Investment Of More Than €5 Million In Artistic Programme For Youths With Disabilities

Nov 26 2024

With an investment of over €5 million over five years, the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering is supporting the Malta Trust Foundation by funding the salaries of professionals to enhance its extensive therapeutic music and arts program.

This initiative targets children and young people with disabilities, aged between 5 and 35 years.

Since its establishment in 2021, the Malta Trust Foundation’s program has offered specialized therapeutic sessions, including music therapy, adaptive music lessons, expressive arts, dance therapy, and support for families at its Music and Arts Centre in Rabat.

Minister Julia Farrugia, alongside Malta Trust Foundation Chairperson and former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, announced the program, which aims to reach up to 500 individuals weekly.

Sessions, lasting between one and three hours, will run from Monday to Saturday, with personalized activity and therapy plans designed collaboratively with parents or guardians by a team of specialized professionals.

Minister Farrugia emphasized the government’s commitment to initiatives that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, providing therapeutic support and creative expression to develop their talents.

Chairperson Coleiro Preca noted the government’s support in funding professional salaries as a vital step toward strengthening and expanding the program.

To ensure ongoing monitoring, a task force with representatives from the ministry, Aġenzija Sapport, and the Malta Trust Foundation will meet quarterly, while an expert committee will conduct annual evaluations to guide future improvements.

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Malta And Hungary Convene To Further Strengthen Bilateral Relationships

Nov 26 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg expressed Malta’s commitment to further strengthen the island’s bilateral relationship with Hungary, during a meeting held with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.

During the meeting the two spoke about several issues concerning both countries including several pressing European and regional issues, particularly the implications of the Russian war against Ukraine on Europe and the global community.

Borg emphasized the importance of collective action within the European Union to tackle key challenges, including institutional reform, migration, and enlargement.

He also highlighted Malta’s leadership on the international stage, updating Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Malta’s initiatives as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Expressing optimism, Borg stated, “Today’s exchanges have further strengthened the bond between our two nations.”

Additionally, Borg held a meeting with Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs János Bóka, discussing enhanced cooperation within the EU framework and adapting to evolving EU policies and strategies.

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‘Demure’ Chosen As Word Of The Year 2024

Nov 26 2024

Dictionary.com has selected demure as its 2024 Word of the Year, thanks to its viral rise on social media. The term gained widespread attention after Chicago-based TikTok influencer Jools Lebron used it in an August video admiring her workplace makeup style.

In the clip, Lebron described her look as “very demure, very mindful,” emphasising professionalism and simplicity.

The audio quickly became a viral trend, used in thousands of videos and even referenced by celebrities, NASA, and the White House.

The popularity of demure saw a 1,200% increase in searches on Dictionary.com between January and August, with peak interest around mid-August, when searches surged 14-fold.

By then, demure had 200 times more searches than before the trend began. It outpaced contenders like brainrot, extreme weather, and Midwest nice to claim the top spot.

While the announcement drew praise from some, others criticised it as pandering to fleeting trends. Critics argued the word’s popularity was short-lived, questioning its significance.

Lebron, meanwhile, benefited from the trend, gaining widespread recognition as media outlets chronicled her rise. The mixed reactions highlight ongoing debates about the criteria for such accolades in the age of social media influence.

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Minister And Parliamentary Secretary Reveals Progress In Animal Welfare Reform

Nov 26 2024

During a press conference, Minister Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said provided an update on the ongoing reform within the Directorate for the Proper Treatment of Animals.

They highlighted numerous initiatives aimed at strengthening animal rights.

Among the progress achieved in the first year of this reform were key milestones from the seven pillars of the initiative. These included a 50% increase in staff for enforcement and rescue operations, the introduction of a dedicated 153 hotline extension for emergency reports or suspected abuse, improving responsiveness and efficiency, and the addition of two state-of-the-art animal rescue ambulances.

Minister Refalo emphasised the commitment to transforming the Directorate into a higher-quality service. “Through this reform, which we are diligently working to complete by 2026, we aim to ensure the Directorate is empowered with the necessary resources to safeguard animal welfare,” he stated.

Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said commended the Directorate’s efforts, noting a tripling of hotline calls since the reform began in late 2022, with over 10,000 calls received this year alone. She also reported increased inspections, confiscations, and disciplinary actions against animal cruelty.

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