278 Persons Rushed To Emergency Were Intoxicated In December

Jan 23 2024

In December, almost 300 individuals brought to Mater Dei’s Emergency Department were found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to statistics presented in Parliament by Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela in response to a question from Opposition MP Claudette Buttigieg.

The highest numbers were recorded on December 3rd, 22nd, 24th, and 31st, totalling 278 cases for the month. The data shed light on the prevalence of substance influence during the festive season.

In a separate parliamentary question, Opposition MP Albert Buttigieg sought information from Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri regarding individuals caught driving under the influence between October 2023 and January 2024.

Camilleri disclosed that during this period, police apprehended 123 individuals under the influence, with 59 of them driving while impaired. Additionally, 102 individuals underwent breathalyzer tests.

These revelations follow a trend in monitoring substance use, with a notable decrease in alcohol and cigarette consumption among 15 and 16-year-olds between 1995 and 2019, as highlighted in a public consultation document from March 2023. The recent statistics underscore ongoing concerns about substance abuse and impaired driving in Malta.

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Alex Borg Responds After Manuel Delia Likens Franco Debono To Tumour

Jan 23 2024

PN MP Alex Borg has criticized blogger Manuel Delia for referring to former MP Franco Debono as “a re-emerging tumour.”

Delia’s description of Debono’s resurgence as a tumor, starting small and growing unexpectedly, prompted Borg’s response on Facebook, accusing Delia of ignorance about tumors and labeling him a “small man dangerously posing as a pseudo-intellectual.”

Delia wrote: ‘But oh my God, Franco Debono is on the agenda again. He comes back like a re-emerging tumour, for some time too small for scans, and before you know it too big to carry.’

Borg condemned Delia’s words as hateful and asserted that Delia is not representative of the PN, deeming him an “agent of division” comparable to Labour’s media arm.

‘Daniel Delia does not know what a tumour is,’ wrote Borg. ‘He does not understand the consequence of his words. This is hatred.’

‘Manuel Delia is not the Nationalist Party. He is no NGO. Such words are the same as “whoever is not with us is against us”.’

In a similar vein, Debono criticized Delia’s blog as hate speech and recalled Delia’s unsuccessful attempts to contest his seat a decade ago.

Debono also linked the decline of the PN to the rise of hate blogs, continuing from Daphne Caruana Galizia’s era. Despite the criticism, Debono affirmed that he would not be intimidated by Delia.

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Italian Football Legend Gigi Riva Passes Away Aged 79

Jan 23 2024

Italian football legend Gigi Riva, celebrated for his exceptional goal-scoring prowess and often regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history, passed away at the age of 79 on Monday.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Riva, Italy’s all-time leading goal scorer, was admitted to the hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sunday.

Initially believed to be in stable condition, his health deteriorated rapidly, with the heart attack proving more severe than initially thought.

Throughout his career, Riva gained recognition for his outstanding performances, notably with Cagliari, earning the nickname “Rombo di Tuono” (thunderclap) for his physical presence and powerful shooting.

His international accomplishments included victory in the 1968 European Championship and a runner-up position in the 1970 World Cup, where Italy fell to the formidable Brazil team led by Pelé.

Riva, who also represented Italy in the 1974 World Cup, remains the all-time leading goal scorer for Italy with 35 goals in 42 official appearances between 1965 and 1974.

Riva spent the majority of his club career with Cagliari, playing a pivotal role in their historic Italian league title win in 1970. Despite injuries affecting the latter part of his playing career, he retired in 1976 after scoring 164 league goals for Cagliari in 315 matches and being Serie A’s top scorer three times.

Riva continued to contribute to football after retiring as a player, taking on various roles within the football community until 2013. His passing marks the loss of a symbol of Italian football, with tributes pouring in from figures like former England head coach Fabio Capello.

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Pizza Hut Japan Releases “Ramen Pizza”

Jan 23 2024

You might still be debating Pizza Tortellini’s existence, but Pizza Hut Japan have released another bizarre pizza.

Pizza Hut Japan has unveiled a unique culinary creation, the “Kotteri-fuu Ramen Pizza,” as part of its 50th-anniversary TikTok initiative.

Developed in collaboration with ramen chain Tenka Ippin, the limited-time offering features crispy dough and noodles, topped with chashu pork and green onions.

The pizza pays homage to the rich and thick kotteri broth from Tenka Ippin’s ramen, turning it into a flavorful sauce that captures the essence of traditional ramen.

This innovative creation follows Pizza Hut Japan’s earlier quirky pizzas, like the “Too Much Coriander Pizza” and “Weiner Coffee Pizza.” Priced at ¥1,980 JPY for pick-up and ¥2,230 JPY for delivery, the Kotteri-fuu Ramen Pizza is available until February 12, celebrating Pizza Hut Japan’s anniversary with the slogan “Always more than you can imagine.”

The fusion of pizza and ramen showcases Japan’s culinary creativity and continues the trend of inventive and unexpected food combinations in the country.

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