WATCH: Student surprises friends after walking into class without wheelchair

May 14 2021

In what is probably one of the most touching and heart-warming videos of 2021, a video shared by San Andrea School has been making the rounds on social media after capturing a young warrior named Andrew walking into class with crutches.

8-year-old Andrew was born with what is called Spina Bifida which, amongst other challenges, means that he has very limited sensation in his lower body.

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Andrew started physiotherapy when he was just 1 month old and at the age of 2, started private therapy with his physiotherapist Lorella Debono. Andrew’s mother Rachel stated that the physiotherapist’s move to her new gym ‘Walk This Way Malta’ was just the boost Andrew needed to walk into school with his crutches.

Rachel stated that Andrew will most probably continue to be a wheelchair user for the remainder of his life but highlighted that a ‘wheelchair is a means towards independence and not something that should be viewed negatively’.

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Almost half of Malta’s COVID-19 cases over the past week were imported

May 14 2021

During today’s COVID-19 press briefing, Superintendent for Public Health Prof. Charmaine Gauci gave a breakdown of where Malta’s COVID-19 cases are coming from, highlighting that 23 cases over the past week were imported.

This means that between 3rd and 9th May, 23 COVID-19 cases came from beyond our shores while 20 cases came from households, 8 from social gatherings, 3 from institutions and 3 from workplaces.

Malta currently has 180 active cases, registering only 1 new case in the past 24 hours.

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As Malta’s active cases continue to plummet, one could argue that such imported cases could put the local economy in jeopardy with the government welcoming the opening of the ’tourist season’ on 1st June.

Prof. Gauci stated that tests are conducted on tourists “as soon as they arrive” and if refused, the individuals will have to go on quarantine, going on to highlight that Malta will keep its testing centres open to encourage anyone developing symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.

While Malta continues to welcome tourists & open multiple establishments with the hopes of kickstarting its economy, Gauci explained that there is no place for mass events during a pandemic.

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Malta could test driverless buses as soon as 2022

May 14 2021

Malta could be headed into the future very soon as Malta Public Transport, Transport Malta and the University of Malta have announced plans for driverless buses, with test subjects to hit the island’s roads as soon as 2022.

After two and half years of research, a tender will be launched in the coming months, with testing to occur on four routes – Valletta’s Republic Street, Esplora, the road between Mater Dei and the University of Malta and the road around Ta’ Qali.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg welcomed the project with open arms and stated that such technology will eliminate the possibility of human error, which accounts for 90% of traffic incidents while also eliminating emissions due to the vehicles being electric.

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Abortion in Malta: A breakdown

May 14 2021

As the law currently stands in Malta, abortion is a criminal offence with up to three years of jail time for individuals who conduct, receive or procure such a procedure.

Malta is one of the last countries in the world which still has a blanket ban on abortion.

On Thursday, Independent MP Marlene Farrugia presented a bill to decriminalise abortion in Malta, welcoming a flurry of both positive and negative reactions.

Decriminalisation does not mean legislation.

If Farrugia’s bill passes, it does not mean that abortion would become legal but rather it would no longer be a criminal offence.

Farrugia put forward the bill with the intention of ensuring that no woman is punished for attempting to protect their own health, going on to state that no professional in the medical field should face criminal action for offering assistance

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