PBS targeted by Repubblika and PN following journalist resignation

Aug 2 2021

In a statement issued Sunday, the Nationalist Party stated how after first ‘getting rid’ of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Xarabank, the Labour Government managed to get rid of Mark Laurence Zammit’s programme ‘L-Erbgha Fost il-Gimgha’ in a bid to get rid of every form of discussion off of TVM. The statement compared current Prime Minister Robert Abela to his predecessor Joseph Muscat in that they both do the opposite of what they say.

The statement continued by pointing out how following an apology made to the assassination of a journalist, the prime minister still ‘suffocated’ journalism in Malta. Instead of firing PBS minister Carmelo Abela following organised crime allegations, the prime minister instead did everything to get rid of Laurence Zammit.

Citing Zammit, who on a Facebook post associated his stepping down from his programme as being due to political biases impacting his journalistic credentials and values, the statement also condemned the PBS for moving current and breaking news from TVM to TVM 2 during their election year. The statement labelled this manoeuvre as a new propaganda tactic for a government which fears free journalism.

NGO Repubblika also hit out at PBS following the presenter’s resignation. The NGO pointed out how it is scandalous that just after the State and Cabinet were found responsible for the assassination of a journalist, a journalist had to step down due to the national broadcaster’s interference. The NGO maintains that the Prime Minister should investigate the interference and discipline whoever is responsible.

The Opposition’s statement continued by stating that the PBS is trying to ‘fool’ people into believing that it was Mark himself who did not follow the tv station’s protocols. The statement concluded by stating that the PN will not let the government use an institution as powerful as PBS to further its partisan agenda.

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB, Mark Laurence Zammit FB, Repubblika FB

Maltese doctors urge pregnant women to get vaccinated

Aug 2 2021

Pregnant women have been ‘strongly advised’ by the Malta College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to get their COVID-19 vaccine. This urging comes in view of the several complications seen in pregnant women due to the virus and its variants. The women are being advised to consider the Pfizer vaccine after their 12th week of pregnancy following consultations with doctors. The doctors stated that vaccination is the best way to reduce the chances of contracting COVID-19 in pregnancy, reducing potential complications for both mother and child.

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. Conversely, the vaccine can be safely administered in pregnancy and breastfeeding periods, as well as when trying to get pregnant. According to reports by Times of Malta, five COVID-19 patients currently in intensive care, one is a 19-week pregnant 30-year-old woman and is intubated.

Despite only advising women with high risk of exposure to the virus or with high risk medical conditions to get vaccinated up till now, doctors are now revising the advice to include all pregnant women after their 12th week of pregnancy. Pregnant women are being advised to call 145 or email [email protected] to book a Pfizer vaccination appointment.

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Photo Source: National Geographic

28 trees are planted for every single one uprooted by Infrastructure Malta

Aug 2 2021

Despite the several criticisms of trees being uprooted and construction causing pollution and over-urbanisation of Malta, Infrastructure Malta believe that overall, the projects result in a greater sustainable impact on the environment. With their projects monitored by expert arborists alongside the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), it is estimated that 28 trees for every tree uprooted are planted by IM, going well above ERA’s minimum recommendations.

The Central Link Project is set to reduce air pollution considerably in its surrounding areas and should add 212% more landscaped areas and at least 333 more trees than are currently present. A nationwide tree-planting programme was kicked off by IM during summer 2019, seeing the planting of 31,417 trees and 19,723 shrubs in total. Conversely, 1,100 trees were uprooted due to IM projects since 2019. 568 other transplantable trees were relocated to nearby areas. 2020 saw the exceeded planting of 11,213 trees in 93 different locations.

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB

Gold medal in athletics shared for the first time in history

Aug 2 2021

This Olympics’ high jump event was one that will never be forgotten, as two athletes Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy decided to share the gold medal between themselves, instead of doing a jump-off. This is the first time that a gold medal in athletics has been shared in Olympics history. The two jumpers who have also been close friends for over ten years, did not hesitate when the officials allowed them to share the win. The win erupted into ecstatic and passionate celebrations from the two athletes.

Mutaz, who asked the officials if the gold medal can be shared, is a well-established high jumper who won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics and Silver in 2016 the Rio Olympics. He also holds the national and Asian record with a mark of 2.43 m. Gianmarco Tamberi who also holds Italy’s national record, was not expected to win after not competing in the 2016 Olympics, because of a serious injury. Gianmarco though, similar to the story of the Italian national football team, came out of Tokyo as a gold medalist highlighting his passion and grit.

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A post shared by HALFSHAVE (@gianmarcotamberi)

This solidarity shown between the two high jumpers, is something we don’t normally see in competition. The joy they had to share the gold medal also shows the strong friendship the two have.

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