L-Istorja, Int: Celebrating 50 Years Of Malta As A Republic

Nov 13 2024

On December 13, 1974, under heavy rain, the Maltese and Gozitan people gathered in St. George’s Square, Valletta, to hear Sir Anthony Mamo, the first President of Malta, give his inaugural address to the Republic. Fifty years later, on December 13, 2024, the public is invited back to St. George’s Square to commemorate Malta’s journey as a republic with an audiovisual celebration titled ‘L-Istorja Aħna.’

This year’s theme, ‘L-Istorja, Int’, gives the occasion a personal touch, emphasizing that the country’s history is also the story of each Maltese and Gozitan citizen. This event is designed to highlight how the achievements of Malta as a republic are shared and experienced by all citizens, collectively and individually.

At a press conference, Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, announced that the main event will feature a large-scale audiovisual show to take place on December 13, 14, and 15 in St. George’s Square. The show will use the façade of the President’s Palace as a digital canvas, narrating Malta’s history, from its achievements and milestones as a republic to the aspirations for its future.

Aaron Zahra, Chairman of Festivals Malta, noted that this celebration reflects the importance of Malta’s journey over the past fifty years. The show, ‘L-Istorja, Aħna’ will be a visual narration of Malta’s evolution since becoming a Republic, representing its achievements, struggles, and its place in the world.

An educational campaign will be launched, involving stories from Maltese, Gozitan, and naturalized citizens, highlighting key milestones and advantages gained since Malta’s transition to a Republic, while also capturing hopes for the future.

Everyone is invited to attend ‘L-Istorja Aħna’ from December 13 to 15, with free tickets available at showshappening.com. This event celebrates not just Malta’s history but the people who make it.

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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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