Update 1745
Final vote on ‘abortion’ bill will not be held this year
The vote on the second reading of an amendment to the criminal code concerning the termination of pregnancies has been put off to next week after the opposition called a division. The decision means that the all-important final vote at the end of the legislative process will not be held before next month. (Times of Malta)
Third man charged with Paceville stabbing
A third individual has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Joseff Rivas in Paceville last week. Police believe the murder is connected to rivalry between international crime syndicates linked to prostitution. Ilie Constantin, who appeared in court accompanied by his sister and several other relatives, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, carrying a knife in public without a licence, breaching the peace and living off the earnings of prostitution. (MaltaToday)
No one applies for Deputy Police Commissioner
The prospect of becoming the Malta Police Force’s second-in-command has proven unappealing to the country’s top cops, with an internal call to replace departing Deputy Police Commissioner Alexandra Mamo attracting no takers among those eligible to apply. In reply to a parliamentary question by MP Karol Aquilina, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed that an internal call for applications only attracted a single application, and that this was subsequently withdrawn. (Newsbook)
Government’s debt collection efforts scrutinised
The National Audit Office had criticism in its annual report on public finances for the government’s debt collection efforts, as around €1 billion in arrears remains waiting to be collected for the year 2021. The Auditor General, Charles Deguara, presented to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anġlu Farrugia, the Annual Audit Report on the Public Accounts for 2021 on Monday. One of the key findings concerned “insufficient effort to collect amounts owed to the government”, with the NAO saying that the government has some €6.5 billion in gross outstanding arrears – out of which €989 million is collectible. However, even though much of the outstanding arrears is considered uncollectible for various reasons, it continues to be listed in government finances – with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana even saying in the past that the government was owed some €5 billion in taxes. (Times of Malta)
Updated 1215
Drop in property deeds reported in November
1,262 deeds and 1,156 promise of sale agreements were signed in November and registered with the tax authority, according to data by the National Statistics Office. The NSO said the number of deeds reflected a 5.1% annual drop, while the promise of sale agreements showed a drop of 7.6%. It said that the value of the deeds signed in November totalled €295.3 million, 0.8% per cent lower than in the same month in 2021. (Times of Malta)
Customs seizes 19 stolen cars in Malta on way to Dubai
Customs officials have reportedly seized 19 cars which were stolen from Canada and arrived in Malta hidden in the containers on their way to Dubai. This is the third set of cards stolen from Canada which were seized in Malta. In a statement, Customs said that the cars which were seized are a Range Rover Sport, Toyota Highlander, two Lexux RX350, Nissan, Lexus 350, Toyota RAV4, Dodge, four Range Rover and two Dodge Ram vans.
Part-time ground handlers lament discrimination
Former Air Malta part-time ground handlers are claiming that they discriminated against when they were not offered the same opportunities and benefits other ground handlers received. Earlier this month, hundreds of Air Malta employees had their job terminated as ground handling operations carried out by airline workers was taken over by Aviation Services Handling Ltd, a new company formed between Air Malta and an Italian private company, Aviation Services SpA.
Full time employees opted for an early retirement scheme, while others sought alternative employment. However, no information was given to part-time ground handlers, who are now threatening court action if AirMalta does not reply to their requests throughout this week.
Morning Briefing
Govt to require building contractors to be licensed
Government is expected to submit amendments to the Planning law in Parliament to ensure that contractors in Malta will be registered and licensed, the national broadcaster revealed. The Chamber of Architects President Andre Pizzuto said that the license should serve as a deterrent for contractors who shirk their responsibilities. He said that the bill presented to them also provides for mandatory training in relation to health and safety at the workplace.
However, Architect Pizzuto stated that the modernization effort should be aimed at the entire industry in order to raise the level of the industry. (TVM)
1,530 persons live with just €2.50c per day
Some 1,530 Maltese people go buy with just €2.50c per day, according to Our World in Data. The data suggests that this 0.3% of this population is living in extreme poverty and severe material deprivation, living on an estimated €75 per month. This comes after the World Bank recently adjusted the figure at which the poverty line is set from $1.90 to $2.15.An EU-wide survey published in April found that almost 28,000 people in Malta struggle to meet their basic needs and are considered to be severely deprived. (Times of Malta)
Doctors’ conference to deliberate on terminations, in proposed tweak to law
The government is considering introducing tweaking its proposed amendment to Malta’s abortion ban, by introducing a clinical conference of two or three doctors on decisions requiring the termination of a pregnancy when the mother’s life or health is in danger. The addition of a conference of doctors, which would include the mother’s family doctor apart from hospital clinical chairs, would add a layer of deliberation over decisions to terminate a foetal life when this endangers the life and health of the mother, just as in cases for the removal of life support. (Maltatoday)
