Santa Marija festivals with massive international artists attract thousands

Aug 16 2022

Yesterday night on the island was surely one to remember as it was jam packed with musical performances by some of the world’s biggest artists the world over.

With the likes of Jason Derulo, Anne-Marie, Bastille and G-Eazy performing in Ta’ Qali for Summer Daze, and Ben Klock, Tijana T and Sean Rickett at the capital’s bastions for Glitch Festival, locals and foreigners alike surely had their musical taste buds satisfied.

In sync with one of Malta’s biggest and most beloved religious feasts of Santa Marija, the Maltese tourism sector continued to reignite its return to the industry following a COVID induced hiatus.

Malta has once again proven itself capable of hosting some of the biggest singers, song writers and musicians the globe has to offer. And to return the favour, these artists worked off the crowd’s infectious energy to give massive spectacles.

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Viral Facebook post mourns Malta’s fall into an inhospitable construction site

Aug 16 2022

In just two days, one man’s Facebook post which describes his growing dissatisfaction with living in Malta accumulated well over 2.9 thousand reactions and 882 shares.

The post outlined how the country that he, Daniel Muscat, grew up in is continuously becoming more and more unbearable to live in. ‘Everyday, one of the first thoughts to cross my mind are how to leave and start a new life somewhere else.’

Despite not being an easy move to execute, as well as not being a move he wishes to be the case, he said that as time goes on, the more he starts to find Malta distasteful.

‘And I know I’m not alone. This sentiment is felt strongly in our generation and those younger.’

However, how can one blame them, he rhetorically asked, as a tiny island transformed into one giant construction site. Cranes, a labyrinth of closed roads, extended traffic jams, dust and fumes, ugly building blocks everywhere, slimy sea water and deck-chair ridden beaches.

He went on to say that the island has been taken over by cliques of bullies and criminals, pointing to contractors being lifted on shoulders and laughing with politicians, an authority approving monstrosities and police conspiring with deck chair operators.

‘Our country is falling piece by piece with the blessing of the authorities as others fatten their pockets through the constant abuse.’ He said that people can either hope that what they love about the island is not taken away or simply leave.

The post was followed up by an acknowledgment of its reception by Muscat, who went on to ask how we can make the authorities listen to the complaints by the citizens.

‘I don’t think there is a magic potion which will save us. But we need to start from somewhere. Maybe we don’t have to pack up and leave. Maybe our children will have a chance to enjoy something out of Malta.’

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UK first to approve vaccine targeting both Omicron & original COVID strain

Aug 16 2022

The United Kingdom has just become the first country to approve a brand new version of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster which targets both the original strain of the virus as well as the Omicron variant.

An official government release published Monday states that the jab has been approved for adult booster doses by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

Half of the booster, which is called Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron, targets the original strain as the other half aims for the South African borne variant.

The UK government said that the decision to approve the jab was endorsed by the MHRA, which is the government’s independent expert scientific advisory body following carefully reviewed evidence.

The approval followed the results emerging from a clinical trial wherein Moderna reported that its booster targeting Omicron showed stronger immune response against the variant. It was also revealed by the company that the updated booster also showed a potent response against the BA.4 and BA.5 sub variants.

As per side effects, the MHRA said that they are the same as the original Moderna booster dose and they are deemed typically mild and self-resolving.

MHRA Chief Executive Dr June Raine said that the new booster will continue to protect communities as the virus mutates further. It is as of yet unclear who the jab will be offered to or when the rollout will begin.

Moderna is not the only manufacturer updating the vaccine against COVID-19, as Pfizer and BioNTech tested two new vaccine boosters in June. Preliminary results show a substantially higher immune response than their current shots as well.

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Maltese athlete Janet Richard breaks national record for Women’s 400m

Aug 16 2022

Maltese athlete Janet Richard has managed to surpass the national record, which was set by herself, in the women’s 400m as she competed during the European Athletics Championship in Munich

Richard smashed her previous best time for the section, becoming the first local athlete to register a sub 54s on the distance.

‘Richard’s new mark of 53.49 seconds comes as a fitting reward at the end of a long and intensive athletics season’, Pembroke Athleta Athletics & Triathlon reported.

Taking to social media, Richard was massively surprised and emotional at the achievement, saying that she still needs time to process what just happened.

The achievement was expectedly and massively well received by all who supported her throughout her constant hard work as she continues to make Malta proud in the discipline.

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