ALS activist Bjorn Formosa in critical condition due to kidney stones

Sep 10 2022

Bjorn Formosa’s health is currently in critical condition, having been taken to Mater Dei Hospital in order to save his kidneys due from severely painful kidney stones.

Doctors informed those close to Bjorn that he is facing a massive challenge ahead due to the impact the kidney stones are having on his well-being. Bjorn himself was ending up out of breath and unable to speak due to the intensity of the pain.

However, he was reported in saying, prior to his visitors leaving, that: ‘With or without me, the 25th of September marathon has to happen. We need to help lots of people.’

A statement by friends of Bjorn read: ‘You can’t not love him. He is in critical condition, and yet, he still has his mind set on helping others. Incredible… but that’s Bjorn. Keep him in your prayers!.’

On behalf of MaltaDaily, we wish Bjorn a speedy recovery and urge anyone who can contribute to the cause to help in any way, no matter how small!

You can do so here:

BOV Mobile Pay – 79096249

SMS – 5061 8936 – €6.99

https://bit.ly/HelpBjorn699

CALL – 51802018 – €25

https://bit.ly/CALLdonation25e

Online – https://bit.ly/DonateDARBjornRespite

#MaltaDaily

UK National Anthem sung with changed lyrics for first time in 70 years

Sep 10 2022

The lyrics to the UK’s national anthem have officially been changed to ‘God Save the King’ as it was sung for the first time in over 70 years.

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The anthem had read ‘God Save The Queen’ ever since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne following the death of her father back in 1952.

The lyrics must now reflect her son Charles becoming King Charles III. For many brits, this is the first time that they will hear or song the lyrics in its current form, with previous research showing that around 9 out of 10 people alive today were born during Elizabeth’s reign.

Given that Charles is set to be succeeded by his son William and his grandson George, many are only now coming to the realisation that they may not hear God Save The Queen sung again throughout their lifetime.

The lyrics currently read:

God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.

Depending one the gender of the monarch, the words ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ are changed, as are the pronouns used in the song.

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Around $349 billion to reconstruct Ukraine post invasion

Sep 10 2022

According to a report issued Friday, rebuilding Ukraine following the Russian invasion will cost an estimated $349 billion. This figure, which is only set to increase as the war persists, is 1.5 times the size of the Ukrainian economy.

According to the joint assessment by the government of Ukraine, the European Commission and the World Bank, the physical damage alone inflicted since the start of the war on February 1st through to June 1st totalled $97 billion.

Over the next 36 months, the report estimates that around $105 billion will be needed to address urgent needs such as restoring education and health systems as well as infrastructure, whilst also preparing for the upcoming winter by restoring heating and energy to homes.

Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that only for the first stage and rapid recover, around $17 billion is needed. Out of these, Ukraine needs $3.4 billion this year already.

The G7 and the European Union have already contributed $39 billion, with EU commission president Ursula Von der Leyen saying that the EU has mobilised €10 billion in financing humanitarian, emergency and military assistance, with another €5 billion in the pipeline.

The World Bank’s regional Vice President for Europe and Central Asia said that “the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to exact a terrible toll, from significant civilian casualties and the displacement of millions of people to the widespread destruction of homes, businesses, social institutions, and economic activity.”

#MaltaDaily

Two men seriously injured after motorcycle accident

Sep 10 2022

Earlier today, at around 0430hrs, police were informed that a traffic accident had occurred in Triq tal-Balal, San Gwann.

District Police convened immediately on site and through preliminary investigations found that a 30-year-old man from Nepal and another man whose identity is not yet known suffered grievous injuries after the Kymco Agility motorcycle which they were on crashed into a roundabout.

A medical team was called immediately on site, with an ambulance taking both men to Mater Dei. They were later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

#MaltaDaily