Summer 2021’s third heat wave commences before Santa Maria weekend

Aug 9 2021

As the Santa Maria weekend draws near, Malta has entered this summer’s third heatwave as temperatures soar up to 40 degrees Celsius. Some days feeling as sizzling as 41°C, the week is already set to a scorching start on Monday, with the highest temperature at 35°C set to feel like 38 degrees Celsius. But it will only get more fiery from there as straight through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the heat will feel like 42°C!

The temperatures will go down only slightly as the weekend approaches, but making it through these upcoming three days will require lots of water and an over-worked air conditioning system. Health authorities also advise against wandering out during the sun’s peak moments as the UV radiates at 10. Take care of yourselves out there! Splashing around in one of Malta’s pristine beaches should not come at the expense of one’s health.

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Photo Source: Radisson Blu Blog, Malta International Airport

Maltese pharmacies low on popular medicines due to Brexit

Aug 9 2021

As the UK makes its way out of the EU through Brexit, Malta’s pharmacies have started to feel the devastating impact as many popular medicines are running short. Considered a third country by the EU, the UK is no longer part of the single market for pharmaceuticals. Medicines for migraine Solpadeine and eye drop products Timolol, Cosopt and Travatan have run out with other medicines which are not easy to replace, such as Thyroxine, will soon be absent from pharmacy shelves.

Chairman of the pharmaceutical division of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises Mario Debono revealed this information, stating that this was just the initial wave of medicines to experience the low-stock and/or absence. Panadol Advance, Rennie and Feimax are also experiencing the same treatment. Many Maltese have been accustomed to the products which have unique formulations but are now expected to be unavailable.

Debono expressed how this places Malta in a difficult position as whilst these may be made available from other sources, an increase in costs is very likely. Ireland could be an alternative source, but even this small country could face stock shortages as the UK keeps it to itself.

The pressure is being felt at the governmental level as well as alternative sources are not easily found. EU prices were higher than the UK’s where the market was driven by supply and demand. With importation from the UK meaning re-registering, the cost could shoot up to around €48,000 – a price a small market does not find viable.

Debono himself stated that the EU should have ‘brokered a special arrangement and presented the argument that the EU cannot push us into a worse situation in terms of price and availability. Health is a matter of national – not EU – competence.’ Debono also suggests Malta do like Cyprus, which is to go for national registration of products from the UK.

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Photo Source: Czech universities

Russian state TV mock Tom Daley and other LGBTQ Olympians

Aug 9 2021

Last Saturday, Russian state TV station Rossiya 1 made many remarks about diver Tom Daley’s sexuality. The Russian TV station were presenting Russian diver Aleksandr Bondar, who was contrasted as a ‘normal guy’ next to Tom Daley, who was portrayed as ‘not normal’ due to his sexuality. This was met with mass online backlash, with many criticizing the TV station for it’s discriminatory portrayal. The IOC have launched an investigation into the station because of homophobic remarks. The station, which hold’s the nations Olympic rights, have not released a statement as of now.

Daley, took bronze on Saturday’s 10m diving final. He beat Russian diver Aleksandr Bondar to a podium finish. This led to the Russians showing a picture of Tom, his husband and their child in Tom’s knitted sweaters. They said “In Britain, of course, they have their own values,” about the couple. Many other LGBTQ athletes have been called ‘perverts’, ‘dirt‘ and ‘psychopaths‘. Laurel Hubbard a transgender weightlifter was called ‘scum‘ by panellist Alexei Zhuravlyov, who is a member of the Russian parliament. He also said that he is opposed and disgusted by people in the LGBTQ community.

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Tom Daley responded to this hate, by saying “There’s still a lot further to go,” and “There are 10 countries competing at these Olympics where being LGBT is punishable by death. I feel extremely lucky to be representing Team GB, to be able to stand on the diving board as myself, with a husband and a son, and not have to worry about any ramifications.” He also acknowledged the great work done by the IOC to be more accepting but also stated that more emphasis on homophobia in sports is needed.

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Prison suicide attempt sparks social media outrage

Aug 9 2021

A 30-year-old prisoner’s attempted suicide prompted an investigative board into the correctional facility’s internal procedures and sparked online outrage. Found in his cell at 5:05 pm on Sunday, the Maltese national inmate was assisted by the facility medical team and promptly transferred to Mater Dei Hospital in critical condition. Allegedly having been alone in his cell when the incident occurred, there were ‘no indications’ he was in distress in recent times.

Discussing the incident, Xarabank host Peppi Azzopardi posted to Facebook asking; ‘What just happened in prison? We have a right to information. Now.’ A post uploaded by Andrew Azzopardi also shed light on the situation, inquiring how not a single statement was issued about the case and asking who will be the recipient of the blame this time around. Azzopardi also targets Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri for backing up an institution which is ‘imploding’.

Over the past three years, twelve prisoners have died whilst serving time at Corradino Correctional Facility. The board investigating the internal procedures has 60 days to provide the Home Affairs minister with a set of proposals after it carries out several tasks. These include; scrutinising the Correctional Services Agency’s procedures about inmate mental health and the procedures implemented to assess them, analysing the procedures implemented when someone returns to prison after being discharged from Mount Carmel and studying the measures linked to suicide prevention amongst others.

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Photo Source: Peppi Azzopardi FB, Andrew Azzopardi FB, Byron Camilleri FB