New Harry Potter Series Starts Filming On Original Set

Dec 6 2024

Filming for the highly anticipated Harry Potter series will begin next summer at Leavesden Studios, where the original films were shot. The series is set to dive deeper into the lives of Hogwarts students, with a completely new cast. The search for the lead trio has been extensive, with over 32,000 children auditioning. Shortlisted candidates will attend workshops in January.

Though HBO has not revealed much about the cast, reports suggest some exciting developments. Variety notes that Warner Bros. has reached out to Mark Rylance for the role of Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu has reportedly been offered the role of Severus Snape. Meanwhile, Hollywood Reporter confirms that the role of Hermione may be cast with a new, fresh face, though no details have been confirmed.

Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed Voldemort in the original Harry Potter films, has publicly expressed his hope that Cillian Murphy would take on the role of the Dark Lord in the upcoming series. With many casting decisions still to be made, as the series moves forward, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod are tasked with navigating a loyal fanbase’s expectations while introducing a fresh perspective on familiar stories.

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Government Outlines MCAST Dispute Position: MUT Responds

Dec 6 2024

Both the government and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) have released statements over the dispute regarding the collective agreement for MCAST lecturers.

At a press briefing, Permanent Secretary Joyce Cassar outlined the government’s position, revealing that while MCAST management had accepted several MUT requests—such as shortening the academic year, reducing lecturers’ teaching workload, and providing additional compensation for classes after 3:30 pm—some demands were deemed unacceptable.

Among these were a €400 allowance for correcting resit exams, additional vacation days, and a proposal to double remote working hours to 16 hours per week.

Cassar argued that the €400 resit allowance could lead to suspicions about lecturers failing students deliberately and criticised a demand to promote lecturers to senior positions without requiring a doctorate, saying it could harm MCAST’s academic standards.

The MUT rejected Cassar’s statements, calling them misleading and accusing the government of undermining education quality at MCAST.

The union argued that reductions in teaching hours per unit had drastically impacted experiential learning, with some syllabi now taught in half the originally allocated time.

It also criticised the lack of resources and staff replacements, which it claims have left MCAST stretched thin.

Ongoing industrial actions by lecturers—including withholding assessment marks, halting extracurricular activities, and limiting communication with students—have disrupted students’ learning. Cassar urged lecturers to reconsider their actions, emphasising the impact on students and parents.

The MUT insisted it remained open to dialogue, rejecting what it called the government’s “confrontational approach.” The union reiterated its commitment to quality education and called for renewed negotiations, emphasising the need for resources and support to improve teaching conditions at MCAST.

With negotiations entering their second year and no resolution in sight, the standoff has left students, parents, and educators in a state of uncertainty.

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Violent Action Against Journalist Outside Parliament Condemned By IGM

Dec 6 2024

The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) has condemned an incident on Monday in which a journalist was blocked and aggressively shoved by members of the Nationalist Party entourage and a protest-goer while attempting to interview the party’s leader and MPs.

This marks the second such incident involving the Nationalist Party in recent weeks.

The IĠM expressed disappointment over the lack of public condemnation by the Nationalist Party and urged all political parties to take responsibility for the behaviour of individuals within their circles.

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The institute stressed the importance of ensuring journalists can carry out their work without harassment, calling these incidents unacceptable.

A police report has been filed regarding the incident, and the IĠM is urging authorities to act promptly. It also expressed solidarity with the affected journalist, who works for ONE, and with all media professionals who face harassment while performing their duties.

The IĠM emphasised that bullying tactics against journalists undermine press freedom and called for a commitment from political parties to respect and protect the role of the media in a democratic society.

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Malta Draws Opponents for 2024/25 European Women’s Youth Championships Round 2

Dec 6 2024

This morning, UEFA conducted the draw for Round 2 of the 2024/25 European Women’s Youth Championships at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw has set the stage for the Malta Women’s National U-17 and U-19 teams as they prepare for their next steps in the competition.

The Malta U-17 team has been placed in Group B2, where they will face Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan. The mini-tournament will be held in March 2025, with Azerbaijan serving as the host nation.

This group presents a competitive challenge for Malta’s young talent as they look to progress in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Malta U-19 selection finds itself in Group B3, where they will compete against Kosovo, Latvia, and Kazakhstan.

Notably, Malta will host this mini-tournament, providing a home advantage for the national team. Matches are scheduled to take place on April 1st, 4th, and 7th of 2025.

These draws mark a crucial phase in the development of Malta’s youth football, offering both teams an opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage.

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