5 year plan of action for LGBTIQ+ equality announced

May 18 2023

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg unveiled the Strategy and Plan of Action for LGBTIQ+ Equality for the years to 2023 through to 2027.

This was announced during a press conference attended by various stakeholders and civil society members. This marks the third national strategy which hopes on working on the achievements which have already taken place throughout the years.

10 sectors and 94 measures form part of the plan of action which are based on situations which still cause LGBTIQ+ persons to face discrimination.

The plan includes 10 sectors which include the work sector, education, health, sport and research. It also includes measures to make more efficient the fight against discriminatory language and spread of misinformation.

A very big pillar of this plan of action remains the educational campaigns so that society is much more aware of the subject matter.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that this strategy is being annoy led after a consultation with the LGBTIQ Consultation Council, which brings together various representatives from civil society and others.

‘On this day, this government is marking the work being done to strive for a more equal society’ said Buttigieg. ‘Through this plan of action we are communicating our vision in this sector for the upcoming five years. We will continue working on the measures which led to us being placed at the top of the Rainbow Index for the 8th consecutive year.’

On his part, chief of SOGIGSEC unit in the Human Rights Directorate Clayton Mercieca explained in further detail the goals and measures, saying that through an extended politic and continuous collaboration, this will serve as an opportunity to achieve our aims in terms of inclusion and equality.

#MaltaDaily

SUSHI LOVERS: Hugo’s Lounge is back with a new look, fresh location and revamped menu!

May 18 2023

You don’t really love sushi if you’ve never been to Hugo’s Lounge. 🍣

The esteemed restaurant specialising in Asian Fusion Cuisine has been tantalising the palates of foodies since 2005… and now it’s back and better than ever!

After undergoing a major revamp to its look, location and menu, Hugo’s Lounge is finally back and ready to continue earning is reputation for delivering an exceptional dining experience. The new Hugo’s Lounge boasts an elegant and modern interior design, and offers a wider range of Asian-inspired dishes as well as cocktails.

Garnering a loyal following of Asian food lovers since first opening its doors, Hugo’s Lounge promises an unforgettable culinary journey. Now, with its new location, rebranding, and upgraded menu, it is poised to continue delighting customers for many years to come.

Send this to someone who NEEDS to take you on a sushi date.

#MaltaDaily

56,675 foreign students were learning English in Malta 2022

May 18 2023

In 2022, foreign students attending English language courses at local licensed English Language Teaching (ELT) schools amounted to 56,675, which is an increase of 28, 822 over the previous year.

According to newly released information by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the majority of students attending these institutions came from Italy at 16.3%.

This was followed by France at 13.1% and Germany at 12.6%, with 70.5% of total students originating from an EU country.

The majority of these students fell within the 15 and under age bracket at 24.1%. Students aged 50 and over were the minority at 4,639, with female students outnumbering male students at 62.3%.

July saw the biggest influx of students, accounting for 21.6% of the annual total. This was followed by August and October respectively at 17.5% and 9.7%.

A total of 39,351 students (69.4%) opted for the course of Intensive English, followed by the ‘English Specific Purposes’ Course at 20.7% of total students.

Meanwhile, teaching and academic staff in ELT schools numbered 618, with 26.2% being in the 55 and over age group. Female teachers were also more numerous than male teachers in this case, at 69.7%. Non-teaching staff amounted to 511, of whom 65.8% were employed on a full-time basis.

Read full report here.

#MaltaDaily

3D digital scan shows Titanic as you’ve never seen it before

May 18 2023

A unique 3D view of the Titanic has just been depicted in unprecedented detail, showing the shipwreck were the water completely drained away.

The new scan could also reveal new clues about the vessel came to sink in her 1912 maiden voyage. The scans also allow the preservation of a digital twin of the ship as the real one feels the toll of corrosion, sea currents and other impacts eating away at it.

BBC Radio 4’s Today programme was informed by Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson that the images could provide new forensic evidence that could rewrite how the sinking unfolded.

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“I’ve seen enough in my years of studying the Titanic that I am suspicious of the narrative that we’ve become accustomed to over the past century,” Stephenson said.

The scan was carried out in the summer of 2022 by Magellan Ltd, a deep-sea mapping company, alongside Atlantic Productions, who are working on a documentary about the project.

The ship is currently split into two parts after the wreck was discovered in 1985, with the two parts separated by around 600 metres. This digital scanning gives a new perspective which conventional cameras could only provide snapshots or clips of.

#MaltaDaily