Notarial clients to be protected as active talks underway

Aug 30 2021

The Notarial Council has entered ‘active talks’ with the government to enhance the protection of contracting parties through the improvement of digital technology and real-time registration systems usage. The Justice Ministry confirmed the information, stating that, to protect clients from the situation whereby notaries entrusted with their funds could default, online payment of property taxes and registration fees have been identified by the council as the solution.

This creates an electronic ecosystem which avoids having to pass money for the purchase of properties through third parties, including notaries. These would no longer hold funds for clients but would still hold responsibility for the transactions concluded before them.

Council president Clinton Bezzina told Times of Malta that the real-time element of this proposed project is lagging due to limited banking infrastructure and investment. The project is important for sellers to ensure that money has been passed on before the contract is signed.

A spokesperson for the Justice Ministry highlighted how notaries have public obligations to the government and other legal/disciplinary obligations for which they are answerable to the Court of Revision of Notarial Acts and under criminal law. The profession’s integrity was supervised by the Notarial Council and they had civil obligations to the parties appearing before them.

The ministry stressed the necessity for a regulatory framework. Despite there being only a handful of abuse cases from around 500 practicing notaries over the years, the ministry was asked if it was looking into the situation and had plans to provide any remedies for such rare instances.

Stating that notaries are independent professionals and public officers in that they fulfil the function of drawing up and keeping public deeds, they are not obliged to act as safe keepers of deposits on account of the price of the property. The ministry however pointed out that notaries must have one or more separate Notarial Deposit Accounts into which all monies deposited with them are to be deposited.

MaltaDaily

Ford hits back at homophobic comment with ‘Very Gay Pickup Truck’

Aug 30 2021

A German branch of Ford hit back at homophobic comments in the best way possible by building a rainbow-painted and dazzling pick up truck. The LGBTIQ+ themed vehicle was debuted as the ‘Very Gay Raptor’ ahead of Christopher Street Day, an annual LGBTIQ+ commemoration of the Stonewall riots. The glittered-up raptor is set to feature in a Cologne parade.

The manufacturer has had a longstanding relationship and alliance with the event, but this year’s support has an extra layer of meaning. A troll comment on Ford’s original ‘Performance Blue’ stated that the vehicle was ‘very gay’. Instead of answering directly, Ford went an extra couple of steps ahead and assured their loyal buyers that they do not stand for any homophobic discrimination.

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Photo Source: Ford

Fake emails circulating under PN leader Bernard Grech’s name

Aug 30 2021

The Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech posted a statement to social media revealing that fake emails are circulating in his name as part of a widespread disinformation campaign in Malta. Grech stated that ‘after cloning news websites to deliberately spread fake news, the perpetrators are now specifically trying to damage the Opposition.’

He labelled these tactics as dangerous and anti-democratic. He stated that Malta cannot allow these crimes to go unpunished and that we cannot accept the strengthening of a culture of impunity which led to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Grech called for an urgent meeting between the Opposition and the government, along with a beefing up of the police’s cybercrime unit. This is to make sure that laws regulating cybercrime are strengthened ahead of the impending upcoming election. He concluded his statement by saying that Prime Minister Robert Abela cannot remain silent as ‘silence is complicity.’

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB, BitLyft Cybersecurity

New and bizarre Apple car could be unveiled late 2021

Aug 30 2021

As Tesla developed its own independent strategy for vehicles and other technological advancements, Apple have revealed that their Apple Car could be introduced late this year. Renowned Japanese chemist Akira Yoshino spoke about Apple’s input into the world of automotive in a recent Reuters interview. Yoshino, inventor of the first safe, production-viable lithium-ion battery, stated that Apple could ‘lead the convergence of the automotive and information technology industries in future mobility.’

Apple has been reportedly working on self-driving cars since 2014 when around 1000 car experts and engineers began working under the codename ‘Project Titan.’ After initiating and dropping a deal with Hyundai, Apple was rumoured to be working on something similar with Kia. Yoshino said that if Apple plan to get in something by 2025, an announcement could come by the end of 2021.

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Photo Source: Hypebeast