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Owen Bonnici Takes on Lands Authority in Minor Cabinet Reshuffle
Owen Bonnici has taken on responsibility for the Lands Authority in a minor cabinet reshuffle that also sees Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi appointed Minister for EU Funds and junior minister Andy Ellul handed oversight of the MCCAA. Byron Camilleri will now oversee the National Development and Social Fund, in addition to retaining his Home Affairs and employment portfolio. Although he was initially expected to step away from Home Affairs—having served over five years in the demanding role and previously attempted to resign after a security breach—those plans were shelved following a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday. Camilleri confirmed he would remain in his current post and thanked Prime Minister Robert Abela for his continued trust.
Updated 1240
PM Abela mulls a miniature reshuffle: A planned cabinet reshuffle that would have seen Owen Bonnici take over the sensitive home affairs portfolio has been called off following discussions at Castille on Wednesday morning, reports suggest. While the switch is no longer happening, Prime Minister Robert Abela still intends to make “minimal” adjustments to ministers’ portfolios and is expected to reward Bonnici in other ways, insiders said. Bonnici, currently Minister for Culture and the cabinet’s longest-serving member, had been tipped to replace Byron Camilleri as Minister for Home Affairs. Camilleri, after more than five years in one of the government’s most demanding roles—overseeing the police, armed forces, correctional services, and civil protection—was reportedly open to a change. However, the anticipated change in leadership was shelved during high-level meetings, leaving Bonnici’s role unchanged for now, though recognition for his continued service appears likely.
Prime Minister inaugurates the WSC’s net-zero carbon warehouse: Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the Water Services Corporation’s (WSC) new €7.2 million net-zero carbon warehouse in Bulebel. Spanning 2,000 square meters, the facility houses €9 million in inventory and features 430,000 kWh of annual renewable energy production through a photovoltaic system, making it fully energy self-sufficient. Abela praised the project as a milestone in sustainability and aligned it with Malta’s 2050 vision for a greener future. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and WSC CEO Karl Cilia highlighted the facility as a model of efficiency and sustainability. Funded partly through a €25 million Green Bond, the project showcases transparent, impactful public investment and aims to inspire similar private-sector initiatives.
Two poultry farms report contagious Newcastle Disease: Two poultry farms in Malta have reported outbreaks of Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious virus affecting birds. The agriculture ministry confirmed the cases and said infected chickens were culled, and contaminated products destroyed. While the virus poses minimal risk to humans, it spreads rapidly among birds and can devastate poultry farms. Vaccination is mandatory, and authorities are monitoring farms, pet shops, and zoos. Farmers may receive compensation if they follow veterinary guidelines. Concerns are rising over consumer hesitancy to buy chicken or eggs, despite the virus being harmless to humans. Farmers urge better vaccination compliance and control of feral chickens, which could unknowingly spread the virus.
Morning Briefing
Motorcyclist Dies in Xemxija Bypass Crash
A 35-year-old man from Qormi tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on the Xemxija bypass on Tuesday afternoon, police have confirmed. The fatal incident occurred at around 12:30pm, when the motorcyclist lost control of his Suzuki bike and died on impact. Traffic on the major route was being diverted in both directions from around 1:40pm as emergency services responded to the scene. An inquiry led by Magistrate Ian Farrugia has been launched, and the newly established Roads Policing Unit is also investigating the incident. (Times of Malta)
PN Launches Locality Carrying Capacity Studies Across Malta and Gozo
The Nationalist Party has initiated a process to conduct carrying capacity studies in every locality in Malta and Gozo, aiming to guide infrastructure investment based on residents’ actual needs. Announced by PN leader Bernard Grech during a press conference in Senglea, the initiative follows a pledge made ahead of the 2024 local council elections. PN councillors will now present motions in their respective councils requesting official studies to assess sustainable development limits. Grech said the move shows that “the PN not only speaks — it acts, even from Opposition,” contrasting it with what he called government inaction. (The Malta Independent)
Record tourism reported in first months of 2025
Malta’s hotels and other collective accommodation establishments welcomed more tourists in the first quarter of 2025 — typically the slowest period for tourism — than in any quarter before 2018, according to National Statistics Office (NSO) data. The latest figures confirm the sharp rise in tourist numbers seen in recent years, with even traditionally quieter months now experiencing high visitor volumes. February 2025 recorded ore tourists than any month before August 2013, while March 2025 surpassed all months prior to July 2018. The NSO’s collective accommodation data, which includes stays by both tourists and Maltese residents, shows an estimated 567,770 guests from January to March — a 14.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. (Newsbook)
