Up To 2,000 Domestic Abuse Cases In Malta

Oct 16 2024

As of October 3, 2023, Malta’s courts have 1,927 pending domestic violence cases, with 12 additional cases in Gozo, according to parliamentary information.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard provided these figures in response to a question from PN MP Graziella Attard Previ.

The minister revealed that the furthest scheduled hearing date for a domestic violence case is January 9, 2025, in Gozo, and February 13, 2025, in Malta.

He also mentioned that three magistrates are responsible for handling domestic violence cases in Malta, while one magistrate handles all criminal cases, including domestic violence, in Gozo.

Minister Attard emphasized that the government plans to expand the judiciary by appointing more magistrates to ensure better focus on these cases, noting that in the past, domestic violence cases often got overshadowed by unrelated criminal matters.

He highlighted that during this legislature, the number of domestic violence hearings has risen from two to an average of six to eight per week, with magistrates now concentrating more on domestic violence compilations.

In response to another question, the minister explained that the courts not only hear urgent domestic violence cases but also hold a special session every four weeks for cases flagged by the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management system.

There are sixty-eight (68) police officers working in the Gender-Based and Domestic Violence units at the Police Headquarters and at the division’s hub in Santa Luċija, which began operating for the first time in recent months. They are joined by several other professionals from Aġenzija Appoġġ.

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Crocs Collaborates with Squid Game for Special Edition Classic Clog

Oct 16 2024

In anticipation of Squid Game Season 2, Crocs has revealed a special edition of their Classic Clog, drawing inspiration from the hit Netflix series. The shoes, featuring a green base to resemble the contestants’ jumpsuits, are adorned with blood spatters on the midsole and back strap to highlight the show’s violent nature. Other design details include illustrations referencing iconic elements from the series, such as the numbers of key characters 001 and 067, and symbols used in the game instructions.

The clogs come with custom Jibbitz charms that depict memorable moments from Squid Game, including the infamous Red Light, Green Light doll, the Dalgona candy, and the mask worn by the game overseers. A standout feature includes the insoles, which display the Squid Game logo in both English and Korean, as well as the number 456, the player number of protagonist Seong Gi-hun.

While an official release date for the Squid Game x Crocs Classic Clogs has not been announced, it is expected to coincide with the Season 2 premiere on December 26. Fans of the show and Crocs collectors alike are eagerly awaiting the launch.

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Over 4,000 Food Establishments In Malta & Gozo

Oct 16 2024

The Association of Catering Establishments (ACE) highlighted concerns over the growing number of food establishments in Malta and Gozo, now exceeding 4,000.

This over-saturation is making it increasingly difficult to find workers with the necessary skills, ACE said.

ACE Secretary Matthew Pace emphasised that, while the association does not advocate for limiting the number of establishments, more scrutiny is needed before granting new licenses.

A survey commissioned by ACE, covering 200 establishments, revealed that profits have decreased by 3% compared to last year, with only 25% of respondents reporting stable sales.

The average spending per customer was €25.89, with fine dining restaurants seeing higher expenditure at €55 per capita and cafeterias or snack bars averaging €14.20. Almost 40% of customers spend between €15 and €29 per meal.

The survey also found that 56% of establishments made investments between July last year and June this year, but a similar percentage do not plan to invest in the next 12 months.

Additionally, the BCRS waste separation scheme was criticised for taking up valuable storage space, creating further challenges for restaurant owners.

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Malta Urges EU Action on Rising Energy Prices

Oct 16 2024

Malta has intensified its calls for action on surging energy prices during a meeting of the EU Energy Ministers’ Council. Citing the Draghi report on European competitiveness, Malta emphasized that stable energy prices are essential for maintaining the region’s economic edge.

Environment and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli highlighted the vulnerability of southern EU countries, which are particularly impacted by rising energy costs. She noted that Malta is keeping prices stable to protect families and businesses, stressing the need for broader EU support to ensure a properly functioning energy market.

Minister Dalli also pointed out that high energy costs put European nations at a disadvantage compared to non-EU countries, undermining global competitiveness. She called for increased investment in energy interconnections and flexible technologies like large-scale battery storage, along with more support for renewable energy projects, especially in the Mediterranean region.

The topic was further discussed at a Friends of Renewables meeting, co-chaired by Minister Dalli and her Danish counterpart. This group, consisting of 15 countries, urged the European Commission to prioritize renewable energy ahead of the incoming Commission’s term.

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