Beloved actress Betty White dies aged 99

Jan 1 2022

Betty White, well-known actress who starred in popular sitcoms such as ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ has passed away at the age of 99.

White, an Emmy-winning comedienne, was just weeks away from turning a 100 years old and enjoyed one of the longest showbiz career.

Her agent Jeff Witjas informed People magazine that, despite him and most of the performance world missing her, he believed she never feared passing. That is because she always wanted to be with her beloved husband Allen Ludden whom she believed she will be with again.

Kicking off her career by appearing regularly on television as of 1949, she even continued to interact with much younger fans on Instagram. Winning five primetime Emmys, two daytime awards and a regional Emmy in Los Angeles, her first regular television work came in 1949 on the variety show ‘Hollywood on Television.’

Going on to co-create ‘Life with Elizabeth’ a few years later, she also became a game show staple in the 60s and 70s and the iconic Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

She also struck gold when she joined the Golden Girls cast, a show about four older women sharing a house in Miami. The show was even a massive success with younger generations who watched reruns of the show and loved Betty White as Rose.

Suffice to say, her acting legacy was utterly filled with stardom and iconic moments. She will truly be missed by many fans of film and television.

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Photo Source: People

A return to school and physical university exams – all new details

Dec 31 2021

Schools are set to return online but then shift back to physical learning on the 10th of January as new details emerge.

The Education ministry and the Malta Union of Teachers announced the news following a lengthy meeting with the health and education authorities today. The MUT said that during the online period, schools will be assessing how many of their staff are on quarantine or sick leave.

Should it be deemed that there are insufficient personnel to attend a school, classroom or group, the school, classroom or group will remain online beyond 10th January until capacity improves.

Childcare centres will also remain closed until the 10th of January, with UOM opening its doors for practical lessons as of Monday.

However, it will be up to individual faculties to decide whether or not to shift their lectures online or not. Exams will also be held on campus as planned, with students being able to sit for the exam a few weeks later rather than in September.

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President George Vella addresses vaccine fears and encourages the jab

Dec 31 2021

Speaking on MaltaDaily’s newest talk show ‘The Interview with Fabian Demicoli, President George Vella addressed some of the many concerns and even spreading misinformation in regards to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Clarifying that he does not think that vaccination should become mandatory in Malta, he nonetheless highlighted his frustration in regards to people spreading misinformed ideas about the jab.

He acknowledged how some people did receive medical exemptions which, due to personal health reasons, prevents them from taking the vaccine. However, he said that those who do not take the vaccine out of ‘capriciousness’ should seek to curb their fears through medical professional advice.

He also highlighted how the scientific enterprise is showing us that the vaccine is the main weapon against COVID-19 – preventing everything from further infection, death and even the generation of new variants.

Those still refusing to take the vaccine, he said, not only risk spreading the virus but also place a higher risk on themselves of getting infected with the virus. This is where the question of whether or not unvaccinated individuals can access all public establishments such as restaurants. Despite vaccination not being made mandatory as per the President’s opinion, there should still be restrictions he said which protect the general public form getting infected.

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New education minister convinced schools can reopen next month despite spike

Dec 31 2021

Newly appointed education minister Clifton Grima has revealed that he is confident in schools being able to reopen next month despite a surge of cases.

Speaking on TVAM this morning, Grima stated that ‘as a father, I believe that the education of children involves a number of aspects, primary of which is that they should attend school physically.’

He acknowledged the current health reality which necessitates people being careful and working side-by-side with the health authorities and follow protocols.

He stated that just as challenges were overcome in the past, he is convinced that we can reopen schools whilst also following health protocols. Grima said that the vaccination gave us a new weapon which was not present last year.

On the other hand, unions, particularly, the Malta Union of Teachers, came out as still unsure as to whether or not schools should reopen or not. The number of cases and quarantined people would have severe impacts on operations.

With cases soaring higher, active cases well over the 10,000 mark, it would be a difficult situation overall. However, many do not wish a return to online learning, given the mental toll on parents, students and teachers alike.

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Photo Source: Clifton Grima FB