Sexist uniform regulations changed by International Handball Federation

Nov 2 2021

The International Handball Federation changed it’s much criticized uniform regulations for beach handball. This will see female players being able to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms following years of pushback. This also comes after the Norwegian women’s beach handball team was fined for wearing shorts during a match against Spain in early 2021. The federation stated that the shorts were ‘improper clothing’, in a statement which announced the $1,735 fine ($173 per player). The team’s coach at the time, Eskil Berg Andreassen, spoke to CNN, saying that the uniform regulations could discourage potential players of the sport from going ahead with their wish.

Singer and songwriter Pink also slammed the regulations as sexist, and offered to pay the fine on behalf of the Norwegian team. The new uniform regulations (dated October 3rd) state that female athletes must wear short tight pants with a close fit, with tank tops for women rather than the crop tops stipulated in the old regulations. With male players also instructed to wear tank tops and shorts, a change.org petition also called for the fine to be dropped and for women to be allowed to compete in shorts. It gained more than 60,000 signatures, with the change finally coming into effect.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: CNN, The Economic Times

Only a few classes without a fixed teacher says Education Minister

Nov 2 2021

Following news of student teachers being assigned classes to fill in for lack of teachers, Education Minister Justyne Caruana spoke out to say that there are very few primary classes with no fixed teachers. The situation is being addressed, the Minister told newsroom Times of Malta, following the comments and expression of frustration by many working in the teaching profession or simply undergoing training to become educators themselves. Reports raised by parents in a Facebook group alleged how at least 18 classrooms in primary state schools had no fixed teacher, with kids being taught by peripatetic teachers in rotation.

Minister Caruana said that the amount of classes without fixed teachers is in fact less than 18 and declining every day, but did not specify how many classes are still affected. With COVID-19 measures socially distancing students and bubbles, the amount of kids able to occupy a classroom is less than pre-pandemic contexts. The scholastic year kicked off with a shortage of teachers in around 80 state primary schools, with education authorities calling upon peripatetic and support teachers to fill in.

The situation escalated to objections made by the Malta Union of Teachers, which Caruana said should be coming to a close in a matter of days. Student teachers who had their schedule switched up with only a week’s notice were also frustrated, exclaiming how they had to prepare a lot of material before they started their training and now being forced to create the same amount of work within a short period of time. With 189 teacher warrants allegedly signed by the Minister, the ministry, she said, is always open for dialogue and finding the best solutions possible with the children’s education as top priority.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: District Administration, Justyne Caruana FB

PM meets President Joe Biden ahead of COP26 speech later today

Nov 2 2021

Posting to social media, Prime Minister Robert Abela shared a snapshot of him with current President of the United States Joe Biden ahead of a speech later today. He captioned his upload by stating that climate change is a global challenge against which no one is big or small, as it impacts us all. However, many managed to breathe in a gust of fresh air today as they listened to Biden’s proposed plans and measures to actualize the required changes to solve the issue.

Abela said that the hurdle is massive, but the so is the hope to change it into an opportunity for a shift towards sustainability. Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia also took to social media, accompanied by our Prime Minister. He stated that this will be yet another morning of bilateral meetings and negotiations with countries present for the COP26. Abela is set to direct a speech to those present today.

#MaltaDaily

Drivers frustrated as standstill traffic persists in South area

Nov 1 2021

Masses of Maltese drivers are expressing their continued frustration as many roads going towards the south of Malta remain overwhelmed with traffic jams this evening.

Malta Daily has received reports that a significant number of roads are jammed, with particular areas such as Luqa/Kirkop experiencing standstills due to heavy influx of cars. Drivers have reported waiting times of over 2 hours as they head home after a long day’s work.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Malta Daily (@maltadaily.mt)

This comes after a video recently went viral which layered a citizen’s soundbyte praising the South’s recent roadworks with a different video showing long lines of traffic during the day in the Marsa Junction area.

Have you experienced a similar situation?

#MaltaDaily