Marcell Jacobs shocks everyone and wins gold

Aug 2 2021

Marcell Jacobs, a promising Italian long jumper turned sprinter, reached the pinnacle of his career last Saturday by unexpectedly winning the 100m gold medal, arguably the most valuable of all the medals. Before the race, Marcell was only given a 3.8% chance of winning by most bookies. He also broke the European record with his time 9.80 seconds. This was Italy’s first ever gold in the 100m and it couldn’t have come in a better summer for the Italians. Italy as a country went through a summer like no other, first winning the Euros, than seeing local tennis player Matteo Berrettini reach the final at Wimbledon and now they can celebrate two gold medals in athletics for the first time, with one coming in the most prestigious event.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MARCELL JACOBS (@crazylongjumper)

Marcell, born to an Italian mother and an African-American father in Texas, went through a long journey to reach this point. The runner who ran less than 10 seconds, only twice in his career before the final, credited his win to his move to Rome three years ago and to his mental coach’s advice to reconnect with his father who he didn’t have a relationship with. His move to Rome helped him, as he got more serious in the eternal city. In Rome he constructed his own team which included a chiropractor, nutritionist and mental coach. In the final Marcell highly overperformed as before his previous highest 100m time was 9.94 seconds, 0.14 seconds more. He also said how he and fellow gold medalist Gianmarco Tamberi were telling each other that they don’t have a shot at gold, over a game of PlayStation, a week before the finals.

A big congratulations to Marcell Jacobs and everyone involved.

#MaltaDaily

New show hosted by Quinton Scerri to replace ‘L-Erbgha Fost il-Gimgha’

Aug 2 2021

Newsroom Lovin Malta was informed by WE Media partner PJ Vassallo Mintoff that Mark Laurence Zammit’s former show ‘L-Erbgha Fost il-Gimgha’ will be replaced this autumn with a show hosted by Quinton Scerri. Set to be called ‘Topik’, the show will be produced by Mintoff’s media production and is scheduled for Wednesday evenings and Friday night streamings. On the other hand, Scerri’s current show ‘Popolin’ will not return to the national broadcaster.

Speaking to Lovin Malta, Scerri stated that ‘Topik’ will focus on current affairs but will be less politically oriented than the programme it is set to replace. He exclaimed huge respect for Mark Laurence Zammit’s talents and career, highlighting that he does not want to give the impression that he is replacing Zammit.

Posting to Facebook, Scerri went on to say that due to several calls, he decided to open up about the situation in order not to let a negative interpretation run amok. He stated that he hopes the new show will be enjoyed by all the Maltese and Gozitan spectators. He exclaimed his disappointment at Popolin being cancelled, despite its high ratings garnered over the past season. He does not want to give the impression that he is replacing Zammit, and looks forward to the start of his new show this September.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Quinton Scerri FB

Saviour Balzan calls for an early election to calm the waters

Aug 2 2021

Writing for his blog with MaltaToday, Saviour Balzan stated that an early election can be the only thing that facilitates a fresh start. This will ‘polls-wise, one assumes…) award full legitimacy to Robert Abela or the next prime minister of whichever political party. For Balzan, restoring normality is crucial, and it should not be replaced by ‘some semblance of normality’. This can be done by having new faces and new blood at all levels of politics.

Balzan asks Prime Minister Robert Abela to deliberate on this solution as Opposition leader Bernard Grech shied away from calling an early election when interacting with the press last Friday. Balzan stated that Grech refused to do so because the polls show Labour will win another electoral victory. He states that the same applies to NGO Repubblika, and that both would have been right in demanding it.

In his blog post, Balzan exclaimed that he was surprised the Caruana Galizia family accepted Abela’s apology. He stated that the Prime Minister’s apology was to be expected and the least he could do in the face of ‘how much documented malicious and intent and manipulation of the last years.’ He attributed these to Joseph Muscat’s legacy, stating it ironic how the former prime minister gave the green flag to an independent inquiry which ultimately ‘denuded him, blemishing his track record forever.’

Balzan highlighted how Daphne Caruana Galizia’s ‘negative style and punch in her commentary’ were far outweighed by the ‘revelations she uncovered’. Balzan stated that the population was cheated and derailed, left feeling humiliated, by the unknown dormant plans to assassinate Caruana Galizia and other criminal ongoings.

Balzan stated that ‘this is why this administration must be allowed to start afresh; to mend the damage that was done and to never forget the death of Daphne and what this meant for all of us.’ Presenting a fresh team and calling for an early election should be Abela’s next move, states Balzan, but it also should be Grech’s.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Saviour Balzan FB, Bernard Grech FB, Robert Abela FB, Repubblika FB

64 COVID-19 cases registered with 168 recoveries

Aug 2 2021

Malta has registered 64 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 2,762 swab tests, while 168 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Sunday 1st August 2021, 760,417 vaccine doses were administered of which 399,724 were 1st doses. 382,825 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 34,439 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 32,011 have recovered, 423 died and 1609 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 37 COVID-19 positive patients, five of whom are in the ITU. The average age of yesterday’s cases was 34.

#MaltaDaily