Malta’s energy planning: Interconnect Malta has received four submissions after its preliminary market consultation on a renewable electricity link from North Africa to Malta, with proposals from local and international consortia; the submissions won’t pick a winner yet, but will feed an evidence-based feasibility assessment. Local environment & science: ERA says a Comino hotel development will require developers to plant 540 new indigenous trees, tied to protected trees removed and transplant obligations, with the permit still under court appeal. Maritime capability: The AFM Maritime Squadron logged over 10,000 operational hours at sea in 2025, covering patrols, inspections, boardings, and search-and-rescue, highlighted during a visit by Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield. Pharma compliance watch: Alkem Labs’ Daman facility (Amaliya) has been classified by the USFDA as Official Action Indicated (OAI) after earlier inspections, though it says it continues supplying approved US products while working toward full compliance. Innovation ecosystem: EIT Community Hub Malta launched “Brain & Bites: The Innovation Series,” starting with a session on soil, growth and funding opportunities for Malta’s innovation and sustainability priorities. EU R&D funding snapshot: Eurostat reports EU governments boosted public R&D budgets to €130.2bn in 2025 (0.69% of GDP), with Malta among the lowest per inhabitant (€73.7), while Bulgaria saw the biggest jump. Digital payments & regulation: Bank of Valletta ran a fraud-prevention webinar for business customers, warning that AI is raising scam sophistication and stressing user vigilance alongside security measures. Tech access in Malta: Apple expanded Apple Account card support in Wallet to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta.