Malta’s Police Force Gets First Official Electric Vehicles

Jun 21 2024

The Police Force has continued its modernization efforts with the acquisition of seven electric vehicles, which will replace traditional vehicles. This is the first time the Police Force will use electric vehicles.

With an investment of over €300,000, the electric vehicles will be used by the community police section and the forensic laboratory section of the force. Additionally, the K9 unit will be strengthened with four new vehicles.

The Community Malta Agency donated €100,000 to the Police Force to cover part of the investment. This agency is also currently covering the overtime pay for the police involved in escorting the transportation of fireworks for feasts and has previously provided a grant for the community police to acquire e-bikes used in their patrols.

The community police will use these electric vehicles in various localities including Rabat, Mdina, Ħad-Dingli, Mtarfa, Msida, Gżira, Ta’ Xbiex, Marsaskala, and Raħal Ġdid. This will provide the police with more tools to reach different communities and allow them to conduct more continuous patrols in areas considered the most challenging.

During the inauguration of the new electric vehicles, the Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Labour Byron Camilleri said the Ministry remains committed to transitioning to less polluting electric vehicles while continuing to provide services to make communities safer.

For his part, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà stated that in recent years, the Police Force has been undergoing unprecedented investment. He said that as an entity working 24 hours a day, these electric vehicles will certainly contribute to both a safer society and a better environment.

#MaltaDaily

MCAST Principal Removed From Position By Education Ministry

Jun 21 2024

The Ministry of Education has relieved Joachim James Calleja of his duties as principal at MCAST, responding to ongoing industrial action and tensions within the institution.

Sources close to MCAST revealed to MaltaToday that the ministry notified the college’s board of this decision and plans to initiate a public search for a successor.

MCAST has been embroiled in a labor dispute with the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT), resulting in over a month of industrial action that has disrupted exams and strained relations between faculty and students.

The tipping point appears to have been MCAST’s controversial authorization of police patrols with student search powers on its campuses, a move criticized publicly by Education Minister Clifton Grima as unnecessary.

Sources indicate that the government’s move aims to alleviate the tense atmosphere at MCAST, described as stifling by stakeholders. By replacing Calleja, who took office in 2018, including prior roles at Cedefop and as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Employment, the government hopes to inject new energy and resolve into the college.

Maltese Primary Language For 71.3% Of Locals

Jun 21 2024

A recent survey titled ‘Stat tan-Nazzjon’ (State of the Nation’, conducted by Dr Vincent Marmara and Mr Lou Bondi, 71.3% of respondents said that the Maltese language is their primary language.

This is around 4 percentage points lower than 2023, when 75.4% considered Maltese their primary language.

Meanwhile, 7.6% of locals considered English their primary language, more than double of 2023 at 3.6%.

20.3% of locals consider both languages as their primary language, which is an approximately 1 percentage point increase from 2023 at 19.4%.

0.9% consider other languages to be their primary languages, a decrease from 2023 at 1.6%.

The survey interviewed 1,064 persons to gather the data.

#MaltaDaily

The David Walliams Book Show: Author Returning On 28th June

David Walliams Returning To Malta For Mediterrane Film Festival

Jun 21 2024

The David Walliams Book Show is a one-man performance where David Walliams shares hilarious stories from his childhood, discusses the inspiration behind his famous book characters, acts out funny extracts, and reads amusing fan letters. His daytime shows delight children, parents, and grandparents who have enjoyed his 40 best-selling books over the past 15 years. The interactive, non-stop performance is a feast of fun for audiences, whether they’ve read one or all of his books. Walliams’ in-person charm makes each theatergoer feel personally addressed, while the entire audience is united in laughter. It’s an exhilarating experience in the presence of a gifted entertainer.

“Kids will have the chance to ask me anything, with a star prize for the best question!” said Walliams.

Since the release of his first novel, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008, Walliams has revolutionized children’s reading. His titles, including The Blunders, Robodog, The World’s Worst Monsters, Spaceboy, The Midnight Gang, Ratburger, and his latest, Astrochimp, all feature glorious illustrations that lend themselves to live readings and expanded storytelling. These stories, inspired by his own life adventures, come together in uproarious performances from a master of children’s entertainment.

Don’t miss “The David Walliams Show,” an upcoming event on June 28th at 18:30, held at Fort St. Elmo, Valletta. Part of the second edition of the Mediterrane Film Festival, this event features a special book reading by David Walliams. It’s a unique opportunity to experience Walliams live and be part of a night filled with laughter and unforgettable stories.

“Book tickets now here. Spaces are limited.”

#MaltaDaily