AI Rollout & Skills: Malta’s 2019 AI strategy is getting a practical push after OpenAI and the Government announced ChatGPT Plus for citizens, alongside AI literacy courses led by the University of Malta and overseen by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, with €100m earmarked in the latest budget to speed adoption for people and businesses. Pensions Debate: After the snap election, both major manifestos focus on boosting today’s pensions, but critics say they stay silent on future pension adequacy for younger workers—leaving the long-term fix, like automatic enrolment, still unclear. Gozo Jobs-for-Votes Allegations: A report claims Gozitan entrepreneurs were contacted with offers tied to political support, raising fresh questions about how public money and attendance expectations are being handled. Pension System Pressure: Demographic forecasts warn Malta will face a steep rise in the over-65 share by 2070, pushing up the old-age dependency burden and making a multi-pillar approach and auto-enrolment more urgent. S&P Credit Rating: Malta retained an A- rating with a stable outlook as S&P confirmed earlier expectations, including progress toward exiting the EU Excessive Deficit Procedure. Governance & Corruption Watch: A Eurobarometer-linked warning from Repubblika says citizens still see corruption as widespread and tied to business-politics links, despite the election campaign’s limited focus on the issue. Development Pressure: AFP reports activists fighting new roads and luxury projects, warning that Malta’s construction boom is squeezing agricultural and green land, with even heritage sites at risk. Transport Malta Staffing Claims: The Shift alleges a political canvasser transferred to Infrastructure Malta continued to fail to report for work while drawing a public salary. New Route for Malta Tourism & Trade: Delta is set to launch its first-ever transatlantic service to Malta from New York JFK, adding a direct North America link for the summer season.