Germany send powerful message to FIFA after denying OneLove armbands

Nov 23 2022

Germany’s World Cup players covered their mouths for a pre-match team photo ahead of their opener against Japan to suggest that FIFA have tried to silence them.

Germany had been among the seven nations who were planning to wear the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband to express solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community.

The Hansi Flick side also warmed up in training shirts with rainbow coloured sleeves following FIFA threats of sanctions should they make any political statement during the Qatar tournament.

A report in German media outlet Bild made headlines on Tuesday, claiming that the German FA are deciding whether to take legal action against FIFA. It is outlined that such a decision could be taken to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights. They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal” DFB spokesperson Steffen Simon said.

“We didn’t want this conflict being fought on the backs of the players and expose players to this risk. They can take our arm band but we will continue to express the values we stand for” said German FA president Bernd Neuendorf.

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Man arrested after knife attack outside Naxxar building

Nov 23 2022

A 42-year-old man was assailed today by another man with a knife on Wednesday afternoon in an apartment building in Naxxar.

Police informed newsrooms that the argument occurred at around noon in Triq Toni Bajada, wherein a man armed with a knife attacked the 42-year-old Dutch man in front of the door of one of the buildings.

Police officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit immediately initiated their search for the aggressor, arresting him within two hours in St Paul’s Bay.

A medical team gave assistance to the victim, whose condition is currently unknown. Investigations by police are still ongoing.

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First month without COVID deaths since pandemic started

Nov 23 2022

Malta has gone a whole month without one COVID-19 death between October 22nd and November 22nd. This marks the longest stretch of time without deaths since the pandemic hit.

A patient died on the morning of Wednesday 23rd November, breaking the month long streak. The patient was the 809th person to die while infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

Health Minister Chris Fearne stated that the virus is being considered endemic by the health authorities, with the number of new virus cases amounting to around 20 daily.

The vaccine rollout against COVID-19 continues, with health authorities providing the new Omicron variant jab and the flu vaccine together as a severe influenza season is being forecasted.

With no measures in place, this will be the first winter where people are not forced to wear masks or social distance. This is the main worry behind a severe flu season, with Mater Dei confirming an increase in non-COVID respiratory infections in kids.

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Elderly couple hospitalised after fire in Mqabba residence

Nov 23 2022

Today, at around 0445hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq il-Karmnu, l-Imqabba.

Police convened immediately on site and found that a fire had broken out in a residence on the road. Civil protection were called onto the site to control the fire, along with a medical team to give the needed assistance.

Two vehicles parked in front of the residence suffered some damages due to the fire, with two elderly persons, a 76 year old man and a 70 year old woman, needing hospitalisation due to the smoke they inhaled.

The woman’s condition was certified as serious, whereas the man’s condition is still pending. An inquiry has been opened and police investigations are ongoing.

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