General

The U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast start, adding to an autumn mix of viruses that have been filling hospitals and doctors’ waiting rooms. Reports of flu are already high in 17 states, and the hospitalization rate hasn’t been this high this early since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, there have been an estimated 730 flu deaths, including at least two children. The winter flu season usually ramps up in December or January. “We are seeing more cases than we would expect at this time,” the

The lone volunteer in a study involving a gene-editing technique has died, and those behind the trial are now trying to figure out what killed him. Terry Horgan, a 27-year-old who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, died last month, according to Cure Rare Disease, a Connecticut-based nonprofit founded by his brother, Rich, to try and save him from the fatal condition. Although little is known about how he died, his death occurred during one of the first studies to test a gene editing treatment built for one person. It’s raising questions about the overall prospect of such therapies, which have buoyed

15 companies and entities joined the strinacrowdfunding.mt campaign in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF).   During the launch of the third edition of this digital platform, President George Vella said that these businesses and entities voluntarily chose to be part of strinacrowdfunding.mt and committed to collect a small donation from each customer and pass it on to the MCCF during l-Istrina on 26th December. Some of the companies have created promotional initiatives like BCRS which, from 14th November until Christmas, will offer the chance to those returning beverage containers to the 300 Reverse Vending Machines to pass

The European Commission approved Malta’s national programme for the European Social Fund Plus for the 2021-2027 financial period.  Collectively, the programme provides for a total budget of around €205 million and will give Malta the opportunity to support investment in its human capital, which remains the country’s most important resource.   Investment under the ESF+ programme has the objective of strengthening capacities in all sectors falling within the scope of the ESF+ regulation, namely employment, education, health and social sectors, with the objective of improving and adapting services to new and emerging needs.   Minister for the Economy, European Funds

  Two of the largest U.S. pharmacy chains — CVS and Walgreens — are reported to have tentatively agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle more than 3,000 state and local lawsuits involving the dispensing of opioid painkillers. In a statement released Wednesday, CVS Health said it agreed it will pay approximately $5 billion — with $4.9 billion to states and political subdivisions and approximately $130 million to Native American tribes — over the next 10 years beginning in 2023. In a similar statement, Walgreens said it would make $4.95 billion in remediation payments to be paid out

Throughout the past days Pakistan experienced a natural flood-hit that left a severe impact in the country and to its people. In connection with these developments, the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality is going to provide Pakistan with humanitarian assistance through the Civil Protection mechanism.   The process as used by the Civil Protection Department with which our country assists foreign countries in need of urgent humanitarian aid, has therefore been initiated.   Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri explained that once again Malta is offering urgent humanitarian assistance to other countries that