Language schools condemn sudden closure as unwarranted

Jul 11 2021

The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations of Malta (FELTOM) has issued a statement calling the closure of all English language schools as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘disproportionate’. The member schools were, according to the federation, ‘unprepared and shocked’ by the government’s unexpected and rigid decision following the closure due to a COVID-19 spike in cases. The government announced on Friday that starting Wednesday, all English language schools are to close and anyone travelling to Malta must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

The federation stated that the sudden closure of a specific section of the tourism market will pose problems to the entire sector and other stakeholders, as wells the greater EU tourism market. It stated that ‘this sudden unilateral decision by the government sends out a message that a cluster that did not emerge from any breach of protocols by operators within their schools, can lead to such disproportionate and extreme measures.’

The statement also added that schools were following very rigorously the rules and guidelines given by the health authorities, investing ahead of time in money, staff and material to ensure safety and regulation following. The statement added that the federation should remain open and offer services to fully vaccinated people coming to Malta to study English.

Claudette Buttigieg took to Facebook to vouch for English learning schools teaching students who are fully vaccinated in Malta. She stated that there are also Maltese people working abroad who wish to visit the island to see their family. She asked why they are being refrained from doing so, stating how due to incompetence and irresponsibility, all of the nation has to suffer because of the mistakes of few.

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Photo Source: Pixabay, Claudette Buttigieg FB, FELTOM FB

Prime Minister’s trust rating grows despite FATF grey listing

Jul 11 2021

In a new MaltaToday survey, Prime Minister Robert Abela’s trust rating has seemingly increased for the fourth month in a row despite the recent FATF grey-listing. Now standing at 51.5% in July’s survey, Abela’s rating is up by 1.2 points since last month. The Opposition Leader Bernard Grech’s trust rating has also increased, getting a 1.1 point boost and landing at 30.4%. The gap between leaders however remains quite static at 21 points.

The survey was carried out in the week after Malta was grey listed by the FATF. The results show that this listing had little to no impact on Abela and the government’s trust rating. Abela had reached the lowest point in March following the spike in COVID-19 infections. Meanwhile, Bernard Grech’s trust rating continues to shift but never going beyond his highest point achieved in April which ranked at 35.8%.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB, Bernard Grech FB

Lionel Messi wins first international trophy following Argentina’s Copa America win

Jul 11 2021

Following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil in the Copa America final at the iconic Maracanã stadium, Lionel Messi has finally grasped his first international trophy. The victory is a very special one for Argentina as this is the first time in 28 years that the team has won the South American football championship. Argentina’s goal came from Angel Di Maria in the 22nd minute, becoming the first Argentine to score in a Copa America final since Cesar Delgado in 2004.

Di Maria opened up about the achievement by saying how many times he and the team dreamt of this moment and how hard they fought to achieve it. Argentina had last won the Copa America in 1993 after beating Mexico 2-1 in the final. Brazil, who lost this years match, had won the 2019 edition after beating Peru 3-1 as hosts of the tournament. Lionel Messi had waited a long time for this moment, with the heartwarming scene of him being lifted up by his team in celebration making rounds online as they embrace their victory.

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Photo Source: @afaseleccion IG

Conor McGregor breaks leg during first round against Dustin Poirier

Jul 11 2021

Irish fighter Conor McGregor was defeated for the second time round in two fights after breaking his leg at the UFC 264 on Saturday. McGregor was stopped after the initial round against lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, with replays showing the Irishman’s ankle rolling over as he stepped backwards seconds before the round’s end. The fight was stopped by doctors, with Poirier receiving the second straight win in his trilogy rivalry against McGregor.

UFC president Dana White stated that McGregor and broken the lower tibia in his left shin, but McGregor was not bound to give up yet, stating ‘this is not over.’ McGregor had defeated Poirier in first round TKO back in 2014, but the 32-year-old American matched the score with a second-round TKO in January. The fight was furious and engaging for a full crowd present for the first time since March 2020. McGregor switched tactics and Poirier pushed forward with a flurry of punches, but the match had to be called off after the Irishman’s serious leg injury.

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Photo Source: Getty Images