PN Lead Bernard Grech Promises Business Solutions Free from Constraints

PN Promises Business Solutions Free from Constraints

Sep 10 2024

Opposition and PN Leader Bernard Grech assured business leaders that, if elected, the Nationalist Party (PN) would be free from the constraints that have hindered the current government in addressing key business challenges. Grech emphasized the PN’s political will to tackle issues such as competitiveness, traffic congestion, and governance—issues the current government has failed to resolve.

Grech led a PN delegation in a meeting with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, where Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo and CEO Marthese Portelli expressed concern over the government’s slow adoption of business proposals. Out of 219 proposals submitted for the 2024 Budget, only four were accepted. The Chamber is resubmitting these proposals in its document “Time-up,” which highlights 12 urgent areas for action.

The Chamber stressed the need for an economy based on added value rather than unsustainable population growth. Grech recalled his previous call for a national conference on population growth, which went unheeded, and criticized the government’s delayed response in aligning migration policies with labour needs.

Grech praised the Chamber’s structured approach to formulating proposals and reaffirmed the PN’s commitment to embracing their policies. The PN delegation included Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione, Parliamentary Whip Robert Cutajar, and several Shadow Ministers.

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Casting for Harry Potter, Ron & Hermione For New HBO Remake Open

Sep 10 2024

HBO has officially launched an open casting call for the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger in its forthcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter series. The search is targeting children aged 9 to 11 from the UK and Ireland, with auditions to be submitted via self-taped videos.

he deadline for submissions is 31 October 2024, with filming set to commence in the UK in 2025 and continue into 2026. The series is expected to air in 2026.

This new HBO series is described as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels, with the aim of finding a new generation of actors to portray the iconic trio. The casting call highlights the production’s commitment to inclusive, diverse casting, following in the footsteps of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which cast Noma Dumezweni as Hermione.

The project brings together Succession collaborators Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod as showrunner and director, respectively, with Rowling and David Heyman, producer of the original films, also involved as executive producers.

Aspiring actors are required to submit two videos: one reading a short story or poem (not from Harry Potter), and another discussing a person they are particularly close to.

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Former PN MP Karl Gouder Passes Away

Sep 10 2024

Former PN MP Karl Gouder passed away on Tuesday, just two days after expressing his intention to run for the position of the party’s general secretary.

Authorities not treating the death as suspicious.

PN leader Bernard Grech confirmed the news of Gouder’s death in a Facebook post, offering condolences to his family and friends, and asking for privacy during this difficult time.

Gouder, 45, had revealed his interest in the role of PN general secretary on Sunday in an interview with Times of Malta. This came a week after the current secretary, Michael Piccinino, announced his decision to step down to run as a PN election candidate. Gouder had been the chief operations officer of the PN’s media division and closely supported Piccinino during his tenure.

Before this, Gouder served as mayor of St Julian’s and was a PN MP for six years across three legislatures. He was well-liked for his cheerful demeanor and dedication as an athlete, especially in long-distance running. His leadership at Dar Ċentrali earned him the respect of colleagues, who praised his ability to unite the party’s staff.

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Inquiry Clears Medical Staff in Stephen Mangion’s Death

Sep 10 2024

A magisterial inquiry has cleared the doctors and nurses who treated Stephen Mangion of any wrongdoing in connection with his death. The 500-page report, led by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, found no evidence of negligence or delay by the medical staff at Mater Dei Hospital. According to Times of Malta, Mangion, 55, died of an aortic dissection after collapsing in the hospital’s emergency waiting room.

The inquiry revealed that Mangion delayed seeking medical help for 15 hours despite experiencing symptoms and advice from family members. Additionally, it found that Mangion had not been taking his prescribed medication for high blood pressure, complicating diagnosis. He underwent three ECGs, none of which indicated immediate danger, according to the report.

Addressing public outcry and misinformation spread on social media, Times of Malta reports that the inquiry dismissed allegations that the hospital staff were at fault. The claims, largely propagated by a fake profile, were deemed unfounded.

Magistrate Mifsud called for greater protection of healthcare workers against false accusations and suggested reinstating defamation laws to combat misinformation. Copies of the report were provided to the Attorney General, Health Minister, and Police Commissioner, with the magistrate praising Mangion’s family for condemning the spread of false information.

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