Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1490058
TRUTH IS OF NO COLOUR WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY • 15 JANUARY 2023 • ISSUE 1211 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday → direct Bespoke investment service tailored to your specific needs. discretionary portfolio management and receive a top-up of up to €200* Apply now medirect.com.mt 2557 4400 MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, company registration number C34125, is licensed to undertake the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371) and investment services under the Investment Services Act (Cap. 370). PAGE 4 PAGE 4 How a vulnerable family was allowed to be overpowered by a stranger PAGES 2-3 The Devil went down to Marsaskala €1.95 Is the Orlandi case an existential threat for the Holy See? PAGES 10-11 Catholics on Vatican Girl MATT BONANNO MATTHEW VELLA THE Maltese govern- ment is bracing itself for the court judgement that could spell out an unprecedented €100 mil- lion penalty in favour of the American healthcare giant Steward, should the controversial hospi- tals privatisation deal be rescinded. There is trepidation at the top echelons of Rob- ert Abela's administra- tion, as the outcome of a court case filed by the Nationalist MP Adrian Delia for the rescission of the former Vitals hos- pitals privatisation could open up the government to a new €100 million penalty, but even some- thing more controver- sial: a criminal investi- gation into the alleged corruption surrounding the VGH deal, touching upon the former Muscat administration. Labour braced for Steward fall-out over penalty, fraud investigation JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has requested the Gozo Ministry to prepare a Social Impact As- sessment (SIA) on the impact of the proposed airstrip on nearby communities in Xewkija and Ghajnsielem. This was confirmed by a PA spokesperson when asked by MaltaToday whether such a study has been requested, in view of the social impact such a large-scale project has on neighbouring community. Social impact assessments not only assess the concerns of residents living next to large scale projects but also include enforceable measures to ad- dress these con- cerns. PA wants social impact of Gozo airstrip on residents Unseasonably warm winter Pomegranates in January. But the effects of man-made climate change are not all sweet, as farmers witness the uncharacteristic changes of the weather PAGES 8-9 ERA exempted project from EIA but PA wants social impact study on residents and other studies The lighter side of 'computer misuse' INTERVIEW MT2