Weekly News highlights

A Civil Court judge on Monday ordered the police commissioner to pay for Lm50,000 worth of electronic equipment seized in a raid in 1995 and classified as a total loss when returned to its owner in 1999. Mr Justice Ray Pace ruled that the police commissioner had failed to take adequate precautions to safeguard Martin Cachia's property.

Budget approved

The 2003 budget was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, with 33 votes in favour and 26 against. The House then rose for the Christmas recess and will reconvene on January 13 when it will start debating the negotiated EU membership package.

Court finds article libellous

Mr Justice Franco Depasquale, sitting in the Civil Court, on Wednesday upheld a writ for libel damages filed by Richard Matrenza against John Formosa, editor of The People on Sunday, and ruled that an article accompanied by a photo appearing in the column "Village Gossip" under the heading "Dick Whittington Matrenza" on October 26, 1997, was libellous.

The judge abstained from awarding damages on the basis that Mr Matrenza had already received Lm700 from Mr Formosa (which had been agreed between the parties) but ordered Mr Formosa to pay the costs of the lawsuit.

Locally built bus prototype launched

Industrial Motors Ltd of Blata l-Bajda on Wednesday launched a bus prototype built by Scarniff Coachbuilders Ltd of Luqa. The bus, which was approved by the British Vehicle Certification Agency and the Malta Transport Authority, has a MAN chassis imported from Germany by IML. MAN are one of Germany's leading truck-making firms.

Government to give Arka Lm65,000 a year

Government and the Arka Foundation on Thursday signed an agreement providing the respite centre in Gozo with up to Lm65,000 a year for its permanent residential services to disabled people. Under the agreement, the government will purchase up to six beds from the respite centre for three years.

Interest rates cut by 25 basis points

The Central Bank of Malta on Friday cut the central intervention rate and the discount rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent. Central Bank governor Michael Bonello said the reduction was compatible with the maintenance of the exchange rate peg. Following the announcement, HSBC and APS Bank announced changes to their interest rates.

St James Hospital buys out Capua Palace

St James Hospital has become Malta's largest private health entity when, on Friday, after months-long negotiations led to its takeover of Capua Hospital in Sliema. The contract was signed between AX Holdings chairman Angelo Xuereb, owner of Capua Hospital, and St James Hospital managing director Josie Muscat. The hospital, which has a capacity of 80 beds, will be called St James (Capua) Hospital and will operate as a separate entity to the 13-bed St James Hospital in Zabbar.

Blair congratulates PM

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Malta would bring fresh ideas and new impetus to the EU to help deal with subjects, such as economic reform and international crime. This was stated in a letter to Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, sent to congratulate him on concluding the enlargement negotiations "at the truly historic European Council in Copenhagen".