News Update
Car involved in traffic accident involving Finnish man on e-scooter traced
The police have tracked down and seized a car believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident on the Rabat road, Mrieħel, a fortnight ago. But they are still looking for the driver. The Times of Malta reports that the victim of the accident, an e-scooter rider from Finland, who is also a presenter and ambassador at a gaming company, suffered multiple skull fractures and liver damage when the car hit him as he crossed the road. The police said on Sunday that after intensive investigations they had found the white Toyota Belta allegedly involved. It had marks compatible with the incident.
PN leader says PL MPS should have anticipated backlash
Bernard Grech suggested that Labour MPs facing angry backlash after opposing a public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia’s death, should have considered the consequences beforehand. (See below for details) Speaking on NET FM, the Opposition and Nationalist Party leader stated that Robert Abela is not as connected to the people as he believes himself to be. “It’s not just about the government being on the wrong side of history; every day Robert Abela refuses to hold a public inquiry is another day that weakens the pursuit of truth.” Grech argued that the state and its institutions should not shy away from scrutiny, and he criticized any attempts to impede transparency and accountability.The Opposition Leader concluded by emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth and ensuring justice for all parties involved in the Jean Paul Sofia case.He called for an impartial investigation to shed light on the “mysteries surrounding the case,” highlighting the public’s right to know the facts. (Malta Today)
Sofia collapse building in ‘breach’ of lease conditions, court filings claim
Times of Malta reports that the government body INDIS is arguing that the people behind a building development that collapsed and killed Jean Paul Sofia breached their lease conditions. Legal filings show Indis, the body that allocated the Kordin site for the timber factory, is alleging that according to the concession agreement, the development should have been completed no later than 18 months after the necessary permits were issued in April 2020. Sofia’s mother Isabelle Bonnici this week claimed “corruption” in the way the public land was given to the people behind the development, Kurt Buhagiar and Matthew Schembri.
Meanwhile, MaltaToday reports that Labour MPs are facing an angry backlash after opposing a public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia’s death, representing a turning point for the Abela administration. “There is backlash and it is also coming from our own grassroots because they perceive our position as lacking empathy towards Jean Paul Sofia’s parents,” a Cabinet member told MaltaToday. The Cabinet member who spoke to this newspaper said the government did not explain its stand well in the run up to Wednesday’s vote. “Unfortunately, we mishandled this and for weeks the Prime Minister was too focussed on legalisms, coming across as cold and disinterested in what a grieving mother had to say.”He complained that the situation was allowed to reach a tipping point with Wednesday’s vote being the final straw that broke the camel’s back.“To make matters worse, the Sofia debacle came on top of a situation where people are frustrated by environmental problems and the pressure on infrastructure from the sudden population growth of the past 10 years.
Morning Briefing
Caravan owners get two sites in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
After the Naxxar council unanimously approved two new coastal sites, caravan owners in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq have been granted additional parking space for their vehicles. The decision came after an extraordinary local council meeting on Wednesday, which was convened to address the demands of caravan owners who protested last Sunday, seeking more parking options. The sites known as Taż-Żiemel and il-Għoqot will now allocate half of their parking area for caravans, marking a significant expansion compared to the previous policy that designated only a portion of il-Għoqot as the sole caravan site. Naxxar mayor Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami expressed her belief that the council’s decision represents a fair compromise that satisfies all parties involved. (Times of Malta)
Authorities should look into causes of poverty, Greens say
ADPD-The Green Party has insisted that there is significant room for the government to enhance the quality of life, especially for impoverished individuals and those facing the risk of poverty. They spoke during a press conference held at the Franciscan friars’ soup kitchen in Valletta, which they praised for providing a valuable sense of community for those who fall through the gaps of the social safety net. However, the party highlighted the need for the government to allocate more attention and resources to addressing the root causes of poverty. While projects like the soup kitchen can be beneficial, they argued that a more comprehensive approach is necessary to tackle the underlying issues. The latest Caritas survey revealed that a family of four faces an additional yearly expenditure of 1500 Euros on food, further illustrating the financial challenges many families are encountering. (The Malta Independent)
GWU offers support to local workers affected by Hollywood strike
The General Workers’ Union has extended its support to all local workers affected by the Hollywood film strike, with a special focus on those employed on the set of Gladiator 2. In a statement, the union urged all local workers impacted by the strike to reach out to them, assuring that they are ready to provide necessary assistance. According to the union, numerous crew members and extras associated with Gladiator 2 received notification that production has been halted indefinitely, without any specified resumption date. (Maltatoday)
