Roberta Metsola welcomed by applause after visiting war-torn Ukraine

Apr 5 2022

After visiting war-torn Ukraine, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was welcomed back with a resounding applause, followed by a minute of silence in memory of all the victims.

The President appealed for more humanitarian, logistical and military support at the Parliamentary session on Monday, going on to update the MEPs on the situation.

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She also said that it meant a lot for the Ukrainians that the European Parliament was present with them. She condemned the atrocities by the Russian army as disgraceful and shameful, highlighting the surfacing images from Bucha and Irpin as showing the extent of the threat.

Europe was called to speed up its policy of zero dependence on the Kremlin, with Metsola urging a complete detachment from Russian energy supplies as well as indirect funding of bombs.

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Fearne plays down nurses’ union warning that Mater Dei is in crisis

Apr 5 2022

After a public warning was issued by the Malta Union for Nurses and Midwives (MUMN) claimed that Mater Dei was in crisis due to COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Chris Fearne dismissed the warning.

Fearne was speaking on ONE TV’s Pjazza yesterday evening, and said that there was a time when we had 40 COVID-19 cases in the ITU and they were able to manage to keep things under control. ‘Right now, there are four cases in ITU’ he said.

Thanking all the hospital staff for their work, Fearne said that the vast majority of people who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 aren’t there because of the virus.

‘If someone breaks his foot after falling off a ladder tests positive for COVID-19 upon admission to hospital, he will be included among the numbers as a COVID-19 case’ said the Health Minister.

He pointed out how these incidental cases amount to around two-thirds of Mater Dei’s COVID cases. Calling for caution, Fearne remained adamant that the situation in the hospital is under control. This despite the warning by the MUMN that the current situation poses a high cross-infection risk.

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Rita Azzopardi identified as woman who died after balcony collapse

Apr 5 2022

Rita Azzopardi, a mother and grandmother, was identified as the 75-year-old woman from Birzebbuga who died after the balcony she was in collapsed.

The 75-year-old woman, who was known for her humility and simple passion for staying at home, was deemed dead on the site when police convened.

Rita was reportedly washing the balcony when the balustrades gave way, leading to her falling around one storey. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway.

Rest in Peace Rita and condolences to all the family.

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Photo Source: ONE News

Russia threatens Wikipedia with huge fine over ‘misinformation’

Apr 4 2022

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on, Putin’s Russia is set to fine Wikipedia for more than $64,000 over what it deems to be ‘inaccurate information.’

Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, known as Roskomnadzor, announced late in March that it will fine the free online encyclopaedia 4 million rubles. This is due to its failure to delete false information after an article appeared on the site entitled ‘The Russian Invasion of Ukraine.’

The article cites sources and data from the United Nations and many Western media sources, listing injuries and fatalities from both sides. Just after the invasion was launched, Russia’s media watchdog ordered independent media to remove any reports describing the war effort as ‘invasion’, ‘assault’ or ‘declaration of war.’ Wikipedia has already received two warnings from the Russian media censorship agency.

Tweeting out today, Wikipedia said that ‘the English Wikipedia article about the invasion has been edited 5,200+ times by 863 volunteers, viewed over 12.1 million times and translated into 100 languages.’ The site has remained steadfast despite the accusations and threats, saying that Wikipedia is an important source or ‘reliable, factual information in this crisis. We will not back down in the face of efforts to censor and intimidate members of our movement.’

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