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Gozo’s Magical Christmas Parade: A Symphony of Lights, Music & Joy!

Gozo's Magical Christmas Parade: A Symphony of Lights, Music, and Joy!
Dec 20 2023 Share

Gozo is celebrating the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade this Saturday at 8 PM in Victoria. This enchanting event promises a spectacle of festive wonder as over 250 children unite to create a dazzling display of colourful floats, harmonious music, and boundless holiday cheer.

Gozo’s Christmas Parade is more than just a procession; it’s a heartwarming tradition that captures the very essence of the season—spreading joy and togetherness. Families and friends are invited to gather along the streets of Victoria, where the air will be filled with the magical spirit of Christmas.

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Adding an extra touch of glamour to the festivities, the parade will feature the sensational dancers from CENTRE STAGE DANCE ACADEMY. Their performances promise to be a highlight of the evening, infusing the event with the grace and energy of their artistry.

This Saturday at 8PM, don’t miss the chance to be part of Gozo’s Christmas magic. Come and experience the enchantment as the community comes together to celebrate the season, creating cherished memories for all who attend. It’s a night of joy, lights, and the infectious spirit of Christmas waiting to be shared in the heart of Victoria.

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EU Reaches New Agreement On Migration & Asylum

EU Reaches New Agreement On Migration & Asylum
Dec 20 2023 Share

MEPs and national governments have reached a landmark agreement on Wednesday to overhaul the European Union’s asylum and migration legislation. Negotiators from the Parliament and Council finalized five separate EU regulations that address the management of asylum and migration flows among member states, handling sudden migratory crises, dealing with arrivals at external borders, processing asylum claims, and identifying individuals arriving in the EU.

EP President Roberta Metsola described the agreement as a “historic day,” highlighting the importance of the Migration and Asylum Pact. The legislation provides a consistent framework across all member states, focusing on humane and fair treatment for those seeking protection, firmness with ineligible individuals, and strength against those exploiting the vulnerable.

The new regulations introduce mandatory solidarity for EU countries under migratory pressure, allowing member states to choose between relocating asylum applicants or making financial contributions. Criteria determining a member state’s responsibility for examining international protection applications (ex-Dublin rules) are also outlined.

To address sudden influxes, the crisis and force majeure regulation establishes mechanisms for solidarity and support for member states facing exceptional migration pressures. It covers the instrumentalization of migrants by third countries and allows temporary derogations from standard asylum procedures.

The screening regulation introduces pre-entry screening procedures for individuals not meeting EU entry conditions, emphasizing the consideration of children’s specific needs. The asylum procedures regulation establishes a common EU-wide process for granting and withdrawing international protection, with faster processing times.

Finally, the Eurodac reform enhances identification at EU borders by incorporating facial images and assessing potential security threats. Authorities gain the ability to record violent or unlawfully armed individuals. The comprehensive reform aims to create a unified, efficient, and protective approach to asylum and migration management in the EU.

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65,023 Permits Issued For Non-EU Workers In Last 5 Years

65,023 Permits Issued For Non-EU Workers In Last 5 Years
Dec 20 2023 Share

In the five years between 2018 and 2022, the government issued 65,023 work permits for non-EU workers. 

Nationalist Party Deputy Graziella Galea posed the question to Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri. 

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Galea asked how many of these are still in Malta and what coordination took place between Identity Malta and Jobsplus to ensure that these jobs were being carried out.

The Minister revealed that the number of permits of new residences for work were, year by year: 

10,178 in 2018

12,644 in 2019

6,592 in 2020

8,060 in 2021

27,549 in 2022 

The Minister said that the entities coordinated between each other to carry out inspections on places of work to address any potential abuse. 

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Stunning Footage Of Reykjanes Peninsula Eruptions

Stunning Footage Of Reykjanes Peninsula Eruptions
Dec 20 2023 Share

The breathtaking display of Reykjanes peninsula volcanoes erupting was captured by photographic artist Hörður Kristleifsson. 

The Icelandic Meteorological Office confirmed that the eruption occurred near Hagafell, approximately 3 kilometers north of Grindavík. Iceland’s Coast Guard shared a striking video on Facebook, capturing a helicopter hovering over the scene, revealing a vivid line of lava streaming from the ground, enveloped in smoky hues of orange and red.

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This eruption, the fourth in the region since 2021, stands as the most significant so far, covering a 4-kilometer-long fracture. Although the government assured that it poses no immediate threat to life, the area has been closed to all traffic, with a stern warning against approaching it. 

Authorities anticipate several days to assess the situation and have restricted access to emergency responders only in the danger zone near Grindavík.

The eruption, initially forewarned by the formation of a 15-kilometer-long underground magma tunnel in November, forced the evacuation of Grindavík and nearby settlements. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported a decrease in the eruption’s intensity and seismic activity by early Tuesday, with lava spreading laterally from newly opened fissures. 

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