New parliamentary data shows that more than 73,000 people in Malta now own two or more vehicles, an increase of 18,000 individuals in just one year. The figures mean almost one in eight residents owns multiple cars, up from nearly one in ten last year, raising fresh questions about traffic congestion, land use and transport policy. While ownership of a single vehicle declined slightly, all other categories increased, including 465 individuals who own more than 10 personal vehicles. According to the latest figures issued by the National Statistics Office, Malta had 454,000 vehicles registered on the road in Q3 2025. (Times of Malta)
Vitals case at “stalemate” as defence urges prosecution to close case over missing expert testimony
Defence lawyers representing several professionals charged in connection with the Vitals hospitals scandal have called on prosecutors to shut their case or drop it altogether, citing the prolonged refusal of key court expert Jeremy Harbinson to testify. The lawyers argue that the prosecution’s case cannot proceed without the expert’s evidence, while their clients remain subject to freezing orders of up to €40 million. The case resumed before Magistrate Leonard Caruana amid claims that proceedings have ground to a halt. (The Malta Independent)
Study finds children sidelined in court decisions affecting their lives
A new study on child-friendly justice has found that children are routinely excluded from family court proceedings that directly shape their futures. Researcher Bernadine Satariano reported that children consistently described a lack of explanation and involvement, warning that this failure risks allowing abuse to remain hidden behind claims of protection. The study’s findings were presented to Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and supported by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Children’s Rights Observatory of Malta. It was noted that these experiences were not isolated, but were prevalent across all young adult participants who went through family separation, describing the process as being “forced to move like a ping-pong ball between homes.” (Maltatoday)
