Updated 1130
Abortion for health to be only allowed if woman’s life at risk
Government has announced major revisions to an abortion bill that had sparked controversy among anti-abortion campaigners, the church, and the opposition. The bill had already undergone a second reading. Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that the proposed changes stated that no offense would be committed when a pregnancy is terminated due to a medical intervention intended to protect the health of a pregnant woman facing a medical complication that could endanger her life or seriously jeopardize her health. Anti-abortion campaigners expressed their opposition to the bill, citing concerns about the vagueness of the term “grave jeopardy,” while pro-choice campaigners viewed it as a positive initial step. (Times of Malta)
Cabinet approves call for three new judges
Justice Minister Jonathan Attard announceds that Cabinet has approved a public call for the appointment of three new judges. Two of these appointments are intended to facilitate a smooth transition as two senior judges are nearing retirement. Additionally, the justice minister highlighted the need for a third judge to handle the growing number of commercial cases being brought before the courts. Following discussions with the Chief Justice, Attard stated that this appointed judge would serve as an additional member of the judiciary and would be assigned to the commercial court as required. Furthermore, Attard hinted at the possibility of establishing a dedicated commercial court. (Maltatoday)
Malta still jurisdiction of choice for gaming – Minister
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said the recently approved amendments to gaming laws in Parliament provide protection for gaming operators holding a Maltese gaming license, safeguarding them against baseless legal disputes. Speaking at the iGaming NEXT international conference, Minister Schembri emphasised that these amendments also ensure that operators continue to fulfill their regulatory obligations outlined in Maltese law and their license conditions. Schembri said that Malta has maintained its status as the preferred jurisdiction for the gaming industry, with the government offering continuous support, understanding the industry’s challenges, and implementing necessary measures to foster a sustainable environment for these companies to operate. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Malta, Libya to build interconnector between the two countries
Malta and Libya have signed an agreement to collaborate on the construction of an interconnector between Libya and Malta, benefiting not only both countries but also the European Union and Mediterranean nations. The agreement was signed in Tripoli following discussions between Prime Minister Robert Abela and his Libyan counterpart, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, during Abela’s second official visit to Libya in two years. Dbeibah focused on the importance of joint efforts between Malta and Libya to secure the necessary investments for this project. It is intended to provide renewable energy, addressing the energy crisis faced by the region amid the current circumstances. (TVM)
Recreational caravans will need permits and permissions
Starting next week, individuals who own caravans and wish to park them for recreational purposes will be required to obtain a permit and seek permission from the relevant local council. This permission will be granted for a minimum fee of €5 per day. Additionally, local councils will soon have the opportunity to apply for permits in order to establish designated camping sites within their respective areas. The fee for such permits will be set at €10 per day. In both scenarios, the local councils have been granted complete autonomy to decide whether or not to grant permission for caravans to occupy specific locations. (The Malta Independent)
Government repatriates 72 migrants
According to the home affairs ministry, 72 individuals who arrived in Malta irregularly have been transferred to other European Union (EU) countries on Wednesday. The Department of Information released a statement which did not provide specific information regarding the individuals’ country of origin, their arrival date in Malta, their destination countries for relocation, or the number of migrants remaining in Malta’s centers. The ministry stated that this relocation is part of a voluntary solidarity mechanism implemented within the EU since June 2022. The mechanism aims to alleviate migration pressures faced by frontline countries. (Newsbook)
