Malta Innovation Boost: Malta has moved into the “Strong Innovator” category for the first time in the 2026 European Innovation Scoreboard, with the country now above the EU average and highlighted for strengths including intellectual assets and resource/labour productivity impact. EU Innovation Momentum: The EU’s overall innovation score rose 11.6 points since 2019, with further improvement between 2025 and 2026, as the Commission points to continued progress despite tougher global competition. AI for the Public: Malta’s “AI għal Kulħadd” programme has drawn over 29,000 starters in its first seven weeks, with 15,839 completing all three courses and receiving a one-year subscription to either ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Personal. Shipping Carbon Cash: A new Cyprus-focused study estimates Cyprus could receive about €73m a year from shipping ETS revenues, while Malta’s share is put at around €52m—raising questions about how carbon money is allocated. Pet Tech in Europe: Fi has launched the Fi Ultra, a Starlink-powered smart dog collar with direct-to-cell satellite connectivity for areas with poor mobile coverage. Gaming Partnerships: PhilWeb has signed an exclusive partnership with Pragmatic Play to expand hosted iGaming services in the Philippines, with availability expected in Q3 2026. Crypto Payments Go Mainstream: Coverage argues that MiCA authorisation and broader SEPA expansion signal crypto payments are shifting toward wider adoption across Europe. Tourism Pressure in Malta: An opinion piece flags concerns that Malta’s push to grow visitor numbers could worsen overcrowding and strain infrastructure.