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8,000 immigrants stopped by Libyan coast guard from travelling to Europe

8000 immigrants stopped by Libyan coast guard from travelling to Europe
Apr 18 2021 Share

Minister for Foreign Affairs Evarist Bartolo stated that, from the start of this year, the Libyan Coast Guard stopped around 8,000 immigrants from starting a voyage towards Europe. The Minister quoted a report by Frontex that states that another wave of immigration is set to begin as summer approaches. He also stated that in his opinion, without any agreements between the EU and Libya, Malta will not experience the progress it desires in regards to immigration.

In other related news, the migrant rescue NGO Sea-Eye will be sending a new vessel to join its operations this summer. Called the Sea-Eye 4, the vessel is scheduled to arrive in Spain by end of April from where it will set out on its first rescue mission. Sea-Eye chairman Gordon Isler stated that ‘at least 406 deaths were recorded in 2021 already [in the Mediterranean]’ and that it is ‘inhuman’ to let this continue.

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14% of COVID-19 deaths not primarily caused by the virus

14% of COVID-19 deaths not primarily caused by the virus
Apr 18 2021 Share

New figures supplied to the Times of Malta have revealed that around 14% of deaths listed as ‘COVID-19 fatalities’ were not caused by the virus. The patients merely had the virus when they passed away, with the Health Ministry stating that the virus contributed to the death. This statistic records the number of deaths up until April 15th, when Malta registered 403 COVID-19 deaths.

Of those 403, 346 were listed as having passed away due to COVID-19 being the primary cause. The remaining 57 fatalities had other conditions, with COVID-19 listed as a secondary cause of death. The most common causes of death were cardiovascular conditions, followed by cancer. COVID-19 must be included as having played a part in someone’s passing, as the role played by the virus in the fatality cannot be denied.

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First batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Malta

First batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Malta
Apr 18 2021 Share

Even though it will not be administered to patients just yet, the first batch of the one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine has arrived in Malta. The vaccine was set to start being used this week upon arrival but was paused by Malta, the EU and US due to blood clot concerns.

The European Medicines Authority (EMA) is currently investigating the incidents of blood clotting, with a research based answer being provided in the coming days. The authority still claims that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 far outweigh the side effect risks. How the batch made its way to Malta is unclear as the pharmaceutical company stated it was delaying shipments until EMA approved the jab.

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Hugh Jackman’s ‘Wolverine Fork’ is driving the Internet crazy

Hugh Jackman’s ‘Wolverine Fork’ is driving the Internet crazy
Apr 18 2021 Share

Hugh Jackman has almost become synonymous as the face of the X-Men hero and mutant Wolverine a.k.a Logan. But who would have thought that the actor has his own custom made fork shaped like a fist with three claws protruding out from between its knuckles.

Jackman revealed the fork on Instagram, saying; ‘Picture this… you’re having a conversation over breakfast. You reach in the kitchen drawer. You’re looking for a fork…’ and cue the reveal. Fans went crazy at the revelation and even though Jackman will no longer be portraying the Canadian mutant, he will surely go down in history as one of the most successful portrayals of the fan-favourite character.

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