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A scorching start for first week of August in Malta

A scorching start for first week of August in Malta
Aug 1 2021 Share

Despite this Saturday reaching scorching temperatures in the high 30 degrees Celsius range, the Met Office is forecasting an even hotter Sunday and Monday to kickstart the new week. This trend will continue well into the week, feeling like a blazing 40°C up until Thursday. Nights will not offer any respite either as the lowest will still register at 27°C, which is relatively hot for the night. 

With UV racking at 10, it is crucial to keep in mind health and safety when understandably running towards the beach to get some well-needed cooling off. Hydration is immensely important, as well as trying to avoid the sun’s peak hours. Other than that, Malta’s pristine beaches will be more than a life-saver this week as we endure yet another wave of sweat and heat. 

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Photo Source: Summery Touch, Malta International Airport

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Sophie Abela to continue her basketball stardom in Colorado

Sophie Abela to continue her basketball stardom in Colorado
Aug 1 2021 Share

More athletic success for Maltese youth as basketball player Sophie Abela heads back to Colorado for the upcoming season to continue her successful career. Following a transfer to University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, this will mark Abela’s second season spent there after making a Omer of herself with Otero Junior College in 2020. UCCS Athletics announced on their Twitter page that Abela will be forming part of the recruiting class heading into the 2021-22 seasons. 

After spending one year in Colorado with Otero Junior College and helping to lead the team through an amazing postseason run, Abela took the leap from JUCO to NCAA Division Two after committing to UCCS. She was described as having the potential to impact the team very positively as she has the ability to play the point position and create opportunities for teammates to score. 

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Photo Source: sophieabela4 IG, UCCS Athletics Twitter

14-year-old with two stabbing charges granted bail

14-year-old with two stabbing charges granted bail
Aug 1 2021 Share

A 14-year-old boy who was charged with stabbing another youth earlier this week in Sliema is also being charged for stabbing another person in Pieta. The boy’s name is being kept under wraps, but it is known that he has been granted bail at €500. Appearing in front of Magistrate Monica Vella, the teenage boy claimed he was defending himself on both occasions, despite police arguing that the self-defence was disproportionate given that he was brandishing a knife. 

The 21-year-old stabbed in Sliema was found after drops of blood leading out of an apartment were discovered. He was certified as having sustained grievous injuries whilst at hospital. The boy’s injuries however were found compatible with having received a beating. Despite prosecutors objecting to the request for bail, the request was upheld under several conditions. These include a €500 deposit, a €3,500 personal guarantee and not approaching alleged victims still awaiting to testify. 

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Photo Source: Kamra tal-Periti

Pregnant women in UK urged to get vaccinated amidst variant fear

Pregnant women in UK urged to get vaccinated amidst variant fear
Aug 1 2021 Share

British health authorities are urging more pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccination jab following a national study which found that the Delta variant increases risk of severe symptoms. Chief midwifery officer for England Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent wrote an open letter to GPs and midwives which urges them to encourage any expectant mother to get their vaccine. Described as calling on pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies, Dunkley-Bent was joined by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives in the move to encourage the pregnant mothers. 

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the two jabs being recommended in this scenario as it has already been given to around 130,000 pregnant women in the United States. A paper which concerns national data found that the number of pregnant women needing hospitalisation for moderate or severe infections rose significantly after the Delta variant dominated in the month of May onwards. 

The paper by the University of Oxford researchers concluded that pregnant women hospitalised during the wave of Delta variant infections were more susceptible to contracting pneumonia. A third of these admissions required respiratory support, making the situation far more concerning. None of more than 3000 pregnant women admitted to hospital with virus symptoms since February proved to be fully vaccinated. It was also shown through a RCOG survey that 58% of pregnant women offered vaccination declined it as they either feared harming the baby or were waiting on more safety information. 

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Photo Source: Weill Cornell Medicine Newsroom