Government reviewing Manoel Island concession – PM
Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government is reviewing the Manoel Island concession to assess any breaches before deciding how to proceed. Speaking to Times of Malta, he confirmed legal, planning, and permit aspects are being analysed, and did not rule out legal action if violations are found. While no final decision has been made, Abela firmly rejected the idea of buying out the concession, calling it a taxpayer-funded bailout for developers. “They’ve already taken enough from that deal,” he said. Both government and opposition have so far upheld the MIDI contract, but in recent days, MPs from both sides have voiced calls to reconsider the project. (Times of Malta)
Robert Aquilina says police wanted names of sources in interrogation on Pilatus book
Robert Aquilina said police interrogated him to uncover the sources behind his 2023 book Pilatus: A Laundromat Bank in Europe. He claimed the questioning, ordered by Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia, aimed to identify how he obtained information from the Pilatus Bank inquiry, particularly regarding the lack of prosecution of certain individuals. Aquilina said he refused to reveal his sources, invoking his right to protect them. He added that police confirmed the evidence in his book matches the original inquiry, calling it further proof of the book’s accuracy. (The Malta Independent)
Million tourists visit Malta in first four months
Inbound tourism between January and April 2025 reached 1,044,657, up 17.4% over the same period in 2024, the NSO said. Tourist nights rose by 17.1% to nearly 6 million. Spending climbed to €804.7 million—a 24.2% increase—with per capita expenditure rising from €728 to €770. Visits to Gozo and Comino, including both same-day and overnight trips, totalled 526,752, making up just over half of all tourists. In April alone, inbound tourists numbered 351,165, up 14.6% from April 2024. (Newsbook)
