Oriana Bertolino, a 31-year-old volleyball player, tragically lost her life in a quad bike accident at Wied Mielaħ in Gozo last Saturday. Tributes poured in on social media following the shocking news, as family and friends mourned her untimely death.

Described as a “fantastic person who was always smiling,” Oriana was celebrated not only for her prowess on the volleyball court but also for her dedication as a coach and her love for animals. Hailing from Marsala, Sicily, she had a distinguished career playing for her hometown team.

The accident occurred when a quad bike driven by a 47-year-old Italian man, in which Oriana was a passenger, veered off a cliff into the sea. Despite efforts to rescue her, she succumbed to her injuries. Mayor Massimo Grillo of Marsala expressed condolences on behalf of the community, acknowledging Oriana’s impact and the void left by her passing.

In a poignant Facebook post just weeks before the incident, Oriana reflected on personal choices and finding peace in individual paths, highlighting her unique perspective on life. Her tragic death has deeply affected both her local community and the volleyball world, leaving many to remember her as an exceptional human being and professional.

#MaltaDaily

Fans were not only mesmerised by Coldplay’s rendition of their classic songs during their Glastonbury performance; they were also taken aback by the size of the audience, which may have surpassed previous festival attendance records. With hits like “Yellow” and “Paradise,” the band took the Pyramid Stage by storm. The sea of concertgoers supporting them was so dense that it was like being among Glastonbury’s biggest audiences ever.

A record-breaking crowd of over 100,000 people attended Elton John’s unforgettable set at the prestigious music festival last year. But Coldplay’s crowd this year looks ready to meet or surpass that threshold, which has many people at home in disbelief.

Surprised fans flooded social media with comments, one of which read, “That crowd for Coldplay… giving Elton a run for his money #glasto.” “The crowd is even bigger than I anticipated for Coldplay!” exclaimed a surprised viewer. What an amazing sight.”

Coldplay’s use of LED wristbands, which light up the crowd in coordinated colours during the performance to improve the visual experience, is partially responsible for the spectacle. This technological element has established itself as a signature of their live performances, adding to the ambiance and evoking memories of past historic Glastonbury events.

Although official attendance numbers are not yet available, the huge turnout of music fans during Coldplay’s fifth headline show highlights both the band’s ongoing appeal and the festival’s capacity to draw sizable attendance each year. Coldplay’s most recent headline performance at Glastonbury has definitely cemented their place in the festival’s illustrious history and reaffirmed their position as one of the best live acts in the world, as the celebration of music and community continues.

#MaltaDaily

The Home Affairs Ministry announced on Saturday that Angelo Gafà’s tenure as Police Commissioner has been extended for another four years. The ministry highlighted that in the recent years, the police force has updated its systems to be more community-focused.

Angelo Gafà was initially appointed police commissioner in 2020 after his nomination was approved by the Parliament’s Public Appointments committee, marking the first time the position was not directly appointed by the Prime Minister. For his contract renewal, he required  approval from the Public Service Commission.

The ministry also noted how the public trust the police in a high manner , crediting improvements in governance and the establishment of a new collective agreement.

However, opposition leader Bernard Grech criticised the decision, asserting that Malta needs an impartial commissioner who does not serve the interests of the Labour Party. He emphasized the necessity for the police commissioner to a receive a two-third majority approval by the House of Representatives.

Robert Aquilina from Repubblika, a vocal critic of Gafà , reported that police officers expressed their discontent with Gafa’s reappointment, describing it as an insult. Aquilina conveyed that, according to these officers, Gafà’s leadership style has led to a demoralised and demotivated police force, and they feel he does not embody the values of the police.

#MaltaDaily