Updated 1630
The Times of Malta reports that a Maltese court declined exercising jurisdiction in an action filed by an insurance company that is currently sued by victims of a tragic open-top bus crash, arguing jurisdiction lay with the British courts which were dealing with “similar and parallel” claims.
Maltatoday reveals that authorities have been forced to introduce an indemnity form after police are refusing to clear imported used cars because of an ongoing investigation into tampered mileage gauges.
Newsbook says that a high ranking police officer, who threatened anti-corruption NGO president Robert Aquilina outside the police headquarters, has resigned.
TVM leads with the story that Magistrates Josette Demicoli and Doreen Clarke were appointed Judges this morning during an official ceremony at the President’s Palace in the presence of the country’s highest authorities.
Updated 1230
President Vella expresses hope for agreement on abortion debate: President George Vella has insisted again that he hoped that an agreement could be reached among the various parties about the abortion debate. Speaking in a Republic Day activity in Gozo, the president did not directly refer to the bill before parliament, but he repeated an appeal he also made last week for agreement to be reached in the ‘ongoing discussion in our country. He hoped that talks would yield a solution which addressed all the points being raised by the different stakeholders.
Public call for Magistrates launched: The Justice Ministry has issued a public call for four new magistrates to be appointed. The call is being made after two magistrates were chosen to become judges. At the end of the process, the number of members of the judiciary would have grown by two judges and two magistrates, the government said. Once the new posts are filled, the judiciary will be composed of 27 judges and 25 magistrates – an addition of two from its previous complement.
Price hikes due to increased WasteServ rates, Gozitan cooperative insists: Public Cleansing Cooperative Gozo announced that its prices are set to increase as from the beginning of 2023 due to an increase in WasteServ rates. Prices are expected to increase by 40%. In October, WasteServ announced it was doubling gate fees for businesses who dispose of their waste directly at its facilities – with further increases to come – in a decision that has the stated aim of incentivising waste separation at source.
Morning Briefing
New rules seek better management of construction sites
Government has announced new regulations managing construction sites. The new rules say that any property damaged by work-related operations within a distance of 10 metres from a construction site, shall be repaired or replaced to their original condition by the contractor. The limit shall not preclude any other obligation on the contractor to make good for any other damages that extend beyond the 10-metre distance that are proven to be a direct consequence of the construction works. The new rules establish that reed sand and other loose building materials such as cement, small pieces of material and shingles must be transported, deposited and stored on site in rigid containers with suitable covers or flexible sturdy containers that must be appropriately sealed. (Times of Malta)
Dead body found at Paradise bay
A dead body was recovered by the police in Paradise Bay on Tuesday morning. The police said they received a report at around 8:45am that a dead person was spotted on the rocks in the Paradise Bay area near Cirkewwa. The body was found in a heavily decomposed state, with the Civil Protection Department assisting in its recovery. Duty magistrate Lara Lanfranco is leading an inquiry, while police said that investigations are ongoing. (The Malta Independent / Maltatoday)
TM extends deadline to register hybrid vehicles for financial incentives
Transport Malta has extended by one year the deadline to register for a financial incentive related to plug-in hybrid vehicles after production issues have meant that vehicles ordered months ago will not be available by the end of next year. The scheme offers grants for those who had ordered a new or used plug-in hybrid vehicle by the end of May, even if these were to be registered later on in 2022 or 2023. But TM has since been informed that “due to various production issues,” a number of the vehicles ordered will not even be available in a year’s time. (Newsbook)
