Nurses Urged To Abandon Ward If Abner Aquilina Is Moved In

Sep 1 2023

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has issued directives for its members working at Mount Carmel Hospital regarding the treatment of Abner Aquilina, who is charged with the rape and murder of Paulina Dembska in 2022.

If Aquilina is moved to their ward, nurses are ordered to abandon the ward and not accompany him anywhere, including court sittings and Mater Dei hospital, unless he is escorted by two police officers or two prison guards.

These directives come in response to MUMN’s demand for round-the-clock prison security for Aquilina during his treatment at Mount Carmel Hospital. Aquilina, who is pleading not guilty and is the subject of an insanity defense, had initially been decreed to be sent back to a regular ward at Mount Carmel Hospital by a court decision.

However, MUMN accuses Mount Carmel Management of failing to provide the required security measures and calls for the removal of other patients from the Multi-Purpose Unit ward to ensure Aquilina does not pose a threat to them.

MUMN criticized the court’s decision, stating that Mount Carmel Hospital lacks the facilities to cater to highly violent patients like Aquilina, unlike the purpose-built Forensic Unit.

Consequently, MUMN is instructing nurses to refuse assistance in releasing Aquilina from his room and insisting on police officers or prison guards for his security, citing concerns about the hospital’s security personnel’s equipment and authority.

#MaltaDaily

Aidan Releases Music Video For Strawberry

Sep 1 2023

Local singer and songwriter Aidan has released his official music video for his track ‘Strawberry’, and its a raw and sensual visual take for the track.

With red hues, a steamy room and lots of strawberries, the music video for one of Aidan’s most recognisable tracks is now available for viewing on YouTube!

Have you watched it yet?

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Prosecco Might Disappear Due To Climate Change

Sep 1 2023

It’s bad news for Prosecco lovers.

Rising concerns about climate change highlight the potential extinction of beloved European wines like Prosecco due to dwindling grape yields caused by extreme weather and soil degradation.

Prosecco, cherished for its unique flavour stemming from high-altitude origins in Italy’s mountain vineyards, faces threats from sudden soil erosion triggered by intense rainfall events and slope failures.

Drought further complicates matters by hindering crop irrigation. A recent analysis in the iScience journal warns that the delicate harvest is under threat, endangering not just agricultural products but also communities’ historical legacies and cultural roots.

Other premium wines such as Burgundy, Grand Cru, and Cabernet Sauvignon could also face similar vulnerabilities.

The erratic weather patterns, resulting from climate change, are projected to decrease Italian wine grape harvests by up to a fifth, impacting both supply and demand. Although the demand for Prosecco has surged by over 33% in five years, challenges abound due to the demanding process of cultivating grapes on steep slopes and a dwindling workforce in mountainous regions.

The effects of climate change could further exacerbate labor shortages as the new generation of vintners may hesitate to engage in extreme conditions without significant economic incentives.

#MaltaDaily

Flamingo Shot Down In Xwejni In Front Of Tourists, Birdlife State

Sep 1 2023

In the early afternoon of Thursday 31st August, a young Greater Flamingo alighted on the rocks in Xwejni Gozo, probably to rest from the bad weather out at sea.

While people were enjoying this beautiful sight, a person was seen shooting it down and carrying the Flamingo into a vehicle before leaving the site. The driver is understood to have aided the hunter to escape from the area.

Information that was reported to BirdLife Malta was handed over to the Gozo Police who are investigating this incident. It is understood that the police are undergoing searches on identified persons.

BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana stated: “Gozo has become a mecca of illegalities as bad as Miżieb and l-Aħrax and our hope is that the enforcement authorities takes the situation seriously.

We are also hoping that the public gives a hand in reporting similar incidents by sending all the information in a timely manner to us and the police. Such incidents in Gozo give us a clear indication that we need to start being more present on this island”.

BirdLife Malta Head of Conservation Nicholas Barbara added: “The bird migration season has started and as has happened every year, a number of protected birds – even during closed season – end up being targeted by hunters who disregard the law.”

#MaltaDaily