Algerian athlete’s 10-year-ban for refusing to fight Israeli could spell end of his career

Sep 15 2021

Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine has recently been handed a 10-year ban after forfeiting from the Olympics because of fears of facing an Israeli opponent. The fight he forfeited was supposed to be held on the 26th of July and had he won, he would have had to face Israeli judoka Tohar Butbul. This isn’t the first time Fethi has done this, as he also forfeited from the 2019 world championships for the same reasons.

The International Olympic Committee decides to suspend the Algerian Fethi Nourine for 10 years for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics after learning that he had to fight an Israeli. Dignity is not for sale!
Fethi solidarity! pic.twitter.com/bjBwVbgaAB

— ✌️🇵🇸✌️ Mohammed Najjar (@hamada_pal2020) September 8, 2021

He will now miss the next two Olympics in Paris and Los Angeles but since he’s 30 will most probably not compete in Brisbane 11 years from now. Speaking to Sky News he said “We worked a lot to reach the Olympics, and the news came as a shock, a thunder. […] But the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this.”

In a statement by the IJF (International Judo Federation) they said that Fethi and his coach had “used the Olympic Games as a platform for protest and promotion of political and religious propaganda” Fethi and his coach will also be banned from all IJF events meaning this will probably spell the end of his career.

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Refunds for all Maltese residents forced to quarantine in hotel says Bernard Grech

Sep 15 2021

Following public outcry for Maltese residents to no longer quarantine in hotels after coming from dark red countries, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech issued a statement calling for refunds to all who had to do so. In a tweet, Grech said that besides changing the policy following pressure from the Nationalist Party, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne should see to the refunds of all the residents.

Besides changing policy TOMORROW, as @chrisfearne has pledged to do following pressure from @PNmalta Opposition, we also expect immediate refund to all 🇲🇹 residents who have been forced to stay at hotel.
Govt. must stop issuing rules that cannot stand up to human rights scrutiny.

— Bernard Grech (@bernardgrechmt) September 14, 2021

He concluded his tweet saying that the government should stop issuing rules that cannot stand up to human rights scrutiny. The health minister is expected to address these concerns and amend the regulations today 15th September 2021 following the rise in stories in which Maltese residents expressed concerns over the quarantine system for travellers. Do you agree with Grech’s refund statement?

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Photo Source: Business Insider, Bernard Grech Twitter

Man charged with masturbating near kid’s playground released on bail

Sep 15 2021

A 36-year-old man who allegedly masturbated in public in the vicinity of a children’s playground has been released on bail against a personal guarantee of €500. Ahmed Osman Ibrahim, a Marsa resident from Somalia, was arraigned before magistrate Lara Lanfranco on charges of public indecency on Tuesday. Police inspector Sarah Zerafa revealed that police were informed by two passing children who spotted him committing the sexual act near the Paola playground.

Lawyer and legal aid of the accused Joe Bonnici entered a plea of not guilty on Ibrahim’s behalf and requested bail. The inspector stated she would have insisted on treatment had he admitted the charge but things become more worrying when the accused stated that there were more ‘black people like me in the area.’ He claimed to have run away from police to catch a bus but there was no bus stop close by. Apart from bail and the personal guarantee, Ibrahim was placed under curfew and ordered to sign a bail book three times a week.

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Photo Source: Kamra tal-Periti, Foursquare

Infrastructure Malta completed over 700 roads in 3 years

Sep 15 2021

Speaking at a press conference, Transport Minister Ian Borg revealed that 709 residential and rural roads have received an upgrade since 2019. This translates to an average of around four roads being built every week, with the Minister stating that in 2021 alone, 123 streets were built along with another 71 new rural countryside roads. Over 50 residential and 26 rural roads are also currently being worked upon, with Borg saying that the roads are not only being resurfaced but also rebuilt.

The interventions included changing underground systems such as water pipes, drainage pipes, electrical cables and creating storm water systems. Borg said that the government is determined to continue improving the quality of life of every Maltese citizen through such interventions. The minister focused on Naxxar, the location of the press conference, and stated that seven out of 13 roads being worked upon in the Sghajtar area are nearing completion as well.

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB, Infrastructure Malta