Messi refuses to shake manager’s hand as PSG narrowly beat Lyon

Sep 20 2021

Yesterday night marked Messi’s first ever PSG home game against Lyon. Messi once again didn’t score but came very close to doing so, hitting the crossbar of a freekick and forcing a good save from Anthony Lopes. The game ended in a 2-1 win for PSG after a 93rd minute winner from Mauro Icardi gave the Parisians all three points. However, the highlight of the match was Messi refusing to shake Pochettino’s hand after being subbed off early.

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The first half was very close but PSG got the more clear cut chances. Messi played quite well in the first half linking well with former Barcelona teammate Neymar and fellow Argentinian Di Maria. Messi was not playing in his usual right wing position but rather playing as an attacking midfielder behind Kylian Mbappe. The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

The second half started better for Lyon, scoring in the 54th minute from a cool finish by Lucas Pacqueta. Their lead was only there for 12 minutes after suffering a penalty because of a foul on Neymar from young defender Malo Gusto. Neymar swiftly equalized the game from the spot and from than on it was a battle to see who would find the winner.

Whilst the match was getting more and more tense, Messi was subbed off in the 75th minute. He was clearly disappointed refusing to shake manager Pochettino’s hand. The game ended when Mauro Icardi managed to head in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the 93rd minute.

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Calls to have pharmacies open 24/7 and medicine in supermarkets

Sep 20 2021

The Malta Chamber of Commerce has pushed for the government to enter consultation with stakeholders in regards to pharmacy opening hours. The chamber said the last it was consulted was around 18 months ago. This follows a reveal by Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne that health authorities were in advanced discussion with stakeholders to extend opening hours of pharmacies further into the afternoon on Sundays. The Chamber however claims that it has not been approached in recent months. It revealed that last it was consulted was in February of 2020, having received joint proposals which provide roster concepts for pharmacies on Sunday.

Following a post by this newsroom about Chris Fearne’s announcement, the public commented what seemed to be more expansive reforms to the matter. Some suggested that pharmacies remain open 24/7 with others even recommending having medicine sold in leading supermarkets just like in other countries. Many highlighted how illnesses don’t discriminate against time and location, and not having such access for everyone could endanger lives. What do you think?

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB

Cuba vaccinates kids young as 2 to reopen schools

Sep 20 2021

Cuba became the first country in the world this September to start vaccinating kids as young as the age of 2 against the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the vaccination not being mandatory, parents have been filling clinics, hospitals and even converted schools along with their children just for their kids to get the jab. CNN and other media houses were invited to film in a policlinic in Havana where during a single day around 230 children between the ages of 3 to 5 received their vaccine.

To ease the pressure off the children, doctors and nurses wore Mickey Mouse ears even brought a clown with a speaker system to perform for them as they awaited in line. In Cuba, kids will require three shots before they are considered fully vaccinated, just like their adult counterparts. The arrival of the Delta variant led to a skyrocketing in infections among children in Cuba, with many of the patients reporting in serious or critical condition being newborns.

During the whole pandemic, at least 117,500 minors have been diagnosed with COVID in Cuba. The government has not revealed how many children have died with the virus, but singe the beginning of August, at least 10 minors have been listed as having died in daily press briefings given by the Health Ministry. Plans to reopen schools have thus been scrapped. Despite the closure of schools, internet access is an expensive luxury for most Cubans. Children therefore receive their lessons by watching educational channels on TV.

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Hamrun Spartans continue bad start by losing to Balzan

Sep 20 2021

Yesterday, Balzan narrowly beat Hamrun Spartans 1-0 to cause even more misery to the latter tean following their bad start. The Spartans look a shadow of the team that convincingly won the league last season. Many fans and pundits alike have said that this bad patch of form might be because of the injury of creative midfielder Matthew Guillaumier.

The game wasn’t as close as the score line shows, as Balzan played better football and sometimes swept the Spartans off their feet. The first and only goal came from Balzan’s main man Milan Đurić. The Serbian midfielder scored past Henry Bonello from a free kick with the help of the post. A chance created by new signing Luke Gambin was wasted by a wide Frankiln Sasere header.

The second half didn’t feature any goals but was closer than the first. Hamrun wing back Joseph Mbong created the first chance of the second half, again for Franklin Sasere, but was saved, unfortunately for him. The beginning of the half was better but they quickly went back to their sloppy style, passing the ball around with no intent of creating any chances.

Balzan didn’t manage to convert any of their other chances but still got the all important three points which were required to take them to 6th and level on points with Floriana and Valletta.

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