Neil Agius & partner get engaged prior to world record attempt swim

Jun 29 2021

In another heart-warming twist to Neil Agius’ story, prior to his expedition between Linosa and Malta, the activist was proposed to by his partner Lara, to which he said yes.

A social media post on Agius’ page stated called the beautiful moment ‘another layer of excitement to this already epic expedition’, shedding light on such a motivating moment for the endurance swimmer before his circa-55-hour swim.

Agius had originally planned to break the record for Longest Open Water Swim in a journey from Tunisia to Malta, but changed course due to weather conditions, where he will be going for roughly the same distance with his departure from Linosa.

You can track Neil’s journey here.

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Simon Cowell convinced he can bring back One Direction

Jun 28 2021

Simon Cowell has expressed that he can bring back together international favourite boy band One Direction. Having formed the group on X-Factor 11 years ago, the record executive has predicted that the boy band will return together sometime in the future. In a conversation with Mirror Online, the judge stated that the singers could be convinced to reunite and provide fans with another run of their favourite music.

Cowell said that if he could get into a room with them he could possibly persuade them. ‘But I [Cowell] think they should do it, definitely. I would love it to happen. And the fans, of course, would love it.’ The group took their break after announcing the news in 2015, months after Zayn Malik parted ways with the other four. Recording their fifth album ‘Made in the A.M., the boys went on hiatus. But hopes are up following the mogul’s comments. Who knows, maybe we’ll be treated to some new music by all of them soon.

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Photo Source: Billboard

150,000 British tourists predicted for Malta amidst UK variant spike

Jun 28 2021

Speaking to Times of Malta, Malta International Airport chief Alan Borg revealed that around 150,000 Brits will be making their way to Malta following the green-listing. This number will span July to the end of this year, with Malta’s inclusion onto the UK’s green-list proving to be a tourism game-changing moment. However, is Malta ready for the amount of Britons making their way to the island following the spike of the delta variant?

Before the announcement of quarantine-free travel, arrivals from British airports were already on the increase. Around 8,000 UK passengers made their way to Malta in the first three weeks of June. The Delta variant however has run rampant in the UK, pushing forth Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s reopening plan by several weeks.

The variant accounts for 95% of the confirmed infections in the UK, with these surging in the last couple of weeks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel in fact called for a mandatory quarantine to be imposed on British travellers. Malta will instead only allow fully vaccinated Brits to enter the island. Borg calls this a fair compromise, as taking Merkel’s advice would have dealt a significant blow to the tourism industry. 60% of the adult population in Britain is fully vaccinated.

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Photo Source: Malta Info Guide

Alfred Sant calls for open debate about abortion

Jun 28 2021

Former Prime Minister and Labour MEP Alfred Sant has called for an open debate on abortion. This news comes days after he abstained from voting on a report which identifies abortion as a human right. Sant stated that even though the debate should respect cultural and behavioural norms, these factors should not impose themselves upon rights. The non-binding report was pushed forth by S&D group member Fred Matic, which calls for universal access to legal and safe abortion, maternal health care, and sexual education across the EU.

Only Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer signed in favour of the report. Doctors for Choice estimate that at least 300 women in Malta have abortions every year, despite the country having some of the strictest laws against abortion in the EU. Women do it through aboriton pills or by travelling abroad.

Sant stated that he had expressed support for the principles upheld in the report. He said that an open debate was needed, and that projecting onto people who support abortion as being heartless or immoral is a hypocritical act. ‘The complex dilemmas that abortion issues raise should be resolved by communities following an open and tolerant debate.’

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Photo Source: Alfred Sant FB, EURACTIV.com