Updated 1730 – Afternoon Portal Review
Maltatoday follows the latest Court sitting where a Magistrate was told that Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Chief Executive Sigmund Mifsud held a meeting with top management officials to discuss how to convince a female musician to reconsider her sexual harassment complaint against an orchestra official.
The Times of Malta leads with the story whereby an inquiry into whether any state entity failed femicide victim Bernice Cassar has been extended by at least a month to ensure the findings are as thorough as possible, in the words of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has said.
The Malta Independent reports that Independent candidate Arnold Cassola said that people who had ore-booked their seats on an Air Malta flight were moved to a new seating to make way for the family of parliamentary secretary Chris Bonett. The latter replied on Facebook that he had paid beforehand, as others do, to have his family seated near each other.
Newsbook says that the Nationalist Party has accused government of being clueless in tackling medicine shortages as it once again called for urgent talks.
Updated 1225
PN suggests former Speaker, Air Malta CEO, judge as Standards czar
The PN has suggested former Speaker Myriam Spiteri Debono, former judge Silvio Meli or former Air Malta CEO Philip Micallef for the role of standards commissioner. Opposition leader Bernard Grech presented the names in a letter to the Prime Minister. Abela has been insisting that the role, which was previously held by George Hyzler, would be best filled by former chief justice Joseph Azzopardi but the opposition has doubts about the level of Azzopardi’s “efficiency”. (Times of Malta)
Government to buy 250 EVs for public sector
The public service will purchase 250 electric vehicles in its bid to electrify its fleet and cut carbon dioxide emissions.
The call for tenders was published today and the project worth €10 million is partially funded by the EU. The project will increase the share of electric vehicles within the public service fleet to 40% from 7%. (Maltatoday)
VallettaBaroque Festival to host 36 concerts
The 11th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival will take place between 11 and 29 January 2023. Addressing the media, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici stated that this prestigious festival presents a diverse programme of 36 concerts which will be held in 20 different venues all over Malta, including Auberge de Provence, Gran Salon, St John’s Co-Cathedral, and Manoel Theatre, amongst others. “The Valletta Baroque Festival will host among the most prestigious artists and ensembles of baroque music in our country. This clearly shows how dynamic culture is and how it creates various opportunities that cover all the niches of the creative economy”, Minister Bonnici said.
Morning Briefing
TM officers charged with beating of healthcare worker
Transport Malta Enforcement Officers Ivan Cassar, 42, from Żabbar and Rene Antonelli, 38 from Qrendi were charged by summons in connection with the beating of Anoob George Thomas, a healthcare worker at Mount Carmel Hospital. Thomas told court that he was beaten up by the officers despite having complied with all of their orders. The two Transport Malta officials have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the beating that was captured on video by a passer-by. (Maltatoday)
Children from six months to be offered Covid-19 vaccine
Children as young as six months will be offered the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced. The EU medicines’ agency approved a number of coronavirus vaccines for young children back in October. Children aged between six months and four years will be offered a three-dose regimen, Fearne said, clarifying that they will be provided with the “original” vaccine and not the boosters. (Times of Malta)
1,000 metric tonnes of animal feed lost after Kordin fire
1,000 metric tonnes of animal feed had been lost after a fire broke out at the silos at the Kordin Grain Terminal in the Grand Harbour on Wednesday morning. In a brief statement issued later in the afternoon, economy minister Silvio Schembri said that this will be disposed of in collaboration with the waste agency Wasteserv. The site was evacuated and no injuries have been reported. (Newsbook)
