Clifton Grima becomes new Education and Sport Minister

Dec 27 2021

Prime Minister Robert Abela has appointed Clifton Grima the new Minister for Education.

Grima, who will also be retaining his role as Minister for Sports, was previously serving as Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations.

Grima also has experience in the Ministry for Education as he had served as Parliamentary Secretary for tis governmental branch between 2017 and 2020.

Clifton took to Facebook to state that he feels honoured to have been trusted with this responsibility upon which depends the future of Malta’s students. He also ensured hard work in the sport sector which has just been elevated to the ministerial level.

Former Education Minister Justyne Caruana had stepped down from her position following a report by the Standards Commissioner which resulted in a breach of ethics.

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Photo Source: Clifton Grima FB

Self-quarantine to-do list | by Ed’s Common Sense

Dec 27 2021

It seems like the whole world is in quarantine at the moment and times may be tough, but just know that it will always get better. The most mundane moments of 2021’s final chapter can be an opportunity to work on yourself and attempt to turn a seemingly negative situation into a chance for growth and development. With that in mind, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Edward Curmi has brought us a self-quarantine to-do list to start working on if you may be in quarantine!

Dr. Edward Curmi is also the author of 2 self-help books titled Ed’s Common Sense.

Binge on your favourite TV series.

Start reading all those books you bought 5 years ago

Learn a new TikTok dance.

Catch up on your much-needed rest.

Clear up all your emails and unnecessary contacts on your phone or laptop.

Start working on a new project you always had in mind.

Notice who calls you and cares for you when you are missing.

Always remind yourself that boredom is part of life and it will pass.

Enjoy the silence and serenity of not needing an alarm.

Liked this list? Give it a share!

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Istrina 2021 comes to an end and collects €5,845,000

Dec 27 2021

The 26th edition of the annual charity event Istrina has come to a close, raising a whopping €5,845,000 for those in need.

Yet another instance in which the generosity of the Maltese and Gozitan populations came to the forefront, Istrina 2022 will be giving €5,845,000 to people and families who need all of our help.

It is an annual event in which everyone comes together, pitching in to make sure that those whose livelihoods can benefit from financial aid receive the assistance they deserve.

Last year’s Istrina raised well over €6.2 million, showing that the drive to help our fellow person in need is core to Maltese culture and society. We would all like to thank everyone who pitched in to make this possible.

President George Vella and his wife thanked everyone for showing such solidarity during this initiative. Istrina will be back next year to help more people!

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Photo Source: George Vella FB

South Africa halts quarantines and contact tracing as Omicron less severe

Dec 26 2021

Encouraging data showing that infections from Omicron variants aren’t as severe has prompted South Africa’s government to drop quarantine restrictions for all but symptomatic people.

This means people who have tested positive but show no symptoms can gather with others as long as they wear a mask and practice social distancing.

One health official also explained that since the variant spreads so quickly, it is likely there are many infected people interacting with others and thus no longer makes sense to quarantine only those who tested themselves.

This is also a move which may suggest that countries around the globe will have to find a new way to live with COVID-19. A committee of experts passed the recommendations to the South African government, calling for a focus on vaccination rather than quarantine and contact tracing.

Professor Francois Venter, a researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, said that ‘there is greater recognition that, in the face of a hyper-contagious variant like this, quarantining and isolation are no longer effective as public health containment measures’.

With new measures going into effect immediately, the revisions were based on data which shows that immunity resulting from previous infections was as high as 80%. With a vaccination rate of nearly 45% among adults, hospitalisation has been kept lower.

As health officials all around the world assess the impact of Omicron, it is likely that this move by South Africa will prompt other changes around the world.

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Photo Source: BBC