Zoo Made Critical Mistake Which Could Have Prevented Harambe’s Death

Dec 19 2024

The director of a documentary on Harambe stated that the Ohio Cincinnati Zoo made a crucial mistake that led to the gorilla’s death.

Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla, was shot in 2016 after a 3 year old boy fell into his enclosure. While interacting with the child, Harambe appeared to drag him, prompting zoo staff to shoot rather than tranquillise the gorilla.

Erik Crown,the director, explained that tranquillisers don’t work as quickly as people believe, and could have agitated Harambe, potentially worsening the situation.

Although Crown wished for a non-lethal outcome, he believes the zookeepers had limited options, however, he also revealed that the zoo’s safety measures were inadequate: the fence was too short, and the zoo was not in compliance with safety guidelines.

While questions were raised about the parents’ role, Crown emphasised that it was the legal responsibility of the zoo to ensure safety.

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Bernard Grech Attends Summit With EU EPP Leaders In Brussels

Dec 19 2024

Partit Nazzjonalista leader Bernard Grech participated in the European People’s Party (EPP) Summit held in Brussels today.

The EPP, the largest political family in Europe, comprises 84 member and affiliate parties from 44 countries and represents the center-right across the European Union. It is also the largest political group in the European Parliament.

During the summit, Grech joined other EPP leaders to discuss pressing issues ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting later this week.

Key topics included EU enlargement, the Mediterranean region’s challenges—especially those unique to Malta as an island nation—and broader geopolitical issues.

The summit also featured discussions with leaders from Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU, some of whom have been waiting decades for membership, predating Malta’s accession.

Other agenda items included the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as global political developments, such as the implications of Donald Trump’s recent election as U.S. President.

EPP President Manfred Weber chaired the meeting, which was attended by prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.

Grech was accompanied at the summit by PN International Secretary Beppe Galea.

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Malta To Participate In 2025 Prisoners Jubilee

Dec 19 2024

Malta’s Minister for the Interior, Security and Work, Byron Camilleri, held a meeting in Rome with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss various matters between the two states.

Camilleri announced that Malta will participate in the 2025 Jubilee of the ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, with a focus on involving prisoners as part of their rehabilitation. This aligns with Malta’s efforts in prison rehabilitation, including mental health support and integration programs.

Both sides agreed to further collaboration for the benefit of citizens. The same commitment was discussed during a meeting between Camilleri and Cardinal Mario Grech in Rome, emphasising the importance of strengthening Malta-Vatican relations, particularly on shared interests such as peace-building.

The Maltese delegation, including Ambassador Frank Zammit and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, also had a general audience with Pope Francis, accompanied by a performance from the Police Band.

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Tender To Expand Mater Dei’s Emergency Department Published

Dec 19 2024

The Ministry for Health and Active Aging has announced the publication of a tender for the expansion and redevelopment of the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital.

This project will significantly transform the area, which currently consists of the Emergency Department, an adjacent parking lot, a green zone, and the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) building.

The redevelopment plans include converting the existing Emergency Department parking area into new facilities. Levels 9 and 10 will be dedicated to an expanded Emergency Department, while Levels 11 through 14 will house Acute Mental Health Wards.

Level 15 will serve as a Plant Room, supporting the facility’s operations.

Above the current MAU, located on Level 10, additional Acute Wards will be constructed on Levels 11 to 13, along with another Plant Room on Level 14.

The green zone will be redeveloped to include a new substation on Levels 8 and 9. Furthermore, Level 10 will be transformed into a parking area for the Emergency Department, and Level 11 will feature an outdoor area specifically designed for acute patients.

Covering 7,100m² with an excavated volume of 10,500 cubic meters, this ambitious project aims to enhance hospital capacity and improve emergency and mental health services.

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