Angela Bettoni, a 23-year-old who may be the first MCAST graduate with Down’s syndrome, is continuing to break barriers in Malta. Now pursuing her passion for performing arts at university, she emphasizes that she is “no trailblazer,” insisting she is simply living life to the fullest.

In an interview with Times of Malta, Bettoni shared her experiences of advocating for mixed-ability performances. She joined the Opening Doors Association at 18 and has seen significant progress, with seven well-received mixed-ability performances since 2021. Her latest work, Balm, an autobiographical duet, was performed at the Malta Dance Festival and Venice’s Venere in Teatro earlier this year.

Despite the challenges she faced, Bettoni highlighted the support of her parents and lecturers, choosing to focus on the positives. As reported by Times of Malta, she believes in the importance of “equity not equality,” advocating for opportunities tailored to individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

As Bettoni continues to push boundaries in both education and the arts, she remains determined to raise awareness and create inclusive spaces for people with learning disabilities to thrive.

#MaltaDaily

Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, visited the site where fans have laid tributes outside the Buenos Aires hotel where his son tragically died. Liam Payne, 31, fell from a third-floor balcony earlier this week, and since then, fans have gathered to honor his memory.

When Geoff arrived at the Casa Sur hotel, a group of fans created a human barrier to block photographers from getting too close, offering him a moment of peace to grieve. One fan, Bianca Gallorini, explained that the group wanted to give Mr. Payne the space to “express his feelings” and show how much Liam meant to them.

The area outside the hotel has become a memorial filled with flowers, photographs, and candles left by heartbroken fans. Mr. Payne took a moment to read the heartfelt messages and letters placed there, pausing near the tree where the tributes were displayed. Before leaving, he expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and the touching tributes to his son.

Despite the family’s requests for privacy, the visit was followed closely by photographers, though the fans’ efforts provided some relief from the media attention.

#MaltaDaily

A recent study conducted by Dr. Atsuko Saito at the University of Tokyo has demonstrated that domestic cats can distinguish their owners’ voices from strangers, yet often choose not to react. The research highlights that, unlike dogs, cats exhibit more subtle responses to human interaction, such as ear or head movements, rather than vocalizing or wagging their tails.

The study involved playing recordings of three strangers’ voices followed by the owner’s voice to 20 cats, while their reactions were observed. Researchers found that the cats recognized their owners’ voices but did not engage in communicative behaviors typically associated with social interaction. Instead, they responded with minimal movements, suggesting that while cats possess the ability to recognize familiar human voices, they may not feel inclined to respond overtly.

This research confirms the common perception of cats as aloof, yet it reveals underlying socio-cognitive abilities that have not been widely explored. The findings open up possibilities for further studies on social cognition in domesticated animals, with cats now emerging as a valuable species for comparison alongside dogs and horses.

#MaltaDaily