Gladiator II Director & Actors Rain Praise On Malta

Nov 13 2024

In promotional material ahead of the release of Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott and various actors from the movie rained praise on the Maltese islands and the local film industry.

Actors and actresses Connie Nielsen, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Fred Hechinger spoke about the efficiency of the local crews and the ability to create structures to depict the likes of the Colosseum.

‘I keep going back and I always find a new space’, said Ridley Scott.

‘It’s a country that knows how to tolerate big film-making’, said Mescal, with Nielsen describing at the film set’s creation as ‘extraordinarily efficient.’

Malta Film Commissioner shared the promotional material, writing; ‘A new legacy for Malta. We are a country of doers.’

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Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns Amid Child Abuse Scandal

Nov 13 2024

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation after a report revealed his failure to report widespread abuse by former barrister and preacher John Smuth in the 1970s and 1980s. The review found that in 2013, Welby, 68, “could and should” have alerted the authorities to Smyth’s crimes, which included the abuse of boys at summer camps.

Welby expressed profound regret for the Church’s previous safeguarding failures and accepted responsibility for his actions in his resignation statement. He clarified that he thought the proper resolution was in progress at the time and had been misinformed about the police being notified. He emphasised that the Church’s commitment to fostering a safer environment was demonstrated by his willingness to resign.

Welby’s departure was prolonged according to some survivors and critics, but others praised the advancements achieved under his direction, especially in safeguarding changes. The process of finding a replacement is expected to take up to six months. Smyth, who relocated to Zimbabwe and South Africa, continued his abuse until his death in 2018.

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Scientist Successfully Treats Own Breast Cancer With Lab-Grown Viruses

Nov 13 2024

Dr. Beata Halassy, a virologist at the University of Zagreb, treated her own recurrent breast cancer with oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) using lab-grown viruses.

In 2020, after her second recurrence of cancer following a mastectomy, Halassy opted to administer an unproven OVT treatment in place of chemotherapy.

Drawing on her experience with viruses, she injected her tumour with two types: a measles virus and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), both of which are known to attack cancer cells and stimulate immune responses.

Over two months, Halassy administered the treatment under monitoring by her oncologists. The tumour shrank significantly, detached from surrounding muscle and skin, and was later surgically removed.

Analysis showed it was infiltrated with immune cells, suggesting the treatment had activated her immune system against the cancer. Halassy has remained cancer-free since.

Despite her results, publishing her report faced resistance due to ethical concerns over self-experimentation. Experts caution that such cases could encourage others to attempt unproven treatments outside of clinical oversight.

However, Halassy felt her findings could contribute to OVT research and eventually secured publication in Vaccines. She now plans to research OVT for treating cancer in animals, funded by a recent grant.

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Rare Solar Halo Spotted in Malta’s Skies

Nov 13 2024

Today, many people across Malta have caught sight of a stunning optical phenomenon: a halo around the sun. This rare sight, a luminous ring encircling the sun, has left onlookers captivated. But what causes this beautiful display?

Sun halos occur due to tiny ice crystals in the atmosphere, usually from thin, high-altitude cirrus clouds. When sunlight passes through these hexagonal ice crystals, it refracts, or bends, at a precise angle, typically 22 degrees. This bending effect forms the characteristic ring we see in the sky. The halo effect can also happen around the moon, although it is more noticeable during the day around the sun.

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While this phenomenon is safe to observe briefly, it’s essential to avoid staring directly at the sun to protect your eyes from UV damage. If you’re eager to capture the moment, snap a quick photo and enjoy it on your phone. This lets you admire the halo safely and share it with friends and family.

Such atmospheric phenomena remind us of nature’s wonders, inspiring curiosity about the skies. Keep an eye out – but always remember to protect your vision!

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