Jason Micallef Explains Why He Won’t Attend Sofia Protest

Jul 17 2023

Taking to social media, Jason Micallef explained why he won’t be attending tonight’s vigil in honour of Jean Paul Sofia.

Micallef explained that whilst it is a fundamental right for people to protest for what they deem necessary and that he defends this right to the last breath, he won’t be attending due to individuals and organisations exploiting any cause or tragedy for their own agenda.

‘Our country is wonderful because it protects the right to protest in such a way. The beauty of protest is that, genuine people from different sectors of life, come together with one goal.’

‘There are those who do not bother using anything to protest against the government of the day. Those whose only cause is to acquire power at any cost, including using human tragedies to do so.’

This warranted a response from Isabelle Bonnici, Jean Paul’s mother, who said that the vigil for her son is inviting everyone. ‘Death has no colour. No one will be speaking at the vigil except for a poem and a few words from the cousins of Jean Paul.’

‘I organised this vigil and I accepted the help from wherever it came. The goal is pure and genuine. We want the facts so that our children do not continue to die and many understood this. All I want is a candle so that love remains alight. I appreciate if we are clear and honest. Thank you.’

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Increase Of 6.2% In Library Book Loans In 2022

Jul 17 2023

According to administrative data from Malta Libraries, as shared by the NSO, book loans in 2022 reached a total of 659,616, showing a 6.2% increase of 38,414 loans compared to the previous year.

This marks the third consecutive year of growth in book loans from public libraries, following a decline in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Western and Northern districts saw the largest increases in book loans, with rates of 20.0% and 19.8% respectively. In Gozo, the Victoria public library had the highest number of book loans at 29,061, followed by the Nadur public library with 17,193 loans.

Among the Western district libraries, the Ħ’Attard and Ħaż-Żebbuġ regional libraries contributed to more than half of the district’s gains year-on-year. In the Northern district, the Mosta and Naxxar public libraries accounted for the majority of book loans, representing 49.7% and 14.7% respectively.

Conversely, the South Eastern district experienced a 4.7% decrease in book loans, with Mqabba recording the largest decline of 27.9%. However, the Ħal Kirkop public library in the same district saw a significant increase of 52.4% in book loans.

Book acquisitions in 2022 totalled 32,124, a decrease of 16.3% compared to the previous year. eBook acquisitions saw the most significant drop at 77.4%, while book purchases increased by 14.7%.

New members of public libraries in 2022 reached 5,947, a substantial increase of 73.1% compared to the preceding year. The percentage of new library members under the age of 18 also rose from 52.1% to 56.5%.

The National Library of Malta received 881 books and periodicals through legal deposit in 2022, reflecting an 11.0% decrease compared to 2021. The number of books surpassed the number of periodicals.

Regarding international trade statistics, imports and exports of printed book material and periodicals increased in the previous year. Imports rose by 21.9%, while exports increased by 8.2%. Furthermore, data from National Accounts revealed a growth of 10.6% in private final consumption expenditure on books and 2.4% on newspapers and periodicals.

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Taylor Swift First Woman With 4 Albums In Top 10 At Once

Jul 17 2023

Taylor Swift has become the first woman ever and only the third artist overall to have four albums simultaneously in the Top 10.

Additionally, Taylor has surpassed Barbra Streisand’s record to become the female artist with the highest number of No. 1 albums in history.

The 33-year-old has achieved this feat with her latest album, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” which debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard 200. The album amassed an impressive 716,000 album-equivalent units, combining physical sales, digital sales, and streaming figures.

Notably, this marks the largest week for any album in 2023, surpassing her previous album, “Midnights,” released in October last year.

Joining “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” in the Top 10 are three more of her albums: “Midnights” at No. 5, “Lover” at No. 7, and “Folklore” at No. 10. This remarkable achievement makes Taylor the first woman since the inception of the charts in 1963 to have four albums in the Top 10 concurrently.

These charts change from week to week, but as of time of writing, Taylor still has most of her albums in the top 200.

Furthermore, she is the first living artist since 1966, when US trumpeter Herb Alpert achieved this record.

Prince is the only other artist to have achieved a similar feat, with five albums reaching the Top 10 shortly after his death in 2016.

Notably, Taylor Swift has also surpassed Barbra Streisand in the record for the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in history. While both artists previously held 11 No. 1 albums each, Taylor’s recent accomplishment has given her the edge.

It is worth mentioning that four out of the five biggest album debuts in the past five years now belong to Taylor Swift, with Adele’s 2021 album “30” securing the fourth position, just ahead of “Speak Now.”

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How Malta Got Its Fireworks | by spunt.mt

Jul 17 2023

Maltese summer skies are dotted with colour. Today we explore Malta’s love story with pyrotechnics, and how we got here.

The love story between the Maltese and pyrotechnics takes us back to the time of the Order. On the feast of St. John the Baptist, celebratory bonfires would be lit, il-Ħġejjeġ ta’ San Ġwann. Soon enough, villages began to compete who could make the biggest bonfire.

When a new Grand Master was appointed and other similarly important occasions, the Knights would offer a salute with the firing of cannons and rifles. Maltese bombardiers got inspired.

The bombardiers were familiar with explosives and so, on the feast of their protector, Saint Barbara, they made their own version of the salute by lighting gunpowder from small bronze barrels, called ‘maskli’.

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Towards the end of the 19th, the Maltese began hiring Italian and Sicilian experts. They introduced us to the first coloured fireworks as well as to the much loved ġigġifogu. These experts were well paid, and guarded their recipes jealously.

So what did the Maltese do? Rumours have it that they wined and dined their guests until they became drunk. While the Sicilians dozed off, the Maltese sneakily copied their recipes.

By pure coincidence, and not at all related to any intoxication whatsoever, we start seeing more advance fireworks by the beginning of the 20th century. Advanced fireworks featured in feasts of Saint George in Qormi, Saint Helen in Birkirkara and Lord Saviour of Lija.

Following Independence, more money started pouring into the Maltese festi. Following the 1990s, more technological advancements were made, with computerised systems and synchronised music featuring regularly.

The pyrotechnic activity in Malta today is among the most advanced in the world, with many Maltese fireworks factories winning multiple international awards.

This article was brought to you by Malta Daily X spunt.mt

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