier plot allegedly involved former minister Chris Cardona and lawyer David Gatt, both of whom have consistently denied any involvement in the allegations. (The Times of Malta)
Man Jailed Three Years for Attempted Murder of Wife in Hammer Attack
A jury has found 68-year-old Emanuel Borg guilty of attempting to murder his wife during a hammer attack at their Mellieħa home, with the court sentencing him to three years in prison. Jurors accepted that the offence was committed under the excusable circumstances of sudden passion and mental agitation, as well as voluntary desistance, factors taken into account when determining the sentence. Borg was acquitted of a separate charge of causing grievous bodily harm. The case stemmed from a 2019 incident in which prosecutors alleged he repeatedly struck his wife with a hammer while she slept following an argument over money. Borg denied deliberately attacking her, claiming the injuries occurred during a struggle over the weapon before he called an ambulance. The court also ordered him to pay more than €9,000 in expert fees, while declining to rule on compensation after the victim later died from unrelated causes. (The Malta Independent)
