Small child in two-storey fall / Malta News Briefing – Monday 15 November 2021

Updated 1250: Mid-Day Briefing

Small child in two-storey fall: a one-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after falling two storeys out of a balcony in Msida. Police said the boy, who will soon turn two, was treated by a medical team onsite. Magistrate Lara Lanfranco is investigating.

New rules for public collections by VOs: The Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (OCVO) has launched new regulations for voluntary organisations and charity shops, easing restrictions and procedures related to public collections. With regards to Public Collections, whereas before VOs had to notify the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations prior to organising a public collection, now, with the new amendments, an enrolled and compliant VO can hold a public collection event without notifying the OCVO. The same concept was agreed upon for the public collection tins, where VOs are free to provide their collectors with sealed tins. These are then to be opened in front of at least two administrators without the need of having a warranted professional present during this process.

Covid-19 Update: Active Covid-19 cases edged above 600 on Monday with 55 new cases, while 17 persons recovered. Despite the higher number of infected persons, which now stands at 603, only 13 of them are currently being treated in hospital, two of home in ITU.

Morning Briefing

Grech clarifies abortion comment

Abortion was again on PN leader Bernard Grech’s, arguing that “freedom of thought is sacrosanct” but insisting that no compromises would be done on the subject. AT the same time, he clarified a controverial stance taken earlier during the week, telling The Times of Malta that “when I said that nobody will be allowed to be pro-abortion and remain in PN, what I meant is that nobody will be allowed to campaign for abortion legislation under the PN ticket”.
The opposition leader insisted that what he meant was that he would not tolerate people within the party who publicly campaign for abortion. “This is an issue on which I am not ready to compromise and on which our statute does not even permit compromise.” (Times of Malta)

Alex Dalli suspended on half-pay

Under-fire prison director Colonel Alex Dalli is currently receiving half his salary as part of the terms of his self-suspension, the Independent has revealed. “Mr Dalli is no longer involved in the management and day-to-day running of the Correctional Services Agency,” a Ministry spokesperson told the paper. Dalli suspended himself from his position last week after another inmate took his own life. (Independent.com.mt)

Archbishop urges pro-life stance

Archbishop Charles Scicluna urged politicians to make decisions which are in favour of life if society is to avoid sowing death, the same death and destruction which wars brought about. Delivering his homily during a Mass that marked Remembrance Day, Archbishop Scicluna warned that “War is not the only instrument of death,” arguing that “young people end up sowing the seeds of deaths, instead of promoting life.”
“A lot of young people because they are radicalised, they are brain washed, instead of becoming messengers of life, they turn into instruments of death,” he said. “What a tragedy this is”, he said. (Newsbook)

Covid-19 Update

Health authorities in Malta reported 32 new coronavirus cases. From the total of 565 cases in Malta 12 patients are hospitalised, two of whom are in intensive care.